Happy Birthday Amanda!

I’d like to pause ‘midst all the chaos
As the Halloween excitement starts
And send a Happy Birthday note
To a woman who’s off the charts

She’s the youngest girl in Garrett’s family.
Claiming to be spoiled – but this I do not see!
She’s faced trials that would be difficult to bear
If they’d been mine I’m sure I’d have even more grey hair.

But she continues darling and lovely as ever.
And as to giving up…..I know that she would never.
For though she looks sweet, I can tell you surely…
She’s got inner strength that makes her spirit burly.

She’s the kind that’s made from head to toe of stuff
That gives her strength when life gets really tough.
It’s this strength that she’ll pass on to her little Vince.
Something he can count when things just don’t make sense.

Amanda,
You and your family mean so much!
Thanks for always staying in touch!
We had a blast when you came to stay.
You’re welcome each and ever day.

May your birthday week be filled with smiles, hugs and fun
The coming year of great things has only just begun!

Happy Birthday Joseph!

Today is the birthday of my only brother
The only boy born to my only mother.
Here’s a secret that he would call “dirty”.
For my little brother has reached the age Thirty!

I remember when I turned thirty, as well,
The idea of being that old just didn’t jell.
I thought I’d feel smarter, responsible, wise
But feeling no different was sure a surprise.

Today, Joseph may be feeling somewhat the same
He may think that in those years he hasn’t changed,
But as I look at him and remember times past.
I’m impressed with all that he’s gained – stuff that lasts!

I recall a little boy with a superman cape and a purse
Whose crazy escapades were sometimes a curse.
Eating poisonous plants, bee stings, rocks that richochet.
Sometimes it seemed always – it wasn’t his day.

But somehow when I wasn’t looking, this little “toad”
Turned into a prince – one of the best I ever “knowed.”
I’ve seen him become a leader, a pillar, a true friend,
A man that you can count on - True to the end.

A stranger might, from the great man he sees, take a guess
That all of his strength came to him without any stress.
But I’ve seen him humbled, burying part of his heart
Then watching his sweetheart suffer pain off the chart.

He’s been willing to admit weaknesses to help others.
He’s made his sister’s husbands feel like brothers.
He’s been a hero to me – He fills me with hope,
That, when facing my trials, I’ll be able to cope.

Joseph, I love you! I want you to know
Heavenly Father knew I needed you so.
Because I have only one brother to boast ,
I can say without guilt – I love you the MOST!

Dedicated to my Sister-In-Law Jenn and Me!

So, Jonathan got hold of the ads in the local newspaper and got so excited looking at the Halloween costumes. He would come to me and show me a picture of the costume and ask, "What monster is this?" and I would look at the picture and respond, "Frankenstein" or "Dracula" or "a skeleton", etc. Well after a while, he brought me another picture and again asked "What monster is this?" So, I looked and cracked up - for it truly was a real monster.....

Scroll down to see Jonathan's monster (if you dare)!!!





















Keep going!






















Keep Going!

























Here's Jonathan's Monster:

Jonathan had passed the costumes and was looking at CD's.

I dedicate this to Jenn and me because we are in love with men who like to listen to these "MONSTERS".

Follow the Yellow Yolk Road

Yesterday was crazy, crazy, crazy. After I dropped Jonathan off at preschool, I ran the boys over to the grocery store to cash a check at our bank and get a couple of necessities. I got to the store with my little list and since it was a sticky note, I stuck it to the front of the cart while I deposited money in the bank. When I got back the list was gone except a tiny peice that was all wet - JACOB. But it was gone, so I poked my finger in his mouth and with a professional one-finger sweep, there was my list in the roof of his mouth - just a blog of paper and ink, but all gone. So, I really tried to remember everything that was on it (I only forgot one thing). I was so intent on remembering everything - which included eggs - and not so much on watching my boys. Gabe is really good at the grocery store and hasn't needed as much supervision as Jonathan, who wants to touch and try everything he sees.

I was getting the last item into the cart, when I noticed that the egg carton was open. While only one egg was lying broken on the bottom of my cart, I was cleaning yellow yolks trails all down the isle and back to the meat counter where the "alleged incident" occurred. While cleaning, the grocery store personnel did not offer to help, but did express concern that I left my children unattended (seated in a shopping cart) and an older woman from my ward, who doesn't know me, asked for direction to where "I" keep the icecream.

I got home in time to go back and get Jonathan from school. I stopped to chat with a friend without realizing that I had inadvertantly kneeled on Gabe's little puff snacks, which were stuck to my pants. When I got all the kids home, I put the two youngest down for naps and asked Jonathan to take a rest so until Gabe fell asleep and the whole family was soon asleep. A neighbor woke us all up, when I realized that my hair (which had been under a handkerchief all morning until the nap) was atrocious.

I blame all this on the great feat I accomplished the day before of canning a whole 10 quarts and 11 pints of tomatoes - my first time ever canning all by myself. I was very proud, but exhausted. So, I guess that is why I was braindead yesterday...

The Pumpkin Patch

We went with some friends to one of the county's fun Pumpking patches. Here's us as we get ready for the hay ride and pumpkin search.



This shows how short I am and that none of the boys wanted to look straight out like you're supposed to, but they did more Brady Bunch style where they look at each other...

This is Jonathan, Remington, and Gabe

This is Brooklyn and Jacob being hauled to the cars.

We had a great time and the weather was perfect! We came home with three more pumpkins to decorate. The kids loved it - especially the Not So Haunted House.

They Don't Do the Maggots...

Jonathan kept saying this yesterday as he pointed to a page in his scripture picture book that a neighbor gave him. The picture had people fighting in it. It took me all morning to realize that he was saying that they didn't follow the Commandments. So, at our house, it's good to "do the maggots."

Jonathan's Learning to Ride His Bike!

Garrett took Jonathan's training wheels off his bike and he does great if I start him and doesn't stop. So we've got the middle down - now we just need to work on the beginning and ending. This is the girl next door telling Jonathan how easy it is to ride a bike...
The first time Jonathan rode without his training wheels, he came in and told me he needed a new bike because this one didn't work anymore. "It needs new batteries", he said.

Proposition 22 and me!

As Proposition 22 becomes more and more publicized, I find myself thinking more and more about it. I have wondered if and how it will affect me and my family. I read something today that really hit me hard and made me rethink my passive role in this issue. Somehow I have thought that I can sit and let others do the work - after all, this is California, not my state.

A couple from my home ward typed up their notes from a mission reunion. Elder Ballard was their mission president. He spoke and then had a question and answer session. From his words, I realize how wrong I have been to think that this issue doesn't affect me and that I shouldn't have to take an active role in supporting Proposition 22.

These are not exact quotes, but notes taken by a great lady:

“Lucifer is lashing out against the human family, as prophesied would occur in the Last Days. We are living in the Last Days. We don’t know when the Lord will come, but we can see evidence of the hand of God in this battle. Satan is attacking in a very visual and open way. Porn and other serious problems are inspired by evil. Now we are in a contest over the very definition relating to the creation of the human family on the earth.

“Proposition 22 was approved in California by 61%, but the judges are trying to throw it out as unconstitutional – they want to allow same-sex couples to marry. The Church doesn’t have battle with those with same-sex attraction – to those we reach out…. But the Law of Chastity is the Law of Chastity. Marriage is a divine institution established by God between man and woman with purpose in bringing forth children to populate the earth and to receive tabernacles (mortal bodies) on earth (he said this all better – I couldn’t write fast enough). The world has been spiraling downward quickly since then (the original vote in California).

“If same-sex marriage becomes accepted in California, it will change the constitution in CA to sustain the judges’ direction, it will be like a sunami and wash across the whole country. We must fortify our lives. As we take unpopular positions, appearing to lack understanding, the Church will be subject to criticism and attacks. Are you ready? It’s not going to get better. You need to fortify yourselves and gather your children and fortify them. Man does not have the right to go against fundamental doctrine from God. He provided an Eve, not an Adam, to go out of the Garden with Adam. This is all that we may have joy and rejoicing in our posterity.

“I thought it was tough to be over the missionary program of the Church. I chair the Church Public Affairs Committee and it is taking all the energy and spiritual strength that they know how to access… Lucifer is committed to destroy the family.....

“Stand. Don’t waffle. The Church will not amend the doctrine to accommodate the world. Our doctrine cannot be changed – we are bound by words and teachings of the prophets of God and of the Savior. Be steady. Be firm. Be sure. Those who want to know the Truth, eventually find us – and ultimately will be able to know and be baptized.


Question: Should Proposition 8 fail, how will the Church deal with same-sex requests for temple marriage?

Elder Ballard: “We don’t know. This will be a real battle. The gay community is saying it is a civil right, but the consequence is loss of religious freedom. A Church speaker could be sued. A doctor within the last 90 days was approached by a lesbian couple who wanted artificial insemination. He said he couldn’t do it for religious reasons, but there were other doctors there who would. They sued him. A photographer in New Mexico was asked by a gay couple to photograph for their wedding. He said he wouldn’t – they sued him and the judge fined him $6,000. Clergy have been sued in Canada for not performing same-sex marriages (yes, our dear maple leaf country has legalized same-sex marriages). The Catholic church in Massachusetts has closed their adoption services there because it is against their religion to adopt out children to same-sex couples and they don’t want to be sued – in Massachusetts it has been legalized. A pamphlet was sent home with a 3rd grader in Massachusetts that had a story about a king who married a king. The parents approached the school board and complained and were told that parents had no say in the school curriculum. We need to realize that religious freedom will be lost if this becomes a civil right. The Founding Fathers said their text was the Holy Bible…. This could end up in the Supreme Court. Even if it does not get legalized in California, this will continue to be an issue. We need to be anchored; solid.”

Photoholic!

Lately Gabe wants his picture taken. This is him right before bed asking me to take his picture. He is rather cute - I'd want my picture taken too.

A Purple Cow!

Last Wednesday, I got home from work at about 5:30. I had left at about 2:45, so I just missed Jonathan coming home from preschool. Garrett meets me at the door with a very serious look on his face and says, "Have you seen Jonathan?" I become frantic with worry - Was he hurt? Did something happen? Did he get in trouble? No, Garrett explains, "They painted his fingernails at preschool." Oh! Dread of dreads....so it was purple day and the teachers let the kids decide if they did or did not want their fingernails painted. Jonathan chose the purple polish and came home and showed dad. He must have sensed right away that this was not exciting to Daddy, so he says, "Ok! Let's wash it off now." Garrett explains that you can't wash it off, and Jonathan becomes upset. He ran to see me first thing to ask me what cool stuff I had that would take the polish off. Funny! Funny! Of course, I took a picture first...

The picture he painted is a purple cow with the following poem:

I never saw a purle cow.

I never hope to see one.

But I can tell you anyhow

I'd rather see one than be one.

He memorized the last line and told me that - It was cute.

The Giants In My Life

I was thinking this morning how there are so many great people in my life that strengthen me and make me a better person. A few of them have really impacted my life this week and I'd like to share them with those of you that may not know them...

Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave two talks at the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that has really hit the spot for me. One was actually at the Relief Society meeting the Saturday before conference. If you have some time to listen, here are the links: http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-7,00.html and http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-37,00.html

Next, my brother Joseph's wife, Jenn, posted a blog entitled Not bad, as far as a Thursday goes
posted on October 9th, 2008 at http://zollyzoo.com/jennblog/ This blog reminded me once again how lucky I am in my brother's choice of the only sister-in-law to join an almost all girl family. Her words have really helped me this week.

Then, on Wednesday, one of my roommates from college had a healthy baby girl. Doesn't sound so inspirational. Natalie's first boy was born with serious heart problems requiring three open heart surgeries in the first couple years of his life, the first one coming the first few days of his life. When their second son was born, he too had heart problems. A few months before my Gabe was born, Natalie and Doug got a little girl, free from heart problems. A few days after Gabe was born, she died of SIDS. They got pregnant when I got pregnant with Jacob and miscarried soon after. As I spoke with her, my heart was touched with the amount of courage she continues to exhibit. Through it all, her testimony (and that of her husband's) remains strong and true. This past year, they've even opened the doors of their baby girls room and had a teenage girl who needed a place to live stay with them. On Wednesday, they had a beautiful, healthy baby girl, appropriately named Faith - See her pictures at http://natalie-fieldfamily.blogspot.com/2008/10/got-faith-we-do.html.

And just last night, my little sister Melanie - no longer the little girl that asks to snuggle with me when I come from college, but a fantastic, darling woman with two adorable children - posted a message that really impressed me as it involves the situation in California - something that remains in the back of my mind - although it could have lasting impressions on our entire nation. Her blog is found at http://daveandmelstory.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-are-you-going-to-do-about-it.html.

These are just some of the people that have really affected me this week. There are so many more in my life. How lucky I am!!!

Thanks to Aunt Carissa and Uncle Shawn!

Thanks for the fantastic gift - They boys have already enjoyed the fruits of your labors. We love your packages!

Brothers

Jonathan, Gabe, and Jacob - What a trio! As you can see, Jacob is never quite sure what to expect from his brothers - A question also in my mind - I keep trying to strike a balance between encouraging them to play together and keeping everybody safe....

I did it!

"I did it!" is currently Gabe's favorite thing to tell me. And it's so fun to hear. He says it whenever he gets on a chair or off a chair, pulls his pants on by himself or his socks, when he eats all his food or just one bite of his vegetables, when he gets to the top of the stairs or to the bottom, when he gets to the top of a chair or a couch.

And as a sentimental, proud mother, I think he's fantastic!

Squeaky Clean

I just love bath time. The boys - especially Jacob - are thrilled to be in water and they're just so cute. Here's Jacob with his big two teeth grin - Stay tune for pictures of the third one that just poked its head thru the gums.
And here are Jonathan and Gabe - a little to rough in the tub for the baby. Gabe's hair was just washed and thus, has the Spike look.

Garrett's New Wheels!

On the 1st of October, Garrett drove home with this in the back of his truck. He bought it off KSL Classifieds from a guy in Providence, Utah. He's enjoyed it and we're hoping it will save us money in the long run, so he doesn't have to drive the truck as much.

And besides.....doesn't a motorcycle look fabulous with a good looking guy in jeans and a white T-shirt sitting on it? Well, I think so!