Happiness

Because you will probably get it! On my bucket list on this blog, I wrote that I wanted to no longer afraid of Dentists. You can cross that one off my list, baby! I am no longer afraid of DENTISTS! Yes, I may still get nervous and a little squeamish at the smell of chemicals that hit you when you first walk in, but I do NOT dread, abhor or hate Dentists. The sad thing is that I had to go see the Dentists quite a few times in order for this to happen. About six months ago, even though going to the Dentist on a frequent basis, I was told that I had 6 cavities. Ok. That's not too bad. I could do that.  I got them all taken care of and the Dentist mentioned that if one started to hurt again, I would probably need a root canal (my fav!). I left, pushing that thought out of my mind. Three months later, I had a huge toothache and had completely forgotten about the Dentist's warning. I went right in and he said, yep, it's either one or two root canals (and it could be muc...

 Working on it with Dad! The Completed Project I'm finally posting some school stuff, now that school is out. In Fourth Grade, the students pick a state and do a big report/project on it. Elizabeth chose Maryland (since we lived there for 4 years and she loves it there). They made a book, complete with a table of contents and bibliography. They also did a smaller project, a oral report and a presentation. Elizabeth did really well! Good job, Elizabeth!

    I w ent to my very first rock concert Thursday - which was also the last day of school - to hear Fictionist play. Fictionist is a n alternative roc k group from Utah that is made up of all members of the Church. I've liked them for a while now and was super excited to find out they were playing in Phoenix. We got a babysitter and drove up to downt own Phoenix. On the way there, we made a small de tour and Josh showed me where the future site of AS U's law school will be (in abt. 3 years ). I re ally liked it ! There are ASU bu ilding s nearb y and it 's not in a bad part of town. I l ike going into the big city and having the law school move there will mean that I get to do that more often ! It will mean a longer commute for Josh though and that 's not so good. The venue was a lo t smalle r tha n I thought it would be, and on the outs ide there was a little rougher crowd. Josh nervously asked me " Where did you find out about this?" I fo...

  :6   9 year olds and a 6 yr. old:     {A Tucan Pinata }   Cupcake ice cream cones Ethan hiding out under the trampoline. And a good party it was!  

Ethan and Jonah woke up to pancakes and oj, as requested by the pair of them. Later that morning they opened one present each. We usually wait until after dinner to open presents, but Jonah was student of the week and wanted to bring something to show his class, so they got to open something! For dinner they requested stuffed crust pizza. I had to try 3 different places (on the phone) until I found Pizza Hut that does a fun one and it was a hit. The boys knew exactly what kind of cake they wanted. Ethan wanted an Angel Food cake, with blueberries (and maybe other berries too?) and Jonah wanted a yellow bundt cake with strawberries. They were super easy to make, besides the fact that there were two of them, and they loved them. Good choice, boys! Ethan- blowing out the candles!! Jonah! 9 Candles!  Opening Presents!!   A big box of crafts! Perfect! Thanks, Grandma! Ethan got rescue vehicles and finished them in 2 days! Love! Etha...

Ethan and Jonah,             You are 9 Years Old Today! WOW ! Your are growing up so fast. Everything has been so busy lately with the end of the school year, that I tend to forget that your birthday was coming. But, I remembered! Often! I hope you have a wonderful, happy, happy day today!              Ethan, I love how your teacher at school tells me that you are doing wonderfully! You did something super well the other day and she told me about it, beaming with a unique pride that only teachers can get. I am so proud of all of the hard work you did this year in third grade. Good job! I love you!             Jonah, I love how you quietly go about your business, reading books, taking AR tests, getting things done, crafting things- without bothering anyone. I love how you are still good friends with Andrew and hope...

I can't pull up any pictures to download on blogger, but here is our Mother's Day in Highlights: A Saturday Morning of shopping, A new candle, Magenta potted flowers for outside, Coming home to a mostly clean house And a scurrying to put away craft stuffs. A fun date night- Cafe Rio, Barnes n Noble. Sunday Lesson Prep. Breakfast in Bed- Eggs, toast, OJ, yogurt, Grumpy kids not wanting to take pictures 8 am Church Kiddos singing Mom songs- Me tearing up (Not so usual)  Ethan home with pink eye (seriously?!) Me teaching YW How to receive Personal Revelation A spontaneous poem from a Young Woman Written and Shared Touched hearts. A Nap. Yummy dinner cooked by Josh. A walk in the park. Dessert- Angel Food cake Cards, presents, chocolate and Flowers. "Mom, you get two birthdays!" says Asher. Yes, yes I do. Aren't I lucky Mom? Such sweet kids and such a sweet husband! One of the best Mother's Day ever- Thanks, guys!  

  Dear Children,               To those of you who are here now, who have made me a Mother, who call me Mother and who give me a chance daily to learn, grow and experience the joy of Mothering, To my sweet 4 children- my 10 year old, my two 8 years olds (so soon to be 9) and my six year old. It is only for such a short time that you will be these ages. Time seems to fly on the wings of a very large bird- it's flapping seems so slow and deliberate, but it moves swiftly and surely. Within a few short months Elizabeth, you will be 11, Ethan and Jonah, you will be 9 and Asher, you will be 7. I will no longer have a sweet 1st grader to call my own. I will no longer have twins who have recently baptized or a fourth grader in the cusp of young childhood.             But, I will have a sweet 2nd grader- 2nd graders can be so fun and cute! I will have 2 fourth graders...

With Asher home sick again- this time with Pink Eye- I wanted to write about Womanhood and Motherhood. As I was searching my files for my boys' birth story, I came across a talk that I had printed out and filed away almost 8 years ago. Some of it was highlighted and underlined and as I reread it, I realized why I had saved it. It hits on the important role of Mothers and of raising a new generation. Entitled "No Greater Honor: The Woman's Role" by N. Eldon Tanner , it was given at General Conference on Oct. 7, 1973. Even though this talkwas given even before I was born, it's teaching still remain true today and I love that. I love that 30 years from now, Elizabeth can print out a talk that Elder Bednar gave this past Conference and read it to her children. N. Eldon Tanner says "From the beginning God has made it clear that woman is very special, and he has also very clearly defined her position, her duties and her destiny in the divine plan." I love...

    Asher, water day 2012  I spent a part of this morning watching Mormon Messages on the couch with Asher. Early Friday morning Asher awoke, throwing up, with a fever and covered in tiny red dots. We had no idea what it was. Josh googled his symptoms and there were 800 possibilities.  Thankful to have not taken that sub job I was offered the day before, we headed to the Dr. "I think it's Scarlet Fever" the Dr. said right away. I guess the red rash gave it away. (Scarlet fever is strep throat plus a rash, one in 1,000 kids get it). We headed home after getting some meds and were a bit sad that he had to miss the Father and Sons Camp Out that night as well as the fact that I wouldn't have alone time with Elizabeth. There always comes the good though! I have gotten to spend a lot of time with Asher and it's really been a blessing. I've been feeling kinda blue lately (our home is still for sale in MD and our foster care caseworker has been super swamped...

   My Brother-in-Law, Ben Abbott (Josh's brother) has written and helped produce a one man play called "Questions of the Heart: Gay Mormons and the Search for Identity." He did the show at UC Berkeley and it got wonderful reviews. Now, his play was accept to two fringe festivals- one in Cincinnati and one in Indianapolis. He just needs to get there! Ben started a two week campaign to raise the money needed to do just that. So far he has done really well and needs only a little bit more to reach his goal! We are so excited for him and his chance to take his play on the road! You can read more/contribute to the case here: Get Ben to the Fringe ! Ben's Show Page Thank you!!!