12 days continues...

I just love this picture Derrek sent us. This is the tree he found in his apartment and decorated it.  He said he's in love with it.  So cute!  He is sounding like he's doing better every week.  We miss him, but are so happy he chose to serve the Lord.  I can't wait to talk to him on Christmas Day.  What a treat!

This week has been fun.  All during the month of December, our FHE consists of some kind of service.  We wanted to have the kids get outside of themselves and give to others.  This started years ago, while living in St. George, when we gave the kids a great Christmas, as far as presents were concerned.  After they opened them all up, one of them said, "is that it?".  Scott and I knew we were not teaching them the true reason for the season!  So, every year since, we have dedicated December as our month of pure service or thinking of others.  This year we did missionary packages one night, we have been doing the 12 days of Christmas to a family, and we made treats for friends and neighbors and gave them away.  So, this last Monday, I had Alec be in charge of making the caramel corn right after he got home from school.  I had to make a trip for the mortuary and so I was gone until about 7:30 pm.  After the first couple of batches, he learned that margarine worked better than butter (just so you know!), and then Dallen wanted to try and make it.  So, Alec taught him how to make it and Dallen ended up making it better than Alec!  Dallen was pumping it out and was feeling like King of the Kitchen!  I got home and we bagged it all as a family and then the boys headed out to deliver to friends.  I didn't realize until we were bagging it, how many friends we have made in such a short time.  We really love the people here.  Anyway, this went along with our plan to deliver the 5th day of the 12 days.  We had planned on one boy taking it to the door of the house and knocking on their door and then hiding while the rest of us went up their driveway to deliver the caramel corn.  This way, they would get the 5th day gift and then we would show up a few minutes later and the kid hiding in the bushes would just meet us as we went to the front door.  Well, it kind of worked all but them getting the present before the kids got to the door.  Alec didn't knock on the door hard enough, or they didn't hear it.  Anyway, the gift was on the doorstep when the boys arrived.  So, the family thought it was a little suspicious.  They were talking to the boys and the boys had seen that the gate that Calvin ran into was in the back of their truck needing to be fixed and the family was saying that they "think that whomever did it didn't tell their dad" and that they just wanted an apology.  Calvin was DYING and freaking out when he got home.  So, the 6th day I had a friend's daughter delivering the gift at Preschool, because Donna teaches preschool, and with it I wrote a poem asking for an apology and hoping that it wasn't turning into a Christmas nightmare!  Then my friend asked if Donna knew who was doing this and she said she thinks it's our family because of the gate thing, but then my friend, Rinda, said "well, I just know this family has a lot of help, so maybe it could have been someone helping them".  Donna said, "I never thought of that!".  So, thanks to Rinda, she helped throw them off our tracks...Day 7 we knew the kids left their bikes at another persons house during school and then rode them home after they got off the bus, so we put it on the kids' bikes.  Then the next night, Scott and I were delivering bread to friends that we thought would rather have that than caramel corn and we decided to be brave and we delivered the 8th day ourselves...acting like the "family" asked us to help them out.  While there, I noticed one of their daughters gone and I asked, "Where's Abbey?" and they said, "oh, she's outside waiting to catch whomever is doing this 12 days of Christmas...she's determined to catch them"!!!  Scott and I were dying inside and so glad we decided to NOT have the boys drop it off.  WHEW!!!  We stayed and chatted for awhile and that was fun.  Scott and I were giggling all the way home. Then the next night, day 9, we had Scott's boss take it over.  They were delivering treats there anyway and offered to take it.  Day 10...we were stuck for an idea.  The only thing we could think of was to drop it on their doorstep, but we were afraid that Abbey was outside waiting again.  This time Scott, Alec, and Dallen went.  They borrowed a golf cart and took a back road for a ways and then hiked in toward their house for about a mile.  Scott soon realized that there was no brush or anything to hide behind around their house and so he realized that whichever one of them drops it has to run...fast!  Dallen was going to do it, but then got scared, so Scott decided to do it.  Of course, the moon was bright and they had their house lights on this night and so there was no hiding!  As Scott crept up to the house, he could hear them in their front room.  He put the bag on the porch and then knocked really loud "bang! bang! bang!" and he heard them scream and run out onto the porch.  He didn't look back and was just running for his life.  His chest hurt the rest of the night from breathing so hard from running so hard!  He swore he heard them chasing him, but then heard them hop in their car and they were driving down their driveway, just sure that the person was going that way.  That was Alec's idea...to go down their driveway and then hike in, but it was too risky and if they had done that, they would have surely been caught.  So, they got back to the van and headed out and then all of a sudden there was a car behind them.  So, they didn't go home and lost the car, thinking it was the Larsons because the car came out of nowhere...and then Abbey, their daughter, started texting Alec.  She kept saying things like "do you own dark clothes" and "please be honest and don't lie to me", and then she asked, "have you ever ridden at night?" and Alec said "horses?" and we realized she thought the people rode horses out to their place.  We could honestly say "no".  Alec said, "what happened" and she said a little while later, "something that hasn't ever happened in the 20 years we have lived here...we were door-bell-ditched!".   All the questions she asked we could honestly answer...we were laughing because all she had to ask was the right question, but she never did.  We know they know it's us, but they can't prove it and it's driving them nuts!  Scott said that the screams he heard were of pure joy and fun.  Anyway, it's been so fun and one of the biggest challenges we've had doing it!  Today we had a nursery boy take it in (Donna and Justin are the nursery leaders).  Justin and Donna were hanging out in the Chapel and I couldn't find the mom I was giving it to, so her son could give it to them!  The plan was Donna and Justin would be in nursery already and we would slip it to the mom before her son went in...didn't happen!  Scott said, "quick! she went down the hall already to take him to nursery!".  Luckily Donna and Justin were still in the Chapel and I RAN down to the mom and caught her just as she was going in and slipped it to her.  I forgot to tell her not to tell them who gave it to her.  I slipped into the Primary room, where I go and there just happened to be people who needed help getting their visitors to class and I took them (not knowing really where the classrooms were) so that it looked like there was no way I could give the present to Blake.  And so, Blake's mom caught me in the hall after she gave it them and said, "As soon as Blake gave it to her she said 'Who gave this to you?' to me, and I realized I probably wasn't supposed to say, so I didn't"...WHEW!!!  Scott and I were laughing so hard.  So, they definitely suspect us, but like I said, they can't prove it :).  Tomorrow we are delivering it ourselves and can't wait to review the last 12 days with them.

We had some sad news this week...one of Dallen's two gerbils died (Gwenette, the brown one).  He was so heart-broken and sad.  It broke my heart.  Then half-way through typing this blog, Ashton's hamster was found dead on the floor...Angel had found it.  Ashton was holding it and it jumped off his lap and he couldn't find it...the dog did :(  So, he is super sad right now.  Dallen went and buried the hamster next to the gerbil and said "I know you two couldn't be friends here on earth, but you can be friends now" and started crying.  He has such a tender heart for animals...he's like his mama!

Other good news...Scott passed his exam to sell Life Insurance.  Now he can start selling pre-need policies for the mortuary and it will be a nice little side income for us.  Jason, Scott's boss, said that Scott's the only employee that has taken him up on this offer (he paid for the school and testing and gas to go test!) and the only one to pass in the 8 years he's been doing it here.  He was so happy to see an employee take him up on this opportunity because he said it really helped his family when they were starting out and Jason is always trying to figure out how to make things better for us.  We really appreciate his kindness and thoughts on our behalf.

We hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas!

Always blessed...

Well, I don't have pictures because I don't have a camera anymore...waiting for Derrek to send back the one he doesn't like (he's got two right now!).  The things we do for our kids!  Anyway...we have had an interesting week and thought I'd share :)

First of all, my Grandma Gilgen (92) was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia and it was looking like she was not coming out of there alive.  We were all preparing to be at her funeral the next weekend.  My brothers and sister (Rod, Geoff, and Julianne) were able to go say "good-bye" to her and had a great experience in the sense that she had been completely unresponsive the whole week and for the 1/2 hour they were there, she was awake and lucid and talking about important things in this life.  Here are some of Geoff's words from the experience:

She bore testimony of the plan of salvation, the fact that we all have gifts and should use them unselfishly. She told us to not worry about "being a shining star" because we all have gifts and make a difference. She also said that she "used to believe that if someone didn't serve in a bishopric they hadn't 'made it'". But she said she now realizes that everyone is precious and has and doing their part (I hope those of you who were there can fill in the rest of this - it was pretty profound what she was saying). She talked about living a life of sacrifice, about how she and Grandpa wished they had taken better advantage of opportunities that were in front of them (although she wasn't specific about what those opportunities were). She held Jody's hand and talked about the importance of bringing emotions into the world. Her counsel and insight were so heavenly at times that we all looked at each other with amazement. Two specific quotes that I wrote down were: "It isn't easy to live, but it is easy to love the Lord." And, she also talked quite extensively about how Grandpa has been given special permission to bless this family from the other side. She specifically said, "Grandpa has kept his arm around this family" 

I am so glad they got to have that experience.  I was sad I couldn't be there, too, but I realized that for the most part of my life, my experience with my grandma has been just what they experienced that night.  I felt so blessed and was so sad that it was her time to go...

But, it isn't her time to go!  Monday after this (I think this was on Saturday), my grandma was sitting up and responsive and feeling better.  So, she is now back home at the Beehive Home and as far as I know, she is not as lucid, but she is alive and comfortable.  Just another testament that when it is your time to go...it will be your time to go.  Not a second more or less.

Then this last week I had a job interview.  It seemed to come out of nowhere and I knew it was a door I needed to pursue.  So, I went and the interview went well.  It was for State Farm Insurance and I would have to get licensed and I would be helping people with their insurance needs (sort of like a broker, but not selling).  Anyway, it went really well.  I went home that night and I was so excited because it was full-time work and I would be making at least $1,600 extra a month for our family and it seemed I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Also that day, Ashton was really struggling with life and was just down.  He was feeling picked on and he "hated his life".  As usual, I didn't pay much attention because this is normal for this age and usually a good night's rest is all that is needed.  I went to bed that night thinking about the job and what I would be doing and stressing over whether or not I could pass the tests and just basically the normal jitters of getting a new job.  I hadn't gotten it yet, but I knew that I probably would.  As I was falling asleep and thinking about the job, a scenario passed through my head.  It was Ashton having a bad day like he had today, but I wasn't home...I hadn't been home and it was Summer.  Ashton was thinking about killing himself and I wasn't there.  I woke up instantly and realized that if I were accepted this job, I had to be forward with the guy and tell him that I can only work part-time during the Summer (2 1/2 months) and the rest of the year I could be full-time without a problem.  I had made a promise with the Lord a long time ago, after I had Calvin and had moved to Provo and we were pretty much where we are now.  I promised that I would stay home and do all I can as a mother if He would provide for our needs.  You see, I love to work and motherhood is not easy at all and when I worked for Sunwest, I used to joke that sometimes I go to work to relax and take a break from being a mother!  Anyway, the Lord has always helped us (especially through others) and this time is no different.  So, I got a call back a few days later to come in.  It sounded like he was deciding between a couple people and I was one of them.  We chit-chatted and then I said, "I have to be honest about something I didn't think about before.  I can only work part-time during the Summer because my kids are home."  I said, "it would be 2 1/2 months and then the rest of the time I can be full-time".  We talked some more and he talked about my references and he had called Scott's boss, Jason, about me because he knows Jason really well and I put Jason down as a reference because I have been working (driving) for the mortuary and he has a sense of my work ethics.  He said that Jason was just gushing over Scott and me.  He couldn't stop saying good things about us.  Then he said, "Jason said that he doesn't know what it is, but ever since you guys started working for him, his business has increased and wherever we go blessings seem to follow".  At that moment it felt like someone threw a blanket over me.  I realized that we are continually blessed and it was nice that someone reminded me of that...especially because then the next words out of his mouth were, "I can't hire you.  I need someone full-time".  I was grateful that I had that experience because it helped me stay strong and not crumble from not getting this job.  I don't understand the why's.  But, I was reminded that the Lord is fully aware of me and my family and I am so grateful for that knowledge.  A few days later we received a little reprieve from someone the Lord works through on our behalf (thank you!).

Alec started his mission papers!  He kept saying he was going to do it, but we want them to do it on their own.  So, Tuesday night he comes home dressed in his church clothes (I didn't even know he was gone!).  I asked, "where were you?!?".  He said, "I had an appointment with the Bishop".  I said, "is everything ok?!?"  He said, "yah, I started my mission papers".  I love seeing the boys change once they decide this is what they want to do.  They seem to grow up so much faster and all of a sudden their younger brothers annoy them!  So, we'll let you know how that goes!

One last thing I have to share, just because I think it's funny.  We decided to do the "12 days of Christmas" to a family in our ward.  The problem is that this family has a driveway that is 3 miles long and they can see anyone coming from miles around.  But, someone told the boys and Scott that it can't be done.  People have tried, but everyone gets caught the first day...well...we are on day 4 and haven't gotten caught.  It has been CRAZY.  The first night, Dallen and Alec go and they are driving in the car up their driveway with all the lights off.  They can't see anything and let me tell you, when there is no light out here, there is no light!  When the full moon is out, it seems like daytime compared to without!  Anyway, half way up they realize they aren't going to be able to go any further because the brake lights and lights in the car were shining.  So, Dallen gets out and takes the treat up to the house, but gets spooked and puts it in the middle of their road right by their house!  So, the next day, their daughter, Abbey, asks Alec about it and let me just tell you that it is scary how good of a liar Alec is!  He played dumb and said "what's the 12 days of Christmas"?  And then he went on to say "you guys do weird things out here in the country".  He went on and on like that.  He was telling us the story and I was just in awe that he could do it all with a straight face and not give anything away!  So, the next night, Scott's boss, Jason, let us borrow his golf cart because there is a back road to the Larson's house that we could use.  So, Alec and Dallen go off again, with Bryce (Jason's son).  They made it all the way to the door step this time.  Alec managed to rip his jeans, break his watch, and fall off a 3 ft. cliff on the way back!  But, they made it.  Then last night was the ward Christmas party.  So, during the party, we had Calvin and Ashton sneak off and go deliver it because the Larsons would notice if Alec was gone and they suspect him anyway.  It had been raining/snowing all day and so I was a little worried about Calvin doing it because the Larson's road is pure mud and not easy to get through and I wasn't sure our car could make it.  I sure didn't want them to get stuck either!  So, Scott gets a call from Calvin and Calvin had been driving in the dark because he didn't know if Katie was home (she wasn't at the party) and all of a sudden, there was their fence.  He slammed on the brakes and bent it and made a nice dent in our bumper.  He was freaking out.  So, he left the goodie on the fence post and was able to make it back out.  Scott got the dent out of our bumper because we didn't want them to come looking at our car and know it was us, but Alec was freaking out because they say we are the only family that drives crazy up to their house because we drive too fast.  Then today, we enlisted the Bishop's help.  He had his secretary make an appointment with them and brought them in.  Donna was sure she was getting released and she was trying to think of every excuse to tell the Bishop she can't be released (she loves her calling in nursery).  Then he gives them the treat.  I almost feel bad for them right now!  First we dent their fence and now she's all worked up that she's losing her calling!  Hopefully they will feel more loved after this, that someone would go to such trouble, instead of wishing we were dead!  We'll let you know how this week goes.  We have it all planned and more than enough people that are willing to help :).  This has been great, though, for our family to bond and if anything, it will be a great memory.

Lots to be Thankful for...

Family has to be number one on our list.  We had a fun with with family.  Mike and Laura surprised us and came to visit on their way down to Phoenix!  We realized we haven't seen them for a year and a half!  That's way too long.  

Cami and Brianna were already strapped into the car, so they weren't able to get into the picture.  We really enjoyed having them.  Then it was time for Rod and Julianne's families to come to visit us for Thanksgiving.  We are so grateful that they would take the time and resources to come out and have Thanksgiving with us.  

Here are some of the pictures of activities.  Thanksgiving morning we were up and cooking.  Then the majority went hiking on a 4 mile hike.  They always say it isn't going to take long, but then end up gone all day and without water!  But they said they found a cool cave.  Olivia, Brooke, Ashton, Julianne, and I stayed behind and played Apples to Apples.  It was fun having time with just those three.  Julianne and I knew which card were each others.  It was pretty funny.  Then the group came home at the perfect time...time to eat!  This was really the first year in 20 years of marriage that I have done Thanksgiving.  I must say it was like any other meal.  It seemed really easy.  The turkey turned out great and so did everything else.  I was proud of us girls :).  After eating, us adults played a game together and that was fun.  It was fun breaking out games and playing.  We don't get to do that often and it's something we really enjoy. I wish I had a set up of the garage.  My boys camped out in there.  They took the big tv in there with their beds and set up camp.  The great thing is that they were hardly in there.  They really enjoyed being with their uncles (especially) and cousins.  The younger boys had fun making a fort in the trees in the back yard.  Alec was an awesome cousin and made a campfire in the backyard and the kids made smores.

The next day, us girls ventured out and hit a couple of the Black Friday sales.  It was not too bad and there were actually some things still available.  I found a cheap stocking stuffer for the boys and that made me happy.  Then when we came back we all went and shot guns.  Rod and Chad brought their guns and the boys had theirs.  First were the 22's and then came the shotguns.  That was more entertaining...almost like fireworks.  Cade was a great shooter.  It was fun to see him keeping up with the older cousins, and out-shooting them sometimes!  Alec was great at throwing the clay pigeons.  After that we showed them around town and took them to the temple.  Then we went and got ice cream at Basha's (they have an ice cream counter) and sat and ate ice cream.  It was fun to be together.  We were laughing that we were out eating ice cream when there was a ton of pie sitting at our house!  Oh well, it was a nice change, and we went home and at the pie, too :).

They left Saturday, and things returned to normal.  Dallen, Alec and Calvin all crashed and took good naps.  Dallen was weepy that they had all gone.  We really loved having them all here.  I got a little sad when I realized that this was Alec's last Thanksgiving with us before he leaves home.  It's just weird when they start to leave because you realize that what you have known as "normal" will no longer be the "normal" and you have to change, which is fine, but I like our old "normal" and I just realized that they are growing up and reflective on where we are in life.  I love that they are turning into men.  They really do surpass all my expectations.  It was fun to watch Alec and Calvin playing a game with Chad and Rod and laughing and playing board games with them, shooting guns, and having a great time being one of the "men".

Now it's back to life :)  But we are still grateful and realize we have so many blessings.

What to say?!?

So, hours after I posted last week "could things get better, please"...Scott was in the Emergency Room with Calvin!  I guess that is the answer to my question.  Calvin got a severe concussion at school on Monday.  He was coming out of class and Alec was right there.  They normally "bump" each other or do something "brotherly".  This time the "bump" in the hallway caught Calvin off-balance and he fell strait backward and hit his head on the wall, instantly slumping down unconscious.  He wasn't breathing because of the way he was slumped and a teacher came and lifted his head up.  He started breathing, but then started to have a seizure, due to the head injury from hitting the wall.  Calvin said he doesn't remember anything except falling backward and waking up in the hospital.  The EMTs couldn't get Calvin to calm down enough for them to put an i.v. in and he was thrashing all around, literally throwing men off.  Scott said he looked and sounded like the Hulk.  They had four grown men holding him down and sitting on him just so that they could strap him to the gurney to transport him to the hospital.  Calvin said he was bummed he couldn't remember riding in the ambulance.  I was in Tuscon making a run for the mortuary.  Scott actually was supposed to go and I was just going to go along for the ride, but Scott's boss had a feeling that he needed to have Scott stay behind and have me just go instead.  I was a mess that day because there was nothing I could do and I was so far away.  I am glad that Scott was able to stay behind and be there for Calvin.  Alec felt horrible and was so afraid, but I think after Calvin came home, his fears and guilt here gone.  It really was an accident.  Calvin felt "fine" and was frustrated that the doctor told him to not watch any tv, use the computer or pretty much do anything.  He needed his brain to rest and can I tell you how hard that was to get him to do nothing?!?  Usually I'm telling him to get stuff done, but this time I'm having to tell him to do nothing!  That was weird for both of us.  Wednesday, I needed to do another run for the mortuary, and was gone all day.  I left Calvin home and he didn't eat very well and he watched tv and probably did more than his body was ready for because later that evening, he threw up again and went to bed early...he was not doing well.  I decided that on Thursday, anything I needed to do was to be cancelled so that I could make sure Calvin did nothing...  I had to force food down him (that's when you know he's not feeling well!).  By that evening, he was doing a lot better and decided to try a class on Friday.  He went to that and since he was doing so much better, I let him hang out with a friend.  He seems back to normal and the bump is almost gone.  It was really scary that he had a seizure from hitting his head.  He was out for 3 hours.  I cannot imagine parents that have kids that go into comas or have seizures forever (I know a couple of those).  I have a new respect of having to watch over your child and not much you can do.  I am so grateful that Scott stayed and that Calvin was only in the hospital for a short stay.  We already got the ambulance bill and all I could do is just put it aside because I don't know how this is going to work out.  I almost can't think about it because I start going crazy.  It's hard because we are trying to figure out how to feed the kids and such and then this happens.  I guess it will work out...it always does.

Can things get better, please?!?

I don't want to complain, but these past two weeks have been really hard.  We are down to 1/2 a car...I say "1/2" because the boys "drifted" in one car and popped the tire and the other car has the steering going out (we don't go far with it because I am convinced that as soon as I do, I will not be able to turn a corner and I will go off a cliff or something!).  Of course, money is non-existent to fix these problems.  There have been other things, but if I dwell on them I might not finish this post!  It's been taxing some days.  We had Stake Conference last night and today and I am grateful for the word that were shared because Scott and I knew they were for us.  Elder Eyring talked about how we choose to face the future...with optimistic attitudes or pessimistic attitudes.  There were days the last couple of weeks that, I must admit, my pessimistic attitude has come out...those days are dark and not fun.  But, I would wake up the next morning and start again...trying with a better attitude.  We had an offer from Scott's boss, a couple of days ago, to get licensed to sell "pre-needs", basically selling people their funeral plans.  At first I thought of things I could do, and then I started to freak out.  I am not a seller.  I don't like talking people into what I think they should do just so that I can earn a buck.  Scott said that he is going to start because he knows the business and knows those who are interested.  Anyway, I might just go in and help mail flyers for him and set appointments for him.  We'll see how it goes.  We know it is an opportunity to meet our needs and Scott's boss has offered to let him have all that walk in.  It will take time and it will be a lot of work.  I know Scott can do it.  I just don't know where I fit in (they offered it to me, too).  I just hope it starts coming in sooner than later.  Maybe the Lord will help and send a little "flood" of people that just happen to need this.  It could happen...

Also in Stake Conference, we were reminded that "We can do hard things".  I know that we can...I just don't want to, some days!  Hard things help us and the speaker counseled us to not "bail" out our kids, but to let them go through hard things.  Let them be sad and fearful and all the emotions that happen when things are hard.  They will learn where to go and what to do and the attitudes of "we can do hard things" for when they are in their later lives, married, working, etc.

Anyway, I know things will be okay.  It's just hard, but as said before "I can do hard things".  I just need to have the right attitude and keep hopeful because the opposite feels like it could tear me apart!  Just keep us in your prayers :).

Our Stake President also mentioned the huge problem Pornography has started to be here in Taylor.  There were several young men that went to work on their papers for a mission, but were held off because of their pornography addictions.  We were so happy to hear the Stake Pres. say that it is not a quick fix, and that you can't just tell someone to "stop"...it's an addiction!  Then today, Scott said that he mentioned it some more in the Priesthood meeting.  Afterwards, Scott had an hour and a half wait until conference started (and I came with the car), and he thought of talking to the Stake Pres. about it, but then thought, "oh, he's too busy...if the chance comes up, I'll talk".  Then a few minutes later, he looked up from where he was sitting and saw the Stake Pres. sitting by himself...for quite awhile.  Finally, Scott decided to go talk to him.  He briefly told him about his fight with it and how it has touched all our boys and that if he ever needed advocates of fighting against pornography, that he was willing to do whatever was needed.  The Stake President looked at him with amazement and said "you are an answer to my prayers".  It has had him so worried about our youth and has felt frustrated as to what to do about it.  Stake Conference is in four months, and he mentioned having Scott maybe do something then.  Scott was a little taken back, but he and I both know the devastation it can have on a family (and I think ours was mild compared to some families), and watching our kids battle with it has been even scarier.  If what we have learned and gone through can help someone out there, then we both will do whatever is asked of us.  I am so grateful to my brother who does this for a living.  He helped us through a really scary time in our lives...especially with our kids.  So, we'll see what happens with that!

Other news, Ashton went to a FFA conference and had to do a presentation to sell agricultural products.  He had to study up on items to sell to help impregnate a cow!  Then at the presentation, he had to sell the products.  Should 14 year old boys be studying this stuff?!?  There were 3 groups who competed and all get to go to State in a month.  Supposedly the more people you have in your group, the better the score, so Ashton said that their score went down 300 pts. just because there were only two of them.  They did good, though, and the judges were impressed that they presented well, even they were the only two.  Ashton was happy and had a fun time.  He is starting to make friends and trying to branch out.  So, in a month, Ashton will be headed down to ASU to compete in agricultural sales!  He is not his mother's child.  They can have it for free...just don't make me sell it to you!

Everyone else is healthy and well.  I am grateful for that!  We haven't been sick for a long time (knock on wood), and I know it's tender mercies.

And...we're done...

It was the Primary Program today and we are DONE with it for the year!!!  The reason I am so excited is because I play the piano and this years program had 12 songs!!!  That is a lot of songs for a program.  Usually they have about 8 or 9.  It went really well and Scott said that he heard no mistakes...I fooled him!!!  I just kept doing what my grandpa always said and that is if you mess up, keep going...so that's what I did.  I liked how they wrote the Program this year because if a child didn't show up, then it didn't matter to the script, but if they did, then it added to the script.  I have been in some where the teachers would read the parts of the children missing and it is kind of distracting.  Anyway, it was good this year.  We were laughing because every Primary Program there is something that a child does that is so innocent, but so funny and this year a little girl was telling the story of Jesus being baptized (quoting the scriptures) and the adult leader was helping her by whispering the lines to her.  So the girl said that after Jesus was baptized "he went straightway out of the water and the Spirit descended on him in the form of a duck"!!!  It was so funny.  She was so embarrassed because she was really trying hard to say what the leader was saying, but dove and duck are too close when you are whispering!  It was funny.  After the meeting, I got to go into Primary and they decided to have a sing-time day!!!  It's not as exciting as it sounds because I had no idea what songs we were singing and that was fun...(not so much), but the chorister was fun and for some reason on a couple of the songs I did fine until the last note and for some reason I couldn't get the last note, so she would have the kids hold the note until I found it.  It was fun and made me laugh (by then, I was so tired I didn't care!).  I do love the Primary songs, though, and I really am not complaining...I'm just glad the stress of performing is over.  I have always had stage-fright and  was able to keep my eyes off the audience today, so I think that helped (plus several prayers before!).  On to next year's songs!

this is the puppy...named "Trouble"

This is Sally, who comes to visit...

This week we were able to babysit a puppy.  The boys have been wanting another dog and we keep telling them that it just isn't smart, especially because we are hoping to end that phase of dog raising when the kids all leave (Shep will be 12 or so, and I know Angel will be gone by then).  Anyway, it was fun to babysit this puppy, especially seeing Angel pounce around chasing it and playing with it like she was a puppy, too...but she's 12!  Dallen went with the family of the puppy on a camping trip and boating trip.  He got to go tubing and kneeboarding and catch crawdads and got really muddy...it was a perfect trip!  The water was even warm!  This family lives two doors down and have 4 boys and 1 girl.  The neighborhood will never be the same.  The funny thing is that they have another dog, Sally - a boxer, who will walk into our house and camp out with our dogs, eat their food, and just hang out if the door is open.  It's pretty funny.  The other day, I realized that Dallen does the same thing to their family!  He walks in, camps out, eats their food, especially if their door is open!  So, I thanked her for letting Dallen come over and she thanked me for letting Sally come over!  I think it's funny.  Anyway, when Dallen came home from camping, and this is what happened...

They were zonked out by 6:30 pm, for the night...there was no moving them, either.  Angel was so exhausted from playing with the puppy and Dallen was so exhausted from boating.  I think they missed each other, too.

Ashton and I got to go on a day date yesterday.  It was just Dallen and Ashton home.  Alec and Calvin drove down to Phoenix to visit their Aunt Heidi and cousins and attend the mission farewell of Jonathan Hooper...the first friends the boys made in Mesa and is a true blessing in their lives.  He will be serving in the New York, New York mission.  Did you know that mission included Bermuda?  I had no idea.  Anyway, back to Dallen and Ashton.  So, Ashton asked if I would like to go to the movie with him...just the two of us.  I said, "of course" and then I told Scott that it would be just him and Dallen home and so they decided to go horse-back riding (Scott's boss has 4 horses and is always telling us to help ride them because they need the exercise).  Scott and Dallen went riding and Ashton and I went and saw "Hotel Transylvania".  It was a really fun/cute movie.  We had a good time.  We'll have to do it again.

Scott and I, then, got invited to go to a fundraiser for the Heritage club which helps restore old buildings and history of the area.  We were invited by the Click family.  Brad and Craig Click are in our ward and Brad invited us to come.  We really like being around them.  They are really funny and witty.  Their wives are really nice and according to their husbands are "too serious", but they are just as fun.  We met some really nice people and had a great time getting to know the Clicks better.  It was kind of an initiation into the community :).  We are all for that!  Anyway, the program was a celebration of Arizona and the area and it was fun to learn some new things.

Everything else is going good.  We have "trunk or treat" this year at someone's house...usually you have it at the church building, but because everyone has so much property around here, we are able to do it at someone's house!  It should be fun.  I always like playing a game in the back of our car for the kids to "earn" their treat.  I'm not huge on decorating, but big on games...gotta go with my strengths!  We'll post pictures next week.

One year older, and wiser, too ...

I just had to share, first, what I get to see every now and then.  I was in the house, kids at school, and I went to let the dogs outside and as I opened the back curtains and opened the door, this is what I saw!  It took my breath away. It was actually a double rainbow, which seems to happen often.  It was so bright and amazing and literally in my backyard!

We had a fun couple of weeks. We got to see Alex Boye' in concert here in little ole' Snowflake, AZ.  Scott and I got to have a pre-concert dinner with him, but basically we had dinner, he took pictures with everyone, grabbed his food and left.  Scott's boss is a patron of the Arts here in town and couldn't go, so he gave the tickets to me and Scott.  We sat at a table with the Temple President and his wife, President Baldwin, and then a couple from our ward, The Neffs, and another couple, whom I don't know.  We haven't gotten the picture back, yet, that was taken of me and Scott and Alex, but if I get it, I will post it :).  It was fun meeting him and I can't imagine living that life.  The concert was in the high school auditorium and it was really fun. He is so entertaining. Our favorite part, of course, had to be when he had all the Scouts come up on stage. I was sitting in the very back and all I had was my phone (not great at taking pictures), but here are all the Scouts that were there...there are quite a bunch in this predominately Mormon community :). He did this song with them, so imagine this going on with all these kids...it was a lot of fun. As he was teaching the steps, Ashton was kind of in front and Alex looked over and said, "What is that? It looks like you're going to the restroom!". We were all laughing, and Ashton, the good sport, was laughing, too. He still thinks it's funny. Anyway, it's a fun song and Dallen, especially has been singing it all week :)

It was Calvin's birthday this week.  He is now 17!!!  My kids are so kind to me because we don't have a lot of money, but they understand and I hope, appreciate, that I really try to do all that I can for them.  Calvin has been wanting a "hobby", and so with his birthday money (instead of opening presents), he decided that since he loves cars, his new hobby would be model cars and that he would paint and design them like he would real cars..."it's good practice", he said.  So, these are the two he bought and is going to start with...

Then, he had it in his head how he wanted to set up shop.  The kid's computer was zapped by lightening one day (the Computer Store in town had 8 come in from the same storm!)...and yes, it was on a power cord!  Anyway, so, I told him that the desk was free to use because the computer is not being used right now, and that is what it was on.  So, this is the little set-up he came up with in his closet

He's got his "paint booth" set up, as well as his work station (the closet is pretty big!).  I told him when he paints, he will have to leave the door open so that the fumes don't make him high :)  I don't know if they are that powerful, but I don't want to take any chances :).  

He bought a fun painting tool.  He can spray paint the model paint.  Anyway, cars have always been an outlet for Calvin.  If he's not drawing designs on them, he's thinking of ways to make them better.  

During the day, he had a job interview!!!  On his birthday!!!  He was so nervous.  It was with Kmart, and it's that time of year they are looking for seasonal work, so he applied.  He got a call back and has a second interview next Friday (because he's in school during the week!).  He was so excited.  I really hope he gets it. He works so hard to get a job.  He's put in so many applications and he just needs a foot in the door so that he'll have something on a resume to apply to other places with.  He is an example of perseverance and patience.  It has been hard, but he keeps going and trying.  

Then Calvin and I went to lunch.  He said, "I don't want it to be expensive, I just want to go out with you and dad".  Scott had a really busy day, and couldn't break away for lunch, so Calvin and I went to Sonic :).  It was fun to hang out with him and that he wanted alone time with us/me.  Then I was going to pay for the boys to go see the movie "Here Comes the Boom" (I thought it was a good/funny movie and wanted the boys to see it), but Alec had gone out on a date (didn't tell us that he was), and Dallen got invited to go to a haunted barn/corn maze.  So, for cheaper, we bought the movie "Avengers" (Calvin hadn't seen it yet) because we couldn't rent it anywhere in town, and stayed home and watched that and had some pie (we forgot to bring out the ice cream!).   

He said he had a good day, and I am glad.  He's a great kid and we were reflecting on how it seems weird that he's only "17" because he has seemed so much older.  

The rest of us are doing well.  Derrek sounded like he was doing better this last week, and that is good.  I know it will be hard for him, but that is fine.  We all need a little rough patches to remember when things are good.  Alec and Calvin, both at different times, rolled their quad in the yard on the same day!  Calvin scraped up his face pretty good and then felt dizzy for the next day or so...even fainted in the shower!  Alec wouldn't go help him or check on him because he was naked and so he came and got me and just yelled to Calvin, "are you ok?".  Calvin got up and said, "dude, I think I just fainted" and Alec said, "yah, you fell hard".  That's when I came in and I'm just glad he was ok!  Alec scraped up his hand and such pretty good and after that, they decided they are going to sell the thing!  

Ashton, I think, is no longer in FFA...well, he at least can't go on their field trips, because he wouldn't sell their fundraiser of at least 5 boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts for $10 each.  I asked him why he wouldn't sell at least five and he said "Mom!  They are $10!  That is so expensive for donuts!".  I just laughed because I realized I have taught them well, but have missed the whole point of fund raisers!  So, I told him to see if he can still do it, but I haven't heard anything and it is up to him whether or not he wants to stick to it.  I just thought it was funny he wouldn't sell them because he thought they were too expensive and couldn't ask others to pay for something that was so overpriced!  Love it!

Ashton also caught a large horny toad during 2nd period this last week, at school, and carried it around all during school (I'm not sure how he got away with that!), and brought it home.  The poor thing!  Anyway, it escaped out of the box Ashton had it in (Ashton tends to forget to put a lid on...we've lost a frog, snake, and lizard because of this!).  Anyway, we found it and as part of it's defense, it shoots blood from it's eyes and so after that, we let it go outside.  Poor thing!  

Well, I think that's it for this last week.  Check out Derrek's blog (elderderrekbowler.blogspot.com) for updates on him and my parent's mission blog is fun to read, too (steurersinitaly.blogspot.com).  They all seem to be doing well.  We'll hear from Derrek tomorrow (Monday is his P-day), and so I am sure I'll be posting another letter tomorrow from him.  

Moving in the right direction...

I love watching General Conference.  Dallen said to me this morning, "I love Conference Sunday.  We get aebleskievers and we get to chill out for church".  I couldn't agree more.  There were a few talks that really spoke to me this weekend and I am excited to go back and dig into them so that I can learn what it was that touched my heart.  I love that we can get them on Mormon Channel the next day and that I can listen to them while I am getting ready in the mornings.  I am also grateful to be able to watch them again with my family.  We record them and every Friday we have "Conference Friday" for our family scripture study.  We take a talk from Conference and listen to it and then when inspired, Scott and I add our own testimony to what we heard.  Calvin watched all the sessions this time and was searching for answers for himself.  He had his journal out and everything.  What an example to me of truly wanting answers from the Lord and knowing where to go to get them.  He told me of a couple talks that he really enjoyed and I hope he found what he was searching for.

Everyone is well.  Scott has had a couple long days and yesterday had to miss almost everything with Conference.  He only got to see the last talk of the Priesthood session and he was so sad.  After he took the boys to dinner (which he was so grateful to be able to do), he had to go back to work for a few hours.  It was a long day.  I am grateful for his continuing hard work.  In days of old, he would have quit by now and he is definitely not that same person.

Derrek is doing much better.  He was struggling being at the MTC and the psychiatrist there is having him take Welbutrim (sp?).  Then a few days later, he wrote me a note and said that they were role playing being in the mission field and he was loving it.  I am grateful he got the help he needed.  I was upset at myself at first because I'm him mom and I should have known, but as quickly as those thoughts came into my head, thoughts of "this is how it had to happen for Derrek and he is being taken care of" came in.  As I thought about it, I realized that this is how it had to happen for Derrek.  I feel bad that he had to go through it, but I realized that he is always saying he doesn't hear the Spirit and this was an example of where he felt he needed to go get help.  He heard and acted (as President Monson stated today).  He leaves for Ohio on Wednesday (in three days) and we are so excited for him.

Alec is doing so good.  I swear he is on a date with a different girl and he is so funny because he makes Calvin go with him.  Last night after Priesthood Session, we were all chilling out and Alec suddenly announces that he and Calvin are going out with Jessica and Brooke...they were in the driveway!  So they went and watched a movie with them and then came back.  He is truly happy and liked the announcement of being able to leave right after high school for his mission.  Calvin is too, but he realized that he wouldn't see Derrek for 4 years and that made him kind of sad.

Something has changed in Calvin.  I think something happened at Seminary, but I am not sure.  One night, when I went in to say "good-night", he said, "mom, could you get me a journal... preferably one with the temple on the front?".  Are you kidding?!?  Yes!!!  I will get you a journal!  So, I went and found him one the next day.  He writes in it often of his thoughts and things that he is learning.  He has been asking questions like "how do I truly prepare for General Conference?" and stuff like that.  He is happier and really trying to find peace and happiness and you can tell a huge difference in him.

Ashton is starting to be my little "playboy".  I think he likes the attention (I mean, who doesn't?!?), so we have had to have discussions on the way girls interpret the "play" and how boys interpret it.  I told him he needed to be careful because girls, for the most part, fall hard, and it can get you in trouble.  He is taller than me and very proud of that...I would expect him to be taller because he has a size 13 foot and needs to grow into them!  He was elected FFA Treasurer and although I am not quite sure what he does, he is loving it and having a really good time.  He has found his little niche and has really adapted well to Taylor, AZ.

Dallen is doing good, too.  There are times when his hormones get the best of him and he is cranky and hates his life, but thank goodness that there is sleep and he can reboot his system and start over.  He is having so much fun here in Taylor and really has a good group of boys to hang out with.  It's funny because he was over at his Young Men Leader's house the other day and I asked him why he was there?  Their oldest child is a girl and she's 11.  They have a 9 year old girl and a 7 year old boy.  I couldn't figure out why he would hang out over there, and then I found out that they got a new puppy...then I found out that the boys are trying to take in another puppy.  Thank goodness Scott is here because I would take it in (ask my parents!).

Scott and I got to go on a little "trip" to Durango, CO.  These days all the trips taken include something to do with the mortuary, but Jason (Scott's boss), wanted us to go and spend the night and have a little get-away.  It is a gorgeous town with some character and the leaves are changing and it is getting colder.  The hotel was right on the river and when we went to breakfast we were right on the river looking over it.  It was so pretty. We had an amazing steak dinner the night before and some Coldstone ice cream...who can go wrong with that?  The kids were awesome and just did their thing.  Dallen got up for school on his own and out the door and Alec went to work and Ashton helped me out at the house and Calvin had school and an extra curricular class he is doing.  I think they do better when I'm gone than when I'm here!  I am grateful they let us do that. Scott and I got much needed talk time and we are so grateful that Jason would treat us like that.

Calvin and Alec are doing a class at school which is the Dave Ramsey course.  My Grandma is a huge fan of Dave Ramsey and so is this town!  I think it is awesome that they have started a class for the high school students.  Even better, is that Calvin and Alec got it for free.  The first 10 that signed up get the course for free, so Calvin (my frugal child) jumped all over that and signed up him and Alec...number 9-10!!  They are learning lots and I think it is great because there are lessons that I have tried to instill in them, but they are finally getting it in a different way and are more willing to listen to someone else teaching it.

Well, no pictures this time...sorry.  Not much to take pictures :).  Alec was going to go to Homecoming, but decided not to.  I am not sure what happened, but it fell through.  Maybe for Prom.

Missionaries...

OUR MISSIONARIES!!!  Derrek and my parents (Dan and Miriam) are in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT.  My parents arrived there on the 17th of September and Derrek made it there on the 19th.  It is fun because I have an inside source telling me how he's really doing.  My mom said that the MTC doesn't give the Elders/Sisters time to think...they are going-going-going all day long and then they welcome bed time.  My mom said that Derrek mentioned on Friday (he'd been there two days) that he was still a bit overwhelmed, but in a week or so, I know he will feel right at home.  My parents get to do whatever they want/need.  My mom said that she needed to mail a package and they were going to walk down to BYU.  None of that for the Elders!  They also got to attend my Cousin, Mike's wedding in SLC.  We are excited for Mike.  My parents also Skyped me today.  My mom said that she was really sick this last week because they had her get the flu shot and influenza?!? shot (I can't remember the other one), but after that, she was really sick with a fever and such.  Glad she's feeling better.  We wrote Derrek a letter and you can to at "dearelder.com".  Just type in his mission (Columbus Ohio).  I'm not sure his box number, yet.  We haven't heard from him.  I don't even think he knows our address!  I guess he'll figure it out, or ask my parents!  Sending him off was way harder than I thought it would be.  I was fine until that morning and I realized I wouldn't be able to see him for two years and that I wouldn't be able to call or talk to him to see how he was doing whenever I wanted or felt the need to.  Then, as we were saying goodbye, Alec said "see you in three years" and I lost it even more.  I cried the whole morning.  By noon, I was settled down and doing ok.  All the boys were looking at me like I was a freak of nature.  Ashton lost it, too which made Scott tear up.  Ashton loves his brother, Derrek.  But, I know he is in better hands and the Lord can do more with him than any other experience at this time in his life could offer him.  Things are definitely more quiet around here.

Other things that we have been doing...CANNING, CANNING, CANNING!  Sister Rowley, in our ward, has a huge garden and asked if I would like to come raid it because there is no possible way she could do anything with all the food.  So, we went and picked green beans, lots of apples, and tomatoes.  I have made a lot of applesauce, green beans, and spaghetti sauce.  Then my friend, Donna, asked if I would come help her do hers because she just doesn't have time like she used to.  So, I went to her house and did apples (for pies and such), and applesauce.  Then she invited her family over for family night and we canned the rest of my applesauce and worked on her tomatoes to get them ready to be jarred.  It was a fun time and we really like being with the Larson family.  You can see we had quite the production going!

I just got a call from a sister in our ward who said she had a 5-gallon bucket of tomatoes for me, if I wanted them...um, YES!  That's like gold for me.  I think I will do salsa this time.

The boys have been learning how to work hard and serve.  They have been helping a member in our Stake to bail hay.  They didn't realize how hard it really is, and poor Calvin had some fun allergies to go with it.  Luckily there is medicine for that!  They also chopped some wood and I am grateful to these men who are teaching them how to work hard and that it isn't just their parents that do it...it is just a requirement when you live out here.  Ashton got to drive the hay truck and it was a stick-shift!  He was jerking it all around at first (his first time driving...ever!).  He did good by the the end.  Every night they would come home and the boys would say "I'm not going tomorrow" and then they would end up going the next day.  Then the last day they were going to go, the guy borrowed his neighbor's stacker and did 800 bails in a day and got it all done.  He had 2000 to start, so the boys were glad he was able to do that.

I did my first run for the mortuary this last week.  You know they are desperate when they are calling to ask me if I would do a run for them.  It was nice to drive and hang out in Payson and all that.  It is weird, though, that this is just how life is, now and that's ok.

Sending my parents off at the airport on their way to the MTC

We got to go to St. George last weekend for Derrek's farewell talk in the Red Cliff's 6th ward.  It was so good to see all our old friends and there was so much love and support for Derrek and we were really grateful that he was able to go and do that.  I really had a hard time with him demanding that he do a farewell in St. George because of the time and money he was asking us to spend.  We weren't going to be able to go because of finances, but we are very blessed with family that helped us get there.   I felt it was selfish, but in the end I realized why he needed it and I am glad he was able to do it.  It was my parent's farewell also and it was good to be with family.  The kids really wanted to say goodbye to their Nana and Papa, and I am glad we were able to do that.  My sister and sister-in-laws put together a really cute family dinner with my side of the family.  They did decorations for Italy and Ohio and missionary stuff all over the tables.  Then they had an Italian type meal and and ice cream bar.  It was perfect.  Dallen and Ashton, the night before, got to go see Les Miserables in Cedar City with Kent/Amy, Kathie/Paul and their families.  We had a fun time riding to and from St. George with Kathie and Paul and their family.  On the way up, Kathie and I got to ride together and chat the whole way, while Paul and Scott were in the other car.  Then on the way home, the adults (and Jack) were in one van, Calvin and kids in the other, and Derrek and Alec in the car.  It was fun.  Definitely made the trip go faster.

 I almost forgot!!!  Alec, Scott, and Derrek all had birthdays!  Alec turned 18, Scott turned 41, and Derrek turned 19.  It was hard this year because we literally have no money and so the birthdays were kind of lame. Alec and Scott are great because they really don't care (or show that they care).  Derrek is a little different.  He likes the attention and I tried to do my best, but I'll admit, according to his standards, it was lame (sorry Derrek, I tried).  Anyway, we got Alec a didgeridoo.  He has been playing it non-stop...he even brought it to St. George!  It drives Shep nuts, but it is so Alec and I am glad I got it for him.  

Derrek got money to help him go to St. George, and I got Scott a shirt from "Kid History" that says "I've got one minute left in my brain".  It's a quote Scott says all the time and to me it fit perfect.  After their birthdays, Scott mentioned he wanted a cowboy hat!  Now that's something I have to see...and I am not picking that out.  There is no way I would want that responsibility :).

Everything else is going good.  We are healthy and the kids are doing good in school and still adjusting, but they are doing very well.  There are still days that are hard for me.  I like to stay busy and moving to a new place takes all that away and it's hard to have the energy to start up again.  Most days are good, though, and like with everything else, you just gotta keep on going.

Settled in...

I just saw that it's been 6 weeks since I posted!  First of all...Derrek received his mission call to COLUMBUS, OHIO!  He leaves September 19th, which is a huge blessing, considering other young men that we know who have received their calls are going 4 months later and Derrek will have only had to wait a month and a half.  And other awesome news...he'll be at the Missionary Training Center when my parents are there!  Have you ever known a missionary to get to be in the MTC with his grandparents?!?  Amazing and I can't wait to see that picture!  Derrek is ready to go.  Living here is driving him crazy.  The pace of life in Snowflake, AZ is SO much slower than in St. George and especially slower than Mesa.  I will admit that I have broken down a few times (okay, maybe more) because I feel like I have moved to a foreign country.  It isn't that foreign, though, really...I have just forgotten how it goes.  Oklahoma was a lot like it is here.  No one is in a hurry, everyone looks out for each other (or they gossip about them!), and there are just good, humble, people trying to do their best...what can be so bad about that?!?  The night Derrek moved here, we literally rolled into town, dropped off his stuff at the house, and took him to a rodeo.  That takes me to my next event...

Scott was in a rodeo!  It was fun to watch.  His boss, Jason, had signed them up for the "Calf dressing" competition.  They had to put a pair of bloomers on a calf.  It was a three-man team and Scott, Zach (a kid that worked at the Mortuary and is now on a mission to Nebraska), and Jason were the team for Silver Creek Mortuary.  It was really good advertising...especially because THEY WON!  Here's the video..
July 2012 - Pioneer Day Rodeo and other 010 from Amy Bowler on Vimeo.

Scott and Zach are the ones you see at the front of the arena.  Jason got lost with the rest of the crowd on the side and then comes running toward Zach and Scott just as they are finishing putting on the bloomers.  My favorite part of the video is seeing the calf in the yellow bloomers trotting across the screen at the end.  So funny!  It was fun to watch and they did all sorts of other fun competitions.  It was also fun because we knew some of the people participating.  Here is a picture of the three of them the next day showing their buckles off and the other picture is of the buckle.  Scott told me that at church a guy in our ward came up to him and said "yours is pretty nice, but I'll still take mine".  We found out that his was from a WORLD CHAMPION Bucking Brono.  His name is Craig Click and then we also found out that Cody Hancock, WORLD CHAMPION Bull Rider is also in our ward!  I've seen Cody ride in Vegas a couple of times.  Very weird that he is in our Ward!  I serve in the Primary with his wife.  She's great.  Scott is still proud of his buckle and so happy to give Silver Creek Mortuary a little more advertising.  Scott and Zach didn't think they had a chance because there were some real cowboys in the competition that handle calves all the time, but it came down to not being tricked by the announcer and seeing the calves coming out and Zach literally diving for the tail of the calf they caught.

I love going to the rodeos here (and other events for that matter).  I think it is because there is a huge sense of patriotism that seems lost, especially living in the Phoenix area.  Prayers are said at public events, the flag is pledged to, and there is a sense of gratefulness to be in this great country and for those who serve us to keep it free.  I am really glad my boys get to have a sense of that.  It seems rare these days with everyone trying to be "politically correct" and not offend those that don't believe in God.  I am grateful to be surrounded by others who have a sense of gratefulness to God (no matter what religion they belong to) and are thankful for this country and what it stands for.  Such a blessing.

Other news...we were able to go to a Steurer family reunion at Bear Lake, ID.  For one afternoon we were all able to be there.  We weren't sure everyone was going to be able to be there because my brother, Geoff, had to have surgery to have a mass removed (turned out to be infected stitches that didn't dissolve from a surgery 20 years ago!).  Andy was at Lacrosse camp, Chad had work meetings, Craig couldn't take very much time off, etc.  So, we were able to take pictures the afternoon everyone was here...


We did tons of fun things besides waterskiing.  We played a live version of angry birds, scavenger hunt, two birthdays, giant bubbles, lots of ipad (we counted at least 8 ipads at the cabin and at least 14 iphones! SAD!), games, pool, air hockey, and movies.  I was so grateful Scott had a week off from work, especially since he had just started at this job.  My parents really wanted everyone to come because it was our last hoorah before everyone starts going different directions.  My parents are headed to Rome, Italy for their mission, Derrek is leaving on his, and then my boys start graduating and moving on in the next couple of years.  It was good to be together.  Dallen also got to see a really good friend of his when we lived in St. George, Ashton Loosli.

  Ashton's family goes to Bear Lake every July and we were literally just a mile south of them in another cabin.  Saren was so nice to go and pick up Ashton from Scout camp early so that he and Dallen could spend a little time together.  There was a huge storm and they were out on the lake paddle-boarding and got swept out to the middle of the lake because of the wind...and they weren't wearing life jackets.  Poor Saren was freaking out, especially since Ashton knew they needed to have life jackets on.  Someone on a jet ski was nice and pulled them back to shore.  Whew!  Saren kept telling me, "not on my watch!".  It was scary.  But, they had fun and it was just like old times.  We miss them.  We also did family Olympics.  Here is our family flag that we made for it.  Actually the boys made the flag.  Scott and I were too tired and it was 10:30pm and the boys stayed up and worked on it...it turned out great!

Do you see the SADACAD?  Stands for "Scott, Amy, Derrek, Alec, Calvin, Ashton, Dallen"  The "S" and the "A" are in the torch.  Calvin said he worked the whole time on the flames.  They did great.  The kids said that one of their favorite things at Bear Lake was using Uncle Mike's helmet camera.  They loved being able to video their "run".  They also loved trying out grandpa's surfboard so they could try wake surfing.  I think, of the boys, Derrek was the only one that finally got the hang of it.  We got lots of sun and toward the end of the week we stayed inside more than we were outside.  My kids that would say they didn't need sunscreen were lathering on 50 by the end of the week!  It was a good time, and glad for those memories.

The boys started school on August 9th, just to be home on August 10th!  We started school on a Thursday and then this year the high school doesn't have school on Fridays unless you have below a "C" in any class, then you go and get help in that class on Fridays to get your grade up.  So, they started on Thursday, and were home on Friday.  Dallen has to go on Fridays, but only for 1/2 a day.  It's a crazy schedule.  No one could figure out why they didn't just start that next Monday.  In a way it was good because it got the jitters out and come Monday, they all knew where to go and what to do.  It was almost like Thursday was a trial run.  We just measured Calvin the other day because he was just sure he was taller than Scott...Scott is still 1/4" taller than Calvin!  That means Calvin is 6'4 1/2"...Scott is 6'4 3/4".  I am sure, though, that Calvin is not done growing.  Alec is a good 6'3" and Ashton is catching up fast.  He's taller than me and I'm 5'8".  Dallen is getting close to passing me up, too.  Alec is a Senior this year, Calvin is a Junior, Ashton is a Freshman, and Dallen is in 7th. They are doing well in adjusting.  Calvin had a breakdown once, but he still keeps going and tries to keep positive.  This is their third school in three years.  I can't imagine how hard that is.  I would hate it and probably not handle it as well as they have.  It helps that it is a small school and they already knew a few kids from church.  Calvin has already been asked if he does drugs (smokes weed) or drinks and I just told Calvin "see, it's like every other school!".  For some reason, he's the one that gets asked that.  Good thing he's a good kid and doesn't care about that stuff.

Alec is working at the Mortuary with Scott.  He works on Fridays and after school a couple days a week.  Calvin is still looking for a job and has been taking yard work jobs to earn some money.  Of course, he didn't realize that yard work here is much different than in Mesa or St. George...yard work consists of 2-3 acres of mowing and weeding!  He spent 8 hours (5 hours Dallen helped) at one house.  The couple he helped, the Rowleys, are a couple in our ward.  They are retired school teachers and you can tell.  They were very patient with the boys who didn't know how to use a hoe, and taught them some good skills.  Brother Rowley was a shop teacher and has some great woodworking pieces and showed his treasures to the boys.  Sister Rowley was a reading teacher and she is fiesty!  I love her to death.  She's great and whips the boys into shape real fast!

As you can see, we have obviously been able to move into the house in Taylor, thanks to my parents who actually own the house.  It is so nice to be able to put things in a place and not live out of a cooler for a fridge and boxes for cupboards (thank you mom and dad!).  We are really liking it here.  The boys especially love all the critters we seem to keep finding.  The boys have brought home 4 tarantulas (that I can remember), a couple snakes (one was lost in the house for a day...found this morning!), caterpillars...at least 40 or more hoping to see them cocoon and turn into butterflies, and bats!  Here is a picture of Calvin playing with one that came in the house...

It was almost as if we have been invading their space.  The house has been empty for a year and so it is to be expected that there have been some critters that call this home!  Dallen has caught MANY lizards and is so happy to explore...just hope the rattlesnakes stay away.  We have been told by several ward members that we need to get at least one "fixed" cat to keep the mice away so that the snakes stay away.  We were also warned that we shouldn't get too attached to the cat just in case the owls come and take it!  Circle of life around here!  Someone in our ward has kittens that have been raised outside and when I think we can get the thing fixed, we'll see if we can take one of hers.  We'll see...the more critters the better, I guess!

Just had to show a picture of our backyard!  We do have neighbors right next door.  They are nice and they have an Australian Shepherd, too...but we aren't supposed to interact with it because he's training it for something (I got my info from the kids).  But, every now and then Shep and their dog are able to converse at the fence :).

Scott got called as Young Men's president.  He is excited about serving with the youth.  It's good for the boys, too.  We have a really good group of kids.  They are all hard working and love to serve.  Their parents are the same.  I got called to be Primary Pianist.  Of all the callings, this one is hard for me.  I don't enjoy playing the piano.  I get stage fright and I am a perfectionist and it doesn't matter how much I practice, when it comes to performance time...I screw it up and can't do it perfect and get frustrated!  But, it humbles me and makes me work hard at getting better and for that I'm grateful.  Plus, I love the Primary songs and have them stuck in my head all the time (as well as my family, too!).  We are always humming Primary songs because I have to practice a lot and it's always in our heads...how can that be bad?

I think that is all for the past six weeks.  It rains every day here, which is good.  We have some wicked lightning and thunder.  It's freaked out the boys (especially Alec) a few times.  But, it passes quickly and life goes on.  We love having a temple close by and are grateful to be here.  I really haven't seen the boys this happy for a few years.  They are really taking to the small town.  Who would have thought?!?  The Lord knows :)