Benny's Home!

I can't believe it's been 2 years since Ben left on his mission to England. He was such a little boy when he left and he's really turned into a MAN!! He is so spiritual and mature--it's great to see how a mission can develop our young men. Ben didn't talk very much before he left --sometimes you forgot he was even in the room, but now he's fully conversational. It's great to hear about all his experiences on his mission--and he's really not too weird having just come home;)

Malak just fell in love with Ben. At the reception he just clung onto Ben and actually fell asleep on his shoulder. I tried to take him a few times but he wanted nothing to do with me...he only wanted Ben. Kai also has a special place for Ben--he talked about him alot while he was gone on his mission. Usually Kai is pretty shy but when he saw Ben for the first time--he just ran to him and gave him a big hug!! It melted my heart because I know how much Kai adores Ben. It's wonderful to have him home--I'm trying to get him to come spend a week or so with us in Vegas--we'll whip him into shape out here!

We weren't able to be at the airport when he got home on Thursday night before JaNae's wedding, but most of the family was there. I'm so glad they were able to recieve him and let him know how much he was missed. I know Kieth is happy to have his baby home!!

Nae Nae's Wedding

Jason and JaNae Simper (don't ya like the ring of that?)

First of all, I can't believe my baby sister is married!! I went through so many emotions over the weekend, but the one I felt the most was pride. I am so proud of who she is becoming and the wonderful mother she will be. Russel and Rylee are so blessed to have a step-mom as amazing as she is. JaNae is the kind of person that loves unconditionally. She loves my children like they were her own and I know she will be able to love her stepsons the same way. They will never know the difference. She was such a beautiful bride and was just radiant on her wedding day!!

Where's Hariella?
We left really early on Friday morning to be able to help as much as possible before the wedding and the kids had the day off school anyway for teacher development. We went to the church to help set up because the wedding, luncheon and reception were all in the same place. I felt like we lived at the church for 2 days, but it was nice and comfortable. My mom did such an awesome job at getting everything ready for the reception. I was very proud of her talents and organization to make everything run smoothly. I was also grateful for JaNae's simpleness because everything was so beautiful but easy. The reception just looked beautiful!!

While everybody set up in the cultural hall- I was doing hair out in the foyer--is that illegal?? I didn't want to be stuck at home while everyone was helping at the church--I wanted to be involved so I knocked 2 birds out with 1 stone by combining the activities! I think I cut 5 heads and colored JaNae's hair so she would look gorgeous for the wedding!!

We woke up early on Saturday to get ready for the wedding at noon. I did JaNae's hair and makeup as well as my moms. I looked a sight because I paid no attention to myself--but I told them that the wedding couldn't start until I got MY makeup on!!

The ceremony was beautiful--but my favorite part was when Jamie played a song by Josh Gracin called "Unbelieveable". He put his own take on it and remade it beautifully!! I admire his awesome talent. JaNae hadn't told him what she wanted until Wednesday before the wedding and the music isn't in print so Jamie just downloaded it from Itunes and figured it out himself...what a talented musician! The ceremony and reception were just amazing and it was a great day to spend with family. I've been up to Utah 3 times in the last month and have really enjoyed the time spent with my family. I wish I lived closer to them so I could see them regularly.

Pet Day at Preschool

On Wednesday Kai had preschool. He normally goes to Miss Kathy’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays but she was going out of town skiing and rescheduled school for Wednesday. I was really excited because I got to participate in their Pet Day. It’s always scheduled on a day that I have to work, so I was happy to take the 7th member of our family to visit Kai at school. Max is such a great dog and our family just loves him so much. Kai just kept asking me to remember to come to his school and to not forget!
I showed up with Malak and Max in tow 30 minutes before school got over and Miss Kathy ushered us to the back yard while Max dragged us along. He was so excited to have all these kids paying attention to him! He ran wild as soon as I let him off his leash and all his training went out the window—I couldn’t control him. But nevertheless everybody had a ball! Other moms showed up with their dogs too and everybody played nicely. Max was way bigger than the other 2 dogs and I was scared he was going to eat them alive! Ben brought his brand new puppy named Lucy. She is a beagle and the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. (Although she wouldn’t hold still long enough to get a good photo of her) And Danny brought his big beagle that was named Chopper. All the dogs got along nicely but Max did a little damage to some of the kids with his tail—oops! That thing never stopped swinging and it’s pretty lethal when it hits…so you can imagine the kids complaining about it. Blake brought his turtles and they were both lucky to survive that outing. All the kids wanted to touch them and one got dropped—so we decided to just look at them in their water instead of hold them…
We had a great day enjoying and learning about pets and what a wonderful effect they have on children. I am convinced every young boy should grow up with a doggy, especially one like Max!

He's Posing

Malak is posing for pictures now! He even says "cheese"! I was taking those pics of him and Elmo last night and he was holding his pose until after I took the picture and was hammin' it up for the camera! He wanted to have his picture taken with his big brother in their matching Batman pajamas...he says Batman, too. They love to wear the same clothes and I've turned into one of those mothers I used to make fun of. I love it when my little boys wear matching clothes!!

Elbow...

Malak is trying so hard to talk--he can say all of our names at least so we can understand them. His favorite word right now is Elbow...which is Elmo. He used to be quite scared of Elmo but now he takes his little doll everywhere with him. It's actually been good because since we took away his pacifier, he clings to his Elmo doll. Some other words he is saying right now are:
Jesus, ball, bike, light, Max, NO, Yes, hot dog and a few others. It's so fun to see him trying to mimic the older kids. I know I won't be able to keep him quiet one day! He also loves to growl at you!

Whiner Whiner Whiner

Malak has to be my biggest whiner! I know he doesn't know how to talk very well yet, but I can't understand the whining any better!!! All of my kids to some extent have been annoying when they whine, but I think I'm less tolerant of Malak..why is that?? I've almost decided to give him one more nap in the late evenings because from 4-6 pm we are all miserable!! He thinks he has to be held during the busiest part of the day and then whines when I can't lug his 35 pounds around because my shoulder is pulling away from its' socket!! :) He is such a cutie pie and actually tries to stop when I tell him to..it lasts for a few minutes but always starts up again!! Oh, how I love him, though!!! I know one day I will miss all these things about him.

Inspired...

I was watching the Inauguration this morning and felt such a sense of Patriotism. Even though I didn't vote for Barack I really felt inspired by the things he said today. Putting my issues with him aside I hope for all of us he can do the things he's promising. He is very inspirational and gives me a lot of hope that change can happen. Even more than being inspired by him, I felt so proud to be an American. The Celebration was so grandeur and so many things were said of the struggle that brought us here today. I am very proud of the Pioneers and the people that sacrificed so much so that we today can have our freedom. I hope that we all will try to focus on the positive that this change brings and realize that our country has grown alot in the last 60 years. I hope that all of our children regardless of the color of their skin will have the same opportunities in their future and that our world will stop seeing race. We have an amazing country to be proud of! But maybe they didn't need to spend 350 million dollars on this event.....seems like we could spend it somewhere better??

Smarty Pants!

At Preschool last Tuesday, Kai's teacher, Miss Kathy came out to tell me how great my son was. She was so proud of him because he was the only one that could count to 100 all by himself with no help! He earned this huge candy bar and thought it was pretty cool. He wanted to eat the whole thing in one sitting but somehow I convinced him to save some for later. He is quite the smart kid...I think it's because Maddy's always playing school with him and cracking the whip! She loves to teach him and torture him, but I guess it's paying off. He's learning something!

Weekend with Tia Robyn

My dearest friend Robyn came out to visit us this weekend from Denver. I met Robyn when I was 18 and we have been best friends ever since. There is 5 years between us--she is the older one and expecting her first baby!! I finally feel like I can help teach her a thing or two. I feel very indebted to her for all of her love during some difficult periods in my life. I am so grateful that I had somebody as wonderful as her to look after me and just love me despite my shortcomings. We lived together for about 3 or 4 years before I got married and I attribute some of my good qualities to her. She's been a great friend to me and now she's a great aunt to my children. They just adore her!

The girls got to spend the day together on Saturday going shopping! We headed down to the outlet mall and had a great time. Maddy and Robyn are 2 peas in a pod fooling around. I had gone into the dressing room to try something on and this is what I walked out to see....

We went to dinner at "On the Border" and had a great time reminiscing about old times and remembering all the crazy stuff we used to do. We had to keep it G rated because the little ears were all around us. But they laughed at some of Tia's stories. She really captivates young people because she is so fun and energetic! She is a going to be a fabulous mommy! I can't wait to meet that little one in her belly and tattle on his/her mommy when it gets big enough to listen to my stories!! Payback is on the way!

Jamie's Patriarchal Blessing

Jamie has been preparing for a while to recieve his Patriarchal Blessing and today was the day! It was a diffcult day leading up to it...funny how Satan works isn't it? But we got through the day and went over to the Mays house around 3:00 this afternoon. We started the day by fasting at Jamie's request and that really prepared all of us to feel the Spirit better. We talked a little about blessings as Jamie drove us over to the location, and he expressed his excitement. James and I shared some of the things that were in our blessings with Jamie and were able to feel the Spirit while we shared special things with each other. I have grown to appreciate my blessing more and more as I get older and realize that Heavenly Father always has a plan for us if we let him guide us. Jamie is growing into such an amazing young man and that belief was confirmed today when our Heavenly Father expressed His love for Jamie.

Brother and Sister Mays spent some time chatting with us before the blessing and it was nice to get to know them. They seemed like wonderful people and you could really feel the peace in their home. As we walked in I thought to myself what an awesome calling this would be for Bro. Mays. The youth in our stake are outstanding and some of the strongest girls and boys I have ever come in contact with. He is the special person that gets to look deep into their lives and bless them directly from our Heavenly Father. What an awesome thing to do! Sis Mays is the Young Women's President and had actually already heard some things about Jamie....from her girls, but it was all really good things and she was looking forward to meeting him in person. Thank goodness!

During the blessing some very profound things were said that really impressed me and gave me a lot of peace about what the future could hold for Jamie if he chooses wisely. My favorite thing that was said was at the very end of his blessing. Bro. Mays said that he would meet Jesus again and that when he did, Jesus would call him, "My Friend." After the blessing, Bro. Mays asked us to stay a bit longer and wanted us to know just how amazing Jamie was. He said that he had never said those words before in any of his blessings and got really choked up over the power of the blessing he had just given. He said sometimes we don't really comprehend the potential of the people we come in contact with but that through these blessings he gives, he really begins to understand just what choice spirits are on this Earth for the last days. He was very impressed with Jamie and felt a special connection with him. I thought it was very neat to have someone like Bro. Mays put so much effort and spirituality into what he's been called to do. That made the experience absolutely beautiful and one that will never be forgotten. What an honor to have been there to support our son and experience these amazing things with him. I feel truly blessed.

3rd day...no Bobo!!

I can't believe that it has been this easy. We got rid of Malak's pacifier about 3 days ago. The same day he started crawling out of his crib. Although thankfully he hasn't crawled out since! I thought he was going to kick and scream about the bobo, but he's done surprisingly well. I thought I would have it gone by nursery time (18 months), but I wasn't ready. We all know pacifiers are more about the mom than the baby, and I loved being able to plug what was coming out of his mouth!! But, I've repented and realized it's only going to get harder to take it away the longer I procrastinated! He's actually stopped asking for it and just goes right to bed now. Thank goodness this hasn't pulled my heart right out. It's hard being tough on your last little one!! I want to keep him little as long as possible.....but any of you that know Malak--he's far from little! 35 pounds and counting. Alot of people have said just this week that he seems to have turned into a little boy instead of a baby. So I guess there's no more wishing to keep him small forever--he's already big!!

Cribs...

Malak can officially climb out of his crib! I've been dreading this day for a long time and it is finally here. Now what do I do to contain this rascal? He's been such a great sleeper and I am so worried that it will all end now that he's figured out he's able to do what he wants. He can also open the doors to every room in the house including his own. We have lever handles in our rooms and he figured those out a long time ago! I really enjoy sleeping through the night and cannot deal with another Kai. Esther (our nanny) went up to check on him during his nap yesterday and he was on the floor playing with his barn animals, not making a peep. When she asked him how he got out of his crib, he giggled and shrugged his shoulders. I can just picture the face he was making. What a little devil!!

FYI

Just to let those of you that care...I am trying to catch up my blog for 2008 so I can print it out, therefore I am changing lots of dates to actually post when the events happened. If you want to catch up as well--you'll have to scroll through old posts....Sorry!!