Let it snow?

We were shocked and excited to see snow again. We have only seen traces of snow since moving away from Utah, and the younger kids have never really been in snow. As of 8:00 tonight we have 6 inches of snow outside (they are predicting 10 inches by morning). We are not prepared. The boys have socks on their hands, and two and three sweat shirts just to stay warm. Marra LOVES the snow. It was hard to convince her that she did need to wear gloves to eat the snow. It has been a fun, cold, wet day. We are waiting to hear if school has been cancelled.

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Faith family and friends...

I have discovered there are three things that I need in my life...Faith, Family, and Friends.  It is because of these three things that one day I will be the person I am trying to be. 

First, Family.  I include all in this group, brothers, sisters, children, spouse, parents, and on and on.  All have helped me to be who I am and incourage me to be who I want to be.  They have been a big help this last week while Steve and I had a week together in South Carolina.  My parents came and stayed with our kids last week, and even stayed an extra day when my plans suddenly changed.  I knew that my babies were being taken care of.  This gave Steve and I a much-needed break to enjoy a few days without having to talk over our kids.  It was great.

Steve and I enjoyed a few days on the coast of South Carolina.  While Steve was at his conference all day I was pampered at the spa, and shopping sprees (I decided I really don’t like shopping).  I also had a little time to myself to think and read.  Steve and I enjoyed the beach, room service, maid service, yummy sweet potato fries, and of course the “turn down service" (I love the treat on the pillow).  Having him all to myself made coming home that much harder to let him go to work.  I want to call, text, and email him all day, but I guess he has to do other things.  I do love being with my kids, but something is always missing until dad comes home.

         Steve is my rock, He is the one to keep me balanced, and bring me back when I let my emotions get carried away (even if I don't like it).  He keeps things in perspective while we are on our path, even when there are bumps along the way.  One of our bumps happened while we were away.  A dear friend (Steve) passed last Friday leaving behind a wife (Amy) and four young children.  All I wanted to do is hold my kids and Steve close, but I was on a flight to Dallas to be with my friend and attend the funeral. 

         That is what brings me to Friends.  My friend Amy is strong and I know that she and her children will be all right.  While they will miss their dad and husband, they know that there is a plan, and that Heavenly Father is in charge.  Amy has such poise.  She spent much of her time during the viewing giving comfort to those who came to comfort her.  I laughed and cried remembering the times we spent together with our families.  While in Dallas (36 hours) I spent time with friends I have not seen in a very long time.  Enjoying dinner and late night snacking while we laughed and cried together.  I learned of births, marriages, missions, callings, children, teens, and divorces.  Even when hearing sad new I was in the safety net of my friends.

         Finally Faith.  It is through my faith in Jesus Christ that I know life will be all right even with these bumps.  He is my Savior, my Comforter; he brings peace into my crazy life (yes, I know I create much of the crazy).  It is through this eternal perspective that I know that Amy and Steve will one day be together again.  I know that Heavenly Father welcomed Steve home and will help him continue on his journey, until it is time for Amy to be by his side.

         While this last week was bittersweet, it had helped me see the things I need to do to get where I want to go.  It has taught me to know what I need to do to be a better mom, wife, sister, aunt, daughter, friend, and of course a child of God.  It is with my Faith, Family, and friends that I will get there.

Halloween revisited...

When I am not so tired I will tell all about the trip with my fabulous husband to South Carolina, and the bittersweet diversion to Dallas.  Having one on one time with Steve was something I have needed for a long time. As for Dallas, I forgot how much I have missed my friends in Texas.  

So on to Halloween.  Steve loves to dress up.  This year is no different than any other.  He is always the same!! This year it scared Marra.  I am the same every year as well, I am a witch.  No costume needed.

 Marra is the beloved Tinker Bell.  Yes she picked it herself.  She LOVES Tinker bell, and would not dream of anything else.  We all know here that the princess is in charge.  Wings and all.

  

Mason is picking his own costumes these days.  He is the Devil.  He even bought the mask on his own (mask is down a few pictures).  He loves to Be anything that involves coloring his hair.  This is the first time to go red.  It took a week to get it all out.  Needless to say he looked great in his shirt and tie.

Cameron is Superman this year.  He said he wanted to be Superman, I said great we have a cape in the "box".  No mom I want you to buy the costume, no homemade stuff.  Picky, picky, it was nice not having to sew anything.  I am still sewing on all the scout badges.  Maybe when Peyton gets his eagle they will all be on.

Peyton on the other hand wanted me to make his costume.  He decided to be Peter Pan.  After no luck on a pattern and a sliced finger,  (thank you Walmart stools), the family talked him into also buying a costume. So this year I managed to not have to sew anything.  Of course I am looking forward to sewing all the princess dresses, they look like more fun than the bloody football player or the ghost we seem to always be doing.

  
Finally Nate, he is too old to enjoy running through the neighborhood filling his bag with candy.  He got to pass out the candy this year.  He dressed of for the occasion.  He is a gangster scout.  I did draw on a mustache and beard.  So a belated Happy Halloween to all.

It is time to move on...

I am proud of the fight my friends fought in California.  Here are a few facts from one of them. I am so thankful for all of the freedoms I enjoy, freedom of speech is just one.  So to all of you "No to Prop 8", it is time to peacefully move on.  I know I have.

1. Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California .  There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million.

 

2. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote.  If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total Proposition 8 vote.

 

3. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign.   Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.

 

4. The No on 8 campaign raised more money than the Yes on 8 campaign.  Unofficial estimates put No on 8 at $38 million and Yes on 8 at $32 million, making it the most expensive non-presidential election in the country.

 

5. Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based on case law and real-life situations.  The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.

 

6. The majority of our friends and neighbors voted Yes on 8.   Los Angeles County voted in favor of Yes on 8.   Ventura County voted in favor of Yes on 8.

 

7. African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8.  Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8.  This was interesting because the majority of these voters voted for President-elect Obama.  No on 8 supporters had assumed that Obama voters would vote No on 8.

 

8. The majority of Latino voters voted Yes on 8.  Exit polls show that the majority of Latinos supported Yes on 8 and cited religious beliefs (assumed to be primarily Catholic).

 

9. The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations.   Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8.  It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California .  Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.

 

10. Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8.  Our faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self.  Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.

 

11. The Church did not violate the principal of separation of church and state.  This principle is derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." The phrase "separation of church and state", which does not appear in the Constitution itself, is generally traced to an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson, although it has since been quoted in several opinions handed down by the United States Supreme Court in recent years. The LDS Church is under no obligation to refrain from participating in the political process, to the extent permitted by law.  U.S. election law is very clear that churches may not endorse candidates, but may support issues.  The Church has always been very careful on this matter and occasionally (not often) chooses to support causes that it feels to be of a moral nature.

 

12. Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens:  they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process.  For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way.  Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse.  The fact is, we simply did what Americans do – we spoke up, we campaigned, and we voted.

Observations by Peyton...

While doing his homework (writing the letter "P").  Peyton proclaims... "Man, all this homework makes me want to poop".  Off he went to the bathroom.

Sea World, Friends, Beach and Prop 8...

... So I left Nate and Steve at home and took the four other children to enjoy a few days in California.  We "had" to go to see Peyton's eye doctor, but that was only one day of the five.  I have to thank our friends, who we lovingly refer to as the Quarterfields for opening there home to three very loud boys, a princess, and a tired mom.  We loved every minute.  The  Library, soft beds, video games, and the great food, even the crunchy enchiladas!  We enjoyed the beach and Sea world, and we were able to see a few of our friends we have missed.

Being in Encinitas I was able to witness my friends standing up for what they believe.  I cheered as I drove by the sign waving of the "Yes to Prop 8" signs.  What a sight to see the youth wearing yes to Prop 8 t-shirts, and standing united against the CTA (or PTA).  

Watching my friends stand up to those who disagree with them, and it being the election it is my turn to stand up for what I believe.  I do not want to live in fear of what someone may think of me and the values I am teaching my children.  

I have the right to raise my children the way Steve and I decide is right for our family.  The school system and the government do not get to tell me the values I have to teach my children.  

So here is what values we are trying to teach our children...

-Marriage is between one man and one women.

-Your are responsible for the choices you make and the consequences that follow.

-Treat others with respect.

-If you do not agree, you have the right to speak against it.

-You get to go to church, because that is what our family does.

-You are a Child of God.

I am sure other values will follow, for we are still in the raising part of our family.  Our goal is to raise honest, respectful, self reliant adults who are ready for the world they will have to live in.

Oh how I love my man...

... today is one of those days when I have had enough.  It took all the energy I had to just get dinner on the table (We had spaghetti).  I just wanted to cry knowing I still had to drive my boys to scouts and young men's.  

In comes Steve early from work (never happens), gets the boys off to scouts, and even takes Peyton to enjoy the evening with the young men.  Cameron is watching a movie with Marra, and I am off to put my feet up before I tackle the kitchen and the four dozen sugar cookies I need for tomorrow.  

Yes, Steve will be helping with the baking!

September happenings...

We started soccer, and Peyton is enjoying running.  I am not sure he really likes getting in the middle of the group, but he at least runs with the group.  

Cameron on the other hand loves being in the middle of it all.  It is a challenge to keep him on his feet.  He loves to go after the best players and give them a real challenge.  I think next year we will do football, at least it is legal to have contact. 

 
We also had "twin" day at school.  Can you tell them apart?  I know it is a bit of a stretch, but these are Peyton's best friends, and they all wanted to be twins.  So three Star Wars shirts later we have three Twins?

Here is how the morning started with three boys who really looked alike.  Shirts where changed at the bus stop.

As for the rest of us, we are just busy.  Nate is starting flag football at school and is working hard at school so he can get a phone (we told him he had to get all A's).  He has a class called peer advocate where he helps a boy at school who is autistic.  He gets to help him during class. Nate keeps and eye on him and encourages him take notes and not cause too much trouble in class.  Nate is really enjoying this new challenge.  

I am keeping myself above water or at least floating.  I am now the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society (women's group in church).  I am over education which is nice because it is mostly only on Sunday.  However, we are a brand new ward (congregation), and I have only been here a couple months and I do not know anyone.  The president has only been here a year, and spent most of it in the nursery so we are all trying to get to know the sisters (ladies in our congregation).  That being said Tuesdays are set aside for visits (20 sisters down, 130 to go).  Wish me luck. I am also helping out in Cameron's class again this year.  I have a lady who watches Marra for me on the days I go to the school.  Once again I am going to be searching for a magic fairy to take care of the house that always seems to be on the bottom of my list.   

Steve is work work work it is nice to see him on the weekends even if he still has to go to the office for a "couple" of hours.  At church he is working with the 11 year old scouts Mason can hardly wait until he turns 11 (one month to go).  He is looking forward to a break this weekend when he and Nate are flying to Salt Lake City for the priesthood session, and visits with what little family we have left there.  

We are also waiting for it to cool off.  No luck yet.  Today it is to reach 101.  Happy sweating.

Observations by Peyton

This past Sunday at church during sharing time (when all of the kids are together for singing & activities) the leader asked if any of the children wanted to share an experience with getting an answer to prayer.  Of course Peyton raised his hand to volunteer and told this story.

Peyton:  um, before we moved away from California Encinitas, when we lived in our blue house, I lost my Buzz Lightyear phone, and I asked Heavenly Father to help me find it.

Teacher:  And did Heavenly Father help you find it?

Peyton (after a long pause): um, no.  We still can't find it.

Teacher:  But did it make you feel good knowing that Heavenly Father was helping you?

Peyton (after another long pause): um, yes?

A Week In the Life...

Cameron had his seventh birthday this week.  I asked him what kind of cake he wanted and he said I just want a cookie.  He was so excited to get a cookie bigger than his head.  For breakfast he wanted bacon and eggs and for dinner waffles.  He is so easy going when it comes to his birthday.  

For labor day we met grandma and papa and great grandma at Mt. Charleston for lunch and a hike.  Grandma and papa left before the hike.  It was nice to get out of the heat (105), and cool off for the day.  It was 68 degrees, Peyton said it was cold.

Nathan has been busy with scouts this summer.  Two scout camps and lots of mid-week activities.  He is now at Star rank, looking forward to his eagle.

Mason received his Arrow of Light.  He is ready for his birthday to move to eleven year old scouts.  

 Marra and I are trying to get use to the idea of a little peace in the mornings.  So far we have canned peaches and made lots of jam.  Peyton is making friends, and has a couple of girls in class who think he is "cute".  I am not ready for these kindergarten crushes. 

I started to volunteer in the school again and I am pleased with the teachers.  I was a little worried about Cam's teacher (he has a little trouble sitting still), but after talking to her she says she LOVES him.  She is having fun with him in the class. I sure hope this continues.  

Nate is surviving a new middle school and has made some new friends along the way.   Mason is enjoying having the some LDS kids in school with him.  He is meeting lots of new kids in school who have moved in from all of the country.  

Finally, we spent Saturday watching soccer.  Peyton and Cam had their first games.  Peyton managed to kick the ball a couple of times, and even stayed in with the group surrounding the ball.  Cam had a great time running and running.  He scored a goal and LOVES soccer, even in the heat.

Silence is Golden...

The boys are off to school and Marra and I have a couple of hours of quiet.  Marra loves her babies and is enjoying playing mommy with out any of the brothers "helping".   I think I can get use to this. 

Cameron is all ready for 2nd grade.  He is even more excited to take the bus everyday.  I am more than happy to let him.  I got a little tired of driving everyday.  Marra and Peyton are thrilled to not be in the car.  Cam is also happy about the fact that he can buy baseball cards in the cafeteria.  Yes, the school has a vending machine for our sport lovers.

Nate allowed me to take his picture as long as I did it where no one could see.   This was taken in the corner of the yard.  (I did however walk him to the bus stop I am sure he will never live that one down).  He is in the 8th grade and is loving the locker thing.  California did not have lockers so he had to carry his backpack and all it's contents around during school.  

The boys are ready to bug someone else for a change.  I sure hope the teachers are ready.

Mason is in the 5th grade at a new school.  He has already made a couple of new friends.  He is a great big brother and makes sure that Cameron gets off on the right stop.  He even knows the garage code so I do not have to be home to let them in.  I doubt he will ever have to use it, but he is sure hoping.

The happiest of all has to be our Peyters.  He walk right into class and started to work.  "See ya mom" is all I got.  I held it together until the car and cried all the way home.  I am thrilled to know that his body  and mind are working well enough for "regular" kindergarten.  It has been an up hill battle that he has had to climb by himself with the rest of us cheering him on, and he has done it all with a smile.  What a kid!

First Hair Cut

She was such a big girl. No crying, and I only had to hold her head still a couple of times.  I think she really liked the pampering.  The sucker at the end was great too.  She is such a big girl now.

I Love School!

I know there are many mothers out there who dread the end of summer.  I am not among them.  I love the first day of school, and I think my kids do too (maybe not Nate, but the rest do). I love a routine.  I love knowing what I am doing every minute of the day.  These past seven months have been a little crazy and I am ready for things to settle a little.  

This year I had the privilege of buying school supplies for four of my five children.  Walmart loves when I come to shop, I always seem to miss the sales when it comes to school supplies.  Oh well,  I also got to buy new shoes for the boys, alright I bought a pair for Marra, and myself.  A girl can never have to many shoes.  In the next couple of weeks I will spend a small fortune on clothes for these boys who refuse to stop growing.  Grandma is coming to visit to shop with us so I am sure Marra will end up with a couple of new outfits.  How we love grandma!!!

So Here are some pictures of our crew enjoying the unscheduled days of summer.

Shingles anyone????

I guess the stress of moving has gotten to a member of the family.   Can you guess?  No, it is not me, and Steve is to busy to get it.... It's Cameron.  

I noticed a rash and a limp, and he complained his leg hurt.  I searched the Internet for a doctor got the appointment, and came home with a prescription and a tired boy. The doctor said that it is very rare that a child gets shingles, even more rare for one to get it who has had the chicken pox shot.  Leave it to Cameron to get something hard to find.  

Cameron is never one to sit still, but his leg hurts just enough that he wants to watch a movie.  It should be an interesting couple of weeks.  

dinner is served

In effort to keep my kids healthy and hopefully far away from fast food, this is what I served for dinner.  Nate was the only one who thought it was the "best ever".  Peyton cried (then again he cries at whatever is not a cheese sandwich).  Cam ate the strawberries and a little of the fettuccini.  Mase ate only a little pasta and fruit. Marra only ate strawberries (she usually eats only fruit).  I am sure Steve made a cheese sandwich sometime after dinner.  Sometimes it really gets to me when I cook and noone eats.  What is a mom to do?  Well I lie.  Tonight I made chicken curry wraps and did not tell them what was in it.  Everyone loved it and Steve has no Idea until he reads this that he ate something with curry.  

Why we blog

I read an article yesterday about a blog that makes fun of all the "look at my perfect life" blogs out there.  The author of the blog goes over board and write about everything wonderful in her life and with her family (all of it is fake).   I thought it was funny, because if you read a lot of the "mommy" blogs it is true , mine included.  

So, why do I blog?  I do it for my family.  With all of us living so far apart this is the only way to keep the cousins and grandparents and others aware of the goings on in the family.  I really doubt they want to here about how often I yell or lost it with my kids, or that Steve works so much we may see him even less then we did when we lived in different states, or that it is so hot here you really need to be in water to tolerate being outside, or how instead of cleaning I read (alright I do write about that).  

What I am saying, is that maybe every once in a while I will change it up a bit and write about something I have been thinking about, politics and religion will be included.  Until then please enjoy the "wonderful and perfect" children that I am raising and how "happy" we are 24/7.

Another Peyton moment

While playing Boggle last night Peyton yelled... Quick mom how do you spell S O S.  He sure keeps us laughing.  Thanks Peyters!

One Quiet Moment

They do not come often, but when they do we run with it.  Cameron is sitting still.  He loves to read, but this week he has really been reading.  He finished "The Red Badge of Courage".  When the book was done he was on to bigger and better things.  The quiet has ended and he is on the prowl for someone to drive crazy.  I think his target is Peyton.

Here we are three weeks in...

and I think we are doing pretty well.  The kids are making friends, at least meeting kids who brave the heat and come outside.  I am moving the boxes around.  I decided that since we are only renting for a year I am not decorating, and the bookshelves will not be bought until we have a house of our own.  I did however search though all the boxes to find the books I still wanted to read.  They are now stacked neatly against the wall by my bed.  

To help the summer and our move go smoothly we found a couple of water spots to keep us cool, and I even bought Popsicles. (I am not really a frozen treat girl, but my kids enjoy them.)  I even found a library. (okay it's a branch and very small, but I did find a couple of books I haven't read yet.)  We even broke down and bought the kids a wii.  We have never had video games, but they seem to have fun. 

I have met a couple of people, and I am waiting to meet the girl who is a little irreverent, and laughs more than not.  I miss my crazy friends in California.  My phone bill will prove it too.  I love to be around others who understand and enjoy the journey of life.  It is not always pleasant, but sometimes you have to laugh at all the crap that gets thrown at you.  I am far from perfect, and I am always working on myself.  I choose to be happy in spite of what the world tells me I should depressed about.  Size, I can do something about the weight thing, and I have ups and downs in that area, but I try.  I will not get any taller, and my gray hair will not stop coming in.  I spend a lot of time and money at the hair dresser, and I always get the look like "you are how old?"  With all of life's challenges, whether I create them or not,  I choose to surround myself with people and friends who care about me not what I appear to be.  So until I find my irreverent, laughing, enjoys a good book, loves chocolate and will eat it, and size doesn't matter friend,  I will long for my friends in other places.  Thank heaven I have Steve who is all the above and then some. After all what is the point if you can't enjoy the journey.  

Boxes everywhere

We made it!  After arriving at 11:30 p.m we finally slept in our home in Vegas.  We gladly woke up at 6:00 a.m to watch as the movers move all of our thing into the house. All I had to do was  point them in the direction in which  to put things down.  It is so nice to let someone else do the work.

We have spent the last five days unpacking as much as we can.  So far nothing was broken in the move.  (I was hoping for a new printer, or TV)  I might as well dream big. We have also discovered we have a lot of books and no bookshelves.  I guess I need to shop again!!  So far I got a new bed, and new washer and dryer.  (LG Steam wash and dry I love them.)  I did all our laundry in 4 loads today. You know your a mom when you get excited about laundry.  

We also have a park next door and have been out in the heat to play.  I finally broke down and bought Popsicles for the boys after the park,  even Marra enjoys the icy treat.  We also found a spray park up the road so we can keep cool and play.  

This week has been good.  The best is to be all together.  (Nate is at scout camp so next week will be even better.)

Moving Day!

It is finally here.  The day we get to finally get on with our lives and move on to the heat of Las Vegas (110 to be exact).  Instead of sleeping in until 6:00, my mind decided it was a good idea to get up at 4:00.  

I am going to miss parts of southern California.  The beach, the food, real green grass, watching hot air balloons being blown up and flown (they start just down the street from us).  I will miss my friends, I have meet some great people here. Mostly, I will miss Cameron's 1st grade teacher.  She saved up from a miserable year.  

I will not miss however,  the taxes, the traffic (I know, Vegas has it too, I just won't have to drive in it).   I will not miss driving my kids to school everyday and waiting in the carpool lane (an hour round trip). I will not miss the gas prices today I get to pay $4.70 come on $120 to fill up my tank.  I know I could drive a mini van and still fit my family, but I prefer that my children not touch when we are in the car (it is so much quieter that way).   Mostly, I will not miss sleeping in a different state from my husband, and only visiting on the weekends!

So farewell, Cali, I am off to finish the last couple of boxes.

observations by Peyton

Coming inside today with something in his hand..."Look mom, I stepped on a dead bee, and now he can be my pet!"  Handing him a sandwich bag he smiled and walked outside ready to enjoy all the benefits a dead bee brings.

When the boys are at school...

we sometimes get a few moments of quiet.  Marra loves to color.  (walls are her favorite, but today she is willing to work with paper).
Peyton enjoys time with his sister, and trying to boss her around.  She is not always willing to do what he wants.  (I wonder who she gets that from).

Peyton also LOVES to watch his favorite show.  Super Why, his hero is "Wonder Green", I am not sure his real name, but that is who he was for Halloween, and almost every day since.  That was until he out grew his costume.  (Karie I am flying in so you can help with Halloween again).

The final count down!

The final count down is on.  We are on our way to Las Vegas in 13 days.  I will be so happy to have the family all together again, but we will miss our friends, and of course living so close to the beach.  These are just a few pictures from our visit last weekend.  The boys had a blast, and Marra loved being one of the boys.

Surgery

Peyton loved all of the pre-0p stuff. 

Then it was into the gown and off to sleepy land.  He wanted to smell the strawberry mask.

When he woke up he was happy and ready to go home.  It was hard to keep him in the bed.  He decided with his new eyes he would be able to jump really high.  The nurses wanted him to stay still for a little while.

Holding him still was a bit of a challenge, but we did alright.  Then it was home to rest.  He also wanted a shake from Chili's.  It was the least we could do.