HE knows

In my scripture study this morning I was reading in D&C chapter 6.  I love the D&C.  It is so much easier for me to understand sometimes than the working in the Book of Mormon.  I love the Book of Mormon too.  It has given me peace.  It has answered prayers. It will get one closer to God than any other book ever written.  It is TRUTH. 

This scripture touched me this morning:  D&C 6:16

16 Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that ^aknowest thy thoughts and the ^bintents of thy ^cheart.

He really knows us.  Do you know how comforting that is.  I have a hard time expressing myself.  I don't tell just anyone the things in my heart and mind.  I am very personal.  So when I am troubled I take things to the Lord.  And He knows me.  He knows my struggles.  He knows what I am good at.  He knows what is hard for me.  I am grateful to know these things about the Savior.  I am thankful that He is there for his children.  He cares and is concerned.  And sometime....just sometimes He is the ONLY one who does care.  And that is OK.   I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It is amazing and there are hardly any words that describe my gratitude.



 

winner

Yesterday I took Caleb and Ethan to the high school.  They were having a Hot Spot basketball competition.  There were areas throughout the gym that were 'marked'.  You had two minutes to make as many shots from those areas as you could.  You had to dribble to each spot and shoot from each area.  Ethan was a hustler but didn't make any shots.  But he came really close with his shots.  Caleb was kind of funny. He watched for quite awhile but wasn't sure he wanted to do it.  There was two different sections of the gym...one for ages 7-10 and the other 11-14.  We were about ready to leave after Ethan finished and I asked Caleb one more time if he wanted to do it and he shrugged his shoulders.  I knew he wanted too but he was quite nervous.  So I had Ethan turn in his form.  Sometimes Caleb needs a push to do things....but sometimes pushing is too much.  But I knew with this that the pushing was OK. He really did want to do it.  The person in charge looked at Ethan and told him he was too young for that group.  Then Ethan let her know that it was for his brother.  There were three high school students that all turned around at the same time to look at Caleb.  One guy looked up at Caleb and said, "man I feel short".  They asked him more than once if he was really only 14.  As Caleb walked to the back of the line they were all talking and still looking at Caleb.  I wonder if they thought he was lying.  I was standing there watching the others shoot when this kids said, "Is he really only 14?  I told him he was and I asked how old he was....he was also 14 and in 9th grade like Caleb.  I don't even think that kid was as tall as Zach.  I am so used to tall boys....Don, Caleb and Zach are all tall.  It is just so normal to me.  I was so proud of Caleb for even doing it in the first place (even if he needed encouragement).  He has come such a long way.  When he was younger he would freak out if he didn't know where I was in the house.  I didn't have to be within eye sight but if he didn't know where I was he would cry and go crazy.  Then he was even afraid to go to recess when he first started school.  The other teachers and school staff couldn't believe it.  They hadn't seen a kid that didn't want to go to recess. But Caleb was afraid. He didn't like all the noise/chaos and he didn't like things that were unstructured.  He has just always had a hard time venturing out and doing things.  He is getting so much better.  He has gotten up in front of his class and done some reports.  He has given two or three talks.  Each time he gets out of his comfort zone is a growing experience and for most parents these are things they never have to worry about.  Caleb has taught me SO much.  I think he ended up making about 3 baskets.

So no we didn't have a winner at the competition but we were winners last night.  On the way home we were listening to radio.  They said the 9th caller would win tickets to a concert.  I didn't recognize the band but I told Caleb to call anyway.  Who doesn't love to win right?  Well he called and kept calling.  Then finally he said it was ringing.  I told him to keep listening and to hand the phone over when someone answered.  He let it ring.....A LONG TIME.  But he didn't want to hang up...just in case.  I wasn't sure he would be allowed to win since he wasn't 18.  Finally someone answered.  He quickly handed the phone over.  I caught that he said, "I'm sorry we already have a winner for our concert tickets but I do have some _________ tickets if you are interested.  SURE....he asked me for my name and said I could pick up the tickets anytime.  Then he also said they had some free parking tickets that they would throw in.  How cool right?  Well I am not even sure what tickets we won.  LOL.  But we still won.  And that is all that matters. I did catch that it was in Seattle.  We are hoping it is a basketball game. 

bad dream or nightmare?

Last night I couldn't stay asleep.  I kept waking up and each time I did I would be doing a math problem in my head.  I tried and tried to stay asleep but it wasn't working.  I would wake up and think about my math homework.  It was like I was half asleep and half mentally working on my assignment.  I would fall back asleep quickly but then wake right back up.  I finished chapter 6 post test and got a 91% and now am able to move on to the next chapter.  But is it Geometry.  OH NO.  It scares me.  Angles and shapes and degrees and plotting on the number line.  I started in on the chapter last night after kids were asleep.  And I was totally lost.  I kind of like algebra and I enjoy equations and it gets pretty fun when you finally figure out how to do it.  Geometry, for some reason, just doesn't make sense to me.  I will continue on and I will get it.  I WILL.

SO yesterday I got a call from the school.  They hired me (over the phone) for a substitute para.  I am SO excited.  I love love love volunteering in my daughters class and it is so rewarding.  I almost feel like those kids in her class are 'my kids'.  I get hugs from a few of the kids and they get so excited when I come to help out.  Now I can get a lot of experience in all grades and see which one I enjoy the most.  I am a bit nervous about how I am going to juggle school and work but I know I can do it with the Lords help and when I put Him first things will work out for good just like in this scripture I read during scripture study this morning.......It was in a conference talk by Elder Holland (one of my favs).

In D&C 90:24 it reads:

 Search ^adiligently, ^bpray always, and be believing, and ^call things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the ^dcovenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

I focused on "all things shall work together for your good".  I don't believe that means everything is going to be hunky dory.  God is the one who KNOWS what is best for us.  And I truly believe that is what the scripture is saying.  All things (according to what God knows) will work together for our good.  But that promise is conditional.  It is according to how we live.  It states that "if we walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another".

Thankful

Don left early to go to the college to get caught up in one of his classes.  I got a text telling me to look in my email.  As he was studying his scriptures he emailed me these:  The lyrics to the song made me cry. I am thankful for a good husband.  I am grateful that he thought of me today during his scripture study and that he felt prompted to send me these quotes and the lyrics to that song.

“To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve.”

 

“Because Christ’s eyes were unfailingly fixed on the future, He could endure all that was required of Him, suffer as now man can suffer except it be unto death….because He knows that for the faithful, things will be made right soon enough.”

 

God and His Son Jesus Christ “sustain us in our hour of need – and always will, even if we cannot recognize that intervention.

 

“The thoughtful nature of love teaches you to engage your mind before engaging your lips.”

 

Lastly, I will share the words to a song from the musical Saints and Pioneers. I have shared these lyrics with you before but felt that I needed to share it again.

 

You have nothing to fear from the journey,
Though your way may be burdened by thorns.
For the Lord will be with you each step of the way
As you travel with faith through the storm.
And you've nothing to fear from your trials,
Though they may seem too heavy to bear.
Take His hand and He'll lead you gently along
And you'll find peace and safety there.

There is nothing to fear from the nights that are lonely,
There's nothing to fear from the cold!
There is nothing to fear from what might be tomorrow,
For heaven is with you, And angels watch over His fold.

You have nothing to fear from the journey,
Though your body is tired and worn.
For the Lord will send angels to lift up your arms
And He'll carry the burden you've born.
And you've nothing to fear from your suff'ring,
Nor the grief you've been called on to bear,
Take His hand and He'll lead you gently along
And you'll find peace and safety there.

Praying

Today in Relief Society the teacher said something that got me thinking.  She was talking about Faith and prayer.  She said that when we pray to Heavenly Father asking for something that if we have Faith that means that we are willing to do whatever it takes after we have asked for something or about something.  So if we are wanting to know if we should do something or if we have questions that need answers we need to be willing to follow through with the answer we get.  WOW...I wonder how many times I have asked about something when Heavenly Father knew I wasn't going to follow through....or maybe that I was too afraid to do whatever it was I was asking about.  It really made me think more about what I ask for and how willing I am to do what is needed.  SO instead of just expecting Him to answer me and say yes....I need to have more faith.  I need to have the faith to know that if it is the Lords will....I need to be ready and willing to go and do.  Rather than thinking the Lord doesn't hear and answer our prayers is really so NOT right.  I believe it is more of our OWN doing that keeps us from getting the answers we so desperately want.  I believe He answers every prayer....but it isn't always how we want.....or maybe it is not right now...or maybe just a NO or maybe...just maybe it is because we are lacking in faith or aren't willing to put forth the effort needed.

SO SWEET

Today I took the kids sledding.  I don't know if you can really call it that but we hooked the sled up to the van again and I pulled them behind it.  But there wasn't much snow so I guess it would be more accurate to call it graveling.  The sled had a couple of holes in it.  So glad it was a cheap one I picked up at Goodwill.  Then we went to the big canal that we swim at and the kids slid down the side of the canal on their snow pants.  It was steep and they loved it. But it was SO cold out.  So we didn't last too long. 

On our way back home we saw a BUNCH of geese in the field.  Caleb got all excited so we borrowed a shotgun from my sister and Caleb got his camo clothing on and we headed out to figure out who owned the land.  We thought we knew but when we got to their home they told us it was someone else.  We couldn't get a hold of them so ended up going home.  After checking the field again......the geese were gone.  SNIFF SNIFF.  

I literally went into town 5 times.  FIVE times people.  It isn't like we live around the corner from the store either.  We are out in the country.  But I took Caleb into the church for basketball practice.  Then had to stop at the store for ingredients for dinner. Then I had to get the car back home so Don could go to the college and study.  Then back to get Caleb and to the store again.  Then my mom needed her medicine so I headed back to Walmart to get that and grab the chicken I forgot the first time.  Came home then ended up back at the store for things for breakfast.  UGH...do you remember how in a few posts back I said I wasn't organized.  If I had been more prepared I would have gotten it ALL the first trip.  Then my mom came home from a single adult activity and everyone raved about the cookies I MADE.  :)  And they wanted to know if she was bringing more tomorrow night to the fireside.  She said she would....but she thought there was choc. chips in the freezer.  There wasn't.  WHY? Caleb used them in the pancakes the other morning (no one but him likes them in their pancakes....but oh well).  SO I headed back in for that.  Maybe that was only four times...maybe five. I think I have lost count.

When Don came home from studying he brought me some flowers.  They are sooo pretty and they smell good too.  SO SWEET.

much needed day

Today Don and I went to Spokane. The VA called two days ago saying they had forgotten to do an x ray that they needed to have on file.  And it was a great day.  We talked, laughed and had lots of needed fun.  Plus they reimburse us for the trip.  We took the back way home so we could have extra time together.  It was beautiful.  Snow was covering the fields and the trees were covered in frozen crystals. We took the camera but didn't have the tripod.  Otherwise we would have stopped and taken a few pictures of us together. We don't have many.  What a great day.  What a great start to a three day weekend.  I'm trying to forget about the math that is waiting so patiently for me.  I studied and did math for over 5 hours yesterday and was so excited that I was actually 'getting it'.  And so I went to the chapter I was working on and took the post test but didn't get an 80%.  So I can't move on to the next chapter.  And I cried.  And cried.  I was so exhausted from working so hard.  And then to not be able to move to the next chapter was disappointing.  Again...I will continue to study and will succeed.  I have until Feb 28th to do all the chapters and take the final test.  I love how they have post tests for each chapter. I love how WGU does their grading.  If you do not score an 80% or better you can't move to another course.  It shows complete competency skills. 

Thankful for a completely relaxing day.  It was so needed.  I am now ready to take on the weekend.

One tired lady

WOW.  With about four or five hours of sleep I think I am perdy tired.  I didn't do a single math problem today.  Partly...... that makes me happy but the other part knows that I am probably forgetting how to do some of them.  At 9 this morning I was in Mayah's classroom testing the kids on their reading.  Those kids are so cute.  I love to hear them call me MAYAHS MOM.  One little boy calls me by my first name.  It is very rewarding spending time in there.  Mayah calls me over to help her often (even though she doesn't need help).  At 10:30 I did some grocery shopping and then back to school to eat lunch with Rachel.  Even my 4th grader wants me to eat lunch with her.  I know it won't last long so I am soaking it all up for as long as I can.  Then after lunch I headed to my brothers dental office to clean.  I was there for over 2 hours and then had a bit more shopping to do and then straight home to do dinner and take the older two boys to the ice rink to skate and back home again to eat SUPER FAST and then take Ethan to scouts at the church.  I then went to do a bit more shopping while waiting for him to get done.  So finally at 8 we headed home and thankfully the boys got a ride home.  PHEW.  So grateful for any help today.  It was a whirl wind of a day today.   I don't think I sat down once except at the school to test and then again during lunch.  I ate most of my dinner standing too.  Not too keen on days where we don't sit together and eat as a family.  But it was a good day.  Mayah brought home her certificate for the ticket to read.  She is in the top 10 for the whole school.  SO COOL. I love bragging about my kids.  I love that I have reason to.  Also Rachel got invited to try out for the math is cool.  Four kids in her class will take a test to see if they are able to go on to the math competition which we be held about an hour away. 

Gonna hit the sack since my eyes are half way there anyway.

Breaktime

I am SO taking a break.  I have been doing math for the last 3 hours or more.  I stopped counting.  I am getting into the story problems and YEAH it is a problem...a big one for me.  So my question is WHY?  Why don't they just write it out in algebraic form?  I could solve it if they did.  But they have to get all sneaky and put words in the problem.  GEEZ.  Them math people. If only I had my dad here to help.  He was such a smart man and always helped me with my math.  We laid on the floor, side by side, working the problems together.  He was so easy to understand.  We did the math step by step.  He never let me skip steps.  That way if I got it wrong I could always go back and see where the mistake was.  OH how I miss you dad.

You know how the days just zoom by?  I can't even believe how fast time goes.  Is it going faster?  It feels like it.  I wanted to blog about each of my kids and the people they are becoming...... both good things and bad.

Caleb.  He is 14.  He LOVES to do anything with his hands.  He loves to create.  He has made quite a few projects.  He fixed my sewing machine for me. He made a homemade ski bike and made homemade apple cider.  He also sewed his brother and sister a bean bag.
He is SO TALL now.  I took him to the dr a couple of weeks ago for a check up and he measured over 6ft 1in. But he did have his shoes on.  So not a totally accurate measurement.  But still tall.  He is also very thin....yet loves everything bad for you.  I can't get the kid to eat veggies or even meat for that matter.  He loves chocolate.  The kid could live on it. 
Caleb has a very tender heart and loves animals.  He has a great memory and a sharp mind.  If I could just get him to do his homework he could probably pull off more A's.  It is SO HARD to get him to talk.  He has always been so quiet and when I ask him questions it actually irritates him.  So I am very careful with what I ask.  Because I think he has a limit.  If I ask two or more he is done. TOO FUNNY.  He is a good kid that has to deal with ADHD.  We love him and are grateful for him in our family.  He does a great job at keeping the commandments.

Zach is 12.  This kid is tall too.  He isn't too far behind Caleb and I think he might pass him up eventually.  Zach is outgoing and likes to be the center of attention.  He is funny.  He LOVES kids and tries to hold the babies that come over.  He is smart and gets good grades in school but his spelling is atrocious.   I rarely have to fight him to do his homework.  He comes home from school and gets it done and I don't have to bother him about it.  That is soooo nice.  Zachary likes to tease.  He teases his siblings and doesn't stop.  This causes a lot of extra stress around the house.  I think he likes to get a reaction out of them. 
He likes a girl in our ward and she likes him.  HMMM he is 12.  But he is so open about it and lets me read their texts.  I love to talk to him.  He actually talks.  But sometimes won't stop.  He loves to hunt and target shoot.  He is more of an outdoor boy.  He wishes we had a four wheeler or dirt bike. It would be fun if we did but who can afford that?  He is a good kid too and we are grateful for him.

Rachel is almost 10.  She is a great student and gets good grades.  She got great reviews from her teacher at her last conference.  Rachel's teacher said she is what every teacher wants in a student.  OH YEAH.  She is a great daughter too.  She can also have get an attitude though.  She is getting in to the preteen years.  UGH..  I've never done preteen girls.  It will be an experience.  Rachel is very kind and has a soft heart.  There have been a couple of times that we have been watching church movies....the animated ones.  And she turned to me and said, "does this ever make you want to cry"?  I told her that it does sometimes make me cry.  It is so awesome that she has a tender spirit.  I tell her that it is the spirit that makes her feel that way.  Rachel does nice things for others.  At school she helps the other kids.  Today a girl needed help spelling a word and she volunteered to help her.  She also helped another girl that got hurt on the playground.  She walked her to the office.  I am thankful for such a sweet and caring daughter.  She is such a great example and we are so blessed to have her in our life.  The teacher that works in the computer lab and also helps out in the nurses office told me that Rachel is definitely one of her fav's and she said her day doesn't go nearly as well unless she gets a hug from Rachel.

Ethan is 8.  He is one active little boy.  And he gives the best hugs and kisses.  He is quick and always wants to play some sort of sport with big kids.  Too bad his older brothers don't really like sports too much.  Ethan is also really smart and does well in school.  He is a great reader and enjoys math and is quite good at it.  He is a pretty good speller too.  Ethan struggles a big with his temper and attitude. He also has to deal with ADHD.  It is something we kind of figured but were hesitant about.  Maybe we were trying to ignore it thinking maybe it wasn't true. But it is true and it is a struggle but we are treating it and it has made a HUGE HUGE difference for him at school and home as well.  Ethan is a great kid and loves to be 'doing' something at all times.  He is a blessing to us and we enjoy him in our family.

Mayah...oh Mayah.  She is a great last child.  She keeps us young.  She makes us laugh.  She is absolutely HILARIOUS.  She is 6 going on 13.  Mayah is smart.  She is at the top of her class in every way.  She is the top reader and she just informed me today that she is getting an award tomorrow for having the most points in her ticket to read program at school amongst all the students in the school.  Not every kid participates so I am not sure how many students are involved.  I have really enjoyed going to her classroom every week to help out.  It is fun to see how she behaves in school.  She really is a great student.  Her hand writing is AMAZING.  I can't believe how much different it is from the other students.  I was so sad when her teacher had a brain aneurism a few months ago.  But she was really lucky and survived and only about 1% of the people that have this type of aneurism have as much progress as she has had.  She has come into the classroom a couple of times to help out but the noise seems to bother her and her short term memory isn't the greatest.  We are not sure she will be able to return to teaching.  They have a permanent sub for now.  But her original teacher was really good. I am  not sure about the sub. It is her first time teaching since getting out of school but things seem to be going quite well. Mayah says the funniest things.  She is a wonderful daughter that is fun to be around. Mayah has been struggling a bit with crying. I am not too sure why.  I am trying to figure things out and having a hard time coming up with a why.  Almost every morning ends up in a crying battle.  Her pants are to itchy or she doesn't want her hair fixed a certain way.  When I ask her how she wants it she just cries.  When we try to figure out what to wear it is always such a battle to decide.  Everything seems to go wrong. I think she is getting enough sleep but it makes me sad....and well kind of frustrated too. I can't seem to make her happy.  We are going to try a few new things so we can figure out what the problem is.  I am so thankful for Mayah.  She is awesome.  She has a great memory and is adorable.  I love her to death.....just like all my kids.

I am so grateful to be a mom. I am so grateful for what they teach me.  I am not a quick learner...especially in the patience category but I think I am doing better.  I pray I can help my kids succeed and become what they want and need to become.  I always worry that the things I do...or don't do...will have a negative impact on them.  I fear I won't do or be good enough of a mom to keep them strong in the gospel and grounded in their faith.  That is my main concern.  If anything else....I hope they stay close to the truth.  I hope they gain a testimony of their own and have happy and fulfilling lives.  I really do love them.

Beads and bracelets

The neighbor across the street is so nice.  She doesn't have any grand kids so she ends up spoiling mine.....The younger ones anyway.  A few days after New Years she brought over gifts for Rachel, Ethan and Mayah.  She gave Rachel a bracelet making kit and Mayah got a bead/bracelet kit and Ethan got a really cool remote control car.....BUT...poor guy...it didn't work.  It was in the box and all but for some reason didn't work.  He was sad.  And when the kids were writing out their thank you's he said he didn't know what to write in it.  So we worked on it a bit and finally came up with something very nice to say.  He said thank you for the remote control car.  It looks really cool. 

The girls and I spent last night doing a mother/daughter TIME.  We did bracelets and had lots of fun.  It wasn't easy tying them off though and Mayah dropped her beads about three times.  Then she had me try and tie it and guess what?  I dropped them.  That string sure is slippery.  They did more bracelets and necklaces today too.  And they thought they would have Don try to tie this time. Well he dropped the beads too.  LOL.  Notice Mayah's tongue sticking out as she is putting her necklace together.  This is such a Puhlman thing.  Don has pictures of him with the same look when he played guitar....and any other time when he is in full concentration. 

Church was SO great today.  All the talks pretty much tied in to Faith.  What a wonderful day it was. I love going to church. I love the spirit I feel and the hope it gives me in a world filled with evil.  There are so many things I learned today. They are things I already knew but it is so refreshing to hear them again and again.  Repetition is important.  That is how we learn....hearing things over and over.  And then doing things that show that we have actually learned these things.  I like to compare it to my online degree.  I can go over and over things and think that I have learned them but until I can apply them to my life or even teach someone else these things that is when I have truly learned.

My online class is going pretty good so far.  I am plugging along.  Still a bit nervous about math.  I took a post test yesterday and almost passed it to move on to the next chapter.  I got a 75% but need an 80%.  SO CLOSE.  When I was going over it with Don I noticed that I made stupid errors. UGH.  So frustrating.  If I would just slow it down and pay closer attention.  I missed a negative sign.  Then I multiplied wrong.   BUT I won't give up and I will succeed and I will move on to my next class.  I am really really enjoying this online degree.  I love doing one class at a time. It works so well for me.  SO excited to keep going and one day be able to have my own classroom full of kids.

Caleb has an assignment in science to make a car.  He got some wood and glued it together with some clamps.  Then used some wheels from a toy car we had and had it all set and ready.  They had to either take their car in to class on Friday or have a picture of it for a prototype.  He printed off a picture of it and took it with him then I find out that he didn't use that picture. He drew one up of a different idea.  WHY?  When everyone got to class that day...and before anyone got up in front of the class to show their prototype the teacher mentioned how no one could use real tires.  OH.....Caleb said the class was so mad.  Everyone was asking the teacher why she didn't tell them before.  When he came home and told us about we were thinking maybe he just forgot or maybe didn't hear the instructions clearly.  SO Don and I both checked the paper that came home about it and it didn't mention it anywhere.  SOOOOOO he completely started over and used 5 cd's for each wheel.  We shall see how it moves down the track.  The teacher wouldn't reveal how long the track was.  And extra credit goes to the person that gets closest to the bottom of the track.  They can have a stopping device on their car if they want. The teacher wanted the students to work pretty much alone on their car and only get very very minimal help on their cars.  Hoping his car atleast goes straight down and end up somewhere at the bottom.  :)  When we pushed it across the floor it kind of veered to the left.  But, he did it by himself.  And that is what is important. 

pillowcases

This was SUPER FUN.  I took the kids to Walmart to pick out some fabric.  The rule was they had to find cheap fabric since it was a first time sewing project.  It took us quite awhile to fine the perfect CHEAP fabric.  The younger three kids got enough fabric for a pillow case plus they were able two other patterns of fabric for two different sizes of trim.  All three cases cost us only a little over $7.  Mayah found some cute blue and pink hearts on some fabric and matched the fabric up with some super cute bright blue and bright pink trim.  Rachel found High School Musical fabric and matched it up with red and yellow fabric with splotches of other colors throughout.  Ethan found a space theme material and trimmed it with orange and yellow multi color design.  Pretty darn good deal if you ask me.  One of these days we will get more fabric to do more pillowcases.  And will be able to choose whatever fabric they want.  The kids were so excited.  We followed a you tube video since I am not a sewer.  But we learned something new and it was so fun.  The pillowcases have hidden seems.  You can follow your own you tube on it if interested.  They are fast, easy and cute.  Just search homemade seem less pillow case on you tube.  Rachel was pretty much able to sew it herself with just a small amount of help.  I sat with her and helped her guide it. But she did the pedal all by herself.  Ethan and Mayah both needed extra help in guiding.  But they ran the pedal.  I think I will make me one soon.  I saw some pretty cute fabric.  It was hard to resist.

Funny kids

I love to laugh.  My kids make me laugh.  I don't know what people do without kids.  I really don't.  OK yeah maybe they have more quiet time. Maybe more money.  More vacations. But definitely not more fun....not more laughter....and not more entertainment and memories. 

Rachel helped me make dinner tonight.  So we got it all ready and put on the table.  And Ethan took one look at it and said YUK right away.  That isn't anything new. He doesn't like many foods.  Mayah is pretty good at trying foods before she says YUK.  Well she tasted it and turned up her nose.  So she ate the pineapple and a couple of bits of the chicken tortilla casserole.  Ethan took one bite.  I don't even know if you could call it a bit.  I needed a microscope to see it.  And of course didn't like it.  Rachel liked it and had an extra helping.  Rachel said, "isn't in nice that someone is enjoying our hard work".  Then Mayah said....."the only reason you like it is so you don't hurt your own feelings.  We busted up laughing.  She is a kick.

Then I was putting the kids to bed.  Mayah had fallen asleep on the couch and Ethan was in my bed reading.  I was in Rachels room talking to her about her day and stuff.  We started talking about her birthday coming up in a couple of months.  I was asking her what type of cake she wanted.  She was telling me that she is now too big for barbie and all the kid cakes.  So she thought for awhile and said...."I was reading your blog and you said Dad was good at decorating cakes so I was thinking he could do me a Broadway cake.  And then she put both hands near her face and opened her mouth with an expression you would only see on Broadway.  OH DEAR.  I gave the message to Don.  Him and Ethan were in our bed and after I explained everything she wanted Ethan said...I'm not eating that cake.    UMM I think she is growing up way too fast.  I am thinking a Dora cake will do just fine.  :)  How do you do a Broadway cake anyway?

I am grateful for funny kids that keep me laughing.  

Rachel

I think Rachel takes after her dad.  She is good at writing stories.  She also works hard with her hand writing.  They were having a contest at school amongst some of the 4th grade classes.  She brought home some papers to practice.  She ended up winning 1st place from about 45-60 students.  I am so proud of her.  They were judged on their cursive and what was written.  She did AWESOME.  Then she came home with a paper she had done.  They had to read the story on the paper and then answer questions about it.

Question:  Who was the friendly, snow-white-haired shopkeeper?
Rachels answer:  I'm thinking, Jesus.

Question:  What makes you think so?
Rachels answer:  I'm thinking Jesus because he can make miracles and also our Heavenly Father can make miracles too and you need to depend on them to do it.

Her teacher put the words WONDERFUL across this part of her paper.

Then they had to think of something they really wanted for a gift and write a story about it. This is Rachels story:  written exactly like she had it.

One chattering cold Winter night a girl was in her warm, cozy bed snoosing, zzzzz,zzzzzz,zzzz. She was hopeing she was going to get a cat the next morning.  When she woke up the next morning she was so excited.  But when she opened her present she only got a stuffed kitten she wanted.  But not as much as a real cat.  So she just smiled at her parents and thanked them so they wouldn't feel bad.  THE END.

Her teacher put WHAT A GREAT STORY RACHEL over her paper.

Here is Rachel on the back of a horse with her cousin Jenna.


Rachel is so sweet.  She is nice to all of the kids in her class.  A new girl came to school in the middle of the year and Rachel told me that she has eye problems and is partly blind.  That is Rachels best friend now.  I love Rachel.  She is a great example.  I am so thankful for her in our family.  She is the one who will help out without being asked.  She makes breakfast a lot of the times and is such a huge help.  We are lucky to be her parents.

Pictures for Grandma

Oh Gma Burns.  We are so so sorry that we have neglected to put more pics of the kids on here.  Here are a few to keep you for a bit.  I am such a slacker.  SHH don't tell anyone.

Zach in the bushes when we went blackberry picking.

We made mini carmel apples. They were so much easier to eat.  We did big ones too.  Mayah isn't feeling well here.  You can see it in her eyes.  Poor girl.

 Mayah dipping her apple.

 Ethan dipping his apple.

 Rachel dipping her apple.

Rachels apple is done.  YUM

 They kids got real sticks to put in the apples. 

 Ethan shooting his bow.

 Don playing a game on the xbox with Caleb. 

 Mayah all dressed up for school.

 Rachel ready to go to school.

 Rachel and Ethan and Mayah riding bikes

 Rachel having fun on the bike.

 Headed out for a bike ride

Rachel is posing..again

 Ethan...his baptism invite pic.  This was a split second decision.  He wanted to invite people from school.

 Zach and his phone on his b-day.

 My beautiful girls.

This was FUNNY.  Don was helping Caleb with his homework.  I went in to check to see how far Caleb had gotten.  Well, apparently...not very far.

 Caleb making homemade apple cider.  He loves to experiment.

 I asked each kid to think of something they could do for someone else during Christmas.  Caleb carved out a letter of someones last name ALL BY HIMSELF and then gave some cookies.  He left it at their door and ran.

 Ethan wanted to paint his teacher a homemade clay ornament.  He gave her two.  She loved them.

 Rachel also wanted to paint ornaments for her teacher.  But her and Mayah also went across the street to the neighbor and sang a Christmas carol and gave them cookies.

 Rachel doing a homemade christmas card

 Zach wrote a very kind thank you to someone that is important to him.  Also gave her an ornament.  She brought a plate of cookies and gave Zach a card telling him that it was the best gift he received.  It was to the older lady in our ward who he has been helping.

 Caleb with his homemade ski bike.

 Here is Zach's cookies, ornament and letter.

 The kids with Santa at their school for Polar Express night.

 Caleb trying out his ski bike.  It was hooked to the van.  SHHH YES YES we were very careful.

 Ethan and Rachel sledding behind van.  SO FUN.

 A closer up of Ethan and Rachel. 

 Caleb slipping off the sled. OOPS I guess Ethan already fell.

 Zach playing with a Christmas gift.

 Minute to win it games.

Mayah and Rachel finishing up the minute to win it games for the New Year.

We love and miss you.

updates

Santa brought the kids $5 to go skating.  So FINALLY on Saturday we went.  It was SO cold.  SO SO COLD.  But I'm always cold.  The kids did pretty good.  I was surprised with how well Rachel and Mayah did.  Ethan fell quite a bit but he was the one who didn't want to go home.  He kept asking if he could just go around ONE more time.  Funny kid.  I surprised myself and actually did really good.  I could go backwards for a while and was able to go pretty fast.  Caleb had fun but got bored after awhile.  Zach didn't want to go so he was at the public library with Don.  Caleb decided to quit early and go sit in the car.  He was too cold.  When we got back in the car it wouldn't start.  We had to call Don to come give us a jump.  It was so gorgeous outside though.....snowing hard.  I love the snow.  I didn't used to.  I just wish it wasn't so cold.  LOL. 

Don has started school at BBCC. He is doing a computer course.  I really wish he was able to use his Arabic.  He loved it so much.  But it will be 2 years in May since he has used it.  He still, on occasion, will read the Book of Mormon in Arabic. 

Mayah is amazing.  She is 6 and has all 13 Articles of Faith memorized.  We work on them quite a bit.  Many times we will memorize them in place of reading the scriptures.  Now Don has everyone working on memorizing the scripture mastery scriptures that the seminary students work on.  Everyone knows two so far.  But now we have decided to go back to reading the Book of Mormon together each night and then maybe 2 times a week do the memorizing.  So today Mayah was really excited that she was able to tell her teacher at church her final memorized Article of Faith.  Her teacher is bringing her a king size candy bar for her hard work.  This girl is JUST SMART.  I know...I'm bragging.  But she is impressive.  I got a text mid week to say Mayah had a talk.  Well come Saturday night I remembered at about 8ish.  Mayah was headed for bed but I kept her up so we could figure out a talk.  After going over three ideas we decided on this one:

Once there was a mousetrap
baited with some cheese
It tickled so the little mouse
It almost made him sneeze
An older mouse said, there's danger...be careful where you go.
Nonsense said the little mouse, I don't think you know.
So he went in boldly, No one was in sight
first he took a nibble
then he took a bit
And snap went the clapper
as quickly as a wink
and caught the little mouse
because he didn't think.

She only needed a little bit of help....and that was just with knowing when to hold up the little mouse and the older mouse (you use a CLEAN mouse trap and two mice)  And when it says "he took a bite" you put the little  mouse to the trap and make it snap.  It is such a cute talk.  Anyway.  She had it pretty much memorized after about three times.  This talk has been done before with the other kids but it was about a year and a half.

Wow.  I can't believe it is 2013.  The time continues to fly by.  I am done with another one of my classes.  I decided to do the Humanities course and I did really well and got awesome reviews on one of the tasks.  Now I am on to my math course and a little scared.  But I know I can do it.  I can do anything after taking the government class.

I didn't really make any resolutions.  I do want to start exercising again.  I was so excited to have continued for so long. Then I had to take the videos back to the library.  Don and I went to the library again about two months ago and I was so excited to get three new ones.  Well I got up early to continue my routine and come to find out....there were no movies in the movie cases.  UGH.  So I couldn't do it.  And after that I kind of lost my motivation.  I need it back. 

I'm excited to see what this new years brings.  I am praying it will be a bit better than 2012. I did have many blessings in 2012 but many trials too.  I am ready for a break.