my life as a mother

Baptism Day

2011-11-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a special day for our family. Why?? Lucas was baptized. He being my oldest child this was a bit of an emotional day for me. Shocker right. But the baptism was beautiful. In our stake we have baptisms set up like this. First we meet together and one ward is in charge of the baptism. They provide the talks and music. Well as it so happens our ward was in charge. So my Mother gave the talk on baptism my sister gave the talk on the holy Ghost. DJ said the prayer and I led the music. The wonderful Joan Brenton was the pianist.
Many of our family attended. My parents, David and Tammy along with all of their children. Jon, Georgina and Sammy. Sara, Corey and Sue with Jason and Travis. Aaron and Shawna with their four. Vanessa came with Kaylee and Christopher. Katie Richens surprised me by showing up yay! The Bishop Anderson came with Michelle and their four kids. Who are also very good friends of mine. Devere and Michelle Doucet where there for a nieces baptism so they stayed in for Lucas' baptism. As well as Devere's Mother, who is in our ward.
After the baptism we went to my parents for lot's and lot's of eating. Mom was amazing and made awesome Mexican food. I made a dessert with cookie dough, double stuff oreos and brownies. It was good! My nephew Jordan, Emily ans their girls Lily and Tomi joined us there.
All in all it was a beautiful day.
When I asked Lucas how he felt he gave me a sideways thumb. I ask what was the up part. He said "I'm excited to get baptized."
"So what's the down part?"
"My stomach feels bad."
After he was baptized he said he felt good. He said during the confirmation it felt heavy but warm.
It was a beautiful day and I am so grateful for the blessings our family have received and for the choice Lucas has made. he is also a very good example for his sisters.

four children

2011-10-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce we are having a baby girl come March.
This pregnancy has been an interesting one. I have lost two babies in the past three years. I guess I am always nervous. Every time I went in to an appointment and heard the heartbeat I am relieved. We finally had the ultrasound and I waited anxiously not to know what it was but how it was. I just hope for a healthy baby. She is healthy and active. So here we go. I can officially call myself a mother of daughters.
I am grateful for my one little boy. He is wonderful, even if he is disappointed not to have a brother. But we tell him that he is special because it's just him and his Dad. I think he'll be just fine. He is excellent with his sisters.
So that is it. DJ and I are planning to be done. He is getting older as am I. With his work and school schedule I am already out numbered and out witted. We have had healthy children but my body just doesn't work like it used to. lol! I also am so sick during pregnancy it is not fair to the rest of my family to have to go through this. I need my energy for baseball, dance, swimming and school.
I have been blessed with healthy children I love them and am grateful for each one. I am excited that I know what we have and get ready for stage two.
Besides I'm going to have three girls!! Good thing DJ decided to be a pharmacist!

Home School, my journey

2011-10-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

I have finished the first quarter of AZVA with having both Lucas and Eden at home. To my relief Lucas was a straight A student. That is a straight E student= exceeds expectations. We have worked very hard to do well.
So here is the run down. Because Eden and I started last year, she is having a much easier time doing her work in a timely manner. Not every day or every time. She is after all my kid. She enjoys doing her work in what ever she has decided to dress herself in that day. Be it a school uniform from last year to her Rapunzel dress, cowboy boots, bonnet and apron. I figure she is 6 and what ever makes her happy let it be. Nobody is going to see her anyway. Of course I do have to take pictures. But she works hard. her reading is continuing to improve. She in fact loves to read. This is nice because she and Leila will cuddle up together and E will read to her sister. It's rather sweet. She is a hard working student.And I love watching her grow.

Lucas is another story. he is very enthusiastic about his school until we get to math (not that I blame him). He knows how to do the work, he seems to understand the concepts. He just not like to slow down and do the work. It has been a struggle to me. But I think I am starting to figure it out. He needs more time. He needs more patience from me. He also needs something to look forward to.

I think that is why I enjoy this challenge. I am learning so much about my children. I know their strengths and weaknesses. As well and becoming very familiar with my own. I am watching up be a little team. I am seeings days that have more positive interactions then negative. I see us working out our differences and working as a unit.

My ultimate goal is to know my children are becoming independent learners. To enjoy school and to figure out where their learning strengths are. To know what works for them. I want them to learn to be self disciplined and to understand at the end of the day they are in charge of themselves. I want them to love and trust each other. This is an experience that is both extremely rewarding as well as challenging. I have cried more then once this quarter and figure I do some more. My dishes are not done. My house is not clean. But, we are learning and growing together.

Did I mentions I like the whole "It's a nice day! Lets go to the Zoo or play with your cousins?" and the whole sleep and wake up when I want to and get started. We are way relaxed over here when it comes to our schedule. I kinda like that.

The value of a classic.

2011-09-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

Today has been a weird day. I have noticed in my life when life is hard I think about books I have read. There are reasons some are classics. It's because of the long lasting lessons you learn. For example, Little house on the Prairie. Not only educational about the life of early American pioneers. But watching how people can live so happily with just their family. NO phones, facebook, tvs or even people. They work together as a family. Their are only kind words spoken and love and respect. I perfect example of how we should be living our lives and how little we need for true happiness.
     A couple years ago I had my first miscarriage. It was a very emotional experience for me. However, I read most of the Anne of Green Gables series during this time. She taught me to cling on to hope. That happiness is possible even in the hardest of times. A good imagination can go a long way.
   Today I was dealing with people who are unhappy with our ward. Sad they have no friends. Blaming and being offended my people who are just doing what they have always done. I am reminded that bosom friends are hard to find but you have to work for it sometimes. There are people who have prickles but time, kindness and hard work and a little honesty can sometimes wipe those prickles away to reveal a person in need of a friend.
    I know also reflect on advice I heard from my Mother when I was a little girl sad I had "no friends" She told me to be my own best friend. I always made a joke out of it. Now that I am grown I understand the wisdom. It is the same wisdom as you are only in charge of your own happiness. I have learned no matter what you do at the end of the day you can not change other people to be what you want them to be. Because that is not who they are! You can not depend on your children, husband, Friends, or neighbors to make you happy. They can't. If you aren't happy in the first place nothing they do will be good enough.
      If you walk through the world being offended by everyone. Well the first thing you are doing is hurting those around you. I think be offended is being selfish. You are not taking responsibility for your own actions. You are thinking of yourself. As I observed today. The person was offended and in doing so hurt many other people. Also when you are hurt by those who are offended you build a wall from them. I know I see that behavior and I know that person is not one to be close to. It will only lead to hurt feelings one way or another.
      However when you have a friend like Anne or Diana. Or a family like the Wilders. You learn love sacrifice and trust. But to get that you have to make it for yourself. You can not wait for it to come to you. Anyway. That's what is on my mind tonight. I am grateful that I have a good husband and we have a good honest working relationship. I am grateful for my bosom friends. Yes Katie I'm talking to you. I love knowing I have someone I trust and who loves me as much as I love them. Even though we don't see each other but once a year, If we are so lucky or friendship is solid like a rock. I love my parents and the sacrifices and service they have done for me. They are so supportive and kind. I love my ward family. It is such a interesting ward I'm in. But in serving in this ward I have gotten to know different people. I have learned about strengths and talents people had I would have never known had I not served in my callings. easy or hard I have learned to love these people.
Anyway I love the classics, I think I'll go read North and South now.
ok that's in
The End

facebook

2011-08-25T17:19:00.002-07:00

So I find checking my facebook and writing a line here and there an easy thing to do. I often post my pictures in albums there. So I wonder, if I post it here and there is it repetitive? I would love to become a better blogger. I would love for this to be a journal of our family. I want to better at taking more photos of the fun and good things we do. I guess I just need to organize myself and figure this out. Or my dear friend Katie and just come and document and blog for me and then I will be happy. SO I would have an updated blog and my KT!! great idea

Sunday

2011-06-12T20:41:00.002-07:00

So we are in our house and this is what our Sunday's are like. Yep folks it is a no TV day. Not that it is hard since we don't really have tv. So we don't have sports blaring, cooking shows, nature shows, nothing. We did cheat last week and let the kids watch a book movie. But that is because they got ready for church early and we wanted them to stay clean while we got ready.
We have church at 2:30 so it is important to keep some flexibility about. After church we are staaarving! But today we managed to starve till DJ made baked penne, I had made some bruschetta and we had a salad and green beans. It is amazing how we had no complaining about dinner and how much the kids ate. I should starve them more often! Anyway we have some kinks to work out but it is sure nice to have a quite day once a week isn't it.

memorial day

2011-06-08T12:58:00.008-07:00

So on Memorial Day The kids and I met up with Corey and Sue and there kids at Empire Ranch. Southeast of Tucson. It was a lovely morning. Although my battery was dead when I got there I was able to charge it enough to get some pictures. I saw some birds from where we were. A blue grosbeak and a tanager. Plus a bunch I didn't identify. Lucas did his best to follow Corey around and he and Jason threw lots of rocks and sticks in the creek. IT was nice to get out before the heat hit. As we were leaving we saw 5 pronghorn. Fun stuff!

Birthday

2011-06-08T10:15:00.014-07:00

Happy Birthday Eden!!

She 6 years old now and lives in a very magical world of her own. For her birthday we started out with print outs from family.go.com This was a great resource and we were able to get the girls in one place and busy. My favorite part was the they had some shrink a dink charms. DJ and my Mom worked hard on getting them ready for the party. The girls made bracelets with the charms and some pretty pastel beads. Of course I didn't get a pictures of that but they were super cute.

After the art projects we played hit Flynn Rider with the frying pan. The kids loved it! My awesome Mom made the poster and I found a blog supermommoments.com I also loved craftytexasgirls.blogspot.com There blogs and party were beautiful, Mine was crazy!! but we had a great time. After the game the kids all ran outside and ran around while we got out the lunch. We had Eden's mac and cheese I make only for her birthday once a year. Fruit, veggies, and pig in a blanket.

After Lunch we ran the kids in for some Rapunzel cake. This is the most creative cake I have ever made. I should have waited for DJ to be my structural engineer but noooo I just had to finish it! We'll we made a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. I made the cake purple instead of red though, it was purty. The tower was made with rice crispy treats and everything was covered in fondant. However due to the heat in the house we did have some...ummm, technical difficulties. But it survived barely and at the end it was yummy.

Other things we did, were these cute flags with the sun on them, like in the movie. We hung them right before the dinning room. We also made these super cute pascal blowers, the boys liked them a lot. I made some paper lanterns for decoration and we had battery operated tea lights in them. The gift bags, I noticed we didn't get pictures of either, dang! I ordered little clear paint cans. We lined them with tissue paper and filled them with candy, princess stickers,flower lollipops, a pencil and an eraser.

We ended the day with presents and we played Tangled on the tv, but the kids all went back into the yard to play. All was fine with me. Eden was happy and we all had a nice time.

Here we go!

2011-05-18T13:52:00.002-07:00

So on Saturday DJ and I are moving into our house. After which we will finish it take pictures and have a big revel. I'll take some pics and post my before and afters. It is amazing how much a little pint can brighten things up.
I love going over there now. It feels like home. Calm and bright, beautiful and comfortable. I love it. I love that the kids are excited to live there too. Maybe not Leila but she'll get used to not having Grandpa and Grandma all the time. I think I am going to have to beg my Dad to come over at nap time however. I'm not sure she knows how to take a nap without Grandpa lol.
We have been so blessed to have my parents love and suport at this transition in our lives. They are truely kind people and I am lucky they are my parents. ANyway wish us luck and come and visit anytime!!

Rodeo-eo-eo

2011-02-28T20:20:00.011-07:00

So here in Tucson we have this wonderful thing called Rodeo. Yep folks we have a rodeo and that also means we get 2 days off of school.

On the Wednesday before break Lucas's school puts on a program they sing and dance and carry on. It is all very cute and fun.

Leila enjoying the show. Hi Lucas!!! They are going to do the Virginia Reel!

This little boy wants to marry Eden and I am okay with that cuz he is super cute and smart! his Dad is tall and that is a good sign.

Then we have break while the weather is fantastic and we soke it up! (Eden has worn her new boots everyday.

This year the kids went to their friend Tyler and Meagan's house. Friday we hit up the Library to see some horses and make paperbag puppets.

Saturday We celebrated my nephew Jason's 3rd birthday and Sunday we went to church and tried to recooperate. All in all it was a fantastic and relaxing time.

You Homeschool?? You must be weird or crazy!

2011-02-22T07:47:00.004-07:00

Alright here it goes. I have to share my feelings of my new adventure in home school. Why would a Mother do this anyway? I admit I like having that morning time to myself. Getting laundry done. Taking a shower. Running errands. Thinking. But the glitch was my children came home! That's right I hated it when my kids came home from school. I would miss them all day then BAM!! They were home. They were tired, they don't want to do homework. Who could blame them they have been in school ALL day!

So anyway I brought Eden home after Christmas to join the k12 program. She was having some other issues at school and since she is in kindergarten I figured I couldn't mess her up that much. So I removed her and enrolled her in the Arizona Virtual Academy. I have been going to the information on the school since Lucas was a baby, and I decided to just try it out!

A few weeks later boxes arrived. A computer, printer/scanner, teacher books, student books, Then just books in general! Cubes and shapes for counting and so on. Amazing beautiful, and a little overwhelming. But I was excited. Now for the fun part.

After Christmas vacation we started, slowly but surely. I had to take a full day of skipping lessons to catch her up with the rest of her class. But we got busy. Her lessons usually start on the computer. She is taught a concept and the with math practices it builds on it and it is awesome. Phonics is all done with me but it's fun. She has stories to read for language arts. We have some sort of activity or art project. Then here is the magical part. when she is done. We are done for the day!!!! That is right no homework! We are usually done by lunch time and she has the rest of the day to be a kid. So strange I know but she has freedom! She plays with bunny, has a play date with her friend Meagan, goes out on the trampoline, plays with her sister or does art.

Big reward! My girls are becoming friends. They play with each other and they are an adorable pair. I enjoy having her home. I love seeing her learn. I know exactly what she is learning, how she learns best. AND!! If we are having a "day" we can shorten it or just take it off. We have only done that twice.

So maybe I am weird or crazy but it seems to be working for us and for the needs of my children and after all isn't that what being a parent is all about. Looking at your child and figuring out what is the best thing for there needs. Also when DJ is home Friday mornings Eden and Leila get a little of much needed Daddy time. A precious commodity these days.

So that's what we are doing and that is why, we love it!

2011 Here we are

2011-02-21T10:05:00.000-07:00

As a 2011 resolution I will be blogging, that's right I have finally returned. A lot has been going on in our families life. DJ is a full time student applying for Pharmacy school in the 2012 Fall school year. He also works full time. We have gotten a little old house near my parents. We are spending every Saturday on. Trying to get it so we can move in. It has a ton of work to do but it is moving along and will be a nice when we get to move in.
Lucas is a 1st grader and seems to be doing well academically. He is a little nutty but he is a tenderhearted kid with a great love of life.
Eden started kindergarten but I brought her home after the first semester to attend the Arizona Virtual Academy, though the K12 program. I am her learning coach. We have been enjoying he schooling from home so much. She is awesome and loves to learn.
Leila is crazy. She is 18 months now and is "runnin" (thanks Forrest Gump). The little thing keeps us laughing though the day. She tickles and sings constantly. She is a joy and a half. I can't imagine our family without her.
I am nuts! I am a full time single Mom Monday though Friday. I look forward to weekends because DJ is home. But like I said we spend Saturday at the house. He lays tile, I paint and bump into walls. Sundays I resume my calling as Primary president and he serves in the Elders Quorum as 1st counselor. Mean while we are trying to get Leila to go to Nursery by herself. She hasn't quite caught on to the idea. But I hope she will soon.
We are trying and succeeding and failing and doing our best and what we can do. I guess that's all we can do juts try a little harder to be a little better. Pull ourselves up from our broken boot straps and keep trudging along. At the end of the day we are happy fed and loved. Isn't that the best way to end the day after all?

2010

2010-01-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

So wow it is the new year. I love new starts. I love knowing that this year is not written. I can plan, I can be a little better and one year smarter...I hope.
This has been a crazy year for us.
DJ and I have been married 8 years. Most of this time DJ has been trying to make a job in the real estate market work. In fact we moved to Ventura for that purpose. He had a job opportunity to train as a real estate appraiser. We should have jumped ship when we got to CA and found out that the job we thought was there wasn't really. His friend had to wiggle DJ into the job. It was rough but I got a fabulous job working at sun-dance photography. I made good friends there and loved the job. I discovered talents I didn't know I had and I really enjoyed not working at a school with little kids! DJ however struggled,eventually getting a job in a Real Estate office and getting his license. But as we all know things were on the slow down and close to a crash. We had to move to Tucson so we did and DJ continued his quest to be a real estate appraiser. It had to get better and he had experience. It didn't, he started taking online courses in business. Then one day announced "I think I want to be a pharmacist" a what?? where did this come from, talk about left field! I was pregnant with Leila and well I said "ok"
So here we are he is now working for Walgreen's. He seems to enjoy it for the most part. He is also a full time student at our local community college "have you seen that show community? hilarious!"
Anyway yea we don't see him as much as we'd like to now, but he is working hard. We moved in with my parents for the time being. Which makes this all possible for me for now. So how busy is DJ really? Full time student, pharmacy tech, Dad, and he is 1st councilor in the Elders Quorum, yeah busy. I love him aren't I lucky to have someone so amazing!

As for me I am now raising three kids. I am Primary President and that's it. That's all I can handle (not as amazing as DJ)

Lucas is in kindergarten. I Love this kid. He is in the top reading group and does very well in science and math. Actually he does well in all his studies. He has lower scores in things like self control (lol my kid)But, he loves his little life and is who he is and I adore him. He play tee ball this year. It was interesting I think it was a little boring for him. His coaches weren't all that great. But they were nice enough and the kids had a good time. We had much more fun however, my family would all sit on the side lines and laugh as I yelled "Lucas, stand up!" "Lucas your hat goes on your head" Lucas stop drawing in the dirt" "Your mitt goes on your hand not on your head or in the air" He also enjoyed giving people high fives while they ran by"

Eden is in year two of preschool and will be a kinder next year. She is in charge of her world. She loves to cook and can break eggs like nobody's business. no egg shells! She makes pancakes and tamales and anything she can get her fingers in. She pops up with her apron (used to be mine when I was a kid) and cooks and cooks! She also discovered princesses this year. She is very dramatic so it works for her. She also discovered the wonderful world of plays (thanks Karissa!) So she puts on plays for us. She also practices crying and sad faces in front of the mirror. Actually if there is a mirror around she looks in it and nobody else exists. Weird huh where did she get that?

Leila, well she is my baby. She came in August. She was fast and I finally got that epidural (amazing) My sister was there with DJ adn I this time and Mom was chillin in a chair. She had long brown hair that stuck straight up and did so till about 2 weeks ago. It has finally started to lay down, so sad. He is the happiest sweetest nicest baby. I would have 15 more id they were all like her. She smiles and gurgles and enchants us all.

I would say that 2010 will bring many more firsts for our family and the years to come will be busy and hard but I am looking forward to every day. The memories will be created and our children will continue to learn and to grow. How awesome is that!

Lyla and Leila

2009-11-12T08:17:00.001-07:00

THE BABIE.

    Nae shoon to hide her tiny taes,

      Nae stockin' on her feet;

    Her supple ankles white as snaw,

      Or early blossoms sweet.

    Her simple dress o' sprinkled pink,

      Her double, dimplit chin,

    Her puckered lips, and baumy mou',

      With na ane tooth within.

    Her een sae like her mither's een,

      Twa gentle, liquid things;

    Her face is like an angel's face:

      We're glad she has nae wings.

                                JEREMIAH EAMES RANKIN.

This is Lyla (cousin's Mike and Nikki's baby) and Leila (DJ and my new baby)

This is a poem I love about a baby, I love how it explains how sweet and wonderful
our new babies are. I LOVE IT!
I thought these two little girls were the perfect picture to illustrate this poem.
I hope you love it as much as I do.

Myboy Lucas

2009-11-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

I have this little boy named Lucas. This kid is amazing. He is so kind and generous. On mothers day I was not feeling well and he was sure to bring me snacks and water whether I asked for them or not. Then he would cuddle up with me. I think he knows that makes me feel better.
Lucas is in kindergarten this year. His school is very small and very strict. He is required to color realistically, color in one direction. Cut on the lines , paste straight and so on. I recently got his report card. He did well, very well in fact. He is in the top reading group and has an outstanding grade in math. However, when he has to color a picture he tends to go over board. For example when given a picture of a cow. He will color the cow and paste it as directed, but that is not good enough. He will then draw a barn, sun, and a eagle in the sky. He is sure there is a tree sometimes an apple tree and flowers. Oh and the cow is probably in a pasture so it needs a fence. He spends so much time embellishing his pictures that he doesn't finish it on time.
The problem is, I think it is great that he pays attention to these details and goes above and beyond the call of duty. He wants it right. This is a skill or a talent that not many people have. Most people do the bare minimum. Most kids will rush through the work in order to go to recess. Not my kid it must be done just the way he imagines it. That is just one of the reason I love this boy! He makes me smile and laugh every time I go though his school papers. I look forward to the many insights he has yet to share with me and the world.

posting

2009-10-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

So I have been away for a long time and I have decided just to post something to get me going again. This year has been strange. DJ has gone back to school. He is attending Pima college. He needs 72 pre-pharmacy credits then he can apply for Pharmacy school. That will take a couple years. We are hoping he gets in the U of A so we won't have to leave Tucson. But we will go wherever he gets in.
I had a baby, yep that's right #3 Leila Jean Borst was born on August 19th. I adore her! SHe is so sweet and sleeps all night and is grunty and smily and perfect. Plus she has awesome hair!

Lucas is now attending Carden of Tucson a charter school for Kindergarten. It is a small school. 16 kids in his class and only one class per grade K-8. Everyone knows everyone. It is wonderful. It is chalenging and have very high standards. I think he will do well.

Eden in 4 and in preschool 3 days a week. She has dicovered princesses. sigh. She is full of imagination and attitude. I love her so much. Well that's our update and hopefully more to come and more regular posts

tea anyone??

2009-04-01T13:12:00.001-07:00

Tucson is hosting it's our tea party anyone interested check out this blog!
http://tucsonteaparty.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there!
Sheila

AZ wildcats! video

2009-03-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

So back in the day the AZ wildcats went to the final four. On this team was Steve Kerrrrr and sean elliot The good ole days! A tucson radio station wrote a "rap" and had the team sing along. In my opionion you are not a real AZ wildcats fan unless you know this song. So I found the video on Youtube just for memories and I am happy to share with all of you in celebration of our 2009 cats going to the sweet sixteen when people thought we shouldn't even make it in the tournament. I am proud no matter what happens! Great job guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58zSZjbxt-o

we are having a ...

2009-03-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Ok ok I know I haven't posted in like a month. I have even had really funny things and good things and sad things and so many things happen during this time. But I have to say sitting at my computer right now is not my favorite thing. It is not comfortable and just doesn't work right now.
Anyway we had an ultrasound this morning and thought we would share the news. We are having a girl. Yes another little girl. We are excited, how can we not be cute fluffy dresses to much fun! I have to confess I was rooting for a boy next but I am not going to complain. My due date has been moved to August 19th. I am glad to have a more realistic date.
She looked great and moved around a lot. She even put her little hand up to her mouth. Thumb sucking like the others. Now I can't wait to start pulling out all of Eden's baby dresses. DJ and I have started a name list. He is really really excited. He told ever since he was dating he thought he'd be a Dad with a lot of girls. So far 2 out of 3 is not bad odds.

So that's that, maybe I'll copy an ultrasound picture later. But that is asking a lot from me right now ha ha!

trip run down

2009-02-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well we are back from our super fast trip to Ventura. It was so nice to visit. I have to confess that when we hit the Johnson exit I cried because we did not exit. We spent our 2 1/2 days with DJ's parents. It was super cold and rainy but we did manage to hit the beach for a couple of short visits. We saw a couple friends but not near as many as we would have liked. We also ended up ditching church Sunday to spend our last hours with DJ's family. That is the reason we came after all.
It was so beautiful and green and smelled wonderful! I did get to eat at marshals, habit and my favorite snapper jacks. On our way out of town we did a quick drive up canada larga road. aghhh and a final short stop at the beach. It was super windy but the kids especially Lucas loved it. We came home with a box full of shells, rocks, sticks and a piece of kelp.
We tried to go to the farmers market and walk up main but due to the pouring rain we just drove by. I did however make it home with 5 avocados and a flat of strawberries we distributed amongst some of my family. We hope to come back soon and stay longer. It was so nice to be back and it was so good to have the kids get reintroduced to there grandparents. They were able to see family they hear about but haven't seen in almost 3 years. They had a marvelous time!

weekend trip to Ventura

2009-02-11T11:26:00.001-07:00

goin goin back back to cali cali

2009-02-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

So DJ and I have decided to hit the road. We are making a quick to Ventura tomorrow. We'll leave after school and come home Sunday night. Super short trip but we are excited. I wish we had more time I want to see everyone and everything. But we will get to be there at least and at last!! I don't think the kids and I have been back in nearly 3 years! Much to long so hopefully our next trip will be longer but we are excited to see DJ's family.

While we are there I want to go the beach (no brainer), Aroyo Verde Park, drive up La Canada canyon, Indulge in the farmers market and wonder down Main street. aghhh the harbor and my favorite little drive I used to talk to work by the strawberry feilds and fenando's flowers.
Eat... Snapper Jacks, Marshals, The habit, and stake and hoggie. This could go on and on. I guess Ventura was a very special place to me. We had so many little places, drives and sceanes that hold a very special place in my heart.
I am so excited!

Photos of Tubac

2009-01-31T10:08:00.001-07:00

Tubac

2009-01-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

My Mom called a week ago and said we are going to Tubac wanna go? YES!! Tubac is a little artist shopping type town south of Tucson. There is a little shop there my Mom likes to go and buy pots and hanging stuff. It is fun and very pretty. However, my favorite part is a little ranch on the east side of the town. They have a Llama, horses, cows and raise sheep dogs. We like to go and see the animals. This time they had a burro and a pot bellied pig. It was fun. We then went to the little park and took an nature adventure walk. It was a beautiful day!

DJ

2009-01-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

So I am always amazed how much a smarty pants DJ is and how he never gives himself credit. But, I do think he is finally realizing it. He got some books a week or so ago and read them took the Pharmacy tech license test yesterday and passed. The guys at the pharmacy that he did his shadow program with where amazed. They said that they had people at the pharmacy that worked there for years try to take it and couldn't pass so the eventually chose different work paths. He just absorbs information. I find it amazing because I can't do that. I am excited for his new career path and now he just has to get a job. But that is in the works. He'll get him certificate next week in the mail. yea!

It is official

2009-01-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

I figure since I am telling pretty much everyone I talk to I would formally announce that I am pregnant with number 3. We are due August 8... although I wouldn't count on that. I usually run a week or so over. We are very excited and don't care what we get this time. I am prepared for both. I am doing fairly well this time. I think I get a little better with each pregnancy. Not that I feel like a million bucks but I am surviving ha ha.
Anyway I'll keep you all posted. Lucas and Eden are both excited. Lucas wants a brother and I think Eden will be happy just to have a baby to take care of. She is such a little Mommy. DJ is also excited. He is taking his Pharmacy tech test today so keep a prayer in your heart for him.

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

Happy 2009!
Resolutions
1. Get out more
2. Weekly Family Home Evenings (get out and use my chart)
3. Daily Scripture study alone and as a family
4.Keep my house clean
5. Walk everyday
6.Read more to my kids yes more
7. Play more games with my kids
8. OK just do more daily activities with the little people

Anyway there it is, also on another note and not another post. Eden went to her fist day of Primary today. That's right she is a sunbeam. She even said the closing prayer. Very sweet. I am excited about this year in primary. Our theme is The Eternal Family and we are learning some beautiful songs. It should be a great year!

Another thing to think about at Christmas time

2008-12-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Christmas Night, 1776

by Newt Gingrich (more by this author)

Posted 12/23/2008 ET

On Christmas Day, 1776, nearly all thought the Revolution was lost, except for a valiant few who still believed in “The Cause.” We owe our liberty today to those valiant few.

Led by George Washington, most of his army, dressed in rags and barefoot, faced a winter gale of rain, sleet, ice and snow. This band of patriots braved a midnight river crossing and a nine mile march over frozen roads to win a spectacular victory at Trenton, New Jersey, the following morning. Those were indeed times, as Thomas Paine would write, that “try men’s souls.”

In a season that has become too commercialized and -- worse yet -- had much of its religious meaning driven from the public square, Washington’s Christmas crossing is a story that should be remembered and celebrated, this Christmas and every Christmas.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ, to be with family and friends, and, I would add, to give thanks to God for those who endured so much on that Christmas night, 232 years ago.

Coming Next Year: Washington’s Crossing Told In Christmas Night

Historian Bill Forstchen and I have started another book which will attempt to give Washington and his men’s sacrifice that Christmas night its proper place in American history.
Bill and I have co-authored two “active history” series across the last six years: the “Gettysburg” trilogy which speculates as to what might have happened if General Robert E. Lee had triumphed at Gettysburg, and our “Pacific War,” series with two volumes out so far.

More than a decade ago Bill and I considered writing a novel about our American Revolution, but other projects led us away from that idea. This summer our editor with St. Martin’s Press, Pete Wolverton, urged us to consider the topic of our Revolution, and thus we have started on a two book project. The working title for the first book is Christmas Night, which will be published just before Christmas of next year.

A Heroic Moment in Our History and the Man Who Lived It

Bill has commented more than once that writing about Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Admirals Halsey and Yamamoto was of course challenging but writing about George Washington is something complete different and more than a little daunting.

Pulitzer Prize winning historian Joseph Ellis openly discusses this in his exceptional work, His Excellency George Washington. Our first president, Ellis writes, has always seemed somewhat remote and larger than life. It is hard to imagine him with shoes off, feet up on a bench by a fire, sharing a good joke, the way we can so easily picture Lincoln.

A Do or Die Mission on a Brutal Winter Night

Yet there is so much that is alive and dynamic about Washington. And if ever there is a truly epic, heroic moment in our national story, it is when he boarded a small boat, in the midst of a driving winter storm, and crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Night of 1776 with his exhausted, ragged army of little more than 2,000 men in a do or die mission.

Another Pulitzer winner, David Hackett Fischer, in his brilliant Washington’s Crossing, gives us one of the best traditional historical studies of this incredible moment in American history, a book that was truly worthy of a Pulitzer and one that both Bill and I highly recommend as a great Christmas read for this year.

Getting “Inside” the Mind of George Washington

Bill and I are both trained historians. But we love historical fiction. We both see historical fiction, such as the works of C. S. Forester, Kenneth Roberts and Steven Pressfield, as a fascinating way to get “inside” the lives and minds of those who shaped history.

Our forthcoming novels about the Revolution will of course face that daunting task of “getting inside” George Washington and we hope we can do him credit.

Hopefully, a year from now you will be interested in reading our book about that Christmas Night. And for our fans of the Pacific War series, we’re taking only a short break from the tale of Halsey and Yamamoto but will resume it as soon as our two books about Washington are completed.

When You Start to Feel You Have Nothing to Be Thankful For, Remember that Night in 1776

America is not without its problems this holiday season. Our economy has taken the worst battering in nearly eighty years and enemies abroad still seek our destruction. But when we start to feel like we have nothing to be thankful for, we should think back to the Christmas of 1776.

George Washington and those who crossed the Delaware with him had a clear vision of the future. They were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, on their actions that night.

As you and your family celebrate the holidays, please take a moment to reflect and offer a prayer of thanks for those who risked all for the freedoms we enjoy today. And as always, keep in your prayers those, who on Christmas night and during the celebration of Hanukkah, will stand silent vigil on distant fronts to insure our safety and freedom.

Merry Christmas.

Your friend,

It's not easy being E

2008-12-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Eden is 3 1/2 and wants to do anything and everything she can. She also only wants who she wants. Very rarely she wants me. It is usually Daddy or Grandma. Which is difficult be Grandma does not live at our house and we do not see her everyday. But even harder is Daddy has been very busy this month with finishing up his first semester at Pima and do shadow work at a Pharmacy. So we haven't seen much of him This week Eden had a hard day. I thought I would share a couple of her tragic experiences. Because they made us laugh.
A couple days a days ago. DJ was home during the day. Although he was working in his office he was in the house. I was having a very very slow day due to the pain in my finger. (dumb) SO I asked DJ to take Lucas to the school bus. Lucas was running slow too and ended up missing the bus. So DJ had to take him, when he did he did not take Eden with him. Even though she really wanted to go. (she is a mess and had no shoes on + very tired) So Eden freaks out and cries and throws a fit for about 15 minutes. I was finally able;e to get her to sit with me and read stories...whew.
So eventually DJ came back. Eden gradually went to him, on her own terms. DJ latter told me what she had to say to him

"Daddy I am sorry"
"why are you sorry?"
"Earlier when I had a fit, I kicked an ornament."

-yeah we laughed

Then Lucas had to be picked up dun dun duunnnn.

DJ left quickly and did not notice the little girl who ran behind him with her flip flops on saying "Daddy!!"

He left and she sadly walked toward me
"This is the worst day!"
"This is the worst day for Daddy."

I laughed and told him when got back.

Sad day for Daddies girl.

just one more thing

2008-12-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

ok if you haven't noticed I am posting a lot today. I am just trying to get caught up.
Anyway, I have a photography blog and I have posted some of my favorites from my last few photo shoots. I would love to hear what you think!! Oh Wendy your pictures are ready, I'll be calling you.
Thanks

http://limetreephoto.blogspot.com/

knife safty 101

2008-12-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

For knife safty I would like to share some steps I learned this week
1. When at the wal-mart deli and you ask for a quarter pound of munster to be cut at a size 2 make sure they cut it in a size 2 and not in 2 pieces before leaving the store.
2. On discovery of 2 pices od cheese, make sure you are not tried, hungry and frustrated. I sujest you call in back up before proceeding.
3. If you choose to proceed by yourself. Try a cheese grater or cut the cheese in small slices away from you.

4. Never! Hold the cheese in your hand and try to cut the cheese toward your finger with a bread knife. Really dumb idea!

5. If you do choose to go ahead with step 5. Call Grandma and grandpa, wash the hold thumb inside a papertowel and lay on floor (during the going into shock part) Go to urgent care and get 7 awesome stiches. BTW the numbing process is the worse part! The best part is not being allowed to wash dishes for 10 days.

Anyway this is all very good advice for the season I hope you all appriciate it.

fondant cake

2008-12-17T09:14:00.000-07:00

OK I know I was supposed to post this like 2 weeks ago but here it is finally. I am proud of my lumpy fondant. But the most important part is... This cake was delicious! It was a devils food chocolate cake with chocolate ganach filling. and a peppermint icing that took me 20 minutes to make, it came out like a shiny marshmallow cream. It was good!!

where have you been?

2008-12-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted because I have been busy.
I was released from Primary Music leader about 2 weeks ago and now Primary President. I have also been trying to do family photo shoots. In order to practice my skills. I did one last week and have 2 families this week in addition a baby shoot. So that takes time to got through the photos and edit them. I am excited though.
Life is good I will post a picture of my 1st fondue cake later once I load it up!

Family Thanksgiving Day

2008-11-28T10:56:00.001-07:00

cake disaster

2008-11-21T23:37:00.001-07:00

sad story

2008-11-21T23:06:00.000-07:00

So I finally have my internet back and am ready to share my newest cake pictures. However, when I pulled the cake out of the fridge the handle from my cake holder fell off and CRASH the cake hit the floor. Luckily the floor was clean and the cake was still in tact. I have to scrap my practice decorating and start over. At least the cake was less girls for Dave's birthday and it still tasted FAn-TAs-Tic!! So I am adding a awesome 4picture slide show of my cake drama. nice

need some organization?

2008-11-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

So I recently discovered as I sat down monday to pay some bills with some long awated money that the quest bill I recieved was a disconnect notice. oops guess we missed that one. So I have phone service but no internet. Now it kind of makes sense. It is paid now and I am just waiting for the check to get there and for it to be turned on again. This doesn't normally happen but DJ and I have a weird bill system right now becasue of his business. But with the real estate slowdown and the starting school over things got a little mixed up.
SO if anyone needs something to pray about. Pray for DJ to get a job. He has been applying for jobs for 2-3 months now and looking for something in pharmacy for that last month and a half. So we could use some help.

Thanks

what the heck?

2008-11-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

For some reason my Internet is not working. Much to the frustration of DJ and I. So we are having to hit up my parents for access. DJ is now working from my parents house. I on the other hand will be unable to show my newest cake. I am taking classes 2 and 3 right now. one right after the other. It is really fun!
Also we had preschool Olympics on Wednesday. The kids had a great time. I have pictures of that too. But it will just have to wait.
So until we figure out what is going on. Have a great day! and possibly a happy thanksgiving!

Aftermath

2008-11-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

There are times when I look at my life and the choices I make and I am amazed. Recently our church invited us to stand for a moral issue. To define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Marriage is here to protect the family. I remember when I was single and I was thinking about my future. I decided that marriage was important to me. I wanted to find someone who would treat me well and be a good father. Someone whom I could have a family with. I thought that this was normal but I am beginning to believe that it is not.
I recently voted for this union to be written in the state constitution. I was joined by friends and family in both Tucson and in Ventura, CA. However, the difference is when I went to church Sunday. it was business as usual. However some of my friends in California went to church Sunday and had to drive through protesters. I have also been seeing glimpses of our Temple in CA on the news with protesters. People saying our church gave mony to this prop. But our church never gives money to political organizations. Individulas of our church and other chritsian religions donated money and time to make this happen. I am sure there are plenty of people who doneated money and time to the organizations trying not to allow this to go though.
Basicly I sad when people acuse our religion as being hatful while they themselves are demonstrating and doing hateful things to people who are quietly doing what they feel is moraly right. I know that many people are being abused and vicomized by making this decision to stand up for marriage. I am greatful for all the people who made these propositions go though. I am greatful that my marriage means something. That my family means something.

I would like to share a article written by an poice ditective in LA who witnessed the protests first hand.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/081110hate.html

that is all I am going to say on here. Thanks for reading

everythings comin up roses

2008-11-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

So I learned how to make roses in my cake decorating class. I actually did very well. These are roses I made. I also made a lemon cake with lemon filling and lemon butter cream. Yea it was good. I finished the first class and I am probably going to double up and take course 2 and 3 starting next week. That should be fun. Anyway this has been fun to do I hope I get to practice and get better at my technique.

Government for the Good of the People: Ten Questions about Freedom, Virtue, and the Role of Government by Ryan Messmore

2008-11-05T14:23:00.001-07:00

Government for the Good of the People: Ten Questions about Freedom, Virtue, and the Role of Government

by Ryan Messmore

Today's political debates are often muddied by misconceptions of the role of government and its responsibility to American citizens. What are the limits of good government? How can the virtues necessary for freedom flourish? Sustaining ordered liberty depends on good answers to these questions.

1. What should government do?

Government plays an indispensable role in a healthy community, but this does not mean that everything a community needs to be healthy is government's responsibility. Government expresses society's understanding of justice and enacts judgment in light of that understanding. Government's task is to articulate the rights and duties of citizens and protect them from threats. This is very different from the belief that government should create rights or exercise people's duties for them through programs that replace individual and community initiatives.

2. Does morality have anything to do with government?

The government, acting on behalf of the people, declares certain actions to be just and unjust. This is a moral distinction between right and wrong. Whenever government debates whether or not certain actions and institutions are lawful, it takes moral considerations into account. Put another way, by formulating and upholding laws, government encourages and expresses a society's fundamental moral principles.

3. What should limit government's authority?

"If angels were to govern men," wrote James Madison, "neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary." But even if political authorities were angels, there would still be limits on what government should and should not do.

In this sense, government power is inherently limited by the role of other social institutions, such as families, religious congregations, schools, and businesses. The rightful authority of these institutions helps to check the authority of the state.

Government's formal authority is restrained by its primary purpose (see question #1). Government is supposed to protect the ability of individuals and social institutions to exercise legitimate authority within their own particular areas of influence without unjust interference from other institutions. If the government is supposed to protect this freedom for citizens, its power to intrude must be subject to clearly defined limits. Such limits are defined in the United States Constitution and individual state constitutions.

4. Does big government pose moral problems?

When government oversteps its bounds and begins to assume more authority, it weakens other important social institutions, including those, like the family and religious congregations, that are particularly capable of encouraging moral virtue among citizens. Big-government programs and policies also tend to confuse the lines between citizen responsibility and government responsibility. As a result, they erode our understanding of the ethical obligations we have to one another—especially in regard to issues such as poverty and economic justice—and encourage us to assume and to expect that government will provide for our neighbors' needs.

5. What is the relationship between freedom and virtue?

Freedom relies on virtue for its survival. Government protects ordered liberty, but it is virtuous citizens taking personal responsibility for their actions and exercising mutual responsibility for the welfare of others who make ordered liberty possible. As Benjamin Franklin declared, "Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom."

All political communities are held together by common civic bonds. As the motto of the United States—e pluribus unum,or "out of many, one"—implies, the bonds that unite the nation's many individual citizens into one people are of critical importance. These bonds often take the form of moral obligations that we owe to one another as members of the same community. To fulfill these obligations, citizens need to exercise certain virtues. A virtuous citizen is someone who is enabled by character to act in a way that promotes the common good within the community.

Americans tend to see freedom, prosperity, and security as necessary elements of the common good. The habits needed to achieve these ends include trust, cooperation, self-sacrifice, hard work, and a sense of responsibility for others. These are key virtues for members of the American community and essential to the preservation of ordered liberty.

6. If virtue is necessary for freedom, what institutions are best equipped to promote virtuous behavior?

America's founders recognized that local forms of association are the best way for citizens to fulfill their moral obligations to one another. They believed that families, religious congregations, and other institutions of civil society are most effective in uniting their members in cooperative pursuit of the common good and thereby cultivating the indispensable virtues that are the foundation of a healthy democracy.

The founders especially emphasized the role of religion in moral formation. The belief in a "God All Powerful wise and good," claimed James Madison, is "essential to the moral order of the world." George Washington declared that "reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." Religious communities bind people vertically to God and horizontally to one another. These social bonds not only depend upon, but actually help to generate, trust, cooperation, respect for authority, self-sacrifice, and a shared pursuit of and participation in the common good.

The family is also crucial to the cultivation of virtue and moral sense. In the family, continual character training and moral authority are exercised by those who love and desire the best for each member.

In addition, sports teams, orchestras, schools, professional guilds, neighborhoods, theatre troupes, and other voluntary associations can function as local communities that cultivate moral development in similar ways. On a basketball team, for example, players learn what it means to trust others, work together, train hard, respect authority, identify and coordinate different personal skills, accommodate the errors of others, and rely on others to accommodate their own errors. Team members are trained not to consider just themselves, but to act in the best interest of the whole team.

7. How does big government weaken smaller, virtue-producing communities?

As government claims responsibility for more tasks, it absorbs the allegiance that citizens once placed in other relationships and forms of association. When the federal government assumes more responsibility for fulfilling the moral obligations among citizens, it tends to undermine the perceived significance and authority of local institutions and communities.

This encourages citizens, instead of looking to their families, churches, or local communities for guidance and assistance, to depend on the government for education, welfare, and various other services. As individuals begin to look more consistently to the government for support, the institutions that are able to generate virtues like trust and responsibility begin to lose their sway in the community. Excessive bureaucratic centralization thus sets in motion a dangerous cycle of dependence and social decay.

8. Does government have a role in the moral formation of its citizens?

Smaller institutions can encourage virtue among their members because of the strong social bonds and personal contact they share, but government is more dependent on fear of punishment to motivate good behavior. Government can promote political goods such as justice and equality and can contribute to habits such as self-restraint and moderation. However, it is not as equipped as other institutions to cultivate the virtues necessary for many other important ends. As Martin Luther King, Jr., explained, laws can restrain the heartless; they cannot change the heart.

But while government is not equipped to cultivate some virtues in citizens, it does have a role to play in their moral formation: It articulates a sense of justice, impartial judgment, and equality before the law. Government also protects those institutions that, through their strong social bonds and personal contact, are equipped to encourage other virtues among citizens. By protecting virtue-forming institutions such as the family or religious congregations against unjust interference from other institutions—including the state—government can influence the cultivation of virtue and the strength of social bonds. Government officials should work to provide the social and legal conditions that help local associations to exercise the authority that rightly belongs to them.

9. How does government influence public opinion and values?

Government actions subtly shape how citizens think, speak, and act, thereby influencing where we tend to place our trust, hope, and expectations.

The authority to enforce laws carries certain implicit powers: the power to promote certain causes, prioritize certain risks, endorse certain values and beliefs, uphold certain standards, encourage certain expectations, and define and interpret certain terms. For example, government policy dictates that American taxpayers must contribute to Social Security, and that shapes how we think about addressing need in our society (regardless of one's opinion of the current Social Security program).

Government also has the power to influence our expectations and outlook on important social questions, such as where to seek assistance for material needs (the welfare state); whom to blame in times of crisis (FEMA, the President, the Federal Reserve); and what people are entitled to by right (privacy, cheap prescription drugs, same-sex marriage).

The powers to pass laws and collect taxes therefore entail the power to set social priorities and to define, to some extent, the terms of public understanding, involvement, and debate.

10. How much should we trust government?

We should be able to trust our government to perform its appropriate tasks of promoting justice and punishing injustice. Without this protection, communities would not be as free to strengthen social bonds, encourage pursuit of the common good, or cultivate virtue. Therefore, the government deserves a certain degree of trust, hope, and loyalty. But a healthy democracy is one in which citizens give government only the loyalty it deserves without diminishing their trust in or allegiance to other institutions and authorities.

Cultural allegiances to family, church, and local associations are some of "the most powerful resources of democracy," according to Robert Nisbet. By not placing complete trust in the government, citizens can help to prevent any one institution from becoming too powerful. For this reason, the diversification of authority and allegiance among various social institutions actually strengthens democracy.

Conclusion
The power of government carries significant moral implications. The amount of responsibility yielded to or claimed by government can shape attitudes, motivations, expectations, and even the terms of public debate.

Government can also influence the cultivation of character and the strength of social bonds by protecting institutions that help to encourage virtue in society, such as the family or religious congregations, against unjust interference from other institutions, including the state. In other words, there is a strong moral case to be made for limited government authority.

Ryan Messmore is William E. Simon Fellow in Religion and a Free Society in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! This is a fun year for us. Lucas and Eden are both in Preschool now. Which means they get to wear costumes to school. Lucas is an awesome cowboy this year. He won most creative costume. Eden is a flapper. Although she really wanted to be a kangaroo again.

After we got her all dressed up she began to dance and shake it. Her fringe looked really cute! Tonight we are going to David and Tammy's neighborhood party. Like we do every year. Aaron and Shawna join us and we trick or treat in the neighborhood. It is a lot of fun and the kids love getting to see there cousins!

So happy Halloween everyone and have a wonderful day!

Cake decorationg

2008-10-31T09:35:00.000-07:00

So I am taking a cake decorating class at Michaels. 3 weeks into the 4 and I finally got to decorate a cake. We were supposed to practice a bunch of stuff we learned in class. But because Halloween was today I scraped the grapes, apples,flowers, and cherries and just did the border, dots and leaves and made up the vine. I made a pumpkin patch. I am very proud and wanted to share!

Dinomania

2008-10-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

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So last Friday was Lucas' birthday. He is 5 now and I can't believe how much he has grown and how fast it has gone. He is a truely amazing little boy. Definitively an apple that didn't fall too far from the tree. DJ and he share so much in common. I can turn on animal planet and the two of them would be entertained for hours.
So for his birthday we had a dino party. Since last year we had the African Safari. We invited only a few of his little friends. Just the boys this time. Then I let Eden have one friend. We had a great day. The children colored dino pictures.When all the children had arrived we played pin the plate on the stegosaurus. We then we went outside and DJ made a volcano. They thought that was pretty cool. But they just wanted to play for a while.
After a bit we came in and made dino slime (flubber) DJ read some dino books and then he opened presents. When that was finally all done we had dino bites, french fries. apples carrots and dino kool-aid.
Finally I made awesome chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate butter cream frosting and attempted a chocolate filling. Which I couldn't get to fill the cupcake right so I used it on a birthday cake we had on Sunday.
Each child went home with a goodie bag of things we had done during the party, candy and the dino they picked for there cup cake. 2 hours baby I am good!

Anyway here are some photos of the day. I hope I don't scare anyone but looking cute was not my first priority!

technical difficulties

2008-10-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

SO today was Lucas' 5th birthday that is right 5!! We had a fantastic Dinosaur birthday party and we are all exhausted now. I took a bunch of pictures but apparently my camera was set on Raw so I have to do some rearranging won't really be able to post any photos for a day or 2. Because tomorrow (sat18th) is our 7 year anniversary and we are going to Mesa to a very special friends sealing. The adopted a beautiful baby girl and invited us to be part of this special day!
So I will post pics as soon as I can I promise!!

need something to read? I got 16 out of 100

2008-10-16T16:32:00.000-07:00

The Big Read is a National Endowment for the Arts program designed to encourage community reading initiatives and of their top 100 books. They estimate the average adult has read only six.
Here’s what you are supposed to do:
Look at the list and bold those you have read. Italicize those we intend to read.*Star the books we LOVE.

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen **
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien **
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling *
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible (not sure if this counts for me reading because I've never read cover to cover)
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller1
4. Complete Works of Shakespeare
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell **
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis **
34. Emma - Jane Austen **
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen **
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis **
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery **
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility- Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens ( i did start this)
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett **
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte's Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

YUMM-O

2008-10-07T22:08:00.000-07:00

I made this today. I guess I should have taken a picture but it didn't last long enough. I will double the corn cakes recipe next time.

Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes the Cheesecake Factory Copycat Recipe

1 hour | 30 min prep

SERVES 4

Salsa Verde

2 tomatillos, diced
4 ounces mild green chilies, drained and diced
1 green onion, minced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
1 1/4 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pinch ground black pepper

For Tomato Salsa

1 medium tomato, diced
1 tablespoon minced Spanish onion
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced
1/4 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 dash salt
1 dash ground black pepper

For Southwestern Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon water
3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch onion powder
1 dash salt
1 dash garlic powder

For Cakes

1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corn
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup corn masa harina flour (corn flour)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For Garnish

1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 avocado, diced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Prepare salsa verde by combining all prepared ingredients. Chill.
Prepare tomato salsa by combining all prepared ingredients. Chill.
Prepare southwestern sauce by combining all ingredients. Chill.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Prepare the tamale cakes by chopping 1 cup of the frozen corn in a food processor until it's coarsely pureed. Combine pureed corn with softened butter, sugar, and salt. Blend well.
Add masa and flour and blend well. Mix in the remaining 1/2 cup of frozen corn kernels by hand.
Measure 1/2 cup portions of the mixture and form it into 3" wide patties with your hands. Arrange the patties on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cakes are browned on the bottom.
Carefully flip all cakes with a spatula and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes or until other side is browned.
Assembly: Place all three cakes on a warmed serving platter. Dollop each with one of the three sauces. Garnish with diced avocado, cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.

Seven

2008-10-02T19:12:00.000-07:00

7 Things I plan to do before I die

1. See more of the USA and if possible the world

2. Be a grandparent

3. Go on a mission with DJ

4. read a lot of books

5. become a good photographer

6. learn to decorate cakes

7. build my dream home

7 things I do now

1. I can cook yea!

2. love my babies and take good care of them

3. organize

4. talk... a lot

5. sew pajama pants for my kids

6. clean and do laundry

7. go on play dates, host play dates, volunteer in the classroom, and be the best Mom I can be.

7 things I can't do

1. play any sport well

2. math

3. crochet, for real I've tried a few times

4. memorize

5. cut hair

6. drive in LA, very very scary!

7. draw well

7 things that attract me to my husband (in no particular order)

1. cute butt

2. kind heart

3. he watches movies and shows that I like

4. amazing father

5. patient and calm

6. devoted

7. the best person for me

7 things that I say most often

1. "This is your warning"

2. I am tired

3. That's frinkin awesome

4. Hell yeah

5. So I was thinking...

6. I love you bunches

7. Your my favorite

7 celebrities that I admire

is this really a question

7 favorite foods

1. Ice Cream

2. whatever I can put in a tortilla

3. Mom's bean dip

4. Thanksgiving.. the whole thing (stuffing mashed potatoes, pie...)

5. I like Easter too (ham, sour cream potatoes...)

6. Baked Potato with the works

7. I perfect steak

7 people who need to do this

1. Jana

2. Tiffany

3. Katie baby

4. Tammy

5. Heather

6. Shawna

7. Sara G

7 year itch

2008-09-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

So here it is. DJ and I are coming up on year number 7. I am wondering where normal people are at in their 7th year of marriage. What itch is being scratched. I was thinking about that a while back. What kind of itches need to be scratched?
For me I am taking a personal journey on becoming a better photographer. I want to really understand my camera and become confident in my skills. So I am doing a self teaching adventure. I have made another blog so once I start posting I'll let ya know. I have also begged my amazing Mom to support my way though Wilton cake decorating class at Michaels. I am pretty dang excited about this adventure. I have been talking about cake decorating for years now and now I think I have finally made it almost official. I just have to get mom and me and the money in Michaels by next Thursday to sign up. yea!
DJ on the other hand has taken a different approach.Here it is folks. He is going to school. No not real estate not business. What is he going to do? Pharmacy. That's right and not the one's my brother in laws hang with. An actual white coat in a real pharmacy. He is registering for classes starting next month to begin his 5 year journey to a good, stable, career. I am thrilled surprisingly. We are already poor so it won't be a fall back from comforts. In fact we'll be moving back to my parents some time early next year. (They are planning ongoing on a mission and the house we are renting is being put up for sale in January)
SO wish us and mostly DJ luck!

And really all of my friends married more than 7 years. Did you have a 7 year itch? What was it? If not 7 when was your itch?

help my friend

2008-09-27T13:09:00.000-07:00

So my friend Tana is going to the Paul Michell school in Phoenix
there is a video contest and I want her to win so watch the video and make a comment please!!

Any CA friends might recognize Mike Helm. He is one of the teachers!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_nU1bBx4Z0

Thanks

piggy bank

2008-09-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

So little story I want to share.
Eden was in her room and I walked by as she was dumping out toys and putting the storage boxes together to stand on.
"What are you doing?" I asked
she points to her piggy bank on top of her dresser
"you want your piggy bank?"
"yes" she says.
I told her to pick up her toys and I would get her piggy bank down.
After this was done I continued on to my journey to DJ's office to discuss some future matters with him. As we where talking we could hear Eden playing with her money.After a short while she came in proudly holding a handful of mostly pennies.
"Is that your money?"
"Yes"
"wow are you going to show it to Daddy?"
"No", she said "I am going to give it to him"
I laughed as she put he handful on his desk.

Then the truth came out.

"do you know why she did that?" DJ asked me
"no" I said
"Because she asked me to play with her and I told her I had to go work and make some money."

It is amazing to see that she wanted to help her Daddy out so he would be able to play with her. I awed and teared up by my sweet baby and her sincere jester to help him out.

This is one of the reasons I have sacrificed working to be at home with my children.

house of care

2008-09-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

So my brother Corey has some awesome back issues. week or so he reached down to pick up a chip. He had already over worked his back that day and the little act landed him on my kitchen floor. There he stayed for 24hrs. We were able to pull him into the "LR" by getting him on a blanket and pulling.

Anyway, my kids instantly pulled out the doctor kit and teddy bear and such and went to taking care of him. It was really funny. So I thought I'd share

BTW Corey is doing better and has been home and even back to work. I also have to confess I enjoyed Corey's accident because he stayed the night and I had people at my house all weekend. yea!

Say hello to my little friend

2008-09-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

So I am not a bug person. I don't mind them but I don't really like them on me or in my space. However, my kids love them and they are interesting. Yesterday I picked up my Mom and was on my way out of the neighborhood. I saw something on the road.
"What the heck was that?"
I stopped the car and backed up. Mom jumped our of the car; she likes bugs. I found a plastic bag. She caught it and we ran to my house to get Lucas' bug box. I showed it to DJ. He said it was a lubber or something.
We took it to Corey's house to show him.

Eden and I brought it home and waited for Lucas to come home from preschool. When Lucas got off the bus we took him over to the side walk ( very close to where we found the bug in the 1st place. We then let the bug go. Lucas and Eden followed him around for a while. It was a fun bug experience.

Saturday Night at the Desert Museum

2008-08-31T18:41:00.001-07:00

getting off the bus

2008-08-31T11:13:00.000-07:00

So I said I'll get a picture of Eden getting off her school bus. Well, here it is. She had a great day at school. Except the fact she is wearing different pants because she had an "accident." I guess that is normal when dealing with 3 yr olds.

roosters anyone?

2008-08-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

So we had gotten some little chickens who all turned into roosters. They pleasantly began crowing at 5:30 am. So I asked for them to be removed. We were not interested in the preparations for having fried chicken for dinner. So grandma and grandpa came and took the away,
Mom told Lucas they were going to Mr Gonzales's farm and that was Spanish for Ole' Mac Donald. I laugh every time I think of it.

So farewell to the roosters I hope they enjoy there life with the other chicken on Mr Gonzales' farm.
We'll try again for chickens we want eggs.

Preschool

2008-08-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

So I got a call this week. The 3 year old preschool wanted Eden. She started today. She will go Monday and Friday mornings. I took her today but she will come home on the bus. They will drop her off at my door. She is very excited and so am I. I now get 1 on 1 time with Lucas. This has been a great week for me.

... later I'll post her getting off the bus.

ward camp trip

2008-08-28T18:21:00.001-07:00

Preschool

2008-08-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day! Lucas got to ride the school bus. I think he was nervous and excited. I am surprised he didn't explode.
I found out a few weeks ago that Flowing Wells had a preschool. I finally called and stopped by last week and picked up the paperwork for the "economically challenged" yes that is for real! preschool. I turned in the paperwork and Lucas was admitted that day. So yesterday he went to his first day. It is awesome! The teachers have their bachelors and a certificate in early childhood education. Because it is with the school they also have a budget and grant money and such. So what does that mean?? The school is beautiful. Filled with sand and water tables, tricycles on the playground. Stories and music. Play dough and art supplies. Pictures on the wall. Toys and activities. Lucas said it was way better then his other preschool. Which was a free 2 day a week program at the community center. It seemed like glorified babysitting. But it was a nice introduction.
Lucas will go to kindergarten next year. I know he is ready now, so this preschool is going to give him that opportunity to learn.He is so ready. There is a 3yr old program too so Eden is on the mile long waiting list. But that also bumps her up to the 4yr old program as well. So she'll go next year and he'll go to school.
In the mean time Eden and I went to the mall and then went and had ice cream. Lucas is gone for 4 hours basically from 12-4. Because he takes the bus. But it has been great for me. I know he is getting what he needs and Eden is getting a little extra time. I am also less stressed and happier in the evening. This is a miracle!!

So all in all I am just so happy right now! Can you tell? I thought today I should be a little more sad that my baby is growing up. But really I am loving seeing him become this amazing little person.

mosaic

2008-08-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

Here are the questions:
1. What is your first name? Sheila
2. What is your favorite food? baked potato
3. What high school did you attend? Flowing wells
4. What is your favorite color? Pink
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Ryan Reynolds
6. Favorite drink? Italian cream soda
7. Dream vacation? Italy
8. Favorite dessert? Ice cream
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? Happy
10. What do you love most in life? family time
11. One word to describe you? Sincere
12. Your nickname? Shera

If you want to do your own mosaic, here are the rules. Go to either Google images or Flickr and search for images with the answer to the questions below. (for instance, if your name is Jenny, go to one of the sites above and search Jenny) You must select a graphic from the FIRST page of your search. Pick out the best one, or your favorite one and go to http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php and set up a 3 by 4 mosaic and enter the URL of the picture you selected. Have fun!

Today we went to the Zoo

2008-08-16T01:14:00.001-07:00

Memories...

2008-08-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

Memories...

Do I dare?

A friend has a post on her blog asking for her "commenters" to share memories they have of her and her family. I'm a little scared to find out what people remember about Jeff and me but I guess I'm feeling gutsy. It really can't be any worse than the stuff I post about us already!

Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you had with DJ and/or Sheila. It can be anything you remember.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. I dare you!

update

2008-08-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

I have not gotten to cut out my apron yet. I opened the pattern last night and said. "I need my Mommy!" Mom was at the church doing a child care lesson with the enrichment girls, so my kids were there too being entertained and DJ was at mutual. Yeah I could have washed the dishes, cleaned the house. But nope. I don't get my house to myself too often. So I watched project runway and cut out patterns.
This week has been a pretty fun one too. Tuesday we did a play day switch. My friend Michelle to Lucas and her little boy Tyler to the park and to get ice cream. I took Eden and her little girl Meagan. The decided to invite her older girl Rebbecca and my friend Katie's daughter Madeline. After the girls decided to stop chasing the cats, they played dress up, cooked in the little kitchen and did a lot of cute little girl things. It was fun. On Monday I watched Michelle's kids for an hour while she went to the doctor. Wednesday we ran around. I planned primary then visited my friend Michelle D. (a lot of Michelle's this week.) The kids all played. I got to hold he baby she is adopting and enjoy her AC. Then we went to the library. Then off the kids went to the church yea!
Today we are on our way to swim with Tyler and co. I am also feeding the missionaries. tomorrow have a primary meeting. And we are having a Chinese dinner to celebrate the Olympics.

TONIGHT is the So You Think You Can Dance Finale!!!!! So excited yet sad that this season is over. At least I have Olympic swimming (and other games)starting Saturday! I am so excited I love the summer Olympics!

whoa Doggy

2008-08-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

So I guess I've got the cleaning bug this week. Kind of. Today I finally when through the kids clothes and took out the clothes that are too small for them. Then I cleaned out the toys. Whew. Organized separated and starred at them for hours. Then the kids came home from grandmas... so much for that project.
Kidding kind of. They are getting toys out but it is sort of organized now. I just have more work to do.

Also thanks to Jana, I am sewing. Or at least getting ready to. Mc Calls patterns are on sale for 99 cents. Yeah!!!! So Mom and I went and bought a ton of patterns and some material. I am starting with a super cute apron. I'll post pictures of my 1st sewing project. I am so excited. I want to go buy the rest of the patterns I wanted.

I am excited to be doing something different from my normal routine. Lucas is excited too I have a pj pattern and a cowboy and Indian pattern too.

Fun stuff!

Happy Birthday DJ

2008-07-30T09:07:00.001-07:00

Step 2

2008-07-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

OK I seem to get pretty much what I do is mostly everyone else is doing.
So step 2

What did you feed your family today?

Cheerios
grilled cheese and tomato soup
tostadas

snacks
blueberries
carrots
grapes

Meal Planing

2008-07-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

So I am trying to accomplish an amazing task. Meal planning. I make week-month worth of meal plans. For dinner that is. I have things written down for lunches and breakfast. I also have the staples that are always needed. Like bread, milk, and ice cream.

So basically I am wonder what everybody else does. Where they get ideas. How often the repeat meals. How do you get all the healthy stuff in the day?

Just wanted to know

I need a nap!

2008-07-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

It is Saturday and it is a busy morning. I had clean the building this morning at 7am. Then I came home cleaned up and packed up to make it to the church ballpark by 8:40 so I could searve syup to people eating pancakes for 20min. When I was all done with that we hung out. Lucas discovered a dunk tank. All he had to do was throw a ball at a target and people would fall in the water. He thought that was awesome. Eden did too. They were so cute. Then the played in the sand box and Lucas ran around with a water balloon. DJ played ultimate frizbee with his friend Tyler.
IT was hot and humid today.
So since we have been home I have been so tired and the kids are wanting to play and DJ has to work and do homework.
I am so tired right now I could fall over. It has been a long month.

But we are going to dinner at our friend Katie and Tyler's house tonight. Yea I don't have to cook and the kids will have entertainment!! YES!

another day

2008-07-23T23:10:00.000-07:00

So Eden likes to cook. I mean she loves to cook. I think it is her favorite thing. So she helped me make lunch yesterday. She had to wear her apron so she would get tomato soup all over her leotard. I think all women should cook in a tutu and an apron. Wouldn't that freak out the husband. hee hee hee

additional comments
-when I was little I constantly cooked with my mom too.
-Eden's apron was mine when I was a little girl.
-ok Jana there is a sneak peek at my kitchen how it always looks, dirty dishes, something cooking, and a kid "helping"

A day at the pool

2008-07-17T22:33:00.001-07:00

my girl

2008-07-10T10:17:00.001-07:00

so to add to the whole rain thing. Eden told me she was a superhero after this episode. Yeah I was taking pictures of flowers ok!
anyway I asked she if she was man-girl so she ran around saying "I am man-girl!" in a very superhero like way.

That's my girl!

monsoon

2008-07-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Tucson has this wonderful time in july and august dubbed as monsoon season. After a good thunder storm we are happily cooled down. Today our highs will be 92. However, we do have to endure our share of humidity. But it is nothing compared to Florida in August. That is humidity!!

We also get a good share of puddles and frogs. I let my kids hit the puddles when we are at Grandma's house. Much to DJ's disgust. He is afraid they will catch something. But getting wet and dirty won't make you sick. He now has resigned himself to the idea that our kids will spend more time in the mud then clean as long as I am around. So he is much better at it now. He can enjoy it better now then he used to. Not perfect but better. So here here to thunder storms. I love rain love love love it!!

Peace

2008-07-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

I recently have gone through a physical trial. I don't really want to blog about it. However, I have been resting all weekend. DJ took care of the kids and my parents, sister, and brother Corey all enjoyed themselves in various locations of Utah, Idaho, and Yellowstone park.
So what to do? I was beginning to read Anne of Green Gables. I haven't read it since I was in jr high. I am now on the 4th book Anne of windy poplars.
What I have discovered. Reading all about Anne and her adventures through life. She starts out as a silly over imaginative young girl. Sounded familiar to me. But she grew became able to focus on something for more than 3 minutes. Also familiar. Grew into a well rounded women.
But I have noticed the last few days I am using more descriptive words when I speak. I am more at peace and I think the sky is bluer now. She has a knack of being cheerful and seeing the world for it's beauty. She sees people and gets below their exterior skin and finds out what is in there heart. She loves and she works hard. She wants to be loved but more importantly she loves. She is never jealous, bitter or besides Gilbert Blythe ever holds a grudge.
She values each friend but is always the most loyal to her bosom friend and the people who brought her to green gables Marilla and Mathew. She loves every place she is in and finds the best in it. She loyal to green gables but finds happiness in whatever situation she is in life.
Then there is Gilbert Blythe. I think he kind of beats Mr Darcy is being truely good. He has never been prideful, conceited, or treated anyone unkindly. At least when he grew up. He did tease the girls a lot as a teenager but what can you really expect of a teenager? He as well as Ann competed to be the best in school. Studied hard and never gave up. Even when he (and Ann too) had to teach school They both still worked hard on independent courses to finally get to go to College 2 years later. When he got there he worked hard, was friendly and joined everything he could to enjoy his stay.
Gilbert loved Ann all his life , well since he was 16. He never gave up. He valued there friendship and was patient for Ann when she finally figured it out. The only thing Ann was slow about. Then he went to get his medical degree. That's where I am right now.
I know I sound silly right now but for anyone who needs a new outlook on life. Ann is where it is at! I wish I read this in High school and college. Then maybe it would have reminded me to put things in perspective. I am still resting but I think I might have to till I have finished the series.
Aghhh I love a good book

huh?

2008-07-05T18:28:00.001-07:00

So I changed my background and somehow lost all my friends. So if you read my blog comment so I can get your blog and repost it on my page so I can read everyones blogs again. I don't know why I am so retarded.

why??

2008-07-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

So not to go into to much detail my doctor doesn't want me traveling right now and asked me to postpone my trip to Ventura. We are really sad. But maybe when we get to come we'll be able to stay longer.

goin back

2008-07-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

we're goin goin back back to cali cali...

that's right we are heading to Ventura for a little weekend visit tomorrow. We are leaving Tucson some time Thursday and we'll go home Monday. It's short but we need, want, have to go!!!
So good bye 107 degree's and hello 70's! I can't wait. I wish we could go longer.

So we'll be at the street fair Friday so all you Ventura people look for us
DJ's cell is 520-631-5499

some things are just too funny

2008-06-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

I am on my Mom's computer looking at pictures.

This I found of Eden make a sand angel... priceless.

My new love!

2008-06-21T10:40:00.001-07:00

So I have a new obsession. Yes it is the Elizabeth Gaskell collection. For all you Jane Austin fans I invited you to partake. There are 3 movies. 1st wives and daughters. I enjoyed it, after I got used to the girl. 2nd Cranford. So hilarious!! It will make you laugh and cry! Then my favorite North and South. beautiful and rivals the beloved Pride and Prejudice.
What is so fantastic about these works of art is the stories are more real. They cover the classes. You see what each class is dealing with and how they live. Warning people die. But It is so real and beautiful. I love love love them. DJ is enjoying them too.
The acting is great. I encourage all to partake!!

bummer

2008-06-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

SO DJ and I went on our date last night. However, the dancing place was in Catalina. For those of you not familiar with Tucson. Catalina is north and kind of out of town. Ranchers and such and resorts. Trouble, especially when we pulled into the Lariot steakhouse and saloon. Yea a nice country band playing and people doing west coast swing AKA cowboy swing. Now I am game for dancing and I enjoy country music. But this was too much for the 2 of us. Our date then consisted of attempting a movie then decided that it was to late we don't want to spend that much money. So we bought eegees (eegees are a local specialty, a sort of crushed ice drink but it is so think you have to eat with a spoon. It has fruit in it. yum of a hot day!) anyway then we went to the parents hung out and brought the kids home. Then watched video 3 of north and south (my next blog)
so much for getting cute.
But it was nice just being with DJ anyway.

I've got a hot date!

2008-06-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

So I am so excited! DJ and I are going on a date tonight. We are not going to dinner, we are not going to a movie. We aren't even going to costco!!
So what on earth could we possibly do? Yea we are going dancing!!! I am so excited! DJ has a friend who teaches dance west coast swing and other social dances. He has invited us to attend the "free dance" time at the studio he teaches at and DJ said yes! I haven't been able to dance in years. For those who knew me in my formal life. You would know that was a big portion of my existence. I had surgery on my right foot and with shoe and crutches I still attended swing dance club and even danced a bit. You can do most tricks one legged.
I love to dance I wish I could have had more classes because it is inside me. To quote Lady Catherine de Bourgh "If I have ever learned to play, I would be a true proficient.!"

Good Day

2008-06-17T21:03:00.000-07:00

Without going into to much detail, yea right! I had a great day.
I was able to go to the Temple today. I went with my Mom and Dad. A cousin on my Dads side was being sealed to her husband today. It was lovely. Then we went through a session. Had a nice lunch and went to the visitor center. They have a photography display right now. It is the cast of the Easter pageant. They took some beautiful photos demonstrating the life of Christ. I guess the Presidency likes it so much it is going on tour! We enjoyed it very much.
Then we went to IKEA. Yea good times. I got spoiled like I used to when my parents would come visit me in Ventura. The nice think about Ikea is the most expensive thing I wanted was a $7.00 wok. Which I was willing to pay for myself. But I got that, an ice cream scoop, whisk, ice trays in the shape of stars and a couple other things. It was a fun day for me.
The kids spent most of the day at Saras and DJ tried to get some of his tons of work and homework and the workshop his is taking done. As well as go to a couple appointment. He is really working so hard.

That's all I had a nice day off. T hat rarely happens!

Well then I came home and did the 3 days of dishes I have been avoiding. but it wasn't really that bad.
The End

My Husband and Father in law too.

2008-06-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

So I wrote all about my Daddy this morning. Now I will celebrate my husband. DJ and I met about 8 years now. We actually met at President Hinckley's Birthday celebration. The one where they had a broadcast and Gladys Knight sang.
I'll go into the courtship when it is our anniversary. Anyway, when I was looking for a husband I wanted someone who would love me and be a great Father. When DJ took me to meet his family I met his Father. At one point I saw his Father on the floor playing Austin (grandson. He was playing Winne the Pooh. I knew that if this was going to be my father in law. DJ was said not to fall to far from the tree. I knew I picked a good apple.
Boy did I! DJ is kind, loving and calm. He is happy to kick a soccer ball around with Lucas. Dance with Eden. Tell the kids stories. Books or something he makes up. He watercolored with them the other day. He walked Eden home and a bike tonight. (it has a push handle to help move along the process)
He is excited to see his children grow. He loved them, loves them and will always love them. Not to mention he treats me like a precious gem stone. Because I am there mother. I am glad he is the Father of my children. He is a great father and he wants to be better. He is willing to take the good and the bad of being a parent. He allows me to be the Mom and he listens to me.
I know he loves me and our children and will love any child to come. He is my darling DJ.

My Dad

2008-06-15T10:12:00.001-07:00

On that note. Today is also Fathers day. I am greatful for my own Father. My Dad was born in Chuichupa, Mexico. He is the youngest child of 8 children. He and 2 of his older sisters are the only ones still alive. When he was 13 his own Father passed away. His Mother was deaf and very poor. He moved to Arizona and was raised my different siblings. He lived in Pomerine, and later in Miami AZ.

He married my Mother is Jan 1961. They raised 7 children. But had 8 Losing one child a daughter in 1963. She lived about a month. They buried her in a small cometary in Pine Arizona.

My Father is a hard working man. Since I was a small child around 2 he was put in a bishopric. He worked in bishoprics, high councilmen, and stake presidency most of my life. He was one who understood the gospel. Believes in the smallest of principles. Works hard to do what is asked of him. He recently was released from his Bishop calling and has happily been serving with my mother in th Bishops store house.

I know my Dad will do anything for his children. We have never been a wealthy family but he has done what it takes and continues to make sure we have what we need. Even some things we just want. He loves his children and will no questions asked be willing to do what it takes to take care of them. He loves his grandchildren and is so proud of them. He loves it the most when the little ones will just sit in his lap and let him hold them.

I love my Daddy and I am so glad he's my Dad.

29

2008-06-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today I turn 29. I feel like I am 19 but no I am 29. It's so weird. I have a wonderful Husband..(BTW Happy Fathers Day DJ). I have 2 beautiful and crazy children Lucas and Eden. I have to say I am happy. It is really strange how quickly the last 1o years of my life have flown by. It seems like ages ago yet it feels like yesterday. I know I have a wonderful life to live and many things to accomplish. I guess it is exciting to discover what the next 29 years of my life have in store.

Blessings

2008-06-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

On Friday night Lucas wondered out from his bedroom. Instead of going to the bathroom across the hall he wonders in the dark to our room to our bathroom. DJ got up and turned the light on. He freaked out about the light. When he turned it off Lucas tripped over a bad of foot stuff. (I was cleaning my feet before bed) Then slammed his right eye into our sink.
Then the screaming began . DJ brought him to our bed to check out the damage. His tears were pink so we new there was a little blood somewhere,. But he refused to open his eyes. They hurt to bad. I was worried...really worried. After a few minutes I called my parents. Amazingly my Dad was awake at 12:30 pm watching a ball game he had recorded. They came over and DJ gave Lucas a blessing.
The next day his eye was a little puffy. Today you can't even tell anything happened. I along with everyone who saw him, thought he would for sure have a black eye at least.

I am thankful today for priesthood blessings. That my husband has the priesthood and is worthy to use it. That my Father lives down the street and has oil, because DJ didn't have any more. To have the peace in our home and the spirit in our hearts. This was a testimony to me. I wanted to share.

my nemesis...

2008-06-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

I have a nemesis. The dishes, every time I conquer this evil villain. I find I have once again failed. The next day it comes to attack stronger and harder the next day . I feel as if I will never win. I need a sidekick to help. No not DJ but an actual dishwasher. Someday dishes you will defeat me no more.

Happy BIrthday Eden!

2008-06-02T10:47:00.001-07:00

Today is Eden's birthday. She is now 3 years old. I can't help but reflect on that day 3 years ago.
I'll share the story...
I was a week and a half over due. I had a cold that wiped me out the day before. So my sister in law Heather graciously took Lucas for the morning so I could continue to rest. Lucas was 19 months old and I think she just wanted to show him off. She is a very proud aunt. DJ was working and I was feeling much better. So I decided to do some of the things that I had avoided the last couple days. So I did some laundry and the dishes and such. I kept having contractions but thought I was just doing too much. So I went next door to my other sis in laws house, Shawna. Oprah was on and we were discussing the show. She noticed I was have pretty frequent contractions and I told her I was fine I was just over doing it today. So I decided to go take a shower. I went home and did that. but they were getting worse. I called DJ and asked when he was coming home. He told me he was coming soon. That was around 5:00 Heather showed up and I was on my futon reading about labor, trying to figure out if that was what I was going through. She came in and then went next door to visit some more nieces and nephews. DJ then walked in and his sister came back. By this time I knew I needed to go to the hospital. So as he and his sister were merely chatting I looked at him and said..."I need to go to the hospital right now!" His sister picked up Lucas's car seat and put him back in her car. We loaded up and went to the hospital, hitting every stop light. I was in real pain my this point and kept thinking just don't have this baby in the car. DJ was thinking I hope I don't run out of gas!
We made it to the hospital and I needed a wheel chair. So DJ ran inside. As he was dealing with the retarded people in the ER. I was staring at a chair in the parking lot that someone had just left. As tears rolled down my cheek DJ showed up. He took me inside and the nurse casually wondered over to take me upstairs. As we are going up the elevator she states."wow you've been contracting this whole time!"
DUHHH!
So the put me in the "extra crap" room, had me get dressed, which I did quickly between contractions and then checked me. I was at 9 1/2, yeah this is around 5:30-5:40. So the rolled me on the gurney to labor and delivery. The nurse was not helpful, the doctor was a retarded man. They said it was too late for me to get anything.
They broke my water and Eden flew down and hit my pelvis bone. Ok people that hurt like hell and the doctor had the nerve to tell me to calm down. I would have punched him if I wasn't in so much freaking pain! However, a whole bunch of nurses ran in, I continued to push and Eden was born at 5:45pm.
She was dark red and round and beautiful. 7'11 LBs and 21 inches if I remember correctly. She was bruised and a bit of a mess.
I remember my friend Tammy coming to visit me at the hospital and I said Eden wasn't as pretty as Lucas was. She told me Eden was beautiful. I can look back and completely agree with that now.
My friends Tammy and Char both came and visited me int the hospital. As well and DJ's family. I called my parents (who I talked to that morning and they were in Utah. They thought I was calling to tell them about my doctors appointment I had that morning. But I told them I was holding my beautiful baby girl. They laughed and the planned there trip for the next day to come meet Eden. They came for a week and my Mom stayed for and extra week. She couldn't leave me alone with Lucas and Eden.
I am so happy to have her in my life. I can't imagine what I did with out her all these years. But I think I always felt her presence. She is funny. Loves to dance and sing. She loves to help cook and clean. But especially cook. She is smart and has an amazing imagination. I love her so dearly.
So today we will celebrate the day that she joined us!

the birds we saw

2008-05-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

green heron
ladder backed woodpecker
scissor tailed flycatcher
vermilion flycatcher- and mama in nest
western kingbird- family
black phoebe
says phoebe
western wood pewee
barn swallow
yellow warbler
yellow breasted chat
red winged blackbird
orchard oriole
summer tanager
blue grosbeak
northern cardinal
black backed lesser goldfinch
coot
wild turkey -family
lark sparrow
black-throated sparrow
house finch
turkey vultures

rattlesnake springs

2008-05-28T22:06:00.001-07:00

New Mexico

2008-05-28T21:49:00.002-07:00

As you can tell we went on another trip with my family. My parents, Sara, and Corey were all going to New Mexico for Memorial Day. To see some birds. My Mom and Dad decided to drag our poor behinds with them. We stopped at White Sands New Mexico on the way to Carlsbad. It was beautiful and 1 of the places I wanted to see before I die. Yea I know I have one of those lists. Anyway that was Lucas's favorite part. He loved sledding down the hill. It was fun as as you can tell we all had a good time. Grandpa was the only one not participating in the sledding part. But that's ok.
We also went to Carlsbad MN. Then we spent a whole day 30 mins out of town in a place called Rattlesnakes springs. Beautiful little spot in the middle of the desert. We saw a long list of birds. The kids had a good time playing and playing. It was a nice weekend.

our trip to New Mexico

2008-05-28T21:49:00.001-07:00

white strawberries

2008-05-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

When I lived in Ventura I belonged to a e-mail group for LDS moms. It had to much drama so I quit but there was a lady on there who grew up in CA and moved to Utah. We were all discussing strawberries. She made the joke that people in Utah think strawberries are white inside.
Last night I bought a 4 lb container of strawberries. I cut them up this morning and they were yes white inside. When Eden was blessed we bought some strawberries from Fernando's Flowers. Yea you Ventura people know what I am talking about. They were so juicy and red they would leak down your face and onto your shirt.
I think being anywhere but ca you may think strawberries come in 2 varieties. white on the inside or smooshy deep red. Aghhh so I am going to dream of strawberry fields, farmers markets and the ocean all day today. That is what I think of now when I have a strawberry.

Camp Verde

2008-05-21T08:56:00.001-07:00

Wish you where here!

2008-05-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

We did it! Today it reached 100 degrees and tomorrow is going to be much hotter. Then all ya'll phoenix metro people hit at least 107. I guess the summer saga has begun. I am hitting to pool tomorrow!

good week

2008-05-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

So I made it! I worked all week for Georgina. It was fun. The gymnastics/dance studio was a really cool place. It is a born again Christian run facility. I think I am going to sign the kids up this fall. I liked that the kids were all modest and the music and language was clean. The teachers were all really nice. Eden joined me Saturday. Because, DJ and Lucas went on the Father Sons camp out. Georgina brought some little ballet outfits. She is still wearing one of them.
I enjoyed working this week. I was familiar with what I was doing and it was not stressful. However, one week was good enough for me. Georgine knows what I can do now and I can help when ever she needs me. I missed my kids and husband. But like my Mom said that had enough Mommy love and time stored up that one week didn't phase them. The spent a lot of time with my parents. DJ had them a few times. He was glad when I was home so he could get his work done. We were really busy.
Anyway it was a good week and I am happy to be home again. We had a nice Saturday too. We went to Agua Caliente Park with Corey and Sue and Jason, Sara was there for her friend Padmini's graduation party. So we saw some old friends from the institute days. We fed ducks, fish and turtles
. We saw a soft shell turtle, it was very cool. A great horned owl flew over also. Corey, DJ, and Lucas saw some baby ducks. Corey got to use is new fancy lens. All in all we had a great week and I am looking forward to this weekend. We are going to rattlesnake springs with my family. I am excited!
I also acomplieshed editing and backing up all my photos! 11 CD's later!

whew

2008-05-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was Monday. This week I am working for my sister-in-law Georgina. She has started her own photography company as is doing pretty great. She is shooting a dance and gymnastics studio this week and I am helping out by doing the orders and such. Customer service, a little like what I used to do at Sundance. Anyway, I am having a busy week.
Yesterday I was there most of the day with a 3 hour break. I came home early because DJ and I were going to babysit Jason while Corey, Sue, Sara, and my Parents all went to Celtic Women. When I walked in I found out Sara couldn't go and that they had an extra ticket an they were waiting for me. So I shoved some pizza in my mouth and drove to the concert. I was hot, tired, and had a headache. So I wasn't feelin it. But once I got there I had a great time. We ended up sitting next to Alex and Julie Mathason (old institute friends) It was a beautiful concert. I wasn't too late I missed half of the opening act though. It was the High Kings and they are great. But all in all it was a busy and good day.
I did miss my little family, a little.

Long Weekend

2008-05-11T22:57:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the end of a nice day. After yesterday I happy for that. Lucas had stepped on a bee a couple days ago and his foot is still swollen. Then he hit hit head on the corner of the car door. He has a nice gash in the back of his head now. Poor kid, but today he made it through unscathed. Yesterday we had Mother's day at Jon and Georgina's house. It was nice and relaxing, nothing crazy. The kids swam, Lucas did however, jump in with out his floaties and Jordan had to jump in fully clothed and save him. But it was all in a a pretty nice day. Lucas did survive.

helping the economy

2008-05-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

So I am not sure about how I feel about this whole "recession" I just put my awesome economic stimulus check to work. We paid bills, DJ got a not so great hair cut and we went on a date! It seems to me the lenders and the home builders just got greedy. The lenders started lending money to poeple who bought houses from these fancy new developments. Houses that were not practical for them and were too expensive. This is not true for all people, but many. Then the home builders seemed to build 2 houses per lot. What happened to the idea of back yards, front yards, and privacy? Not it seems we have a surplus out housing. People moved out of town to outskirts to get good deals. Then the built up that part of town (Sahuarita, Gilbert, Queen Creek) Then we talk about how the economy is so bad and how sacred we are. I went to Gilbert and saw 2 or 3 brand new wal-marts , 2-3 Targets, shopping malls, theaters etc... Within a few miles of each other.
I think people need to stop being consumers and start paying there bills. I think we should pay for the houses and the cars we have. I think we should start reading Books with substance and stop reading tabloids. We should stop letting our teenagers watch sweet 16 (hilarious!) and then get in there head that there sweet sixteen is not a red carpet event. But 16 years they survived you not killing them. (that would be a joke) But seriously. Build parks, nature reserves, beautiful places where people can enjoy things that are real. Schools and libraries. Aquariums
( one in Tucson where they have baji life, would be freakin awesome!) Get rid of the meth and alcohol, ex con petafile filled trailer parks and build nice homes and lower income optioned housing. Make what we have better and cleaner. I know it costs more money. But isn't it worth it?
Anyway I think we are a greedy country and have forgotten that Hollywood is it's own planet and doesn't really equal happiness or success. I believe in Family, Friends, Community. Is what out govenment officials should base there decisions on. What is best for that. I also think Local govenment has to take the first step. The President has less influence on our day to day life. Then the Superintendent of our local schools. We need to be more Vocal Yeah! power to the people!!
In the end I am just saying it. I don't know why, maybe it's because it is late. But mainly because I can. I find this economic stimulus funny. The Mall and wal-mart doesn't seem to be less crowded. It just seems like there is more of them. Maybe we should go to Myanmar and learn what it really means to be in trouble.
The End

A Great Day

2008-05-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

So little fact about my roots. I come from a birding family. Yes I said it my family will take walks and trips to see birds. Now the truth is that it is only since my brother Corey found this hobby that the family went all crazy. My Mom has always had a bird book and binoculars, But when Corey stopped making fun of her and picked up his own set of binoculars. The it was okay for all of us. I tell you this because it may explain a lot about where I come from... maybe. Anyway, there is a canyon south of Tucson called Madera Canyon. There is a bird there called and elegant Trogan. The birds in Tucson that are my family have all gotten special little trips to see this special bird. All except the family with the bird repent (Lucas and Eden). However, I recently tool a trip, kids and all to Gilbert AZ with my Mom. We stayed at Dave's house and let the kids play. Meanwhile back at the ranch (that would be the title of a cute kids book) DJ and Corey decided to go and take a bird trip. So guess who hasn't seen the trogan now? That's right me.
Finally I told my brother last night that if DJ can go without me I can go without him. So he picked me up at 7am. After dropping Jason off at Grandma's of course and we went to Madera Canyon!! Whew Hoo! As so as we exited the car we heard the trogans calling. Needless to say and go into too much detail. I not only saw Mr and Mrs. Trogan. but a Northern pygmy owl, Flame Tanager, Hepatic Tanager, Hooded Oreal, black headed grosbeak (a ton of them), broad billed hummingbird, Lazui Bunting(mr and mrs), pygmy nuthatch, acorn woodpecker, and some turkey's just to name the fun stuff. Yea I had a great day and was home by noon.
- if you would like to see some of these things check out my brothers website. Please look at the Trogan and you will understand why we are so excited.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corsue

DJ the great

2008-05-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

I truly have an amazing husband. I was having a bad day. Our financial status has been straining for most of our marriage, if not all. He has been working really hard and has now started his own business. He is a real estate appraiser. He gets work and works hard. However, the market is slow. I am great full for the steady work he does get.
We have not had the luxury of being able to shop when we needed things. Clothes, shoes, etc.. We gave that up when we had Lucas. We decided that I would stay home. I have however tried things to help. I got a job at a gym last summer. I also babysat. But the money was not enough to really make it worth it.
Anyway my clothes are basic and ware out quickly. But I do have them. I was sad last night. It kind of caught up with me. DJ went out to get some food we would need for dinner tomorrow and next week. He was gone for a really long time and I was beginning to get worried. I called him as he was turning into our driveway. I went to help get the groceries in when Duma escaped. Tricky little kitty! We finally got back in and DJ had bought me a new outfit. IT came from wal-mart. The sweater was too big, the shirt was a little large but it will be fine. Then the cutest little skirt. I was scared it would be to small but it wasn't. Wal-mart surprises me sometime with cute clothes. It is always worth browsing! Anyway, I love my DJ he tries so hard to take care of us and wants me to be happy. I am amazed that he is a real person. He has his own likes and dislikes. But he will watch my Jane Austins and musicals with me. I love that about him.
So all in all I have to say I adore him.