Preschool Picture

Alex had his preschool pictures and he was absolutely adorable! The handsomest little man in the picture! He was so excited to get dressed nice for the picture with his class and his favorite teacher. I can already see him greatly missing Mrs. King come Kindergarten next year.

Brush Brush

One of James' favorite new toys is a travel tooth brush. I keep it in my purse and whip it out when he needs something interesting to chew on. It's great because it has its own tube to put it back into when he's done. I just rinse it off and stick it back in my purse.

Out go the old, in come the new...

Yesterday was our ward primary program and, I have to say, am I ever glad it is over! As much fun it is to see these darling kids say their lines and sing their songs and sit on the stand for over an hour with minimal adult supervision (ahh, the scenes that arose were hilarious!) it is so stressful, I actually caught myself smiling all day after that because I physically felt the stress leave my body once the closing prayer was said. I don't think I've ever been more relieved!
Next year, however, I am happy to say I will be able to view it from OFF the stand, as I was officially released as First Counselor in the Primary Presidency yesterday and called to be a Sunday School Teacher over the 14/15 yr. olds. I left the stand after the closing prayer and, amidst tears and cries over my release (from my own kids!), went directly to my new classroom and taught my new class. What I thought would be a class full of the kids I'd first taught when I was called to primary 3 years ago turned out to be a class full of strangers, except for one returning student. I had a fun time getting to know them and getting a glimpse of their fun personalities. I look forward to developing a relationship with these strong youth and feel privileged that the Lord feels I am worthy enough to teach these great kids. I pray I will prove him right!

Brain waves ~ ~ ~

Yes, mine have been working again.
Recently Sean and I were discussing some people whom we love dearly and how they always seem to have one trial or another going on in their lives. To us, these trials are big ones, but, as we were discussing one family in particular, we realized that if anything bad were to happen to anyone, it would be (said family). (Names have been omitted to protect the innocent). I know that Heavenly Father is always there for us during our times of need and knows what we can handle, but it dawned on me that He is actually there and knows what we can handle!
Really. These people with trials that seem to be hard to me are probably water off a duck's back to them. Heavenly Father allows these trials to constantly come their way because He knows that they can handle it. Heck, they probably need it! I mean, they're probably saying in their spiritual self, "Bring it on!" They wouldn't be able to grow and learn off of one measly trial. No, they are so spiritually strong and secure that they need the heavy duty stuff!
Oh, to be as strong as (said family) and to have the spiritual integrity that they hold. I hope that I could be as they are in the face of these trials, though at the same time I hope to never find out! You are my heroes! Thank you for your sacrifice, willingness to serve, and wonderful example! I am better for knowing you and hope to always be in your acquaintance.

Cheerful Jane...

The Friday following the cheer camp Jane performed with the Mayfair Cheerleaders at the football game in Ron Yary Stadium. She got to go down to the field, use the cheer boxes, and even got her own pom-poms! She had so much fun, especially since she had her friends, Isabelle and Grace, though she spent more time watching the game than she did actually cheering! At half-time her cheer day was over and we all went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream to celebrate her job well done.
We're so glad she had this (cheap) experience. Thank you Mayfair!

Here She Goes Again!

Jane was selected by her teacher, Ms. Cornejo, to be Student of the Week on 20 Sept. Duties entailed door monitor, line leader, homework stamper, etc. She even got to sit at Ms. Cornejo's desk for a whole day! Her teacher asked to send in a photo of Jane to be displayed on the board, so this is the photo we took that day and sent in the following Monday.

Rah, Rah, Shish-Koom-Bahhh!

On 20 September Jane entered "Cheer Camp" put on by the Mayfair Cheerleaders as a fund raiser and got a t-shirt as a souvenir. For 3 hours she decorated a poster, learned cheers, practiced moves, and had a blast! At the end she ate pizza and told me on the way home she wanted to do it again next week. Well, she's in luck! That following Friday night she was to perform at the Mayfair football game. She was so excited she ended up sleeping in her new t-shirt that night!

Snip, Snip Here...Snip, Snip There!

We took a trip to Neal's Barber Shop on 19 September, "the best Barber this side of the Mississippi!" (as Sean would say). Alex and Sean both got cuts - they wouldn't go anywhere else, and we are looking forward to James' first cut when he gets a bit more hair!
Neal is a dear friend and served with Sean and Bishop Douglass in the Bellflower Ward Bishopric as First Counselor until just last week (when he was released and Sean was ordained First Counselor, with Brother Vaili as Second Counselor). Neal Clyde (shop located on Lakewood Blvd. just South of Alondra in Bellflower in case anyone needs a cut)is a fabulous man and, though he is still in our ward, will be missed in the Bishopric. We love you and we are so glad you didn't move either!

Every Mom Has One of These...

So we must have had a busy day on 19 September, though at the moment I can't think of what we were doing specifically - besides the haircuts -(don't quote me, but I think this is when James was sick). James fell asleep eating his Cheerios and we all saw it happen. First the nod, then the other nod, then the pointless attempt at trying to get comfortable on the tray...and...he's out!

My Hero!

I was feeling ill yesterday, and kept getting worse as the day went on. At 4pm I picked the girls up from school and practically passed out when we finally got home. I called Sean to ask if he had a meeting that night so I could plan my rest or demise, as the case may be. Sean called me back at about 5:30 to say that he did have a meeting and I literally cried. Upon hearing that I was worse instead of better since he last talked to me that day, he told me he was skipping his evening meeting and coming home with pizza when his work meeting was over. I counted the minutes until he got home at 6:15 and gave up all my energy reserves to stay awake and keep the kids entertained and busy with homework until he came home.
When he walked through our door he took charge of the "situation," getting the kids fed, force-feeding me medicine and water (ugh! I hate taking any medicines!), helping them with their homework, and tucking me into bed. He even switched blankets for me because the one I had on the bed was too scratchy for my ache-y body! I got to rest for an hour before I had to feed James, and then he got the kids into bed and joined me on the couch to keep me company.
How I could have ever survived without his love is impossible to think! He truly is my hero, and even had the patience to hear and answer my questions about Lord of the Rings while he watched it (I saw it once when it came out, and not since, so I'm a bit lost on the details).
Because of Dr. Sean I feel so much better today. I still have the stuffy nose and ears, but I've learned my lesson and decided to stay home and rest today so Sean doesn't have to sacrifice his plans to take care of the results of my stubbornness. Sean even got the girls ready for school and dropped them off for me so I could have a really relaxing morning. I truly love my husband, and I'm so grateful for his willingness to take care of me, even when I'm sick and loopy! Thank you, my love!

Stuff memories are made of...

1. We were reading in Moroni 7 a few days ago and got to the part where the Lord promises to answer the prayers of the righteous. The kids then asked if Heavenly Father will answer our prayers.
I said, "Yes, as long as it was what we needed."
I was trying to get them to understand the difference between need and want, so I asked them Heavenly Father would give me a pony if if I prayed for one.
They said, "No."
I said, "That's right, but why?"
"Because you don't need one."
"That's right. Heavenly Father only gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want."
Then Becky got really excited and said, "That's what Santa is for!"

2. I showed up to Alex's preschool to pick him up and he was the last one there with the teacher (despite the fact that I was there at 2:40 and preschool wasn't supposed to be over until 3pm). I watched him help the teacher put all the bikes away, gather all of his projects and put them on one clip so the rest of the clips could be put away (which he also helped to do), then gather the balls and take them inside, all the while talking with his favorite teacher, (who also happened to be Sean's preschool teacher) Mrs. King. They looked so cute talking and working together that I just had to stand and enjoy the moment. Alex treated her questions with seriousness and loved the attention he was getting from her. Sad to say he doesn't get a lot of one-on-one time at home. We'll work on that!

3. James was sitting in the front seat with me in our rental car (ours is in the shop- again!). We'd just finished getting groceries, but it was still too early to get the girls from school. He was enjoying playing with the steering wheel - trying to turn it as if he were driving. Then he found the blinker! He turned it on, then went back to the steering wheel. I turned it off, only to watch him reach to the side and flip it back on. I turned it off, he flipped it back on. This went on for a while. Oh, the joys of a 9 month old!

4. Jane's tooth had been sticking out - think Nanny McPhee and flip the tooth up so it sticks out towards the front - for over a month! It was terribly loose, but was still hanging on by that darned thread! Well, picture day is going to be coming up soon, so I got a bit determined and took her into the bathroom during bedtime and "helped" her brush her teeth. I told her the dirt was stuck and wouldn't come off. Well, I just kept brushing and brushing and finally it popped out at me and landed on the floor. We were all VERY happy and relieved that the tooth was out - and Jane was happy to have the tooth fairy visit again!

Family Home Evening

Sean and I had such a fun time walking around Shoreline Village that we decided to take the kids and Chewy back there for a walk for Family Home Evening. The kids loved the boats, birds, and random surry-bikes. It was very relaxing and refreshing and makes staying here another year a lot more fun!

Summer Recap

Well, I'm sorry to say that I haven't been up with my blogging this summer...uhh...obvious! And, instead of going back and blogging each event seperately, I decided to take the easy-man's out and put all summer activity pictures into a slideshow and recap it all in this posting.
For the most part, we had a great summer filled with family activities and many "firsts" (mostly James'). The two weeks of "Family Week" had to be our highlight because this is when most of these summer activities occurred (who knew one could fit that much stuff into two weeks?!). Sean also started preparing for his new job at the District Office, though it didn't actually start until end of August, and Hillary tried her best to keep the kids busy while dad was away with promises of stuff we'd do when he got home. There was one day when the kids entertained themselves entirely with legos, only stopping for the occassional meal. Gotta love the Legos!
Although we're sorry to see summer leave we were all glad to be back in routine once school started again on 4 September. The girls are back at The Intensive Learning Center (Becky in 3rd grade and Jane in 2nd) and Alex is back with Mrs. King at preschool. He is her very best helper, as he is at home with his mom. I am so grateful to have him here to entertain me and James and make us all laugh when we especially need it.
Sean seems to be adjusting well to his new position, although it still keeps him hopping as he learns the new math curriculum and how to best teach it to fellow teachers.
We are continually reminded of our blessings and thank our Lord for guiding us along His path.

Bellflower Ward Beach Party

On Saturday 13 September the Bellflower Ward headed out to Bolsa Chica Beach for some fun in the sun. The sun didn't actually come out until 1/2 hour before we left, but the weather was still nice enough to explore the beautiful waves, sight-see some dolphins, boogy-board, and dig in the sand. We had a wonderful time and would like to give three cheers (hip-hip, horray!) to the Bellflower Ward Activities Committee! Thanks for a great time!

At the Beach