ASU Scrimmage Game!

Friday night was the ASU scrimmage game & fan appreciation night. There was a Cardinal's game too, so there weren't very many people there. It was 113 degrees at 7:15 when we got to the stadium! You will be able to tell that we literally sweated this one out! After the game we were able to take the kids down on the field and they got to walk around and meet the players and get autographs! It was so much fun for them. My kids all got their shirts signed, and some of the kids got their arms signed. My nephews even got some memorabilia from some of the players, like Danny Sullivans towel, and another players gloves. The players were so nice, and gracious, posing for pictures, and even signing my baby's t-shirt! I am so excited for the season to start--and it was even worth sweating to death! Bring on College Football season--HOORAY! GO DEVILS!No--we are not glistening--that is some major SWEAT!I can tell you who these boys wanted autographs from!!One of our favorite players--wide receiver--Chris McGaha #13Erin found her favorite player--#29 Shane McCullen--a safety. We've actually never heard of him, but they went back for pictures to him like 5 times because he was so cute!Another favorite--#31 Dimitri Nance--our favorite running back! He was so nice!Hey--I wonder who wanted this autograph??? You think Jack asked dad to introduce them? She's a little old for him dad--(and a little young for you)! J/KAshlie was in heaven with all the cheerleaders! They were so sweet to her!

Yummy!

I had Karin's kids, Stosh and Stacia at my house on Thursday while she was shopping, and we made smoothies for dessert. The fruit is so ripe and beautiful this time of year! I love it! The kids love it too, as you can tell by their "SMOOTHIE-STACHES"!

Girl's Camp 2009!

I just got my hands on these girl's camp pictures that were on my girl's camera & realized I never blogged it. The camp theme this year was "We Believe". I thought it was great because it was not only "we believe" in the gospel, but "we believe" in ourselves, and who we are, and what great things we can do when we believe in ourselves. Several of their handouts had the quote "you can do hard things!" I just love that! Sometimes, if we aren't careful, we can sell ourselves short by not believing in ourself, and what we can do. If we can dream it, we can achieve it! I hope my girls took that to heart, because they will certainly need that kind of encouragement in the world we live in today! They had a great time--and made some wonderful friends. I am so grateful to all who worked so hard to make it such a wonderful experience for Emie and Erin!There was a skunk in the cooler! YUCK!

A Little Fish...

UPDATE: Neither of my girls made the team--but I am so proud of them for trying anyway! They are much braver than their mother is, that's for sure! Love you girls!

Oh man, are my girls brave! They are trying out for jr. high volleyball this week at Highland Jr. High. They have a two hour practice every day for 5 days to show the coaches their stuff. Not too hard right? Yeah right. There are about 50 girls trying out for 12 spots on both the 7th and 8th grade teams! Talk about a little fish in a big sea! They are really only trying out because I wanted them to, I'm not sure volleyball is even their favorite sport--but they love their mom--and it's MY favorite, so I wanted them to do it. I had NO idea that they would have so many kids trying out! You have to know that I played all the sports in high school--but you also have to know that my graduating class was a whopping 83 people--total. I was mediocre at best at volleyball, and the other sports for that matter, but when I tried out there would be like 16 people trying out, and 12 made the team! Of course, I think it may have been harder if you were one of only 4 kids who got cut--but still, it's nerve racking! I just want my girls to know that I think they are awesome for trying out--even if it was just so mom would get off their back. If you make it--awesome! If you don't--we'll find something else to fill the time I'm sure! I'm just proud of you guys for trying, and taking a chance, you'll be better for it! You are a little fish, in a big sea--but you are MY little fish--and I love you! You're the best!

SO Important--

Parents--do you know what your kids are listening to? This article is from Brent Bozell, founder and president of the Media Research Center, and this is just a small sampling of the music that your children are exposed to, even on network TV. I have heard some of these songs played, and didn't even realize what they are talking about because frankly, I am naive--and sometimes so are our kids. Sometimes they just "like the beat", or hear the songs on shows like So You Think you Can Dance. Don't be fooled, though, music is one of Satan's greatest tools, and he uses it to pull our children in before they even know what happened to them. I think although this article is disturbing to read--it gives information that EVERY parent needs to know. Look at part of the article:

"These songs are not the cutting edge; they are the mainstream. The Culture and Media Institute studied 29 songs that were listed on top 20 airplay charts posted by Mediabase from June 10 to July 22. A large majority (69 percent) of the songs made at least one reference to sex, alcohol, drugs, or contained profanity. Nearly half (46 percent) of the songs contained sexual lyrics and 31 percent of the songs referenced drugs or alcohol. Profanity occurred in 41 percent of the songs."

Just like everywhere else, movies, television, internet--Satan is NOT sneaking in the back door any longer--he's coming through the front door, and making himself at home, kicking his feet up, and lounging on the couch. Until we decide as a family to KICK HIM OUT! I tell my kids that if they are listening to music stations that play this kind of music, the spirit cannot dwell in our home. Even if MOST of the songs "aren't that bad", it doesn't justify listening to a station that plays music that IS that bad. Period. I have decided that in this house--I will control the airwaves--and Satan will be kicked to the curb.

Here's the full article--(not for kids but parents to read...)

A Porn-Pop Summer
by Brent Bozell

To be a parent...

Do you remember the excitement that you felt when you were due with your first baby? I was so anxious to see her face, to hold her in my arms, to be a mom. It's an amazing feeling to become a parent for the first time, and for me, it was equally amazing each and every time I held a newborn infant in my arms. So much to look forward to, so much promise, so much joy. And...so much heartache, so much anxiety, so much stress! Sometimes, I wonder if I am in over my head with this whole parenting thing--I mean, seriously--I'm not really even grown up myself yet, am I? I still lose my temper, I still don't always like to share my things, I still pick fights with people for no good reason, I'm still selfish at times, I still don't know all the answers, heck...I could go on and on. My point is that I'm not sure when as parents we grow into that job, or if I will ever feel like I REALLY get it, like I really know what I'm doing. We just plow through it day by day, and pretend like we know, because let's face it--we want the children to at least think we know what we're doing! This week, though, I am completely and utterly clueless, and I have no problem admitting it. I just want my children to know that I love them, and I think that they are amazing, and I just want them to be happy! I'm sorry if sometimes I don't say the right things, or do the right things, or handle things the best way, but guess what? I have never been a parent before--and you only get ONE SHOT! I am doing the best I can...and asking for help from my Heavenly Father...LOTS of help! We will get through anything if we can rely on Him!

My BIG Boy!

Jack is growing up way too fast! He's such a joy to have in our family--we all love him so much! This week was hard for Jack, he was so lonely, and just kept following me around all day long! Seriously, everytime I would leave the room he would freak out that he was alone and run after me, even if I was just going to the other room for a minute. I think it was erie to him that there was no one else in the house! He is feeding himself--well, I think a few bites actually make it into his mouth! Maybe this is why he's so skinny!

He also LOVES to play in my makeup when I'm getting ready in the morning. He seriously climbs up there and I get him down and he climbs right back up again. He drives me crazy--but look at the look of concentration on his face as he tries to get my makeup open, so funny!