So there has been a lot going on around here, and in the process we have started thinking seriously about what we are going to do in June. The new owners will be moving in, and we get to start a new adventure. Many people are curious as to what exactly is going on, and we can now answer with some certainty: We are moving! Yeah, that's really all we've got. At least when someone says "What's happening with the house?" we don't have to say "Dunno." School gets out May 28, so we are giving ourselves two weeks to move, turning the keys over June 15. We looked at a 5 bedroom on a 1/3 acre (something we could not have looked at seriously 2 years ago, but with things going the way they are with us and the economy, it is perfect.) It is in our stake, one ward over. There are 5 boys, 3 teens. 'Nuff said about the walls, but paint goes a LONG way. The structure is good, needs a little work, though. No mold and no pet piddle=keeper. We are waiting to put in an offer because they are asking $97 per square foot, and in the shape it is in it's not worth it (there has to be a law against that many prepositions in a sentence, but I can't remember it.) Our RE agent says hold out for something better at that price unless we can talk them down $10 a sq ft. That puts it way under 200 which sounds amazing, but they may not take it. Who wants to pay more than necessary, though? So, while we know we are looking seriously come mid March (probably after we take my bro to Vegas), that we are moving by June 15, and that we are staying in the school boundaries, we'll have to send out postcards or something when we figure out more. In the meantime, if anyone hears of a house on 1/4-1/3 acre, btwn 2300 and 2800 sq ft with 4 bedrooms under 250, give us a shout out! Maybe we can be neighbors! Oh, and it can't have metal pipes, so needs to be newer than 1985. (nickle and aluminum allergies)

In the mean time, here are some more pics.

This is our babysitter. He's kinda like a big brother for the boys, they love him and he doesn't cry after spending 3 hours with the kids, so we really like him, too. He calls the kids "fun." They run around shooting nerf darts and playing hide and go seek while we are gone. You would not believe the places I have found nerf darts in my house.

Ok, really bad pic of us (we had been playing all day, shoulda worn hats), but it was taken at the Bountiful temple 11 years after Jon and I posed here for a wedding pic. The best part is a cute couple who had just been married an hour before took it for us. She wants 5 boys. SWEET! She also had a fabu dress. And a really good anniversary date.


The boys with some of Maggie's kittens before they went to their new homes.

Needless to say, they learned what "hose off" means, and we are really thankful the yard was in within a week. Joseph gets himself in more trouble that any other child on the planet, I am sure of it. Josh is his partner in crime. Why? Because "Josey is reewy smart!" At least they stripped totally down. I didn't even have to wash underwear....

This is Kylie, she is my bud Cheryl's girl, and you can see why we have a 13 cow bid in on her. It was up to 15, but "There was a little girl who had a little curl..." One day she actually started telling Josh to do something. He looked her in the eye, gave her a "what the..." look and went in the other room. They are perfect for each other. Sh has also told me before "Josh won't do what I say!" Good luck with that one kid...

Our Snow Day

Aunty Bur and her clan came to go snow sledding with us. We had tons of fun and the Moms realized we should not attempt snow boarding with out large amounts of Charmin attached to said rear ends. And I can't figure out how to rotate or delete that funky one up there so, as Austin says: "Let's pretend" I did it right.

Deep Sigh

OK, I have officially declared myself in "freak out" mode. Why do we let other people's problems mess us up so much? My brother is going away for "10 years to life" and I am the one who can't function. Yeah, it's a bummer, but seriously, I didn't do it! I hereby declare tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 16) "It's not on me" day. We should all spend the weekend not taking responsibility or blame for other people's poor choices or the consequences of those choices. Free Agency is a gift from God, and aren't we all so thankful for it? As crazy as we let another person's choices make us feel, agency is at the core of all that is good. And it is our choice to take their mistakes on ourselves, (which never really helps anyone) or let it go and instead take responsibility for our feelings and our own lives. I realized today, also that I really need to take people less personally and teach the boys to do the same. Just because I think they should like me or be mad at me does not mean I have the right to expect it. Other people's emotions are also their choice and they are private. Unless they yell at me and then everyone else knows, too.

This brings me to forgiveness. It is a great gift and as we are forgiving each other we need to accept and the forgive ourselves for our own dumb choices. A Michael McLean song I love says: "We should be more gentle with ourselves." Amen. Now go and love yourself and then quit blaming you for things you are not in control of. Unless you are already really good at not doing that, then ignore me and eat ice cream. Am I the only one who does this? Oh, yeah, and we should be careful not to hurt innocent people, especially our little ones. When we do it is ok to say "I'm sorry" and then not do it again. "I'm Sorry" is as awesome as forgivness.

FOCA

I have read the proposed bill on a Federal web site that I can not find now, go figure, I should have written it down for anyone who wants to see it. I received an e-mail stating many heinous acts this Freedom of Choice Act would allow, and chose to remove those that were not 100 % accurate, or not provided for in the amendment. Remaining are those portions that are true according to the bill. I have also verified Obama's stance and support of this bill and included a link to a petition site. The video they show on the site is not the full interview, but the full 23 minute interview can be found on utube. I got bored. Anyway, this is a huge deal and I would encourage you, if you feel so inclined, to research and petition this amendment yourself. I typed in "Freedom of Choice Act Amendment" or just "FOCA" and was able to get a great deal of information. I do not believe any of it is gospel truth, but I was able to research what both sides are saying and come to my own conclusion based on contradictions and the one government site I did find. Basically it does provide even partial birth abortion (where a full term baby is anesthetized and taken apart and delivered) if a doctor says it is necessary, as well as any abortion in the first 6 months without restriction. It also makes it possible for a physician refusing to perform any abortion provided for in the amendment to be sued and even lose his or her license. The following is the portion of the e-mail I have researched and proven to be accurate myself. Removed are the portions that were lies or partial truths (i.e. a child with a clubbed foot would be left to die in a corner of the hospital). I do not wish to offend any one and hope I do not, but I also do not want this to go unchecked or unopposed. Instead, if you agree with the petition to oppose this amendment, I have included one site, but there are many to chose from, feel free to find your own.


As most of you know Obama made a public announcement that he is going to sign the Freedom Of Choice Act, which will allow all types of abortions including partial birth abortions (third trimester abortion on a viable fetus that would otherwise survive). This Bill may also make it mandatory for doctors and nurses to perform this murderous act even if they do not want to do so.
Catholic Bishops have pleaded with Obama not to go ahead with this horrible murder of innocent babies. They have also told Obama that if he persists in signing this Bill which would require even Catholic Hospitals to perform these acts of murder, they will have no choice but to close all Catholic Hospitals. (this is a partial truth, they will not have to close as long as no one sues them to the point they can no longer stay opened.) Please let us join with these courageous Bishops who will go to any length to change Obama's mind. Please take a minute to sign this statement and let our voices be heard.
Please let your family and friends know about this Bill and ask them to also sign this petition. Even those who voted for Obama would not want him to sign this Bill if they knew the extent of it. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing"Click on the link below to sign petition:

http://www.fightfoca.com/

Kids vs Dogs

One of my friends posted a bunch of reasons dogs are better than kids. Dogs can be alot of fun, and yes, it is legal to leave them home all day locked in a bathroom, but seriously. I don't even think that should be legal! And if you need to lock your dog in a bathroom all day, what is the point? So here is my argument for why kids are better than dogs. And it is finally in list form becaue I figured out what I did wrong!!


1) Although poopy diapers are yucky and poopy pants worse, they sure have cute hineys and you just don't see the excitement a kid exhibits at doing it "by myself!" in a "big potty!" Oh, and my kids use toilet paper. Dogs lick themselves...then they lick your face. NASTY!

2) Dogs don't give cookie and frosting kisses. Yummy!

3) Dog breath stinks, no way around it. At least you can get a kid to brush his teeth! When you do brush a dogs teeth it is with lamb, beef, or some other flavor that still smells.

4) While kid poop can be pretty rank, dog poop ALWAYS reeks! And you can't just flush it, your neighbors get to smell it, too. And if you don't clean it up everyday, they get to smell it alot. Be thankful kids don't poop in the back yard. Even little dog poop smells.

5) My kids slobber doesn't smear the car window after they have hung their heads out at 35 mph, and dry before it crusts. It does often end up on brothers resulting in a fist fight...OK, dogs win there.

6) Dogs don't put their arms around you and ask if you are OK, then try to make it better.

7) I don't care who else does, I will NOT share my ice cream with a dog, or let him lick off my peanut butter spoon. Heck, I send them out side for looking at me when I eat. SO not OK. That's like a dog eating up to the table with us.

8) Still can't stand dog kisses. At least if my kid stinks I can still get one on the cheek.

9) There is a reason people say "Eeeewww! It smells like wet dog!" No one likes that smell, not even dog owners can stand it. Thus groomers and soaked bathrooms. Which, by the way I make my kids wipe up after themselves. No dog will ever bathe in my house. That smells worse.

10) There is no way to explain this to people who don't have kids. A kid can be a serious challenge, they even run away sometimes (like dogs), but there is no comparison. Not when you hold them, not when they bring home hand prints and homemade Christmas ornaments. And especially not years later when they come home for dinner with their own babies. Puppies are cute, but nothing compares to posterity and a new life. And kids live longer!

Oh, and dogs have the mentality of a 4 year old...permanently.

So, to all dog lovers out there: give Fido a scratch behind the ears and a tummy rub for me. Then please pick up his public poops. Parks were built for kids, and so was my front lawn, so Fido beware!

Family Update

Christmas was so fun this year. Santa brought the 2 things each boy wanted most and a few family games and we had such a happy clan all day. It was so much better this year and everyone was so much happier with what they did get. No one even noticed there were only 2-3 presents for everyone.

Jonathan got a clone trooper dart gun he has had his eye on since his last birthday as well as a really cool Star Wars set with Boba and Han, his 2 favorites. He is working hard to get straight A's again because he "needs!!" the $20 for more guys.


Joseph got a microscope that can either be on a base or go hand held outside. He keeps lamenting about the weather because he can only look at snow so many times. Did you know there are little black particles in snow? Needless to say we are working on not eating it anymore. They can't be nutritious. He also got a Bionicle and 2 NEO guys that are like alien robots you put together. We are getting his meds straightened out (again) and he is able to focus and control his temper more. Thank goodness!


Josh got a Batman castle with 2 Batmen, a Batcar and Batcycle as well as Robin. He screamed "OH, YES!!! I always wanted this!!" It was very exciting for him. He plays with it EVERY and shows it to practically every person who enters out house. It is also very exciting to him that he is learning to spell out words and memorize his phone number.


Our new littler Sunbeam was telling me on the way to Primary he is still little and not big. I reminded him that yes, he is small, but he is growing up. As we got closer to the primary room he began pulling away telling me "NO! It's not the right one! That's not my class! It's the wrong one!" I couldn't help smile. We sat together for sharing time, then he went with his teacher and when I came to pick him up he was all smiles. He is excited to go back next week and agrees it is more fun than the little kids class. Plus Aaron and Nathan are there, so that really helps. He received a Micky Mouse plush, story book and race car, but that was nothing compared to his train table. My brother in law custom built it for us and painted it to match our decor so it stays in the TV room all the time. When Austin saw it he squealed, "It's my train table! It's this big (putting his hands on the top) and not this big (demonstrating the height of our kitchen table) It's for me!!" Good luck convincing him Uncle Erik built it. "Santa Clause made it for me!" He is also learning to sound out words and LOVES "reading" and book he can get his hands on.


They are so fun and even with all their challenges we love it. Seeing all the babies coming in the ward makes me a little sad we are not having anymore, but at the same time one can only handle so many issues. Austin did inform me today he wants a baby, but not a real one, just one to play with. Good, cause that's all he's getting!

Jon is working on building our business this year and we are hoping to buy a new house in the Stake in May. He is also really enjoying Scouts and nursery. I thinks he just likes snack time, but hey, whatever works.



I am writing my first book and my publisher is really excited about the topic. She and I are wanting to get it out as soon as possible, so I try to work on it a little each day. We are at 16 pages and have the chapter outline. That will translate into more pages by publication, but there is still a long way to go.