Track Break

Track Break has to be the worst thing ever invented for Moms! Yesterday was technically the 2nd day that I had the kids home from school without something planned....and I wanted to kill them!! They fought, complained, argued, whined, and grumbled the whole day!! It is so impossible to be patient with them when they wear you down so fast. I guess I have to be more organized and have things for them to do! Myhusband couldn't figure out why I was so grumpy when he got home from work but by the time we went to bed he was grumpy too. I've renewed today to be better organized and get these kids in check!! Mommy's got a mission!!

Thanksgiving

We had alot to celebrate this year. We drove up to Utah to enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas and Grandma and Kieth's missionary farewell. It was a packed weekend. 10 of the 11 kids were there. We missed Chris (Kieth's oldest son) and his family but really enjoyed everyone else. All the grandkids have so much fun when they are together. I love to watch them all play and laugh at each other. It's been great to have all the new additions to the family. Thank goodness for stepkids and new cousins...I'm glad my kids aren't the only big grandkids anymore.

On Thanksgiving Day James and Jamie competed in a "Earn a Turkey" Run. We got up so early to get there on time. I went with them for moral support. I forgot my running shoes otherwise I would have loved to do it with them....although it was soooo cold I don't know if I would have been able to breathe. I'm a wimp! They both did awesome. James got first in the Kleidsdale division, but we left early and didn't get his turkey. He was so mad at me. I was trying to hurry and get a newspaper for the Black Friday sales....who cares about a turkey??? In my defense, we didn't know he won because they don't post the standings for at least a half hour and I didn't want to wait! Needless to say he did an awesome job and I was very proud of him!! Thank goodness I got to sit in the car and watch.

The kids had a blast having their own Turkey Bowl while we were waiting for lunch to be ready. The adults split up the kids and had a scrimmage. It was hilarious to see the little ones play. I think we found a future football star in Malak. He took it so serious..he was really tackling people! We were all cracking up watching him! The huddles were the best...

We had about 40 people there for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all my siblings and their families. It's always crazy when we get together but I wouldn't have it any other way. There was alot of love over the weekend realizing we were losing our Mom for 18 months and trying to figure out how we were going to stick together. I tried not to think about it too much because it's very hard, but I know it's the right thing for them.

That night we celebrated Christmas with our regular present exchange and had fun stealing gifts from everybody else! Danielle made Grandma and Kieth a Brag Book of their kids and grandkids with pictures and notes to share with investigators on their mission. It was very hard for Hariella to read it. She just broke down...she's going to miss her grandkids alot. There was alot of crying over the weekend.

We got to make ginger bread houses this year too! It was a new tradition and the kids loved it. Grandma Lucille does it with Danielle's family and so we used some of her stuff. The kids loved making them and loved eating them more! They ate everything off them!! Malak just wanted to eat the frosting instead of actually make the house. He didn't like it when Nae Nae put the frosting on his nose. We all thought it was pretty funny!!

Their farewell was beautiful. Kieth and Hariella both spoke and all the kids and grandkids got to sing "I Love to See the Temple" and "Mother's Lullaby". The songs were very hard to get through. I remember my Mom singing those songs to me when I was little and I've been singing them to my kids since I can remember. It was a beautiful meeting and the spirit was very strong. I know this is going to be so great for their marriage and for our family even though it will be hard.

Old Friends

By saying Old Friends I mean we are getting OLD!! It was so fun to go to brunch with some of my girlfriends from high school while I was up in Utah for Thanksgiving. They all look just as good as ever and we aren't really getting old...but I can't believe we are going to be 35 this year! Where did the time go? I was grateful that Shannon was pregnant because it meant that some of us were still young enough to have babies. I always have so much fun when I get together with them to reminisce and talk about what's happening in their lives. They have all blessed my life in many ways and helped me become the person that I am today. I am grateful for their friendship and for the ability that we have to continue being friends now when we need it the most! Friends are the best. Thanks girls!

Jamie's Granddad

Jamie's Granddad Michael and his wife Janelle came to visit over the weekend. They came out to support Jamie in his Guitar concert at LVA. They came out 2 years ago for the same thing and had a great time so they decided to come again. We are glad they did and Jamie always has such a great time with them. They drove down from Northern California and stayed for 2 nights. Jamie spent the whole day with them on Saturday and they spoiled him for his birthday. Jamie said he had a "no stress day". Which is probably because he didn't have any of his younger siblings pining for his attention or fighting or screaming in the background. Things are quite peaceful when they aren't around.:)

Michael has been very supportive of Jamie and his music. Michael is a musician himself and a very good one at that. I'm glad Jamie has someone that he can talk to about music. They are great to come and accept the rest of our family as well. They came to eat dinner with us on Saturday before they left the next day. Malak just couldn't get enough of Janelle. I'm grateful that they have always kept that door open for Jamie and he always feels that they have been there for him which means alot to a 17 year old. We had a great time with them and will see them again for Jamie's graduation in 6 months!!! Ugh!

Daddy Daughter Date

Maddy invited her Daddy out on Saturday night to the Chapel with all the Activity Day girls and their Dads. They were able to have dinner together that consisted of salad, spaghetti and sauce, and yummy garlic bread. They danced the night away to lots of fun music. Then the highlight of the night came when they got to do each other's hair. When Madelyn's teacher called me I reminded her that James didn't have any hair...so they got very creative! Madelyn attached bows to James' head with corn syrup! He was such a good sport with all that goo dripping down his head. He just sat there and let her do her thing and she enjoyed every minute of it.
I personally think it's a great look for him...

I know it is so important that they get to spend time together. James will be the biggest influence in her life when it comes to the husband she selects and the way she expects to be treated by men. He will help to build her self confidence as she matures into a young woman. I know girls in general need that reassurance constantly from their Dads that they are special and important and I am so glad that Madelyn has a wonderful father that can provide that for her and let her know just how great she is.

Jamie's 17th Birthday

I really can't believe that Jamie is 17...it's just awful. We got up early this morning to make him breakfast and James and I were both a little emotional. I don't think it has really sunk in that he's going off to college soon but this morning it sure did. This will literally be the last birthday morning we get to wake him up in his own little snug bed. We put some fun candles in his pancakes this morning and sang him Happy Birthday...and waited to cry until after he left for Seminary.

We are just so proud of the young man Jamie has become. He is so thoughtful and kind. He always thinks of others before himself. He is the most loyal boy on the face of this Earth. He loves his family more than anything, including his little brothers and sisters. He is a great example to all the people that he comes in contact with and I know many people look up to him. I know I do.

He just earned the Virtue award on Sunday for the YW recognition for our stake and I was so proud of him. He had to read the Book of Mormon among many other things and I never asked him to do it, he just decided on his own that it was important. He is such an example to me and I wished I was standing up with him. It made me want to be somebody that he looks up to on a different level, not just his mom although he makes me very proud to be his mom.

He is so smart and disciplined. He works very hard to get good grades in school and actually likes to learn. He comes home and tells me that he finds all the things he's learning interesting...

He's decided he wants to go to college to become a Pathologist...wow! I know whatever he decides to become he will be amazing at.

I hope his day is wonderful and that he knows just how very special to me he is. I am so grateful for the opportunity I've had to raise this young man. He is my son and I will forever be his mom, no matter that we don't have a biological bond. He is a very key part in our family and in my relationship with my husband. They key part that I will always be grateful for. Thank you Jamie for teaching me many wonderful things in the 9 years that I have had you in my life. I love you.

St. George Triathlon

James decided to do something different this time and signed up for the relay portion of the Triathlon. He enlisted Jamie to do the running portion and a guy that my brother Carl knew in St. George for the bicycling part and James did the swimming portion. They got up at the crack of dawn to drive up north to compete. They had to take all the kids because I was working. But Danielle was sweet enough to let them hang out with her instead of freezing while waiting for Daddy.
Their team did very well. In fact they got 2nd place! They had alot of fun and decided it was way easier than doing all the events alone. There were some friends of our that were competing individually and it was fun to watch them. Good job guys!

Nellis Air Show

James took the kids to the Air Show out at Nellis AFB on Sunday after church. Malak was home sick so I got to stay home and take care of him. JJames went with our friend Scott Rice and 3 of his 4 kids as well. They had a blast and enjoyed seeing all the fun things. James called me during it and complained that he's been to too many of these things but it was worth seeing his kids having such a great time.