Becky is MOM!

Head in the clouds.

2011-11-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is the view from the window of my 10th story office in downtown Phoenix. It has been cloudy and cold all day. The clouds look like they are squishing down on the valley. Sam called and asked me if I had my head in the clouds. My answer was almost.

As I laid in bed this morning thinking that Elizabeth was taking an extra long shower, I came to the realization that it was raining.

I don't watch the news so I had no idea that it was going to be wet today. What a delightful surprise.

Not her face!!

2011-11-04T13:13:00.001-07:00

Erika had a fall at school on the 27th of October. She was racing to the bus with one of our bus buddies. Because she was pulling on him with her little hands they were not there to save her face from the sidewalk when she fell.

My little angel really did a duzy!! After consulting with Cynthia, the face restoration queen, I think we will be able to eleminate or at least minimize the scaring.

I sure love this little bug, but when it comes to competative behavior she is so aggrasive. Some day she will use this behavior to save the world. I know the Lord has a purpose in her. I am grateful for that she is part of my family!

Grandpa's visit

2011-10-05T15:17:00.000-07:00

Grandpa is here to visit from Oklahoma. He went to his 60th anniversary!! 60 years out of high school. I sure hope that I can be in a position to enjoy my life in another 48 years.

It's never to late??

2011-08-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

It's never to late to start blogging again, is it???

Now that I have a little more time and my mind is completely damaged and I can remember nothing that has happened over the past 2 years I will see what I can do to change my blogging habits.

We'll see;)

Spring break with Grandpa!

2010-03-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

My Dad was able to come and visit us from Oklahoma. He was here for 9 days, but he was a busy man. We were able to have several days full of fun with him. We went to the Tucson Zoo and Eegies on Monday. Then to the park and the library on Tuesday. Then to good old Chucky Cheese on Wednesday.

Back to the same old grind stone in the morning.

First Dance!

2010-01-09T18:43:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth was able to go to winter formal today. She went with a lovely boy named Shawn. It was quite exciting to help Elizabeth get ready, meet his parent and Shawn. His response to seeing Elizabeth was "WOW". Isn't that a self esteem builder? But I think he summed it up very well, WOW, she is absolutely stunning and a complete a joy to be around.

Buddy o Pal

2010-01-08T19:09:00.000-08:00

Cole was able to come and play today! That kid is funny! And Erika so loves it when he gets to come over. But today the Brenner's were having their tree cut down. So the children were outside riding bakes and scooters, and to my surprise when I looked out the window I saw; three little friends watching the workers from a safe distance.

Headless child

2009-12-31T20:57:00.001-08:00

Anyone who has spent much time with my little man knows that he is one of the nicest, sweetest kids around. But when he gets mad it looks like this.Today Nathan pulled one of his I am mad faces, like this:

But today when he pulled this face out of his bag of tricks I sent him outside to enjoy his trick by himself. But to my surprise when I looked out the back window to find this:

A HEADLESS NATHAN!!!

The END

2009-12-31T20:39:00.001-08:00

There are several things that will end in 2009 these are the things that ended today.

1) Dates that end with 2009!!

Many great adventures happened this year. I can't honestly say that I will miss very many of them. Thank heavens for new begginings.

2) Diapers for Emma!!

Wow this is one that I have postponed way to long. I don't know if it is because she is my last, or because I have become lazy in my insanity of a life, who knows but today was the day!

3) Training wheels for Erika!!

Holy heavens this girl is GREAT. She hoped on those two wheels and never looked back. She started doing tricks and all. But what was really neat is that Nathan just jumped right in to help her learn. I love that my kids can fight and have bad days but when it comes down to things like this their love for one another is very evident!

Traditions run deep.

2009-12-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

Our family once again was able to enjoy candy and popcorn making. This year my older sister Sarah was able to join us after a 4 year absence! It is always fun to remember the traditions started by my Grandma Pearl.

But we have started a new tradition this year now that all of us are here in the valley. We had lunch at my house everyone but Adam who had to work spreading Christmas cheer to the prisoners in the Florence prison. ALL 14 of us celebrated the day together. Poor Nathan is the only grandchild of my Mom's not in this picture. He was sick with the stomach flu, of all days Christmas.

"Thank you for helping me"

2009-11-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

(This is for my recollection purposes so sorry for the gruesomeness)

Sammy was sick several weeks ago. He stayed home for a couple of days and then went back to school. Well, the night after the day he went back to school he threw up. I thought he was sleep walking like he does from time to time. And he was! So I directed him to the bathroom which is were he usually needs to go when he sleep walks. When we got in there he made a funny sound and then started to spit slobber in the toilet. Then with no warning from this sleeping child he threw up! So I helped him aim his flow and then gave him a tissue to wipe his mouth and nose. Then, now awakened by his adventure, he sat on the side of the tub and looked up at me and told me "Thank you for helping me Mom". What a sweet kid he is.

"it's okay mom mom"

2009-11-13T21:28:00.001-08:00

My dearest Erika, my big helper, started out her day by helping Emma get dressed. One difference in the dressing process this morning was that Erika put panties on Emma. So we started to potty train Emma today. Not by any of my doing!

So our FIRST accident of the day I really played it up that it was so sad by saying something to the effect of "oh darn, oh darn, holy smokes there is pee pee on your pants and your panties!". Doing my best to do this in an extremely sad face to let her know that it isn't that great to have to change those really pretty undies or the pants that she had picked out this morning. So my darling Emma stood in front of me as I knelt on the floor, and with both of her little hands she ever so gingerly put them on my face and said "it's okay mom mom".

Phone tree!

2009-11-11T13:02:00.000-08:00

Today the boys were off from school and got all that they needed done, done. So off we went to the park after Emily Dial invited us to come along. So I called my two very bests, Jenny and Becky, to come and join us if they could. So Emily and I arrived at the park by 10:30 and by 12:30 I was toast, as I was not prepared with sunscreen. By the time our family was getting ready to go there was a bundle of the Lazona ward primary at the park!! I love that we as a ward can just have a ton of fun at the park on a day off from school.

I love stake conference!

2009-09-12T21:03:00.000-07:00

For the past two years I have struggled to get through stake conference on Sunday. Having 4 children with in 6 years of each other is what most people call a party. Well, my party doesn't enjoy sitting for 2 whole hours.

But as for the adult session I have attended this meeting solo once again. I am so grateful that I get to go and partake of a heavy dose of the spirit during this session of stake conference. Otherwise I would be on empty for more time than is humanly possible.

We heard speakers talk about raising our family to love the Lord, attending church services with children, ha, ha, and we received an invitation to come unto the Lord! As I receive this invitation my eyes are full! In my everyday life I unfortunately start to forget that my Heavenly Father knows me and loves me. What a silly thing to forget. Reminders lye around me all of the time I just need to have the right perspective as I look at the world. But sometimes I feel so alone.

What a fun evening!

2009-09-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

We party.

The girls went with Daddy to our wards annual Daddy/Daughter camp out today.

The boys and I started our evening with swimming at the neighbors house.

Then we ventured over to the Organ Stop Pizza (recommendations from Mrs. Jenkins) with our friends the Davis'. This was really entertaining. If you have never been it is a real treat!

And because we are real party animals here at our house we came home and the boys were in bed by 9:00.

Once in a lifetime!

2009-09-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

This will only happen once in a lifetime 09/09/09 !!!

Today I got to go and observe a court hearing to fulfill one of my assignments for one of my classes. I observed the mitigation or penalty phase. This is a capital murder case that has been going on for more than three months! NOT what I expecting in a proceeding like this. Very interesting.

Overall my classes are going really well and I am enjoying them. Ask me in a couple of months if I feel the same way???

The start of a new adventure!

2009-08-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

Today was the 1st day of school for my little people! Everyone was excited. Sammy has Mrs. Kight (3rd) and Nathan has Miss Espindola (1st). Last night we had blessings given, Elizabeth came to participate. Even I got to join in this year. I will be starting on the 25th.

**I aced the two classes that I took this summer!!!!!

SCHOOL

2009-06-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

In most of your homes school is a memory of the past. not to be worried about for another couple of months.

Not at my house. I am taking a communications class ON LINE (go figure). It is exciting to start school again and I value this opportunity to help my children to understand the importance of an education, and to increase my knowledge. As I tried to read my text book tonight my brain felt like I was reading a foreign language! I am so tired tonight.

But all is well. I will be off to the library tomorrow morning at 10am. I have to find a book to write my final project on. I only have 42 days left to finish it, and all the other in between start and finish work. And start a new class, world religions, in 28 days.

Wow this is great!!

Sighting

2009-05-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

I was able to see my new acquired friend at Fry's again. I was able to remember his name!! So I said hello as he walked by! (I hope he doesn't think that I am stalking him.) I told him last week that I would see him again. I am sure that he didn't know that the Lord wanted me to see him again, for real. I am so thankful for this wonderful soon to be friendship. I love to hear stories of the older generations. How they have become who they are today. I hope to hear his story some day soon.

Book of Mormon stories

2009-05-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

I would really like my children to learn how to play the piano. So for several months the boys were able to take lessons from one of their idles, Nathan Holt. We had to stop lessons because of the loss of our income. So I have been trying to help them learn the best that I can. Sammy has given up on me but Nathan endures the torture of my teachings.

I taught Nathan the third line of the song Book of Mormon Stories last week. He needed a little bit of encouragement that he would be able to play something besides his lesson books. I walked in to the front room and to my great surprise, Nathan was teaching Sammy how to play that same line. How wonderful it is to see my children helping each other! I loved that.

SAY AWWWW!!!

2009-04-30T17:19:00.000-07:00

My dear husband is now doing well, but for the last week he has been sick as a dog. He had an abscess on his tonsil. (Who would have known?) How yucky! He had strep but after 5 days of antibiotic treatment he was not getting better, so off to the doc again. He was told that he needed to have an ENT look at him. The appointment was made for the following morning, and off we went.

I was unable to stay in the room for the procedure but from what I smelt it was nasty!!! But now it is all better. We just need to look forward to the time that Sam gets his tonsils out now. Not fun! I don't think that he will be signing up for that anytime soon, even though he needs it done. Thank heavens for antibiotics and doctors who know how to slice your tonsil open while you sit there in extreme pain.

2nd chances

2009-04-30T16:35:00.001-07:00

Last week I was saying my morning prayers and asked the Lord for a missionary opportunity. I have never really asked for an experience like this, but following counsel I did so.

I was sitting in my car waiting for Sam to fill a prescription at Fry's last week. As I sat there I observed an older man park next to me and get out. Then he proceeded to help his wife out of the car and walked hand and hand with her in to the store. I thought how awesome it was that they were holding hands, and showing signs of affection at their age.

I then saw them come out and I noticed that he was leading her, not walking with her. He did so with great admiration and patience for his dear wife. He placed the groceries in the trunk of the car and then opened the door for her, she sat down and he buckled her in. I thought immediately about the eternal plan. Any man that treats his wife like a queen here, deserves to have her for eternity. I thought that I needed to share my thoughts with him.

So I rolled down my window and proceeded to ask this man about himself and his wife. He told me about his wife and her Alzheimer's disease and that he cares for her because she cared for him and his children. That it was her turn. He told me of their life and her hobbies. Then Sam came out of the store, and came up to the car. The man said sorry to Sam for talking to his wife and quickly got in the car.

I told Sam that I needed to tell that man about the gospel, but that I didn't have a chance because he came out. I almost jumped out of the car and finished my conversation, but I didn't. I felt so unworthy of this chance. As I was driving down the road beating myself up, I heard, you prayed for a missionary experience. I really felt like a dork then. But at that time I asked that this man could receive the chance to hear of the gospel and I asked for another chance.

Low and behold!!! I had another chance!! I went to this store again on Tuesday. He was there almost like he was waiting for me. I went up to him and jogged his memory as to who I was. He asked if he had gotten me in trouble with my husband, and I laughed and said no. I then told him about a plan that I believed in, and that he could be with his wife, in her right state of mind, for eternity. I told him how wonderful I thought he was for caring for his wife in such a way that melted my heart and showed great respect for her and their loving relationship.

Thank heavens for second chances.

80's?

2009-04-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

I don't get out much, but last Saturday I attended an 80's party. I looked really great;) (pictures to come) I had a TON of fun with friends and danced until I wanted to crawl in to my bed and sleep. Thanks JoDee!! for having a birthday!

Count your blessing?!

2009-03-24T14:16:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went as a family to run some errands. Low and behold a huge blessing surprised us as we drove into our driveway. Our back tire was going flat FAST. So my wonderful hubby grabbed his industrial strength jack and is able to change out the flat tire and place the spare on within a reasonable time. What would have happened if we were driving down Main St. and this would have happened? We would have had a hard time with out the tools that were waiting at home to be used for this very purpose. Oh yeah and the manual that was in my desk inside the house, not in the glove box. After the tire was off, Sam pulled out a razor blade that was about 2 inch. long. Ouch. I was able to take the tire in to "Discount Tire" and replace it for FREE. (plus all sorts of fee's, so it really wasn't free but it was about $168 less than it would have been.) And now our alignment issue of pulling to the right is all gone! Just the small miracles that happen in our lives.

Pay it Forward

2009-03-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

My friend HaHa did this a couple of days ago and taught me how to copy from another persons blog so that I could post this on mine. I love good stuff. How fun!

The Rules:*Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!*Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!*The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Counts!*When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate pictures and comments! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenter's on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!!

50 cents

2009-03-22T21:00:00.000-07:00

What can 50 cents buy you? Well, if you are at our neighborhood Food City, (you know you love it!) you can buy this really cool facial accessory. See?

Spring Break

2009-03-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

My little people have really enjoyed this break. I don't think I have heard "I'm bored" more than a couple of times. It has been great! I have allowed them to venture out to the neighborhood with other children that are so excited to be on spring break too. I am hoping that they are not reeking to much havoc. But today we went to the movies to see Bedtime Stories. This was a very kid friendly movie that my children enjoyed. You just never know really what PG means. I love that I was able to entertain all 5 of my children for 2 hrs. for less than $15.00 including popcorn. Love it!!!
Then as we arrived home, as if on que, the neighborhood children are just driving into our driveway to see if my kids can play. So within 30 seconds they are off. Then the big question, "Can you come and watch us swim in Sister Kemptons pool?" As I was walking to her house I realized that 4 families were represented in this bunch of kids, but I was the only parent that was roped in, sounds fishy. When they were cold enough and got out, I reminded them, as they ran like cockroaches when the lights turn on, "Remember, I am the coolest Mom ever!"

Gardens??

2009-03-09T14:57:00.000-07:00

As we follow guidance to be self sufficient, Our ward preparedness specialist, Michelle, has encouraged us to get our gardens rolling! She breaks it down to a daily assignment for heavens sake, how much easier can it be? So being the valiant person that I am, along with my good friend Becky, went down to the local Home Depot, in her minivan, with our shopping list of garden supplies. We started out with just a regular shopping cart for each of us. Then ended up with one of those flat carts. (the ones you can load up with enough stuff to put in a truck.) We start to stack all of our supplies including manure, 9 bags of the stuff!! As we stand in line unable to maneuver anywhere but strait forward, a man comes by with his regular cart and tries to squeeze by our massive load and Becky says "Hope you can get by because we can't move our stink ship". Now say that out load and think what words sounds like ship. My dear friend turns to me and says something to the effect that she realized that what she said didn't sound like what she wanted to get across. We laughed at ourselves as we push this massive stinky ship across the parking lot to the minivan that awaited us.

As Becky opens the back, a man that worked at the store came walking by and asked if we needed help. We being the humble people that we are, said sure. As the man watched Becky and I cover the back of her minivan with plastic, to protect it from falling yuckiness, he asked us if we knew that we were getting this much stuff? We replied, we just came with a shopping list and didn't realize that it was going to be so big. So we load up all of our stuff and head off to unload.

I am sure that we were a sight to anyone who could see, hear or smell us coming. We were laughing so hard. Our heads out the window and her van looking like we had hydraulics and the back bumper scratching the ground.

Note to self, bring a truck when you are going to go to Home Depot for manure and garden supplies.

creatures

2009-02-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors had irrigation on Thursday. Victoria and Sammy were playing with the water and noticed that there was a creature in the water that they had not ever seen before. It was a crawdad!! Or as they explained, a tiny lobster. Our dear Mrs. Jenkins came and could not resist pulling it out of the water by using a clothes pin to pinch one of its pinchers so that the children could see it. She must be such a great grandma. She says that she has seen this a couple of times in the past. So the children went to the neighbors to show and tell of their find!! I love my neighbors.

Football

2009-02-20T19:27:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful to whomever invented the American Football. My boys spent a good 2 hours today out in the front yard playing monkey in the middle and tossing the football around. I love the weather and this time of year!

"Princess"

2009-02-08T18:59:00.000-08:00

One wonderful thing that I have LEARNED to enjoy is being a mother! In our home there is one princess and one angel both assigned to our girls accordingly. The other morning, my little princess, Erika, came in bright and early and crawled into bed with my hubbie and I. As she was lying there she started to tell me that she loved being Daddies princess. I asked her why? She replied by telling me that it makes her happy.
I have hanging in the girls room this mirror that says, "PRINCESS" on the top and "Daughter of God" in the bottom. I hope that some day that she will truly understand that she really is a, princess, daughter of our God and worth so much in His eyes. I am so thankful for the opprotunity that I have to be blessed as her mother.

Butter

2009-02-03T20:22:00.001-08:00

I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have had to stockpile my home with food. Times as they are, we are in need of using our food storage. I thought that I had a stock of butter in my freezer, but I was wrong. I was really bummed because I went to make Amy Jackson's Yummy cheesecake recipe that she emailed me a while ago and could not because of the absence of one ingredient, butter. I then moved on to other chores in my home and later opened my pantry, and low and behold, bottled butter! WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!!! This just reassures me to encourage others to prepare, prepare, prepare. My family is truly blessed for my being obedient.

FHE Night

2009-02-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

Tonight we started our Family Home Evening by passing out flyers for the scouting program. They are doing a food drive in a couple of weeks. Then we played our new family favorite, UNO. We have valiantly had FHE for 6 weeks. We have also been able to accomplish this along with scripture study except for 3 days this whole year.This is huge for our family!! I have seen my children and husband respond to this to make it a predictable and most days, enjoyable. I am so thankful for the priesthood in my home.

When Daddy comes home!

2009-01-30T07:57:00.001-08:00

When our Daddy comes home our little people so enjoy to run and scream to see who can get to him first. I love to see this. I think he loves to feel this. I am so grateful for the time that he has to be home. He has spent a couple of weeks at home with us. It is quite strange. Most people ask me if I am going crazy? I actually have really enjoyed his time with us, not that I want it to be a permanent situation, someone has to make the dough. (What kind of dough am I insinuating?) My lovely husband has changed in the last couple of months. All for the good! I am truly enjoying him. I don't get as much done in the day, but it is nice to have him.

Grandma Pearl

2009-01-14T07:21:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning missing my Grandma Pearl. I miss the smell of her house. The anticipation of driving up the lane to her house. Many fond and loving memories that are left in that home. She and my Grandpa were one of the constants in my life. At their house there was always lots of good snacks and the ability to play without restrain, most of the time. This place was were we went to escape our lives here in Mesa. We never went on "vacation" so the closest thing that my Mom could provide was Grandma and Grandpa's house. We went there often.

I learned a great deal about service in and around their home. Being the tom boy that I was, I loved to be out doors with my Grandpa. I was anywhere he was. He would sing me songs in Spanish and some in English. I went fishing with him, shoveled manure, planted seeds, picked crops, and apples. I marveled at the apple trees with 5 different apples on one tree. He mastered the art of grafting on tree's. He was an amazing man. There is a picture that I keep in my mind of him with one foot up on a log and his six shooter on his side, can't finish this picture without the big cowboy hat.

My grandpa constructed his home. On the weekends and nights he would work on building. Now that there are new owners, ones that respected and loved my grandparents, there have been changes to the landscaping of the outside of the home. They have also changed the inside and replaced windows and such. I have not been back to see what they changed. I want to remember it the way that they left it.

I am grateful for the memories that I have of them and their home. I am grateful that I had this "vacation" from our home to theirs.

Electricitiy

2009-01-13T19:16:00.000-08:00

Today was very busy but more satisfying than busy.

We started our day by our friendly neighborhood friend call. So Erika and I hurried to get our morning get ready stuff done. I figured while Erika was enjoying herself in her very favorite place, I would run to Home Depot and pick up supplies for my adventures of the day. (Moving parts of my home out of the 1950's)

I came home and started on the first project on my list to do. I figured I couldn't mess up to bad on this one. I change the phone jack in my bedroom so that I could move all of my office equipment out of my kitchen area. That was really easy with my side kick Emma by my side. We moved all equipment to their proper places.

We took a small break to go have lunch with one of my favorite people. We enjoyed Salad and great things for our bodies like, ice cream with lots of oreo's and carmel syrup.

Back home for some more great adventures in moving forward in time. I replaced two electrical plugs in my kitchen. Mainly because I am tired of only having one functioning plug to plug all of the necessities of kitchen life in to. I started out by flipping the breaker just for the kitchen. then I started undoing the existing plug. I did this with Sammy standing behind me with my cell phone and our address written on a piece of paper. Ready and trained with his cub scout training on how to dial 911, just in case there was an "accident". Then I got really smart and just flipped the switch on the whole house. It takes a genius to change a plug.

I started these projects out this morning out of frustration and disgust. I ended my day with a gracious attitude because I had the opportunity to learn not one but two things today. I also was able to enjoy time with some of the best company that I could ask for, with a spiritual and loving upgrade to my life.

SNOW!!!

2008-12-29T14:26:00.000-08:00

We were able to go and play in the snow this past weekend. It was so cold! To be exact it was a whopping 21 degrees. We went to the Young turn off. I guess the whole Valley had the same idea. The Young turn off was really packed with people. It was plowed, but there was just a sheet of ice on the dirt road. The kids really enjoyed themselves. Emma didn't have gloves so cold was the word of the day.

On the other hand my Dad stayed in the car. Wise man!

Nathan, karate crazied a snowman. It was quite entertaining. He has become a really funny kid.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T18:05:00.000-08:00

We all had a great Christmas. My Dad, Leon came all the way from Oklahoma to spend this beloved holiday with our family. Elizabeth was with us. She is always a huge help. The kids all got more than they expected.

Santa came to our house on Christmas eve too. The kids were up late, so he had to bring the gifts in while we were awake. The kids were so excited, and they ran around like crazy people. Thanks to great friends, like Jack.

Nakedness is wonderful?

2008-12-19T06:11:00.000-08:00

My little Emma. She is a spitfire! She likes to be free of all clothing and diapers. This morning she hit an all time record of stripping down to her nothings and ruling the roost with her nakedness. Mind you that this picture was taken at 6:45AM!

Friends

2008-12-17T16:06:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my friends. I don't know what I would do with out them! Today I went to lunch with Karry and Barbie. And Becky watched my girls so that I could go. Wow am I lucky!!!!

I am thankful to my children's friends. Erika has a great friend that calls frequently. Cole. This morning he called and asked if Erika could come and play. This was at about 8:30 this morning and Erika was scheduled to come and enjoy his friendship at about 11:45. So I went through our conversation and understood that he wanted her to come and play right now "like at 5 or 6hours" (interpretation = in a few minutes) I was standing in my g's getting ready to get in the shower. So I spoke to Becky and agreed that we would wait until 11:45. I am so grateful for this wonderful environment that Erika now thinks that she is part of the family in. She threw a huge fit yesterday because she couldn't go to Cole's Aunt Marci's house. She truly believes that she is part of their family. Anyone who knows Becky and her family know that she is truly blessed to think this.

We LOVE the Nate and Becky Family. Thanks for all you do for us.

Traditions

2008-12-13T15:28:00.000-08:00

Another busy Saturday. We started our day out by going to the church for some great Christmas party breakfast. This has been our ward tradition for about 2 or 3 years. It is fun, I love to see everyone participate in the social aspect of our lives. We need more of this. We had a great turn out this year. No matter were we go our little Erika will find her best bud Cole.

Then we went off to my house to take care of our family tradition of making and sending candy to all of my Uncles and my Aunt. This is something that my Grandma, Pearl Farnsworth, started doing long ago. When all of her children moved away, she would send them a little peace of home all covered in carmel or soft and creamy like her boston creme. When my Grandma past away 6 years ago, my Mom and us girls started were she left off.

I was smart enough to ask my Grandma to teach me how to make boston creme before she got to sick and had to leave her home of many decades to live with my Aunt Nancy. Most of our family doesn't know how or doesn't have the time to make this very unique candy. So it is my pleasure to do this. Divinity on the other hand is a pain in my you know where. I hate trying to make this stuff. I don't know how many bowls of goo I have thrown in my trash over the years. This year it has been 2. But then comes Melissa. She has found a recipe that worked this year!!!! It wasn't as stiff as it should have been, but it worked.

Popcorn balls were next. Some call this child labor. We call it traditions being passed on. It starts with popcorn being popped. Not in the good old microwave, but by an air popper. Carmel is a cookin' on the stove. Then hurry to the table to pour the carmel on the popcorn and make to balls.

Whew. Thought we were done, but then comes the wrapping. I couldn't keep up with the cutting of the plastic with all of these little eager hands.

I am beyond grateful for my Grandma and her traditions. That are now ours.

Time to go.

2008-12-12T12:42:00.000-08:00

Many days (As Cole believes every day.) I go out to do shopping or errands. This is how Emma leaves the house most days. Today it was two lunch boxes, one of Sammy's Sunday shoes, and a craft thing that Sammy made at school. No wonder my car looks like a tornado hit it all the time.

Christmas is up at our house

2008-12-10T07:57:00.000-08:00

Well our Christmas went up this past weekend. The boys laid all of the ornaments out all over the front room before deciding what to place on the tree first. It was quite entertaining. Them trying to keep Emma out of everything. Then it was time to start placing everything about three feet high. Mind you that our tree is only six feet tall. It looked quite interesting. I was surprised that it didn't get top heavy and fall over. So I dispersed the unbreakables to the bottom and left the rest.

That night Sam and the boys slept next to the Christmas tree. And to our surprise the boys woke up and were disappointed that there were no presents. They thought that it was Christmas eve and they were waiting for Santa. Ha ha the joke was on them.

After dinner we went out and put our Christmas lights up outside. It was already dark but we finished.

Then on Sunday we drove around and looked at Christmas lights. We saw Becky's old van "Little Dent". While we were driving all of the sudden from the very back seat of our suburban we hear Erika say, "who stinks?". I look at my dear Husband and he busts out laughing. Leave it to my love to find great humor out of a bodily function. I wonder who the culprit was?? We all started laughing and were yelling at him to roll the windows down. Then to make it werse he starts to spray this very strong cinnamon air freshiner. I don't know which one is worse.

Elizabeth was able to be with us this weekend for Sunday. This was nice.

It has started!!

2008-11-23T18:48:00.000-08:00

Here we are ready to blog. I am so excited!