Family Fun,

This maybe as close as I get for a family photo this year. so enjoy!

SURPRISE!

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!

My baby brother Bretty just surprised us (driving over 24 hours) He came to spend Christmas with us. I am so happy and thrilled!

He brought his lovely girlfriend Halyee.

I will post pictures later, but you should have seen the girls LEAP for JOY and throw themselves onto his in glee!

Count your many blessings....

I am in need of a "Blessings Check" I am feeling blue, mostly since my Wesley will not be home for Christmas. I know pathetic I am.

So here goes:

1- Bills are paid, no over due bills.
2- House is warm (unlike Mon-Tuesday when the furnace stopped working)
3- Kids are healthy & happy
4- Pregnancy is going smoothly, no complications or major issues.
5- Christmas is mostly done, only needing stocking stuffers', (What do I get when we don't feed sugar tot he kids? delima, besides the stand-by of orange or apple??)
6- We did not go into debt for Christmas (radio ads remind me of the days we used to do this)
7- We have 3 Christmas Parties to attend. Although I am not sure we will go to any of them, we appreciate the invites!
8- Fridge is full of yummy foods, just waiting to be prepared.
9- My hubby honors his priesthood and is an awesome missionary while at work.
10- My house is big and comfy and has lots of opportunities for me to practice my artistic flare. (walls, floors, all sorts of possibilities!)
11- Wes has a job. I know there are many who are struggling, and I appreciate this even if I complain about having him leave me.

A belly Picture & the girl's new bed

Just for My mom.


Here is the bed lovingly referred to as the "Rockin' Awesome Bed" We have finished the hanging of drywall, and now I get to try my hand at mud. I am trying to get the 'boys dorm' done so Wes can paint it when he returns from work Jan 1st.


Love ya!

Reminiscing. Preparing for the next birth

I am perplexed, I thought that I had journal ed the event of Zeke's Birth. I cannot find a record of it anywhere. Weird huh?
So that must mean, I never wrote it down (shame on me)


I have been mentally planning and preparing for this new baby, I have all the physical needs met, plenty of baby clothes, and the Birthing kit is ready to go. All I need to do now is make freezer meals. (although space in the freezer is necessary)

So I will try to put down in writing what I remember from 2+ years ago when our little chubby lover,Ezekeil was born.

In my prior experience I have always birthed 2 weeks early, with the exception of Rubi who was an induction. Stress levels were high then and I was not about to labor while in a state of major anxiety.

I spent time researching & reading all about home birth, as my dream was about to come true. I remember after giving birth to Abigel, our 2nd I did not want to ever be at the mercy of the hospital staff again, I was miserable and had a terrible time (labor was 12+ hours long)

With subsequent births I had not prepared far enough in advance to feel confident in my abilities to birth at home. but baby #5 was my golden ticket. I had found a home birth midwife while living in Alaska, and had made out my mental plan of what was going to happen (incidentally it happened almost exactly as I had imagined)

When we moved from Alaska I was not worried, I knew I would continue with the plan of having a home birth,and I prayed that the resources I needed would present themselves.

Being frugal (read:tightwad) I searched out a midwife who would be willing to barter services for services, I traded the creation of a web page for the birthing services.

I found a nice lady (named Dee) who needed this and we made a decent go of the trade.
I am a hands-off person, I would rather the fewer people touching me the better, and I had issues with her invasive approach. I felt at times I was teaching her about natural, god intended birth, and was getting aggravated with her lack of experience (as far as natural birth goes)

I wrote out my birth plan and shared it with her and the others who were to attend my birth.
""here is a copy of the Birth Plan""
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Birth Plan for: Dee Gordon & baby Boy Gordon.

It is my desire to labor independently and without intervention for as long as possible, I would like to have minimal vaginal exams and fetal monitoring.
It is my wish that the environment be as quiet as possible, with speaking refrained, and instead writing notes to labor helpers.
I would like the lights dim, and soft music playing in the room.
I would like to walk, move, bathe, and have freedom of movement during the entire process.
It is my hope that Wes will be my main support, having private time alone with him, throughout the labor and birth.
I would like to have gentle suggestions offered only if I seem unable to calm myself and need reminders of things I can do to flow with the process.
I plan to eat and drink, as I feel necessary throughout the labor and birth.
Some of the coping strategies I plan to use are: Singing, bathing, rocking, humming, walking, resting on a birthing ball, squatting, sitting on the toilet.
It is my plan to get into water anytime I need to relax, with water at body temp.
It is my plan to deliver the baby with Wes’s help in the water.
It is my plan to allow Abigel to cut the cord if she feels OK with this.
I plan to have Ashley Dodge as support for the girls during labor and birth.
My plan is to call Ashley upon initial labor onset, and to call Rebecca Woods to notify her of my status.
My plan is to have Dee the midwife called when labor is imminent, and/or I feel the need to have extra support.
My plan is to only have vaginal exams done by Dee Dibal when I request them, and when I feel the need to be checked.
It is my plan to support my own perineum, and use pressure to counter the labor waves.
If I need stitches I will appreciate a local anesthesia, but do not anticipate needing stitches.
I plan to breastfeed exclusively, and will allow the baby to latch on as soon as he is cleared and ready.
If I am birthing in the tub, at this time I will want to girls to be able to say hello to their new baby, and then allow Wesley and I to have alone time while baby is suckling and relaxing. (During which time I anticipate the placenta will be delivered, and can be disposed of however Dee Dibal sees fit.)

I understand that birth is a unique process and that some times a plan needs to be altered, I am not afraid of altering my plans, yet I am willing to listen to my body, and allow the natural flow of life to lead me to the most peaceful and comfortable birth possible
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




I labored at home from apx. 6-9 p.m. sitting on the birthing ball and breathing yogic breaths. I fell asleep in my bed around 10 p.m. I awoke around 3 a.m. (I called Ashley then and let her know it was no turning back now) and felt the need to get in the bath, I ran a bath and soaked dozing and resting until apx 5 a.m. I woke to the transition urges of barfing and grunting.
I pounded on the wall of the tub letting my family know I was needing support, as made entered the bathroom I gave her the instructions on who to call. (Ashely, Rebbecca Woods, and midwife)

I then slipped on my nightgown and took some time to get into the van, Wes & Madi loaded the girls into their seats and I stood on the floor in the back of the van, the pain of sitting was too great.

We arrived at the Wood's home around 6:45 a.m. It took allot of control to walk up the 13 steps to get to the master bathroom. The tub was ready for me and I sank into the warmth and immediately felt relief from the intense contractions.

We arrived just 10 min before Ashley and when she came everyone seemed concerned the midwife was not gong to make it, they were worried and discussing what they would do with the cord and how to cut it and care for it. I was deep in concentration but felt irritated that it was such an issue, and tried to let them know it was not going to be a problem. (worse case scenario, you birth the placenta and leave baby attached until you have proper supplies to tie it off)

I needed Wes's support on my lumbar region and he got in the bath (fully clothed) and held the tennis balls against my back. It felt good, but then it was time to push, and I was grunting and moaning.
I felt the urge to get onto my feet, in the tub it was a trick, but when I turned sideways in the bath it was the perfect distance to use my legs to push my self off my bottom.

I had an instinct take over when it was time to push (my first experience with this) and I pushed through a little less than 3 contractions and the chubby monster was born. In the water and into my hands. It was such a euphoric experience, I have never felt so liberated and strong. I had my "Rocky Balboa" feeling High and so happy.

My mom got the first flight out and was able to be with us when Zeke was only a few hours old.

I am so pleased with the support and love I felt, Wes was AMAZING, and he filled every need I had during the birthing process.

Looking for Help with 501 (c) (3)

I am a board member of GIVE MORE FOR CHILDREN.

We are just now getting the federal status for a Non-Profit agency. Our goal is to provide Grants & Scholarships to help strengthen and educate families .

A non-for profit “Dedicated to helping at risk children improve their quality of life through education and improved family relations.

I am looking for a VOLUNTEER to create a web-page.

I could do it (amongst the other 5,000 projects) however It would not look as nice as a professional.

If you know of anyone with this expertise, and are willing to spread the word, I really appreciate it!
Our goal is to have everything up and running by the First of the Year. We have our State status for 501(c)(3) and we are preparing to file immediately for Federal.

Thanks friends!
D.

I belong to THE Church of Jesus Christ!

Of Latter Day Saints

Enjoy this video highlighting what *I* believe!

Late night movie (Twilight)

I know, I am crazy I went to the midnight showing of TWILIGHT.

It was fun, being one of 4 of the "oldies" at the show. I went with Craig & Consie Skembo. (Thanks for inviting me as the 3rd wheel!)

I only have one question, what is with Theaters not allowing a drink of WATER in? DUH, they give it away free, so why do they care if I bring mine in. I think it is so aggravating & stupid. (pardon my vulgarity)

The night was great, but today the after math was I have been on the couch sleeping & resting, nursing a headache and having NO energy to get any thing accomplished!

I am trying to find my profile pic of my belly, Madi took it, and I am having issues organizing my photos and being able to find them on my external drive, so bear with me as I go on & on with posts and no photos!

Thanks everyone.

The Holidays approaching.

I have been very busy while Wes is home this shift, we have gotten allot accomplished, we finished the drywall in 2 more rooms. Only 1 Left!

He is preparing to leave today, but only after another pet funeral.

Last night after we had all been asleep for a while, Abigel screamed a blood- curdling scream (literally, my blood went cold)

We shot up the stairs as she ran down hers, and she said she heard the dogs and her cat, and she witnessed the attack of 2 St. Bernard's on top of her little kitten.

We honestly did not believe her, we thought it was a nightmare, so Wes & I put on our boots and got the flashlights and went searching. I found her. The dogs were proudly sitting atop their conquest. They honestly thought they were going to be rewarded.

So of course we had to console our girls in the middle of the night. tears and frustration.

Today we are preparing our Thanksgiving Dinner, Wes will not be here for the "official" day.
So after a pet funeral, we will start our Celebrations.

When Freedom of Speech is Compromised (Prop 8 continues)

National Update

Friday, November 07, 2008
Visit familyleader.net for more articles, news & issues.
From: Maurine Proctor
Washington, D.C.

Prop 8 Protesters Target the LDS Los Angeles Temple

The LDS Temple in Los Angeles was under siege yesterday by 2,000 protesters angry over the Church's role in passing Proposition 8, forcing the temporary closure of the temple. According to reports, a gay activist called the temple saying they would be protesting outside the temple permanently until there is gay marriage.
Signs were hung from the fence around the temple and protesters screamed in anger, snarled afternoon rush-hour traffic and said, "This isn't going to stop us...If we do this we have a chance." "We're going to fight it until the world changes," protesters claimed.

"Shame on you," chanted the protesters. Outside the temple, grafitti was scrawled on the walls and signs hung, "Go back to Utah," and "Go to hell Mormons." Their signs said, "No on H8."

Protesters promised to go after the Church's tax-exempt status and harass Mormons who had donated to the cause, listed on a website Mormonsfor8.com. The promise was to make the Mormons pay for their role in the passage of Prop 8.

One LDS member in the area said, "I don't quite understand our police response (even though I'm one of the police). If this was happening at a Jewish synagogue or a Catholic church, we would be arresting people for hate crimes. As it is at the moment, protestors are sitting on the walls of the temple and the police are on the grounds inside. Church members in our area were called last night to come down to the stake center and spend the night protecting the building from vandalism -- it's like 150 years ago."

To see a news report on these events click here.

This was the politics of intimidation and harassment, targeting the LDS church, though many other churches had helped in the effort-and a sample of how the homosexual agenda has spread across the nation. It was like San Francisco mayor, Gavin Newsome, said when he illegally started marrying couples in the city before that America was going to have this whether you like it or not.

It will not be about people being able to vote their conscience, or calmly assess the issues and consequences, but about threats and vilification.

Other churches who participated in the effort have not been similarly targeted.

The LDS Church is, of course, in no danger of losing its tax-exempt status. The only donation made to the campaign according to records was $2,078.97, an expense which covered the travel of church leaders who went to California to meet with the coalition. The Church insists that by law it has the right to speak out on moral issues.

Threats from Blogs Target Christians
istockphoto-knape

A Worldnetdaily.com article noted that homosexual blogs have been boiling with threats toward Christians. Burn their [blank] churches to the ground, and then tax the charred timbers," wrote "World O Jeff" on a blog. On another website "Tread" wrote, "I hope the No on 8 people have a long list and long knives." On another website, a contributor wrote, "Can someone in CA please go burn down the Mormon temples there, PLEASE. I mean seriously. DO IT."
On another website "scottinsf" wrote, "Trust me. I've got a big list of names of mormons and catholics that were big supporters of Prop 8. ... As far as mormons and catholics ... I warn them to watch their backs."

Another blog entry: "If you're planning a heterosexual wedding in California ... be prepared for picketers. Designate someone to watch the parking lot ... You're going to have lots of unexpected expenses. Add $500 to your budget for security. ... Be prepared for the flowers not lasting to the reception or the tuxedos showing up two sizes too small or the music at the reception being a way too loud or the cake tasting a little funny," stated another threat. "Be afraid. Be very afraid. We are everywhere."

Thus it continues on and on and Matt Barber, director of cultural affairs for Liberty Counsel called the statements "hate crimes" for their intent to create violence against someone based on their beliefs and called on the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and "other leaders within the homosexual lobby" to call for an end to such threats.

Thus, the true colors of some of those who push this agenda are in clear display. It is a kind of domestic terrorism designed to silence and quell anyone who oppose this agenda as it marches through our nation.

On the same day, this happened, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a statement calling for mutual civility. "No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated or harassed." It is a call to turn the other cheek.

Lawsuits against Prop 8

At least three lawsuits have been or are in the process of being filed protesting the passage of Proposition 8.
Andy Pugno, attorney for the Protect Marriage coalition said, "The lawsuit filed today by the ACLU and Equality California seeking to invalidate the decision of California voters to enshrine traditional marriage in California's constitution is frivolous and regrettable. These same groups filed an identical case with the California Supreme Court months ago, which was summarily dismissed. We will vigorously defend the People's decision to enact Proposition 8 . . .

"It should also be noted that the ACLU recently made this same "constitutional revision" claim in a nearly identical matter in Oregon and it was unanimously rejected."

Family Leader's attorneys agree with this estimation.

My thoughts on this will follow this post shortly.

LDS church statement on PROP 8

While some may choose to be offended, I thought I would share this statement from MY Church;
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


SALT LAKE CITY 5 November 2008 COMMENTARY
Since Proposition 8 was placed on the ballot in June of this year, the citizens of California have considered the arguments for and against same-sex marriage. After extensive debate between those of different persuasions, voters have chosen to amend the California State Constitution to state that marriage should be between a man and a woman. Continued

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The Church teaches of the importance of the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.
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The Church teaches of the importance of the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

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* The Church teaches of the importance of the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

Voters in Arizona and Florida took the same course and amended their constitutions to establish that marriage will continue to be between a man and a woman.

Such an emotionally charged issue concerning the most personal and cherished aspects of life — family, identity, intimacy and equality — stirs fervent and deep feelings.

Most likely, the election results for these constitutional amendments will not mean an end to the debate over same-sex marriage in this country.

We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue will be well informed and act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different position. No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information.

It is important to understand that this issue for the Church has always been about the sacred and divine institution of marriage — a union between a man and a woman.

Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.

Some, however, have mistakenly asserted that churches should not ever be involved in politics when moral issues are involved. In fact, churches and religious organizations are well within their constitutional rights to speak out and be engaged in the many moral and ethical problems facing society. While the Church does not endorse candidates or platforms, it does reserve the right to speak out on important issues.

Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.

Even though the democratic process can be demanding and difficult, Latter-day Saints are profoundly grateful for and respect the ideals of a true democracy.

The Church expresses deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the many Latter-day Saints and others who supported the coalitions in efforts regarding these amendments.

Finally some videos!

I started uploading videos this morning at 7 a.m.

I just now finished the loading, The program crashed over & over today making my progress S L O W !

From Videos 11/3/08 7:28 PM

From Videos 11/3/08 7:28 PM

From Videos 11/3/08 7:28 PM

From Videos 11/3/08 7:28 PM

Our fun times

I have taken photos of two of the major rooms of the house,
I am trying to get pictures of each room so everyone can see the project.
It is exhausting, and I love it!

We have decided on a name for this boy. (If indeed the US was correct and it IS a boy!)

We have never picked a name prior to birth besides Madison's

I am not totally sure on the middle name but the First name is "Elijah" and please do not pronounce it "Elisha" use the strong consonant of "J" thank you very much. ;)

Middle name i like is "Shalem" means in Hebrew, total or completeness, a derivative of SHALOM meaning peace.

I get to go get my hair cut today, and I will post photos of it later. It has been months since I have gotten it really styled. (I think it was last Feb. actually)
I AM NOT chopping it off, enough people have told me how terrible I look with short hair, so It will still be longer. (er) but not just a straight cut, something that I can actually style!

ramble ramble.... any how.

I am wondering about friends, especially friends I have reunited with on Facebook, I know most of you have done the same, found allot of fun connections with people you have not seen in 15 years. It has been fun, but I am curious, what is the reason for someone to accept you as a friend, and then not reply to any questions or comments you leave on their Wall. Why do you think this is? I mean they reply to OTHER's comments, just not mine. I wonder if they are aware of Internet etiquette. I mean when we get an Email from someone (so long s it is not simply a forward) we should reply to let them know we got the letter, and then ideally write them back.... right?

Just curious.

OK to finish school with the kids and then off for a haircut!

A Silly Read For all English Lovers....

1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce .

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present .

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject th e subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in

hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in

England nor were french friends invented in France. Sweetmeats are candies while

sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we

explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square

and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. and why is it that writers

write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural

of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one

moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends

but not one amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of

them, what do you call it? If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a

vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the


English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what

language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send

cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a

fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to

marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns

down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by

going on. English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the

creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why,

when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are

invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?


You lovers of the English language might enjoy this .


There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.' It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?
We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP. We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP ,you may wind up UP with hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP . When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP... When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it up UP, for now my time is UP, so........it is time to shut UP!

Oh . . . one more thing: What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night? U-P

Liberty Stake Trek 2008

Here is Madison all ready to go on her Pioneer Trek,









Here are a bunch of the kids in the parking lot waiting to leave


Sasha & Brian dressed up as "ma & Pa" (Sasha was not quite as smug AFTER hiking the 10 miles as she was rubbing my face in the invitation she got to attend trek!)

I have been tagged

However i have no idea what that means, in all other cases when I read about being Tagged, I just gloss over that small detail and keep reading.

BUT

Jankia was such an angel to take the time during her vacation to help me pack my garage to move, well, I feel like I owe her.

So I will follow suit and write about 5 Quirky things about me, as she did.

1- I have an obsession with the letter "i" the lower case letter, not the capital. It stems from a traumatic Valentines when I was about 6 or 7 years old. Details only to those who TRULY love me!

2- I seek out hard work, I enjoy it, I savor it, and I look forward to dropping dead into bed at the end of a hard working day.

3- I fear wealth, I do not want to be like the rich man getting to heaven, rather than a camel making it through the eye of a needle.

4- I am a Sugar Addict, just because I have eaten so little of it in the past 6 years, does NOT mean I am not addicted, it is just as hard for me to resist as it is for you. (average Joe)

5- I secretly wish I had been a famous country singer and now that my Madi has that same dream I fear for her success as much as her failure!

So now I suppose I tag someone else, but honestly I have no idea who even comes here to read my blundering, incoherent thoughts, so now I say if you have read this just post a "." so I know who is listening to me!

Video of Obama and his great tax incentive to build the American Dream (NOT)

Were BACK!

Not only are we back online, but we have upgraded our life-line to DSL!!!

Ah the pleasures of life, simple and true.

However I am SUPER busy setting the house up!

So later gator!

(PS BIG thanks to :Janika, Sasha, Natalie, Micah, Sandra D.& Teresa, For your help Moving/Packing)

And thanks to Tuiea's, Shoemate's, Jameson's, Will's, Skembo's, The YM, Grove's, For the heavy lifting!

And a BIG Thanks for meals to:
Carrie B., Faye W., DeeDee B., Erin G., Consie S.

What awesome friends I have! SMOOCH!

Sheepishly Wrong.....

I do not have a hard time admitting when I am wrong,


I AM WRONG! we had the Ultrasound today, and it is a BOY!

So scratch that baby name issue, and share with me your favorite BOY names!!!

(Off to pack more boxes, supposed to movie today!)

Temple Site announced!

The Church's news room just announced where the Temple in KC will be!

it is in MY stake! It will be a short 40 min drive!

I can not tell you how thrilled we are as a ward (and Stake) to have this privilege bestowed upon us!


""For the temple serving the greater Kansas City area, the site will be in Clay County, Missouri, on residential land within the Kansas City limits that is already being developed by the Church. The development is known as Shoal Creek. ""

The Name Game

I think this kiddo (in utero) is a Female, so I am going to ask for a list of names for Girls
And I will share some of my favorites!

I want an old-fashion name: a Name with meaning, and one that is classic.

So help me out gang!

1- Clementine
2- Sophia
3- I am coming up blank

Wes's favorite is Eliza.

So post the name suggestions you have.... THANKS!

The Pledge

I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?"

I -- me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge -- dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.
Allegiance -- my love and my devotion.
To the flag -- our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!
United -- that means that we have all come together.
States -- individual communities that have united into 48 great states.
Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
For which it stands, one nation -- one nation, meaning "so blessed by God"
Indivisible -- incapable of being divided.
With liberty -- which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's own life without threats, fear or some sort of retaliation.
And Justice -- the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
For all -- which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country

and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...

UNDER GOD - Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer

and that would be eliminated from schools too?


God Bless America!

Children are an heritage of the Lord....

As I approach the middle of my pregnancy, I really truly am pensive, can I do it agin? Do I have it in me?

Once these adorable creatures are in my arms, of course! I know it is all worth it, but the 40 weeks of misery, can I handle it .... Ever again?




"The Lord did not say to multiply and replenish the earth if it is convenient, or if you are wealthy, or after you have gotten your schooling, or when there is peace on earth, or until you have four children. The Bible says, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: ". . . Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. . ." (Ps. 127:3, 5.) We believe God is glorified by having numerous children and a program of perfection for them. So also will God glorify that husband and wife who have a large posterity and who have tried to raise them up in righteousness."


President Ezra Taft Benson
Conference Report, April 1969, Pg.12

Madi Finally did it!

She recorded a song and is letting me post it or all the world to see!

I am so Proud of her!

Song by Susana Baig....

Susana Lost her father to a drunk driver, this song is written in memory of him.

Please let this load all the way, before watching.

Finally updating photos of the interior of the New House

Families & Adoption

This is dear to my heart, since I can remember I have wanted to adopt a child. or 12 :D

I have been blessed to meet and become friends with some amazing adoptive mothers(parents),
Alana is inspiring, she puts the needs of her boys ahead of herself and is so patient with all of their Island quirks.

Mindy had some from several continents, and her kids are a prefect match to her family, they are so adorable!

Shelli has adopted kids from the foster system and has taken on mountains of headaches just to give these kids an eternal family, she is a Saint!

I have been closely watching Brandon & Amanda waiting patiently, they have been married over 8 years and have wanted children So badly! Amanda crochets baby booties and has made them for every one she knows, and finally this summer she had a baby placed in her arms, baby K. And boy she steals your heart with every glance! I a so happy for them!

Now onto Beth & Brian, they had twins, I think it has been over a year.... they lost their twins, and decided after they had mourned and mended in what ways they could, they too would build their family through adoption, I would like nothing more than to see their family grow! They are such sweet and loving people, who have been through the ringer just to have a sweet bundle in their arms. take the time to look at their faces, and if you have a contact for them, well that would just be awesome!

Happy Birthday Abigel!

Abigel turns 10 on the 16th of Sept.


She is so fun & energetic, she makes us all laugh and keeps us on our toes.

We sure adore and appreciate all the personality she was sent with, it is amazing to me how much 'spit fire' can exist in one petite little girl.

She knows what she believes and she LETS you know it!

I love you Abigel, thanks for your die-hard honesty, your black and white integrity and your faith... it really pulls us through.

We need to VOTE! (us women!)

This is a COPY of an email sent to me



This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago.

Remember, it was not until 1920

that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.


The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed
nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking
for the vote.

(Lucy Burns)
And by the end of the night, they were barely alive.
Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing
went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of
'obstructing sidewalk traffic.'
They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above
her head and left her hanging for the night, bleeding and gasping
for air.

(Dora Lewis)
They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her
head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cell mate,
Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack.
Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging,
beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.

Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917,
when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his
guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because
they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right
to vote.

For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their
food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms.

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242902961537435042" />

(Alice Paul)
When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks
until word was smuggled out to the press.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/suffrage/nwp/pri soners.pdf

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because-
-why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work?
Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?

Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new
movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle
these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling
booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.

All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the
actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote.
Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege.
Sometimes it was inconvenient.

My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history,
saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk
about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought
kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said.
'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use,
my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just
younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The
right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'

HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history,
social studies and government teachers would include the movie in
their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere
else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing,
but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think
a little shock therapy is in order.

It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.


The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know.

We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so
hard for by these very courageous women. Whether you vote democratic, republican or independent party - remember to vote.

History is being made.

My baby boy turns 2!!

I woke him up this morning singing "Happy Birthday"

And the celebration was over, no cake, no gifts, no fanfare, just a song and a kiss.
(Wes thinks 'birthdays' are overrated any way...)

He got to crack the eggs for his breakfast, he thought that was pretty cool, and he picked waffles for breakfast.

His birth was the most empowering event of my life, and he is such a gem.

Here are some photos of his turning 2 Day!

A Beautiful video, enjoy....

Pears & Applesauce

This Tuesday was a busy one, I woke we did school & Devotional and then the kids went to work on their writing projects. I mowed the front lawn, and then prepared bottles for canning. I met with some very energetic ladies who had been canning for 3 weeks! HOLY COW 3 WEEKS! Pears, Peaches, Tomatoes, Spaghetti sauce, salsa, busy busy ladies, I wish I had the produce to be so industrious. But my wonderful garden has not done so well.

Here is a sample of the beautiful pears and the 1/2 gallon jars of Applesauce (since my kids got through a quart at each sitting!)

Madison's new Blog

http://madisonspot.blogspot.com/

Encourage her to write, every day.

Sunday Afternoon

We got home from church today, after a very rough start, and I wanted to document that I had all 5 kids ready and HAPPY to be at church with me!

Here we are on the Porch following services!

Living off Food storage

For the past 4 years we have made diligent efforts to eat and cook from our food storage, this means I store what I eat and I eat what I store.

I have been blessed to find neat resources for our family essentials, in example, I found food grade buckets that hold 75lbs. of Wheat. These buckets stack up to 3 high, but they are hefty, very heavy. I have them filled with: Rolled Oats, Potato pearls, Black beans, Northern beans, Kidney beans, Salt, Hard White Wheat, hard red wheat, Rice white and brown, Dried apples, Refried beans, dried onions,

These are mostly stuff we use on a daily/weekly basis, and it gets rotated rather quickly, then we have canned fruits and vegetables, and dried fruits and vegetables.

then there are the store bought items I store, I try to gauge or calculate how much my family eats in a week/month/year and estimate how much I need to store, I thought that 6 bottles of Maple syrup would be enough for a year (one bottle lasting two months) well I bought the 6 bottles in July and we have already used 3. Oops. I suppose I need to re-figure that one.

We make our bread from scratch, we make our tortillas most days, and of course pizza, rolls, pies, all of our dishes are made or baked with ingredients we store on a regular basis, It has made shopping a rather quick routine, I get the same items, and I get as much as the budget allows. Only occasionally do we have out of the norm items in our cart, special occasions, birthdays & holidays.

I shared a recipe on here a while ago on our bread, and I will have to seek out the bread picture of when Abigel made her first loaf in Alaska.

Train them up....

And they become the indispensable babysitter of the neighbor hood/ward.






Madison has been a HOT item this past 2 months, ever since she has turned 12 she has had to turn down several babysitting jobs, she has been booked most weekends and frequently weekdays too!

We are so proud of her, she is such a hard working, and loving girl, all the kids adore her, including her baby brother & Sisters!

Some photos of the House

Why do we do, what we do?

I have been looked at rather strangely, especially lately, I have 5 adorable children, and one on the way.
I Love being a parent, I would say it is my chosen career path, just as some of you have chosen to become, Doctors, Lawyers, or even Coroners. These jobs are demanding, and time consuming, the training alone has taken years of dedication and you (as the professional) have become very good at what you do. You are accomplished, and you enjoy the hard work and challenge of the day.

Every one enjoys time off, but when we are idle for too long, we crave for the busyness of our career.

This too is how I feel, I enjoy being busy, I love to see my kids create and invent new things, it may be their own fort or hide-away, or maybe it is a nook in their bedroom with books piled high next to their pillows & blankets. It makes me smile to know that they have brains, and they are using them to occupy themselves.

I HATE TV. I enjoy an OCCASIONAL movie, but the idleness and atrophy of my brain and body from watching too much TV (more than 1.5 hrs a day is too much IMO)

Why do I cook the way I do?

In my pantry, I have Whole Wheat, Honey, Grains, nuts and Brown rice. (amongst other items, canned veggies, canned fruit etc...)

I LOVE FOOD. I love to cook and prepare a delicious and occasionally beautiful meal, I enjoy sitting down with my family adding some hot peppers to the dish and eating a meal. Loud and Proud at the dinner table. Sometimes I prepare a meal and eat quietly before I invite others to join me at the table.
Cooking with foods that GOD created are a number one priority for me, I want to offer my body and my family the chance at having a perfectly healthy meal that not only serves our body but tastes delicious as well.

I love to have a clean house, but I prefer to have a learning house, a place where the kids can have their microscope, and books spread out, lying on their tummy's enjoying the day through discovery and intrigue.

Along with this thought, WHY do I have the desire to milk cows, churn butter, card wool and make everything from my own 2 hands.
I did not always desire these skills, as a matter of fact I remember vividly sitting in the "Tiffin Room" in 1999 mocking and laughing at the comment my husband made about the desire HE had to grow and create his own fabric. (grow cotton and raise wool). How CRAZY! Not a chance I laughed.

Yet here I am a decade later, with this same intent, Why would I want this now?

As much as I enjoy cooking a fine meal, and knowing the foods I prepare and consume are entirely my undertaking, I also have the desire for the SKILLS to prepare my own wool,lovingly raising the sheep, shearing the wool,carding, spinning and finally knitting the wool. It is a SKILL I look forward to learning, then if the occasion arrived, I would have the capacity to knit a newborns gown to keep them warm during the Second Great Depression. (if such an event does occur)

I love my family, I had hopes that we would all get together 5 times a year and laugh and talk and bond over good meals. This is not an option, too many issues arise when we meet together and we strain each other through our diversity. I wish we could embrace the differences we have, and enjoy one another uninhibited. but for whatever reason, we are all too stubborn so we get together once a year.

I love my God. he is the master creator, and he is the reason we are all on this Beautiful earth, tested, tried and challenged, to become stronger and endure to the END. I hope to become as loving and forgiving as my Saviour.

I hope that you as my friends that are reading this understand my weirdness, the reasons I do the things I do. I hope you even if you can not embrace my differentness you can at least nod your head in understanding and give me the space I need to grow and develop into the being I desire to become.

My Cousin

Joseph Smith
is your 5th cousin 6 times removed
/ Henry Champion \
Sarah Champion - Siblings - Mary Champion
Rose Bennett - 1st cousins - Aaron Huntley
Abel Willey - 2nd cousins - Hannah Huntley
Abel Willey - 3rd cousins - Solomon Mack
Mercy Willey - 4th cousins - Lucy Mack
William Buckminster... Lindsay - 5th cousins - Joseph Smith
William Buckmunster... Lindsay - Once removed -
Martha Jane Lindsay - Twice removed -
Nettie Bingham - 3 times removed -
Seth Arvid Dodge - 4 times removed -
Randall Eugene Dodge - 5 times removed -
Deanna Gordon - 6 times removed -

Joseph Smith, Jr. was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont to Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. In the spring on 1820, Joseph had the First Vision, where the Father and Son appeared to him and told him to join none of the churches in his area, but that the true Gospel would be restored through him. Joseph then received the Golden Plates and from them translated the Book of Mormon. Following the printing of the Book of Mormon, Joseph organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From there, the Church gained membership as well as persecution, and as they built the Kirtland Temple and dedicated land for other temples, Joseph and the Saints were forced to move from place to place in the Midwest. They finally settled the city of Nauvoo, Illinois and began building another temple to the Lord. Amidst growing persecution in 1844, charges were brought against Smith and he submitted to incarceration in Carthage, the Hancock County seat. Smith's brother, Hyrum, and eight of his associates including John Taylor and Willard Richards, accompanied him to the jail. The Governor of the state, Thomas Ford, had promised protection and a fair trial. All of Smith's associates left the jail, except his brother Hyrum, Richards and Taylor. Those in jail were not held in the 1st floor jail cell because the jailer felt that that was unsafe, instead, they were held in the jailer's room on the 2nd floor. Shortly after 5:00 p.m. on June 27, 1844, a mob of about 200 men stormed the jail, and went to where Smith and his associates were imprisoned, and killed Joseph and his brother Hyrum.

Nauvoo Pageant Fun FUN FUN!

We had SO much fun with Grandma & Grandpa at the Nauvoo Pageant, it was perfect weather, couldn't be better, we had miracles, and wonders, beauty and Memories.

We learned some new things about our ancestry:


Brigham Young
is your 4th cousin 6 times removed
/ Zachariah Maynard \
David Maynard - Siblings - Zachariah Maynard
David Maynard - 1st cousins - Lucy Maynard
Rebecca Maynard - 2nd cousins - Elizabeth Hayden
Mary Wheeler - 3rd cousins - John Young
Melissa Morgan - 4th cousins - Brigham Young
Seth George Dodge - Once removed -
Amasy Mason Lyman Dodge - Twice removed -
Seth Lyman Dodge - 3 times removed -
Seth Arvid Dodge - 4 times removed -
Randall Eugene Dodge - 5 times removed -
Deanna Gordon - 6 times removed -

Brigham Young was born June 1, 1801 to John Young and Abigail Howe in Whitingham, Vermont. He was carpenter and blacksmith. He read the Book of Mormon shortly after its publication in 1830 and was converted to the Church. His first mission was to Canada in 1832. After his first wife died in 1833, he joined the Saints in establishing the community in Kirtland, Ohio. He was ordained an Apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on February 14, 1835. He helped establish the city of Nauvoo, Illinois and served on a number of missions for the Church. He was known for his unwavering faith in the Church and his loyalty to Joseph Smith. After the death of Joseph, Brigham was sustained as President of the Church and led the Saints to Utah's Salt Lake Valley. There he directed the settlement of hundreds of communities and is called the “American Moses”.

Happy Birthday...To baby brother Seth

I am just sorry I don't have any compromising photos to share.. I will have to dig.

My favorite memory of you?

When you would share Rufus with me to use for a pillow. Brotherly Love.

I luv ya Big Guy!

Dee

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES AHEAD!!!

We drove Grandma home Thursday morning, not after having mechanical issues and needing to borrow the neighbors car...

She is off safely and I return home...to rest as I stated in the previous post.

Then at 6:30 p.m. As Madi & Alexis were preparing to babysit for Dakota, An emergency presented itself. Abigel was cut on a piece of glass at the wonderful pond... my blessed pond is tainted, and not safe any more.

The hole was gaping, beyond my scope of home healing. (wink wink) Mind you the
suburban was not running, and I really did not want to borrow a car for a bloody trip to the E.R. So I said a little prayer, popped the hood and went to work, the battery terminal was icky, so I took it off, scraped it clean and re- attached the cable.
Engine fired up on the first try!
and so we packed everyone up and drove to the E.R.
Dinner was just starting when emergency ensued so we had Pizza Hut deliver to the E.R.
What fun memories to share with cousin David!
He was SO MUCH help in the ER, he kept Zeke safe and everyone under control while I stayed with Abigel.

What a bunch of great kids!

pooped out....

This has been Quite the week! On Friday I flew to Texas to help my sister out, all my siblings and parents were together to show our love & Support to Allie, her meds have made her very sick, and We as a family were encouraging her to get off of them.

So friday Early we flew in, met at Dallas Airport (HI Jannika!) and flew into Kileen.
That evening we met with Allie and she agreed with the conclusions and went to the Hospital that night.

We waitied in the Waiting room from 10:30 p.m. until 6:45 a.m. Tom, Allie & I while the kids and boys swam at the hotel.

Sat I caught up on sleep (my precious) and that evening we headed towards Dallas, My parents were kind enough to take everyone to 6 Flags.

On Sunday I went driving looking for the ward house, ˆshould have just called Janika, but I was being stubborn, thought I could do it on my own, with a little help from Mapquest. Hrmpf. NOT mapquest did not direct me accurately towards the building, and so i drove until the alloted time was up for services and returned to the hotel. I read my scriptures and journaled a bit. rested some more and tried to find decent food to eat.

Monday Mom & I with the 2 kids hit the road. we drove to Kansas City, stopped at Costco and on to the house.

Tuesday was another mad dash to the airport where we dropped off the rental car and picked up supplies for my building project. of which someday I will get updated photos of the house on here. (Roll eyes )

Wed. we cleaned the new house and grandma has been kind enough to slave away in the awful humidity painting and staining the cabinets and walls. (Since the label says :WARNING: California State has found the contents to cause Birth defects::

We would hate to have birth defects right? It is aggravating not being able to do the projects I have been looking forward to all this time!

So now tonight I try to make up for it by making a delicious dinner and writing about how AWESOME my mother is!
Thanks Mom,
YOU ROCK!

No energy for a detailed post

so You get the condensed version of my log for the day:
Woke apx. 6:47 a.m. started scripture reading and preparing for the marathon day.
Dressed kids & fed breakfast
Did a load of Laundry
Madi, Zeke & I left for the city, we stopped at Home Depot picked up some paint and faucets for the double vanity (THANKS MICHELLE!!!!)

Had to drive 25 min out of my way to a Credit union who could cash my Alaska USA check, which put me 1.5 hr behind schedule.

Drove to Prairie Village to pick up my new appliances: want to see them? they are AWESOME! as soon as I have the kitchen laid out I will post pics.

Made the mad dash (through traffic galore) home to the kids
emptied out the appliances swept out the house for the contractor
Prepared the house for the final stage of blown in insulation.

Came home and showered off the fiberglass
Came here to shmoooz with you.

I am off to take the Jone's Family Reunion Photo's Neat neat family, 8 kids from all over the U.S. coming to see thier awesome parents (Don & Leigh Jones)
I am privelaged to call them friends and I get to V.T. Leigh

The Golden Rule

He who has the Gold makes the Rules.

Some new friends

I have been having fun (in between major bouts of nausea)
We went to for a date night last week, we had so much fun, chatting with Skembo's our fun neighbors

their wonderful kids who were visiting
Marla & John with
Janika who is missing her other half...

All in all, it has been fun. At the end of this month I get to host my family for Gracie's baptism and then a quick trip to Nauvoo.

Thanks Skembo's for sharing your family with us!

Loving the lake

We have a 1 acre lake on the property we are renting right now.

It is the BEST!

It motivates the kids to get their chores done, and in the heat of the day I get to watch from the window as they gleefully romp and scream in the water.


Right now Rubi is unloading the dishwasher, and Gracie is cleaning the Library, and Abigel has cleaned the bathroom, all in order to go to the lake!

Phew.

I also made 20 pizza pockets , for a later date, and 3 huge Pizzas for dinner tonight. One Pepperoni, One cheesy and One Veggie Lovers all-a Dee style! yummy! I think we should have dinner early! Like 3 p.m. how does that sound...dang it if Wes was home we could get away with that, but since he is slaving away on my new house, taping the sheet rock to perfection, I will have to wait for him.

Tuesday is going to the Tamale day. I think I will go all out, grocery shopping in the A.m. and making Tamales the rest of the day! Yummy I wish I could go shopping for the ingredients before then, durn budget....It will have to wait!

For those observant enough....

Here is a wee bit of an announcement...

We are hoping to be in the new house by Sept. (Praying it will be Zeke's birthday present)

The drywall is going up tomorrow, then when Wes leaves...I get to paint!

This means I have total creative liberty in colors..haa haa! he should not be so brave as to leave this stage to me! I LOVE COLOR!

But then again, I hate to paint, so we will see what happens.

We bought the girls a Horse. I will try to post pictures later. She is a 2 year old mix but very mild & sweet, perfect for the kids.

Enjoy your Sabbath I am off to do more family search names....

I feel so Blessed!

View Larger Map
I was thinking about how far away we live from the Temples and how much gas it takes to commute. It has been a real challenge for me to get to the temple, I wanted to attend the temple once a month, and for the past 4 months I have been able to do this.


I am so grateful I have been able to achieve this goal.

Madison turned 12 on the 17th of June, a special age in our church it is the first opportunity we have to serve in the temple. We extract and search for family members, then we find out of they have been baptized and we do this work vicariously for them, called baptism for the dead. We have found 7 female names and 16 male names in our family line that need to be done. Madi is taking these names with her to the Nauvoo temple in July, following Gracie's baptism.

I am so proud of my children, and the excitement they have to follow our Leaders and do temple work.

How many kids at 12 would choose to spend their birthdays in service? Special kids we have. I am so Blessed.....

Geneology I am doing it....

If any one has any clue on how to find ancestors who were born on 5-28-1858 (John James Barclay) or his spouse born on 11-12-1938 (Elizabeth McCoy)

Thanks for the help!

A great day in OUR neighborhood....

We had a fun night last night, the girls really pitched in and helped me get the trash to the street( our first installment of county trash removal HOORAH!)

after this we had a barbecue, and ate outdoors, then we nestled down and slept on the trampoline. Madi kept Zeke inside, and the remaining gang slept outside, until the thunder began. We crawled inside and had a restless remaining night. We played 'musical beds' and shifted into each others spots several times.

then this morning I was so proud of the younger 3 girls, they got right to work on their laundry assignment and had most of it organized and ready for help when I rolled out of bed at an unusual 9:30 a.m.

We accomplished the following monumental chores:
laundry for the WHOLE house
Cleaned Gracie's bedroom
Put Rubi's new dresser together and filled with her clothes
Cleaned the pig-sty known as Abigel's bedroom
cleaned out the new(ish) buckets for our 1200 pounds of food storage
cleaned including bathroom and sweep, mop, dishes the remaining portions of the house!


And now I am resting, via the internet, I have put out requests (again) for the adoption process, and I am praying that things will go as planned and become a reality by the time the house is completed.
(BTW the siding and roof are almost completed)

I will try to get pix of the house posted soon!

Wes only has 7 days left of his shift! (who loves to work a 30 day shift?? not me!)

In memorium, Shane Isaac Frear, my brother.

My big brother Shane. We share a biological father, whom we both refer to as a donor, not a father. He was not a great father.

However he produced myself,and my Big Brother, Shane. Last August I got to know my half-brother for the first time. I got a phone call whilst milking my cow, from my Aunt Sharon, she described to me the circumstances around Shane's life, he was dying of cancer, and his wish was to have a relationship with me, before he passed on.
I am Honored that he thought enough of me to reach out, and take a chance. We called and wrote each other I made an attempt to meet up with him at Christmas time, however he was recovering from a nasty Flu. We did not meet face to face. This is my regret, I had hoped to hug him one time before our gracious Heavenly Father took him home.

we had allot in common, we both had a desire to 'live off the grid' we both had a bit of adrenaline junkie going on... He was a Smoke Jumper. Exciting job, leaping out of planes to fight wild land fires. I admire him, he fought long and hard to overcome the rare cancer he had. In the end it was not His will. He was ushered out of this world with his Mother, his step-father and a dear friend Erin at his side. I thank them for sharing him with me. I feel a bond to him, we both had to over come major obstacles because of our shared DNA.

I hope he will have the softness of heart to accept the Gospel and enjoy the embrace of Jesus and our Father.
Good bye big brother....
I love you.

The call we all dread...

I got home from a fun afternoon of playing with the kids, I checked my messages and heard this,
"Shane had asked we notify you in the event of his death, your brother has passed away today at 1:15 p.m. I am sorry."

What else can you say?

In memoriam of Shane Isaac Frear, a great man, who fought a LONG and painful fight with Cancer.
Here is to a man who fought wild fires, raised a beautiful Daughter and has a 9 year old son.
Here is to my Big Brother, Shane.

good morning

What a blessing I have! I live in one of the most highly traveled parts of the country, those of you who come to visit the historic sites, and ask me to be a part of that visit, I THANK YOU!

Krystal has just left my home, and I had such a good time seeing her, I think it has been 4 years since we have seen each other, we were glued at the hip from 7th grade until we were married . She is such a trooper. I am in awe at her talents... She is so good with her kids, and patient, and teaches them such amazing skills.

She has BRILLIANT children, they are all apart of the Gifted & Talented program at their school,
They (all 3) are the highest scored students of their respective classes. AND they are gentle, and sweet girls to boot.
thank you, Krystal for sharing this time with me, and for allowing us to bask in your wonderfulness!

Off to do the chores...mowing, chickens, laundry, dishes etc...