These are the stairs in my house (AKA death trap) every person in our family as fallen down these stairs, some more then twice. the door on the left is the boys room, and the door on the right is the mud room.

Christmas Day

Family Pictures

This is the kids club house in the side yard.

This is my favorite room in the house.

This is the front of our home. I will have pictures of the inside soon.

Monique and Maddy two peas in a pod.



The boys have been having a very hard time going to sleep at night. We told them that if they didn't go to bed they would have to sleep out side. We thought that they would hate it with it being cold and all. They got in their sleeping bags and had the idea to sled down the hill in them. Crazy kids. They where having to much fun so we made them come inside.

I got the kids off to school today and sent them out the door to a very cold morning. About 10 am, it started to snow and didn’t stop untill about 6 pm. When the kids got home from school they where so excited. We all went outside to play in the snow untill six. The kids where freezing cold so we had to come inside. Wile the kids were at school, I got alot done dishes, laundry, bedrooms, well the house. I had a bit of a rough morning and couldn’t get my mind off the negative things. I know I had to get my home in order to feel better about things, it helped. I love having a clean house. I am emotionally attached to my environment. I need to have things in order to feel good. I have always been that way. I tend to get in a funk every now and then, if I am not careful it can consume every thought. I have found the best thing for me to do is to get out, to do a project at my house and if being in my house is too much to go to a friend’s house to do a project anything other then wallowing in my own thoughts. I am not sad about being in Missouri. I will start thinking about my kids and all the things I want for them or to give them and I can’t. I think about my potential and then I start to think about all the thing I have started and then quit. I think about all the things I could be doing and am not. I think about my recent weight gain and what I am not doing. I don’t know why but I feel like I am always waiting for something to happen, something good that will relieve me of all my worries. I know that sounds nuts. Today I am done waiting for things to change, for the weather to be better, for my kids to be the right age, for the house to be clean, for me to feel better. I have been a passenger in my own life only make decisions that are easy and that I am not scared to make. I am not who I could be, I know I am so much better then I have allowed my self to be. I guess this is my new year’s resolution to be more in every aspect of my life. It’s not about being perfect it’s about be productive in achieving my goals and being the kind of wife, mother, friend, family member that I can be, its about evolving into a person that is happy with every aspect of my life. Well there’s look into my psychie for ya.

This is one of my very good friends, Sarah with her family. Many of you don't know this but she saved Brett's life when he was 4 years old. She has been a great friend to me and has been there when ever I have needed her. I can always count on her for any thing, and hope I can be as good as a friend to her as she has been to me. I found her Family picture and thought it was so cute and wanted to share.

David, my five year old, has said some funny things this last week. David was trying to get my attention when I was in the middle of helping Brett with his home work. He was being so inpatient and pulling at me, so I said “David hold on”. His replay was “Mom, what am I suppose to hold on to?" I don’t have any thing.” (LOL)Some times he will take forever to say a sentence and so I told him “just spit it out” so he spit, opened his mouth wide as he said “Mom, look there’s nothing in there. What do you want me to spit out?” He has also been on the “If you love it then why don’t you marry it” phase, he will go around asking every one what do you love? I all ways say I love David. The first time he said why don’t you marry me then and I said I can’t marry you, I married you dad. He was so embarrassed, so now he will say what do you love, but not me.

I thought this was cool.

Alice

ORIGIN
German

MEANING
Of noble kind

The short form of Adelheidis which led to Adelaide, both regarded as common names during the Middle Ages. Mathematician and author Lewis Carroll used the name for the title character in his famed 1865 novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and the 1872 sequel "Through the Looking Glass," possibly based on his young friend Alice Liddell. Listed among the top 100 from the 1880s to the 1950s and has continued to stay among the top 500 names.

40 Boring things about me

8 TV shows I watch:
1. House
2. The Office
3. ER
4. Big Love
5. Dexter
6. Scrubs
7. CSI
8. Bones

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. slept in
2. Watched T.V with kids
3. I drank Mountain Dew
4. Went to John and Jens
5. I made comments on facebook
6. Had a bath
7. Made Dinner
8. Cleaned

8 Favorite places to eat
1. Native New Yorker
2. Carrabbas
3. Taco Bell
4. Aloha Kitchen
5. Serranos
6. Pizza Hut
7. Island Burgers
8. Panda Express

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1. The second coming of Christ
2. Watching my sons play sports
3. Going to Scotland
4. Christmas for the first time in Missouri
5. Speaking in church next weak.
6. Starting my workouts tomorrow.
7. watching Dexter tonight
8. seeing my family grow

8 things on my wish list
1. Losing weight
2. Being debts free
3. Good health
4. Good health for my family
5. Better understanding of the scriptures
6. Being a better person
7. Build our own home
8. Take some good family vacations.

8 tagged people:
1. Whoever wants to do it!

So I was out to day around other people I met and they where talking about what their kids wanted for Christmas. They asked their kids if they could have just one thing what would they want and they where asking for $300-$400 things. Ok did I mention I am talking about 11 year olds? My kids are getting one thing, but I was not about to share that with them. On the way home I could just cry. At first I thought about not being able to do that for my children, and then about Tom’s parents buying us a Christmas tree last year so we would have one. Then I thought about the last two years of the simple Christmas we have had and the thing we did to make it a special season. I thought about the service we did for others and the service that was done for us. I thought about the friendship and love felt during that time and the feeling that still linger. We are not completely in a different position then we where in last year and I plan to do the something, focusing on the love of our savor and sharing that with others. I hope this is a gift that will stay with my children for ever, and when they think of Christmas they will remember the feelings of love. I am also so grateful that my children are happy and that what ever kind of Christmas they have they will be grateful. Personal I think Christmas can be over done and the reason for the season can get stiffed with all the shopping, tape, raping paper, list of gifts, line, and credit card bills. I know I sound so cynical but having both kinds of Christmas and we have had some good ones, I think it is so important to balance both the holiday and the spirit of Christmas. It’s a bit early for this but, I wish you all a very Merry Holiday Season.

SAD, SAD, SAD is this day. I have been a fan and devoted to E.R since the age of 14. My mom would let me stay up on Thursday nights with her to watch the show. I have been home every Thursday night just to see E.R. Well last night was the last, the finish of the series. I will miss E.R, but at least I have reruns to get my fix.

Brett and Tommy through some good hits there was a right a left, a combo some good foot work and a little blood all the makings of a good fight. Brett came out to win the boxing match. We have a sun room dedicated to MMA where the kids including Tom will go out there to MMA fight. The kids love it. Brett has been walking around with his chest a little puffed out and so proud of his accomplishment. I have to say that Tom has posted this as well, but I took the picture and even went and got the camera, so I think this picture belongs to me. Thank you Tom for sending me the picture through email.

This is Ty my nephew after his first hair cut. I got to give him a bath, isn't he the cutes? This is also the last time I saw him before we moved, he his going to change so much. Hopefully he will be just as cuddly, and not scared of me. I love all my nephews and necies and wish I could have them around me, fill them full of sweets then send them home with hugs and kisses. xoxoxox for all of them.

McCain doing what Obama hasn't done, serving our country. I am so sad that McCain has lost. I think we are in for it.

David had a field trip last weak to the pumpkin patch, I was luck to get to go with him. I went to his class room and he grabbed my hand and didn’t let go for the better part of the day. I had 3 kids in my group that where very pleasant to be with, it made for a good day. The place we went to has a corn maze, hay ride, petting zoo, play ground, and a pumpkin patch. We had a sack lunch out side and did all the activities. A few days after the field trip I went to his class again and helped carve pumpkins and had a little party. Hopefully I will be able to do some fun things with the other kidos.

Fall Running

Today the wind was blowing lightly making the big yellow and red leaves fall from the trees. It was about 75 degrees out and was a beautiful day so we had to go out for a run. Tom rode his bike as I ran about 3 miles. The streets and side walks are full of the colorful leaves and the wind kept it at a nice temperature to make it a very pleasant run. The hills are great and will hopefully lift areas needed lifting. I have been working out more to drop some pounds that need to come off. I have a plan of motivating events that are coming up that I think will help me to achieve my goal. I and Tom are speaking in church on Nov 30, so that should get me through November. I want to look good for Christmas pictures, Brett is getting baptized in March and we will have family here, and the big one is my brother is getting married in March and that is my deadline to achieve my goal. I think I have a good time frame and I will be able to do it. If this fall weather keeps up I should be able to get some good running in.

Brett was out side and discovered the fun of jumping in the leaves, I saw him out there and had to join in the fun he was having. All the other kids joined in and the Nabor kids came over as well. It was good fun. We really love the fall, if you can’t tell.

Settling

We are finally settling in here in Blue Springs Missouri. The kids are in school and liking it. They had a week or two to adjust to the way they do things at this school. We have a lot of kids on are street and the kids are loving it. Our house is right by the school and the church, we could walk, but we don’t. It has been raining a lot and you never know if you are going to get caught in the rain. It rains so hard that the streets have water flowing down the sides. I don’t think my kids have seen so much rain. We have a nice yard with huge trees in the font and the back yard. The kids have taken over the shed as a club house. The other kids on the street have brought stuff over to put in it. I have two rooms in the house that I love, other rooms that are good and some that need some improvement, but all in all it is a nice house and a nice area to raise our family. Our ward is awesome and very friendly. Tom was called to be Young Men’s Secretary, and I am Valiant 9 teacher and the Activity Day Leader. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to get thing going smoothly. People have told me that they have been having new families moving in once a week, so are ward is growing. I need to still take pictures; I will have them up soon.

Leo

Ok I know cats have nine lives but what about lizards? Our pet lizard that we have had for a year now has been lost and found so many times. He was missing again for two weeks. I thought he was gone for sure this time. We had went to a friends to eat dinner one night and the kids had left both font and back doors open and I thought he would have got out of the house for sure. Well last night I found him in the kitchen, I was so happy to find him. I have a hard time with animals but Leo the lizard has really grown on me. We can’t lose him the kids love him so much. They will take him out to play with all the time. David will sit and watch T.V with him, Brett and Tommy will build him houses and play for hours, and Monique as slept with him a couple of times. I have to remind my children that it’s a lizard not a dog so they need to be carful with him. For sure he is loved. He is the perfect pet to have.

Moving in 13 days!!

Tom is coming home in ten days. We will be loading up that weak to move. I am getting closer every day to having every thing in boxes. I have the kid’s rooms today, cloths and toys to go through and pack. Tomorrow will be the garage. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have good friends. So many of them have been there for me with bring a pizza over, or bring me box, or just being there if I need you, I am so blessed. I cry almost every day when I think of the friends and family we will be leavening. I hope every one can be as luck to have wonderful people in their lives. Monique’s birthday is on September 13 Tom is going to surprise her for her birthday. The kids think that he is coming home on the 15, they will be so exited they have missed their dad.

Good night!!

I stayed up last night to look at houses in MO, a little late. David come in crying so I told him to get in bed with me; this was about 1:00 am. The next 4 hours where awful he tossed and turned tell I told him to get up and go to the bathroom. He did and never came back. I finely got to sleep at 4:30 am. I was woken up at 5 am with dogs barking tell 6:30. The kids got up at 7 but they let my sleep till 8. Every one has bad nights. I haven’t had one for a long time so I’ll be grateful for all my other nights. I will be packing the rest of the day with the kids. Tom has been house hunting; I hope he finds a good one.

Run, Forest, Run!!

To night we had family dinner, it was Nancy’s Birthday. After we ate and hung out, Brad wanted to go for a run at CAC. Tommy wanted to go and so of course the rest of them wanted to go, so we went. The kids ran a race together and then we started to walk, Brad started to pass us and the kids took off running with him. I thought that they would run a lap or two but to my surprise Brett (7) ran 2 laps, Monique (9) ran 3 Laps, David (5) ran 5 laps!!!! Tommy (10) ran 7 laps!!!! For those of you that don’t know I love to run it was my thing and to see my children doing so well was so great. David stopped after the first mile for a moment then he decided to run another lap. Tommy was 1 lap short of two miles. I am going to start running with them. The best part is we got home and the kids had baths and went straight to bed with out any problems, yah.

Monique

Well I have told you about the boys, you could say I am saving the best for last. Monique is the best little girl. She was awesome this last year when I had migraines, she would clean the kitchen, make dinner, and always keeps her room clean. Did I mention SHES EIGHT!! She will make a good mother and wife someday. Monique has struggled in school a little bit and has to work a little bit harder then the boys, but she has made Honor Roll twice. Monique has great taste in cloths, and will let you know if you mach or not, or if what your warring is fashionable. Monique has been a mommy’s girl from day one. I kept expecting her to change and be a daddy’s girl around three years of age, but it never happened. She was not a crudely baby at all she wanted to eat and then be put down in her own bed. To this day she will take up an entire bad no mater the size. Ok, we will have to see how the wife thing will turn out. They may have to have two beds. Monique has read half of the Book of Mormon by herself and is reading the other half with the family. I hope to have it finished when she turns nine in September. She is the only grand daughter on Tom’s side and is ready for a girl cousin ( hint, hint).

Tommy

I have some peace from the kids, so I wanted to tell you about Tommy. Tommy is my oldest child. He is the best big brother any kid could ask for, and one of the best sons. Tommy has a hug desire to do what is right and to please Heavenly Father. The other night he came into my room to tell me he found his testimony. I did not realize that he was looking, he knows what one is, and the basics, but he found more. Tom (his dad) went in his room late that night and talked to him about his testimony. It was a good experience as a parent and I was so proud of him for wanting to know the truth, and seeking out good. I would put a picture up but I packed then all.

What talk did I use?

I have been asked by a couple people what talk I ended up using; I didn’t use any of them. I received a call on Sunday morning that it was the talk on pg 54 in the General Conference issue, so I wrote another. When it was my turn I had planed to use the last one I wrote, but I ended up just saying what the spirit wanted me to say. All in all it went pretty well. I started to pack today and got a lot done. My house on the other hand needs some attention. I will be cleaning tomorrow, the entire time the kids are at school. I love when my house is totally clean. :-)

I wrote a talk, and another, and another.

Well it’s late and I had to prepare for tomorrow. I was asked to talk on knowing I am a daughter of God. I know what I wanted to say and wrote my talk and then another point entered my thoughts and I wrote a different talk and just as I was finishing and reading over the General Conference talk on pg 98 I had yet another point of view and wrote, another talk. All of them go in line with the subject and I am not sure which one I will use. I think it was for me to get back on the right track and understand the strength that is there to overcome trails in every day life. It’s amazing what we can do with a good attitude.

So much to do.

I have so much to do at the moment and yet I feel like I am wading through mud. Tom has been gone for a week and a half now in Missouri working. He will be there for about a month then, come to Arizona to get me and the kids. I am so glad that Tom has found something that can work for him and has potential. I have had him home a lot the past year and was glad to see him go, or that’s what I would have told you a few days ago. I have been a part from him before, but this time I feel the weight of the world on me. The only good thing from this is that I am eating maybe once a day, don’t worry I could stand to lose some weight. I have had a hard time going to sleep and even staying asleep, not because we are moving, but not knowing how it will all happen, and then dealing with all the problems here. I have learned that life has many challenges and trials all with their own unique level of stress and difficulty, with no way to measure or account for the level of difficultness. You know, I wish that I could be scored on how well I have done and what I have accomplished. Today my score would probably be a 5/10. I have a lot that I could have done different in the past. Tom is like my coach that encourages me and helps me improve and without him here, it is more difficult.

Brett

I love this picture of Brett!! It totally captures his spirit. I and the kids went to Wyo with my family. My cousins from Ireland and Scotland came to the States and we all went camping in Yellowstone. We had to stop to rest before heading back to the cars, it looks like Brett is trying to get a free ride back on his great cousins Gary's back. We camped, hiked and froze at Yellowstone. For some one that has grow up there I am so wimpy now when it comes to the cold. All the little monsters loved be around my relatives and picked up on some British slang's and a bit of an accent. I LOVE IT!! My cousin Kelly brought her 8 year old son over with her and my kids got a kick out of the things he said and did. Good times I tell ya. Well from the look on Brett's face you can see how much fun he had.

David

Well my three older kids went to visit my mom and dad last week and stayed there for ten days. David got to stay home with Tom and I and was an only child. David has been such a joy and never made messes and never got into trouble. Well, that is until the older kids where gone and I saw for my self the things David gets in to. I learned that David will hide food under the couches when Tom or I walk into the room. David leave toys out and does all the things that any four year old will do. Its amazing to see how different I have been with him compared to my older children. The youngest child does get a way with a lot, I don't care how tells you other wise. David also stopped giving me kiss, and when I ask him why, he said that I was his Dads girlfriend and you cant kiss other peoples girlfriends. After a couple of days of not getting any kiss, I put my head under a blanket and told him no one will see him kiss me under the blanket and sure enough I got a nice kiss on the cheek. No matter how many times Tom and I tell him that its OK to kiss your mommy he will not do it in front of any one. David is still one of the sweetest kids, but now he has to clean up his own messes and can't blame it on Brett any more.

Entering into the World of Wonders

I love to take my children to the Zoo, especially now that they are older. Tommy is 9, Monique is 8, Brett is 7 and David is 5, well he will be five on June 22. We are going to have a big party for him on the 23 of June. We have made it a custom to have big 1,5 and 8 year old b-days with Family and Friends all the other b-days are small with their friend or a b-day cake with Family. David loves to play with his older sibling and usually gets his way with them. David will be starting Kindergarten this year so he will be in the same school as the other kids. Tommy will be a 5th grader this year, and is the best big brother any kid could have. He always looking out for his younger siblings. Tommy and David share a room at the moment, and I always find David in his bed. I can find Tommy and Brett in the back yard playing baseball or Tommy playing arts and crafts with Monique. Tommy is so good about including everyone in play. When there is a problem Tommy is always trying to help solve it in a way that will make everyone happy. Monique is going into 3rd grade this year. Monique is very good about making friends and has been very good about choosing friends that are kind to every one just like her. We do have some girl moments with her now and then, but the tears usually flow when some one she cares about is hurt. She has a big hart and loves her family, she as also read half of the Book of Mormon this summer and has a strong desire to do what is right. Brett is going to be in the 2nd Grade this year he is a very good reader and will do well. Brett has the most mischief out of all my children, he has a hug imagination and very creative. I can find Brett camping in the wilderness (aka HIS ROOM) or making things, some times braking other thing to make the thing he wants to make. Brett also has a big soft hart and loves to make Tom and I happy, he tries so hard and put his all into every thing he does. Well now that my children are going to school I decided that I was going to go to school as well, I will start this fall. I haven't been this scared and nerves sense the last time I had a baby. Every thing seems like it is changing for me, all the kids in school , me going to school and hitting the 30 year mark. It doesn't seem like a lot to some people but for a stay at home mom of ten and a half years it is. I have always had kids around me. I started to baby sit when I was 9 years old and when I was 15 I was a nanny for a family with 8 kids. When I moved from WY to AZ I was a nanny for a family with 3 kids shortly after that I was married and had my own family. I baby siting in my home till this last year, I took David with me to a home that I nannied two babies at. So you can imagine what I big difference it will be in my life to be doing some thing for myself. My Family is every thing to me and I will do anything for them. I love being a mom and love being a women. Now that you have gotten to know us a bit I have lost of fun stories and pics of the wonderful things my family has done.