Journal Entry Time

Last week I missed my journal entry so maybe I'll enter two, we'll see.

What is the most valuable principle I've learned through my experiences with others?

I guess the first thing that comes to mind is Faith. I think that faith is what keeps most of us standing, it's what makes each of us get out of bed. it's the only way to get through trials.

I'm sure most of you have been through some tough trials or watched someone go through something, I truly believe that at some point you let faith take over.

Even if your not sure about faith, if you have it, have you used it, I'm more than certain that you have! When I look back at some of the tough times, I really wonder how I made it through it.

Of course family, friends play a huge part in that but faith is just as big. I must have put everything into faith to get me through it, right? If you believe in God, and I do, faith in him and his love make up faith! There is a higher power! And his name is God, Heavenly Father, Almighty Ruler.

I put my faith in him! I put my life in his hands and know that all that i go through is for a greater knowledge.

Hmm, is that too deep? Hopefully not, but it's what I believe!

Journal Entry

Every Sunday we have journal time. Of course I will admit that we have been slacking.

New year, new goals, right?

Growing up I wrote in many "diaries". When I look back, it was a lot of nonsense. Just silly girl entries. Of course I was grateful for the laughs but I wish I had written more "journal" entries.

What's the difference you may ask...a diary seems more like a gossip book. A journal should have your inner most thoughts and beliefs. A couple of years ago I started the "Journal Jar".

We have a jar full of questions that the kids pull from and then they answer. They also write a personal message. My hope is that one day they will have a habit of writing on their own. So one day their children will enjoy reading and learning about them.

Today I pulled...What childhood experiences do I remember.

My favorite memory growing up is being in the van with my family. Isn't that weird? I just remember having so much fun in our van while traveling or just from point A to point B. When we traveled we use to sing while listening to the radio or a cassette. We didn't have CDs back then! My brothers would probably rather forget about that or not mention it to anyone, but we use to enjoy singing together and that's why it's so special to me.

There is one more funny memory being in the car...when we use to misbehave my Dad use to chuck things at us. It was hilarious! Anything he could find...cassettes, brush, shoe! Sometimes someone would catch an object in the head and the rest of us would LAUGH!

My Dad probably won't enjoy that memory as much but hey it happened and we think it's funny now!

Hit By The Craft Bug, Again!

I haven't had much time for crafts lately but back in October I made this cute sign. It was part of a Relief Society Fabulous Craft Night. I just love the color! It's my "It" color right now.

I recently made this chore chart. I have had this planned for the past year. I finally found the time. I'm sure the kids are ecstatic!

I'm hoping soon to have some more projects to show. Wish me luck!

New Years Day (observed)

Well New Years day fell on Sunday so we did our annual tamale making on the 2nd. Yep, every year we make tamales, just like my Mom taught us!

Then we get together, eat, relax and play some games. This year for Christmas, one of our new games was Apples to Apples. It is so much fun to play with the family and large groups.

Here's Baby Soli playing with her new bike.

It was a good day, to say the least! Another memory for the books!

She Loves To Cook!

Tina received an Easy Bake for Christmas.

We thought it would be perfect for her because she loves to help me cook and more so, bake!

While setting it up for it's first use, we found out that you have to supply the light bulb. We headed off to the store in search of a 100 watt standard bulb. They are not easy to find! After returning home we found that it was too big. After some research, we found that the 100 watt bulb will soon be illegal in California.

So we decided that the Easy Bake had to be returned! :(

Don't think that stops her from baking.

New Year

Well here we are, Beginning 2012, can you believe it? Time to make new memories!
Do you make New Years resolutions? I never do because some how they always get dropped. I like to set goals for the year. One of them is to write more in the blog. I'm going to try to post something new once a week or at least once a month. See, not setting my goal to high is a huge step towards seeing things accomplished.
Well Tina's birthday just passed and this year we celebrated at Build A Bear. It was a lot of fun! We have started a tradition with Tina, this is the 3rd year she's made a "bear".

We also had a family party at Oba's (grandma). The newest tradition over there is Baskin Robbins ice cream cake, YUM!

The day of her birthday we went shopping with her brothers. We found a new hamburger place and loved it! Check out Tina enjoying her burger!

The last day of school, before Christmas break, was a pajama party. I brought cupcakes and we had a party!

I can't believe my baby is "6"!

All-Star Weekend

So we just finished the regular baseball season with Kenny in the All-Star games. We had three games over the weekend. The first game we had family and friends join us. We packed up the van and headed off to what would be a very HOT and fun weekend!


He was starting first baseman and 2nd in the line up. They won 15-5! We thought this was going to be the start of an easy weekend.


Kenny pitched the second game. Did pretty well if you ask me but he just didn't have his defense behind him. They lost.


Then came the third game. At first we hoped they would win and stay in. Near the end I was just ready to be done with the heat and traveling.
They played some really good games. There's plenty to be proud of!

Done With Middle School For Now!

I'm so happy to say that Mateo graduated 8th grade and will be a freshman (scary) up at the high school with Kenny next year. I can't believe I'll have two in high school! There were over "400" kids in his 8th grade class. I couldn't believe it. The area has grown tremendously! My high school graduating class was under 200, so many years ago.


Some of the family was able to come out and see the ceremony. It was a LONG ceremony. During the ceremony, I reminded everyone that in two years we will be back here. Kenny will be graduating high school.

I'm very proud of Mateo for working so hard (most of the time). I know that he is more than happy to be done.

He participated in the marching band/drumline this year. I'm sad to say I didn't get any photos of it. He decided that marching band isn't his thing. He did enjoy drumline though. Next year he decided to take piano. I can't believe they have a piano class, that's amazing! He's been self teaching himself. So I know he will enjoy the class.
Well on to new adventures next year!

June Happenings

Well before June is over I better get something in writing. :)
The boys finished off their baseball season. It sure was nice having them on the same team!
Here's Kenny up to bat and Mateo on base.


Kenny pitching.





Ken helped coach the team. The kids really learned a lot from him.

They had a rough season but in the end they were really playing like a team. You could also see a huge growth in the players. I'm so proud of my boys for not getting caught up in the winning and just enjoying the game! People always think it's weird that they're always smiling even after they struck out, but I don't. They're just happy to be playing!

Memorial Weekend Continued

Here's the rest of the weekend. Monday morning we got a few friends and family together to play some ball. It just might become a yearly tradition. Now you would probably think we get competitive but it's all for FUN!
Enjoy the pics!