Go Devils!

I have already told you how much we LOVE college football season. Even though this year has been frustrating to say the least--with a record of a whopping 4-8! There is still no place we'd rather be! This year has been hard, with Todd's parents on their mission--we have sure missed them, especially during the ASU games! The kids loved to fight over who got to sit by them, (and inevitably spill their drink on one of them)! Bob was always good for high fives all around our section at just the right moment! It has just been hard to not have them there with us this season! I know they read this blog--and I'm not trying to make you feel homesick--(okay, maybe a little), but I just want you to know that this family is not the same without you here. You two are dearly missed--and it's never as evident as at the games! We wish you could be here suffering through this horrible season with us--and even though you're not--HIGH FIVE! We love you so much! Here are some pics from our last game--(we will be gone during Thanksgiving & the UCLA game)--so we brought all the kids. We had a ton of fun--and our section was an AWESOME cheering section! Good job guys!

This is Joshua's favorite spot--he stands here pretty much the whole game! I asked him the other day what he wants to be when he grows up, I said, "A doctor like grandpa?" He's like--"no, DUH, I want to be what Dad used to be--a football player." Please pray along with me that this poor boy grows--please...

My camera lens was smudged with all the kids handling it--sorry Justin & Kels!

Ashlie and Brecklyn--what a sweet cousin!Teaching Ashlie the game!David & Kirkland--can you tell this is Todd's brother?Kari & sweet baby KruzTodd caught this cute pic of his brother Greg & his baby KateAshlie loves her daddy!

I'm not sure if Baby Jack gets enough love...

Interesting Read--

I read this article: CLICK HERE on Meridian Magazine's website today, and found it very interesting. It is an LDS police officer who works for the LAPD who has witnessed the Prop. 8 controversy first hand, from the beginning. It is so interesting the turn that this issue has taken, and the persecution that the LDS people are facing in the Los Angeles area especially. I especially liked his reference to Elder Hales conference talk where in part he says:

“I would say that one of mortality's great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively – to put up our dukes . But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior's example. Remember, Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi's dream, those coming to the Savior also endured ‘mocking and pointing … fingers' (1 Nephi 8:27). ‘The world hath hated [my disciples],' Jesus said, ‘because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world' (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.

“To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34).”

We have often been instructed to love our enemies, and despite the current horror of our trials, this is no time to do differently.

In another post HERE, it was certainly my first reaction to "put up my dukes". In the times to come, however, when we feel this way, I have a feeling we will need to keep this counsel in mind.

On a Walk...

So I dropped Ashlie off at her little playgroup today--which I LOVE by the way! Some ladies in my ward and I got our 3 and 4 year old girls together for a playgroup--and there are 8 of us--which I thought might be too many girls, but they are all so sweet, and they have so much fun together! Best of all, we get 2 1/2 extra hours on Friday for errands--and only have to have it at our house once every 2 months--AWESOME! I decided to take Jack and go for a walk around my neighborhood. It's funny--I don't think I've actually been on many walks since we moved to this house 3 years ago. I usually use the treadmill if I exercise at all. Boy am I missing something! Here are a few things I learned on my little 45 minute walk this morning:
1. My stroller (which is new with Jack BTW), pretty much sucks! That thing has the squeakiest wheels--and it drove me crazy the whole time. The wheels are wobbly as well. Granted, I bought the cheapest stroller/carseat combo I could find--since this is most likely the last baby--so I guess you get what you pay for! Bring on the WD-40!
2. Jack LOVES the outdoors. He didn't make a peep the entire time--and he sat forward and was looking all around at everything the whole time. I thought maybe he'd fall asleep--since he was up all night and up early again this morning--but no luck.
3. My legs itch really bad when I am exercising--does anyone else have this problem? I get home and look at my legs and they have like claw marks in them from me scratching them so hard. It's enough to drive me crazy!
4. There are LOTS of moms out there exercising--I am not alone in trying to get in better shape. Todd keeps getting mad at me for sharing on here about my struggle to get in shape and eat right--but I don't think I'm the only one doing it. I think every woman struggles at some point in her life with this issue. We all want to look a little better, and feel a little better, and the struggle is the same--I'm just posting so I have some accountability--not so people feel sorry for me or something. And yes, I am aware that people have real problems--and mine are very petty--I know!
5. Walking by the school, I saw a 6th grade class out playing flag football. It's funny to watch this age of kids. When you are a 6th grade boy--you are running around frantically trying to get your hands on the ball--you don't care who's in your way. When you are a 6th grade girl, you are in a group of 1 or 2 other girls at ALL times--and running to get out of the way of the ball at all costs, all the while giggling and whispering about the geeky (but secretly you think they're cute), sweaty 6th grade boys (who are secretly trying to show off for you). 6th grade is one I would NOT want to repeat!
6. Even at 8 months old, a little boy is completely fascinated with a dump truck. He was giggling and squealing, trying to stand up to get a better look at it. I can hear him now..."Ever since I can remember, I have wanted to be a dump truck driver..." What is it with men and BIG trucks? It's definitely in their genetic make-up.
7. The Arizona weather right now is FABULOUS! I love the cool mornings, and the still warm, but not too hot afternoons! THIS is why I live here! (By October I had almost forgotten!)
8. Even though it's cool, if you're gonna walk for 45 minutes you should probably bring a water bottle. Little Jack wasn't even walking and he was dying of thirst when we got home--he drank 8 oz., which he never does! Oops...sorry baby!
9. It's murphy's law--Jack fell asleep right when we got to our street, and woke up when I took him out of his stroller to go lay him down. So much for that idea! He was good though so I can't complain!
10. I need to get OUT more! Exercising is not such a bad thing--and I still had time to blog when I got home. No time yet for a shower though--oh well! First things first...

Please EAT!

I have a few picky eaters in my family--so I have had to resort to some tricks to try to make them eat something--I thought I'd share. Ashlie hates eating lunch. There is really nothing she likes for lunch, and would rather eat cereal than anything else. Believing that man cannot live by cereal alone--(especially if it's Froot Loops or Frosted Flakes), I have tried to introduce her to the peanut butter and jelly or honey sandwich. Novel idea--I know. I was unsuccessful every time--until now! I was going through food storage in the closet the other day, and noticed this huge bin of cookie cutters that my sister gave me for Christmas a few years back. There are 100 cookie cutters in it. So I got them out and let Ashlie cut out a puzzle out of her sandwich with one of them. She thought it was great and believe it or not, not only does she eat the middle of the puzzle--she eats the frame as well! YEAH!Now to Baby Jack--he's not much of an eater either. Seriously, he doesn't say it he sprays it--ALL OVER ME! This boy hates baby food. He will choke down the fruit--but that's about it. Forget about rice cereal, or oatmeal, and forget about those mixed dinners--NOWAY! So a week or two ago, I bought me a little mini-chopper at Walmart--for $9.99--(big spender, I know), and it has been GREAT! First I tried using my blender, but it wasn't really worth cleaning the whole thing just for a little bit of food. This little chopper is the perfect size for making about a cup of baby food, and it's powerful enough to make it a great consistency for little guys--with only 2 teeth! So I put leftovers in, or whatever we're having for dinner, or canned fruit or veggies, and VOILA--baby food with some actual flavor! I love it--and he does too! Now maybe he'll grow a little!!

Cute Picture!

This was my sister Kimbie's kids on Halloween. They were Snow White and the 7 dwarfs! I told her the only problem would be getting the oldest to dress up for much longer! (She's 11). Otherwise they'll have to have another one! J/K! Check them out! So cute!

Go Play in the Street...

So, a month ago or so, my neighbors had a yard sale, and there was this bike ramp sitting out there for sale. Joshua kept coming in and asking if he could go and buy it with his money--(of which he has pretty much NONE), so Todd kept saying "sure--go buy it". We left to run some errands and returned home a few hours later to find the bike ramp in our driveway. Perplexed, we asked Josh what it was doing there. "I bought it", he says. "With what?" "My nickel", he says. Yes, my sweet neighbors were kind enough to sell Josh a sweet bike ramp--for all of one nickel. Let me tell you, I am not a bike ramp type of person. I worry about the broken limbs, and bruises, and cars, and shiners, etc. etc...you get my drift. I also worry about the neighbors coming over to use that thing--and their kids meeting that type of fate because of our bike ramp. But I couldn't very well get rid of this thing after our neighbors were so kind to give it to Josh. So I put it in our back yard, in the side that no one goes on, behind the fence, and out of sight out of mind right??? Darn, I was wrong. Erin had some friends over today, and they were looking at the boat, and saw the bike ramp and decided to pull it out. So I hear a ruckus coming from the front yard and look out my window to see 10 or 12 kids out there on that bike ramp.
Not only is it in the middle of the street--MIDDLE--not even to the side, but I have every kid in the neighborhood getting in on the action in the middle of the street. My first reaction is--"crap--put that thing away!" But then I just started watching them, and listening to all the fun they were having, and I got my camera out instead. They had fun on that thing for over 45 minutes, just running and jumping, seeing who could jump the highest. They were even jumping over each other--which made me soo nervous! But I held my tongue. No cars came--and they did move it out of the middle of the road when they were done. Wouldn't you know it--that bike ramp has come out to play every day since then. Out of sight, out of mind only works for a little while...oh well! Aaahhh to be young again!

Back to Exercise...UUUGH!

So the diet isn't working so well...mostly because I am so tired of having to monitor everything that I put in my mouth. It makes me crazy to have to actually live that way. I just feel out of control right now, so I am resorting to yes, exercise! YUCK! If I'm gonna do it--I need to have something I can do FAST, and it has to be EASY. I can't keep up with those hip hop dance videos, kick boxing is way too hard core for me. Pilates makes me feel like I'm being twisted in ways that the human body shouldn't be required to twist, (not to mention all of my fat rolls that get in the way while I'm trying to twist). Yoga, well let's just say--I am WAY too high strung to do yoga! Here's some videos that I love though--at Beachbody.com. Tony Horton's Power 90 is great, and easy to follow--he also has these Power Half Hour, that I did today: they are fast and easy, and best of all, the next day you can feel that they pretty much kicked your butt. Today I did the thigh burner--and tomorrow I won't be able to sit on the toilet or in this computer chair without grimacing in pain! I should clarify--these are NOT the P90X DVD's--I have those too--but they are REALLY hard! Not for wimps like me! Those are for people that are hard core exercise people--which I am NOT! (Wish I had known that when I bought them!) I also love the Slim in 6 series with Debbie Sievers. She uses little weights and lots of repetition. Needless to say--I have spent way too much money over the years on exercise videos--can you tell?? But I have a lot of variety, so when I do make the commitment (every 3 or 4 months) to start exercising, I don't get bored for at least a few weeks, which should be enough to bring my weight back under control. And maybe all this exercising will make me motivated enough to climb back on the wagon and keep my eating under control. Yeah right...old habits die hard...

Hawaii Trip 2007

I was trying to figure out how to use Photobucket--(I know, it's about time), and this was my little slideshow I made! Yeah me! So Sue--call me! I will walk you through it!

Fun on Sunday...

This is our new Sunday thing... Mexican Train dominoes! It's a really fun game that everyone--all ages can play. We pop some popcorn and sit down after dinner is cleaned up to play. I got this really cute domino set at K-mart with a little train thing in the middle that even has sound effects which the little kids love! We found domino holders as well that make it easier to organize them and hide them from the other players. (We have a few cheaters in our family--I won't mention any names, you know who you are!) If you already have dominoes at home look HERE for directions! Have FUN!Jack was stuck under here! Too funny!

The Lunatic Left...

This video: CLICK HERE comes via Drudge this morning. I can deal with protesters at the temple, but them saying at the end that these people's free speech rights were violated when the men come to take the signs off our temple gates is just baloney. They have a right to hold their signs all they want, but the temple is clearly private property, and hanging those signs on that property is vandalism, pure and simple. If this was a Catholic church, or a Mosque, or a Jewish Temple, there would be outrage at this video. This is despicable. The temple to us is sacred ground, and I hail these brave men, whoever they were to stand up and defend our temple, even in the face of so many protesters. I hope a good LDS lawyer somewhere is ready and willing to defend these folks against this "hate crime"--I would contribute to their defense in a heartbeat. Where's the ACLU by the way??? Oh, I forgot, freedom of religion is one of those things they fight against, not defend--(unless you're a terrorist). My blood is boiling...

My Sleepy Boy...

This is just further proof that this boy can fall asleep anywhere! Poor 6th child--doesn't anyone pay attention to my poor baby? This was the other night after his bath, the little kids were in bed and the older kids were helping me clean up. Todd had just finished vacuuming with the Shop Vac--which is LOUD if that tells you anything! We found him like this: What a sweet baby!

Turkey Disguise...

For Joshua's homework this week, his teacher sent a turkey home for us to "disguise", so that he could hide and not be eaten on Thanksgiving. This is such a fun project. Last year's turkey was an ASU football player. I wish I had a picture of that one--it was super cute. This year, Josh wanted to make a mighty hunter turkey. We used camouflage fabric for his t-shirt, and made him a bright orange vest. Then we used some fake leaves I had in my junk cupboard for the "feathers". We even made him a little wooden bow out of a twig and some dental floss. We couldn't make an arrow however--Josh said, "No--no weapons at school!"
The cutest thing was, we just read last night in the Book of Mormon the story of Nephi and how he broke his bow, so he made a new one out of wood. Joshua was really interested in that story, once he learned that Nephi and his brothers had to hunt for all of their food in the wilderness. He sat and listened--(believe me, a rare occurence), and was actually interested in learning what happened. When we made the wooden bow for his little turkey he said to me, "That's just like Nephi made his own bow." YEAH! Once in awhile things DO sink in when we read the scriptures--even with a little 6 year old! Anyway, check out our mighty hunter! The other pic was just Josh messing around a few days ago, he's such a funny kid! Have I mentioned I love this boy??

LOVE THIS...

I had a friend post this comment and I just had to paste it in here--so everyone could see it. I hope she doesn't mind--but I thought it was AWESOME! Thanks Erin.

My sentiments exactly. I had a great weekend as well...it reminded me of a story I once read, hope you don't mind if I share...
A man was sitting on a fence trying to decide whether to follow Christ or Satan. He watched Christ come gather the people on one side of the fence and then they were gone. Satan came and gathered the people on his side of the fence and led them away...then turned around and walked back to the fence to get the man.
The man was confused, he said, "but I didn't choose a side, why are you going to take me?"
Satan replied, "I own the fence."
I have always thought of this little story when I am too scared to jump off the fence and take a stand...I sure don't want to have my choices made for me because I didn't stand up!

Love These Guys!!!

We were on Todd's parents blog yesterday--and they posted pics of them all dressed up as the "Love Bugs" for their Halloween party. I love them so much--they made us laugh so hard. I just had to paste it here so I'll remember. We got to talk to them at our family party last night on Skype--a web service you can set up with a camera and talk for free. We have to get it! It was so awesome, like they were right there with us in the room. We miss you guys so much! Those students are so lucky to have you as their "parents" for the time they are there--and I guess we can share you--but only for a while!! We can't wait to come see you!

Okay--my first TAG! Is this a joyous moment or what! Thanks, Kathy--someone loves me! J/K! You all know way too much about me already--ask my husband, and my teenager who complain daily about TMI on this blog! Sorry guys...here I go again!

4 Random things I love about hubby:

His dark hair and green eyes.
He puts up with me! (Not easy...trust me!)
He is very determined--and very strong willed.
He is a great father and my best friend.

4 Jobs I've had:

K-Mart cashier
IHOP hostess--best job EVER!
Daycare Infant Room--sometimes with 14 at a time!
My current job--Domestic Goddess!

4 Movies I have seen more than once:

Napoleon Dynamite
Pride & Prejudice
Lord of the Rings (all 3)Nacho Libre

4 TV Shows I watch:

Lost--AWESOME
Project Runway & Top Chef
CSI Miami
The Office

4 Places I've Been:

Hawaii
Alaska
Carribean
Florida

4 places I've lived:

Thatcher
Mesa
Gilbert
ALL ARIZONA! I'm as native as they come! We've lived in 8 different houses since we've been married though--so we do move a lot!

4 Favorite Foods:

Barro's Pizza
Outback Top Sirloin
OREOS
Ice Cream

4 Places I'd Like to Visit:

Israel--(going in Jan. to see Todd's parents!)
Washington, D.C.
England
Yellowstone

So now I am supposed to tag 4 lucky people and pass the love around:
Natalie
Christine
Erin
Wendy

Stake Conference...

This has been such a wonderful weekend! Todd and I were able to attend the Temple on Saturday afternoon, which is always such a treat. I love the feelings I have there, and how I notice something different every time I go, depending on the answers that I need for that day--or on what the Lord would have me learn. The Temple is such an amazing place to spend a few hours. I need to attend more often!

Saturday night we were able to attend the adult session of Stake Conference, which was just amazing. We really have such inspired leadership, and great members in our stake. The testimonies were amazing--my neighbor was called on to bear her testimony on the spot, and she did such a good job (I would freak out--but she was so calm). She is a convert of just 2 years now, and I am her visiting teaching partner. I am amazed at her faith and her testimony, and how she seems like she has been a member all of her life. She is so inspiring to me, and makes me want to be better. President Gulbrandsens wife bore her testimony on the spot as well. Todd's parents used to be neighbors with the Gulbrandsens for a few years, and I always remember her being so beautiful, so kind, and so gracious. Her testimony, too, was amazing. She has been through so much in her life, including losing a child, and even through her trials she is still such an incredible servant to the Lord. She has great faith, and a great love for Him. I enjoyed all of the talks, and went home determined to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. To try to be more obedient, more kind, more loving. Then it's just crazy that when you walk through the door--the chaos hits, with noise, and kids, and fights, and all of the sudden you go--here we go--back to reality!

Today's regional Stake Conference was just wonderful. I was so inspired by each talk. They made me want to try harder, to do better, to be "truly consecrated", as brother Hafen said. I need to come off the fence, out of my comfort zone and be a servant to the Lord. They talked about the importance of marriage--and why this is such an important issue. I have heard people say that the church should stay out of these issues--but President Packer made an important point when he said that this is more than a political issue--this is a moral issue, and one that we need to speak out on. Satan is using every weapon he has in his assault on marriage and the traditional family. If we don't speak out--who will? We need to stay strong, to keep the faith, and to not fear, for everything is in the Lord's hands. I needed this encouragement!

The most wonderful experience for me today was during the closing song, "The Spirit of God". As I sang, and read the words to that wonderful hymn, I was so touched by the spirit as I remembered being in Kirtland in August of this year, and sitting in the Kirtland Temple where this song was sung by the saints for the first time. I could see in my mind's eye, those few hundred saints, singing this hymn, and I can't imagine that they could possibly know how prophetic this song really is. How could they even imagine that 200 years from that time, there would be millions of saints around the world, there would be over 120 temples that have been dedicated, that truly the prophesies in that hymn are coming to pass now. Read the words to this hymn:

The Spirit of God like a fire is burning;
The latter day glory begins to come forth;
The visions and blessings of old are returning;
The angels are coming to visit the earth.

The Lord is extending the saints' understanding—
Restoring their judges and all as at first;
The knowledge and power of God are expanding
The vail o'er the earth is beginning to burst.

We call in our solemn assemblies, in spirit,
To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad,
That we through our faith may begin to inherit
The visions, and blessings, and glories of God.

How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion
Shall lie down together without any ire;
And Ephraim be crown’d with his blessing in Zion,
As Jesus descends with his chariots of fire!
We’ll sing & we’ll shout with the armies of heaven:
Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!
Let glory to them in the highest be given,
Henceforth and forever: amen and amen!

This gospel is truly a miracle! It started in a grove of trees, with a young boy--who had the faith to pray to his Heavenly Father--then had the courage to be obedient to his instruction, no matter the cost. Now it is truly rolling forward, filling the earth. I had my eyes fill with tears as I thought of the sacrifices the early saints made to bring this gospel to where it is today. Where is my sacrifice? Am I willing to truly give all I have to the Lord? They were--they did--and now it is our turn. We must stand up, we must choose sides--we must say, as Joshua did: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." It will become increasingly difficult to do with the evil that surrounds us, that surrounds our children. But I know with the Lord's help, I can be faithful and not fear. I am so grateful for the spirit that I felt today, and the way that my testimony was strengthened. What a beautiful Sabbath Day!