Sassy Princess

Happy Birthday Sariah! Sariah has always been the most caring, giving and compassionate daughter anyone could ask for. She has been my right hand, helping with the kids from a very early age. She has babysat since she was 8 and continues to be the nurturing sister. She's fabulous with kids.....though her brothers may disagree.
Here are some pics from her growing up years, when she was so cute and innocent......big smiles even then...

So many things we could say about Sariah, but not enough space, so here's a few:

• Sariah smiles through most things
• her vivaciousness in life is so abundant it magnetizes others
• her kindness shines through to all who surround her
• she loves to have fun! - especially with her girl friends
• she is a great listener
  
• she does a great job in coordinating her outfits as well as her room
• she loves to fix hair - either her own, or someone else
  
• Sariah is very bright and works hard at all that she does
• she has a first degree black belt in Taekwondo to fend off any harassing boys
• if that doesn't work, she can use her wrestling skills that she learned from living with boys
• she is sensitive to others needs and cares deeply for those around her
• loves life!
  

Working Out and Work-Out!

So I finally started going to the Y - great deal through the college - and also started a 5:30am workout with gals from church. And wow!! I'm so sore, I can barely lift my hand to my mouth - that's a good thing right? On top of getting up early every day - I am so NOT a morning person - I had a project to complete: writing quizzes and working out the solutions for Calc III!!! OK, let me just say that after a twenty year gap, I was amazed that I still remembered this stuff! And no matter how much I love math, it's not healthy to eat, sleep, breathe, even DREAM (yes. I actually dreamed up some problems in my sleep......) math. But it's finally over!!! Yeah!!!! I feel so done - hope it was worth the sleepless nights and family sacrifices for the past 3 weeks.
So, on a brighter note, Sariah did awesome at their championship volleyball game!!! They were so amazing - even though Sariah doesn't think she did that great (modest, isn't she?) Can't wait to see her in action in the future.... wondering of fitting it into my schedule for fun somehow, but wait....FUN???.......what's that???? Anyone else feel that way? I would love to play sports just for fun, but isn't that what we spend hours watching our kids do now? Are our days really over??? No! Please say it isn't so......

Nephi's Post-Op

Many thanks to those who fasted and prayed for Nephi. He went in for minor scope and possible hernia, and yes, he did have one and they stitched it back together. It was hard to see him, so tiny and thin, but within 24 hours, he quit taking the pain meds, and in four days, you couldn't tell that he even had surgery - little tyke! He's not being too careful, but then, that's Nephi.
Ironically, on the very day of his surgery, he was going to get a Student of the Month Award for Citizenship - that's Nephi! It was postponed for a week, but I still missed it :(
Needless to say, we are proud of him and his great example.

Happy New Year!

To all my family and friends, may your 2009 be filled with hope, love and many blessings. We love you all and wish you the very best in the coming year......

Merry Christmas

To all our family and friends, we wish you the merriest Christmas and safe New Year. We have had a year full of trials and triumphs, some which have changed our lives forever. Here's the condensed version:

• Gary had a miraculous epiphany whilst talking to one of our children which led him to the truth.
• Sue had a busy year with work, children - especially the addition of Samuel - and more work.

• Sariah has continued to excel in her education,volleyball skills, social life and yes, is a full-fledged teenager (and lovin' it). She plays the violin - but does not want to be labeled as a nerd (heaven forbid!)

• Benjamin plays the clarinet like nobody's business, had a great season of basketball, was ordained a deacon!!! and is back to 'workin' hard'. We have yet to figure out what he's workin hard at - ......

• Jacob has thrived in his scouting - close to earning his arrow of light - loves the flute and cello - to the point he can't decide which to continue in - and still brings home A's. He is still our loveable tease - great to see the uncles' genes come out from both sides LOL

• Nephi is the quiet achiever, desiring to play an instrument other than the piano, loves to show compassion and love to all his siblings - even when they're mean to him. As the middle child, he has patience and tolerance for all his brothers and sister.

• Ammon is loving first grade, reading, playing with friends and taking care of his two little brothers. He is trying hard not to be sensitive 'all the time' - only he's so darn tender hearted, that it's hard for him.

• Joseph had a fun time at preschool and learned to write his name very well - by practicing on the walls in the house! He has managed to limit the writing to just pencil and crayon, which are somewhat easier to remove than dry erase marker (!)

• Samuel has gone through all the milestones - walking at 10 mths, talking constantly, cutting 6 teeth, being as cute as any baby ever!

• We had a wonderful family vacation to visit our family in Miss-ouri (yes, we Miss them so much) and many spiritual experiences from fasting and prayers to seeing friends pass on and enter into this mortal life. We are grateful for the Savior and His sacrifice for us. We know that if we obey, we can all enter into His presence. We wish His love upon you at this time and always........

Samuel's Birthday!

It's hard to believe that it's been a whole year since our spoiled treasure came into our lives..... Here's some things we ALL love about Samuel:

• love to chase him and watch him giggle as he runs away
• loves that he's cute and funny
• love to watch him eat his food and grunt for more
• love to see him waddle around
• love to take pictures of his adorable smile
• love to cuddle him up whether he's asleep or not
• love to give him lots of kisses and raspberries on his tummy
• love to watch him dance and nod to songs like some beat boxer
• love to love him!

Just in case you didn't notice, he is always smiling...... except when he wants something! Nobody can believe how happy he is all the time!!! What a blessing to have in our lives ♥

9-1-1!

There are some things that you never think will happen to you, funny as they are for others, and then when it does, you don't see the humor in it at all. I was late for a tithing settlement at the church on Saturday, and got a call as I walked into the church building that Joseph had called 911! I was at a loss for words! I didn't know whether to turn around and head back or just stay put - in case I attempted an unavoidable painful consequence to the culprit who had erred.... Apparently, he didn't know where I was, so thought it best to call 911. Poor Sariah had to explain that it was an accident and that everything was fine - but the officer was still on his way. He spoke to Joseph and explained that calling 911 is only when there is extreme danger or harm - I wonder if he would have taken that rational approach had it been his son that had called?
Needless to say, the day continued without a hitch prior to my return so that I would be pleasantly surprised.

THANKSGIVING!

What a day! I am having a hard time focusing, but I know that time will heal the pain. I spent last night with Colette, Michelle, Heidi and Carolyn making this adorable advent calendar.... can't wait to post the pics when I'm done. We actually did more on it at Wendy's before we ate. It was crazy!! Lots of fun, lots of people and lots of food!! Again, I didn't take photos - see, not a priority when having fun....
But Cara did take pics at the park so here's some with my cheesy camera until she downloads hers.

The girl cousins - bee-uu-ti-fuul!

The grandparents with all the grandkids.

Samuel loving his daddy....

Sariah loving Samuel.

Sariah and Kristina, said to look like sisters....

Life's Trials ........

For those who don't know, one of my limitations in keeping up with the blog is that I have other priorities - like a family, friends, church responsibilities, work..... - that deplete my energy reserves so the blog drops down a few notches.... Well, one priority in the past weeks was to spend some time with a close church friend of mine, Shelley. Her story is a sad one, but I think also, an important one to note. It began in early October. You can click here to read about it.
Shelley had the perfect life, or so it seemed. A wonderful, loving husband, eight amazing spiritual children, and a spirit about her that magnetized people to her. She was truly a gem, shining bright for others to see. Her husband takes care of our life insurance, so I called in regards to switching banks and having the automatic withdrawal switched to the new bank. When he finally returned my calls, he said that he had been tending Shelley in the hospital for the past few days. Upon finding out, I went in to visit them and see if there was anything I could help with - massage was the only service that I could provide, and also to let her instructors know that she would be absent until further notice. Little did I know, that those short visits with Shelley were to become cherished memories with a dear friend. I got to visit her maybe 7 or 8 times in the two different hospitals and eventually at home, but few as they were, they have impacted me more than I thought possible. I realized that time is precious. No not just the cliche - but it truly is precious and invaluable. Once it is spent, it can not be changed, altered or adjusted. Friends are also precious and invaluable. There are many nights I sit and feel sorry for myself - why don't I have 'best friends' like I did in Australia, why don't I get called upon to hang out, why doesn't anybody take the time to call/come by.......yes, it's hard not to have family around, especially when you come from a 'family centered culture' when Saturdays were spent with aunts, uncles, cousins eating and playing and having fun... but what I have realized, is that instead of feeling sorry for my loneliness, I need to reach out to others, like Shelley did. She made everyone feel like a sister - I pray earnestly that I could attain that quality. Even in her pain and trial, she was always encouraging me to be the person I could and should be. What an angel.......
This was a hard day and difficult to write about. Last night I lost one of my good friends to lung cancer, after only battling it for 8 weeks. I guess the reason it's so hard for me, is that we always kid around with each other, saying that she's 9 years ahead of me - we both have 6 boys and she has 2 girls, I have 1. She would always ask me when I was having my last 'girl'. Shelley was my advice buddy, my friend I could call on when I needed to talk or just catch up on 'stuff'. She is and always will be an amazing listener, mother, wife, friend, daughter of God. I only wish I could follow in her footsteps just a bit. She was always serving others, despite the fact that she had a family who needed her too. She will be missed by many.

Temple Day

Mike and Colette and family are in town!!!! We're so excited to see them - especially Sariah. We got to go to the temple and perform baptisms with the youth in Colette's family. So much fun!!!

Then, Danie went through the temple tonight, so that was another special event. We got to go eat afterwards at Tia Rosa's - and I didn't take pics!! They had really amazing food, but the best part was the company. I feel so blessed to feel like an 'Eaton' sister - they take me in as if I was one of them. Thank you Colette for having a welcoming family.♥♥
Sunday night we had Mike, Colette and the children over for dinner - rice with curry and pasta figoli with bread rolls (course I forgot to take pics) and then we went over to Elena's for a get together.

Samuel is always content as long as he's held.

This was taken on the night of Danie and Blair's reception. They look so happy and right for each other...

Happy Feet

It seems that my children love taking photos as much as me, so these were taken randomly just because they had happy feet and a happy heart.

Samuel loves to eat - anywhere, anytime, anything?!?

Ammon has quite the strength.

Joseph was doing such a good job showing the moves.....

That they all mimicked him - Saturday night fever had begun!

Peter visiting from California.

Peter is the first to talk to me about the Gospel and then eventually baptize me.... it's great to have friends who keep in touch and care for you through ALL the good and the bad....We can't wait to visit his family in NE Cali one day......

Good Job Jacob!

Pack meeting tonight was a big deal because Jacob earned his Webelos rank. Unfortunately, his shirt has been missing for weeks - disappeared into the black hole, so this is the best we could do. Jacob is so hard working and loyal. He is extremely compassionate and caring - sometimes I wish he would care about his brothers and sister more, but all in all, he's a great kid.

This is Joseph as a Power Ranger - fit like a glove!