Bryon and Jennifer Kennedy Family

Ballroom -- Spring Recital

2011-05-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Sam and Conner had their spring ballroom recital. For Sam this event was a culmination of everything he has learned this year in ballroom. For Conner it was what he had learned in a six week pee-wee ballroom class. Their feelings about ballroom couldn't be more opposite. Sam loves ballroom. He has since he started about four years ago. He often tells me if he had to quit everything but one extra curricular activity, he would choose to stick with ballroom. Conner on the other hand HATES it! I signed him up last year for it and he didn't enjoy it. This year I had him do it again because they were short on boys. Conner got out of school every Monday about 20 minutes early so he could go to class. Even getting out of school early was not incentive enough for him to kind of enjoy the class. All the way to ballroom every Monday, he would inform me that it is child abuse to force him to do such things.

Last Saturday the spring recital was literally an all day event. They had dress rehearsal starting at 11:00. Because they were unable to secure a larger venue, it was decided they would do two recitals, one at 4:00 and the other at 7:00. Some of the older groups, like Sam's had learned three songs throughout the year. In order to cut down on time, it was decided that they would perform one number the same at both recitals but then one different song. I was torn which performance to go to because I really liked both of Sam's numbers. I decided that I would attend both performances. My mom said she would go to both of them with me.

Dress rehearsal started at 11:00. I knew they wouldn't finish by 2:00 but by 2:45 when I still hadn't heard from them, I decided to drive to the college to see if they were done. They weren't. My mom and I went to a couple of stores in order to kill some time. When we got back, I got the perfect parking spot. Sam and Conner were just walking out. It was 3:20 p.m. The doors for the first recital opened at 3:30 p.m. Sam and Conner were starving. Bryon, my dad, Logan and Natalie were on their way. We decided that my mom, dad, Logan, Natalie and I would get in line and go in and save seats. Meanwhile, Bryon would run home and grab my mom's camera and glasses as well as run Sam and Conner to get something off the dollar menu somewhere. The recital was beautiful. Conner danced to Inspector Gadget. Sam danced to Splish Splash and Thriller. Thriller was a number that his class and another ballroom class worked on together. They really had a fun time practicing and getting it ready to perform.

I figured that their performance should be about 1 1/2 hours. I had made a couple of salads that morning with the plan of grabbing some fried chicken on the way home, in between performances so we could eat dinner. The performance went just over 2 hours! I enjoyed every minute of it. However, it left no time at all to go home and grab something to eat. There is no way my dad, Bryon or the little kids will sit through one more performance. They go and buy Sam, Conner, my mom and I a hamburger off a dollar menu so it will hold us over until we can have dinner.

The second performance was just as spectacular. Sam the second performance danced to "I Won't Say I'm In Love" from Tarzan and Thriller. Conner, again, danced to Inspector Gadget. The little kids could sit with their parents after the performance. Conner came down and sat by me. He got so sick. I am not sure exactly what it was. He had to wear a felt coat for his costume. I tend to think it was a combination of being too hot in his costume and with all the stage lights and being overly tired.

I am so thankful to live in a community that supports the fine arts. There were 325 kids that performed. It is just amazing to me. I am so proud of Sam and Conner and for the hard work they put in this year and all they learned. I am so thankful to their instructors, Janie and Joy, who spend countless hours teaching them dances and routines.

Conner's First Pinewood Derby

2011-04-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

Conner had his first Pinewood Derby on Thursday night. He and Bryon (and the neighbor) have been working on this car for about the past month. Conner was so excited!

Bryon found some Pinewood Derby templates online. He and Conner went through them and chose one. They then sanded the car down. A couple of weeks ago it came time to paint it. Conner wanted to paint it his favorite colors: yellow and blue. He also
wanted somehow to tie his favorite past time of reading into it. Bryon and I racked our brains trying to come up with something. We got an idea of Modge Podging the comics onto the car rather than painting the car. Conner loved the idea. He and Sam had a blast picking out some comics to put on it. The outcome was very cute. (Can you say that about Pinewood Derby cars?)

Our ward meets with another ward for Pack Night. There were probably 15 boys there to race. Conner won his first race by a landslide. Bryon and the neighbor were pretty excited! Conner then lost the rest of the races. Conner has the best attitude. They awarded prizes to the winners. After Pack Night, Bryon took Conner to the grocery store so Conner could pick out his favorite candy bar for a prize. I was so touched that Bryon thought of doing that to celebrate Conner's efforts.

My boss at work drives Corvettes. She and her husband have a couple of Corvettes. Conner went into work Friday to show my boss his Pinewood Derby car. Bryon was giving her a hard time and told her that next year she is in charge of helping Conner make a Corvette for the Pinewood Derby. She told Conner that she was not going to help him make one, she would just let him drive hers when he is old enough. Now Conner is counting down the days until he gets his driver's license.

Some Things Are Just Better Left In The Past

2011-04-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever done something so dumb, that you were hoping it would stay buried in the past (and secretly hoping it would soon be forgotten)? I know I have. I think probably more often than I care to admit.

My mom must have had karma today and know that the tension in the household today was getting a little thick and I needed a good laugh. Between a five year old son who decided again to check his ability to trust me and a tense morning spent with my husband trying to pick paint to finish up Sam's bedroom as a birthday surprise while he is with a friend for a couple of days (which might be a post for another day)I desperately needed a good laugh.

My mom started out the conversation by saying, "I want to read you something and see if it reminds you of a time in your life." That in and of itself told me the experience I was to recall wasn't going to be good. I just wasn't sure exactly what instance she was referring to. It only took her reading me the first paragraph to have an instance pop into my mind.

I am NOT going to go into specifics about my situation, other than I will say the writer's experience was very eerie in how similar it was to our own experience. I thought the author's words capture the experience mighty well.

The following is an article my mom found on ksl.com.

"When your neighbor unexpectedly shows up at your doorstep and the first thing they say is, "This is going to be just as embarrassing for me as it is for you" chances are the conversation is destined to be an awkward one.

Something that comes along with the joys of home ownership is the getting to know our neighbors, for better or for worse. Many of us have had to engage in the occasional awkward neighborly conversation, "Hey, your dog pooped on my lawn again" or "your teenager drives by my house a little too fast for comfort."

But I confidently declare that non can rival the awkwardness my husband and I recently went through when confronted by our backyard neighbor about a certain, um, concern.

In the moment Mrs. X approached me a couple weeks ago with "this is going to be just as embarrasing for me as it is for you" my mind was racing. What is she about to say next? What could we have possibly done to bring about such a discussion?

The next sentence she uttered will forever go down in family history. “I don’t know how else to say this, but the fogged glass in your shower window isn’t as fogged as you might think it is.”

Wow. Gotta say I wasn’t expecting that!

It took me a few seconds to compute what she was saying. Once the implications set in I wanted to curl up in a little ball and hide. Our master bathroom shower window to which she was referring is on the back of our house directly facing our neighbors. Our yards aren’t enormously deep, so you get the picture (no pun intended).

Shocked and mortified, my husband and I stewed over her claim for hours, well, more like days. Actually, we are still stewing a little. How long had this been going on before they finally decided to confront us?

I was too thrown off guard to ask that during the conversation and now bringing it back up would be too awkward so I may never know. (However, if that certain neighbor is reading this you can always respond with a comment because it might be less awkward than calling to talk about it in person).

Anyway, back to that night.

We wanted to test her claims, so one of us stood in the shower while the other went outside to see just how bad it really was. Sure enough, the glass looked much less fogged looking in than out. Hardly fogged at all if I’m being perfectly honest. And this had been going on for eight months! Why had we trusted the glass company? We were ready to demand for our “fogged glass window” money back!

Then my husband recalled what might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.

The night before the conversation he had taken a shower, with the light on no less, and had decided to clean and scrub the shower including the tile ceiling of the shower while showering. To reach the ceiling he had to stand on the bench to do the scrubbing.

Dun dun dun. Oh, our poor neighbors."

I did find it comforting that we aren't the only ones who thought fogged glass was supposed to be, I don't know, say foggy! To help keep what happens behind fogged glass PRiVaTE! All I can say we were brand new to a neighborhood and after hearing this devastaing news I was convinced we were putting the house up for sale and moving far, far away from that neighborhood. Bryon convinced me to stick it out. We went onto live about eight years in that neighborhood and some of our best friends came from the people we met there.

I challenge anyone that can beat this story to give it a shot!

What if Your Blessings Come From Raindrops?

2011-04-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

I couldn't sleep last night. I think it has a lot to do with this cold that I have. What is there to at 3:00 a.m.? Catch up on all your friends blogs, right? I came across this song on a friend's blog. It really touched me.

'Cause what if your blessings come from raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights,
Are what it takes to know You're near?
What if trials of this life,
Are your mercies in disguise?

On the Nightstand

2011-04-05T18:02:00.000-07:00

I love to read and I LOvE a good book. The problem is in finding time to sit down and read. At dinner group last month, we got talking about some good books to read. I came home and immediately requested a long list from the library.

When Natalie got sick a couple of weeks ago, it provided me some much loved reading time. The book I started reading was called "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult. This is a book about a boy with Asperger's that is fixated with forensic analysis. He is always showing up at crime scenes and trying to help the police in solving the crime. Then he soon finds himself being charged with the murder of his social skills tutor.

I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. Being the mother of two special needs children, one of them who struggles severely socially, I found myself relating to the mother in this book. While the book is fictional, I thought the author did a fantastic job of doing her research on Aspergers.

What is on your nightstand or one of your favorite reads?

Family Trip To Coeur D'Alene

2011-03-27T10:13:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we took a family trip to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho to support Conner who was competing in the State Boys Gymnastics Meet.

We left Friday morning about 11:00 a.m., our time. Bryon was the only one from our family that had been to Coeur D'Alene and it had been a while since he had been. I had heard how beautiful it was and was so excited to see new sights. We have a built in DVD player in the van. I was nervous about the kids watching too many movies on the way up and back. They were excellent! I think they only watched one movie on the way up. Sam and Conner did play with their DS's. We didn't even have to stop once for a bathroom brake so that was a bonus! We went up through Dillon, Butte, Missoula and on to Coeur D'Alene. We stopped in Butte, Montana for lunch. We decided we wanted to breakaway from the chains and decided to try to find a local restaurant to have lunch. We found a pasta place on our GPS that sounded good but got there only to find they weren't open. Then we decided to have lunch at Paul Bunyan's. It is a little (and by little I mean our whole family filled the restaurant) sandwich shop. We enjoyed our lunch and then got back in the car to drive the rest of the way. Those that know me, know I don't do a lot of driving but I did offer to drive. I drove from Butte until we stopped for gas in Missoula. We stopped in Missoula, Montana to fill the car up. We ran into another family filling up with gas that is from the same gym we were.

Upon arriving in Coeur D'Alene, we checked into our hotel. We stayed at Days Inn. Several families from the gym were staying at Days Inn. We enjoy staying at the same hotel as most of the team. Days Inn wasn't located on the lake. Actually, I think it is about as far from the lake as you can get in Coeur D'Alene. The desk clerk suggested a place called Tomato Street for dinner. We loved it! It was such a relaxed atmosphere. There was butcher paper on the table. The waitress came by and scribbled her name (writing upside down). The kids thought that was so cool! They could draw while we waited for our dinner. They also provided the each of a packet of pasta and Play-Dough. They could make pasta necklaces or mold creations out of Play-Dough while we waited for our order.

Conner had to be at the meet the next morning by 8:00. Once we got back to our hotel, we basically went to bed. The next morning we hurried to get ready so we could be at the gym by 8:00 a.m. It was just starting to snow as we left the hotel. The gym was located in Hayden, about four miles from our hotel. We ended up in a full blown blizzard by the time we got to the gym. The post below tells all about Conner's meet. After the meet, we drove back to Coeur D'Alene and had lunch at Chili's.

Before we left Rexburg, I had found a grand way to save money. At restaurants.com, I noticed that you could get gift cads for discounted prices. I typed in Coeur D'Alene, several restaurants appeared to choose from. Some of the restaurants had an 18% gratuity added to your final bill which made the gift cards not that great of a deal. However, I found one restaurant that didn't add gratuity. The only stipulation they had was for a $25 gift card you had to spend $35. I was so excited! I ordered this gift card online. It was a $25 for $10. When I was checking out online, I noticed a promo-code that if you entered you could get an additional 70% off. I was stoked! I was going to feed my family a $35 meal for only $13 out of pocket.

After lunch, we decided to drive by the selected restaurant and scope it out for later that night. We typed the address into our GPS. We followed to the GPS to our selected destination. My stomach about sunk when I saw a picture that resembeled the picture online. There was one huge difference: the real place was all boarded up! About the time I am realizing this, Bryon says, "Is that the restaurant all boarded up?" We got a good laugh out of my smokin' good deal!

There is a place in Hayden called Triple Play. They have a ton of different things to do. We decided to go there after lunch and check it out. We ended up going swimming. They have a huge indoor waterpark. There are three waterslides, a kiddie pool and a giant wave pool. We had so much fun! There were two other families from the gym that ended up there the same time we were. Conner thought he was so cool haning out with his friends. I think I cramped his style by making him check in with me. We literally spent all afternoon at the pool.

For dinner, Sam and Conner wanted to go back to Tomato Street. While Bryon and I loved it, we wanted to try something different. One of the lifeguards recommended a pizza place called Mackenzie River. The kids ordered off the kids menu and Bryon and I ordered a pizza to share. It was sooo yummy! It hit the spot.

When we got back to the hotel, we noticed one of Conner's coaches and a few families were gathered down in the room where the continental breakfast is served. Bryon and Conner went down to get popcorn and see what was going on. The kids and I soon decided to go down and join everyone else. We had so much fun haning out with the other families. There was a hot game of cards going on. Being a card shark, I jumped at the chance to join in. Bryon and the kids ended up going back to the room about 11:00. I ended up playing cards until about 1:00 a.m.!

Sunday morning we got up and got ready to go. There is a continental breakfast offered at the hotel. About the time we were down trying to grab a bite to eat before hitting he road, so were several other families.

I told Bryon I didn't drive all the way to Coeur D'Alene not to spend some time at the lake. Before leaving on our trip, we were told about a darling children's book called "Mudgy and Millie". It is about a moose and a mouse that play hide-and-seek through Couer D'Alene. A scuplor then scuplted five life size statues of Mudgy and Millie and they can be found around Couer D'Alene. Sunday morning we read the book with our kids. We then went downtown to find the moose and mouse statues. Our children really got into it and we had to find all FIVE statues.

Our little treasure hunt took us right down by the river. It was beautiful there. As you can tell by the picture, it was cold. After our little treasure hunt, we headed for home.

Bryon wasn't feeling well. He thinks he got a little too much water sliding the day before. He drove to Missoula where we stopped for lunch. We ate at Mackenzie River again. I had a salad this time. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the pizza the night before. I then drove from Missoula. We had decided earlier, to take the scenic route home. We had decided instead of driving through Montana again, we would turn off at Missoula and go home through Salmon. This was a very pretty drive. I hadn't been to Salmon before. I am not sure it added very many additional miles but I feel like it took longer because of the speed limit. On the way home, the kids drank more pop and so consequently we had many more potty stops on the way home. At Leadore, we hit a complete white-out where I couldn't even see the side of the road. It was there, I decided I was done driving and Bryon and switched off again.

It was a great weekend. I was so thankful for the chance we had to get away as a family.

Boys State Gymnastics Meet

2011-03-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Last summer Conner was asked by his gymnastics coaches if he would like to compete for gymnastics. He would be a Level 4. This would mean that he would travel throughout the state competing in gymnastics. It was a one year commitment. The gymnastics season starts in January. His first meet was here in Rexburg. In February, we traveled to Boise to watch him compete at Gem State. Last weekend was the culmination of the whole season.

I felt like we and Conner had done all that was possible to get ready for the state competition. Conner put in some extra time in the gym working on getting ready. We paid for three private lessons, in order to help him better prepare. Conner has six elements he competes on: the high bar, the rings, the parallel bars, the floor, the mushroom and pommel horse, and the vault. He is pretty strong on all of the events except the pommel horse/mushroom. This is really two different apparatus but it is scored as one. Conner does really well on the pommel horse but struggles with the mushroom. The mushroom literally is just that: a round apparatus that is about two feet high.
The goal of Level 4 is to spin around the top of the mushroom three and a half turns without touching down. This is a very difficult task to master. The reason for learning this skill is so that they can prepare to do actual turns on the pommel horse. Most of the Level 4 boys will do one turn touch down, one turn touch down, one turn touch down and then a half a turn. There is a full point deduction every time they touch down. When Conner was doing his private lessons, I talked to the coach about spending most of the time working on fine tuning his other routines and just leaving the mushroom alone. The coach explained it that most of these boys skill wise are all about the same. They will usually only win an event by the smallest margin. The place where they can really pick up points is on the mushroom doing their three and a half turns. He really worked Conner on the mushroom. We even brought the mushroom home one night for Conner to practice on. Conner even took the mushroom to school one day to practice on during recesses. It wasn't very often that Conner could do more than one turn without touching down. When he did, it wasn't pretty. He would really struggle after his first turn to not touch down. We left for Coeur D'Alene knowing we had done all we could do.

Conner's competition was set for Saturday, March 19 at 8:00 a.m. The gym they competed at was a newer gym. However, their equipment wasn't new and was actually pretty rickety and wobbly.

Before I go into his individual scoring, let me just say that the total possible on any apparatus is 16.0.

Conner's first rotation was the rings. He scored at 14.4. This was a pretty good score for him. His second rotation was the floor. The floor tends to be one of his strongest. I don't know what happened, but Conner started off in the middle of his routine and his coach had to call him back to start over. He then tipped over on what is called a "candlestick". It is a very easy element. He ended up with a score of 13.2. The next rotation was the mushroom and pommel horse. I wanted to hold my breath.

He did the most beautiful mushroom routine that he has done all season! He went around beautifully twice without stopping. Then he went on and did his one and a half times around. It was beautiful! He pulled off the second highest score on the team and his personal high on this apparatus with a score of 12.1. Their next rotation was the high bar. Conner did a beautiful but ended up sitting down on the landing. His score on the high bar was 13.7. It was then time to vault. He scored a 15.2 on the vault! I would have to look but I also think that is a season high for him. The final rotation was the parallel bars. He did a nice job on those and scored a 13.8.

Conner ended up placing third in the state overall. His team also took first place in the team division.

We are so proud of you, Conner!

2010-01-06T07:53:00.000-08:00

Here I am again! No I didn't fall of the face of the earth, although I often think it feels like that or a merry-go-round that is going full speed and I am hanging on for dear life not to fall off. I didn't do either one. I just haven't visited the blogging world much this past year. Last year I decided who wants to read about my boring life anyway??? Plus I thought I would be a little more personal if I just tried to more faithfully write in a journal. Well I failed miserably at both! So here I am back to blogging.

I am not even going to try to catch you up to speed about our last year's events. I am just going to start new. I have just a few things on my mind that I have been thinking about lately that I really have wanted to get down.

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday. We were so blessed to have my parents come and spend Christmas with our little family. My parents haven't been with us on Christmas morning when the kids opened their presents or see what Santa brought. Ever since they told the kids they would come up this year, if there wasn't too much snow, my kids have been ecstatic! I have never seen kids pray harder for no snow than my kids did for about that month and a half. Also my kids were almost more excited that grandpa and grandma were coming up than they were about Santa coming. We had a wonderful Christmas and a fun weekend spending time with my parents.

I remember when I was younger thinking that my parents were so smart and knew all the answers. Okay, it definately wasn't my teenage years. We all know during those years we doubt everything our parents say and think that everyone else has to be smarter than our own parents. I am finding now that I am a parent myself, I definately don't have all the answers. I am truly amazed at how much I learn from my children. Lately the quote that keeps going through my mind is "and a little child shall lead the way." I have learned so much from my children through the years. The other night as I thought about the past years events and some of the things I learned I realized I learned a great deal of them from my children. Here are some of the things I have learned.

The power of prayer and having faith that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. Conner has taught me this lesson over and over again this past year. Conner doesn't just believe this, he KNOWS it. Sam (our oldest) has a dog that can be very hyper. It is Sam's daily job to feed his dog twice a day. This summer, Conner started asking Sam if he could go out and feed the dog. Sam was more than happy to let Conner go out and do this job. One particular morning I was in the kitchen while Conner was out feeding the dog. We have a set of french doors that go to the backyard. The curtains on these doors were open and I happened to walk by the door about the time I saw Conner kneeling on the step with his arms folded, head bowed and lips moving a million miles a minute. This was one of those tender moments that I think will be forever etched on my heart as a mother. When he came in, I questioned him what he was doing. He told me he prays everytime that he goes out there to feed Molly, he prays that she won't kill him. I had to chuckle. But it has hit me hard about his knowledge of the power of prayer. He asked to do this job ever day knowing that the dog might jump on him and hurt him and yet he KNEW that if he prayed our Heavenly Father would protect him and keep him safe. Another experience was this fall upon realizing that everyone had left for school and work and realizing he was home alone, Conner said a prayer and then hopped on his bike and rode the five miles to school. (This is one story that I will blog in more detail later.) He KNEW that if he prayed to his Heavenly Father, he would be guided and our Heavenly Father would help him get to school safetly.

Another principle Conner has taught me is the power of faith. I think the above experiences also display a lot of faith on Conner's behalf. This Sunday we moved our church time from 9 to 12:30. This Sunday, being the first one of the month, was also Fast Sunday. Now for some reason fasting is one of those principles that I really struggle with. I believe in the power of fasting and prayer but fasting is just very hard for me. We don't even ask our kids to fast until they turn eight. We then try to work them up gradually skipping a little more and a little more so that by 11 or 12 they will be able to fast the complete 24 hours. Well, Sunday morning the kids are in the kitchen and we are telling Sam it is Fast Sunday. When we ask Conner what he wants for breakfast, he said he was fasting. I was shocked. I tried to explain to him it wasn't necessary until he turns eight. Nope he was convinced. Well about 11:30, I cut and apple for Logan and Natalie to hold them over until after church. I then went to reach for another apple to cut for Conner. Honestly, I had kind of forgotten about Conner fasting and also I had thought that by now he would realize he is hungry and decide to throw in the towel. Not so! Conner proudly reminds me that he can't have an apple because he is fasting. Wow! We head out the door for church. This year we have Sacrament Meeting last. The first time I saw Conner in church was as he came into the bench for Sacrament Meeting. He throws himself on my lap and announces how starving he is! Not two minutes later, Natalie is sitting there eating some Smarties from Primary and offers Conner one of her Smarties. Conner turns to her and said he wasn't taking her candy because he is fasting. I sat there in awe! The faith of a child. It is truly amazing!

Then there's Logan. When he talks of Jesus it gives me chills. I know that because of his life experiences, he knows Jesus in a way that I could only hope to come to know my Savior. It makes me want to get to know my Savior better.

I could go on and on of the things my children have taught me. These are just a few that have weighed on my mind lately. "And a little child shall lead them."

Around Christmas time this year, it seems to be that I have seen the word "Believe" a lot more than usual. I have really thought about that word. I have a favorite blog that I love to read. She is an adoptive mother, just like me. She wrote something about this word that touched me deeply. I would just like to share it. She said:

"believe.
it's my new word.

believe that there's a plan.
believe that Heavenly Father loves you.
believe that He only gives the good gift.
believe that there is light.
believe that you can make it.
believe that you are a survivor.

believe.

believe in the sealing covenant.
believe that it is more powerful than time.
believe that it is more powerful than DNA.
believe that it is more powerful than death.

believe."

It was beautifully written. I couldn't have said it better. It touched on so many things I had been thinking about. This little post made me dig deeper. What do I believe in? I believe in all she beautifully stated. I also believe. I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ. I believe that He atoned for my sins. I believe He loves me. I believe He carries us through our trials.

I believe in the Church of Jesus Christ. I believe we are led by a prophet of God. I believe in temple covenants. I believe in eternal families. I believe in The Book of Mormon.

I am a Believer!

New Puppies

2009-08-05T20:54:00.001-07:00

Spring Break

2009-05-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

Well Sam wanted to go somewhere "warmer" for Spring Break. It doesn't take much to be warmer than Rexburg, Idaho! I told him while we couldn't afford a trip to the Bahamas or anything, we definitely could go to Burley for the weekend.

On Friday night we hired a sitter for Conner, Logan and Natalie. We took Sam and went with my parents out to Oakley to see "Oliver." It was very well done.

Saturday morning the kids dyed Easter Eggs. Later that day we went to Storybook Park. It is one of the kids favorite places to visit while we were in Burley.

My parents have been called to serve in a Single's Branch in Burley. So Bryon and I took Conner, Logan & Natalie to church in the good old Burley 3rd Ward (the ward I grew up in). Sam stayed behind to go to church with Grandpa & Grandma. It worked out well. Their church starts one hour later than Third Wards. So once we were gone, Sam got to play the Easter Bunny and hid the Easter eggs and put out the Easter baskets. He had a great time. When we all got home from church, we did the Easter Egg Hunt, had dinner and then went for a drive over to Shoshone Falls. The falls are beautiful this time of year. I personally hadn't been there for quite some time. It brought back a lot of memories for me. Growing up, we would go over every Saturday before Easter. We would have a picnic and roll eggs down this gigantic hill. They have walking paths around there too. I was still having problems with my leg but Bryon took the older boys on some short hikes. Because it was Sam's birthday the following day, once we got back to Burley, we had cake and ice cream and Sam got to open his presents from his Grandpa & Grandma Roskelley.

With it being Spring Break and Bryon and the kids didn't have school on Monday, we spent Sunday night in Burley. Then Monday morning, we got up and left for Burley shortly after my parents left for work. What a great time we had in Burley on Spring Break!

General Young Women's Broadcast

2009-05-04T15:22:00.001-07:00

I was determined not to let my bum leg slow me down! Two days after my fall, I went with the Young Women and other Young Women leaders from our ward to Salt Lake City to see the Young Women's Broadcast. What an awesome day!

A man in our ward owns a bus company and donated a bus and driver for us to take to Salt Lake so we could all ride together. On the ride down, we about froze to death until we reached Pocatello. I guess on a bus there are valves that need to be open in order to generate the heat. Well, it took us to Idaho Falls to realize that the valve wasn't open. So we stopped once for him to open the valve. By Shelly, it was still not getting any warmer inside the bus so another stop and another phone call was made to figure out there was more than one valve that needed to be opened. It took to about Pocatello for the bus to heat up.

Our bus driver dropped us off at Temple Square. We then proceeded to walk to The Beehive House. That walk was up a gradual incline. I had a hard time trying to keep up! I was beginning to wonder just what I was getting myself into and maybe staying home would have been a good idea!! Too late for second thoughts. We had too many young women to take in one group and so we broke up into two groups. It had been several years since I have taken the time to tour The Beehive House. I think the house is beautiful.

After The Beehive House, we walked to The Joseph Smith Memorial Building. There we ate our sack lunches in a large cafeteria in the basement. After lunch, we went upstairs and watched the Joseph Smith Movie. It was awesome. I have seen the movie before but could watch it again and again. It really brings a great appreciation for Joseph Smith. It also makes me love Emma for the sacrifices that she made.

After the movie, we walked back to Temple Square. We didn't have time for a tour but we went up and saw the big statue of Christ that is in one of the Visitor Centers.

We then caught the bus and went to Hire's for dinner. It was a fun place. They are famous for their root beer but also serve homemade french fries. It was delicious!

After dinner, we went to The Conference Center for the broadcast. The doors opened quite a while before the broadcast. We got there shortly after the doors opened. We spent the time before the broadcast taking pictures and just visiting.

It was so amazing that when President Monson walked into the room, you could have heard a pin drop. What an amazing experience! All the talks were fabulous!

On the bus ride home, we spent the first part, talking about what parts for the fireside touched us. It was awesome to hear the young women talk about what touched them. Fast Sunday the following day was one of the most powerful testimony meetings I have attended in a while. Testimony was full of young women talking about how this trip had changed them. What a sweet Spirit filled our Sacrament Meeting that day.

Later Sunday night while attending a Bishop's Youth Discussion, the bishop thanked me for the sacrifice I made to go. It was not a sacrifice for me at all to go with these Young Women and Leaders that I love. To me it was a wonderful experience and one that helped strengthen my testimony.

The Fall

2009-04-30T14:34:00.001-07:00

I hope you will excuse me. I haven't blogged in FOREVER! I misplaced the cord to my camera that I download pictures with it. I found the cord this morning. Since blogging is kind of like my journaling of major events in our household, I hope you won't mind as I backtrack and write about a few of those major events in our household over the past month.

I don't know if you have ever had a moment where you are trying to process something in your brain and you start reacting before your brain totally finishes processing. I had one of those moments today.

I had been in Idaho Falls at an appointment. I had Logan with me. I didn't get away like I had expected and so my good friend, Linda Gibbs, picked Conner and Natalie up from school and was watching them at her house. I went and picked them up as I was coming into town. I knew Linda had to be to work and so we were in a bit of a hurry. When I got there, I unbuckled Logan and he came in with me. Conner was all ready to go but Natalie didn't have shoes on. So upon leaving Linda's house, I start trying to figure out if I should carry Natalie down the steps and to the van or if I should just let her walk down the steps and then I would carry her to the van. My brain had decided that the steps were clean and dry and she could walk down the steps and then I would carry her to the van. However, I immediately leaned forward and went to carry her. That split second of indecisiveness was enough to through me completely off balanace. I fell forward. We must have also fallen sideways because we ended to the side of the stairs in a bed of lava rock. Me right on top of Natalie. Linda had been behind us and rushed to pull Natalie out from under me. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't like people to know I am hurt and I usually jump up screaming that I am okay. Not this time. I laid in the bed of lava rock screaming out in pain. Once Linda had gotten Natalie out of the rock, I notice that she is bleeding profusely. So Linda takes Natalie in the house to get her cleaned up. Thanks so much Linda. Those of you who know me know I don't deal well with blood or puke! Conner and Logan are standing there looking at me, scared. Natalie had left a lot of blood behind. Her pink coat and princess backpack were now more red than they were pink and there was quite a bit of blood on the sidewalk. I was still laying there in the bed of lava rocks trying to figure how I was ever going to get out of there. I tell Logan and Conner to carry Natalie's things to the van and I will be there in a minute. It took everything I had in me to get up and hobble to the van. Linda finished cleaning up Natalie and brought her to the van. I start heading home. I tried to reach Bryon at the school. He wasn't available so I left a message on his voicemail. You see I had had trouble sleeping lately and would be wide awake at 3 or 4 in the morning. This particular morning I had been up since 4. My appointment in Idaho Falls had also been very emotional for me. Anyone who knows me also knows that I love a little power nap in the afternoon. So I told Bryon that I had had a little mishap and was going to go home and have a power nap. I had a month's worth of groceries in the backseat. I told him I would carry in the refrigerated and freezer stuff but would need his help unloading everything else upon him getting home. But do not call me, I would just see him when he got home in a couple of hours. Well my mind quickly changed upon getting home. It took me a good 20 minutes to hobble from the van into the house and Natalie's nose had began to bleed again. Bryon came home and loaded Natalie up in the van to take her to Community Care. He asked me if I was going to go with them to have the doctor look at my foot. I do not like to go to doctors and try to avoid them at all costs. I told Bryon, "I am badly hurt NOT dead!"

Natalie ended up with two little stitches on the side of her nose. I am still paying for my little mishap. The very next day, my foot was still not doing any better. I have had a broken foot before and felt like I hadn't broken anything. However, this happened on a Thursday and on Saturday of that same week we were going to be taking our Young Women to Salt Lake to attend the General Young Women's Broadcast. I was going even if I had to go on a stretcher. I knew we were going to be walking all over Temple Sqaure in Salt Lake City. When all the kids were at school on Friday morning, I took myself to Community Care. They x-rayed my foot. Sure enough it wasn't broken but just very badly sprained. The doctor told me he was going to give me an air cast. I told him I was glad because on Saturday we were going to Temple Square and I would be doing a lot of walking and was hoping to get some support for my ankle. Upon hearing how much walking I would be doing, he opted to give me a walking boot. I wore the walking boot that day, Saturday to Salt Lake, and Sunday. By Monday I figured my ankle was feeling pretty good and I wouldn't wear the boot for all the little puttering around the house stuff I do. (The doctor at Community Care never told me how long I had to wear it). However, if I do any sort of exercising or walk any sort of long distance, that sucker swells up the size of a watermelon! On Monday I went to the doctor for a list of about 10 things I was hoping to talk to him about. While I was visiting him, I mentioned in passing about my fall. He looks at my ankle (which was NOT one of the 10 things I went to talk to him about). He found out I had a walking boot and had worn it only for a short amount of time. He told me I am to go back to the walking boot for a good week if not two!

Disney On Ice

2009-04-01T13:46:00.001-07:00

My Favorite Things

2009-03-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I took Logan down to Primary Children's Hospital for some Genetic testing. We really didn't have any concerns when we made the appointment we just wanted to rule some things out. Also Logan's eye doctor at the Moran/Primary Children's Hospital wanted us to have it done. Other than just being long, the appointment was fine. The doctor sees no reason to see us for another three years. At that time, Logan will be entering the school scene and will want to see how he is doing academically.

I invited a friend to go with me. I hate going by myself and I really worried about navigating around Salt Lake City. We did some shopping on Wednesday and I found some new Favorite Things that I wanted to tell you about.

First of all we went to Tai Pan Trading. I LOVE THAT STORE. I could have spent a ton of money in there. I refrained and only bought a few things. Don't worry I plan on going again this weekend when we go down for Disney on Ice. Last time we were in there, Bryon talked me into buying these red containers. While I loved them, they didn't match the color of my living room at all. I finally talked Bryon into donating them to the D.I. Since then I have been on a quest for a metal magazine rack. I found one and I love it!

While I was there, I found the cutest fruit basket. While I hadn't been looking for one, we really needed one. We have this wicker basket that sits on the counter. It desperately needed to be replaced. So here is my new fruit basket. I love it and it fits perfectly under my cupboards.

I have a wreath hanger that I put out occasionally. I have always wanted a wreath made of Easter Eggs. I found one that I couldn't pass up. I think it is adorable and Bryon even commented that he likes my new wreath. That is always a bonus!

All of this shopping was wearing us out. Brenda told me about the delicious caramel apples that they sell there. I actually broke down and brought one home for us to split. While we were looking for caramel apples, we went to the food court in Tai Pan. They sell Gelato there. While I have heard a lot about it, I had actually never tried it. It was delicious! I had Pink Grapefruit. I thought I was in Heaven! It is actually supposed to be better for you than ice cream. Plus it is served at a warmer temperature than ice cream, so no brain freeze. For me that is a HUGE PLUS! On our return trip to Tai Pan this weekend, I promised Bryon and the kids that we would stop for Gelato. I can hardly wait!

Don't worry I am almost done on my list of new favorite things! I have been in a Ross Dress For Less a couple of times and have never found anything real great. However, Brenda, swears by Ross's. So a stop at Ross's was definitely on my list of stores to hit while we were shopping. We found one. While I didn't find any clothes to buy, I did find a cute Liz Claiborne purse. But my favorite find there was a set of candlesticks. I have been looking everywhere for a set of three candlesticks to sit on my fireplace. I can't find any that I like. (Well I have. My mom has a set that I love but she isn't parting with them anytime soon!) So Brenda found these adorable candlesticks. I know there are only two but I am going to find something a little smaller to put with them to make my cluster of three. I also found a really cute container for my kitchen table. That will have to wait for a later post. I am going back to Tai Pan this weekend to get fake fruit to put in it. I think it is going to look awesome.

My last favorite thing is food. Brenda and I got talking about where we always eat when we go to Salt Lake. I actually took her to one of my favorites on the way down. We stopped in Brigham City and ate at the Maddox Drive In. She has never been to The Mayan. It seems like we go there almost everytime we are in Salt Lake with the kids. She bought Disney On Ice tickets for next weekend. Our families are going to meet up and go to The Mayan before going to Disney on Ice. I know they won't be disappointment. One of their family's favorite places to eat while in Salt Lake is P.F. Changs. P.F. Changs has a little less formal restaurant called Pei Wei. We went there for a late lunch/early dinner before heading home. It was delicious! My family loves Chinese food and we plan to eat there this weekend while we are in Salt Lake. But my favorite thing by far was the delicious lettuce wraps. They were to die for. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. I am on the quest to find a recipe for them to see if I can make them in my own kitchen. Stay tuned to my food blog to see what I was able to find.

Grandpa Dean's 85th Birthday Party

2009-03-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

Bryon's Grandpa Dean turns 85 this month. My mother-in-law and her siblings threw Grandpa Dean an 85th birthday celebration. It was held at a church in Idaho Falls (It had to be at a church to accomodate us all!). If I counted right we were only missing one or two grandchildren. It was amazing that we could all be together. Even Bryon's brother, Todd, flew in from Tennessee. We had a wonderful luncheon with roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, and salads. After lunch my mother-in-law handed out cute little coloring books she had made for all the great grandchildren about their Great Grandpa Dean. Then we watched a 30 minute video she made from pictures of Grandpa Dean. My mother-in-law really went to a lot of work for this birthday celebration. We sang Happy Birthday to grandpa and had chocolate birthday cake and ice cream.

I am so glad for the opportunity I have had to get to know Grandpa Dean over the past several years. He is a wonderful person. He is such a hard worker. He is always willing to help his children and grandchildren with various work projects. He is a true American hero. He served our country during World War II. During that time, he was taken as a prisoner of war. He has a scar on his back where he was struck with a bayonet. The great grandsons think that is very cool! I am so grateful for Grandpa & Grandma Perry's support through the years. No matter what the occasion, they always made an effort to attend special functions. I love going with my family to spend time with Grandpa at the farm. I have enjoyed the many times we have gone up in the willows for an old fashioned hot dog roast. I am so thankful that my children have had the chance to get to know their Great Grandpa Perry.

Grandpa, we love you!

Pictures From Grandpa Dean's 85th Birthday

2009-03-05T17:45:00.001-08:00

Draper Temple Open House

2009-02-12T08:42:00.000-08:00

After Katie's baptism, we left my sister's house on Sunday afternoon and drove to Spanish Fork where we spent Sunday evening with Bryon's sister, Alicia, and her family. We had a great time visiting. The kids loved playing with their cousins.

Monday morning we got up and went to the Draper Temple Open House. The temple was beautiful. After the open house we went back to the Stake Center for a cookie and bottled water. A lady there offered to take our picture in front of a huge picture of Christ. Here are the pictures from that. I always catch a lot of flack because I am not in the picture very often. My mom often comments about how can I know if I was actually there if I am not in any pictures. So here is proof that I was actually at the open house!

Attending this temple open house has made me do a great deal of thinking. My children are adopted and so have had opportunities to go to the temple to be sealed to us and the older ones have had the privilege of going to the temple again to watch as their new siblings were sealed to us. But more than this I have thought what a wonderful time this is for my children. I remember growing up and attending the open house of the Logan temple (when it was open after having had some remodeling done). We also went with my cousins to the Boise temple open house. However, that is about all of my temple experiences until I was old enough to do Baptisms for the Dead. Besides being sealed, my children have had the opportunity to go to the open houses of the Rexburg, Twin Falls and now Draper. We have plans to attend the Oquirrh Mountain open house later this summer. What a great opportunity for them to learn about the sacredness of the temple. When we were in the Draper Temple as we entered the Celestial Room, Natalie said, "Wow." She was in awe. She kept looking around. The Spirit bore witness to me that she felt the Spirit in that sacred room. I hope all of my children will be able to remember the special feelings that they have felt when we have been in the temple together as a family. I hope this will increase their desire to live their lives worthily so that they too may one day receive the blessings of the temple in their own lives.

I am so thankful for the blessings of the temple and for the blessing of Eternal Families.

Katie's Baptism

2009-02-12T08:27:00.000-08:00

Our family left here on Friday, January 30 to attend the baptism of our niece and cousin, Katie. Sam had ski school on Friday. We hated to have Sam miss ski school and so we let him go up with the school and then we drove up and got him out of ski school an hour early so we could be on the road a little earlier than if we would have had to wait for him. Conner was so freaked out all week about driving at midnight. I hate driving at night and so I knew most of the driving would be up to Bryon. I did promise Conner that I would stay awake to keep Bryon awake. I am proud to say that I did not sleep a wink in the seven hour drive to Richfield, Utah. However, I am not so sure Bryon was thrilled to have his "co-pilot" awake the whole time!

Saturday was such a special day to be able to see our niece and cousin, Katie, baptized. She looked so pretty in her new dress. She is such a beautiful girl and there was such a sweet spirit there. It was so much fun to be all together with my family. Like my sister mentioned, she can't remember the last time we were all together, usually we are missing at least one husband.

After the baptism, we went back to Lori's for a delicious luncheon and then we went swimming at the community indoor swimming pool. We had a blast!

Sunday we got up and went to church with Lori and her family. My sister, Lori, leads music in the primary. I went with her and filled in as the pianist. It has been a long time since I have been in primary.

Congratulations Katie on your baptism. We love you so much and are so proud of your decision to be baptized.

Connerism

2009-01-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

On Friday I was frantically finishing last minute details for Conner's birthday party. I noticed that his hair was sticking up. I asked him to go in the bathroom and comb it. He said, "Mom! It's not like I am going on a date or anything. I am just having some friends over for my party!" I about died laughing! That's a typical boy for you!

Conner's Birthday Party

2009-01-28T08:36:00.001-08:00

Conner's Birthday

2009-01-28T07:19:00.000-08:00

Conner had a great birthday. We decided the Sunday before his birthday that we would let him have a friend party this year. Conner was so excited. We decided on seven friends for him to invite. I was a little nervous about how it was going to work out. He had decided on two friends from the neighborhood, one friend that has been his best friend for forever, and then four friends from school. I worried that where all of his friends didn't know each other if it would be a problem. They all got along wonderfully! I had been working out at the school that week and so I was unable to put as much time as I would like to have put into planning the party. On Thursday, I still didn't have any real great ideas for a party. Thanks so much to my friend Gina, she suggested a winter themed party. It was a great idea!

Conner's friends really were a cute group of boys. His good friends from school are: PortER, SpencER, CartER, and him (ConnER). It can be confusing at times!

Once the kids got here, we played Pin-The-Nose on the Snowman. It was a huge hit! Then we played a game where I put a package of cotton balls on a cookie sheet. I also had another cookie sheet. I blindfolded them one at a time and then they tried to move the "snowballs" from one cookie sheet to the other. The one with the most was the winner. We then opened presents, had cake, and broke the pinata.

That night once Grandpa Roskelley & Sam got home from skiing, we opened more presents and had more cake and ice cream. We gave him a Pocket V-Smile and two game cartridges for it. Grandpa & Grandma Roskelley gave him a gift certificate for McDonald's. They also gave him some money. I have him the choice if he wanted to buy more Magnetix or a new pair of snow boots. There was no hesitation. He wanted new snow boots. He has been wearing this pair of Pooh Bear snow boots. They are pretty juvenile. Conner hates them and has been begging for big boy boots all winter.

Saturday they went to Wal-Mart and picked out a pair of new snow boots. Saturday afternoon we drove down to Leo's in Idaho Falls. Leo's is a place that serves pizza, hamburgers, and salads. They also have a huge indoor climbing thing and an arcade. My kids love it there. Afterwards, we went to Grandpa & Grandma Kennedy's. They gave him a set of Tinker Toys. Conner was so excited. He loves to create things with his hands.

I will post pictures of his friend party.

Ski School

2009-01-26T13:28:00.001-08:00

Sam brought home a paper right before Christmas about ski school. It is held for six consecutive Fridays. They leave the school at 2:00 in the afternoon, ride the busses up to the ski resort, have a one hour lesson and then are free to ski until 7:00. At that point, they load the busses again and we pick them up at the junior high about 8:00. Sam wasn't really sure he wanted to do ski school. We thought it would be a great idea. Sam really wanted to learn to snowboard but we told him he needed to learn to ski first and then after a couple of years if he liked it, we would let him learn to snowboard. He went up the first week. He had a good time (but did come home pretty sore). He and a friend spent most of the time on the bunny hill. They did ride the lift up the hill once. Sam said they had a hard time getting back down the mountain and so they went back to the bunny hill.

My dad has talked about taking a day off of work and coming up to go skiing with Sam. You see we used to go skiing all the time in the winter as a family. My dad is really good at teaching other people to ski. We decided the second week would be a great week for him to come and go with Sam. That way he could give Sam some pointers and help him a little more than what he is getting in his one hour class.

Friday my dad took the whole day off of work and drove up here, bad roads and all.

Everytime we would talk about this ski trip, my dad sounded so excited to come and go with Sam. We had figured out it had been at least 10-12 years since my dad had last been skiing. Never once did my dad make it sound like his age plus not going for so long would at all be a problem. Everytime I hung up the phone, I kept saying "I am not sure he knows what he is getting into. I know he isn't thinking about what he is going to be feeling like on Saturday morning." Yet I was still ever so thankful that he was willing to come and give it a try. I have to say, my dad would do almost anything if Sam asked him. They have that sort of relationship!

The ski trip was a huge success. My dad said Sam couldn't even make it up the rope tow without falling over. So after the ski lesson, they worked really hard at getting up the rope tow without falling. My dad said that by the end of the night Sam could get around the bunny hill really good. They even went up on the lift once.

When they got home, my dad said he is NEVER doing that again. He could hardly move.

Dad, we just really want to say thank you so much for taking time out of your schedule to come and go with Sam. It meant alot that you would do that. We love you!

Cool Adoption Music Video

2009-01-24T09:13:00.000-08:00

Being an adoptive mother, I always love anything positive I can find on adoption. This morning I came across a cool music video and thought I would share. Click on the link below to view. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhqJYOYcnAU

Happy Birthday Conner

2009-01-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Conner,

As I sit here at the computer tonight I find it so hard that tomorrow you will be turning six. Conner, you have brought more joy into our lives than you will ever know. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for blessing my life with you.

I cannot believe that just over six years ago your dad and I felt the urgency to put in our paperwork again to begin the adoption process a second time. We knew the wait would be short but we had no idea how short it would be. We found out in the middle of January that your birthmom was looking at files and was considering us. We found out that next week that she had selected us to be your parents. You weren't due be born for another ten days. You, however, had different plans. Once she selected us and we wrote back to her, she went into labor. Your birthmom and I both know that all you were waiting for was for her to decide on a family. Once she had done that, you didn't see the need to wait any longer and decided to make your grand appearance into the world.

The day you were placed in our arms was a day I will never forget. Your dad and I got up and got dressed in our Sunday best. We were so excited to finally see you. Aunt Michele watched Sam while we went and met you. Your birthmom, Brenda, brought you over from the hospital. One of your birthfather's sisters came along with her for moral support. Brenda walked into the room and immediately placed you in my arms. Michael McLean wrote a song that I think beautifully describes what everyone in that room felt that day.

There's an ache that's missing today
There's an emptiness that's been filled
There's a cloud that's lifting and drifting away
There's a raging storm that's been stilled
There's a joy that's real
There's a wound that's finally healed
There's a future replacing the past
This breath of new life in the cast
Something perfect is happening here
And this moment will bury the mountains of fears
And the countless tomorrows in a world disappears
Something that's perfect is happening here.
No one knows so no one can say
That tomorrow all will be well
Will the brightest promise that shines in today
shine tomorrow no one can tell
But one thing is sure and will be forever more
Such unselfish love has been giv'n
The world just made more room for Heaven
Something perfect is happening here
And this moment will bury the mountains of fears
And the countless tomorrows in a world disappears
Something that's perfect is happening here.

The Spirit was so strong in that room that day. There is not a doubt in my mind or Brenda's mind that this was all part of our Heavenly Father's great plan for you.

Little did we know when we left the agency that day, that Brenda would come back into our lives. As you know, Brenda eventually married your birthfather, Steve. Through the years, Brenda has become a very good friend of mine. I love her for not only being your angel birthmom but I also love her for becoming my eternal friend. I have felt many times in talking with her that she was my sister long before we came to this earth life.

As I have watched you through the years Conner, I can't help but think of what a beautiful combination of nature and nurture you are. You are so laid back and easy going. We all know you didn't get that from definitely didn't come from me or your dad! I know your laid back easy going spirit is a trait of Brenda. I love that about you. When I look at you I see so much of your physical traits are directly linked to Steve. You look so much like him. But I also see a lot of Steve's wittiness in you. I haven't quite figured out what you have of mine. Other than you are my little cuddle bug! I love you for that. I also see you do alot of your dad's expressions. People always comment how much you look like him too. Teachers at the school often remind me that you are so your father's son!

I hope you always remember just how loved you truly are. You have a huge birthfamily that loves you so much. Your dad and I love you more than you know. You have great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all who love you. The relationship I have loved watching through the years is that of you and Sam. Sam had prayed for a brother for years. You see Sam knew you were coming long before your dad and I knew you were coming. When we found out about you, we had just had a great Christmas. We had spent some of our adoption savings to have a huge Christmas. We figured we would have plenty of time to put it back in. So imagine my surprise when the agency called and said Brenda was considering us and one other family. I went to my room to pray that she would choose the other family. I wanted a baby so bad but didn't know how we would pay the adoption cost. I came downstairs from closing my prayer and Sam said, out of the blue, that he was getting a new baby brother. I hadn't said a word to him about there even being that possibility. I knew in that moment that you were coming. I went upstairs and offered a "please forgive me prayer" and vowed we would do whatever it took to get you here. I have to admit that it wasn't all roses. While Sam had prayed for a little brother, once he figured you were here to stay, he wasn't quite sure what he had prayed for! However, it didn't take you two long to become the best of friends. As I have watched you two play through the years, once again I have come to know that you two knew each other long ago. I love the way that you admire Sam. I thought it was so cute last week when you found out that Sam had ski school on Friday and wouldn't be home until after 8:00. You cried so hard that Sam wouldn't be home all day on Friday. It was cute how you waited all day long for him to get home. I hope you two always remain best friends.

Conner I love so much about you. I love your beautiful blue eyes. When you were born, Brenda was hoping that they would stay blue. They have and they are so pretty. I love looking into those pretty blue eyes. I love it that you are six and are still my little cuddle bug! Sam was such an active baby that I wanted the next baby to be more cuddly and that you were. There were days that I would curse that I couldn't put you down without you fussing. But I have come to love your hugs and kisses. I love it how you come and jump in my arms and cuddle with me. I know I already commented about how easy going you are. I love your easy going way. I often wish I could be more like that. I could talk to you all day. I love to hear your cute little voice. I love how witty you are. I always manage a good laugh when I talk to you. I know we joke about it but I think it is cute how your ears get red and glow whenever you are sick or tired. It is always a good indicator of when it's your bed time. You are so creative. I know I cuss the torn paper around the house and how my paper products are always disappearing but I love how you are always trying to create things. I love the sweet Spirit that you bring into our family. Our family would not be complete without you. I admire your desire to do what is right. I hope that will continue throughout your whole life. I as a mom, often think I learn more from my children than I will ever teach them. Most of all Conner, I consider myself most blessed for being chosen to be your mom.

My birthday letter to you wouldn't be complete without giving thanks to the one who gave you life. I think as an adoptive mom that is the hardest thing about birthdays for me. While they are always such an exciting day for us, it hurts me to know that somewhere out there someone is missing you a little more on your special day. I will forever be indebted to your birthmom, your birthfather, and our Heavenly Father for bringing you into our family. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank my Heavenly Father for the sacrifice that they made. I am often overwhelmed at the trust that they have placed in me to be your mother.

In a few short hours you will be six. We will awake to a day filled with festivities for your special day. We will celebrate with friends, family, cake, presents and balloons. I hope your day will be a great one!

Love,
Mom

Looking Back to 2008

2009-01-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

I should be going to bed. I know tomorrow morning will come all to early. However, sleeping all the way home tonight from spending New Year's with my parents and sister in Burley over the weekend (the kids were content in the back watching a video) and a little catnap on the couch tonight has provided me with a second wind. I have been trying to figure out how to recap the past year and found the perfect quetionnaire. So here goes our year in review. . .

LOOKING BACK

1. What did you do in 2008 that you have never done before? I drove a spud truck during spud harvest. For the past couple of years I have always worked spud harvest. Bryon is out of school and so it made sense for me to work spud harvest and make some Christmas money. It is always freezing cold and it makes for long days after being on your feet for 12+ hours. This year I decided to try something different and asked the farmer I have worked for the past couple of years if I could drive instead of work in the pit. He decided to let me try it. I HATED IT! I spent a couple of hours training for harvest but nothing prepared me for the real thing. First of all the heater in the truck I drove was out and so I still froze. Like my sister Lori later told me. I hate to drive and don't do it if I can get out of it. So she was surprised that as much as I hate driving that I would volunteer to drive a huge truck full of potatoes. She was absolutely right. I don't like driving (I am okay driving around town but I don't usually drive when we have to spend more than 30 minutes in the car.) so why I ever volunteered to sit behind the wheel of a large truck for 12+ hours is far beyond me. Every day was a new adventure to say the least. The first day I couldn't figure out how to shift the truck at all so you could hear me grinding my gears all the way down the road. The second day I managed to run over a whole row of undug potatoes. The third day I managed to run over some sprinkler pipe. The fourth day I managed to get lost on my way back to the cellar after starting in a new potato field. Next year I will gladly go back to working in the pit.

This year I also signed up to sell Scentsy. I have been to more home parties than I care to count. I have never had the desire to sign up to be a consultant for any of them. I am not a huge sales person and I don't like being pushy. However, I got in it to simply pay for what I use. I actually signed up without ever having been to a Scentsy party or having tried any of their products. I am sold on the product and have enjoyed all the people I am meeting in the process.

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year? I am not big on New Year's Resolutions. I always feel like a huge failure when by January 10th I have already ate way more than I should if I am going to loose weight like I wanted to, when I have lost my cool one too many times with my children after resolving to be a more patient mother, and then cussing up a storm because I have fallen short on my other resolutions now breaking my last resolution to quit cussing! I do prefer to have some goals. Some goals I would like to accomplish this year are: 1. To be more consistent about holding Family Home Evening 2. To finish reading The Book of Mormon as a family (we have only been working on this one for about three years) 3. To be more healthy in 2009

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? A couple. My sister Lori gave birth to a beautiful baby boy Carson in July. He is truly a miracle after much heartache over a couple of years of them trying to add to their family. Also my sister-in-law Michele gave birth to a little boy, Kyle in March.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Bryon and I have been very blessed to not loose someone close to us recently. However, it was definitely an interesting year in dealing with death with those around us. This fall a co-worker of Bryon's had a son involved in a tragic car accident that took the life of another co-worker's spouse. Our hearts went out to both of these families going through a very difficult time in their lives. Then right around the holidays a former ward member of ours died suddenly. Just as we were leaving town last Wednesday morning, we got a phone call that another co-worker of Bryon's passed away unexpectedly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of these that hav lost loved ones. It made me think a lot about life and to be thankful for every moment that we have on this earth.

5. What places have you visited? We didn't travel anywhere huge during 2008. Logan goes down to Primary Children's once a year and we always make it a fun family event and leave the day before, stay in a hotel and do something fun after his appointment. This year we took the kids to The Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. In August we traveled to Randolph, Utah for the three-day Kennedy Reunion. We were able to go to Burley several times this past year. We also traveled Twin Falls to attend the Open House of the Twin Falls Temple. We also traveled to Idaho Falls more times than we can count.

6.What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? I really can't think of a single thing. Okay I'll be honest, money. Who wouldn't want more of that?!? However, I really feel like I have a blessed life and there isn't anything that I wish for more of in 2009, just more of the same.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched in your memory and why?

January 27, 2008 -- President Hinckley passing away.

Saturday, February 9, 2008 -- The Youth Celebration for the Rexburg Temple. We were actually just going to go watch it from the stake center. My friend called that afternoon and told us they were saving us a place in line hoping to get in on standby tickets. We hurried down and ended up getting in. It was an awesome experience.

Sunday, February 10, 2008 -- The dedication of the Rexburg Temple

Friday, June 6, 2008 -- This was the day that Conner's birthparents Brenda and Steve went to the temple to be sealed. It has been five long years of waiting for this day and we wish them and their cute little family all the happiness in the world.

Saturday, June 21, 2008 -- Sam's baseball won the championship game.

July 26 - August 3 -- Our family hosted two dancers from Mexico (okay it ended up being the bus drivers) for the Rexburg International Dance Festival. It was an awesome experience.

8.What was your biggest achievement this past year? I can't come up with any great achievement of this past year.

9. Did you suffer illness or injury? Our family has been very blessed with good health. I would have to say the biggest injury was Bryon's chipping out his front teeth on his new bike. You can read all about his accident by clicking on the Bryon link on the right hand side of this blog. It seems like every fall and winter Natalie and Logan miss a bunch of church and school for green snotty noses and rattely chests. This year was no exception. I have also been able to brag until recently that for the nine years I have been a mom, my kids haven't puked. My kids just don't do it. Thank heavens because I don't do puke! My mom keeps telling me I am living on borrowed time. Well this fall I have had my fair share of cleaning up puke! Also the year ended with both Sam and Natalie having strep throat.

10. What was the best thing you bought? Does buying your house a second time count?!? Bryon and I figured with the economy the way it is it was a great time to have it work in our favor. We refinanced our house at the end of 2008. We got a great interest rate and a mortgage that is $250 less each month! We are just hoping we didn't jump too soon.

11. Where did most of your money go? Life, kids, and GAS! A Ballroom dance camp for Sam, baseball for Sam, T-Ball for Conner, soccer for both of them, gymnastics for Conner, some remodeling (new doors, chair rail, etc.), and money to fix Bryon's front teeth from his biking accident.

12. What song will always remind you of 2008? Although I constantly have the radio going or am listening to my I-Pod, I wouldn't say that one song has stuck out in my mind to represent 2008.

13. What do you wish you would have done more of? I wish I would have just taken more time to live. I want to enjoy my children more. Often times if it doesn't fit in the schedule, we don't do it. I need to let go of the schedule or routine and just live. I have a friend that every January chooses a single word to live by for the coming new year. A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow. This past year her word was live and I watched her as she really did try to "Live" each day to the fullest. So this year I am going to focus on the word Live and truly live each day to the fullest. The reason being that with my busy chaotic life I forget to stop and really enjoy life. I have waited all this time to be a mom and I often worry that it is passing me up. So this year I am going to Live. I am going to play doll house with Natalie, I am going to go out in the yard to kick a ball around with Sam & Conner, and play cars with Logan. I am going to enjoy every moment that I get to spend with Bryon. I am going to stop being so busy and focus on what matters most to me: my family and just live in the moment.

14. What do you wish you would have done less of? Probably of getting mad and frustrated at the little things that don't really matter and focus more on the overall picture. And if the truth be told less computer and television time and focusing more on building relationships.

15. What was your favorite TV program? I have a few of them. I am a sucker for reality shows. I love Survivor and the Amazing Race. I also have to admit I enjoy watching The Bachelor/The Bachelorette. I know pathetic!

16. What was the best book you read this year? I would have to say the best book I read this past year was "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. I loved this book. I think he had some great lessons in his book that we can all learn from.

17. What was your favorite film of the year? My very favorite film of 2008 would have to have been Momma Mia. I went with two friends to watch it and can't remember the last time I laughed that hard!

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? This year I turned 34. I am finding out the older you get the more your birthday is just another day. This year was no exception. I watched a friends kids that day because she was in Oregon with her mom who was in the hospital. I took her kids and mine to a circus here in town that afternoon. Sam had baseball practice so he left the circus early so Bryon could take him to baseball. It was late by the time my friends husband came and got the kids and Bryon and Sam made it home from baseball. We went out to Applebee's (one of my favorite restaurants) for a late dinner. Bryon did make me a cake but we were so full after dinner that we had to wait until the next night to have cake and ice cream.

19. What political issue stirred you the most? Definitely Proposition 8. I don't get involved in politics usually and I definitely didn't do as much as some of my friends but I watched Proposition 8 closely. I also followed the presidential election closely.

20. Who was the best new person you met? This past year I have had the opportunity to serve in the Rexburg Temple a couple of times a month on Saturdays answering the phones. I have loved serving the Lord. This has allowed me to meet a couple of new people. The one that stands out in my mind is the temple recorder. He is always so positive and always takes the time to greet me and thanks me for serving in the temple. He always makes the time to answer my questions. He is so knowledgeable about the Gospel and about temple work. He is one of the kindest, most gentle, most humble man I have met. I know he would be so embarrassed about me saying this about him so I have chosen not to use his name. I learn something new from him almost every time I serve there and have been so thankful for having this opportunity to serve.

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

2008-12-29T05:57:00.000-08:00

Well as you know we have been hit with a ton of snow lately. I even think there is more out there now than we got all year last year.

Last night we had just settled down as a family to watch The Sound of Music and the doorbell rings. It is Jared from across the street. He is in the Elder's Quorum Presidency with Bryon. Pretty soon Bryon comes down and puts on his snow gear. He said that Jared was shoveling out some snow away from his mailbox tossing it on to his neighbors yard when the neighbor lady came out and complained about the extra snow he was putting in his yard. So he was going to go out and help Jared move some snow around. I figure it wasn't a big deal and he shouldn't be gone long. From my family room I can see lights flash in the window occasionally. I decided to go upstairs and see what was going on. This is what I saw on my front lawn.

Oh yes, the recruited the help of a neighbor down the street. The basically took most of the snow out of this lady's yard and were distributing it between Jared's yard and our yard. Now we have a huge, probably a 7 foot hill of snow in my front yard. Sam and Conner are so excited. They want to go out and try it out today. We will have to see!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T04:42:00.001-08:00

I know I haven't been the greatest at updating my blog lately. I am promising to do better. We had a great holiday season. We have enjoyed reading a couple of Christmas stories together as a family, we made sugar cookies for Santa (of course we had our fill also), we braved shopping the Saturday before Christmas together as a family, we held our traditional family slumber party underneath the Christmas tree, and we have just enjoyed being together as a family.

It was our turn to spend Christmas with the Kennedy side this year. With our children being older and four of them it makes traveling for Christmas very hard to do. We decided when Sam was little to quit the traveling part and stay home and spend time with our little family and then try to see both extended families sometime over the holidays. Since Bryon's parents only live 40 minutes away it makes spending time with them on Christmas a little more feasible. This year Dorothy, my mother-in-law invited us down on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We spent the majority of the day finishing those last minute Christmas things. We left here and stopped and picked up Bryon's grandpa that lives on the way. Christmas at my in-laws was a little quieter this year. Bryon's two sisters from Utah didn't come up and Bryon's brother that lives in Tennessee isn't coming out until January. So that left us and Bryon's two brothers and their families that live in Idaho Falls. Bryon's family's Christmas Eve tradition is more casual than mine. We had clam chowder, crackers, a relish tray, and cheese for dinner. We then had peppermint ice cream and sugar cookies for dessert. Several years ago, my mother-in-law made each family a binder of the Christmas story. In it, it has pictures and songs that go along with the story. So after dinner we sat in the living room and took turns reading the Christmas story and singing songs. Everyone was anxious to get back to their own houses to get ready for Santa to come. The kids had fallen asleep on the way home. We had to wake them to open their Christmas pajamas and to get out milk and cookies for Santa.

Bryon and I both woke up before the kids. We woke up at 5:50 (thanks to Bryon's alarm). Bryon wanted to go out to shovel the snow and get a fire started before the kids got up. The kids got up about 6:10.

We had a wonderful Christmas. Here is a little run down of what we got.

Bryon, Sam, Conner and I got the Wii. We each got a game that goes with the Wii.

Sam -- Sam got some Playmobile, some Bionicles, and a nice CD/Stereo for his bedroom.

Conner -- Got Marbleworks, some Tech Deck Dudes, and a nice ATM machine to keep his allowance in.

Logan -- The Geo Trax Airport, V-Smile Pocket and some cartridges for it, and a new quilt for his bed.

Natalie -- She got the Loving Family Dollhouse and all the room accessories for it, she got a new Barbie, a Barbie Styling head, a new lamp for her room, and some new Barbie movies.

Bryon -- Bryon finally got the part that makes his bike an indoor bike. I think I managed to surprise him.

Me -- I got the new Wii Fit. I am so excited. Now if I can just figure out how to sink it with the Wii.

Santa also surprised Bryon with tickets for he and I to go to Salt Lake this spring and see Wicked.

We enjoyed spending the majority of the day together. Bryon's parents came up that morning to deliver their Christmas presents to us and to see what the kids got for Christmas. They said the roads were terrible and so we were hoping to be able to make it back to their house for Christmas dinner.

It snowed pretty much all day here. We had talked all day about probably just staying home. About 3 we finally decided to try to go to Idaho Falls. We took pajamas just in case we couldn't make it back. The roads were a little treacherous. Dinner was fabulous. My mother-in-law cooked a nice roast for dinner. The kids were so excited that Santa even found Grandpa & Grandma and brought them a huge new bucket of Tinker Toys! While the kids played, we watched an old family video of the Kennedy Family together for Thanksgiving of (I think) 1988. What a blast from the past. Bryon had just gotten his mission call. It was so funny to watch.

We have continued to party all weekend. We look forward to going to Burley in a few days to spend New Years with my parents and sister's family.

Christmas Tag

2008-12-08T08:34:00.001-08:00

I found this little tag and thought it would be fun.
1. Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags?
Wrapping paper. Are you kidding?!? With four little ones I don't have much of a choice. I can't lie, I am tempted to peek, too, with gift bags.
2. Real Tree or Artificial?
Real. It is Bryon's family tradition to go tree hunting the day after Thanksgiving. If we are in Buley they always get one for us. So our main family tree is real. I have bought little artifical trees for each of the kids. They go in their rooms. They get to hang the ornaments they get each year in primary, from Santa, and Grandpa & Grandma Roskelley.
3. When Do You Put Up The Tree?
As soon after Thanksgiving as we can!
4. When Do You Take The Tree Down?
Bryon usually takes down Christmas sometimes between Christmas and New Years. I like verything put back together before he goes back to school.
5. Do You Like Eggnog?
Are you kidding?!? LOVE IT!
6. Favorite Gift Received?
The best gifts I have ever received is the gift from three unselfish birthmothers. It was the gift of life. It is an awesome gift. I am always in awe when I think of this sacrfice. They gave Bryon & I the Ultimate Gift ever!
7. Do You Have a Nativity Scene?
Yes.
8. Hardest Person to Buy For?
Bryon, My Parents, My Brother-in-Laws Brent & Todd
9. Easiest Person to Buy For?
My kids -- They want it all!
10. Worst Christmas Gift You Ever Received?
I don't think there is such a thing. If the person has thought about what to buy you and go to the effort of giving you a gift, isn't that what Christmas is all about?!? Not the gift itself!
11. Mail or E-Mail Christmas Cards
Definitely mail. I love Christmas cards with the family letters and pictures catching up on what everyone has been up to the past year. Speaking of which, I guess I better get started on mine!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I love Christmas with the Kranks!
13. When Do You Start Shopping for Christmas?
I usually start pretty early, I would say July.
14. Have You Ever Recycled a Christmas Present?
Can't say that I have.
15. Favorite Thing To Eat at Christmas?
Do I have to limit it to just one? I love wassail, eggnog, cheese balls . . . all those things that are associated with Christmas (you know those things that should only be once a year kind of
things!)
16. Clear Lights or Colored On The Tree?
I have colored lights on the tree. I have to say, I am not a fan. I love white lights!
17. Favorite Christmas Song?
Can't narrow it down. Love them all! I love the oldies. I like the newer Josh Groban, Celine songs. I do have to say one of my ultime favorites is a Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton song "Christmas to Remember" it reminds me of Christmases growing up. Just something about that song!
18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?
Stay Home. With four kids it is too hard to travel. We usually try to make it to my parents' house sometime during the holidays. Bryon's family lives close so we usually see them on or around Christmas.
19. Can You Name All of Santa's Reindeer?
Of course!
20. Angel on the Tree Top or a Star?
Star
21. Open the Presents Christmas Eve or Morning?
We let the kids open one (new P.J.'s -- I still don't know why they act surprised you would think after all these years they would catch on!) the rest on Christmas morning.
22. Most Annoying Thing About This Time of Year?
I think the true meaning of Christmas is forgotten between the hustle and bustle and gifts. I think if Jesus were to come to earth, He would be embarrased at what Christmas has become. Last night at the First Presidency Devotional they talked about the simpleness of the first Christmas. Christ was born in a stable, not a mansion. He was wrapped in swaddling
clothes not silk. It just really hit me.
23. Favorite Christmas tradition?
Family slumber party around the Christmas tree, and Danish Pudding on Christmas Eve
24. Up Early or Sleeping In?
UP EARLY!!!! I am usually awake all night to see if it's time to get up. Seriously I'm worse than the kids! I have even been known to wake my kids up Christmas morning in the past. I am the biggest kid Christmas morning!
25. Who Hands Out The Gifts?
No one in particular. We usually all have one gift in front of us and then try to open them in
some sort of order.
26. Does Santa Wrap Your Gifts?
Yes {but with different paper than we have in the house.} This year some wrapping paper from Santa gifts a year ago surfaced. Sam picked up on it. We had to inform him, we must have the same taste!
27. Do You Tell The Christmas Story?
Yes! Christmas Eve, we sit around and take turns reading the Christmas story out of a binder my mother-in-law made us. I have since made one for each of my kids. It even has songs that we sing to go along with it.
28. Do You Leave Cookies For Santa?
Yes.
29. Are Your Stocking Presents Wrapped?
Yes.

Give it a try and let me know if you do so I can read yours! Have Fun!

Heartache

2008-11-23T13:15:00.001-08:00

It has taken me a while to get the next part of our adoption journey. I think it has been so hard because the next part of our journey is one that was filled with lots of sorrow and heartbreak.

Little did I know how much heartache my heart would have to endure the next three months before Sam would come into our home. I don't know why all of our adoption mishaps happened over three-day weekends. They did and I began to HATE three day weekends.

In January 1999 we received a phone call from the agency about a birth mom who was considering us. She had some questions for us. The social worker went on to ask me some of the questions this particular birthmother had for us. I hated being put in this position. I was on the spot, needed to answer immediately and knew based on whether or not she liked the answer I gave, determined whether or not she would select us to parent her baby. I tried to answer the questions correctly but also remain true to ourselves. I felt really good about my conversation with the social worker. I just had one of those feelings that this was it. However, I soon began to doubt those feelings because we didn't immediately hear back from our social worker. I was beginning to think that she had chosen someone else.

The next phone call I got was from the agency saying that she had the baby. It was a beautiful African-American baby girl. The agency informed me that this birthmother had previously placed a child for adoption several years earlier. They felt that she was very familiar with the process and with the feelings that go along with it. They were very confident that she was sure in her decision. This baby was born fairly local and we wouldn't have to travel far to pick her up. We were to go meet the birthmom and the birthgrandmother on a Friday. This is known as a face-to face meeting. At the time they usually happened once the birthmother had chosen you as the family and before she actually had the baby. However, because of circumstances beyond their control we would actually meet her right before we picked up our new baby girl. We then would be able to pick up our baby and head home. I was so excited. We only had a matter of days to get everything put together to bring a new baby home. We could hardly contain our excitement! Word quickly spread that we were were going to be new parents. Our neighborhood was great. It seems that on Thursday before we were to leave, our doorbell hardly quit ringing. Friends and neighbors brought over clothes, diaper bags, formula, and diapers to help us to prepare for our new addition. About 8:30 p.m. I got sick. I felt nauseated, feverish, and had a terrible sore throat. I dismissed it to nerves and went around feverishly trying to put together the last of the things I would need for the next day's events. Bryon and I finally climbed into bed somewhere around 10:30 p.m. Shortly after we climbed into bed, the phone rang. Bryon answered it. It didn't take me long to figure out that the news wasn't good. The social worker said that things started unravelling earlier in the day but didn't want to worry us unnecessarily. Some workers from the agency had gone to the temple in prayer for this birthmother and for us. Upon leaving the temple, they received word that the birthmother had been released from the hospital. She was having doubts about her decision to place her baby for adoption. She wanted to place the baby with a foster home for the extended weekend to sort out her feelings before making a final decision. We were devastated! We found out the birthmother had been released at almost the exact time that I began getting sick. I believe this to be one of those tender mercies that Elder Bednar talked about at a recent General Conference. I know this was Heavenly Father's way of letting me know that he was aware of me and was helping me to prepare my heart for the heartache that would unfold later that night. Instead of spending a sleepless night filled with the excitement of being new parents, we spent a very restless night wondering once again if our dreams of ever being parents would ever be fulfilled. The next morning, we packed our bags and headed to Burley to spend the weekend with my parents. While we were gone, our neighborhood came and packed away all of the baby items so we didn't have a constant reminder when we came home. We didn't even need to call the agency on Tuesday morning to see what the birthmother's decision was, we knew in our hearts the answer was "Not yet. Have faith and be patient."

Just before President's Day we got a phone call the first of the week about another possible situation. As I remember she wasn't due for about a month but her blood pressure was pretty high. They were doing some tests on the baby that very week and if the doctors felt like the lungs were developed enough they were going to take the baby. Our worker informed us this was a 99% chance go. The birthmother was a very young girl who had gotten pregnant from a rape. He also told us that her mother had placed a child for adoption years ago and so she had the support of a mom who had been through all of this before. This baby was Guatamalan. We were cautiously optimistic. Yes, we had been burned before but who couldn't possible get excited about a new baby?!? As it turned out we had plans to go to Burley. It was my sister Alyson's senior year. We were going to watch her cheer in one of her last games. Our social worker tried to talk us out of going to Burley for the weekend. I was not going to change my plans to stay home and sit by the phone and wait. We told the social worker we were leaving but left phone numbers where he could reach us. We received word upon getting to Burley that she had a darling baby boy who was small but perfectly healthy. We could pick him up on Sunday (which happened to be Valentine's Day that year). We were so excited. So on Sunday morning we left Burley that morning and drove back to Idaho Falls. We went to the agency where both her worker and our worker were there. The birthmother chose not to be there because she didn't want to meet us. I remember signing the papers and hearing our new baby cry in the next room. After signing the papers, we went in the next room and her worker placed our new baby boy in my arms. For one brief instant, I got the gut feeling that something wasn't quite right. What couldn't possibly be right?!? I had planned my whole life for this day, it was a righteous desire and here we were picking up the baby. What couldn't possibly be right in this situation?!? I immediately dismissed the idea. Little did I know it was my Heavenly Father preparing my heart yet once again for what would lie ahead. We went to Bryon's parents house to introduce them to their newest grandchild. We then headed home. My mom and sister were going to come up after church. They got there in the late afternoon and spent the evening admiring their new nephew and first grandchild. I spent a long night up every two hours to feed our new baby boy. I swear I was smiling every time I woke to feed him. I was just so excited that my family was here. Then that morning Bryon was fixing breakfast and the phone rang. It was the agency. The birthmother had had a change of heart and wanted her baby back. They wanted to know if we wanted to take the baby back to the agency or if they should come and get it. Bryon told them if he got in the car, we wouldn't be headed for Idaho Falls so they better come and get it. I remember the next hour until they got there going by in slow motion. I fed him, changed his diaper, and then put him in the clothes I would send him back to his mother in. I literally felt like I was dressing this baby for his burial. I was in a sense. . . his death to me. I cried my eyes out. When the worker arrived, we told him we didn't want to know of a baby next time until everything is signed on the dotted line. My heart just couldn't deal with this anymore. The worker said to me, "Now, Jennifer, don't be so rushed in your decision." I wanted to scream. "DON'T BE SO RUSHED! I have just survived two months of living hell and you are telling me not to rush to any decisions!" I remember sometime during the day having a conversation with my mom that has stuck with me all this time and I would remember over and over again as times got tough. I told her we would never adopt. I asked her, "Who in their right mind would be pregnant for nine months, go through the pains of delivery and then give that child to perfect strangers? No one in their right mind." My mom said to me, "It takes someone so unselfish to offer such a huge sacrifice." I knew my mom was right, I just needed to make my heart believe it!

Bryon and I decided to take matters into our own hands and look into other adoption agencies. I actually found a girl in Utah that knew quite a bit about adoption and helped us look into other avenues to pursue. We actually filled out paperwork with another adoption agency. This acquaintance had also suggested we look into this facilitator. She said she knew that facilitators got a bad rap in adoption but she had found this one that she trusted. We ended up hooking up with this facilitator. As it turned we ended up being selected for a baby that was born in March in Texas. We had to wire her $3,000 before we could find out the specifics of this baby. That morning again I got that pit in my stomach but dismissed it. We borrowed the money from my parents and wired the money to this facilitator. The baby boy had been born in Texas. We ended up working with the facilitator as well as our social worker on tying up some loose ends for this adoption to happen. I remember it being a Friday. She wanted the weekend and then we were to find out on Monday about flying out to Texas. I called our worker on Monday morning to see what the verdict was, if I needed to buy plane tickets to Texas or not. The worker said to me, "Now who are you?" I wanted to scream. We had been through two brutal failed adoptions and had been working hard the week before on this third adoption and he had no idea who we were. I lost it. I told Bryon there was no hope of us ever getting a child. As it turned out this birthmother had hid her pregnancy from her family. Once they found out she had a baby, they talked her into keeping it.

I think the other thing that has made me drag my feet on posting this is I didn't want to sound negative to birthmothers. I in no way want to convey that. I can only imagine what a hard decision they are faced with. It was a few years later that I was able to talk with the birthmother's worker who delivered in January. I learned a few things about her situation. Some things had transpired in her life over the past couple of years and she needed that baby to help her through. I also on the other hand had a very spiritual experience one day concerning why all this bad had to happen before any good. I know without a doubt that they happened for a reason and we ended up with the children that were meant to come into our home. I know November is over but I really do want to finish our adoption journey. I don't want to leave on such a gloomy note. It really does it get better, it couldn't have gotten much worse! Stay tuned. I have a few other things that I want to catch up on blogging and I will not wait so long to post the rest of the story!

Wait and Hope

2008-11-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

Bryon and I met with LDS Family Services (it was called LDS Social Services at the time) to see what the process would be in adopting. There were mounds and mounds of paperwork to be completed. Once again, I felt like our life was an open book to be scrutinized by others. It was also required that we take a six-week adoption class that was offered one night a week. The Logan agency (which is where we were going through) met with the Ogden agency in Ogden. Once a week, Bryon and I drove to Odgen to attend the classes. We loved our weekly class. We drove over to Ogden and tried to eat somewhere fun before going to class. We learned so much from these adoption classes. We learned about the adoption process but more importantly we met with other couples who were also going through this process. We learned we were not the only ones! We completed the paperwork in Logan just before we moved to Idaho for Bryon to take a teaching job.

Moving delayed the process a little. We had to redo some of the paperwork and then we had to meet with the social worker here a couple of times. We soon grew very frustrated. Let’s just say the social worker was anything but warm and fuzzy. We had just purchased a new house. When the social worker came to look at our house, he was very vocal about how our house was not “family friendly.” Our house was split level. The master suite was on the top floor and then the other two bedrooms were two flights of stairs below us. I wanted to cry. (Actually, I think I did). We had just bought this $80,000+ home and our social worker was telling us it wouldn’t work. It wasn’t like we could take it back to the store and get a refund! We had also put that we were willing to accept a child of any race. Our social worker strongly suggested that we should only adopt a white-race infant for our first child. He told us that adoption was hard enough for these children to face let alone throwing in the race card. This is such a vulnerable time in the process. We changed the paperwork to match the social worker’s request. It wasn’t long before it was very evident to both Bryon and I putting down we would only accept a white child was not what we were supposed to do. We called the worker and after much talking, begging, and pleading, we were able to change the paperwork back.

Then the wait began. We waited and waited and waited. We would get calls wondering if we would accept a certain situation and then would never hear back or would hear back that she had chosen another family.

I always thought I would have to be a working mom. We decided to take a huge leap of faith and I soon left my job working at a local bank and decided to start watching a few children in my home. This was a blessing. I was able to work from home, I would be able to be at home with our children when they came, and still bring in some income to help make ends meet. However, this was very painful at first. Watching other’s children was a constant reminder for me, that I couldn’t have what I wanted most. . . a child of my own. I had also worked outside the home for the first three years of our marriage. I loved the social aspect. All of a sudden I was home alone watching children that fell short of meeting my social needs.

It would be another long and painful eight months before we would welcome our first child into our home.

Broken Dreams

2008-11-16T13:47:00.000-08:00

Like I mentioned, November is National Adoption Awareness Month. I really wanted to get our adoption story written: not necessarily for whoever reads this blog but for our family. I guess I better get writing because we have been blessed with four beautiful children through the miracle of adoption and the month is already half over!

After Bryon and I were married for a year before we decided to start a family. It seems like being a mom or a dad is something you dream and plan for your whole life. You never dream in a million years that there will ever be a problem in accomplishing this dream. When there are problems in accomplishing this dream, it is a huge SHOCK. We had been trying on our own for about six months before we felt like maybe we should start looking for medical help. We worked with my OB/GYN doctor for about a year. We did everything from the basil thermometer, to Chlomid, to having Bryon tested. I got so frustrated with this process. This process was hard for me. I began to feel “dehumanized” in a sense. It seemed to me that most sacred and intimate part of our relationship was now an open book for doctors to prod and poke at. After working with my doctor for a year, he suggested we go to Salt Lake to see a specialist. I was so excited! Finally we were going to be able to work with someone who deals with problems like ours day in and day out. Bryon on the other hand had a total opposite reaction. He felt like we must really be bad off for them to send us to a specialist.

We only went to Salt Lake twice to meet with specialists. Bryon and I felt like we had gotten all the answers we needed to move on to the next phase of trying to start a family. There were a couple of things that happened during these two visits that helped us make our decision. During our first visit with the specialist he said some things that really stuck out in my mind. He must have seen the stars in my eyes. I just knew he was going to help Bryon and I reach our desire to have a biological child. He said, “Some couples come to me with stars in their eyes, expecting me to perform a miracle for them. Sometimes that miracle isn’t in the cards and they need look at other options to have a family.” At first, I hardly gave this comment much thought. However, as we began trying to make some decisions, this statement would ring over and over in my mind. There was one medical procedure that they said we could try. The cost was around $12,000. However, it gave us a 20% chance that month of getting pregnant. I know you are thinking that 20% is not very good odds. The doctor told us 20% chance is the percentage that any couple not using any form of birth control has at getting pregnant during that month. I was so excited. For the first time in this whole process, I would be able to rank right up there with a “normal” couple. My dreams were soon dashed when the doctor reminded me that most of these couples aren’t paying $12,000 at that 20% chance. At that point in our lives, Bryon was still going to school. We weren’t exactly raking in the bucks. Bryon was studying to be a school teacher and so we knew we would never have a ton of money. The talk of spending $12,000 on one simple procedure struck us more than probably any thing else.

At this point I felt like having a family was totally out of my control. I felt like my dream of having a child was slipping through my fingers and I had no way to grab and hang on to that dream.

I often get asked how Bryon and I finally arrived at the decision to adopt. For every couple, this is such a personal decision. For us the decision to start the adoption process was a very easy process. Bryon and I are both doers. So if having a biological child wasn’t in the cards for us, what was the next step? For us, the next step was to look into adoption.

This decision was an easy one for us but it didn’t mean it was any less painful. We mourned the loss of a biological child that would never be. This time in my life was truly one of darkness and despair. Here are some of the quiet thoughts and feelings I had during that time. I felt that God was right. The whole reason I wasn’t able to conceive was I would be an AWFUL mom. I felt like God had forgotten me. I was a very rebellious child in junior high and high school. Was this God’s payback for what I had done? I grew to hate Mother’s Day programs at church and began skipping church on Mother’s Day all together. It hurt so much whenever I heard of some one expecting a baby, or attending a baby blessing or baby shower. Not that I wasn’t truly happy for those who were celebrating this new phase in life, it was just that I ached so much to feel that same joy.

It is amazing to me that out of all this doubt, darkness and despair came some of the sweetest blessings in my life. I never felt closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. There were days in my life where I could literally feel the arms of my Savior around me and helping me along the way. My testimony grew tremendously during this time. I became aware that my Heavenly Father was indeed there. He was mindful of me. He was watching over us and would prepare a way for us to have a family if we would just trust in Him!

Sam's Science Project

2008-11-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

I for one am so glad last week is over. Can I just say I hate huge school projects!!! I think they are more work for the parents than the students and I KNOW I was a lot more stressed about getting it done than Sam. I thought I was done with school when I graduated from college. They didn't tell me that I would be repeating grades K-12 four more times.

At back to school night we learned that Sam would have two major projects. The first one was for science. We knew that Sam would be responsible to build a 3-D model of the solar system. I guess we could have gotten a jump start on the project and started that very night on the project. However, when you are doing a huge project like that, seriously, where would you store it??? Especially in our house where none of Sam's three siblings would leave it alone. We also found out that Science is not one of the major subjects that are taught. In fourth grade, Sam would get Science the first semester whenever they could fit it in between the regular curriculum. We also learned that he science grade would only consist of three things. One was a booklet, one was this 3-D model, and the last was a test.

Let me tell you a little bit about this booklet. It was about 25 pages. It had a page for one of each of the plants. (Yes, they were counting Pluto.) Then there were a few additional pages for other "space" things. Then with each page they had to write, there was a page they had to correspond that went with the page they had just written. The writing was pretty easy. The teacher would put on an overhead what they were to write (basic facts about the plants, the climate, how big it is, what color it is, etc.). All the students had to do was to copy it in their best handwriting. This was supposed to be a project that they should have been able to complete in class. I had volunteered and subbed in Sam's class enough to know all about this booklet and had actually seen Sam's progress on this booklet. So at this point the booklet is the very least of my worries.

About the first of October, we decided to talk with Sam in more depth about what he would like to do for his 3-D project. Sam decided to do his project out of Styrofoam balls. We went and bought the stuff he needed for his project and started gradually working on this project. We knew we were going to be out of town for Halloween and so he wouldn't have the weekend before the project was due to work on it. I was still feeling pretty good about his progress on this project. I felt like we had planned really good and should only have to spend a few hours the week after Halloween, assembling it and adding the finishing touches.

Little did I know my world was about to come crashing down on Tuesday afternoon. Keep in mind that I teach piano lessons every afternoon until about 5:00. It is all I can do to get dinner on the table, manage four children, and do the basic homework and reading that needs done every night. Bryon usually gets home between 6:30 and 7:00. Bryon usually works on cleaning up the kitchen while I finish up homework and get kids ready for bed. Anyway, on Tuesday after school Sam happened to call and find out where Bryon was because Bryon wasn't in his office. Sam said in passing something about his big science booklet got ripped up by two boys in the class. I was LIVID! I told Sam to have Bryon call me before they left school. I was going to have Bryon go in and talk to Sam's teacher. There was no way I was going to make my child do more work all because two boys decided to rip up his paper. Luckily Bryon ended up calling me about something totally different. He never did get the message from Sam. Strike one for Sam! So Bryon and Sam went to talk to the teacher. Bryon went in with his guns blazing. It didn't take him long for the teacher to shoot him down. The story wasn't exactly what Sam had told us.

I am going to do a little side note here for my parents. This story is seeming an awful lot like one I think my parents will remember quite well. It seems to me that there was an experience they had with me in high school where they too went to a teacher to defend me, only to find out what they had been told was NOT AT ALL WHAT HAPPENED! I think the only thing that would have made this experience sweeter for my parents would have been me being the one to go in to the teacher in this situation instead of Bryon. Then I would have known exactly how they felt!

Anyway, the teacher informed Bryon that she was quite surprised that she didn't hear from us on Monday instead of Tuesday. What??? Oh yes, she had the kids that weren't very far on their packet call their parents. Did I ever get a phone call??? Oh, no. Sam conveniently called my cell phone! The only problem is Sam knew all too well that my cell phone went through my parents washing machine and wasn't working. He later informed me he left a message. I doubt that. I dialed in to listen to my messages and there wasn't any message from him. STRIKE TWO!! The teacher was very doubtful that these boys had actually torn up Sam's packet. She said she could see them doing it to a few other kids in the class but not to Sam. She said she had been questioning him for about three weeks about his packet. He kept telling her that he had left it at home, lost it at home, etc. As we were working on painting the planets, we asked him to bring this booklet home so we could get some information to help on the 3-D project. He told us, he wasn't allowed to bring it home or he kept forgetting to bring it home. The excuses went on and on. So Bryon and the teacher ended up working on an agreement. The packet was due not on Friday but actually on Wednesday, THE VERY NEXT DAY. What we had less than 24 hours to complete this massive packet they had been working all semester!!! She would accept Sam's packet up until Friday but every day he didn't turn it in, she would be deducting points. They were also taking a test on Wednesday. They could use their booklet for the test. She would give Sam until Monday for the test but she would still deduct points for not taking it on time.

When Sam got home from school, I was livid! I happened to only have piano until 3:30 p.m. I called and told them I would be coming to mutual and then Sam and I buckled down to get this massive booklet complete. I was a stickler. I made him use his best writing and if it wasn't his best I would erase it and make him write it over. We pretty much worked on it nonstop from 3:30 until 9:00 that night. I think Sam's hand hurt by the time we were done from writing and coloring so much. Sam kept talking about this "choke collar" that Bryon and I placed around his neck. He told us we were pulling it so tight he could hardly breath. Of course this is all figurative, I would never put a choke collar around my child. . . Wait, now that I think about it, it does sound very tempting! I felt like saying, "You ain't seen nothing yet!" I tried to use this as a teaching example to teach that by not making good choices, it wasn't us that put that "choke collar" around his neck but his decisions. I am actually pretty hopeful that a lesson was learned this night!

Sam was so proud of his packet as he took it in and turned it in first thing the next morning. Sam got 100% on his packet. I was so proud of him. He even scored a 100% on the test that he took that afternoon with the rest of his class.

So on Wednesday and Thursday after school, I bet you can guess what we did. Yep, we worked on the 3-D project. A big thanks to Bryon who missed his Elder's Quorum meeting and working at the temple to prevent his wife from having a HUGE meltdown! Friday morning Sam took his 3-D project to school. Friday afternoon parents were invited to the school to look at all the fourth graders projects of the solar system. Sam told me Friday morning that the teacher told the kids that if their moms could, she would appreciate them bringing cookies for refreshments. So Friday in between my running, I hurried and baked some cookies to take. At 1:00, I picked Bryon up at the school and we went to see Sam's project. He did such a great job. Here of Sam in his class with his project.

While I was stressed out all last week about this 3-D project and ended up stressing about a booklet that I shouldn't have had to worry about, I am so proud of Sam. He did a wonderful job.

National Adoption Awareness Month

2008-11-09T16:11:00.001-08:00

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. This is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I wouldn't be able to have a family without it. Throughout the month, I will be sharing our journey through adoption, sharing my feelings (the good and the sad), paying tribute to our wonderful birthparents, and sharing some of my favorite thoughts, quotes and songs on the subject.

Halloween Costumes

2008-11-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of my cute little spooks. Sam has wanted to go as Phantom of the Opera for the past couple of years. I finally broke down this year and hired someone to sew the cape. I think he looked awesome. Poor Conner and Logan always have to use the hand-me-down costumes. Conner went as Scooby-Doo and Logan went as Buzz Lightyear. Thank heaven for girl cousins. Natalie went to the school carnival as a cheerleader but went Trick-or-Treating as Belle.

Halloween Party With the Cousins

2008-11-06T05:42:00.000-08:00

We had a GREAT Halloween! Since Halloween fell on a Friday this year, we decided at the first of the month, to go to my parent's house in Burley for Trick-or-Treating. Our decision was cemented when my sister Lori, decided to bring her kids up and join us.

We left Friday about 11:30. Upon getting to my parent's house, my sister Alyson had planned this cute Halloween party for all the cousins. I was in charge of a couple of rounds of Halloween Bingo. My sister, Lori, was in charge of a bean bag toss through a wooden Jack-O-Lantern. Alyson had a game of Pin-The-Nose on the Jack-O-Lantern. Alyson had also filled a plastic pumpkin with all sorts of prizes for the winners of the various games. My kids loved picking out a prize after winning. Afterwards, we went outside for a doughnut on a string relay. It was so funny!

Here are some pictures of the party.

Thanks you Alyson for putting it all together. It was so much fun!

Halloween Party With the Cousins

2008-11-06T05:38:00.001-08:00

Kids Say the Funniest Things

2008-10-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this funny that happened last night at the dinner table. I had taken Natalie to Idaho Falls yesterday shopping. The boys were in school. When Conner & Logan got out of school at 11:30, Bryon took them to my friend, Linda's, for her to watch them for a couple of hours until I got home. We had a great day. We went to Target, Kohls, Old Navy and JcPenney. At the dinner table, I was telling Bryon about an incident that happened while we were at Old Navy. A little girl no more than a year or two older than Natalie, was behind us in the checkout line. Natalie is a very friendly and outgoing girl. She started by waving and trying to get the girl's attention. I soon turned my attention to paying for my purchase. It wasn't long after that that I noticed this girl picked up Natalie and proceeded to carry her to the front of the checkstand. I was getting a good chuckle out of it. The lady behind me in line, told her not to do that. I grabbed my sack and grabbed a hold of Natalie's hand and was trying to leave the store. Natalie wasn't so anxious to leave, not until she said goodbye to her new found friend. She started by waving at the little girl. Then before I knew it and could stop what was happening, Natalie reached out and gave the girl a hug and proceeded to kiss her on the lips. I was so grossed out! I get so frustrated at times by the genetics of my children which I have NO CONTROL OVER!

So here we are at the dinner table and I am telling Bryon about my frustration with this little incident. Sam was listening. He piped up, rather loudly. "That is so disgusting! Natalie you are a . . ." I quickly interrupted. I tried to gently remind Sam that he was not to say the word that I feared was going to come out of his mouth. We have had to start talking to Sam about the birds and the bees but I did not feel like we needed to get into it at the dinner table with his younger brothers and sister listening.

Anyone who has a nine year old, knows that they have a mind of their own. Sam was choosing not to listen to what I was telling him and was still going to blurt out what I had asked him not to. So Sam yells, "Natalie, you are a llama."

I wasn't quite sure I heard him right. A llama??? I questioned him. "Do you know what a llama is?" I asked him.

"I most certainly do." He said, rather proud of himself.

"Okay, what is it?" I asked.

"Llamas are two women that love each other."

I could not help but bust out laughing! At this point, it was rather clear what word he was trying to use but didn't know the right word.

Logan's Birthday 9-15-08

2008-10-13T07:13:00.001-07:00

I am so behind on my blogging. I was looking through my pictures and realized I didn't blog about Logan's fourth birthday.

It was a bit of an unusual birthday. Bryon was out of town on a business trip. I got up early and went to the grocery store before the kids even were out of bed. I am so glad Sam is getting at that age where I can leave him to babysit while I run these fast errands. I bought doughnuts for breakfast. I also bought cupcakes for him to take to school. Logan's birthfather and his wife had sent Logan a package in the mail. I let him open that before school. He got a pair of shorts, an Iron Man shirt, and a Texas Aggie hat.

I took him to school. After that it was a normal day. That night I took the kids out to McDonald's for dinner. We went in to eat and to play on the Playland which is always a special treat. We were just getting ready to leave and a friend from my old neighborhood showed up with her kids so my kids got to play extra long.

Bryon got home on the 17th. Logan opened presents that night. He got a pair of snowboots from his Grandpa & Grandma Kennedy. He can hardly wait for it to snow. He drags them out every day wanting to wear them! Sam, Conner, and Natalie gave him a Red cowboy hat and a Cars book. Bryon and I gave him a remote control Cars car.

My parents came up over Conference weekend and gave him a Spider-Man scooter and a new pair of pajamas for his birthday. He has enjoyed the few days of nice weather, before this cold snap we are experiencing, being able to ride his scooter up and down the block.

Tagged

2008-10-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

I got tagged from Bryon's cousin Jaimee. This tag was a little hard for me to do. I really had to think on some of these!

I: Jennifer R. Kennedy
I Am: a wife, mother, daughter, sister, neice, cousin, piano teacher, and friend
I Think: about my Grandpa & Grandma Pehrson often.
I Know: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true
I Want: Spud Harvest to be OVER! I am sick of working out in the FREEEEEEEZING COLD!
I Have: a wonderful husband and four beautiful children.
I Dislike: eggs
I Fear: dying before I see my children grown or loosing a child in death.
I Feel: that our country is heading in a scary direction with the economy and the current
election. I cannot believe we are actually considering a President of the United States that
won't even salute the flag! (Don't get me started)
I Hear: the radio on and nothing else but silence (everyone is asleep as I write this).
I Smell: My Scentsy White Tea and Cactus melting in my new Scentsy wall plug-in.
I Crave: a big cup of Hot Chocolate with a huge dallop of whip cream on the top!
I Cry: not very often. I am not a cryer.
I Usually: am up by 6:00 a.m.
I Search: for my car keys at least once a day (if I could just learn to put them away)!
I Wonder: if my children will ever want to find their birth parents and what questions they will
have about their birth parents.
I Regret: my teenage years. I love my parents even more because they put up with me through
those awful years. I know I was not the easiest child!
I Love: Bryon & my children unconditionally.
I Care: about what other people think (probably way too much!)
I Always: two things came to mind on this one. 1. I always kiss Bryon good night. 2. I always talk to my sister, Lori on the phone every morning!
I Worry: about my children all the time!
I Am Not: the best housekeeper.
I Remember: how carefree life was when I was growing up. How I wish I could go back to those
days.
I Believe: in miracles.
I Sing: Loud at home when I think no one is listening.
I Don't Always: say I am sorry and I love you often enough.
I Argue: with Sam & Conner about getting their jobs done. I wish just once they would do them
happily!
I Write: all my appointments in my day planner or I would forget. (Sometimes I still forget even
if I have them written down!)
I Win: every day I am able to cross off at least two things off my "to-do" list.
I Lose: every time I lose my temper with my children. I always feel so bad afterwards.
I Wish: I had enough money to do the things I want to do (get my house decorated, take some
vacations, the list could go on and on).
I Listen: to the radio or music of some sort almost constantly from the time I get up until I go to
bed (unless I am watching t.v., teaching piano, or helping one of my kids with
homework)
I Can Usually Be Found: at home, with my kids, running back and forth from various
appointments, or at the computer
I Need: new clothes but I am not buying anymore until I loose some weight!
I Forget: birthdates of friends and family (especially extended). I really need to be better at
that!
I Am Happy: with my life!

I tag Linda, Joella, and Rozanne

If I Only Had Today

2008-10-02T17:06:00.001-07:00

Bryon's cousin has talked about this latest CD by Hilary Weeks on her blog. I finally broke down today and went out and bought it. The title of the first track really put into words all the thoughts that have been going through my mind the past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago, listening to the Sounds of Sunday on our favorite local radio station, it was announced that a long time announcer on the radio had been vacationing with his family in Hawaii and had been in a horrible scuba diving accident. He was on life support and they were asking for listeners prayers. I awoke the next morning to find out that this radio personality had passed away. Although I had never personally met Wayne Richards, I felt like I knew him from listening to him every morning on the radio. My heart ached for his family and co-workers.

A few nights later, Bryon was at a work meeting and I got a phone call from a friend stating that a mutual friend of ours son was in an accident and ended up hitting a pedestrian and killing him. The man he happened to hit was a husband of one of Bryon's aides. Our hearts went out to both of these families affected in this horrible tragedy.

Both of these events have really got me thinking lately. This song by Hilary Weeks really put into words my feelings of the past two weeks. So Bryon, Sam, Conner, Logan and Natatlie I publish these song lyrics for you.

It seems like I've watched a million sunsets
And stared at a thousand full moons
Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever
And sometimes it all feels brand new.

I could never count the heartbeats
From the day I was born until now
But not a single one goes unnoticed
By Him who breathes life in me somehow.

But if there were no more tomorrows
If I knew that I could not stay
I know how I'd spend every moment
If I only had today.

I'd hold you and listen
And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'd just let the phone ring
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today.

I'd wake up before the sun did
And I'd watch as you quietly sleep
I'd pray for time to move slowly
Knowing the moment won't keep

All the gifts that Heaven has given
Every blessing that's come my way
Wouldn't mean anything without you
So if I only had today.

I'd hold you and listen
I'd memorize every detail of your face
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
I wouldn't let excuses get in the way
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today.

There's no time like the present
Life doesn't come with any guarantees
The sun will set and time won't wait.

So while I have today

I'll hold you and listen
I'll let the dishes sit in the sink
I'll tell you I love you over and over
For once I'll just let the phone ring.
And I'll remind you of forever
And how our love will never change
Because I have today.

A blog I have been following said it perfectly on her blog.

Life is short.
Make the most of the time you have.
Every second and every minute counts.
Hug a little tighter.

Laugh a little longer.

Yell a little less.

Forget about the mess.
and remember that the very most important things are those that depend on us the very most.
our children.
and
our families.

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

Labor Day weekend we had planned on going to Utah to see my sister Lori bless their new baby boy, Carson. However, due to needing new tires on the van, getting four children ready for school, and high gas prices, we were unable to go. Instead, we decided to stay home for the weekend.

It is always tradition that Bryon's mom's side of the family has a huge family reunion at Bryon's Grandpa Perry's house about ten minutes from us. They always roast hot dogs on a firepit and then everyone brings a salad or a dessert. The reunion this year was very well attended. My kids always have a blast playing with all their cousins and extended family. Bryon's two sisters from Utah drove up with their kids for the reunion and to spend the weekend.

Bryon's mom invited us down on Sunday. Bryon's dad had a hair-brained idea for the older grandkids to sleep outside in the tent with him. We went down Sunday afternoon. Bryon's dad grilled hamburgers out on the grill for dinner. It was cold and rainy all day. The grandkids ended up sleeping on the floor of the new addition because it was to wet to sleep outside. Bryon and I spent the night to save on gas from having to go home and coming back down on Monday to pick up the kids. It was fun. We haven't done that since moving to Idaho 11 years ago!

It was fun to just hang out and visit. While we were together, we were able to take a picture of the ALL the grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma.

Logan's First Day of School

2008-09-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

Logan didn't start school until after Labor Day. He will also be in the same school that Bryon works at. He will be attending the Preschool program. He will be attending on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He was so excited for his first day of school. His teacher is the same as last year, Miss JoAnn. There are also two aides, Miss Melanie and Miss ReNae. He will also have some of the same friends in his class that were in his class last year. When I went to pick him up after the first day of class, Miss JoAnn informed me she was so thankful for Logan and Tristen that knew the routine and were trying to hard to get the other kids to follow the rules.

First Day of School

2008-09-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

School this year came all too soon for me.

It is hard for me to believe that Sam is in the fourth grade. He is going to the middle school. It is just across the field from his previous school. I am still not sure how to feel about the whole thing. I think it is the words "middle school" that has me freaking out a bit. Sam's teacher is Mrs. Singleton. She is a younger (I say that because we figure she is about our age!) teacher with a strong suit in math. Sam is very excited. I know he won't admit to it but I think he is a little nervous about going to a new school. This year he will be in a school where his dad won't be just down the hall. He has done it before for Kindergarten through second grade. However, last year I think he got used to his dad being right there and everyone knowing him as "Mr. Kennedy's son", that this year is a little different for him. I think we got used to having Bryon right there to follow up on assignments and help him get his homework if he forgot it. So it will be a big adjustment for all of us.

Conner is in Kindergarten this year. Last year he went to preschool only two days a week and longed for the days when he could go to school every day. Now that day is here, he isn't sure about wanting to go to school every day. His teacher is Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton is a "seasoned" teacher which is what we wanted for Conner. Conner likes to dance to the beat of his own drum and we were looking for someone that could make him toe the line! We are so glad that Mrs. Clinton is the one to help him do this. We aren't sure if she is as happy as we are! Mrs. Clinton is a great kindergarten teacher and we know that Conner will learn a bunch from her.

Since Sam has moved on to middle school, I think Bryon is happy to have another son around that he can occasionally see in the halls or classroom.

First Day of School

2008-09-07T20:25:00.001-07:00

Celebrate Youth day 08-19-2008

2008-09-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

The town here has a really big back-to-school party the day before school starts. The party is held in one of the parks here in town. THere are booths on various things and each booth has a game for the kids to play. The kids come away with all these toys they won at the various games. There is a climbing wall, huge inflatable toys for the kids to jump on, and free train rides around the block. The school district provides a free dinner. There is music, and free treats (popcorn, Creamies, and cotton candy). My kids look forward to going each year. It starts in the early afternoon. The raffle drawing and the big motivational speeches given by the two superintendants is given at 6:00 p.m. That is followed by a dance for the older kids.

The weather was perfect this year: not too hot! We spent a couple of hours at the party. We had to leave by 5:30 so that we could get to Sam's soccer game by 6:00.

We have a family back-to-school tradition. I have some school lunch trays. I fix a traditional school lunch. It is usually corn dogs, tater tots, applesauce, green beans, no bake cookie and a carton of milk. I have black construction paper on the table and then write on it with chalk so it looks like a chalkboard. The kids love it! So after Sam's soccer game, we came back home for our traditional Back-To-School Dinner followed by Father's Priesthood Blessings.

It was a great night. I am having a hard time believing that it is time for the kids to start back to school.

Celebrate Youth Day

2008-09-07T19:44:00.001-07:00

Burley 08-12-08 to 08-17-08

2008-08-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

My sister, Lori, was in Burley for fair week with her three kids. I was very wishy washy about when exactly I was going to go home. I wanted desperately to go home and get my hands on that darling new nephew of mine. I also wanted to give my children a chance to play with their cousins that they don't see that often. The only hang up is Bryon started his school contract that week and the earliest he could go to Burley was late Friday afternoon. I decided at the last minute to leave Tuesday night and if Bryon could find a ride to Burley he would join us later in the week, if not we would see him Sunday night when we got home.

Of course it was late by the time I left Rexburg on Tuesday night. We didn't even get home until 11:00. You would think they kids would have slept most of the way. They hardly slept at all. They didn't fall asleep until Masacre Rocks which just means they are sound asleep by the time we hit Burley and it is hard as ever to get them out of the car and into the house.

Wednesday we went to the parade. The kids had a great time and the temperature was just right for a parade. Wednesday night we all went to "cow cutting". My mom really enjoys this event. Sam & Conner bumped into the two neighbor boys from Rexburg. I think all the kids were so surprised to find each other in Burley. We kept telling them that both their Grandparents live just down the road from each other but I don't think it registered until now. They had a great time playing together.

Thursday afternoon we met up with my mom in the late afternoon in Twin Falls. My mom had some work meetings and was already in Twin Falls. Lori and I wanted to get some school shopping done. I had tried to do a little in Idaho Falls on Tuesday but didn't have much success. We only went for a couple of hours but with eight children seven and under that was about one hour and fifty minutes too long. Sam had gotten up early that morning and went fishing the whole day with my dad and brother-in-law, Mike. He had an awesome time. Thanks dad for taking him. He sure looks forward to it and it is all he talks about for days after. I was able to find quite a few things during our shopping excursion.

Friday my sister, Lori; my mom; my niece, Katie; and I went for pedicures. Alyson had to work. I had never had a pedicure before. I loved the experience. I guarantee it will not be another 33 years before I go again. I already have plans to find out how much the beauty colleges around here charge. Friday night my mom watched Natalie and Logan while my dad, Sam, Conner, and I went to the rodeo.

Saturday morning we got up early and was at the Twin Falls temple by 8:30. It was the last day for the Twin Falls open house. We had tickets for later in the day but decided to try to go before the big rush. We were glad we did. We timed it just right. Our tour was fantastic. I swear my children don't realized how fortunate they are. I look back and I was able to attend two temple open houses growing up. This was also my children's second temple open house. However, Sam has been three other times to be sealed and to witness the sealing of his siblings to Bryon and I. I have been so glad for these open houses so that we can rediscuss some of the things that happened the day we were sealed as a family as well as discuss the special feelings that we feel there. The Twin Falls temple is very beautiful. It reminds me quite a bit of the Rexburg temple. Saturday afternoon, Bryon was able to find a ride and meet me in Burley. Saturday night we went up to the fair, yet again, to look at the exhibits.

Sunday we went to church with my parents, had a delicious dinner and then headed home. My parents have a beautiful yard. One of my favorite things to do while in Burley is to sit on their patio and enjoy their yard. While I was home, we ate almost every meal outside so it was very nice to be able to enjoy their yard.

Thanks mom and dad for such an enjoyable weekend!

Logan Trip & Kennedy Reunion

2008-08-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

I have a childhood friend named Terra Anderson that I grew up with. She is now married, has a family and is living in Logan. We have stayed in touch through the years. She offered for me to go down and spend some time with her. It worked out that we were going to be going over to Randolph for a family reunion and I decided to leave a day early so I could spend some time with her. Bryon was going to stay home and work and then drive down to the reunion with his parents and meet up with me in Randolph.

I left the morning of August 7th. It was just me and the kids. We got to Terra's around noon. Terra's kids have grown. She has two girls and a boy. One of her girls was on the road trucking with her dad so we were only able to see two of her kids. She had never met Logan and Natalie. The kids had a great time playing together. Later that afternoon, we went into the Cache Valley Fair. We just walked around the exhibits and ate shaved ice. We walked through the exhibit where each town makes a display with seeds and vegetables. It brough back so many memories of me going to the fair with my parents and grandparents when I was younger. We stopped and got Chinese take-out and a movie before heading home. Chinese take-out totally hit the spot! I had Tiny Spicy Chicken which was one of my favorites while we lived in Logan but you can't get it here. The kids watched a movie and went to bed while Terra and I visited. We talked until almost 2:00 in the morning.

The next day, we spent the morning visiting some more before I had to leave for Randolph. I told Bryon I was going to leave Cache Valley about 3:30 so I could beat the traffic traveling through Logan Canyon for the weekend. Well, I didn't get away as early as I had anticipated. Plus, I stopped in Old Navy in Logan to look for some school clothes for the kids. They were hungry by this time so we stopped at McDonalds to get some food before heading over the canyon.

I forgot to call Bryon before leaving Logan and when I tried traveling through the canyon, I already had lost service. So I wasn't able to touch base with him until I was out of the canyon and by this time he is already expecting me to be at the reunion. Upon entering Garden City, just off of Logan Canyon, my brakes were sounding awful. So when I did talk to Bryon I told him I thought the brakes had gone out on the van. So he was already a nervous wreck about me not being there and then the first thing he heard from me was the brakes were out in the van. Then someone at the reunion told him it was Raspberry Days in Bear Lake, which made him even more nervous. I am not going to lie: the traffic around Bear Lake was awful! I talked to Bryon's uncle about the brakes. He informed me to go slow and they would look at them when I got there. Come to find out the brakes were fine, they had just overheated because I rode them so much through the canyon.

The reunion was held at Bryon's grandparents home which is now a vacation home. Every other year it is the Kennedy Reunion and every other year it is the Kennedy/Hatch reunion. This year it was the Kennedy/Hatch reunion. It was a great reunion. I'll admit I was really dragging my feet about going. However, once I got there I was instantly reminded how fun the reunions are and how much I enjoy spending time with Bryon's extended family. They are all such great people!

Saturday's activities were jam packed with horse riding for the kids, a fishing pond for the kids, crafts for the kids and another craft for the ladies, 3 on 3 basketball, visiting, a duck race, a silent auction, and of course eating way more than we should have. It got a little rainy during the duck races but quickly blew over. Logan's duck came in third place during the duck races. He got a little trophy and a ribbon. That is all we have heard about (that and Terra has all the cars to the movie Cars) nonstop since our trip. That night we had a program of some cowboy poetry by a family member and then a lady came and sang some songs. The weather seemed fine when we went to bed that night in our tent. However, we were awoken about 4:00 to the sights and sounds of thunder, lightening, and rain. It wasn't long before the wind picked up. Bryon's brother and his family were in the tent next to us. We were the only two families braving sleeping in tents. Everyone else had gone home, were in the house or were sleeping in trailers. We heard Bruce get up and drive his car up next to the tent. He had found coolers to put on some of his stakes so they wouldn't pull out of the ground. About the time it started pouring rain and getting really windy that our kids started freaking out a bit. We told them we were perfectly safe in the tent and actually if we got out, we took the risk of our tent blowing away and so we were just going to lay there and ride out the storm. It wasn't long before the "fly" flew off our tent and the wind had pulled most of our stakes out of the ground. The tent started hitting Bryon in the face. Bryon decided we were done "riding" it out and we needed to load up the car as fast as we could and then make a run for the house. He pulled the van back to the tent and I handed him things out of the tent just as fast as I could. I don't think I have ever packed so fast in my whole life! Then I took the kids and we made a run for the house while Bryon and Bruce carried the tent to the garage. By breakfast the storm had totally blown over and the sky was clear blue. We had breakfast, got ready, loaded up and left.

I hadn't been able to do any school clothes shopping and had talked Bryon into making a big loop and going over Monte Cristo through Ogden so I could stop at Mervyn's in Ogden and Layton. I know it was Sunday but I couldn't figure out any other time we would be in Layton that I could go to Mervyns and I did a majority of school clothes shopping there last year. I had never been through Monte Cristo before. The drive through Monte Cristo was beautiful, some of the sights were breathtaking. Later when talking to my mom, she informed me that my Grandpa Pehrson loved driving through Monte Cristo. I could now see why and I felt a little closer to my Grandpa that day. We were able to find a few things at Mervyn's but not as much as I had found the previous year. We stopped for lunch at the Olive Garden and then headed home.

Thursday, July 31 -- International Folk Dance Festival

2008-08-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

So today was probably one of our favorite days of the festival. Today was Youth Culture Day. I had to pick up tickets in advance. The tickets are totally free and are for ages 6 and up. I think they do this as a measure of crowd control. You can choose what countries you want your child to learn to dance from. Each class is one hour long. I decided to choose three countries for Sam. I chose China, Russia, and Mexico. I looked at the tickets wrong and so we realized at 9:15 that Sam's first class started at 10:00. We were running around like crazy trying to get breakfast on the table and Sam and I out the door at 10:00. Iscidro and Filipe didn't have to be there until 11:00. They stayed home with Bryon and the other kids while I took Sam to the Junior High.

Sam's first class was China. We had a great time learning about China's culture. The China dancers then danced a few numbers. They then taught some moves to the kids. They had also given each child that attended a "Passport." These were for the kids to get autographs right at the end of class. Sam had a blast getting autographs of all the Chinese dancers. I also noticed there were some younger kids there. I called Bryon. I told him if Conner wanted to come, he could drop him off when he dropped off Iscidro and Filipe.

Conner wanted to come and made it in time for the second class. The second class we attended was the Russia Cosack team. The immediately put the kids in a huge circle and started teaching them some basic dance steps. Sam held Conner's hand and helped him in the circle. All of a sudden, the dance started jumping around in the circle and Conner came out screaming that he was scared and I couldn't get him to dance the rest of the day! Again, Sam had a blast getting more autographs and meeting the dancers. Conner, on the other hand, was a little more hesitant as you can probably tell from the pictures. Probably Sam's favorite of the whole day was the class we attended from Mexico. In this class, the dance director talked about all the costumes and from what part of Mexico they came from. He then had each group dance just a small part of their dance to give us a sample of what the music and dance from that area in Mexico was like. Then they had some kids go up and partner with the Mexican dancers. The dancers showed them some dance steps. Sam was in the process of telling me that he was not going to dance. I was in the process of saying "Oh, yes you are", When a beautiful Mexican dancer came and dragged Sam up to the front of the room. Sam picked up the dance steps beautifully. Once again, Sam had a blast getting autographs of all the dancers. One of the girl Mexican Dancers kissed Conner's Passport. Conner screamed and cried at how she had ruined his book. I felt so bad. She was just trying to be friendly with a cute little boy. Well once Sam found out she kissed Conner's passport and not his, Sam wanted to get her to kiss his. So we went back over and asked some of the Mexican Dancers if they would kiss Sam's book. They said, "No. Boy sad." I tried to tell them that Conner was sad but Sam would be happy. So Sam's partner kissed his passport. Sam said he was going to cherish the book and never let it out of his sight. Sam and Conner even got Filipe and Iscidro to sign their passports.
Here's a close up of Sam and his partner. Aren't they adorable?!?Then the boys and I came home for the rest of the afternoon. We didn't have to go get Filipe and Iscidro until 4:30 p.m. I then took them, my friend Linda and her two girls and a guest of Linda's to Sam's soccer game while Bryon took Conner to his soccer game. Filipe and Iscidro were so excited to watch the boys play soccer all week long. I kept telling them it was nothing like in Mexico. I still think they enjoyed watching Sam's game.

We then came home and I made homemade spaghetti and meatballs for dinner.

That night the dancers had a party at the park with the other dance teams and so our job was to just drop them off and pick them up about 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday & Wednesday -- International Folk Dance Festival

2008-08-11T18:14:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday was a pretty uneventful day for us. They had to go to Blackfoot for a performance. They left early afternoon and did not return until late Tuesday night.

Wednesday, they loaded the buses and spent a good portion of the day in Bear World. We picked them up late that afternoon. That night, we went to a "team party". This is where every family that was hosting dancers, chaperones, musicians, and even bus drivers went to a party. This party was at the home of one of the host families. We had a great time. It was a typical Mexican party, scheduled to start at 7:00 but we didn't even eat until almost 8:00 p.m. Every family was asked to contribute $5 for fried chicken from Albertsons. Then every family also brought a side dish. I took a vegetable salad but alot of the host families had the dancers cook for them. So the meal was a good mix of American and Mexican dishes. There was a huge pit where you could play sand volleyball. Mexico was one of the few dance teams that brought their own band. The band came and played music for a dance after dinner. We had a great time socializing and dancing! Here are some pictures of our evening.

Monday, July 28 -- More International Folk Dance Festival

2008-08-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Communication is a huge factor. I can never quite understand what the house guests are trying to tell us. Anyway, I got up and made them breakfast. Then they proceeded to tell us they had to go clean their bus again. I mean really how clean do you have to clean that thing. Anyway, they left and I told them to come back in time for lunch. For lunch I served grilled cheese sandwiches, grapes, chips, and cookies.

After lunch, Bryon took them to the public library for my friend to translate for us. They ended up telling her that they want their free time. At first I was a little bummed because this was not at all what I had been planning nor expecting. However, on the flip side of that, I really enjoyed not having to worry about entertaining them every minute of every day when they were here. So Bryon and I tried to work out that after breakfast they would go and have their "free-time". Then after lunch or sometime during the day we would try to squeeze in a family activity so the boys could spend time with them. I really think in the end it worked quite well.

After the public library, Bryon, Sam, Iscidro, and Filipe all went on a drive. Bryon took them out to see some potato fields as well as up on the dry farms. Then they drove out by the butte to try to see the elk. We think they guys really enjoyed that.

We then dropped them off at the school to get ready for the parade. We informed them that they didn't have to be "dancers" to be in the parade and that they should walk with their team. We weren't quite sure if what we were saying got through to them. However, we were pleasantly surprised when the team from Mexico came down the parade route, Philipe and Iscidro were walking with them. The kids loved seeing them in the parade and we all cheered so loud for them. It was also fun to see all the other teams, the pretty costumes, as well as the dances.

After the parade, we met up with them and told them we were treating them to dinner and gave them a few choices. They chose to go to dinner at Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut has some arcade games. Sam had two quarters in his pocket. So he played one game. Sam lost so Filipe gave him two more dollars to play arcade games. Sam was in heaven. We NEVER give him money to play video games.

During dinner, Filipe flips out this digital camera. I was a little surprised that he had one because up until now I had only seen him use his cell phone for a camera. Anyway, he tells me that he got it at the D.I. for $7. So here is where Bryon and I learn that they have been driving the bus all over town to get where they need to go. I figured that was my responsibility as a host. Once again, needing to give them free time and happy about not having to play taxi to them, I figure that is fine. Bryon and I looked at the camera but could never get it to go off of the first picture. We hand it back to him and tell him how great it is. I tell him he got a bad deal because $7 was the discount price because it didn't come with instructions. Bryon and I never did figure out the camera but Filipe thought it was the greatest find ever. All week long I kept saying to myself how well these guys would fit in with my dad. This D.I. adventure was just another affirmation that yes they would have had a great time with my dad!

After dinner, there was a big street dance. We told them we would be back to pick them up at the junior high at 10:00. I even said part of it in Spanish so I was sure they understood us. We took the kids home. I put Natalie and Logan to bed and Bryon took Sam and Conner back to the street festival for a bit. So about 9:45, Bryon goes back to the school to pick them up. I am downstairs downloading pictures on the computer. Shortly after 10:00 Filipe and Iscidro come in. I show them the pictures I am downloading from the parade. We laugh for a bit. They go in their room and I come upstairs. I figured when Bryon got home, the guys came downstairs and Bryon went to our room to go to bed or to watch a little television. So I soon find that Bryon isn't upstairs: he isn't in our bedroom, he isn't in Logan or Natalie's room. Then I find the van is gone. I think it is strange that he dropped the guys off and left again. Where did he go??? He didn't mention about going back to the store. The guys had been home about 20 minutes and it dawned on me that they walked home and Bryon is still at the school waiting for them. I call the cell phone only to find that Bryon left it here. About 10:40, Bryon calls me from the grocery store to see if the guys made it home because he is about the only one downtown now. Like I said, communication was a huge factor! We soon learned to take the cell phone with us everywhere.

Sunday, July 27 -- More About the Rexburg International Dance Festival

2008-08-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

So we have church from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. I need to preface this by saying that the people over dancing for the Dance Festival commented that if you didn't have responsibilities at church that day, it would be nice to stay at home with your guests. I had to teach the lesson in young women. Plus we figured our church is early enough we could still go to church and come home and go do something fun. We went to all of church (well most of us did). I came home during Sunday School to work on some food preparations. Also, Logan had really been favoring his left arm and starting Saturday seemed like he was in real pain. Bryon took him to Community Care after Sacrament Meeting. They x-rayed it and couldn't find anything. They kept asking what he had done to it and we seriously had no idea. Logan a few days later told us he fell on the trampoline and hurt it. He still favored it for a few days but a week later it is back to normal. We invited the bus drivers to go to church with us or told them they were welcome to stay home and sleep in and relax. They told us they needed to go and clean out their bus. So they left about the same time we left for church and they got home shortly after we did.

After church I came home and made taco salad for lunch. There wasn't enough room in our van for all of our family plus the bus drivers and so we took Logan and Natalie to my friend Linda's for her to watch them while we went. I packed some snacks and away we went. We went to Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. It was beautiful. I think the bus drivers had a great time. They spoke very little English and we speak very little Spanish and so communication was very interesting. Every time we got somewhere they would say very beautiful. Then they would get out their cell phones and try to snap pictures of everything. By upper Mesa Falls, they have renovated a log cabin into a hotel and it has some hands on things. Bryon had to go in to get some change and told us how cool it was and so we spent some time in there looking around. There was a moose head mounted on one wall and a bear head mounted on another. Filipe and Iscidro loved that. Then in a back room they had all kinds of animal skins from animals found in the aread. We had a great time touching all the furs and trying to guess what they were. Upper Mesa Falls is breath-taking. While we were there we ran into another family that was hosting dancers from Mexico. They were making a huge loop and were going to feed ducks and fish by Macks Inn and then going on to West Yellowstone. Sam really wanted to go feed the fish and ducks. We had planned on cooking in the Dutch oven when we got home for dinner and so we didn't feel like we could really do that. So we started down the mountain. I then told Bryon while we were so close to Macks Inn we really should do that and I would think of something different to throw together for dinner. So away we went to find this place by Macks Inn to feed fish and ducks. It was beautiful there. Because it was so hot, we didn't see any of the "big fish" but saw plenty of birds. We had a great time feeding the birds. A seagul even pooped on Sam, which totally grossed him out! We got home about 7:30 p.m. I did something I swore I would never do with them there and that was make a Mexican dish for dinner. However, it was about the fastest thing I could think of. I made vegetarian enchiladas and homemade Spanish rice. I really think it was one of their favorite meals they ate while they were here. We had a great time today!

Our Guests

2008-08-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

So last Saturday (July 26) was the day we had waited for. The day we were supposed to pick up our dancers. We worked hard all week outside in the yard and also in the house getting house work done. There were also so many projects I was hoping to get done but just didn't get around to it. So we were supposed to pick them up at 2:00 at the Junior High School.

We knew ahead of time that we would be getting boys. The housing director told me alot of people requested girls and where we weren't specific, she assigned us boys. No problem! I am used to boys plus this whole experience is for Sam right?!? Who better to bond with him than boys.

Sam and Conner wanted to go with me to the junior high to meet our dancers. The day was HOT! It seemed like we waited forever in the sweltering sun for the bus to arrive.

I need to preface a little here. Mexico was the only team coming to the festival that didn't fly here, they chartered their own bus. All the teams had been to Burley the week before and were coming over from Burley. Salt Lake Express (a local bus company) went and picked them up and Mexico drove their bus up.

Mexico was one of the last teams to pull up. Then it seemed like forever as they hauled costumes into the junior high school for the week's performances. Finally it was time to find out who our long awaited guests were. I must admit there were a few younger Mexican boys that I would look at and wonder if they would be our house guests. I didn't have to wait long. My name was called second and then I was told that Filipe and Iscidro were to be our house guests for the week. Here's the kicker: we weren't housing dancers but instead the two bus drivers. I admit my first thought was "this is just my luck"!

Because the bus couldn't stay at the junior high school, I got in my van and pulled it around to where they could see me. They then followed me to the Chamber of Commerce to where we were going to park their van for the week. I was so thankful for this opportunity of being alone with the boys. I couldn't help but show how disappointed I was that we weren't housing dancers. I made a phone call to my friend, Brenda, who got a huge kick out of what I thought was my misfortune. I then called Bryon to let him know how unhappy I was. When we got home, Iscidro and Filipe went into what was to be their room for the week for a "siesta". It gave Bryon and I a chance to talk. Bryon told me something that would totally change my attitude for the week. He told me that yes we did sign up for dancers. We were doing this to give Sam a taste of his heritage. We can make this a totally negative experience and complain and let our sour attitudes rub off on our children or we could make the most of the situation. We could still do everything, well just about everything (For some reason, I don't think these two men would have enjoyed a morning shopping trip in Idaho Falls that I had planned to do with the dancers.), that we had planned to do with the dancers. We would probably still have a wonderful time and yes Sam could still experience his heritage because we were still housing people from Mexico. I am so grateful for Bryon and his perception. It totally made me rethink my attitude.

After their naps, I made Hawiian Haystacks for dinner. We then loaded up and went to the football stadium on the campus of BYU-Idaho for the opening ceremonies. Words cannot describe the feelings that I felt as we sat in the stands and all ten countries walked into the stadium and danced an opening number. It was awesome! We aren't sure where Filipe and Iscidro went. They didn't march in with their country. We figure they sat somewhere in the stands. Each country presented a gift to our state legislator and then danced a number. After the program, they launched fireworks. It was a great evening.

Here is a picture of our house guests for the week. Filipe is the one in grey and Iscidro is in the darker colored shirt.

International Folk Dance Festival

2008-08-02T16:43:00.000-07:00

Beware! I have a lot to catch up on so be ready for multiple postings. We have had an AWESOME week. At the beginning of the summer we realized that we were going to be at home during the International Folk Dance Festival that comes to Rexburg every year. We then heard that Mexico would be attending this festival. We figured what a great opportunity for Sam it would be if we hosted some dancers from Mexico. So we signed up! We have been so excited for this week to come all summer. This week has been busy to say the least but we have loved every minute of it.

Bryon and the Bike

2008-07-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

My husband LOVES biking. He has been a want-to-be enthusiast for years. This year, he talked me into getting him a Trek 2200 for his birthday. This picture isn't Bryon's actual bike but his is just like it. Now I don't know a whole bunch about bikes. My husband and I have really nice mountain bikes sitting in the garage. I don't understand why he needed a different bike when the one in the garage is in perfect condition. It is made for "mountain" biking is his answer. He really wanted a "street" bike. So I learned a little bit more about this bike he so badly wanted. They are super light weight. Also they are used by people that are big into racing. I decide that we will get him one this year. I admit part of my reasoning was a little guilt ridden. Bryon always lets me buy what I want and never once complains yet Bryon never wants for much or even asks for stuff. I am finding out fast that when he does it is BIG items! So going into this whole process, I was thinking if we spent no more than $400 that would be one great bike. I mean come on, you can buy a bike at your local Wal-Mart for $60 so $400 should be more than enough to get a great bike. We watched these bikes on Craigs List and E-Bay. Bryon poured over the internet every night for at least one hour trying to find the perfect bike. Well, the end of May, I bid on this bike on E-Bay and won. I was so excited. I printed off a paper saying I had won, put it in an envelope and had it sitting on Bryon's plate that night saying Happy Birthday and Happy Father's Day. No I didn't get the bike for $400 it was more like $500. Bryon waited anxiously every day for that bike to get here. It finally did. After showing it to a guy in the neighborhood that is into biking, he informed Bryon the shaft or something like that was bent. So Bryon tells me that a used part will be $50 and a new part would be $100. I am already mad. I spent $100 more than I wanted to on that stupid bike and now we have to throw more money into it. My charitable attitude that started me down this whole process is fast fading away. So a trip to the bike shop and $50 later. . . . You would think Bryon would be good to go. NO! Think again! The bike came with special pedals. The ones where you have to have the special biking shoes to put in the pedals. So Bryon did his homework and found a bike shop 30 minutes away that sells biking shoes starting at $60 but going clear up to like $600! I am beginning to wonder if these shoes are gold plated. So Bryon got some birthday money that he decided he wanted to spend on these shoes. I try to tell him that "Starting at $60" means that he probably won't come out with the $60 shoe. It means barebone minimum. It is like a new housing subdivision going in, the ads always say "houses starting at $130,000". However, do you know a single person in that subdivsion that got that $130,000 house?!? NO! Bryon is just sure that he can walk into the store and buy that $60 shoe. Yeah Right! So he called me yesterday after his big purchase: shoes -- $125. That is a long cry from the $60 shoe he went in for and it is also a huge gap from the $50 he had set aside to buy the shoes with. But in the back of my mind I am breathing a sigh of relief because he should be ready to ride: he has the biking shorts, the biking shirt, his helmet, the bike and now the shoes. I should know better than to think that way! He calls me last night. (He happened to go to this town to get his new shoes. Sam had been down hauling hay with his Grandpa Joe. Bryon was going to go get his shoes, go the office where we works part-time, work and then meet up with his parents and Sam for a Bar-B-Que and a Chuckars game.) When he got bought his shoes, he had the guy fix them so Bryon wouldn't have to because Bryon admits he knows nothing about this. The guy mentions to Bryon that he should go on a "test drive" to make sure the shoes are working with the pedals and so forth. Bryon didn't have time to do that, he had to be to work. He loaded his bike back into the car and went to work. After work, he had some time before he had to meet his parents so he went back to the bike shop to test ride his bike in their parking lot. Well, he ended up falling off his bike. The way Bryon explained it to me was he could get one foot out of the pedal but couldn't get the other foot out so he had no way to brace his fall. His legs, arms and hands were all pretty scraped up not to mention he CHIPPED HIS FRONT TOOTH HALF OFF! I tried to be sympathetic but in my mind all I see is more $$$$ we are having to put out for this STUPID BIKE! I said to him just before we hung up the phone, I hope all this money we are throwing into this bike is going to be worth it. Bryon's response is "I think it will be." Now I understand you just fell off your bike and are hurting desperately. However, we are now into that bike $1,000 your response should not be "I think it will". I want to hear, "HECK YEAH HONEY IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNNY!"

When Bryon got home last night from the game, he did look pretty scraped up not to mention with his tooth chipped he looked like a Redneck Biker. His mouth was hurting so bad last night, he ended up going into the dentist last night. (I am trying really hard not to think about the extra fee for the after hours emergency!) He ended up having chipped three teeth off and not one. The dentist is a good friend of ours. He got Bryon mostly fixed up. Bryon has to go back in on Friday for some finishing work. He suggested Bryon take up swimming instead of biking.

Bryon, this whole episode was just to funny not to share. Honey, I really do love you!

Carousel 07-05-08

2008-07-11T06:50:00.001-07:00

After swimming at the Splash Park, we went to the Carousel. I had some free tickets and so we let all of the kids ride the carousel once. I think that was a much bigger hit than the Splash Park. Sam's picture isn't posted because his was quite dark.

Splash Park 07-05-08

2008-07-11T06:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday, we thought it would be fun to take the kids to the Splash Park. Elliott was really to small and didn't go in. Alice Ann was afraid of the water. Natalie was really the only one that stayed in the whole time and played. She was in heaven. I usually don't take her and Logan when we go to the Splash Park. Logan didn't like it last year and I figure that is a good time for Bryon to stay home and give them naps. Logan did like it better this year. He would go if someone else would go in with him. Sam spent most of his time playing football on the grass with Alice Ann. Conner divided his time between playing football with Sam and Alice Ann and going into the water.

Fourth of July on the Greenbelt

2008-07-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

My mom, my sister Alyson, Alyson's kids Eliott and Alice Ann drove up and met us in Idaho Falls. My dad couldn't join us because he was out of town on a pioneer trek. Alyson's husband, Jared, had to stay behind and work.

We met them there about 2:00. We found a great place over by the stake center by the temple. There was a huge tree that we were able to sit under for shade. We usually leave someone there while the ladies go do some shopping. This year we left Bryon, Logan, and Natalie while we took everyone else. We really did quite a bit of shopping. We didn't get back to the Greenbelt until after 5:00. Yes, we did quite a bit of shopping but we also spent some time looking for my mom's lost glasses. When they first got to the greenbelt, she must have had her perscription sunglasses hanging from her shirt. Well she laid down on a blanket and when she got up they were smashed beyond all recognition! Then we went to the mall. We looked at some shirts in Sears. My mom even went into the dressing room and tried a shirt on. We then went to Old Navy. It was at Old Navy, my mom realized she lost her glasses. We went back to Sears and looked all over and couldn't find them. We looked at Old Navy to no avail. We were beginning to think it was a very expensive 4th of July for her. We shopped a little more in the mall. I talked to Sam about Grandma loosing her glasses and how we should say a prayer in our hearts that she can find them. We decided to go check one more time to try to find them. Sam walked right into Old Navy and found them within seconds.

When we got back to the Greenbelt, we ordered pizza for dinner and Bryon went and picked it up and brought it back for us. Once the road was closed on Memorial Drive, we moved out into the road. The kids occupied their time by throwing "pop-its" that their Grandma Roskelley bought for them.

The fireworks display was awesome! We had great seats. I think it truly was one of the best fireworks display we have seen.

I Love A Parade 07-04-08

2008-07-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.

This year it was a different feeling as we were sitting along the parade route. Sam wasn't with us because he was dancing in the parade. It was such a strange feeling knowing that I have a child old enough to be in the parade.

We sat near the end of the route. Sam's team was one of the first entries and so that way, Bryon could go get him and they could come back and watch the rest of the parade. It was a little cloudy that day and so we would get some relief from the sun beating down when it went behind a cloud. My friend, Linda, and her girls found us along the route and they came and sat by us.

The parade was fun to watch. You can always measure the success of a parade by how much candy you come away with and my kids got a bunch! Here are a couple of pictures of my patriotic cuties. I am not sure why I don't have one of Conner.

Sam in the Fourth of July Parade 07-04-2008

2008-07-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

Sam was in the 4th of July Parade. Janie Fisher called and said there was a shortage of boys and wondered if Sam wanted to do ballroom in the parade. I wasn't quite sure if he would want to or not but when we asked him he was so excited about it. Last week the spent a couple of hours learning their routine and practicing the routine going around the church parking lot. Sam came home so excited. That night he went to the church and helped decorate the float. He kept asking who was going to watch him. I let him know that we would be there and he would probably see people along the route he knew. He wanted so much to have someone come and watch him. We ended up calling my in-laws and they rode up to see Sam in the parade. The day of the parade came, and Sam could hardly wait until it was time to go. I kept wondering how excited he would be if he know how hot and miserable it was going to be. They danced to "I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy". We sat near the end of the parade route. He was still smiling when he made it to us. He loved the parade experience and can hardly wait to do it again next year!

New Hobby

2008-07-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a new hobby. I am sure every time I come home with a new hobby, Bryon just rolls his eyes. I have wanted to learn to make bows for Natalie's hair for almost a year. Thanks to Holly for giving me a couple of incredible websites. I ordered the ribbon and hardware Monday night and the stuff came yesterday in the mail. I could hardly wait to sit down last night and experiment. I tried one type of bow and failed miserably. I am hoping my mom can help me out. Anyway, I worked on this other bow and loved it. I made it to match one of Natalie's summer dresses. Not bad for a first attempt. I am hoping if I get good enough, to possibly try to sell them but that is a ways down the road. Anyway, I just had to show off my latest project. It is so much fun. I can hardly wait for quiet time tonight to make my next bow.

Family Vacation 06-21-08 thru 06-23-08

2008-07-02T15:59:00.001-07:00

When we go to Salt Lake for Logan's eye appointment, we always try to do something fun as a family.

Sam's tournament baseball game was Saturday morning in St. Anthony. We drove from the game, back to Rexburg to get something to eat. We then left for Randolph, Utah.

For some reason this trip seemed awfully long to me and I felt like we were always in the car. (Riding in the car for four hours with four kids has a tendency to do that to you!) We didn't get to Randolph until 5:00. We stopped for dinner at the Frosty Gator there in Randolph. For those of you who don't know where Randolph is, it is over by Bear Lake. Bryon's grandparents lived there and that is where Bryon's dad grew up. After Bryon's grandparents passed away, the family kept the house as a "retreat". The Frosty Gator is the only restaurant in town. After dinner we then went to "The Ranch" as they refer to the house. The mosquitoes were so thick. Bryon tried to mow the front lawn and came in with at least ten mosquito bites on his face. The kids had fun playing with the toys inside the house. Sam loves to try to catch water snake or Gardner snakes while we are there. He caught three in the first twenty minutes we were there. We put Logan and Natalie to bed. We let Sam and Conner stay up and watch a movie. They watched "Hook" with Bryon while I enjoyed reading a book. Sunday morning, we got up and ate breakfast. We got ready for church and then drove into church to attend Sacrament Meeting. After Sacrament Meeting, we came home, had lunch, cleaned up, loaded up and then left for Salt Lake.

We got to Salt Lake about 4:00. We stayed at the Crystal Inn so that the kids could go swimming. We let the older kids swim for a while before going to dinner. We went to eat at The Mayan. The kids love that place. I don't think Natalie or Logan have been there. They loved watching the divers. After dinner, we went back to the hotel and we all went swimming. Monday morning was Logan's appointment at Primary Children's. Bryon took him to his appointment while I stayed at the hotel with Sam, Conner, and Natalie. We had breakfast and then Natalie and I went down to sit at the pool while Sam and Conner swam for a couple of hours. When Bryon and Logan got back to the hotel, we loaded up and check out. I really wanted Sam and Bryon to see the Joseph Smith Movie at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. We were really pushed to make the next showing. We hurried and made it just in the nick of time. Natalie got a little restless but Sam and Bryon really loved the show. After the movie, we left for Thanksgiving Point. We spent about four hours at the Dinosaur Museum. The kids loved it. We even splurged and bought tickets to see a 3-D movie. We went to the Dinosaur one. It was a little boring. Bryon actually ended up leaving the movie because Natalie was so restless. The rest of the kids loved the 3-D effect. Logan actually fell asleep at the end. Here are some cute pictures of our day at the museum.

The first picture is of all the kids around a dinosaur. The pictures of Sam and Conner are them digging for dinosaur bones. Logan is playing in the erosion table and Natalie is doing a puzzle of dinosaurs. We splurged and treated the kids to dinner at Red Lobster in Layton on the way home. We ordered an appetizer of crab legs. The kids loved them! It was a great family vacation.

New Recipes Added

2008-06-29T17:12:00.001-07:00

I have added two more weeks worth of menus on my menu & recipe blog. I have also been working on posting the recipes to go with the menus. I have made four new recipes this weekend. They have all been hig hits!

Dwayne's Syndrome

2008-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

Some of you have asked why we went to Primary Children's Hospital. When Logan came into our home, it was evident that something funky was up with his eyes. Several people commented that he must have a lazy eye. I once had a lazy eye and knew what a lazy eye was, figured it was very possible. We took him to several eye doctors. You know that mom instinct where you know something is wrong. Several doctors told us it was nothing. Bryon and I joked that it was typically normal for a kid to be looking in one direction and for the other eye to shoot off in the other direction. A doctor here in Rexburg diagnosed Logan with Dwayne's Syndrome. Dwayne's Syndrome is a nerve that actually never develops in the eye. This nerve is necessary for normal eye movement, control, strength and function of the eye. Because this nerve never developed properly Logan's right eye is not able to move laterally from the center point out towards his ear. It is quite hard to diagnose because children with Dwayne's Syndrome are very good at compensating. It isn't until you actually clamp their head down to where they can't move it and focus on just the eye movement that it is apparent. It is quite funny to watch. We have clamped his head down so many times to see it for ourselves and to show others that now when we are done, that Logan will clamp our head down and move his finger for our eyes to follow. The doctor that diagnosed Logan with Dwayne's Syndrome basically said, he has Dwayne's Syndrome have a nice day. As we began studying the syndrome closer, we realized that with Dwayne's Syndrome usually there are other disorders. We also learned that Dwayne's Syndrome if left untreated can lead to lazy eyes, need for glasses, and can ultimately cause blindness. We were able to get a referral to Primary Children's hospital to the Moran Eye Center. That place is amazing and Logan's doctor is wonderful! He looked at Logan and agreed with the diagnosis of Dwayne's Syndrome. He wanted to see him again in six months to see how much his eyes changed in six months time. He gave us the option of just having the eye doctor here track his eyes yearly. We did not feel that confidant having a doctor that didn't give us very much information about the disease and didn't seem to know much about the syndrome himself track Logan. We opted to have the doctor at Primary Children's Hospital track Logan's eye. So now we just go down once a year for a check-up.

The doctor this time noticed a slight change but not enough to warrant doing something.

Anyway, that is probably more than you ever wanted to know about Dwayne's Syndrome.

Conner T-Ball Season

2008-06-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

Conner has watched his brother, Sam, play ball since he was a baby. He always said he could not wait to play. This year he was finally old enough to play.

The first few games Conner played in, he had no idea where to run. I kept asking him, how many games of Sam's has he sat through?!? He would run to pitchers mound and then take off trying to get the ball.

Someone at one of the games commented that if you were having a bad day, you should go watch a kids t-ball game. They really are quite entertaining. It is funny that all the kids on the same team run after the ball and try to get it once it is hit. Conner is usually an easy going child. However, if he is not the one that comes up with the ball, he has this huge melt down in the middle of the baseball field.

Conner has a hard time waiting until it is his turn to bat. He also gets "bored" in the outfield. Before the game is over, I am usually out on the field trying to keep him motivated. He would much rather be drawing pictures in the dirt, climbing trees, playing with Logan or Natalie and has even been known to walk off the field in the middle of a play to tell me something. I have to keep reminding myself, that Sam was once the same way. Sam grew out of it and I am hoping Conner will too.

I really do hope that he has learned something this season and will be ready to play again when next season rolls around.

Sam Baseball Season

2008-06-25T15:47:00.001-07:00

This year Sam had the opportunity to play baseball. We have usually signed him up to play in Rexburg because that is where we live. This year we let him have the option of playing in Rexburg with some of his neighbor friends or playing Sugar City ball where he would play with boys from school. He opted to play in Sugar City. What we didn't know at the time was that Sugar City and St. Anthony pull their leagues together and they play all of their games in St. Anthony. This meant for us at least one trip to Sugar City a week for ball practice and an additional two trips to St. Anthony a week for games.

Sam has played t-ball and coach pitch but this year it was the real thing. I was amazed at how "official" it was after the first game. Those boys can really throw the ball pretty fast. They were also allowed to steal and not to mention that all of the team except Sam was wearing baseball pants. We bought Sam new ball pants before the next game and then he used his own money to buy a baseball batting glove.

Sam is left-handed. He has always played ball left handed. Three-fourths of the way through the season, Sam's coach informed us he thought Sam was probably right handed, at least as far as playing ball goes. Sure enough, he played much better right handed. Too bad, it has only taken us six years to figure that out!

Most of Sam's team played together last year and so consequently he was the "new kid on the block." He did really well. He struggled a little and so he and I spent countless extra practices over at the church ball diamonds working on batting, catching, and throwing.

Sam had an awesome coach this year. Coach Garner, is actually a sixth grade teacher in Sugar City but coaches several sports. He helped Sam so much this year. He was always so positive with the boys.

The baseball season went from the end of May to the end of June. As you know, we have had an unseasonably cool spring. I don't think there was a single game that it didn't rain, or the wind didn't blow like crazy. Several of their games got called because of lightening. Bryon had the privilege of sitting through one of his games where it rained the whole game through but the game never got called because there was no lightening. The blankets that we hauled to the game to pad the hard bleachers usually became something we curled up in trying to keep warm.

Tournament started last week. Sam's team went in seated number one. They played once on Tuesday night. I was able to watch him before I left for Girl's Camp. They won. Then they played twice on Thursday night. They won both of those. The championship was set for Saturday morning at 10:00. They were playing a game that already had one loss. So if Sam's team won, it was over. If they lost, they had to play again at noon. Sam's team won! It was a really close game. The team they played is the only team that has given them any competition all season. Sam's team was behind at one point and I thought for sure we were going to have to play again. I think the final score was 5-7.

The boys were so excited to get their trophies. Coach Garner was so cute with them. He told them they would remember this game for the rest of their lives. He also told them that they all played like champions. Never once were the boys mean to the other teams and always played with great sportsmanship. They were also so good to each other. They never talked smack because they let the kind of game they played speak for itself.

Congratulations Sam on winning the championship! I am so proud of you. But more importantly, I am so proud of the way you played and all the dedication and devotion you put into improving your game.

Busy Week

2008-06-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth but it sure feels like it. This week has been crazy busy. I am leaving in two short hours for Girl's Camp. I will be there until Friday morning. My older two boys are going to go spend a few days with Grandpa & Grandma Kennedy. They are looking so forward to going horseback riding and helping with the sheep. My younger two are being shipped out to various babysitters. I just hope everything goes smoothly while I am gone. I will get home on Friday afternoon and then we are leaving again to spend a few days at my husband's grandparents vacant house known as "The Ranch." The boys are so excited to see how many water snakes they can catch while we are there. We then are heading over to Salt Lake for a couple of days so Logan can go to his yearly visit at Primary Children's. The kids are excited to spend the night in a hotel, go swimming, and going to Thanksgiving Point to see the Dinosaur exhibit. But I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get everything in order just so we can go. Anyway, I am hoping to blog more on Friday. Until then have a great week.

P.S. We are toying with the idea of going to Cafe Rio while in the Salt Lake area. Please leave me some comments about what is really great to eat there.

Tagged {Picture Me} Tag

2008-06-03T05:30:00.001-07:00

{Picture Me} Tag
1. Go to http://www.flickr.com/

2. Type your answer to the question in the search box.

3. Use your favorite image of the subject.

4. Copy the html and paste for the answer or "save picutre as" in file

Birth Place: Logan, UtahFavorite (Dream) Vacation Destination: ScotlandFavorite Color: Purple

Dream Career: Office Assistant (Secretary)

Guilty Pleasure: Movie Theater Popcorn with Butter

Favorite Hobby: Scrapbooking

Favorite Restaurant: Applebee's

Favorite Actor/Actress: Matthew McConaughey

Favorite Vehicle: GMC Yukon

Favorite Place to Shop For Myself:

Favorite Flower: Gerber Daisy & Lilacs

I tag: Linda, Amanda, and Jaimee

Small Miracles

2008-06-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight I have had several small miracle moments but I want to share just one.

Bryon was downstairs tickling Logan and Logan was laughing hysterically. We all started laughing just at how hard Logan was laughing. Bryon stopped tickling him and said, "Logan, it is so good to hear you laugh. When you first came to us at 15 months old you didn't know how to laugh." Sam thought we were lying. Sam is in that stage lately where he thinks we sit up and night and make up a long list of lies to tell him. He later asked me if it was really true about Logan. I told him it was. Today has been a hard day for me but that little moment of Bryon commenting about how far Logan has come was really huge moment for me.

Logan, I am so proud of you and the accomplishments you have made and continue to make. I remember you coming into our home, all those little things like being pushed in a swing, laughing, giving loves, the feel of grass between your toes, and looking into the mirror that we assume every 15-month old has had in their life, you had never experienced. You have come such a long way and continue to amaze me with your strength and determination. I Love You!

Memorial Day Weekend 05-25-08

2008-06-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

I love Memorial Day Weekend. I think it runs a close tie with Christmas, My Birthday, and 4th of July as being my favorite holidays. I think mostly because of all the good memories I have about Memorial Day. I remember as a girl going with my parents and Grandpa & Grandma Pehrson to decorate graves in Millville and Smithfield. Those are memories I will always cherish. Since moving away from Cache Valley, I really miss not being able to visit the graves of my Grandpa & Grandma Pehrson. I think about them almost daily. I was very blessed to marry into a family that honoring family heritage runs deep. I love spending Memorial Day with them. We usually celebrate it on a Sunday with a hot dog roast and then visit the graves.

This year my mother-in-law invited us to go down to have a hot dog roast with them. We decided with the price of gas, we could stay at home and eat our own hot dogs cheaper than we could to drive down there. Sorry, we might have been influenced for steak but not round steak! :)

We met up with them at the Archer Cemetary. Bryon's grandmother and several other family members are burried there. My mother-in-law is so creative and always has fun games for the younger children to do to help them learn more about the graves we are visiting. This year she just printed off a family group sheet with pictures. It still was very helpful in helping our children learn more about the ancestors. Then we came into Rexburg to visit the Rexburg Cemetary. Then we went back to Archer to visit Bryon's aunts grave.

After visiting graves, we went back to Bryon's grandpas house for cookies.

Mrs. Farmer's Suprise Party 05-23-2008

2008-06-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

I know it looks like I am back tracking and I might be, just a little. I have had so many things I have wanted to blog about and have just ran out of time.

Sam this year has had the priveledge of being in Mrs. Farmer's class. Mrs. Farmer was going to retire last year but decided to work one more year. We are so glad she decided to stay on another year. She was a great teacher for Sam. She helped Sam and us so much this year. We knew all year that this was going to be her last year. I have enjoyed being one of two room moms this year. After the holidays, I began thinking more about her retiring. In talking to Bryon, it sounded like the schools don't do a whole lot for retirement. The more I learned about her, the more I was amazed by this incridble woman. I couldn't stand the thought that this great teacher was retiring quietly. So the other room mom and myself put our heads together and started planning this surprise party. It all just snowballed from there. We made a bound book with family, teachers, and students writing tributes. I was amazed with as many people knew about the surprise party that we were actually able to pull it off. So the day of the party came. Her class had library. They went to library but ended up coming down to Bryon's room where we holding all the festivities. Once the kids were in the room, the principal brought down Mrs. Farmer. She was totally surprised! We played a game of Jeopardy of things the kids learned through the year. We also played a game about how well the kids knew Mrs. Farmer. It was so much fun. We had made a video made of pictures of her teaching through the years. She couldn't believe all the pictures we had. Her first comment to me was, "Where did you get all these pictures? I have some of the very same pictures." I told her they all were actually her pictures. Then she really was stumped. I had her daughter in Logan gather the pictures, scan them and e-mail them to me. Then after school was out we had an open house for faculty, family and friends. She was so surprised. The principal's daughter-in-law used to do some catering for the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. She made us two cakes to serve. They were beautiful.

Mrs. Farmer, thank you so much for the awesome teacher you were to not only my son but hundreds of other boys and girls. We are really going to miss you!

Saturday, May 31, 2008

2008-05-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you know it the one nice day of weather we have had in a while and I was to busy to spend the time I would have liked to work outside in the yard. I split a shift with a lady and we take turns working Saturdays in the Rexburg Temple. It worked out that I had four Saturdays off while she worked. Now I am in the middle of working four Saturdays while she spends time with family. I work in the office answering phones. I LOVE IT! Bryon stayed home with the kids cleaning the house and cracking the whip on having them get their chores done. Bryon has become really good at getting Saturday mornings organized with assigned jobs and then having them each draw for some jobs. Conner really wanted the "wash dishes" job. This morning before I left, he begged me to make up the jobs and put that one on top and then he would draw first and draw that one. When he got it, he was going to say, "It's a miracle! I can read! I got dishes. Whoo Oooh!" What a crack up that boy is. I am not sure what happened with the jobs because I had to leave before they got going. All I know, is the house was in pretty good shape when I got home. However, Bryon said Conner had earned an extra job for not following the rules today. He ran off again on his bike. The summer is still young and I can't even begin to count how many times we have taken his bike away already! I got home from the temple about 1:00 p.m. I grabbed a bite to eat and then had to go to a funeral. I teach piano lessons and four of my students grandma passed away from cancer. The grandchildren were doing various musical numbers and I was the accompanist. They all did really well. When I got home, we started working in the yard. Bryon went and bought some edging and he worked putting the edging in around a little rock garden we have been working on for a year now. We finally have it weeded, the black tarp down, the plants planted, and the rocks in so that should be one flower bed that will be lower maintenance for us. We also have an island flower bed that I wanted to put trim around so I can plant the flowers I bought a week ago. We got the trim put around it and I worked on weeding and shaking the dirt of big clumps of grass. That was about all we were able to get done before it was time to come in and eat and get the kids bathed for church tomorrow. I was a little disappointed that we weren't able to get that flower bed ready to plant my flowers. We are hoping Monday night to get that flower bed done and start on planting our garden. However, our rock garden looks awesome. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of the finished project.

New Recipes Added

2008-05-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

I have a month worth of menus on my recipe blog http://scrumdilliteyumpschous.blogspot.com. I am always looking for some new recipes and think I found some fun ones to try this month. I have also put on a bunch of new recipes and as always if you try any be sure to leave a comment. Last night for dinner I made the orange chicken. It was delicious. My whole family loved it. It is definitely a recipe I will use again!

Conner's Fat Lip 05-28-08

2008-05-29T05:28:00.000-07:00

I need to preface this by saying that Conner is my "dare-devil" child. Bryon and I gave him a bike for his birthday. He has waited all winter for spring to come so he can ride it. Now that the snow is gone, he is constantly riding it. Yesterday I was in the house and he came in from riding his bike. He was crying hysterically. He also had his hand covering his mouth and all I could see was blood. I am not the greatest with blood. Thankfully, Linda was still here and she got him cleaned up for me! The neighbor gal brought his bike home for him. She said he ran into a parked car. Conner said it bent the training wheel on his bike but I haven't been out to look. By the looks of his lip, I would have to say the car won!

Sam Earns His Wolf

2008-05-28T09:55:00.001-07:00

Sam officially earned his Wolf Badge! I am from a family of all girls and so this scouting thing is totally new to me. In November, the ward wanted to move all of the scouts up in scouting at the first of the year, instead of on their birthdays. Bryon and I felt like we wanted Sam to really earn his Wolf and it just not be something he hurries through to complete. We didn't let him move up with most of his age group. This past month, he finally earned his Wolf Badge. I was so proud of him. He worked so hard. Besides earning his Wolf Badge, Sam earned four arrows. Way to go!

Conner & Logan's Preschool Field Trip 05-13-08

2008-05-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Conner and Logan's preschool took a field trip this month. They were supposed to go on Monday the 12th. We woke up to terrible weather and it even snowed that day. The field trip was postponed until Tuesday. I was luck enough to be able to go with them. My friend, Linda, watched Natalie while I went. It was a full day. We left the school at 8:30 and traveled to Idaho Falls to Tautphaus Park Zoo in Idaho Falls. Because we had such a large group, they decided to let us just enjoy the zoo at our own pace and meet back at the buses at 11:00. One of the aides, Ms. Carol caught up with us just inside the gates. She wondered if I needed help. I actually felt like I could handle it but told her sure. She took Logan's hand and I took Conner's. I was so thankful at the end of the day to have had her help. We had a great time at the zoo. The peacock was Logan's favorite. I think the monkeys were Conner's. The weather was just perfect for the zoo, not too hot and not too cold. The animals were pretty active, so that was fun to watch. We also got to watch them feed the penguins. Once everyone got back to the buses, we found a spot to have our picnic lunches. Logan ate his pretty good but Conner would rather play than eat. After we let the kids run around for a bit, we then loaded the buses back up and headed back for Rexburg. Just outside of Rexburg, we stopped to ride the Beazer train. This is a great hidden treasure! Beazer train was built by a man who has since passed away. His son now runs it. The son has a full time job so you just call and schedule appointments when he is available. They have built this little train track that runs out through a pasture and even has a tunnel. It takes about five minutes. We had a blast riding the train, the rest of the afternoon. Conner rode every single time. I even took a couple of turns riding it! We made it back to school just in time to pick up Sam and head home for the day. I don't know who was more tired at the end of the day: Conner, Logan, or myself.

Sam's Ballroom Dance Experience 05-03-08

2008-05-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

I signed Sam up for a ballroom dance program that was offered through the city. Actually the lady teaching it called to see if Sam would be interested in taking the class with some boys from the neighborhood. As a mom, I am constantly looking for an activity that my child will enjoy and be successful at. I have tried several for Sam but so far haven't found just the right one. So I figured, sure why not. I think it was a six week class. Sam really enjoyed it the first couple of weeks but after that it was like pulling teeth for him to go to class. He constantly told me what an awful mom I was for making him go and how I didn't ask his permission to sign him up. At the end of the six weeks, the kids perform at the big ballroom dance recital so the kids can see how cool the older kids that do ballroom dance are. Sam is VERY picky about how his clothes fit. So the afternoon of the recital, I am having him get in his costume and he has the biggest meltdown of how his costume fits. His Grandma Roskelley came to the rescue and helped him fix his costume so it fit better. Thank heavens for grandmas! I still wasn't quite sure how he would do at the recital. My mom was up spending a few days with us and so she came and watched him and Bryon's parents also came up to watch him. We are so blessed with supportive families! Sam did awesome! He looked so handsome. He also agreed to do it all again next year.

One Word

2008-05-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law tagged me so here I go.

1. Where is your cell phone?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . microwave
2. Your significant other? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryon
3. Your hair? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Messy (just got up from a nap)
4. Your mother? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classy
5. Your father? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tender-hearted
6. Your favorite thing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . My Children (most days)
7. Your dream last night? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?
8. Your favorite drink? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diet Coke with Fresh Lemon (sorry couldn't do
just one word)
9. Your dream/goal? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eternal Life
10. The room you're in? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Computer
11. Your hobby? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scrapbooking
12. Your fear? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Death
13. Where do you want to be in six years? . . . . . Healthier
14. Where were you last night? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Party
15. What you're not? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Organized
16. Muffins? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zucchini
17. One of your wish list items? . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doors
18. Where you grew up? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Burley
19. The last thing you did? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read
20. What are you wearing? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Housecoat
21. Your tv? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OFF!
22. Your pets? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dog
23. Your computer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HP
24. Your life? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blessed
25. Your mood? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Somber
26. Missing someone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grandma P.
27. Your car? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Uplander
28. Something your not wearing? . . . . . . . . . Shoes
29. Favorite store? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kohls
30. Your summer? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Busy
31. Like someone? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bryon (Ssh! Don't tell)
32. Your favorite color? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purple
33. When was the last time you laughed? . . Friday?
34. Last time you cried? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Today
35. Who will resend this? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dunno

So I tag: Holly, Linda, Meichelle, Jaimee, and anyone else who wants to do this. If you do it leave a comment so I can take a look :)

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics

2008-05-12T10:23:00.001-07:00

We have a lady in the ward who has sang this song at two ward activities. I think this song is hilarious. I was so excited to see this posted on a friends blog and couldn't wait to upload it to mine. I hope you find it as funny as I do.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day for me, runs a whole gamet of emotions.

First, and foremost, I want to wish my Mom a Happy Mother's Day. Mom, I know that I was not the easiest child to raise, and Heaven knows I ruined plenty of Mother's Days for you. I don't think words can ever begin to explain my depth of love and gratitude I have for you. You are truly one of the most classiest women I know. I have learned over the years about the Pehrson trait you have. The Pehrson's are known for being quiet. While you are quiet, I have learned so much from your quiet lessons and gentle strength. I love you so much!

Next, I want to wish my mother-in-law, Dorothy, a Happy Mother's Day. Dorothy raised six wonderful children. I see so much of her in my husband. I thank you so much for all that you taught Bryon through the years. He helps out so much around the house, he is strong in the gospel and is a wonderful husband and father. I attribute so much of what my husband is today to you. I also want to thank you so much for all you do for our little family.

Last, and certainly not least, are the birthmothers of our four children. I owe so much to each of you! Your unselfish sacrifice has given me the ultimate gift. The word thank you do not seem adequate enough. Your trust in me, makes me strive each day to be a better mother than the day before. I hold my children just a little closer, hug them just a little longer knowing you wish you could. Each of you hold a very special place in our family!

New Recipes Added

2008-05-01T05:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am being super slow about making up a whole month worth of menus.We have eaten out two nights in a row for lack of anything to eat here at home. My mom is coming this weekend and I finally decided I better make a few days worth of menus so I can go to the grocery store. Five days worth of menus and the recipes have been added to my recipe blog. Here is the link: http://scrumdilliteyumpschous.blogspot.com/

Spring Break 04-10-08 through 04-14-08

2008-05-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

Spring break was late this year. I swear we were the last school district in the whole country to hold spring break this late. However, I don't think holding it later in the year, did any good. The weather was still to cold and miserable to be outside. I was hoping it would be good so we could work out in the yard. (I know Bryon was rejoicing that the weather wasn't great because he HATES yardwork!) Sugar Salem's school break was scheduled to be April 11 through the 14. Bryon, however, had work meetings in Idaho Falls on that Monday and so the Superintendent told him he could have Thursday off to compensate for having to work on Monday. Although the weather wasn't great, I still had a list as long as my arm of housework and projects that I was hoping to get accomplished. I don't even remember what we were doing, but I mentioned in passing that my scrapbook room was such a mess and I wanted desperately to get it painted and organized in there. At that point, you could barely open the door to the room. I had become so frustrated with the room itself of not having anywhere to store stuff, I had just given up and thrown things into the room and slammed the door instead of trying to put things away. I kid you not, it wasn't five minutes after making the statement that I hear Bryon in my office. He is in there hauling everything out into the family room trying to get the room cleaned out so he could paint. Within one hour, we had the paint picked out and he had gone and gotten paint and was busy painting. We spent most of spring break working on my scrapbook room. I will post more about my scrapbook room in future posts. I just want to give a HUGE thank you to my DH for all the hard work he did on his days off to help me in my scrapbook room. Not only did he paint, but he hung shelves. He also managed to finish a few other minor projects on my to do list. Thanks Bryon for all your hard work.

So Far Behind

2008-05-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

I am so far behind in my blogging that it isn't funny. Have you ever felt like you were swimming and were just barely keeping your head afloat?!? That has been me lately. It all started the second weekend in April. In order to save you from reading one long boring blog entry, I am going to break it down into a few.

New Recipes Added

2008-04-22T05:05:00.000-07:00

I know I said I do a month worth of menus all at once. Life here has been crazy. Bryon was gone three days last week and so I was single moming it. This week I am working all week. I am really struggeling getting a months worth of menus done. I am hoping on getting it done in the next day or two because like Old Mother Hubbard my cupboards are getting bare. I did take a few minutes this morning and planned a few days worth of menus. I have them posted on my recipe site. You might want to take a look. Here is the link:
http://scrumdilliteyumpschous.blogspot.com

Surprise Party 4-19-08

2008-04-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we held a surprise party for my mother-in-law, Dorothy Kennedy. She turned sixty on April 4. Because of trying to get schedules to work, we ended up having to wait until this past weekend to celebrate. We actually threw her a little party on Conference weekend (her actual birth date) just to try to throw her off. I really think by her reaction, we succeeded in surprising her. Everyone but one son and one daughter-in-law were able to attend. Even her father who has struggled with health problems recently was able to make it to the event. My father-in-law talked her into going furniture shopping in order to get her out of the house. While she was gone, the rest of us were busy decorating the house, picking up food, and trying to keep 15 grandchildren from tearing up the house before they got back. My father-in-law was in charge of the food. We had plenty to eat. He had ordered Chinese food from her favorite restaurant, chicken and salads from Albertson's (in case someone didn't want Chinese), and two pizzas for the grandchildren. We had a great lunch together. Then we spent the afternoon just relaxing and visiting. We had put together a book for her of tribute letters from family and friends. What would a birthday be without cake and ice cream? My sister-in-law made one of Dorothy's favorite desserts, angel food cake. My father-in-law wanted to make sure that we put sixty candles on the cake. Yes, my mother-in-law was able to blow out all sixty candles in one breath. That night we finished out the days festivities with the adults attending an endowment session in the Rexburg temple.

Birthday Bowling 04-12-08

2008-04-21T05:10:00.000-07:00

Sam's birthday was on April 13. We always let the kids choose their favorite place to go out to eat. It is usually Leo's in Idaho Falls. Since Sam's birthday fell on Sunday, we decided to go out Saturday night. We thought Sam had chosen to go to Leo's. At the last minute, he decided he wanted to stay here in Rexburg and go bowling and then out to Craigo's (a pizza and pasta place). We had a great time. We all went bowling. We rented the lane for one hour. We were able to bowl a full game in that time. It was a pretty close game for Bryon, Sam and I. At the very end, Sam pulled ahead to beat us all. That's the way it should be! Logan and Natalie didn't bowl. They had a great time sitting at the table, playing, and eating snacks. Sam wanted to go to dinner at Craigo's because he loves their Monster Cookies. We all had the All-You-Can-Eat Pasta and Pizza bar. We were all to full to order dessert. We went home and Bryon went back later to pick up a monster cookie to bring home for a treat.

Recipe Blog

2008-04-14T18:28:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally decided to start my recipe and menu planning blog. I am still in the beginning phases so bear with me. If you stop by make sure to leave a comment! I look forward to seeing you there. Here is the address: http://scrumdilliteyumpschous.blogspot.com

I Need Some Blogging Help

2008-04-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

I am wanting to make my blog to have more of a scrapbook look to it. I have no idea what I am doing. I want to change my backgrounds to some files I have downloaded on my computer. How do I do that? I have messed around with it for a half hour and can't figure it out. Can anyone help me? It seems there was a website that gave step by step directions. Does anyone know what that address is? Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

She's Here!

2008-04-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

No we are not adopting again! (Well not in the way you would think.) My baby turns nine on Sunday. It is so hard for me to believe. I have to give you a little background. He has wanted a hampster or a gerbil for a while now. He hasn't been that vocal about a pet until recently. Now he has been vocal and instead of a hampster or a gerbil he was wanting a reptile: Bearded Dragon, Turtles, Lizard, or Snake. None of which I am open to having in my house let alone as a pet. So when the topic came up heavy on Monday night, Bryon and I visited the pet topic with him. We informed him if he got a pet it would be his birthday present. Monday night we had basically told him he could get a hampster or gerbil. On Wednesday morning, I called my sister-in-law, Bryn, whose kids have two gerbils. She was very positive about having gerbils as pets but after getting off the phone with her I wasn't quite convinced it would work for us. The thing she said is her kids don't really get them out to play with them. I worry that after the "newness" wears off, and it will with any pet, they won't be as responsible for them if they can't play with them. I decided to start thinking about a dog. I have always said if we get a fenced in yard (hopefully ours will be fenced in within the next few months) we could get a dog. Neither Bryon or I grew up with a dog. Bryon has kind of drug his feet on this one. I don't blame him because we know when it all boils down to it, he will probably be the one helping Sam clean up after the dog. Well by Wednesday afternoon, I had found a free dog house, a lady who had a liter of Border Collie mixes for a reasonable price, and we had some ground rules set for Sam with his responsibilities with a dog. When I talked to the lady on the phone, she had one boy and two girls. I really wanted the boy for obvious reasons! So Thursday afternoon, Sam, Conner, my friend Linda and I drove out to this lady's house to look at the dogs. They were so cute! Sam, however, fell in love with one of the girl dogs. We left it there last night and then Bryon and Sam went to Idaho Falls to go to a reception of one of Bryon's co-workers. They borrowed Bryon's dad's truck to bring the dog house home. They stopped in Ririe and brought Molly home. I must admit she is pretty cute! The boys have had a blast playing with her tonight! So Happy Birthday Sam and Welcome Home Molly.

Broccoli Slaw

2008-04-11T19:53:00.000-07:00

This recipe is a new one for me. My mom had recently gotten the recipe from a good friend and made it while I was home about a month ago. I really liked it. I have been really anxious to make it for my family. They weren't quite as excited about it as I was but I still really liked it and have had it for left-overs every day for lunch since. I am going to publish the recipe except I am going to half it. There are six of us and it made oodles, especially if you have little ones.

1 1-pound package Broccoli Slaw (this is tricky to find. I know
Win-Co sells it. I have also found it in the Associated Foods
Grocery Stores.)
1 Package of Ramen Noodles (Throw away the seasoning and crush the dry noodles.)
1/4 Cup Shelled Sunflower Seeds
1/4 Cup Slivered Almonds

Dressing:
1/4 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup Salad Oil
1/4 Cup Sugar

Mix dressing together and pour over salad. Stir to coat well. You don't even have to refrigerate this one before serving if you don't have time!

Finger Steaks

2008-04-11T19:29:00.000-07:00

This recipe is a family favorite of mine since I was growing up. This is one of those meals when I make it, everyone eats it. Notice I didn't say, they don't complain. I swear I could cook the best "kid-friendly" meal and someone would still find something to complain about!

Round Steak -- take the round steak and with a meat mallet pound it to tenderize it. Then cut the meat in bite size pieces.

Batter:

2 Eggs

1 Cup Milk

2 Teaspoons Sugar

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt

1 Teaspoon Seasoning Salt

1 1/2 Cups Flour

Beat eggs until fluffy. Add milk. Beat. Add sugar, salt, garlic salt, seasoning salt, and flour. The batter should be fairly thick. Dip bite-size round steak in the batter. Then deep fry at 375 degrees for 3-4 minutes on each side. To deep fry, I just fill my electric skillet with oil and heat it up and fry them in it. I grew up with having catsup to dip them in. I admit that is still my favorite to this day. My family likes to use Heinz 57 sauce. We also really like Sweet Baby Rays Barbecue Sauce to dip them in.

The night I served these, I made twice baked potatoes and green beans to complete the meal.

Recipes

2008-04-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

Okay! So all of you who know me, know I really enjoy cooking. I have found I have a lot of shortcomings as a mom but the one thing I do and do really well for my family is I plan a whole month worth of menus buy all of my groceries once a month at Win-Co and then all I have to do is an occasional trip to the grocery store to buy my fresh produce. I have found a couple of blogging websites that have some recipes I am really excited to try. When I get a minute I will have to post the links on my blogs. I have debated about starting my own recipe blog so I can share my month worth of menu plans and the recipes to go along with them. I have decided for now to just share my recipes here on my blog. If you use one of my recipes, let me know how your family enjoyed it.

How Fast Can You Type

2008-04-08T07:33:00.000-07:00

92 words

Speedtest

I found this little typing test on my cousin's blog. I have had a blast trying to beat her and then trying to beat myself. Go ahead and give it a try. I guess the two years I went to school to be a secretary paid off.

April Fools

2008-04-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

I am not one to pull of big practical jokes. However, last year I made "French Fries" for breakfast and my kids loved it. It had kind of slipped my mind until they brought it up at dinner last night. So I decided to make them again. They really are quite tasty and my kids get the biggest kick out of them. Here is how you make them: You buy the breadsticks that come in the "popping" cans (like biscuits and crescent rolls). You cut them in half down the middle and then cut the length about that of a french fry. You then roll them in sugar so they look "salted". Then you bake them in the oven at 350. I cooked ours for about 15 minutes but it depends on how hot your oven cooks. Then you take a sealed envelope and cut it about 2 inches high. Then you put your "french fries" in the sleeve. In a bowl, you take seedless strawberry jam and stir it really good with a spoon so it isn't gloppy anymore it is more the consistency of catsup. Wal La! There you have a fun April Fools joke that your kids (at least mine) get a good laugh at.

Easter Weekend

2008-03-31T05:58:00.000-07:00

I know I am a little slow but I wanted to post about Easter. I really didn't feel like it could possibly be Easter because we still have snow on the ground. I cannot remember off the top of my head when they said the last time Easter was this early but they did say those of us who say Easter early this year will not be alive to see Easter this early ever again in their lifetime. All I have to say to that is Hallelujah! However, despite the crumby weather we still had a very nice weekend.

Saturday morning we attend the community Easter Egg Hunt. However, there was no egg hunt. They usually hold this event on the baseball diamonds behind the high school. However, there is still alot of snow on the ground so they held it in the parking lot of the high school. I thought it was very nice. We were in and out within five minutes. The only problem is it wasn't really an egg hunt. They had a line and then at the front of the line they had about five adults handing out candy. I have pictures of all my kids but Logan. Bryon already had him done and loaded back in the car! After going to the "egg hunt" we went to Idaho Falls. Sam needed a pair of pants to wear to church and a tie. So we went down to get a little shopping done. We usually have a nice Easter picnic because of the cold weather, we settled for lunch out at Johnny Carino's. When we got home, we dyed two dozen eggs.

Sunday morning we have church at 8:30 and so we didn't have time to do the whole Easter Egg Hunt and baskets before church. That's okay because the Easter Bunny left a note saying he would try to come back while we were at church. The kids looked so adorable in their Easter outfits. When we got home from Church we found the Easter Bunny had been here and hid the two dozen eggs and filled the kids' Easter baskets. They got candy, bubbles, some Play-Do, and they each got a Church game. Sunday afternoon we went down to Idaho Falls for Easter dinner. We had dinner at Bryon's brother Bruce's. Bryon's mom has been busy taking care of her dad who is sick with kidney and heart problems. So Bryn (Bruce's wife) and I volunteered to make the dinner. It was delicious. We had ham, funeral potatoes, deviled eggs, homemade orange rolls, asparagus, and a Jell-O. Bryn had made a cute Easter cake for dessert.

New Recipes

2008-03-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

What a weekend for new recipes. On Friday we had a pork tenderloin. I had bought the pork tenderloin a while ago to go with another recipe. Since that time, I lost the recipe and had this tenderloin that I had thawed out that I needed to use. My friend, Linda, mentioned her sister-in-law had a really good recipe. She got me the recipe and I decided to give it a try. It was delicious. My family loved it. It also happened that my in-laws came up to pick up a prescription that we had picked up for Bryon's grandpa. Long story short, I made them a t.v. tray with this pork tenderloin on. They loved it. So here is the recipe:

Maple Spiced Pork Tenderloin
1 1/2 Pounds of Pork Tenderloin
1 1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Coarse Ground Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
Oil
Maple Syrup

Preheat oven to 325 degrees or the grill. We used toe oven. Combine the spices together and coat tenderloin. Let marinade overnight if possible. I put it on that morning and let it marinade all day.

Brush the tenderloin with oil. Bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Brush with maple syrup and bake until meat registers 155 degrees with a meat thermometer. Let stand 10 minutes, slice thin to serve. Serves 4.

Then Saturday night we went to an adult dinner for our ward. They had different couples host the dinner at their house. We went to a house that decided on a Mexican theme for dinner. She made this delicious salsa. I have had bottled salsa and I also have a recipe for really good fresh salsa. This recipe is for "fresh" salsa but uses stewed tomatoes.

Yummy Salsa
Mix in the food procesor:
3-4 Halapeno Chilies, Diced
3-4 Yellow Chilies, Diced
3-4 Long Green Chilies
1/3 of a Bunch of Cilantro
1 Bunch of Green Onions
1 Small Cann Diced Green Chilies
1 Small White Onion
1/2 Teaspoon Onion Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Oregano
2 Heaps Teaspoon Chili Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Heaps Pepper

Then add: 1 #10 can crushed (not stewed) tomatoes. The amount of tomatoes you are supposed to add is 6 Pounds 9 oz. She had it cooking in a crock pot to let all the spices and peppers mix. This makes a huge batch. It makes about one gallon.

Then Sunday I made a delicious sauce to cook the Easter Ham in. I used a Bone-In Ham. I think they have better flavors.

Ham
In a Saucepan heat
2 Cups Brown Sugar
2 Cans Chunked Pineapple
2 Bottles Marachino Cherries
3 or 4 Cloves
1 Can of Orange Pop

I cooked it until the brown sugar melts. Then you pour it over the ham and cook your ham. It adds a delicious flavor to your ham. If you want you can then thicken the juice and serve it over your ham.

Anyway, I thought I would share. I love baking and cooking and trying new recipes (especially if they turn out fabulous)! I would love to try any of your favorite recipes.

Favorite Things Thursday

2008-03-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

My Favorite Thing this week is going to be a little self-indulgent. I have recently rediscovered my love of reading. However, finding a good book that is hard to put down also helps. I went to the library a couple of weeks ago and found a book that I just couldn't put down. I had previously read two books from this same author and really enjoyed them so I decided to read another one. This one was wonderful. Karen, the author, is a Christian author and so her books are very clean. This book was called, "Like Dandelion Dust." It's the emotional story of an adoptive couple that tragically learns that the birth mother who gave up her son four years earlier has changed her mind. A forged signature on the paperwork makes it seem possible that they will lose their son, Joey, maybe forever. Like Dandelion Dust is the story of a mother's passion, and the lengths a couple is willing to go to, all for the love of a child. As an adoptive mother myself, I wasn't quite sure what I would think of the book, but I LOVED IT!! I highly recommend if you are looking for a good read to pick this one up. This morning when I was on the author's website looking for a picture of the book, I noticed that they are making a movie of this book. I am now anxiously awaiting this movie to come to theaters.

While I was reading, "Like Dandelion Dust," I noticed the author had written a book about true life adoption stories. I went to the library that day and checked out that book. Monday night I finished "Like Dandelion Dust" shortly after dinner. Then after putting the kids to bed, I did something I don't think I have ever done, I read a whole book in one night. I started it about 8:30 and finished just before 11:00. I loved this book. Every chapter is a new adoption story. They are all true stories. Every chapter shows how God's hand is in every adoption. The author is an adoptive mother herself and her story is the last chapter of the book. It was an awesome book. I think sometimes adoption gets a bad rap in the media but this was book was so positive and uplifting. It was also a very quick read. I highly recommend it!

It's A Good Thing

2008-03-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

Okay so last night at 5:00, it was one of those nights where I am beginning to question what is for dinner. That is a rare thing around here as I make a month worth of menus and then buy groceries to go with those menus. But it is getting close to payday, I have been out of town for the weekend, and I failed to get any meat out of the freezer. Bryon really wanted me to make Taco Soup. Sorry Bryon! Had it just two weeks ago and since then I have had tacos twice. Not that I didn't love the tacos we had but I just wasn't in the mood for any more Mexican dishes. So I am racking my brain as to what to have that would be fast and wouldn't require meat. My family loves pasta! I decided to make a family favorite: Fettuccine Alfredo. I have had a recipe that I have made for a couple of years. I have even passed it on to my sister Lori. I know it has been a hit because her husband is a picky eater and mentioned it would be one of the meals he woud request if he were dying. However, you cook the sauce and lately I can't get the sauce to thicken just right. However, I have found a new recipe that is fast and so easy and my family likes it as well as the other. I actually didn't think they knew the difference but last night Sam asked where the "green things" were. The other Fettuccine calls for parsley and other seasonings and that is what Sam was referring to. So here is my latest fast delicious Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe:

1/4 Pound Fettuccine, Cooked
3/4 Cup Whipping Cream at Room Temperature
3/4 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (Do not use the kind in the green can)
1/3 Cup Softened Butter (Do not use Margarine)
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/8 Teaspoon White Pepper

Immediately after draining fettuccine noodles, combine with butter. Toss until the butter is melted. Add one half of the cream and toss well. Add one half of the Parmesan cheese and toss well. Add the remaining cream and toss well. Add the remaining cheese, salt and pepper and toss. Serve immediately.

I served it up with a green salad and Garlic Bread and we were eating dinner within 30 minutes! It's a Good Thing!

Favorite Things

2008-03-18T05:01:00.000-07:00

I know I missed posting last week about my Favorite Things Thursday. So although today is not Thursday, I just wanted to post a favorite thing.

I took Sam and Conner to the movies two weeks ago. We went to see the movie "Enchanted". I had heard it was good but was actually looking more forward to eating the popcorn at the movie than actually watching the movie itself. I was surprised to find that I liked the movie as much as I did. I actually loved it. My boys really liked it too. I highly recommend watching this movie if you get a chance. At our house we give it a six thumbs up!

Pass The Torch Tuesday

2008-03-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

So I never did get a Pass the Torch Tuesday done last week. Oh, the joys of having a sick child! I mentioned that I was going to try to post a little late for last week. At this point, I am not going to worry about backtracking. So with that this Tuesday I want to honor my little girl Natalie. I took the kids home to my parents house for the weekend. My sister that lives in Jerome, couldn't come over until Saturday afternoon but asked if I would watch her little girl Alice. I agreed. My kids were so excited to spend time with their cousin. Alice was so excited to play with Sam and Conner but spent most of her time playing with Logan and Natalie. On Saturday, my mom pulled out a bin of clothes that she has bought on sale and was going through it to see what she had. She had a little book about a mermaid. The pictures were actually little puzzles. Alice was so excited to play with this book. The only problem with this book was there was only one of them and there were two little girls who really wanted to play with it. Alice had had it for quite a while before Natalie decided she wanted it. My dad who happened to walk through the room at just the right time, noticed a little squabble between Alice and Natalie. He decides to try to reason with Alice. He asks Alice if it would be alright to let Natalie look at the book because she is just a baby and then in a little bit she could have the book back. Natalie now had the book and had gone into the living room and was sitting on a chair looking at the book. Alice pitches the biggest temper tantrum, throwing herself on the floor and crying. Natalie immediately goes over to her and gives her the book and tries to cheer up Alice.

Way to go Natalie. I am so proud of you!