7 Random Things about myself

Ok, my friend Laura tagged me over a month ago. "Share 7 Random Things about yourself". This was hard for me, not only because it's a crazy time of year (I haven't been on my blog much at all) but also because I can't think of anything random about myself. I have lived a very normal, average life... So, here is my attempt at sharing some random things about myself (or maybe not so random).

1. I was born in Michigan but grew up in Southern California with two wonderful loving parents and two awesome brothers...I moved to Arizona when I went to ASU (Go SunDevils!!)...I'll leave the date out, but let's just say... Arizona feels like home now.

2. I love to play golf, hike, bike ride, workout and scrapbook (none of which I have much time for, but love it when I do).

3. I have four wonderful children and an awesome husband who is really good to me. (that might be unusal too, these days).

4. I am claustrophobic

5. I worry a lot about being the best Mom to my kids, to help bring out the best in them, to teach them to love God, to be kind to others, to be hardworking and to love life and to be happy...

6. I get stressed out whenever I feel like I'm failing my kids in these areas (which is almost daily).

7. I hate a dirty/messy house, but try to balance that with what's important...having fun and enjoying my kids at every age & stage. And spending good quality time with my hubby.

The following three people are tagged: 7 Random Things about myself
Jaymie F.
Michelle M.
Alissa P.

Christmas Pictures!

Every year I try to get my act together
to get pictures of the entire family.
The last few years it has just been
the kids, because shopping for clothes
that match for me and Tom is more
then I can handle right now. The kids
were great, and I enjoyed taking their
pictures, with my little Cannon Sure Shot.
Unfortunatly, I'm not that good of a
photographer. After more then 1/2 were
taken I realized they had shadows and
sun on their faces. So, my choices were
very limited, but only because of the
photographer not because the kids
were being difficult. We actually had
a good time. So here is one that turned
out pretty decent. Hope you have a
great Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Football Fanatic

Caleb loved playing flag football. They had a
great team and a great coach. He loved it so
much he decided to play again in Jan. (instead of
basketball).

They had some great reverese plays.

He takes the game very seriously.

What a pass! Caleb it was a lot of fun
watching you play football. I'm glad
you had so much fun!

Yes!!

I am very interested in the recent events in California regarding Prop 8, It has concerned me since before the elections. Now, with recent events I have worried a lot more about the intolerance of those who are screaming about Christians being intolerant...it is ironic. As they picket in front of the LA Temple and call patrons names and deface stake centers, homes of members and ward buildings, not to mention the threats of physical violence I have witnessed in newsarticles and on the internet, it has been quite alarming to me that these people are telling us that WE are INTOLERANT. Had Prop 8 not passed, the Christian community would not have reacted in such a hateful and shameful manner. I was happy to find a recent article put out by the Catholic church...it nice to see Catholics step up and back up the LDS church. That is just what we all need, love for all people. The Catholic Bishop says it best, I just hope that the people who voted NO on Prop 8 will actually read it and THINK about it. I added the link to the article for those that are interested.//http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/catholic-bishop-decries-religious-bigotry-against-mormons

12 years ago today...

Twelve years ago today I was baptized a member
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
What a great way to celebrate by going to the temple
today (in Mesa) to plant a tree with my family.
What a wonderful service project our Stake planned.
That decision long ago has been one of the single
most important decisions of my life. I have been
blessed with a loving husband who is so good to me, four
sweet and beautiful children and a relationship with my
Heavenly Father that continues to grow each day. I have
so much work to do to learn and be a better person, but
everyday I have the opportunity to be better. I love
belonging to a church that loves others (even when the
others don't like us). Due to recent events in California
after the passing of Prop 8 I have had time to reflect more
on my membership to a church that takes a strong stand
to morals, standards and the sanctity of marriage (even
if they seem out of date and old fashioned to some). What
I have seen and heard makes me sad. It's interesting that
when people are on the losing side (and sometimes the
winning - although, not in this particular case) it brings
out so much hate and hypocracy. We are not a perfect people,
but I do believe we have the full knowledge of the Gospel
which helps us become better and more Christlike. It also gives
us a clear picture to what is right and wrong. Even when others
try to make what is "wrong" look "right". I worry about
what to tell me kids if people start to be mean to them just
because they are Mormon. It reminds me very much of how
people must feel or have felt when being treated because of the
color of their skin or how the Pioneers felt when they were kicked
out of their homes even though the did nothing wrong and were good
people. I am so thankful we live in a Country that allows freedom
of religion. I want my kids to treat all people kindly and with respect
and even if we don't agree with a certain lifestyle doesn't mean we
don't like the person, we can love the person and not love what
they do. That is how I would like to see all Americans treat one another.
That, is my dream.

Temple Tree planting service

Our stake decided to plant trees
at the temple. Each ward had kids
work around the house etc...to earn
money to donate to buy a tree for the
temple. Today we all meet at the
temple at 8am to plant our Ward's
tree. The kids were really excited
because they raised enough money
to buy and plant that tree. All the
kids took turns digging. Above is
Caleb taking his turn with the shovel.

This is Bishop Choules who was so
sweet to "help" Savannah. He did
the work but she sure does look cute.


Teagan taking his turn with the shovel. He loved
it. Both boys kept on getting in line for their
turn again with the shovel.

Savannah and Landon watching the bigger
kids dig the whole for the tree at the temple

Teagan and Caleb enjoying the service project

This is us and our tree. What fun to go to the
temple and plant a tree. The kids had a great
time and so did Tom and I.

I Love Spagetti!!

Landon loves spagetti!! I left him
alone for second (he was quietly eating
his food) and when I walked back in
the room there he was with the bowl
on his head and his siblings laughing
at him. Of course, he loved that.

And had to make sure it didn't fall of his head.
He is really a fun, sweet little boy. He is so
happy go lucky and loves to play with his
brothers. I do not love to clean up his messes
which is why I put the lovely towel beneath
his chair. Usually he tells me he is down with
a hand sign but sometime he just throws
food around until it gets my attention.

Parade of Characters

Teagan and his friend. In front of their classroom.
At the boys school they had a Parade of Characters
on Halloween Day. It was so much fun. I had
been told by a friend how busy it would be,
lots of parents and grandparents come out for the
parade. I really had no idea how many people would
show up. It was amazing. It was like the first
day of school all over again, trying to find a
parking spot.

Caleb is behind the guy in the mask. He had one
but didn't take it to school. The have each class
line their chairs up in front of their classroom.
They play music throughout the courtyard and
the kids start to parade around starting with the
kindergardeners, then once the pass the 1st
graders they join in the parade as so on....it was
so fun. The kids had a great time, and were
surprised to see me there with Landon. I thought
it was so cute I actually had tears in my eyes (yes, I'm a big
baby).

This boy (the one is the middle) is one of Caleb's
good friends from church. We love having the
kids go to school with friends from church and
from the neighborhood.

Halloween Time

Tom has a lot of fun carving the pumpkins for
the kids. He has them design the face and then
he does the carving....safe and effective.

I get the pleasure of cleaning out the pumpkins
(althought Teagan loves cleaning them out too!)
Caleb wants nothing to do with the cleaning
the pumpkins (unless he can use a spoon) and
Savannah just sits and enjoys the whole experience.

I went to Teagan's Halloween party at
school today and help out. I was impressed
with the number of parents who were helping.
It was great to see all the volunteers. Our
friend and neighbor organized the party and
always does such a great job. She is fun!
Teagan loved all the "stations" but especially
liked the mummy he got to make and the
snacks. He is such a sweet little boy, we love
him so much!

After the party I headed home to get Savannah
all ready for her party at preschool.
She was very excited to go and I think she just
looks beautiful as Princess Aurora.

Pumpkin Carving

I love the month of October. I think
it's the change in the temperature. But I also
love to go get pumpkins as a family and carve
them. This year we waited until the day before
Halloween, because in the past, we carve them
a week early and by Halloween night the are
moldy and falling apart from the heat (sad, but
true). So, I carve off the top and clean and
then Tom (he's the details guy), makes the
face that each kid decides they want on their
pumpkin. It's so fun, the kids love it we all
have a good time.

Here is Savannah hugging her pumpkin and
berfore this picture she gave it a kiss and said
"I love you pumpkin"

Teagan and Savannah with their finished
pumpkins.

Teagan, Savannah and Caleb all very happy
with their pumpkins. Little Landon was
sleeping already, but he will get his turn next
year.

More birthday fun!

Don't have many pictures with my sweet little
girl! So here is the most recent one.

Cutie Patootie!

Birthday fun?

This is Savannah right before we opened her
presents and had cake....she had another fever
and after I gave her medicine she fell asleep
on my parents sofa. Poor sweetie....she
did manage to wake up to open some of
her presents....

Here she is...trying to look happy and well. She
is waiting patiently for her older brothers and
cousin to come see her open some presents.

She was really excited about this "Dr." set.

Here she is checking out the purse and lipgloss
set my parents gave her. Savannah we love you!
We are so glad you had a good birthday and glad
we celebrated at Chuck-e-cheese earlier in the
week when you weren't sick.

Happy Birthday Savannah!!

Today was Savannah's birthday. She is four
years old and a sweetheart! Unfortunately
she was running a 102 degree fever today.
This picture is after the medicine kicked in.
I just love this girl. She is sweet, thoughtful, fun
smart, and beautiful! She brings our family much
joy! I can't say enough how thankful I am to have
a little girl!

Here she is again, you can tell in her
eyes she doesn't feel well but she is
trying to be happy and give us a smile.

My parents had dinner and a birthday cake for
Savannah, Jeff and Sherry (Julie's Mom) at
their house tonight. It was a lot of fun.

Fun filled weekend

This weekend started on Thursday for me and
Tom. We celebrated our 11 year anniversary
a week early and enjoyed it very much!
We stayed in Scottsdale for a few days while my
parents watched the kids. We enjoyed taking
long walks in downtown Scottsdale, going to the
mall, watching movies and sleeping. Thanks
Mom and Dad for watching the kids, you are
awesome!!

We got home Saturday afternoon and rushed
off to Caleb's two football games. He is so much
fun to watch. His team and coaches are great!
Then we ended the evening with a great
Halloween party at our friends house - yes...
my hair is sprayed dark (you don't even want to
know how much fun it was getting it out of my hair). It was
a lot of fun and great to spend some time with
my wonderful husband. Tom thanks for being
so good to me, I love you, Happy Anniversary!