Summer Fun!

We are thoroughly enjoying our summer!!! Swimming, Vacations, Camps, Sports, Hanging with friends, movies....seriously, can't it last all year!! I know, I know...too much of a good thing is no good.  But we, especially me, can't get enough.

As usual, I have waited to long to write a post and now there is so much to write that I don't know where to begin.  I guess I will start with the "good" news.  We have decided to take our home off the market.  We were getting a lot of lookers, but no one willing to seal the deal.  It's so much stress keeping the house ready to show, and we were having showings 2-3 times a week.  So we have decided to wait a year, continue with the improvements, and try again.  Hopefully the market will have improved by then.  There is just no way I am willing to drop the price to where I would be loosing money.  So we are super happy to be in our home sweet home for another year.  Sierra can finish high school, Montana can finish grade school--and then we will see where life takes us.

Work at FOX has been so insane lately.  Our systems have been crashing and we have been stressed to the max trying to keep things on air- doing things 2-3 times because they keep getting kicked out of the system.  But now, we are back on line and it is such a relief.  For the most part I love my co-workers and am so blessed to be working in a field I enjoy.  I have also been crazy busy with my cleaning business- but that is a good thing!  I have decided it is my therapy time.  I can think, and work out my anger, and make someone happy in the process.  I can only take on probably two more homes- and that will be my limit. 

Here are some fun highlights of our summer so far.  Kids are happy, busy, and miraculously...I have not heard the phrase "I'm bored" yet this summer.  But I know they are looking forward to heading back to school.  Justice and Montana were able to travel to Idaho with my mom and grama Dodie to see Danee Dee graduate and attend the family party.  They had a blast.  Right now they are in Disneyland with their dad.  Sierra has travel plans with her dad, but they haven't decided a destination yet.  I'm sure it will be somewhere fabulous.  I hope to at least squeeze in a camping trip here or there.  We will see.  For whatever reason I can't post video here, which stinks!! But visit my facebook page to check out more of our goings-on!  Happy Summer!

Swimming at Kearns Rec

Mr. Happy!

Out in the deep!

Help!  haha..what a ham!

Little Miss Smarty Pants!

Getting dolled up for a day at the park w friends

Started his orthodontist work...Retainer first!

Blonde & Tan...must be summer

Sierra's birthday pedi!  17 Y'all!!

After 6 mos. they finally put her bottom braces on!  I LOVE this pic!

Sierra's drill team marching in the T-ville Days Parade

Team before the parade!  Cuties!

5 games in 2 days...4 wins...and still smilin'!

Warriors!!!

The Real Salt Lake Mascot! 

Tana & Amalia--They may look sweet & innocent...

Waiting for the next game

Cool soccer ball painted on the grass!

At the drive-in movies

Before heading to Drill Camp

School is almost out!!! Wahoo!  Only 3 weeks...or 15 days or so.  I know they have a few off for Memorial Day so we will figure it out.

Justice & Montana started outdoor soccer and are loving it.  I must say I like indoor soccer a tad better--you don't have the weather to contend with--but outdoor soccer is a lot more exciting.  They don't get hung up on the wall and the playing area is a lot bigger.  They have to really run!! My kids aren't the fastest runners but they are getting better.  They both have scored their first goals!! So exciting.  Montana has had 2 now and Justice has one.  And they both are eager to get another.  But teamwork is the name of the game.  If you get a goal- it's a team accomplishment!  The weather is finally cooperating.   We have only had one game in a downpour, which was kinda fun after we were totally soaked.  But we enjoy the sunny games much more!

Montana Rippin' up the field

After her first goal!!!

Justice the Goalie!!

Montana is going to try out for USA (Utah Soccer Association) competition team in a couple weeks.  This is a great direction for her.  She is enjoying the game, loves working hard, and playing by the rules.  It will be a big step for us.  I hope she will enjoy it as much as she does now.  

 Sierra had the opportunity to fight her first speeding ticket.  Grampa Dave helped immensely as we weren't really sure what the procedure was.  She was speeding, but we didn't want her already outrageously expensive insurance to go up.  So she did a plea in obeyance.  Which basically means she promises not to have another ticket for the next 6 mos.  If she does, the points will be added to her driving record, and the insurance costs will definitely go up.  It was a pretty daunting experience.  Probably 50 people or more show up at the court house to talk to the judge about every flavor of crime out there-  people show up from jail, in handcuffs, some are on probation, and then the minor stuff (like speeding tickets) just talk to the defense attorney, fill out some paperwork, pay your fine, and you're outta there.  Sierra was scared to death.  It was a good experience for her.  Hopefully, it scared the speed out of her.  Plus she paid the $140 dollars herself.  Which was a lot of money for her to fork over.  I was very proud of her for following thru with this.    Thanks Grampa for coming to court with us and helping her thru the details. 

Sierra tried out for drill again this year and was voted Captain.  She is over the moon excited.  It has been a bit of a rough start-- girl drama, and parents trying to get in the mix-- but I think we have it all sorted out now and it will be a great year.  This time of year is overwhelming for the drill kids.  Last year is still going, this year starts early and it all overlaps.  Some days she is putting in 10-12 hours.  School has been suffering some, but she is getting caught up.  They just had their year end show and it was a very exciting night.  Sierra choreographed lots of the other girls solos, and also choreographed a couple of numbers for Bennion Jr. High.  Seeing her perform, with her team as well as her solo, and watching her choreography being performed, was very thrilling.  I had so many people tell me how impressed with her they were.  Her solo was dedicated to a teammate of hers that died of cancer last year.  She has changed it up a little each time she performed it.  For this performance, she had a framed picture of Kaitlyn that was set in the corner while she was dancing, and at the end she picks it up and hugs it and dances into a heap on the floor.  "Too make you feel my love" is the song.  Everyone was in tears.  It was a special moment.  So proud of her.  She is so dedicated and passionate about her dancing and it really shows.  This senior year will be exciting and bittersweet.  She is trying to figure out what to do when she graduates.  And hopefully we can put all of these years of dance to use in the way of a college scholarship.  Fingers crossed. 

New 2011-2012 Team

Being Recognized as "National Champs" at Taylorsville City Hall

Last Locker Decorations for the year--YAY!  I have new jobs next year.  Hallelujah!

Sweet Success

Montana had her first orchestra performance.  I must say,  I was very impressed.  They played at a local Jr. High with 8 other elementaries.  The Jr. High played first and they were...um...not good.  I was prepared for some ear bleeding and a major headache with the elementary.  But they filled the stage and with the first note, I could tell how beautiful it was going to be.  They blew the jr. high orchestra away!! I was so surprised.  I knew Montana would be great--but all together, it was just beautiful.  I am so glad she has had this opportunity.  We are trying to find her some classes for the summer, and possibly some guitar lessons as well to keep her skills up. 

Before the concert

Tana and her viola

After a beautiful first concert

Justice has been busy with his friends, video games, and just being a boy!  He's had a few sleepovers lately with his buddy's and it's fun to see him doing guy stuff!  It's tough growing up in a house of girls.  I checked on him and his friends the other day after they had been quiet for some time-- and found that they had completely rearranged his room, vaccuummed, rewired the electronics, everything!  It was very surprising-- and it actually looked great.  What a character. 
We also started Justice's orthodontic procedures.  He has been struggling with ear pain for a while, and after visits to several specialists we have determined it could be his crossbite that is giving him pain.  So he has his first adjustable retainer.  He will wear this for several months.  Then we will move on to braces.  This first stage is to align his bite and arches.  Then we will move on to closing the spaces and straightening the teeth.  It will be a few years for him.  But he doesn't seem to mind.

Wow!  What a grin!

He brought me flowers on his way home from school...sorry if they are from your yard!

Riding Smokey, our neighbors sweet horse

Awww...they do love each other!

Coping with Death & Life

Today has been a very emotional and reflective day. 

Kaitlyn Adams...died of cancer one year ago today.  A 15 year old just starting out in life. A former dance student of mine, and a part of Sierra's Drill Team.  She still inspires a generation of women who know they are lucky to have strong bodies and the opportunity to dance.  They call Kaitlyn their angel. 

A good friend of mine had to deliver a stillborn baby on this day 25 years ago.  Her first child.  I can't imagine the pain of carrying a baby for 9 months.  Being excited to be a parent, and then the terrible news. 

A week ago, a neighbor of mine lost her only son in a terrible car accident.  Just the day before she was talking about the hopes she had of her son getting married and finally having some grandbabies for her.  Bittersweet.  This conversation will stick in my mind forever. 

April 1st is the date Debbie Frame Nugent was buried.  She took her own life.  This was Eric's first wife.  Eric and I met after I offered him condolences at work.  I remember the absolute gaunt, despair, and hollow look on his face at the time he was ready to come back to work.  I have known that feeling and still remember that dark place.  It's hard to imagine unless you have been through it. 

And, I just heard the news today that a son of a sweet family in my neighborhood died of a drug overdose.  This young man donated his labor to build a railing on my deck for me two summers ago.  I didn't know him well, but he was kind to me in a time when I really needed it.  I knew he was dealing with some personal issues at the time, but he offered his help, and I took it willingly.  I am devastated by this news.

Every time I hear of a suicide of any kind, my mind wanders back to a cold 1992 November morning.   My 19 year old brother, my only sibling, took his life.  I remember the absolute shock, the deep dark feeling, the sleepless nights, the endless crying.  Knowing that I would not have my brother in my life was hard to even imagine.  He was so full of life, talent, mischief, love, adventure, smiles, and laughs.  I did not know the side of him that was sad, hopeless, and ready to give up. He was a newlywed, they were so cute together, so in love.   Who knows what happened.  I know we would all love some answers, but there just aren't any.  I have tried to replay those last days over and over in mind over the years.  Wondering if there was anything I could have done to help change his mind.  To let him know how much I loved him.  To let him know that no matter how bad things may seem, he would be able to get through them.  I would love to go back and tell him that in time, the things that he was so upset about, wouldn't seem so bad.  There would be new worries, new joys, and as painful as things seem, they do pass and the pain eases up.  I miss him greatly.  I would love to know him as an adult, as a dad, as a grandpa.  I would love for my children to know their Uncle John.  And not just the picture on the wall at gramas, and the snapshots of us together on my fridge.  But to be able to play with him, spend time with him, have sleepovers with his kids, their cousins.  But that was not meant to be.  However, I do imagine those days quite frequently.

I have gone through dark times myself.  Two divorces.  The loss of a business I cherished, and the accompanying financial disaster that came with it.  Wondering how I would ever be able to pick up the pieces and make anything of my life.  I'm still dealing with that mess.  Wanting to give my children so much more than I can.  Wanting to give them a home with two parents.  Not having to go back and forth.  Contemplating all the stupid mistakes, unwise choices, and absolute blunders of my life.  Sometimes it's more than I can take to think about.  There was a very dark time, when the only thing that got me through was my brother.  My guardian angel.  Telling me that there was so much to live for.  So much more I could do with my life.  Knowing that my parents would be absolutely, irreparably, devastated.  Knowing that my husband (at the time) would be burying a second wife & raising our kids by himself- I could never do that to him.  Knowing that my children would grow up without a mom-that's just not an option.  Those were the things that kept me going when I felt like I had destroyed every other reason for living.  Counseling and medication helped me through that time.  But I was there.  A breath away from death.  It scared the hell out of me.  But I told someone.  Deep down, I knew I could get through it.  I have made a full recovery and for whatever reason, those days are behind me.  I'm lucky.  I know that for some, that grip of death, sadness, and despair does not let go.  I had the desire to get past it, the will to not let it control my life.  Now I rarely even think about it.  I, of course, have sad times.  But it's nowhere near the same experience.  I am reminded of that scariness, when I hear of suicide & death.  I know how precious life is.  I know what a huge hole is left behind when a loved one is no longer a part of your life. 

Today I was driving around with all these emotions circling in my mind, my sunroof was open, the sunshine was streaming in and warming my skin, and flooding my soul.  And it made me smile.  I know that this life is not the end.  I know that we will see our loved ones, neighbors, and friends again.  I know that they are being greeted with warm welcomes.  Being comforted and tears wiped.  I know that they are in a better place.  I am happy for them.  I am sad for those left behind.  It is a rough road, but together we can get through it.  Love, understanding, kindness and true compassion are absolutely essential. 

--In life you can never be too kind.   Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with. :) be happy today!  --Derrick Myler

Track Star

Montana is featured on the new PTA website for our school.  She is in the headline picture (on the far left), and also her running feet are the top picture on the side bar.  How cool is that!!  Way to go Tana!!

Click the link below
https://sites.google.com/site/trumanpta5k/

Change is on the way

Hey y'all!!  Thought I would pop in and post about what's going on in our world.  

Justice and Montana are finishing up their Winter Indoor Soccer Season tomorrow.  They have thoroughly enjoyed it.  It has been fun to see them learn and work hard.  Montana especially loves it and really gets into it.  She really wants to play next season as well.  Her dad and I have been kicking around the idea of putting her on a competition team.  But we are not exactly sure what we are doing yet.  Justice could take it or leave it.  He does have fun, but doesn't quite get into it the way he should.  So I guess we better figure out what we are doing.

Drill Team Tryouts are right around the corner for Sierra.  She definitely wants to do it for one last year.  Her senior year.  I cannot believe my baby is going to be a senior.  She is very independent and responsible.  She is as tall as me and can drive herself wherever she needs/wants to be.  But it is so weird to think that she is almost an adult.  I know I drive her crazy with this kind of talk.  I hope she realizes that she will always be my baby.  Sorry kiddo.  That's just how mom's are. She is in Texas right now with her drill team for their National Competition.  I'm so sad that I can't be there, but I know they will dominate.  Sierra's solo is absolutely amazing and I hope she will be proud of herself no matter the placement.  She has worked so hard this year and I am beyond proud of her.  She is amazing. 

We got crazy one day and decided we would buy all the supplies to do our own hair highlights.  So we have our own beauty shop!  I put blonde highlights in Montana's hair.  Spent almost an hour on it and it turned out....EXACTLY THE SAME COLOR!!  haha...she was not happy about that,  but secretly I was glad I didn't ruin her hair for my first attempt.  So victim #2 was Sierra.  We did brighter blonde highlights for her and left the bottom half the chocolate brown it already was.  It turned out perfectly!! I was pretty proud of myself.  But this made Montana even more upset with me that her hair didn't work.  So  a week later we attempted Tana's hair again.  She decided she would rather put dark streaks in her hair.  I decided to use the frosting cap, just to see how it would turn out.  Well I pulled way too much through and it just looks like an all over color. But it does look adorable on her.  Just about 3 shades darker than her natural color.  We decided that when it starts to grow out we will add some blonde highlights.  It's been fun learning how to do this stuff.  And it's definitely cheaper than doing it at the salon.  Now, if someone would just do my hair we would be in business!

Spring is trying to bloom here.  The flower bulbs are beginning to grow and the grass is greening up.  But the snow storms keep coming and melting.  It will be a beautiful sunshiney day one day, and grey skies with crazy wind and hail/snow the next day.  You never know.  But I'm so happy that the sun is coming!! Nothing makes me happier than sun on my face!

I finally got fed up with my weight and decided to do something about it.  Every time I look in the mirror, I don't recognize myself.  I don't feel like the person I see.  I can feel how out of shape I am just doing the simplest tasks.  I have always heard people say that one day they just DECIDED it was time to do something about it, and that's exactly how it was for me.  I decided to start a running program I had "tried" a few months earlier.  But this time I am seriously committed.  I had dad bring home my treadmill, that has been parked at his house for years.  I signed up for a 5K that is in 9 weeks.  I have a pedometer that I am tracking, and I am really watching my food portions.  My goal for now is to try to eat half of what I normally would.  Then I will work on bringing in more healthy options and start cutting out the junk.  I'm trying to make little changes that I can build on.  I always start big and have too much change that I can't stick with in the long run.  So this time I am trying to take baby steps, but meaningful steps that I can build on.  The running has been so challenging for me...but I'm doing it!! The program (Couch to 5K) is so great because it works you up gradually to avoid injury and to encourage you little by little.  I have my running music, and my app on the iphone that keeps me on track while I'm running.  It is awesome!  I'm in week 2 and it is kicking my hiney.  I hurt everywhere, but it's the good hurt.  Where you know you are doing your body good!  So send good vibes my way.  I know it's time, and I'm finally ready for the right reasons to start taking care of me.

Still wondering what's gonna happen with our house.  It's still on the market, but hardly any activity in the last two weeks.  I thought things would really pick up when spring hit, but, it hasn't.  I hate being in limbo like this, but it's so nice to still be in our home!! So hopefully we will figure it all out soon.  Who knows.

All is well.  We keep trudging on with a smile in our hearts.  Love ya!

Livin & Lovin It

Okay...I finally have 5 seconds to sit down and type up this blog entry.  We have so much going on!!! I love it!

Montana and Justice are playing indoor soccer this season.  So happy to finally have them back into an activity.  With their back and forth custody situation it is difficult to find things that work for them.  So it is really awesome that we found something that will work!! They have both learned a lot of soccer skills from their step-brother Mckayde who plays soccer competitively.  Montana has been playing for a while at school with her "recess team"  and has become very aggressive and really gets in there and goes for it!  She is so much fun to watch.  Her team is mostly boys and 2 girls.  Her coach didn't put her in for almost the whole first game.  But after some encouragement from the crowd to "PUT THE GIRLS IN!!!" he finally let her play.  And he was VERY impressed with her!  He made a point of telling us after the game.  So the next game, he let her start!  And she rocked it.  Justice is learning the skills of the game.  His team doesn't have practices (why???) so their skill level is very novice and they just play for the fun of it.  He mostly plays goalie and is getting the hang of it.  After he learned that he could use his hands, things really improved :-).  It's fantastic to see them working hard and having fun doing it! 

Montana had her ears pierced for the 3rd and hopefully last time.  I gave her a gift card for Christmas for this purpose and we finally went to redeem it.  She was very nervous.  Her ears usually become infected and do not do well with earrings.  But she is doing great this time.  She is taking very good care of them, and maybe her body is just more ready for them now.  She looks adorable.  She is still having eye infection issues.  She seems to get pink eye at least once every couple of weeks.  We have medicine that clears it up with in a day.  She is so tired of it.  Poor kid.  I have taken her to the doc to see what we can do for her, but for now it seems to be something we can't quite pin down.  We tried a new medication and decided it was no good, and went back to what we were using previously.  We just try to keep her away from anything scented (perfume/lotion/shampoo), any strong chemicals (including household cleaners), and encourage frequent hand washing.  She has missed a lot of school because of this, so hopefully we can figure it out soon.

Justice got new glasses.  He only needs them for reading, but he likes to wear them more than he should.  And who can blame him.  Look how adorable he is!  We started a ticket program for him & his video games.  He earns tickets for any kind of good behavior: homework, chores, being helpful, going to church, doing nice things for other people, doing things with out being asked.  Each ticket is worth a certain amount of time.  Then he can redeem those tickets for game playing time.  It is helping so much with the arguing and drama about when it is time to turn it off.  My cousin Teresa gave me this idea and I totally love it.  We still have some kinks to work out, but things are much better.

Sierra was able to participate in the Utah Jr. Miss Dance & Drill Pageant.  It is a big deal and lucky for her she has a very supportive family.  Her aunt Niki took charge and steered the pageant ship.  She arranged for Maryann Gregg (Can't remember her married name) to be her choreographer/coach.  Turns out she is a friend of Niki's, and an old neighborhood/family friend of mine.  Such a small world.  Niki arranged for the new costume, the pageant dress, and the entry fees as well as all of the meetings & coaching appointments.  I just basically showed up at the pageant.  Sierra worked her tail off and really pushed herself.  She competed against 28 other girls from all over Utah.  She ended up taking 4th attendant and was the only Junior in the top 5.  She won lots of fun prizes: Earrings and Pearl Necklace, Giant Duffle Bag, Scholarship to an upcoming Dance Convention, and of course the trophy.  I know I always say this, but she was AMAZING!  It was literally the best I have ever seen her dance.  We were all so proud of her!  So she and Niki have decided to go on to Nationals in California and compete there as well.  Her dad will be able to travel with her and help her there.  Thank God for him.  He has always been there to support her in her dance endevours and his job allows him to travel with her and be there when I can't.  Thank you so much Niki for giving her this opportunity!  She is loving it!  So between Drill, Competitions, Homework, her boyfriend, and her social life...we basically never see her.  So when we do...we cherish every moment! Good Luck sweetheart!

And lastly, I need to highlight our trip to the Midway Ice Castles.  It's this amazing, weird, thing this guy has been doing in his own yard for years during the winter.  The city contracted him to do a bigger version at the city square.  He makes them out of PVC pipe that is attached to a sprinkling system.  He can grow them as big as he likes, in many different patterns & shapes depending on how much water and the configuration of the pipes.  It really was amazing.  Some you could walk thru and others were just to look at.  It was soooo cold the day we went up.  5 degrees and dropping.  So we didn't stay long, but enjoyed it immensely.

Here's the pics!!

Laters!!

Going Monthly??

Hey All!

It's time for the monthly blog post...haha.  Wish I would do it more often, but I'm happy it gets done periodically!

Christmas was a magically, fantastic event!  The kids have it so good!  They get Christmas with me, then Gma & pa Nelson, then their dad's, then their grandparents on their dad's side.  So it's no wonder that they want everything under the sun!  For the most part, they got everything they wanted.  Of course, the laptops, the ponies, the XBOX360's, the Ipod touches, and the gold encrusted sneakers...well, they got crossed off the list and they were told to dream a little smaller.  :-)

It's the first year that the kids really didn't believe in Santa.  Kinda sad.  But the make believe magic is gone.  I have told them over and over, that Santa is really the spirit of giving.  And that does exist.  We were blessed beyond belief with Santa's of every kind this year.  Our neighbors and friends went above and beyond to help me give a sweet Christmas to my kids.  It's amazing how selfless people are when you express a need.  They are right there to lend a hand.  Thank you is not enough.  But thank you anyway!!

The Christmas Party at Mom & Dad's was a small, intimate affair this year.  All the kids have grown up, and the family was scattered to the wind this year.  A few have moved, some were on vacation, and some parts of our family have grown so large, they have started having their own party.    We even debated whether we should have Santa stop by...but he did.  My younger two were with their dad for Christmas Eve this year, and I didn't think Sierra would be coming either, because she was with her dad.  But she came anyway, and I was so happy about that.  The few kids that were there were very excited to see Santa.  And really, it just wouldn't be a proper party without him!! Love seeing all these kids grow up.  The party is our annual family reunion, and I hope it will continue for a long, long time.  And I hope it will continue at Mom's house!! haha...she keeps trying to pass the party duties on to me.  But who are we kidding?  No one can throw a bash like she can!!

Our Fantastic Santa!

Sierra w/ the Big Guy!

Christmas Morning

Sierra, Montana, Justice

Dad, Me, & Mom

We spent the holiday break enjoying our time together.  Sledding, watching movies, shoveling mountains of snow that Mother Nature so kindly dropped on us, enjoying our new toys and gadgets, finishing more home improvements, showing the home we have for sale a few times, sleeping in, spending a few days in pajamas, cooking our favorite meals & treats, and basking in the glory of having so little to do!!

Sierra continues her adventure on drill team.  She has been asked to choreograph numerous routines for individuals, she has helped with team choreography, and was asked to teach & choreograph a couple of routines for the Bennion Jr. High Dance Co.  She is in her element and loving it.  She has made a little business out of editing music and has become VERY good at it.  She was able to attend a workshop this past weekend with some SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE celebrities.  She was able to dance with D-Trix (Dominique), Kent, Ade, & Lauren.  Of course it was an immensely enjoyable day and she learned a lot.  She also is babysitting occasionally for family and enjoys spending time with her cousins.  Sierra had her first car accident a few days ago.  She was not at fault, and was not injured except for sore muscles & some minor whiplash.  The car was hit broadside on the passenger back seat door.  So the other drivers insurance will cover the damages.  The car is still drivable and the dent is on the minor side.  So thankful for the passerby that stopped and helped her pull to the side, get her insurance papers, licence and registration together.  She was in tears and he helped her through until I could get there.  I didn't get a chance to meet him, but thank you anyway!!  So glad my baby is ok!! She has been keeping up on her blog and you can see more pics and fun thoughts on her website http://www.sierrarochellejepson.blogspot.com/

The car damage from the crash




View B of the crash





Locker Decorations

 










Montana is progressing in her viola studies.  She practices daily and really pushes herself to master the exercises and songs that she is working on.  She is really enjoying it and it quite proud of herself.  She was chosen to be a reporter  for the "Deseret News" for a school project they are working on.  Everyone was assigned real-life jobs, told how much they would earn an hour, and in a couple of weeks they are taking a field trip to Biz Town, which is sponsored by Junior Achievement, where they will get the chance to learn more about their jobs and have some hands on experience in their field.  She is so excited.   She is also currently working on a science project with a partner.  So we are weighing the pros and cons of all their ideas.  I think they have decided on a hot/cold water experiment that will "levitate" an egg.   They will do some preliminary trials and see if it works and if this is the route they want to go.  She has been working diligently this year on her blog.  I wish she would write more of her stories on there.  But hopefully, she will throw a few in there occasionally.  her website is http://www.montanathatsme.blogspot.com/




Cheese!  Showing off the tin grins!




Hang loose, homiez!














Justice has become a gamer.  That's all, end of story.  I have limited his game time to one hour per day, and he must have certain things done (homework, chores, etc) before he can even think about getting started into a game.  In the beginning he would throw fits, and carry on when it was time to turn the game off, or if I wouldn't let him play.  But he has learned that if he wants to play at all, he will follow the rules.  I think for the most part, most boys are gamers nowadays.  His friends bring over games, and wii controls to play the games.  It's kinda weird to me.  But they have fun, and I'm all for keeping them entertained and occupied.  When it gets out of hand, we turn it off.  If I think it's inappropriate, we turn it off.  Same for movies.  His friends know that he can't play rated M games, or watch rated R movies, even some PG 13's I won't let him watch.  He hates that, but I hope he will grow up at a slow pace.   No need to rush things.  It surprises me what some parents allow their kids to do.  Sorry I'm a stick in the mud, buddy.  But that's the way it is.  He is my baby and I am milking his childhood for as long as I can!  :-)  I ask him all the time to stay little.  It's not working out, but I try.

Sledding at our Favorite Hill



Sleeping Justy-awwww!












Life in my world has become all about Church and my calling in the Primary.  We have a new presidency and I am still the secretary.  Our new president is very gung-ho and for some reason likes to do things the most difficult, by the book way possible.  haha...I know she is just doing what she feels is best, and what she thinks will benefit the primary the most.  But it is making my calling a full-time job lately!! After we get the year started, things will mellow out and get back on cruise control, I hope!  I'm not use to putting so much time into my calling.  Also, our 1st & 2nd counselor are moving, so I am really hopeful that I get to keep my calling and they fill those spots with women who are much more spiritual and qualified than I am.  Stress!  
I am also busy with decorating the drill team lockers--how did I get stuck with this job again?? But the girls love it and it's only a few more times.  We do it before competitions, and big events.  I'm learning what works and what doesn't and to ask for LOTS of help.  Geez, the crazy things we do for our kids.
The house is still for sale.  We have had several showings, but no luck yet.  So, the renovations continue.  Dad came yesterday and helped me cross off a few more items from the never-ending "List" of repairs.  He is my knight in shining armor!  The girls now have their bedroom door back, a new rod in the closet for Montana, the vent is fixed, and he is coming back today (I hope!) to work on a couple other projects.  It's so nice to get these pesky things done.  Other than that, it's life as normal around here.  And we like it that way!