This...

is why I LOVE thrift stores!!! Is she not the cutest thing?? and how about that outfit? LOVE IT!!!

Anger

I needed to hear this today....


"A proverb in the Old Testament states: 'He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city' (Proverbs 16:32). "It is when we become angry that we get into trouble. The road rage that affects our highways is a hateful expression of anger. I dare say that most of the inmates of our prisons are there because they did something when they were angry. In their wrath they swore, they lost control of themselves, and terrible things followed, even murder. There were moments of offense followed by years of regret. . . ."So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. Happy is the man who can brush aside the offending remarks of another and go on his way."

Gordon B. Hinckley, "Slow to Anger," Ensign, Nov. 2007

What the????

So, I was cleaning yesterday and I found this under the table in my entry way! what in the world?? I'm thinking hmmm, Erinn and I don't drink, and I am pretty sure the kids don't drink...I know that none of our friends and family have in our home...so where did this bad boy come from??? That is the question... My best theory is that one of the kids picked it up in a parking lot or off the street thinking, "wow, look at this cool shiny treasure!" Let's hope!...I know I'm CRAZY, I should have just thrown it away, but this is funny, no? :)

My school kids

they are just so dang cute! I am so happy that they all love school so much.

"Study and prepare for your life’s work in a field that you enjoy, because you are going to spend a good share of your life in that field. . . .
"Have discipline in your preparations. Have checkpoints where you can determine if you’re on course.
"I hope that you are not afraid of tough classes. I never did have a ‘cinch’ class. I hope that you are not afraid of lengthy periods of preparation. Burn the midnight oil. Don’t procrastinate like my older sister, who after a late date rationalized, ‘I have a test tomorrow, but I am weary. What is more important, my health or my test? Aha, my health! I need my sleep.’ So she slept. I won’t say what happened to the test.
"You simply have to apply yourself. I hope that you want to be so well equipped that you can compete in this competitive world. I hope that you will learn to take responsibility for your decisions, whether they be in your courses of study which you elect to take, or whether they be in the direction of the academic attainments which you strive to achieve.
"Should you become discouraged or feel burdened down, remember that others have passed this same way; they have endured and then have achieved. When we have done all that we are able to do, we can then rely on God’s promised help."
Thomas S. Monson, "Life’s Greatest Decisions," CES Fireside for Young Adults, Sept. 7, 2003

Sam's first day...

of SIXTH grade!! He is just getting so old! and so grown up. I just know I'll blink and he'll be gone...:( Its so sad!

Sam said, "I am looking forward to everything...Lunch, being in a new grade!"

And when he got home, he said, "Gym was the best, we get little gym lockers and we got to learn our combinations today. I am really good at that. Mrs Wallace is very nice and our class is great! I have friends in my class, my friend Nathan is in three of my classes. I especially like Gym and Spanish. My Spanish teacher won't let us go to the bathroom unless we ask in Spanish!!"


He really had a good day...I can tell! He is such a sweet kid!

Noah's first day...

of FIFTH grade!! I can't believe I have two in middle school now!! Its crazy how quickly they grow and change!

Noah said, "I am looking forward to Gym class...we get to play more games. And lunch, I LOVE their Pizza!


When he got home he said, "You want to know what the best part of my day was?? I found six bucks in my pocket!!! I also got my new lunch card. I like Art because we get to use hammers and stuff, and I like Gym. I like the Gym teacher and the big Gym room. Oh Yeah my teacher is nice too!"

I think this boy is going to have a great year!!! His teacher, Mrs Robinson, had a baby yesterday so he has about six weeks with Mrs Gobel. Then he gets Mrs Robinson. They are both great teachers.

Isaac's first day...

of THIRD grade!! He LOVES school!!! His teacher this year is Mrs. Mackowiak. (everyone calls her Mrs. Mack, she is darling!)

Isaac said,"I am looking forward to meeting my new teacher, sitting in a new desk, and all the friends in my class!"

Isaac's favorite things about his first day were, "Using my highlighter! My teacher is super nice, she gives us lots of bonus bucks for good behavior and she has an Alvin and the Chipmunks CD that she lets us listen to while we work! Oh and she lets us take off our shoes in class!"

It sounds like he had an awesome first day!

Hannah's first day...

of FIRST Grade!!! Her teacher this year is Ms. Gardner. Hannah is very happy to go back to school.

Hannah said, "I am looking forward to just about everything!"

When she got home she said, "I love to play outside, do my work, and coloring. My teacher reads us books just before we have to go home!"

She had a fantastic first day!(except for the blisters she got on both pinky toes from her fabulous "Hannah Montana" shoes! Poor thing!!)

Redneck joke of the day...

You might be a REDNECK if...
	...when you was little, your front yard got toilet papered and your momma thought it was a gift from God.

Jenna....

Was not happy about the kids going off to school this morning! She wanted to be in the picture but she wouldn't turn around...because her face looked like this...she just cried and cried...poor girl!!!

she is fine now though...no worries!

WOW!

This is how I found them when I finally rolled out of bed on Saturday morning! I almost started to cry....I am so proud:)
Noah is reading Eldest...its the second in the Eragon series.
Sam is reading The last dog on earth...something about an illness that is infecting all the dogs...He's actually finished now and pleading with me to go back to the library! I LOVE IT!!!!

Noah

has recently started building card houses...See, I told you he was a cool kid!!


(just don't run in the house...it will knock them all down!)

see all our school supplies in the background...we're ready!!

War and Peace

A long time ago, I decided that even though I read a ton of books...I may not be "well-read". So, I made up my mind to start reading "THE" List of Classics...I started with Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen because it was easy (I love that book!!!) and then I felt guilty because I was again taking the easy road and not really trying (oops:) So, I checked out War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. It isn't the biggest book I have ever read but, it was by far the hardest! I must admit, I am not all that interested in the mechanics of war. I was immediately surprised at how difficult it was for me to read and (being the stubborn person that I am) determined to finish it!
I am glad I did! It really is a great book. It is complex, it follows the lives of several aristocratic families, which is what makes it hard to grasp in the beginning. It is full of Russian and French style and language (which makes it hard to follow) But, once you get all of that it is a compelling read...I enjoyed having a book that made me think. Tolstoy is a very interesting writer...he is continually interjecting his thoughts/opinions on human nature and human existence. "He denies his subjects any significant free choice: the onward roll of history determines happiness and tragedy alike. Tolstoy does not subscribe to the "great man" view of history: the notion that history is the story of strong personalities that move events and shape societies. He believes that events shape themselves, caused by social and other forces; and great men take advantage of them, changing them but not creating them." (wikipedia)
Several times in the book Tolstoy talks about how small we are as humans...how, we think we are in control of our own lives and yet God is so much more involved than we think. He says if you give two men the same problem to solve...they will each make a completely different choice based on environment, upbringing, social/economic times, age, race, etc. He really is a great thinker!! WOW! I may not agree wholeheartedly with every opinion of his but, I LOVE this guy! This is a great book and I recommend adding it to your must read list! Enjoy!

Summer Games

I absolutely LOVE to watch the Olympics! This year has delivered....The opening ceremonies were stunning...no breathtaking! Our team USA has done amazingly well!! Has anyone noticed Michael Phelps??? He is the most decorated Olympian in the world, in the history of the games!!! If that is not awesome and inspiring I don't know what is...Our Men took home the bronze, and our Women took home the silver for team gymnastics! The women's individual finals are tonight...Go Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson!!! (you know I'll be watching!) Our swimmers are awesome, our volleyball teams are awesome! I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the Olympics! Hope you're all cheering with me!

Happy Birthday Alan!

You are a great brother! a wonderful example to our kids and just plain fun to be around! We love you and hope you have a fantastic day!!