My little girl turned 12, and is now in the young woman program at church (for young women ages 12-18). Where did the time go?! She has been a joy to raise, with a strong head on her shoulders. Recently she was at her friends birthday party when they put on a PG-13 movie, she called me so I could come get her, she didn't want to watch it. Later my husband and I saw the trailer for the movie and I was shocked that the mother thought this was appropriate for young pre-teens. Glad she is confident enough to get out of the situation and not suffer through it. She has been a great example to her brothers and sisters and also to me. She is funny, laughs freely and doesn't take herself too seriously. She looks out for people who are getting made fun of and will put her neck on the line to stop it. She is courageous. She is well liked because she likes everyone. She is genuine.
For her birthday party she chose to have a temple trip with her cousin Lilly and both sets of grandparents. We were able to go on her actual birthday. It was special that her Dad, serving as our Bishop for church, got to interview her. Afterward we all went out for cheeseburgers, Bella's favorite meal. She has never met a cheeseburger she didn't like :)
She has turned into a beautiful young woman and I count myself blessed to have such a terrific daughter. I love you Isabella Jules. I know the teenage years are going to be great with you, seriously lots of fun!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
Olivia is Ten!
Olivia is the best way to chase the after Christmas blues! She is the perfect kid to have after Christmas, she is not demanding and she is an excellent gift receiver She invited her girl cousins who live here to the movies and to a slumber party. We saw Hotel Tranylvania, afterward she said that was the best movie. They played games and watched TV. She loved it. Two days later Benjamin took her to buy a bike, two days. She didn't care that it was late she was so grateful to get one. I love that Olivia like to watch movies for her birthday it is the perfect way to relax after the sometimes stressful holiday season.Love this girl! She is very smart and always impresses me with her vocabulary. She is beautiful, I love her little nose and perfect eyebrows. She is unpredictable, I can never guess what she will say, so consequently she is very fun to be around. She is motivating. when she is down she does not stay their long, she motivates herself and me to try to do/be better. Just last night something made her sad so she left the family room to go to her room. I went to check on her and she wasn't sulking she was making a 2013 resolution list. She inspires me. One of her best qualities is she forgives freely, she doesn't hold grudges she lets it go and moves on. A great quality in a friend and family member. I love you Olivia Jane you have been a joy from the start. You provide spice to the family and are a great help to me personally. Your momma Jane loves you more than words.
Holman 8 is great!
Holman turned 8. In our church that is when we feel children are accountable for knowing the difference between right and wrong choices. Before 8 they are learning the difference and finding out the consequences of their choices, making mistakes as they go, not sins. But before 8 they are not sinning, they are learning. Benjamin was doing one of his daddy chats with Holman when he asked him who he would like to baptize him, Holman thought about it and asked who was eligible to preform that ordinance. Benjamin listed all the priesthood family members available and he thought about it and wanted his Uncle Danny. He asked Danny and Holman was very glad that he accepted. There were eight kids who got baptized the same day as Holman, lucky for Holman the Stake Baptism fell on his birthday December 1. Even more lucky his Katie Lady, Clark cousin and one of his favorite friends Lyndsay Mendell were apart of that baptism group. The Clark and Mendell and Howe kids all sang a musical number and I was asked to give a talk. I teach this age group at church so I was thrilled. The baptism's and blessings were all beautiful and we all had a giant family/friend dinner afterword. It was a great day. Benjamin performed the ordinance of Holman to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and he said he was really struck by the glimpse of what a fine man Holman would grow into. It was a beautiful day made better by the family and friends celebrating the same event in their families.Holman I love you. You are such a good boy. You are helpful and HARDWORKING, and obedient And you are crazy funny, you make us all roll with laughter with your witty remarks. I love holding your hands, they are little boy hands that I know will grow into man hands. You are an excellent big brother who looks out for your brother and sister. You have two older sisters who think you are handsome and fun. You are athletic, an excellent swimmer, I love to watch you win, I mean swim. I am so glad that I get to be your mom on this journey. I love you so very much.
Adrianna Joycee turns 3
My little Angel turned three on November 27, she is such a little joy. She loves all things pink, but when you ask her what her favorite color is she will say "I like all colors." She is very smart and has a great memory
This was a conversation we had at dinner with Adrianna just before her 3rd birthday.year old: "Anna what did you learn about at nursery today?" Anna: "We learned about animals." Dad: "Who made all the animals?" Anna: "Jesus did. I like palaeobatrachus" Dad: "Whats that? Anna: "An amphibian, a frog." We all stared blankly at Anna as Bella went to Google it, sure enough it is true. My daughter is a genius! Later she called in the kids to come look at her "conifer." She has a lit up Christmas tree in her room, which is a "cone bearing evergreen tree." Dinosaur train is really providing a top notch education. She loves all things dinosaur, dolls and princess. She is her own lady she will love when she wants to love and get you to do things for her when she wants you to DO THINGS FOR HER! She is very independent, but thankfully loves to snuggles with her mommy and doggy. She loves her brothers and sisters severely, but in her way. She loves her "frankinblankie" her blanket has been patched up more times than any one blanket should. She is a little mother to all things smaller than her, she doesn't want to boss them but to truly love on them and be their nurse.
Adrianna your mommy loves you so much and is so grateful to have your lively spirit in our home. You are smart, beautiful and fun. You maybe the youngest in our family but you act like your brothers and sisters are your same age only taller. You are so excited to become a sun beam and leave the nursery behind, we are excited with you and look forward to seeing you learn and grow even more. Much love my pretty little Adrianna, you complete us.
Adrianna your mommy loves you so much and is so grateful to have your lively spirit in our home. You are smart, beautiful and fun. You maybe the youngest in our family but you act like your brothers and sisters are your same age only taller. You are so excited to become a sun beam and leave the nursery behind, we are excited with you and look forward to seeing you learn and grow even more. Much love my pretty little Adrianna, you complete us.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
J and J
In our church we believe in personal revelation, that when you have a problem you can pray to your loving Heavenly Father and He will answer your prayers. We also believe that the Prophet Joseph Smith was a young man who wanted to know what the course of his life should be, through prayer and personal revelation the restoration of Christ's church was brought back to the earth. That through this process the Priesthood was returned to the earth. Each member of our church is entitled to receive a Patriarchal blessing by a priesthood leader who also can give us personal revelation through an inspired blessing meant just for us.
I was 19 when I received this special blessing of direction. A huge concern of mine was making sure my future children would be good people who could feel God's love for them in their life. In my blessing it advised me to pattern my parenting after my own parents. I thought that was great advice because I think they both are amazing parents, as I have looked back on their parenting I have noticed many things that they "did right". These are 3 things that I want to emulate in my own parenting.
1) They were present. Every cross country race, basketball game (even when I sat the bench), drama play, choir performance, track race, you name it they were there. At least one parent was always present. Lindsey did soccer when I was on the basketball team and our games were on the same night they would rotate attending. My mom worked outside the home ever since I was little, but she was at the crossroads of our activities Dad of course worked but always managed to get off work in time to hear the race gun for our meets. It was a sacrifice and I am sure not always convenient, but we knew we were their top priority.
2) They were active in the church. We always made it church, I honestly can't remember a time we didn't attend church on Sunday. I am sure we were occasionally sick but I cant remember. Mom and Dad always had some sort of responsibility at church and they went above and beyond to fulfill them. I think that their activity was the reason why in high school when we would have a sporting event in the afternoon and we would get done with them just before our youth group would meet that night, it was never a question if we would ditch, we wanted to go.
3) They allowed open communication with problems without judging. An example of this is when Lindsey and I were invited to spend the night at a friends house, when we got there we did not feel good the Dad was odd and the thought of staying was not appealing. So I turned to my friend and said hey its 8 pm my mom wanted me to call her. This is how the conversation went.
Me: Hi mom, you wanted me to call you?
Mom: What, whats going on? is everything ok?
Me: What? Why do you want us to go home? We just got here?
Mom: Honey you want to come home?
Me: Yes mom, I get it.
Mom: I am coming right now.
Me: Fine, we didn't know about that chore!We will be ready, this really sucks.
She picked us up and we were so relieved. She would tell us, I have no problem being the bad guy. She was great. I remember one time in high school I was "depressed" about something Dad took me for a ride to talk about things cause he noticed I was down, he cared enough to notice and act.
All parents worry if they did enough, I try to look back at all the great things my parents did and let go of things I wish they had done better. And as a parent now when I make mistakes I think wow this is probably how my parents felt too. When we show others mercy we receive mercy, maybe my kids will remember the positive things too :)
I was 19 when I received this special blessing of direction. A huge concern of mine was making sure my future children would be good people who could feel God's love for them in their life. In my blessing it advised me to pattern my parenting after my own parents. I thought that was great advice because I think they both are amazing parents, as I have looked back on their parenting I have noticed many things that they "did right". These are 3 things that I want to emulate in my own parenting.
1) They were present. Every cross country race, basketball game (even when I sat the bench), drama play, choir performance, track race, you name it they were there. At least one parent was always present. Lindsey did soccer when I was on the basketball team and our games were on the same night they would rotate attending. My mom worked outside the home ever since I was little, but she was at the crossroads of our activities Dad of course worked but always managed to get off work in time to hear the race gun for our meets. It was a sacrifice and I am sure not always convenient, but we knew we were their top priority.
2) They were active in the church. We always made it church, I honestly can't remember a time we didn't attend church on Sunday. I am sure we were occasionally sick but I cant remember. Mom and Dad always had some sort of responsibility at church and they went above and beyond to fulfill them. I think that their activity was the reason why in high school when we would have a sporting event in the afternoon and we would get done with them just before our youth group would meet that night, it was never a question if we would ditch, we wanted to go.
3) They allowed open communication with problems without judging. An example of this is when Lindsey and I were invited to spend the night at a friends house, when we got there we did not feel good the Dad was odd and the thought of staying was not appealing. So I turned to my friend and said hey its 8 pm my mom wanted me to call her. This is how the conversation went.
Me: Hi mom, you wanted me to call you?
Mom: What, whats going on? is everything ok?
Me: What? Why do you want us to go home? We just got here?
Mom: Honey you want to come home?
Me: Yes mom, I get it.
Mom: I am coming right now.
Me: Fine, we didn't know about that chore!We will be ready, this really sucks.
She picked us up and we were so relieved. She would tell us, I have no problem being the bad guy. She was great. I remember one time in high school I was "depressed" about something Dad took me for a ride to talk about things cause he noticed I was down, he cared enough to notice and act.
All parents worry if they did enough, I try to look back at all the great things my parents did and let go of things I wish they had done better. And as a parent now when I make mistakes I think wow this is probably how my parents felt too. When we show others mercy we receive mercy, maybe my kids will remember the positive things too :)
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
182nd
Well the 182nd Semiannual General Conference was the most memorable general conference ever! Before my twin took off to Scotland (yes Scotland) she and her kiddos came to visit. My nephew Preston declared that this would be the general conference where they announced that Tucson was getting a temple, he said it with such conviction that I found myself believing him.
Side note for my friends of other faiths: Our church holds a general meeting twice a year where we get to hear from the Prophet as well as the 12 apostles (think of the organization that the Savior had on the earth when he lived upon it). It is a time that LDS people look forward to, just as much as any Holiday. It is a two day conference where we get to hear from various leaders, women and men included. Many times if there is big news they announce it at these conferences. They broadcast it on cable, the internet and at most of the meeting houses.
When the Prophet first stood up to welcome everyone, I turned to my kids and said "remember Preston said this is the time we get a temple" and I really believed it. The Prophet said that there would be two new temples and said one will be built in Tucson, we couldn't stop screaming and dancing!!!! It was true we would get our very own temple in the Old Pueblo. Tears started to flow and didn't stop; it was incredible.
Our church has 139 temples throughout the world, with 27 under construction (plus 2 more now!). With a world wide church I have always loved hearing plans of new temples to be built. I never thought that we needed to have a temple in Tucson, want/would love to have absolutely, but needed no. I have loved hearing the stories of sacrifice that people are willing to make in order to make it to one of these holy temples. When my sister Hillary lived in Moldova the saints there couldn't wait to make the journey out of their country to visit one of these Holy temples. Traveling to Mesa required no passport or special permission it is a rather boring drive through the desert, but not costly and required no real sacrifice. When Arizona got its second temple in Snowflake I thought well it takes them twice as long to get to Mesa, they should get it over us. I must admit when Gilbert and North Phoenix got temples I was envious, so close to Mesa already! When Gila Valley got their temple, I was overjoyed for the surrounding communities, they prayed so hard to get one and they did. Benjamin and I got to give tours through that temple and we absolutely loved it. So with 5 Temples in Arizona I thought a Tucson temple was not in the near future, with Tucson being the second largest city, I felt a little forgotten. When they announced Tucson I felt ........remembered
A temple is so sacred to LDS people, we believe that the family is the most sacred thing here on earth. In Mathew chapter 16 verse 19 it says, "And i will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." We believe that the keys of the kingdom are held by the priesthood, men in the church who are truly converted to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel, that they have the power to bind on earth (a marriage ceremony) and it shall be bound in heaven ( family relationships created here live on for eternity).
This is a great link to learn more, if you want to learn more about something you go to the source and this is a great article from our church.
http://www.lds.org/church/temples/frequently-asked-questions?lang=eng
Side note for my friends of other faiths: Our church holds a general meeting twice a year where we get to hear from the Prophet as well as the 12 apostles (think of the organization that the Savior had on the earth when he lived upon it). It is a time that LDS people look forward to, just as much as any Holiday. It is a two day conference where we get to hear from various leaders, women and men included. Many times if there is big news they announce it at these conferences. They broadcast it on cable, the internet and at most of the meeting houses.
When the Prophet first stood up to welcome everyone, I turned to my kids and said "remember Preston said this is the time we get a temple" and I really believed it. The Prophet said that there would be two new temples and said one will be built in Tucson, we couldn't stop screaming and dancing!!!! It was true we would get our very own temple in the Old Pueblo. Tears started to flow and didn't stop; it was incredible.
Our church has 139 temples throughout the world, with 27 under construction (plus 2 more now!). With a world wide church I have always loved hearing plans of new temples to be built. I never thought that we needed to have a temple in Tucson, want/would love to have absolutely, but needed no. I have loved hearing the stories of sacrifice that people are willing to make in order to make it to one of these holy temples. When my sister Hillary lived in Moldova the saints there couldn't wait to make the journey out of their country to visit one of these Holy temples. Traveling to Mesa required no passport or special permission it is a rather boring drive through the desert, but not costly and required no real sacrifice. When Arizona got its second temple in Snowflake I thought well it takes them twice as long to get to Mesa, they should get it over us. I must admit when Gilbert and North Phoenix got temples I was envious, so close to Mesa already! When Gila Valley got their temple, I was overjoyed for the surrounding communities, they prayed so hard to get one and they did. Benjamin and I got to give tours through that temple and we absolutely loved it. So with 5 Temples in Arizona I thought a Tucson temple was not in the near future, with Tucson being the second largest city, I felt a little forgotten. When they announced Tucson I felt ........remembered
A temple is so sacred to LDS people, we believe that the family is the most sacred thing here on earth. In Mathew chapter 16 verse 19 it says, "And i will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." We believe that the keys of the kingdom are held by the priesthood, men in the church who are truly converted to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the gospel, that they have the power to bind on earth (a marriage ceremony) and it shall be bound in heaven ( family relationships created here live on for eternity).
This is a great link to learn more, if you want to learn more about something you go to the source and this is a great article from our church.
http://www.lds.org/church/temples/frequently-asked-questions?lang=eng
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Summer Wrap up, and Bratting
It is hard to believe that school is in full swing and it is only August 19th. I have three kids in elementary school now, their school started on August 2nd, yikes that's early. Bella is in her second year of middle school at Basis, she started a week later on the 9th.
This summer we were crazy and did two swim teams. Olivia started a year round swim team in December of last year and the other kids joined her in the spring. They still wanted to do swim team with their friends and cousins so they did the county league too. Don't judge me, it is hot in Tucson, what else should they be doing? An hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon and County swim team is just $20 per kid for the entire summer!
Now to bore you with highlights of my swimmers, this is mostly for me so that I will remember how awesome my kids are, and so that my kids can remember that for the summer, life revolved around them. One of my nephews calls bragging, bratting, that word seems more accurate. So sorry in advance.
Bella: In the year round league they drafted her from relay team B to compete in the realy team A, unfortunetly she had to swim anchor because the girl who was absent was anchor on the relay team, our team lost their lead before she entered the water and out of no where she kicked it in to high gear and ended up winning the race for her team, it was a great victory. But my highlight race for her was at the County Finals. She was swimming the Individual Medley and was exhausted she was on her breast stroke lap and I saw her visibly breakdown it looked like she was going to cry. I started yelling you can do it, don't give up! She saw me and I swear she got the eye of the Avatar, on her next pull up she was determined and focused she was neck and neck in 5th place, but once she locked in she ended up getting 3rd. It was the best 3rd place finish I have ever seen , one minute she was so low with doubt and the next she was determined. Later she said the look of urgency on my face made her focus, I knew she was so close to the end and I could see she wasn't as far back as she thought she was. It really is a metaphor for life.
Olivia: this girl has the most beautiful butterfly, every time she swims it I am in awe of her strength. The older kids on the team love to race her and she gives them a run for their money.The best thing about Olivia's races is her routine when she gets up on the block, She gets her goggles and scoops the water up with them, she drains them then spits and rubs them, then she flexes her guns when she stretches, it is almost better than her races. She too had some awesome victories and walked away with more metals than any one kid should :)
Holman: On the county team Holman was one of two 8 and under year old boys. So come relay time him and the other boy would swim two lengths of the pool. This little duo was so fast that the two of them broke the county record in the freestyle relay, they smoked um! He was also really good at the IM in one race he had finished his 100 before the other boys got to the 75. The best part of Holman swimming is his naturally bleached hair, luckily he doesn't know how handsome he is.
Parkin and Anna were awesome travelers form car to practice and practice to the car. I am still not over Parkin going to Kindergarten he is such a love that I miss during the day, this week he has been calling me his beloved, ahhh...At least I have Anna who sometimes wants to cuddle. She has been doing so well this year in school, she really has not been the little kid at preschool but rather just a preschool kid.
This year I have three preschool classes with a total of 32 students! With about half my students being military I know that number will change with people moving and transferring, but for now it is busy. The kids are great and the parents are amazing and I am so lucky to be able to teach from my home, making extra money and being able to accomplish some financial goals.
Benjamin is busy too with being called as the Bishop of our congregation at church. He says its still so new, he doesn't know what to be overwhelmed with.
This summer we were crazy and did two swim teams. Olivia started a year round swim team in December of last year and the other kids joined her in the spring. They still wanted to do swim team with their friends and cousins so they did the county league too. Don't judge me, it is hot in Tucson, what else should they be doing? An hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon and County swim team is just $20 per kid for the entire summer!
Now to bore you with highlights of my swimmers, this is mostly for me so that I will remember how awesome my kids are, and so that my kids can remember that for the summer, life revolved around them. One of my nephews calls bragging, bratting, that word seems more accurate. So sorry in advance.
Bella: In the year round league they drafted her from relay team B to compete in the realy team A, unfortunetly she had to swim anchor because the girl who was absent was anchor on the relay team, our team lost their lead before she entered the water and out of no where she kicked it in to high gear and ended up winning the race for her team, it was a great victory. But my highlight race for her was at the County Finals. She was swimming the Individual Medley and was exhausted she was on her breast stroke lap and I saw her visibly breakdown it looked like she was going to cry. I started yelling you can do it, don't give up! She saw me and I swear she got the eye of the Avatar, on her next pull up she was determined and focused she was neck and neck in 5th place, but once she locked in she ended up getting 3rd. It was the best 3rd place finish I have ever seen , one minute she was so low with doubt and the next she was determined. Later she said the look of urgency on my face made her focus, I knew she was so close to the end and I could see she wasn't as far back as she thought she was. It really is a metaphor for life.
Olivia: this girl has the most beautiful butterfly, every time she swims it I am in awe of her strength. The older kids on the team love to race her and she gives them a run for their money.The best thing about Olivia's races is her routine when she gets up on the block, She gets her goggles and scoops the water up with them, she drains them then spits and rubs them, then she flexes her guns when she stretches, it is almost better than her races. She too had some awesome victories and walked away with more metals than any one kid should :)
Holman: On the county team Holman was one of two 8 and under year old boys. So come relay time him and the other boy would swim two lengths of the pool. This little duo was so fast that the two of them broke the county record in the freestyle relay, they smoked um! He was also really good at the IM in one race he had finished his 100 before the other boys got to the 75. The best part of Holman swimming is his naturally bleached hair, luckily he doesn't know how handsome he is.Parkin and Anna were awesome travelers form car to practice and practice to the car. I am still not over Parkin going to Kindergarten he is such a love that I miss during the day, this week he has been calling me his beloved, ahhh...At least I have Anna who sometimes wants to cuddle. She has been doing so well this year in school, she really has not been the little kid at preschool but rather just a preschool kid.
This year I have three preschool classes with a total of 32 students! With about half my students being military I know that number will change with people moving and transferring, but for now it is busy. The kids are great and the parents are amazing and I am so lucky to be able to teach from my home, making extra money and being able to accomplish some financial goals.
Benjamin is busy too with being called as the Bishop of our congregation at church. He says its still so new, he doesn't know what to be overwhelmed with.
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