Decisions, decisions, decisions...

Time is ticking away as we have talked about going on a big excursion when I graduate and we are coming down to the wire.  We can't seem to make up our minds... First it's Hawaii, then Western Caribbean cruise, or Alaskan cruise, or Mexican cruise. Reguardless its some kind of cruise but which one? They all sound so much fun.  So if any of you have been on a cruise I would personally love your input, not to mention we still need to get our passports. HELP!

"Swish"

Brock in action his Freshman year at Verrado High.  The school opened up four years ago and this will be the first year of seniors graduating. He is loving life and their freshman basketball team has been very good. Just click on the picture to get a closer look. He is number 50 in the white/black jersey color.

The brighter pictures are in the home gym.  The dark picture is at Dysart high. This was our first and only game to attend at the very beginning to see him jump for the ball. Their record is 15 and 4. Pretty good for Verrado. Coaches are pushing Drake to follow suit because of the height we have for our family. I hope he does, even though he didn't try out for the 7th grade b-ball team. Hopefully we can get him up and running  next year.

Memories of losing teeth...

Remember the ways you lost your teeth?  Did you lose one at the movies? Well Madie is in the process of losing her teeth and last night we went to see Avatar. She says to me that she needs to go to the bathroom so I escort her to the bathroom, but she doesn't go into the stall. Instead she is looking in the mirror and playing with her tooth. I check it out and say, "Oh Madie its time to pull it out" so we did right there in the movie theatres bathroom. She always gets nervous about me pulling her teeth but there was no blood this time. She comes back into the Avatar movie at the best part  (the climax) wanting to show the boys and Jay her tooth while they have the 3D glasses. Crazy on when and where we lose our teeth. She has some good stories already.  I will post her jack-o-lattern smile soon...

How can this be?!?

Six years ago I was waiting for 13 hours to deliver Madie in the West Valley hospital.  I can't get over how quickly time goes and how I wanted Madie to not grow up so quickly knowing that she is my last baby... However, that was not on her agenda. She has been ready from the get go to be just as big as her brothers and do what they can do. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADIE! I'm so glad that you are a part of our life and we will have you forever. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! 

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!