Reflection

Months ago (maybe even a year or more ago) a good friend of mine asked me why Mormons don't drink coffee. For some reason I have been thinking about her question lately and grew kind of ashamed of my pathetic answer. The original answer I gave her was about lactic acid and the physical reasons coffee is not good for you, but in actuality I don't give a darn about why its not good for me. I do plenty of things that are not physically good for me. I eat things that I shouldn't (which is why I had to have a weight loss surgery 2 years ago), I don't exercise enough, I bite my finger nails, and don't get enough sleep. Coffee not being good for me is not the reason I don't drink it. So why? Well, I believe that I am a member of the only true Church of Jesus Christ on this earth. I believe it is the same church established by Jesus Christ himself when He was on the earth. I believe it was restored to the earth by Jesus Christ through a modern day prophet, Joseph Smith and I believe it is led by a living prophet now, Thomas Monson. Before Joseph Smith was martyred he was given a commandment called the Word of Wisdom in which we were commanded not to drink coffee (or strong drink) along with other guidelines. I want to be worthy to enter the Holy Temple and I can't do that if I drink coffee. I need to be better about following the other health guidelines in the Word of Wisdom, my life would be better if I did. So there you go. That is why I have never drank coffee, alcohol, or tea or smoked a cigarette. I have never had even an inkling of a desire to try them. If anyone ever asks me again I will be brave enough to give an honest answer.

Family Pictures - My Funny Wesley

We went to take family pictures a few weekends ago. To say Wesley was in one of his "moods" would be an understatement!

Below are a few of the classics. Note: none of these will be put on the Christmas card!

 The afternoon started with me chasing Wesley down the railroad tracks in my friend's high  heel boots screaming threats.

 So he decided to growl, pout, or snarl for the next 40 minutes.

 Can't have a family photo shoot without beast mom wanting to strangle someone.

 These are the 2nd set of him about to run away. By this time at least he would smile when he thought he was being clever.

 All these zombie faces really wore him out...so he pretended to take a nap.

 And the zombie has returned.

And finally a keeper...he was so proud of himself funny kid!

Luckily we did get a few Christmas card worthy shots (to be shared later).

Disneyland 2013

On Thanksgiving this year we went to Disneyland  with the majority of both of our families (the Hulse & Percival clans) .  

 People kept telling us it was going to be so busy, but it wasn't. Johnny waited in the longest line (30 min) at Indiana Jones with Daniel and Jaxon (while I rode every ride in Fantasy Land with Garrett and Wesley). Daniel and Jaxon were excited to ride until the got up to the front of the line then chickened out! Ha! We used a front of the line pass they gave us to get on any other ride for Space Mountain as the last ride of the night.

 Most of Johnny's family went in a different direction than us but we stayed with my parent's and sister's.

 Going to Disneyland with kids is a totally different experience than going as a teenager. It felt less rushed to get everything in yet we still did everything we wanted (except Matterhorn which closed when we reached the front of the line, of course!). We even sat and watched a parade, which I had always avoided in the past. I had also planned to stay until close, but the kids were crashing so we left a little early.

 We had such a great day! I hope my kids have wonderful memories of going to Disneyland and the magic felt there.

 Luckily the rain held off and we had a perfect cool sunshiny day.

 Garrett passed out on my dad who was content to hold him. I was so happy to spend the day with family!

Next time I will bring an extra battery or some way to charge my phone so I can take more pictures! Also, we will have to stay a few days to do more of the little stuff and explore CA Adventure.

Daniel's Baptism

Our oldest son Daniel was baptized on Saturday the 30th. We really wanted to make sure Daniel understood the choice he was making so he took the missionary discussions the 6 weeks before the baptism. It was interesting to watch him during the discussions. As a parent I was so proud every time he would answer the questions correctly. I think I may have jumped up and cheered a few times. We have been teaching him about baptism and covenants his whole life. When he would not only answer the questions but add his thoughts or feelings to the standard answer I could hardly contain myself! What an amazing son we have!

 Johnny was so excited to baptize Danny. I have some memories of my baptism, mostly feelings I had, but Johnny remembers specific things about his father baptizing him and for him to baptize Daniel it was a very special opportunity. We actually requested special permission from the Stake Presidency to have the baptism a week early to make sure Johnny would be home from work. Usually he works Saturdays but was off this past weekend due to Thanksgiving.

 We had so many people in town for Thanksgiving and the baptism the weekend flew by in a little bit of a blur. We are just so grateful to everyone who made the effort to come and support Daniel on this very special day in his life. When I stood up at the end and looked out at all the friends and family who came (the room was packed) I really felt their love and support. Even Daniel and Jaxon's teachers came. It was a perfect day and Daniel is so excited he was finally old enough to be baptized and join the Church of Jesus Christ.

It Dies a Slow and Painful Death

Johnny and I have been married 12 years next month and never purchased a TV...except for a $25 box for the travel trailer from Goodwill (does that even count as a TV purchase?). Friends and family have always had an old one to hand down. We had a big TV armoire with doors so the kids couldn't reach the TV easily and there has never been a desire for cable so the TV is really only for movies. Our most recent TV was given to us from a family across the street. It is huge. Our boys were so excited for a big TV and we were glad it was FREE! Garrett loved the TV so much he ran it through.

The screen cracked. He wouldn't leave it alone until the crack split the screen clear in two. Then Garrett shoved toys in the crack slicing his fingers multiple times. After that he started spiting water in the crack. I thought it was dead, but after it dried out it found new life. This last time Wesley was shoved into the screen by one of his loving brothers during a wrestling match. Now the screen is caved in, pieces and chunks are missing. It is oh so sad!

We finally broke down and ordered a TV. Going to look at our options was overwhelming. What I wanted and what Johnny wanted were two very different things. I am cheap but Johnny is die hard stingy. We found one at great price that can be put up high away from sticky fingers. I am taking bets as to how long it will last. I hope we won't need to buy another one for 12 years but I just don't think I'll get that lucky!  

What makes a husband amazing?

Earlier this week I received a call from a good friend who is having a hard time. She asked me to pick up her handicapped son from school. She couldn't leave work, her husband hung up on her when she tried to get him to go get their son. It was not a problem at all for me to help, I picked him up, he was wonderful, my boys all really enjoy being with him, we made lots and lots of piggy noises, then his mom was here to get him. As she left she made a comment out of frustration. She felt like her husband was just a paycheck, and she could get that from him if they were married or not. It was so sad I couldn't stop thinking about it the rest of the afternoon.

We get Johnny one day a week now. He is working in Rosamond, CA and comes home Saturday night only to leave again at 4am Monday. When Johnny called that night I emotionally unloaded. I wanted him to know that he is much more than just a paycheck to me. Our oldest son Daniel was outside with me when my friend made her comment and in the car when I was talking to Johnny. Daniel asks questions typical 7 year olds don't ask and boy did he start asking questions. He wanted to know why some husbands are just a paycheck. He wanted to know why I told Johnny he was not a paycheck. We talked for a long time about the necessity of money and the importance of family. I decided to ask Daniel what he observed about the way Johnny treats me and here are a few treasures from my 7 year old!

1. Daddy prays with us every night.
2. Daddy never sits while we are working, we work together. Dinner, cleaning, baths, etc.
3. Daddy holds Mommy's hand.
4. Daddy kisses Mommy longer (meaning longer than he kisses our boys).

Here are a few of my own observations that make Johnny so amazing...

1. He tells me I am beautiful every day, usually multiple times a day. Even when he is away and can't see me. He also asks for pictures of me all the time so he can see me while he is gone. He shows those pictures to his friends at work and tells them I am beautiful. He makes me feel like he is proud of me and proud that I am his wife.
2. He kisses me every chance he gets. He kisses me in the kitchen, we hide in the laundry room, etc. He makes ordinary places extraordinary! We have been married almost 12 years!
3. When we ride in his truck he wants me sitting in the middle of the front bench so he can put his arm around me. He likes playing with my hair and having me close.
4. Johnny tells our boys all the time that I am beautiful or the dinner I made was amazing, or that he is so lucky to have such a wonderful wife. Some of the stuff is ridiculous but I know he believes what he is saying even if I think he is being way over the top.
5. Johnny never yells at me. Ever. He won't even argue with me when I am being a brat and try to pick a fight.

I guess my whole point is that our boys see how their dad treats their mom. We talk with them about why he has to be gone, but make sure they know he would much rather be home with us. My boys have no doubt that their dad loves their mom. We have a house full of future husbands and fathers. Johnny is teaching them by his example. I will be one proud Mamma if our boys turn out exactly like their dad! And just let me add that the young ladies who get to marry one of my boys will be lucky indeed!

Hulse Family Happenings

A few people have told me recently that I am letting my blog slip and they want more frequent posts. I sometimes think my life is really boring so I hesitate to post the mundane. But, here it goes.

My older boys are in 1st and 2nd grade. Daniel loves to read and write, Jaxon is the complete opposite. We spend what feels like hours every afternoon trying to get through what should be 20 minutes of homework. Wesley has just turned 4 so I started giving him the same reading lessons (Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons By Engelmann, Haddox & Bruner). We work on these while Garrett naps and so far he is doing very well.

In the last 3 months I think I have seen Johnny 4-5 times. It has been over 5 weeks since he was home last. While he has been gone I have made some changes! After school one day Daniel (7.5) and Wesley (4) decided to kick Jaxon (6) out of the room Danny and Jaxon shared. I thought it was a brilliant idea but didn't want Jaxon to feel thrown out. I bought a used bunk bed Army truck and Jaxon was more than willing to move to Garrett's room.

I felt like superwoman taking beds apart, moving dressers, and building a bunk bed with no instructions. The Army truck/fort looks rather ridiculous from a home decor standpoint but my boys LOVE it and that is what matters! My little baby Garrett is not so little sleeping on the bottom bunk. It makes me sad he is in such a big bed. The fighting has not stopped between my boys of course but this arrangement helps.

Johnny should have a few weeks off after this job is over before they move on to a job in El Centro, CA. I plan to potty train Garrett and possibly go on a vacation. I took all my boys to AZ last month for a friend's son's baptism and we will go for another baptism again this month. I love and miss AZ!

Here are a few other things we have been up to...

We have gone Visiting Teaching quite a bit. My boys rode around in the car out back while we visited and then they never wanted to leave. My companion has two boys, so to one appointment we had 6 boys with us. Not exactly a spiritual experience, but we made the effort. I was called to be the 2nd Counselor in Relief Society at church. The Lord does have a sense of humor!

 We play...

We get all dressed up for church. I love making them match when I can and I LOVE sweater vests even if it is still too hot.

 Every once in a while I will catch them with an arm around each other...and a weapon in the other hand. Garrett is obsessed with Mater (Disney's Cars 2) and Rocket (Little Einsteins). He has figured out how to change the DVDs by climbing on a table he pushes over to the TV. He also knows how to get in the freezer of our new refrigerator and get himself GoGurts and Otterpops. He certainly keeps me on my toes!

 Wesley had immunizations recently and wanted to hold Garrett's hand for comfort. Wesley has become super clingy. He cries and screams about going to preschool and only wants me, not even my mom or dad. He told my friend the other day that his dad is living in NV and never coming home. I had a good talk with him about Daddy coming home but I'm not sure he believes me or understands.

 We went Halloween costume shopping. My boys wear their costumes everywhere! They like to build forts in the living room and have wars.

 We ride bikes to the park, in costume of course! This is my army man at the park.

 Ninja at the eye doctor. Jaxon will start wearing his new glasses in two weeks. He kept telling me I was blurry, or the clock was blurry, etc. I made sure to get the extra protection plan. He is very accident prone!

Johnny asked me for a picture of myself on the bed (hahahaha, can you tell he has been away for a while!). I asked him what exactly he wanted and who he wanted me to have take the picture. This is what he got. 

Me on the bed with another man (not that he asked for me to have another man in the pic!!). Daniel took the picture for us! Every night I wake up with a different little man next to me. Sometimes I don't even notice when one of them comes in. The other morning I woke up between two of them with a third wanting in as well. I never liked them sleeping in my bed before, but now I don't mind too much. I'm sure they will all feel displaced once Johnny claims his spot back next week. 

I started playing my French Horn in a community orchestra one night a week and playing soccer and basketball in the mornings with a group of ladies from church. I am feeling more well rounded these days.