Time Out For Women

I just had a great weekend!  I was able to go to Time Out For Women with my best friends - my mom, and three of my sisters.  We went Friday evening and then most of Saturday.  We listened to incredible musical talent - singing, violin, and piano, and some very uplifting speakers.  The message was simple, humorous, and poignant!  I laughed and cried.  The spirit was strong, yet it was a very casual atmosphere.  I loved it!
Here are some of the great things I came away with from the experience:

Happiness is a City in the State of MIND!  I can choose happiness.  Humor helps us keep a good perspective.  I can have problems AND still by HAPPY.  If you can Laugh at it you can LIVE with it.
A sense of humor can be DEVELOPED!  Jesus was happy!  His purpose was for us to find JOY therein.

We need to find joy in the success of others - NO competing!  Find what is important and move along toward it at a comfortable pace.  (from "Small and Simple Things" by Sister Hinkley

As an experiment everyday:  Pray for the Holy Ghost to be with me.  When temptation or a trial come upon me I am to pray again for the Spirit to help me and picture the Spirit right there with me.

Have you noticed that the Sacrament table is anchored to the floor and that it is not wheeled in on a cart - it is permanent because we are going to need it over and over again!

How would you thank someone for saving your life?  You would ALWAYS remember them!  Do we always remember our SAVIOR?

What is it like being married to ME?  Am I delightful to be around?  Am I trying to be someone he wants to hang around?  Or am I worrying more about how un-delightful he is being?  I think I will be DELIGHTFUL today!

Send a LOVE note!  Appreciate, don't expect or demand!

Children are like slow ripening fruit.  Be patient with the process.  Don't base it on appearances - 3 year old at the grocery store, one minute an angel, next minute Devil Spawn!  Same child, different perspective.  I trust that He COULD, but do I trust that He WOULD?  Psalms 27:14  Wait on Lord.
You plant it, water it, take care of it.  But the sun (SON) does the rest!  Psalms 9:10 Put trust in Lord

What if the fruit of MY parenting is ME?  How did I turn out for raising these Children?  (instead of how my children turned out?  They still have their agency, but did I do my best to teach them and what did I learn and grow from those teachings and love for them?)

To have a more abundant life:  Story of the loaves and fishes - Everything was in place but abundance will only come through the Savior.
1.  Make the most of what I have to offer.
2.  Giving my All is when the miracle comes
3.  Learning to be content (barley is the lowest class bread)

BE THERE!!
Abundance can come from the most simple of offerings.  Making our foundation the Savior then building upon and adding to it.

Faith in God means having faith in HIS timing!

Weakness is NOT sin!  Ponder that for a while then read Sister Wendy Ulrich's book. 


We are saved only through the Grace of God.  Our Savior paid the price for our SALVATION.  We do good to prove our love to GOD and our Savior, NOT to earn our Salvation!

When something unfair or bad happens in our life I can choose to be angry, bitter, etc.  OR I can take it to the LORD.
1.  His power is MORE than my power - Rely on that GRACE and power!
2.  HOPE in Jesus Christ and the Resurrection.
3.  Laugh!  Finding humor makes it easier to bear!

There is a lot here to ponder and use for my benefit.  What will I do with it?

Toddler Talk

I just don't want to forget this so it will be quick.

Tera hit her chin on the stairs this morning - minor redness, but caused tears.  She came into my room and I was still covered up in bed.  Her hands were freezing -yay to cooler nights and windows open!  Anyway, I told her her hands were freezing and so was her nose and she should climb in bed with me, and then I wiped one of her tears away.  She then wiped the other one and said." yeah, but my crying waters is warm".  

I love toddler talk!

Mexico in June

The Summer had began.  Unfortunately Chad had to work, and Johnathen was at YM Priesthood camp so the girls and I decided to brave Mexico on our own.  And I am so glad we did.  What a relaxing and enjoyable time we had!  We spent the week in Kino Bay with Chad's sister Marnae at her beach house, along with two of her kids.  The house is beautiful and the view is gorgeous!  Right out the back door is the water and the waves were such a calming entity.  The only downside to the whole trip was that it was so hot and humid that clothes were totally unbearable to wear!  I ended up buying an ugly moo moo just so I could breathe!  But at the store Tera was so cute with these hats!

We had evenings on the patio, movies on the roof, and fun in the water.  The food was excellent.  The company was great.  I just can't say enough good.  I can't wait to go back!

Para sailing was a little intimidating, but ended up being so relaxing and peaceful once I was in the air.  The view was phenomenal, and the only sound was the wind and my breathing.  It was very neat. Ashten rode tandem with her cousin Brittany.

Tera didn't care for the Ocean much.  But she loves water none the less.  She found her own little spot and could be found there at all times.  She started out with just the toys getting wet, but by the end of the trip she was all in!  She even figured out how to fill it with more water!

Day 4 of the never ending week!

Graduation on Tuesday.  Disneyland on Wednesday.  Sleep on Thursday but only until 4 pm then off to a party at a friend's house.  Friday is day four and of course we are having our own graduation party, because one party just isn't enough!  It started out planned as a luau, but then it started to rain so we cancelled the swimming part.  However, by the time the party started the weather was clearing up.  Of course not everyone came with a suit due to plan change, but that didn't stop them from having a great time in the pool!  Oh to be 14 again! 

Clark was an unwilling swimming participant!

 The evening ended with a game of neighborhood fugitive.  Love that game.  Hiding and running while being chased!  What fun!  

Saturday brought one more party at a friend's, then Sunday was truly a day of rest!  Monday morning was testing day at Queen Creek for class placement.  As you can imagine, there are not very many Franklin kids in honors classes this year ;-)  

Disneyland in a Day!

The tradition at Benjamin Franklin Charter is that graduation happens on the second to the last day of school with a trip to Disneyland to officially end the year!  Graduation is finished by 8:30 and everyone is sent home only to return at midnight!  The buses roll out and the long night begins.  The fun and excitement lasts for about 1 hour then people start to sleep - uncomfortably!  9 AM the gates are open and the buses unload.  The day is spent chasing each other to one line after the other.  What fun!  The weather is perfect.  The kids are fun.  The adults are cool!  At 9 pm the gates close and so do the doors to the buses.  The really long night begins.  Everyone is totally wiped out so sleep is quickly upon us.  Unfortunately it is June in Arizona and the bus decides it doesn't want to have A/C so we are not only tired, and uncomfortable from tight spaces, but now it is also BLAZING HOT!  Thank goodness it is only 7 hours home! 

Back Seat on the bus.  Best place to be!  Three best friends together for one last trip!  We will miss you Mikayla!

One mom got comfy on the floor, but risked having to stay there forever!

Class of 2009 (or 2013)

Our super great group!

Ashten tried for 20 hours to get Mr. Shelley to let her see his hat.  By hour 26 he finally gave in but told her not to tell anyone else!  So of course a picture of the evidence was in order!
 

So even though the bus ride was not as fun as I remember them being from my school trips, I am still so happy I got to experience that 30 hours with Ashten and her friends.  And at no better place than the "happiest place on Earth!"  We really did have a great time.  And yes, I really was cool!  (at least until I made one of those skinny girls get on the floor and give me her seat to sleep on!  Thanks MIRA!)

Good-bye to Jr. High

So, my oldest is just getting older!  She has left the world of childhood and entered that scary place I don't want to identify!  Graduation was bitter sweet.  We have been blessed with great teachers and friends and now move on to the unknown - HIGH SCHOOL!  

I say I am scared of teenager years, but I am so proud of my daughter and her beautiful example to me and others.  She is strong, talented, beautiful, and fun.  I can't wait to see the person she transforms into.  Hopefully it won't be too painful of a process for either one of us!  

Congrats, Ashten!  Good-bye Panthers, Hello Bulldogs!  

Johnathen's Concert

Isn't he cute in his suit and tie?  

Johnathen played in the end of year concert for his school.  

He also played in the all school (4 schools involved) orchestra concert.  

He had a good time meeting other musicians and playing songs they worked hard to learn.  

Sadly he decided that the violin is not for him and so now he is pursuing the piano and voice.

So long as he stays musical his mom will be happy!

No Longer Spring!

Ok, so my far away friend asked if there was some freak of nature happening in AZ that would allow it to remain forever spring.  I told her yes, it is called a new business and family life!  Sorry, I have been really busy.  I know that is no excuse so here I am telling you that now it is almost fall!  Not really in AZ because there are not a whole lot of leaves that change color here and then ones that do just seem to fall right off the trees instead of taking there time, and it only happens in like November, not September/October like places with true season changes!   Although I must say that I do love the evenings getting cooler.  The days are still pretty warm, but they get better in October.  Not really, I remember sweating while trick or treating last year!   And no, that is not because I am so out of shape that getting free candy made me winded!  It was HOT!   

Ok, enough about the weather.  I have lots to catch up on from the end of school to a cruise to Alaska and a trip to the beach in Mexico - jam packed summer folks!  Stick with me and you will see parts of the world you only dreamed of!   

Spring Round-Up!

Every Spring at the kids School they have a fundraiser/carnival called the Spring Round-up. Normally I despise it but tolerate it for the good of the school and so I don't have to do smaller fundraisers throughout the year (really despise those!). Well, this year they stepped it up a bit with a mechanical bull ride for the bigger attendees. The kids LOVED it and did fairly well too. Here are some shots of them getting the momentum going!

He looks calm, but the next second his hand comes down to hold on!
The face and hair say it all!

This is what Tera got to do instead of the bull.

Whoa, I thought it was going to eat me!

But I ate it instead!

Happy Birthday Rachel!

Ok so this is a little late, but Rachel, child number three turned 9 this month (I know it is the last day, but still March, so there!) March is FULL of birthdays for this family. Grami is on the 11th, I am the 17th, Pops' the 19th and Rachel decided to have her own day on the 20th. There are about 40 other days filled with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins as well, but needless to say, there are only about 5 days in the month without someone to celebrate. However, Rachel has her OWN day and that makes her special - because she is just that, SPECIAL!

She was my sweet baby girl for so long that she always will hold a special spot as the baby even though her little sister technically has the honor now.

My pregnancy with her started out like the other two - in the toilet! However, it progressed to much worse for much longer. It became so bad that if I wasn't asleep I was throwing up! So, I would get up, dress the two munchkins, pour sippy cups with juice and milk, half open string cheese, bag dry cereal or crackers and rewind all VHS movies we owned and stack them by the TV and go back to bed, after making sure dead bolt locked on front door. They would watch movies and eat all day until the food or movies were gone then wake me up for refills. Might be why they still think they can do whatever they want!

After the puking stopped, we had an ultrasound. Even though this is going to sound horrible, the whole family was hoping for a little boy as Johnathen was only two so he needed a buddy close to his age. Ashten being 5 was going to be a mommy not a sister either way, so a boy we wanted! Or so we thought at the time, and for a few days later until I came to terms with another little girl. She made me pay for those few days of uncertainty by trying to come 6 weeks early! But of course she was just teasing and decided that she would continue baking until four days before she was due! Of course she didn't let me rest in between there - contractions constantly but not good enough for progress! Until we were at Pop's birthday party and I had a few really hard ones. The night was filled with them, but not enough to go to the hospital.

FINALLY the day really arrived ( the next morning) and we headed to the hospital around 6:30 a.m. We called Grami on the way and she met us there ready to be my coach with Daddy for the second time in person (she was there for Ashten, but we got her on the phone for Johnathen). We had a great doctor that showed up on time and liked to play with the lights in the ceiling with his remote! I know, weird thing to remember on such a momentous occasion! We also had two nursing students along for the ride. They were very quiet and stayed out of the way just like they were told, but now that I have been through school myself I should have made it harder on them! hehe JK. After about 7:30 I was very tired of feeling contractions so I got an epidural. I was going to try natural again, but didn't have it in me this time. I was able to rest for a bit. But then all of a sudden I had pain on one side that REALLY HURT! I was starting to cry and the nurse was like" you shouldn't be feeling anything right now, let me see what is going on" and then"holy Cow, that's a baby!" She called in the doc and turned up the epidural all at the same time and at 9:30 a.m. you were born! A beautiful, red baby with no cone head at all! Just popped out and crying so sweet! The day was cloudy, windy and cold, but we were toasty warm on the inside and out!

We wanted to name you Rebekah, but your mean Aunt Toi had a dumb dream (still not bitter can't you tell!) about here pregnancy and HER baby's name was Rebekah and I refused to have two babies in the same family born in the same year with the same name - dumb! So anyway, you were not named on the first day of your life. We went back and forth all that first day and then finally Rachel was decided. We let Ashten kindof choose your middle name. Her fave movie at the time was The Little Mermaid 2 with Melody. We didn't like Rachel Melody, so we changed a couple of letters and got Rachel Melany. It fit perfectly to our cute bundle of joy and never mind that we called you Rebekah on accident at least 50 times in the first few months of your life. Now you get called Tera or Ashten so what's the difference, right?! Just kidding, darling. You are Rachel through and through!

SOOO, for your birthday this year you got to choose what to do for the day. You choose to spend it with Dad and Mom and Tera. First we went to In N Out for "the best burger ever!" You love them! Then we went to Walmart and you got to pick out some new shirts for school and a new toy. Of course Tera got a little toy as well so she would leave yours alone. We then went to the theatre at the mall but the movie was full so we bought tickets for a later time and went into the mall. You decided you were ready for earrings so we went to Claire's and got your ears pierced. They look so cute! You are adorable with your little pink daisy earrings! You were a little scared at first but you didn't hardly cry - just some tear filled eyes for a second! Then it was all over - except my squeezed hand is still a little sore! You told me I needed to get my own done since I said it wouldn't hurt but it did and I needed to see what it REALLY felt like! You are so funny sometimes, Girly! We left Claire's and went to Sear's so Daddy could look at shoes and you decided playing on the escalator was more fun - until you caught your knee on one of the steps and started bleeding everywhere! Then we bandaged you up and went to see A Tale of Desperaux. We ate popcorn and mike & ikes. It was almost dark when we got out and you wanted ice cream so off to Golden Spoon for some frozen yogurt - you had cookies and cream with chunks of oreos. Then we went home and crashed! What a fun day! I loved every minute (well, except for the bleeding part of course!)

Right after the piercing! Trying to be brave with a smile!

SO CUTE!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl! Thanks for letting us share in your special day. I love you tons and tons!!

We Love Swimming!

Yay for Summer! Time to go swimsuit shopping and oh how cute they are this year! I have to say though that the age difference in these two is daunting sometimes. I don't believe having to wear matching outfits will ever be an issue! But aren't they cute? Can't wait for the water to get warm enough - right now it causes hypothermia - or so Ashten claims after barely making it out again!

Mmmm Chocolate!

"Mommy, I have chocat miewk?"

"Ok, give me just a minute."

Many minutes later....

This is the "uh oh, I got caught" look!

The "Oh, look! She has the CAMERA!" look

Since I am not in trouble, I think I'll have some MORE!

Mmmm, YUM!

(ok, not really, have you tasted just the powder without the MILK? EWE!)

Just a Mom?

My sister sent me this email and I thought it to be clever and funny. Hope you enjoy.

JUST A MOM

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the CountyClerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.' 'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.' The clerk paused, ball -point pen frozen in m midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out.) I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.' There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.' Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations'? And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts 'Associate Research Assistants.'

Home Sick

For the past few days this house has had a bug going around. Coughing, fever, boogers - lots of them! Well, due to the fact that no one wants to do anything, many movies have been watched. One in particular "Open Season 2" has been played over and over. Funny movie, the downside you may ask? My sweet 2 year old going around calling "Mr. Weeeenie" drawn out and repeated a hundred times like in the movie. Funny, but getting quite old. Especially when all I want to do is sleep but keep having visions of a wiener dog running around and a huge bottomed lady yelling "Mr. Weeeeenie" in a very high pitched, nasally voice!

Bobbi

This is Bobbi - so named by his/her owner, Tera. (I say his/her because when asked if it is a boy or girl she says girl, but always says "he, him, or his" when talking about it.) Bobbi was a gift from Grandma when Tera was born and was instantly loved. He became the must have when going to sleep at night, being left with a babysitter, and put in the stroller for a ride. At about 13 months Tera was talking words and on the drive home from a trip to Mexico she kept crying and saying something that resembled baby or puppy, but sounded like Bobbi - all while pointing to this toy. So the name stuck and is rightly appropriate I think! You can tell by his worn hat that he has been much loved! Well, last week for a whole 24 hours Bobbi was LOST. He has been put in some fun places I tell you - toy airplanes, in cabinets, behind couches, in drawers you would think too small for him! But I tell you we looked in ALL those places, TWICE and he was no where to be found. We had a rough night without him that night. SO the next day we redoubled our efforts and tried again. I had said a real quick "please help me find him" prayer as I was looking, but to no avail. Well, as a side note, that week had been spent preparing for my Nana's funeral and Tera was there at my side through all that, so out of her mouth popped "Bobbi's dead!" My heart tore. I started to cry as the emotions had been pent up and I was not prepared to hear my two year old say that about her beloved friend. I got down on my knees and said a heartfelt prayer that I would find him for her as I was not ready to give him up yet. And I got up, started walking around the room and wouldn't you know, right then I looked toward the window and I moved the curtain and there was Bobbi sitting on the window sill looking out at the world. (I'm sure that Tera thought he would like the view or he was telling HER what he saw out there as she was too short to see!) Oh, the tender Mercies of our Lord. Some will say it was coincidence, but I say it was a miracle and an answer to MY prayer. I know my Father loves me and hears me when I need him most and that day I needed HIM more than I knew. And now our beloved friend is once again touted around the house and loved more than any other by a sweet little two year old with an active imagination. Oh the love of a friend - how dear!

Jeanne Marie Rayburn - My NANA

I want to tell you about my Nana. She had a stroke and passed away last week and I have been ok with it all week. I am happy that she is back with Papa and not hurting anymore. I have been preparing myself for her to leave this earth for awhile. But today I just feel sad. She was a REALLY great grandma and I was her favorite! Ok, I don't really know that for sure, but that was what she was good at - making whichever grandchild in her presence feel like they are the favorite! She would come pick me up and take me to her house to spend the night and be away from all my six siblings for the day. We would make dinner together and I would get to take a bath in her HUGE tub, then sleep in the guest bedroom in a queen size bed all by myself with no sisters kicking me or steeling the covers. There was a plaque on the wall in that room that said "don't count your chickens before they hatch" with a hen on it. I would wake up to the smell of hot coffee (no I didn't get any, but still love the smell), and if it was a school day, get ready for school and then walk to the bus stop by her house and go to school. It was always fun. Sometimes my brother would come too, but not always.

One summer she and Papa took all the grand kids that wanted to go and were old enough, camping for a few days. It was the coolest thing ever! They had a trailer, but the kids all slept in tents. She washed me and my cousin Keri's hair in the creek - oh so cold, but fun none the less. Papa taught us how to catch flies in our hands -cool! She would play Skip-bo all day with us. We learned to clean fish - yuck (although at the time it was really cool!) and fry it up. We had to go into town about three times because as she says "boy, you kids can EAT!"

She always wore Keds shoes: Blue, red, striped, white, whatever matched her shirt, and white, tan, or blue pants. And she always sat with one leg up on the other knee.

Her hair was always white (unless you count that time when it was pink and blue hued), always high on her head like a beehive.

She hated her picture taken but would let us none the less.

She crocheted and sewed beautifully and I have a few beloved things to show for it.

She helped me make a decision on whether I should marry a guy once - (no not Chad, in fact she thought I was crazy when I told her I was marrying Chad because it wasn't too long after our conversation about some other guy!) She didn't say "don't do it", but asked me questions that made me contemplate my true feelings and make the decision to not do it a lot easier. Once that was done, it opened me up for Chad to come in and those same thought provoking questions helped me to say YES to my sweetie!

My Nana was a special lady. She was my mom's mother and taught her well. I am grateful for that. She was an example to us all. I never saw her argue with my Papa either. They always showed nothing but tolerance and love toward one another. Oh, I have so many memories with this great lady. She will be missed. I look forward to the day when I will see her and Papa again. Nana, I love you.

MY Boy!

Isn't he cute?! I can't believe he is 12 today! It seems like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital. You were tiny and squirmy and full of life. That Monday was a great day. Daddy and I had spent the previous weekend in Gilbert with the FFA kids from Heber, (He was teaching there at the time). I walked all day Saturday looking at model homes and shopping, then Sunday I completely rearranged my bedroom by myself (probably what started the labor!) I went to sleep and then early (5:45) in the morning I got up to go to the bathroom - seems like that is ALL I did for the last few weeks. I got back in bed and rolled over and thought "YOU have got to be KIDDING me... I did NOT just pee my pants, I JUST went to the bathroom!" No I did not, my water broke. So up we got and called the doctor and they said to go to the hospital so we called the Crandell's and they took Ashten for us. We got to the hospital by 7:30 (it was about 40 miles away). They checked us in and made me comfortable, the contractions were barely starting to be regular. This was a very small hospital and I was the only maternity patient there at this time, so I had people asking to help me all day - it was totally opposite of the last baby I had. They brought me a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast - unheard of! Then I got to take a shower - also unheard of! It was glorious! Although as a nurse now, I am not sure how safe all that was as I could very well have gotten an infection or thrown up all over someone! As it was though, I was feeling pretty good. We called Grami and Pops to tell them we were there and Grami talked me through some breathing (she wasn't able to be here this time) and reminded me to relax all over and remember my hands and toes. That really helped later on. The contractions were getting regular, but not quite hurting yet and Daddy was tired of just sitting in the room so we went for a walk. After a little while he got tired of that too, so I put him in a wheelchair and started pushing him around. The nurses all thought that was pretty funny to see the pregnant lady pushing her husband around. But his ride didn't last long as the contractions started getting closer and harder to handle so we headed back to the room. We weren't in there long when I suddenly felt panicked and had to call the nurse. It was about 11:40 a.m. now and she ran out of the room and called the doctor and then came back in and had me breathe through a couple more contractions then the doctor came in and on the next contraction you were here! 11:53 a.m. 6 lbs 4oz 21 inches long! That delivery was quick and I wish I could say painless, but that would be lying, but quick it was.

Then we couldn't decide what you would be named. When I was still pregnant with you and I had gone for an ultrasound to find out how you were doing and if you were a boy or girl, they told me a boy and I was so excited I went from there to the store and bought a little yellow tracker and a blue balloon. Ashten was just two and cute as can be, daddy was teaching class when we got back to town so I had her carry the tractor and balloon into his class and give him a big kiss. It was so fun to see the look on his face! Well from that point on we called you Spencer Chad. However, when you were born, you just didn't look like a Spencer to me. So we started all over again. I wanted David Chad, Daddy wanted Jedekiah Clarence - I said NO WAY! Then he said John Clarence and I said no to the John (there are enough Johns in our family). We battled for a while longer and finally I blew up and said "I don't care, I am tired, you are the dad - go name your son!" so he left the room and went to the nurses and a while later came back and told me Jedekiah was it, and I almost cried. But then he smiled and said how about Johnathen David. It was perfect, and I loved it (I wanted to call you David, but he wouldn't let me - so I was adamant that you would be called Johnathen, NOT John). But, in the end it worked out that we both got a name we liked, that fit you, AND had some family heritage after all - John for your great grandpa on Daddy's side and your Grandpa on Mommy's side, and David after your Grandpa Lewis. I still wish we were able to use Daddy's name, but he wanted to honor his dad and grandpa more than himself.

That night after you were born the hospital brought in a special dinner for Daddy and I. I had a Cobb Salad and Daddy had a steak - they even put a candle on the tray, but wouldn't let us light it for fire rules - talk about hospitality! You don't get that in the hospital today. No way!

Well that is how the story goes. You came home with us the next day and had a really good first 12 days! Of course you know what happened next, but that is another story to tell. All that matters is that you lived through that and it made you stronger. You have grown so much since those first days - obviously, but I mean spiritually as well. I love your sweet spirit and how you are good about following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You try so hard to be righteous and to make sure we are righteous as well. You are a great brother to your sisters and they know you love them. You are funny and smart and SO talented with music and stories. You make friends easily and people like to be around you because you are fun.

I love you, Son. I hope you have a great birthday! Love, Mom

::: BREAKING NEWS :::

In 2009 the government will start deporting all the mentally ill people.

I started crying when I thought of you.

Run my little crazy friend, run!

Garden Fresh!

We have been told to have a garden. It is not always easy to do - either the veggies don't grow like you want, or you have too many that you don't know what to do with them! Well, a great thing happened for us. Tera LOVES anything that grows out there. She thinks it is great that she can be outside playing and run over and get a snack without having to stop playing! Although she is finding that green tomatoes just aren't the same as a red one! Her favorites right now are the carrots and sweet peas. The following is her ritual to the pea... Breaking open the pod to get to the peas.

(Embarrassing that huge weed in the background - at least it is not IN the garden - one of the perks of having it off the ground I don't have to worry about them in the garden, just under it!)
It is total coincidence that the shirt she had on that day says Garden Fresh on it. But how appropriate!

Almost there!

I got it!

Lettuce in the background not doing as great as we wanted, however, we did have brussel sprouts with dinner yesterday!

Yum, pea.

Mmmmm!

I think she might actually have dropped that one, but you didn't need to know that!

Can't waste the pod - though it is not as tasty as the pea, and a little harder to chew, thus the concentration of the eyes closed and pulling real hard to the side!

We love the garden. Our squash was doing great until the last big storm that even the plastic cover could not save it from freezing, but Summer is just around the corner and we will have Zucchini and Strawberries - can't wait!

Christmas Past... I mean Post!

Even though it was ages ago, here is the post of Christmas promised! Christmas was great this year. We spent Christmas Eve with some wonderful friends, the Masitis family. We had dinner at Texas Roadhouse (a tradition started three years ago when family bailed on us last minute). Then we walked the Temple grounds looking at the amazing light and nativity display. It was quite chilly but fun non the less. Thanks Melissa and Erik for joining us with your kids. It brightened our night. (Even though I am SURE that your kids went home with some very unsavory table manners learned that night... flying straw covers, peanut shells and ice, oh my!)

After dinner and lights we went home and opened the ceremonial one gift that Rachel finally figured out is ALWAYS going to be PJs! But of course always the Diva, she is the first to have her picture taken! Love the pink silk! She wears it well. You can't tell in the picture, but they have little white polk-a-dots as well, too cute!
And how thrilling that they come in wee sizes too! (ok, so one size too big, but she will grow, right! They had to match, ok!) Besides my kids are so short they would look too big anyway- look at Rachel's feet) Tera's hair just cracks me up. If you notice in past pics it is always the same wild do! It is quite un-tame-able, but loved just the same.
U of A is #1


Ashten didn't want a solo pic, but notice the cute Smurfette on her Pjs! Aren't my kids adorable?! And they are so excited to go to bed so Santa will come...

AND boy did he! What a spoiled rotten bunch!

Tera didn't want to wait for the scissors, teeth work just fine! Notice the unwrapped gift in the background. Once she realized that kitchen was for her she could care less what else there was to open. Lesson learned...one great gift is all she needs! Though, she may have lost interest when the next gift opened was undies! The kids made their protest known that undies should not be wrapped-Haha- I was just trying to make it look like more under the tree for the wow affect, ya know! Necessities can be gifts can't they?

The highlights of the day: Wii, Guitar Hero band (something for everyone of course!), 42 inch LCD for dad, Kitchen for Tera (she's not quite yet a fan of the Wii), and of course smiles from everyone for mom, (yes, I got some great gifts too, but the smiles make it all the better!) made the day what it is - fun!

We were supposed to spend the evening playing games with some friends, the Wilson's, but by 4 pm I had a horrible headache and was feeling the starts of a sinus infection. Sure enough, by Friday I could hardly talk and had a cough that could speak to seals! Of course that didn't stop us from spending Saturday with Chad's family at his brother, Nathan's home, or going to his niece Rebekah's baptism which I was asked to speak at and did very hoarsely. We are proud of her for facing the freezing cold water - there was snow on the ground outside and the church's hot water was not working, but she went in willingly - brrr!

So there you have the Christmas post. It was a wonderful time for me. I LOVE Christmas, it is my favorite time of year - the whole month between Thanksgiving and New Years. Nothing beats the feeling of the Savior in our thoughts and actions. Celebrating it makes it all the better.

Oh, I forgot about the FHE we had with some neighbors and friends as we went caroling down our street and gave out goodies to the neighbors still at home. We ended with a five minute video of the Nativity at the Brady's home (on their movie screen) and hot chocolate and goodies to share. It was a tradition for me growing up that my family of 9 would carol to our neighbors, I loved it. This was so much fun for me, it will be a tradition again from now on. I hope everyone else had as much fun as I did and will want to do it again. So, that is it for 2008, on to the New Year!