Christmas Day

I guess Santa did good this year. Brock told us that this was the best Christmas ever! I think that also helps when you don't peak at your presents. I have had to change my hiding spots and I think it has worked FINALLY!!  As usual we went over our budget and really splurged this year, it is SO DANG HARD TO discipline when sales are jumping out at ya.

Drake is my most content humble kid. Doesn't ask for much and what he wants is reasonable, although he has been begging for a lab puppy so in return I got him a lab puppy calendar as his puppy. I thought this would be better than the actual pet, no hair, no mess to clean, no feeding, and smells good!

Brock wearing his new Fitzgerald jersey, and Drake snuggling with the new blanket I made him. Below Drake, is the present that shocked them all a PS3?!?!

Madie proud of her new bike. Fits perfect on her too!

This was the display for them to see on Christmas Day after we laid everything out

This is what they would see when they walked into the room (Madie's bike is hidden)

The view from the entry coming outside.

One thing that is so nice about Christmas is how peaceful everything is after presents are opened. The kids entertained themselves and we all were in our own little world trying on a game, project, or watch a movie here and there as a family.

The last two weeks from when my semester ended and when the kids semester would end I was able to volunteer in Madie's class. I helped make ornaments and watch Madie create her gingerbread house. It was so fun to be in her class, mingle with parents, and her teacher. She has an amazing teacher!

Madie is on the front right side. Very much into her icing the house together!

Also showing her front tooth missing. Lost it when she bumped her face lightly on my marshmellow stomache. Jay and I cracked up when she said, "It tastes ike bood". 

"Helicopter mom"

It all started as the average morning ritual.  Brock wakes up and gets ready for Seminary, I usually am awake getting ready for the day as well. Today I decided to not get ready, that I would workout after I take the kids to school.  Brock heads off to Seminary from the car pool, I look in the kitchen and notice that his "project" for English is laying on the kitchen counter, knowing that it is due that day and that he will get penalized for not having it in on time. So I get Drake and Madie off to school and call Brock about him leaving his project. What do I do? Do I come and save the kid by being the helicopter mom or do I have him suffer the consequences.  Well as you can tell I decided to save the kid and told him I would bring the project to him before school started.  As I headed out to his school I'm 1/4 mile away from the school and the traffic is horrindous.  The picture below tells all...I had to make a sudden stop in front of me with the long line of cars making sudden stops, the car behind me isn't paying attention and smacks right behind me. I still have her grill lodged in my bumper.  Thank goodness no one was hurt!  Four teenagers are in the other car and I'm thinking to myself its probably a teenager that hit me speeding so fast (as I remember back in the day) and found out its a parent who is not only taking the kids to school but also works at the school as well. To top it off its finals week so everyone is a bit stressed. I was quite impressed with myself by not getting upset and was calm about the whole thing. So here is my proof of what happend by being a helicopter mom.

A different angle to see the damage.

Close up of how my bumper sticks out a bit on the drivers side.

And yet, I still managed to get my pumpkin rolls baked that day.  I did screw up on the recipe and have to start over because I forgot the sweet ingredient to make it taste good (sugar).  That is what happens when I try to muti-task...talking on the phone to my sis and baking (not a good combination).

NEW STORY...

And now for the past 2 years we have been very anxious to see what our citrus trees would do and produce.  This year is a success with our lemon tree!

Our only naval orange survived throughout the year. In the spring we had a ton starting and the buds fell off. We are new at this citrus growing stuff and haven't really done our homework. I guess that will be something that I will need to pick up (like I don't have enough to do already)...

Funny how little things like this get you so excited! They are almost ready to be picked!!

"Getting into the spirit"

Last night we had our ward Christmas party.  We had a yummy dinner with the traditional ham, salad,

and potatoes.  Madie was able to participate in the program by playing a chime.  She hit one note and it was the very last note (the most important note) to end the song of Silent Night. (She is on the far right)

One of our favorites to make as dinner or a treat is Indian fry bread.  Madie helped me out by rolling the dough while I would fry.  I just love having her around the house and to have so much enthusiasm!

Bon Appetit!

Okay, my last blog I told about us going to the Mesa temple to look at lights. Well this blog actually has proof of attending it and seeing the displays that are set up. This is Isiah professeying of Christ's birth.

The clan.

More of the clan, trying to be photogenic.

Not a great shot but the lights are gorgeous! Have to be there in person or I need a better quality camera.

In the background are the wiseman, but check out Madie's facial expression. These two LOVE to pester each other!  The joys of sibling rivalry and Madie keeps mentioning of wanting a sister, sorry hun but that is not going to happen.

Where to begin?

As of today I have finished my hours for interning special ed children, no more class, and no more homework! This semester has been interesting with ASU changing the program, Jay's back flaring up and getting the flu, not having enough hours in one day.

I have to say I can not wait until Brock can drive! Taxiing him to and from practice has been tedious. This is when I wish we lived in Idaho, he would have his driving permit and the schools offer driver's ed training. Any suggestions on where to go for that in AZ?

The past two weekends we have done our old traditions as a family which is... going to the Mesa temple to see Christmas lights and attending the Nativity Festival. Of course the boys act up and Madie has to be defiant every time we go somewhere in public. We went into the visitors center to see the Christus. The first thing that Madie said when she saw Christ is "mom he's showing his nippers." I couldn't help but laugh. I absolutely love looking at Christmas lights and listening to Christmas music!

Then last night we went to the West Valley Nativity Festival and it was absolutely gorgeous! Better than last year! So many people put a TON OF WORK into this festival. The program was wonderful as well! Next year will be a "date night" for Jay and I.

So with school out of the way, I have time to tie their fleece flannel blankets, wrap up the gifts, send out Christmas cards, volunteer in Madie's classroom, get some exercise, and bake my famous pumpkin rolls, yummy!

My two most favorite things to do!

Happy belated Thanksgiving day everyone! This is one of my most favorite times of the year and that is to eat all you want on Thanksgiving day and let it digest for 3 days. Visit with family and have a great time of laughing, making crafts, looking at the ads for the next days sale events, i.e. Oh, and then after you've pigged out, you don't go to sleep, stay up all night and wait for the mad rush of black Friday crowds to fight for that one item... Honestly, why do I get up so early when I'm not even planning on NOT getting the hot items that everyone shops for? I figured out why: its early, my kids are asleep, and it's so peaceful in the morning until I go into the stores. I have to say, I think Arizona crowds are much nicer than the Idaho crowds. I will never forget that one event with my sister at Circuit City in Idaho Falls, ID!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, my two most favorite things to do are: bake and shop. Yes believe it or not I do enjoy shopping, especially when they're are so many sales! I felt like baking on Thanksgiving eve and made homemade rolls and cinnamon rolls. They were so good, it reminded me of my mom! I guess that is why I did it, to bring a little bit of her in my kitchen.

I also pulled out the Christmas decorations and the kids were great help! Brock put up the lights around the house and Madie and Drake helped put the tree together and trim it! Good thing Santa is watching and counting all the good deeds they do for their mom!

You know that saying you marry who you date?

Today I was thumbing through the library in our office and came upon my old journals. I decided to open it up and read some things back in the year 1992 (one of the most memorable years for me). This is the year that I met Jason, attending Ricks College, and playing volleyball for the college. There was no social life (or I thought) and as I was reading I wrote "Tuesday I went to classes and practice and went for a walk with Jennifer. We saw Jason on campus and stopped to talk to him and asked how his ward did with the Moroni Marathon. HE IS SO COOL! If I didn't play v-ball and worked at the grocery store I wonder if something would happen between the two of us. I shouldn't worry about it, my heck it's not like I want to marry the dude." The last line cracked me up! I shared it with Jason and we laughed.

So why am I sharing this with you? Because the statement "you marry who you date" is so true! If you live worthy you will marry a worthy mate, if you party you will get a person who parties. And then when you are married and start to want to live the gospel again, your partner may not like that because he/she does not know that person of who you were. I plan on sharing this with my kids to be very wise and picky on who they take on dates and like!

Advertising...

Those who are reading this, I normally do not like to advertise but I feel that this news needs to be spread. If any of you know someone who has a child with a disability and is need of support for emotional or social please reach to the free organization called raising special kids ( in AZ). Each state has there own organization, just under a different name.

We had the opportunity for parents to come and talk to us about their story and their program to better the child's life. They would like the teachers to be on the same side and to understand where the parents are coming from. Its a great resource for families to use, if they are feeling that they need some help. Spread the word!

Halloween

What was I thinking? I was so busy cleaning my house, taxiing the kids all over the place, making Carrot Chowder for the Trunk or Treat, and hanging out at Basha's for there fun stuff that not once did I pick up the camera to take the kids pictures of their costume.

Well I will make them put it on again so I can make up for it.

Aroma Therapy

I'm not going to vent but I will say juggling school, church, emotional issues with myself, kids, and hubby, along with the household stuff has been quite a challenge for me lately. Jay surprised me by saying he wanted to get out of the valley and spend time with the family. I took him up on the offer. So I did my Autism walk at 6:30 am at the Phoenix zoo. Came home and helped with breakfast, getting kids ready, changed my clothes, loaded the car, and off we went! We hadn't been to Prescott for quite sometime so we decided to go there and see the Susan Hall museum and enjoy the town. It was fabulous!I was taking in all of the leaves changing colors and enjoying the cool breeze. In fact my whole family had their spirits lifted. The kids think their mom is nuts because I took off my shoes and socks to FEEL THE SOFT COOL GREEN GRASS under my feet and hear the crunch of the leaves. I also made them stop when we were walking along a creek to smell the dead leaves and dirt to appreciate the smell of fall. What memories for me! (Potato harvest)
In this picture they're some sour faces, they really did have a good time. Look beyond them and see some of the red in the leaves...

Imitation of "Rocky".

Couldn't resist to not take this picture. Brock was drooling over the car and so was his parents. Brock says "Its only 22 grand lets get it". Hmm, we'll think on that.

Madie looking for a cowgirl hat to wear on Halloween.

This is not in Prescott but this where we spend our Wednesday nights. Brock had his last football game this week. Their record is winning 2 games and losing the rest. I wish I took a picture of Jay up in the both announcing the game. He did a terrific job and it was therapeutic for him!

Fall Break...

This past week all of my kids had fall break and where I intern is fall break. So I decided to have some fun with them on the west side of the valley, when I didn't have college classes. On Wednesday we went to Peter Piper Pizza, ate until we were sick with the all you can eat buffet. The kids enjoyed playing air hockey all kinds of games to earn tickets for their prizes. The boys' spoiled Madie by letting her pick whatever she wanted while they only got one item. She couldn't ask for any better brothers' than them.
Then on Friday I gave into Drake's request since he has been begging to go to our favorite zoo the Wildlife Park for the past year. We used to go all the time until the prices have doubled. I used my $3.00 off coupon to save a grand total of $12.00. We had a great time and I could have stayed there longer but my feet and Madie were getting tired.
Here are some of the high lights at the zoo that we enjoyed. We are breaking the rule to not feed the monkeys but we couldn't resist with this baby Gibbon. Drake is taking a turn to feed it.

Brock's turn to feed the baby Gibbon. (I wish I got a picture of Brock trying to hand his phone over to the monkey "Dexter" (the type of monkey who plays in the Night at the Museum).

Madie feeding the black Gibbon monkey. He was really sweet!

Madie loving every minute of the petting zoo. This Llama came right up to her.

The new exhibit is the aquarium. We stayed here forever and even fed the sting ray shrimp. Notice Madie's fingers, she was so good to follow the instructions. "Touch them with 2 fingers on the back. Avoid the eyes and the tail".

Drake finally getting a chance to pet the sting ray.

Another part of the aquatic building is touching baby sting rays, horseshoe crab, and star fish. This water was so clear my first thought was how is that alive without any water? (Time to get the ol'e eyes checked)

We also fed the giraffe's which is a highlight and saw all the little new baby tigers, and wild cats that is so famous at the zoo. The kids got to see in action just how Tortoise's reproduce. I've never seen land tortoise's get so much attention before! They also have a new ride (robbery) that is a log ride. I supported the zoo by going on the ride and we all had fun getting wet, accept Madie (she got a little scared at the end). I am preparing them to go on another trip to Disneyland in the future...

The invention...

So today I went to Target and Madie found the toy that I despise...I thought by having a girl I would not have to go through this again... It is POKEMON. Yes she and I had a long drag out talk about this toy. Whoever invented this toy, cards, and shows needs some serious therapy!

Halloween is coming!

Halloween is coming, coming, coming. Halloween is coming oh what fun! This is a tune of a preschool song that we used to sing when I taught it in my home.

My spirits have been lifted up with the cool morning air! I can't get over how much my emotions play with the weather!

Well I have decorated my house with Halloween stuff, made gingersnap cookies (to make my house smell good), have the costumes picked out for Halloween! I absolutely love this time of year! I don't care for the grouse scary costumes but the original ones. People who are so creative on making it themselves! My brother in law is awesome at this! I know call me crazy! So with it being Halloween around the corner I thought my music selection for my blog should match.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Teenagers...you give them an inch and they "swim all over you!"

My title is on my boys. I love them to death but I think I'm going to start forming gray hairs with them! The hormones are raging and they are noticing girls MORE! The other night Jay and I looked at each other and said so here it starts, another turn in parenting.

I am known as the "mean" mom now and with school in season I can't seem to put down the teacher "control freak" out of me when I get home. I run my home like I do when I'm interning. As Drake would put it I'm on there case all the time! That is because I'm not letting them get by without doing what I've asked them to do. So they are going to Jay now because we have reversed roles. Funny how that plays in parenting.

The other day when I was in class one of my colleagues said whatever you felt at age 12 they will feel it 2 years before then. I have pondered that statement and have to agree and at the same time ask myself why? Then I realize that is a dumb thing to ask because look at the world and how they have watered down the standards, values, and so forth. All the crap that they see from TV, movies, and playing with video games. They are exposed to so much than we were.

On a positive note: Brock is a starter for the freshman football team. He plays tight end and wide receiver. His previous experience playing football was playing one season in 6Th grade when we lived in Idaho. The kid has surprised us with his killer instinct! We really thought it would be Drake. He has done very well and plays with all his heart!

Drake is LOVING 7Th grade social life and has all kinds of attention with the girls but his heart is set on one girl only. He still misses his best friend that moved away but going back to school has helped him out. He is my sensitive guy. I have him in piano lessons and he is picking it up quite quickly. His piano teacher says that he has good rhythm. I'm thinking ya he does because he also has good dance moves!

Sometimes I wish there was a parenting manual that comes with these kids. I guess it's called getting on your knees and praying!

Historical August moments...

As I have mentioned in the past how this year is a journal entry for my family...well the time has come when I have three children in school: Brock is a freshman in high school and excels in anything he does, Drake received the Aaronic priesthood on his birthday, and spunky Madie is in Kindergarten doing well academically and with no surprise has behavior issues. On top of my children growing up Jay just turned 39 and has one more year before we can really razz him! I can hardly wait! Drake making a wish and hoping it comes true. I think what a cool day to be ordained a deacon on your birthday! He had great support from family members that live close by! I couldn't ask to be married into a better family!
Jay looking thrilled as ever to be turning 39?!? He asked for a carrot cake (isn't that what old people like to eat?) He is WAY TO YOUNG to act old!

Books and more books!

Summer vacation is almost to an end. My kids have been reading, reading, reading to earn their D-backs and Mercury tickets through the county and public libraries. Well, the reward has happened! Tonight we are celebrating at the D-backs game (cheering for the Phillies since the D-backs stink this year).

I have been reading along as well with any book I can pick up. It has been so fun to escape reality and go into fantasy. I do have to recommend a couple of books. One is "These is my Words" it is a diary and true story. Makes you appreciate modern times, laugh, cry, upset, and get scared. Another one that will make you laugh is "Pray away Pounds". This is so typical of Mormon ladies in their late 30's. I haven't read this one in awhile and as years have passed I can truly relate to it so much more! Great recipes inside as well (not fat free of course).

Just a few more days until our routine changes for good or bad!

Painting projects...

For the past 2 years I have done some paint projects in my home to add color on the walls. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this. I am very simple. In the past I have added wallpaper but I feel that is a curse because we end up saling the home and moving so I'm no longer doing that. We will see if that will make a difference. I'm still not finished painting and still need to work on landscape in our backyard. Hopefully with us not pushing as quickly as we have in the past we will stay longer in this home. In September we will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary in this home. Brock's room was our 5Th project to do. He actually painted during his spring break while I was at work and Jason helped him. When I came home I finished it up. We still need to put the white wood between the colors and I plan on changing the top color to a light beige.

Drake's room was my 4Th project. He actually picked out the colors. I had seen a model home have two different colors but only using two complete walls. I liked how it was different so I tried it out. He is my animal lover. When I get time to hunt some bamboo or grass skirt I would like to put the grass skirt above his windows and the bamboo nailed onto one wall.

Using left over paint from Drake's room...I painted the loft or their game room. The brown is from my room and plan to paint the rest of the hallway and staircase that color.

Madie's room was my first project. She shocked me when she was very persistent on wanting pink! (My girl who is a complete tomboy). I actually love the pink over the yellow. It turned out nice.

Here is the kids bathroom that took forever! I used the left over paint in Madie's room and Brock's to match the shower curtain.

Here is the family room, dining room, and kitchen. The wall that says Whistle while you work is the newest paint. This is what I just finished up.

This wall is in the living room and freshly painted.

Walk in my front room and this is what you see. The dark brown wall but looks burgundy.

Looking from the family room into the living room. I recently made the throw pillows and curtains that have stripes. I found this material at a yard sale.

Another glimpse of where we mainly hang out at.

I love the color green! This green goes perfect with the couches throw pillows.

Closer look in my kitchen.