An Act of Mercy

This morning I was watching the news and one story in particular really caught my eye.

It began by showing a convince store robbery, which occurred last winter. The robber held a gun to the cashier/ store owner, then surprisingly the cashier comes around the counter with a big shot gun, and points it right at the robber. Instead of running, the thief falls to his knees and puts his hands together as if he were praying. There was no sound on the video but the convenience store owner starts to narrate, saying that the man began to cry and begged him not to shoot, saying that his family was desperate and hungry. Slowly the owner lowers the gun, pulls $40 out of his pocket, and hands it to the would-be robber along with a loaf of bread; making him promise that he will never steal again.

I didn’t think this would end well, I expected to hear the thief was arrested. In fact when I tried to search online for the news report, all my searches brought up stories about either the robber or the victims being shot and killed.

However, this winter the convince store owner received an anonymous letter. The letter was from someone who simply thanked the owner, saying that he had a steady job and was able to provide for his family. “Thank you for saving my life.” Folded in side was a 50 dollar bill.

The more I thought about this story the more touched I was.

If the store owner had scared him away, he probably would have tried to rob someone else.

If had shot him the news would have reported on it, and viewers would have thought ‘well, he shouldn't have been trying to steal.’

If the store owner had pressed charges, the robber would have gone to jail. How could he take care of his family from inside prison?

My heart is so full when I think of how merciful that man was. The store owner was truly a type of Christ.

The Great Outdoors

We finally took the quads out,for the first time since we moved. We had a really great time camping with our friends the Valdenagro's, and Amie & Andrew. Lilly had a great time, even though she just couldn't keep out of the cacti. Its the first time that the kids have really been camping, there were no facilities so that was interesting to explain to them where they could go...

We had a creepy guy come to the door and threaten me and the kids a few weeks ago(I'll have to tell you about that later), so Tom took his 22 and let everyone try shooting.

It was nice to just relax. While we sat around the campfire, I read to everyone; THE HUNGER GAMES(our new favorite book, along with the sequel, CATCHING FIRE -which is way better than the Twilight series).

I'm too Spooky for my Hat

Kaylee and her friends from school.



Warner with his Buddies.

Xander and his whole class.

I don't know who these kids are but I thought their costumes were great. The dad of R2D2 was putting some last minute duct tape on his robot durring the monster mash. THe little mummy in the wagon really had both legs broken, way to make the most of a crappy situation, I bet he got a lot of sympathy candy!

This is Halloween

In honor of all the Halloweens that we've spent together, I decided it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane.

Xander almost didn't

make it in time for

Halloween. He wasn't

due unitl the midle

of November, so we

whiped him up a

sidekick outfit

(though he didn't

actually go

Trick 'or' Treating)!

Go Dogs Go!

The other day I found Xander sitting on the stairs,

reading one of his favorite books GO DOGS GO!to our dog, Lilly.

We read it so often that he has it memorized.

I love that he was taking the time to make sure she could see the pictures.

Taco Chicken Rolls

Every six weeks or so, I get together with a wonderful group of ladies, and we make freezer meals. Dinners that we all help make, then freeze until we need them. I wanted to share a recipe for one particular dish that is a little different but good.

Taco Chicken Rolls

3 lbs chicken breast
1 c. finely crushed Dorritos (I like nacho flavor)
1/2 pack taco seasoning
3 oz. Montery Jack cheese(cut into 2in sticks)
4 oz. chopped green chilies

Poud Chicken to flatten it. (If it is very thick, you can also cut it in half horizontally.) Place a cheese stick and1 Tbs chilies on each piece of chicken. Tuck in ends and roll up, secure with toothpick. Coat chicken with dorritos and seasoning mixture.

Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Kids tested,

mother approved!

And by the way, you don't have to freeze it ,but if you do it will keep for months.

Opening Ceremonies

Today when I took Kaylee and Warner to school they were having a special ceremony for the start of the school year. First of all, since I know I can trust all of you not to think I'm a sissy, I will confess, I did cry a few times (and I'm not even pregnant). When I heard all 900 kids along with the teachers and some parents, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, it really hit me, that even though I do not appreciate, the direction our country is being taken in, I really do love our country. I think that I had forgotten how blessed we are to be "one nation, under God".








Then the kids sang a song about Nevada being their home and how beautiful it is here, and I thought, ...they're right...then I cried a little more.

So for the start of the year kick off, very student and teacher released a balloon of school color in to the sky. I tried to get some good picture but they really don't do it justice; it was an awesome site.

As a special guest former Nevada Senator Joseph M. Neal (who the school is named after) gave a speech about how proud he is of the kids and the goals for the upcoming year. I was touched when the principal told everyone about all the wonderful things he had done to contribute to education. I really miss having elected officials with strong morals, and kids and families at heart.

Lilly

We seem to have a shaky track record when it comes to pets.

Let me explain. When Kaylee was a little older than one, we had two dogs, dark brown, lab/chow mixes named, "Twix" and "Rollo." We only had them for a month or two, then about two weeks before we moved to California, someone broke into our apartment and stole them. Nothing else was taken but a note that said they would be well taken care of and have a big Yard to play in. What could we do? We had to move, and leave them behind, as we were driving the bad guys called (they got our number from a room mate)and said sorry and we could come and get them if we wanted, but we were already 500 miles away.

A few years latter we had two kittens, so cute and sweet, (well actually sort of brats, they were like ornery teenagers with attitude knocking things down to get attention and taking and burring anything shiny like wedding rings)and we loved them. "Arial" was orange and white and she belonged to Kaylee, very cuddly. "Jasmine" was dark gray and a little nervous and she belonged to Warner. Six months latter when we were given the opportunity to rent a house we were so excited to finally get to expand but we were not allowed to bring cats, since the owner was allergic. So we gave the cats to a friend who moved out of state.

A couple of years after that we wanted a quite, easy, pet; so we got a bunny,two actually since we were permanently babysitting my sister's rabbit. "Hunny" and "Denise" so cute, pooped alot but not too stinky. Anyway, turns out Warner, Xander and I were very allergic, so bye bye bunnies.

In July we adopted "Lilly" She is a Black Lab, so sweet, and such a handful. All she wants to do 24/7 is play, it's like having another child. Which is ok in a way since I was feeling baby hungry. She is so patient with the kids and Tom wrestles around with her alot. During the day she follows me around the house with different toys and various shoes, wanted to play chase, tug-o-war or fetch.


I know what you're thinking "how long before we give her up," But for realls, we're keeping her.

First Day of School

All three of the kids are back in school, full day.

Kaylee is in 3rd grade, which is especially crazy to me beacause I can remember alot from my 3rd grade year, she is just geting to be so big. Her class is a "single gender class" and believe it or not, she chose that is very excited. I'm nervous for her, she's never really gotten into any of the girl drama, and I'm a litle worried, since in the past she has hung out mostly with the boys. The school uniforms really cramps her style and she's green with envy that Xan gets to chose his cloths. She spends most of her free time reading or creating, in fact she designed and created the backpack you see in her picture.

Warner is starting 1st grade, and he too is in a "single gender class." He is very happy, and has always been the type to easily adjust. The past three days he has come home listing the new friends that he's made. As a side note, he is really digging the school uniforms. He wakes up every day excited and suprized to wear the same two colors of polo shirt.

Xander is in the kids program at a different school and gets to ride the bus every day. At first he didn't want to go, after meeting the teacher (who really is wonderful), he announced that he hated me, the teacher, and school, and that he wouldn't go. But after we went school shopping and got a weeks worth of tractor shirts, he was excited to show everyone, including the bus driver, office staff, and his teachers, his new shirts; finally there is something for a three year old to live for!

Post to announce a Post?!?!

This may sound a little silly but I am completely overwhelmed at the thought of posting an update. The past few months have been crazy for us starting with Tom getting laid off! that was such a bummer and lasted for so long that I didn't want to post anything for fear of doing nothing but compaining. Then I satred an intense summer training at the college to getting my CNA linsence to hopefully get a job. To say that the school took up most of my time would be understatment!

When my school was finally finished, we had over a month worth of travle plans (no where exotic or too exciteing). We had a few good adventures along the way and two new additions to our family. But I dont know where to start. So when I finally straighten my brain out I will give a better update, including pics of the new house, our new sister, and our new dog.

I try to tell myself that I will be glad that I have recorded these things later and that its worth it because I know my Grandmother reads this, buts lets be honest; I want to know who else cares... If you are reading this and care about updates on our family, will you let me know

Mr. Golden Sun and the Robot Arm

This past Easter weekend we headed to AZ to visit family, eat, and swim. We had a great time. Weekend trips are the best!...I'm sure everyone will agree.

The kids swam for a few hours on Sunday and unfortunately got a little pink, but as you can see, they seem to be enjoying themselves.

When we got home on Sunday night we rubbed Aloe lotion on them. The next day Kaylee and Warner had a healthy tan, but Xander was redder and more sore than they day before, he began to have thick blisters on his arms and didn't wear a shirt the whole day. Tuesday morning, Xander woke up with a swollen neck and arms as if he were constantly flexing his huge muscles. He also had an itchy rash spreading to places were the sun didn't shine. I took him to the ER thinking he was having a reaction to something and sure enough he was. The nurses hooked him up with IV tubes, while the doctors ran blood and urine tests. Xander didn't cry one bit while they drew blood and poked at him; in fact, he called the tubes, needles, and tape, his "robot arm" which even though he couldn't bend his arm, was apparently really cool. SO...After several hours, they discovered the allergy was to the sun. I could not believe it.

So now three days later, he is covered in deep ugly scabs, red welts and peeling skin (sorry no pictures. Too gross!) he can be in the sun a little, only with high powered sun block, hats, and long sleeved shirts. They said he might someday out grow it. I know this condition existed, but I never thought one of my kids would have it.

In the Land of OZ

I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore Toto!

We have our new house and along with it came a lot of other new things; which makes us feel like we're in a strange new land.

The kid’s new school, Neal Elementary, is very different. Coming from a school in the south with 1500 kids, created a bit of a shock when we enrolled here with only 700 other kids. Also the uniforms are a big adjustment for Kaylee, she being a fashion queen, I’m sure feels very restricted and suffocated. Warner acts surprised and excited every day when he sees his repeating wardrobe…. Can’t get anything past him! Kaylee is doing very well, her medication is so helpful, and she comes home from school and does her homework quickly and without reminders…Yeah! Warner thinks he is doing well, but seems to get in trouble often, I guess his teacher just doesn’t know how to handle a genius! The school is very small, I can see it from my bedroom window; since its right down the street, I walk to pick them up every day, and I love it.

Our new yard…. Woohoo. This is the best way to describe how I feel about it. There are palm trees, a little bit of grass, and plenty of places for Xander to dig and move rocks around, but the best of all is the trampoline. The kids love it and jump every day for hours, and are neighbors aren’t so close that they mind the nose that crazy children sometimes exhort.

The new ward is… different. There are so few people that they don’t need to open the over flow, everyone has one-two callings, and there are only 40 kids total in primary (making for a very quite sacrament meeting). I came from an awesome ward were as far age I was in the median, now Tom and I are the youngest, which is slightly annoying. I don’t think “game night” will ever be the same for me again.

There are a lot of changes, which are difficult for us; but hopefully over time, we will come to love living in the land of OZ.

Someone recently told me to never say “It can’t get any worse!”

Someone recently told me to never say “It can’t get any worse!” But it was too late for me, I had already complained. So, I consider the following explanation, to be nothing more than a journal of events, not an actual complaint.

• Everyone has heard of an instance in this crazy economy, of someone who has lost their home to foreclosure. Well this is the case with us, and I am not actually complaining, because it was just a rental home, not ours, so even though we made all our payments on time, and were severely unconvinced;…it could be worse.

• So knowing that we had a small amount of time, we began looking for a home to buy, we are very fortunate, in that Tom has a somewhat secure job, and we are able to take advantage of the lower home prices. So wohoo! We found the perfect home. But wait, what’s this, the FHA is changing their requirements and we have to start all over in the qualifying and looking for a home, process?!?! Meanwhile, we are running out of time in the house we’re in. Well;….it could be worse.

• Warner and Xander have been tested and retested by pediatricians, nuero, child and school psychologists, and the we finally have a diagnosis for their crazy, a-typical behaviors, you know all the stuff that’s been driving me up the wall;… Autism... Oh, and by the way all the Doctors, and my grandmother agree any more children is out of the question....Could be worse.
  

• At Parent Teacher Conferences, Kaylee’s teacher tells us that we should talk to her doctor about ADD. She has a hard time focusing, forgets what she’s doing in the middle of an assignment, distracts other students, doesn’t fit in any groups of friends at school. Suspicions are confirmed by the pediatrician, and Kaylee begins a mild medication for her ADD; which has a few side affects on her, including loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and occasional nausea….It could be worse.
  

• So, Hooray, we found a house, our dream house, 5 bedroom, 3 car garage, on a 3rd of an acre (and through everything this is the silver lining). We have a close date and is soon, so we know we can make it in a hotel because it’s such a short time, maybe two weeks….but wait what’s this…another surprise, we have to wait 7 weeks!?!? That’s too long to crash with someone (thank you for the offers) and too short to sign a lease on a rental;…Homeless for two months?….It could be worse.
  

• With all the other stuff going on, I fell behind on anything Internet, blog, email, and school. I log on one day too late and got kicked out of my classes. I know it would have been much more confusing to try and throw college into this mix but, I really wanted to, I cried, but,… It could be worse.
  

• Tom get’s transferred when the Encore is finally completed, He is at the Tower at Cesar’s Palace, for a total of two days before the job is shut down, because of the bad economy, only the outside of the building will be completed. He is out of work for three days before he starts at the Fountain Bleu Project on the Strip. There are no lasting effects, except grief with the loan company.…Definitely could have been worse.
  

• Everything gets packed up into portable storage units, with only a few glitches, including being one unit short, thanks to the Elders Quorum and the Wiszt’s for remedying that problem…… Totally could have been worse.
  

• The first week of hotel living is not so bad…I will give a detailed report on the pros and cons of hotels we have tried at a later date. Week two begins with a mistake in the reservation and a miserable night in a smoking room….Could be worse.
  

• Sure enough it dose get worse, our Suburban is stolen. Within an hour of picking up the kids from school we get a call that there is suspicious charges on our credit card, the one that we keep hidden in the car for emergencies (apparently not hidden well enough). We race to the parking garage to se if our car had been broken into, and find that the entire car is gone. Security magically has nothing on surveillance, and the police are not too hopeful, so they send us back to our room with nothing but disclaimers, and regret….Maybe, it could be worse.
  

• We file a claim with our insurance and we are cover for the amount of the auto loan; and our renters insurance (which we hadn’t thought to cancel yet) will cover the items in the car when it was taken. Yes! So list everything in the car….tools, a blowup mattress, some makeup, and ALL our important documents, (You know how your supposed to keep those all together in a water proof container in case on emergencies, we totally did that) including but not limited to all five of our birth certificates, social security cards, tax record, credit card statements, and bank account information. Within a few hours the bad guys have opened a credit and bank account in Tom’s name.. YIKES!…. I don’t know how it can be worse.
  

(Because we don’t have a vehicle that will hold our suitcases, we check into the same questionable hotel for an additional week. During this time, our keys are changed twice without us knowing and we are locked out, and sitting in the halls for a couple of hours.)

Here is where I make the mistake… I said the words, “it can’t get any worse.” and it got worse.

• The car is found …which sound good but …not really. It is impounded, instead of checking if it was stolen, the police report it as abandoned and we have to pay a very hefty fee to get it released. It’s now been in someone else’s possession for a week and a half, and it shows. By the amount of garbage, beer bottles, ashes and the “mystery white substance” found inside you would think it was a dumpster. Everything of ours is gone from inside and few parts are missing,(including the st iring column) but on the bright side, if we ever lose our keys we’re in luck, …keys are not needed for this vehicle any longer. I have had it cleaned and disinfected and saturated with Febreeze, but I’m not sure if the smell of alcohol and tobacco will ever come out……And the worst part is we are stuck with it, because the insurance claim will cause all our rates(including the closing of our home) to go up more than the damage is worth.
  
  
• And through it all our loan officer is incognito, MIA, nowhere to be found, and we have no close date?!?!

But I know now that... it could be worse!

The Simpson's Expand

Besides our pet Mantis (which after a month, is now MIA) it’s been a while since we’ve had a new member of our family. So it has really been a treat to have my sister living here with us.
Amie moved here from Orange Co CA, just after Christmas. She’s planning working at In-n-Out Burger and taking Sign Language 4 at CSN. I love her so much, but because of our age gap, we weren’t very close before I moved out. So I’m finally understanding all the hubbub about sharing with a sister….and it’s pretty cool, except when she wears my cloths and looks better in them than I do! We’ve been doing a lot of packing lately, so having an extra helper around is really great.
If anyone is in need of a seriously awesome babysitter, don’t hesitate to call.