Girls just wanna have fun

Since our little girl is now becoming a little lady she decided a "girls night out" would be the best idea. So she just had two of her best girlfriends spend the night. I have not had that much fun in the longest time. Mason was at gymnastics from 4pm-10pm, so we decided to go to Classic Skating. I tried to give them their space and just sit in the corner and watch. It brought me back to the days when I would go to "Golden Skate" with my friends in Jr. High. The boys went gaga and all the girls snowballed with the goofy boys. They made Jocie stand in the middle of the rink and sing happy birthday to her with a spot light on her. She was a trooper. When we got home we got Mason and Uncle Shane and moved all of the furniture. Since the girls are all in a dance competition coming up soon they all did their dances. We made up dances and had such a fun time. We ate anything we could dip into our chocolate fountain and acted like silly kids.

Girls just wanna have fun ( and Mason, but he fell asleep LOL! Long day at the gym for him)

We love Uncle Shane. He has great dance moves.

McKennah you go girl! She was off to snowball with a cute boy.

mom tried to cook bad idea!

When I was a kid my mom made cracked wheat cereal all the time. We loved it. It was healthy and warm. We would put brown sugar and milk on it and eat it for days. So I thought that my family would love a good healthy breakfast. I called my mom and asked her how to make it in the crock pot. So all night I cook this stuff. I wake up and have a delicious bowl. Then the troops wake up. I don't think I have ever made something that made us all laugh so hard. They took the first bite and I think the expressions on their faces say enough.

Jocie actually finished the whole bowl. Mason saw it and BOLTED as fast as lightning to school. He wouldn't touch it with a ten foot poll.

I personally love this stuff. I did it just like my mom did and I think it is great. I guess they can just eat cheerios.

Going to miss these kids!

Alex.... super smart ! Aways willing to help, and smiles at you when you need it.

Even though we are finishing the basement there was still lots of fun down there. Gage and Riley in the championship :)

Tanner and Kyler. Goofballs but really fun kids.

Sorry I don't have pictures of you all. You are special kids. Be nice to your new teachers.

Well I guess it was time, but I wish it was longer. Sterling and I have been teaching ( well Sterling teaches and I take the roll) Sunday school at church. We have had these kids since they were 12 and 13. Now some of them are married and leaving for missions. I have grown very attached to their special personalities. I loved that hour we got to spend with them. You get to know their parents and really establish a trust. One Sunday Alex made us the cutest plate of brownies. She saw Mason on the trampoline and handed them over. She wrote that we were the best teachers ever. That little note meant so much I kept it in my journal. I have seen the smallest of testimonies grow into very strong members of the church. I love when they randomly knock on our door and want to chat or need a sandwich. When they said that they were releasing us I couldn't even go back in the room. I had to go to the car and cry. Not only are they the best group of kids ever, I love the hour I get to listen to Sterling teach. He is such a spiritually Strong person. I have learned so much in these years. Thanks kids! You mean so much to Sterling and I. You are like our extra 30 kids. I'll make you homemade brownies anytime you want them.

Happy Birthday Jocie

Today Jocie turned 11. She is the most beautiful, wonderful, friendly, happiest, kind spiritual girl in our lives. She brings joy to our home and a beautiful spirit. We look at her and see beautiful talents, and a special heart. She has so much potential. She loves to dance and being active and busy. We are proud to call Jocie our daughter. She is growing up so fast. The time is flying by. I still remember the look on Sterling's face when he held her for the first time. We knew our lives were changed forever. She has brought us so much joy and happiness we could not imagine our world without her.
J - Joyful
O - optimistic
C - Caring
E - energetic
L - Loving and full of laughter
Y - Yes, to do good, yes to be a friend, yes to serve
N - Nice and fun

Things that make moms CRAZY!!!

While yes, I do realize children are children and messes do occur, I am kind of a clean freak. I feel like when things are not clean and orderly around me I go nuts. So I completely broke down the other day and started to take pictures. WOW!!! This is a job for Super Nanny. Where is she when I am sitting in the office trying to get some work done. Where is Nanny Jo to cook the meals and wipe down all of the sticky hand prints. Now we are talking 2 kids. Only 2. Great kids don't get me wrong, but do not like to clean. It is partially my fault because I do not go into the basement where they sleep. At least not very often. It takes me all day to clean up the dang dog hair upstairs, let a lone make it down stairs. So I just have to laugh at this point. It is winter. All of us feel cooped up, and the ones of us who have an outdoor dog are really feeling it. It is like a blanket of white hair covers everything. Plus it is tax time. So if you see me I will probably be in gym clothes and a ponytail. That seems to be my mental sanity time. LOL!!!

The gift that keeps on giving from Zoie the dog all winter long! She really loves to sneak into to beds while we are sleeping. I just love the laundry mat. So many exciting things to do while you wait for 3 hours washing oversized bedding.

"Oh yah mom I totally put that away"

Jocie

Jocie's cover is having some trouble. I don't know why random pictures of me and Sterling keep appearing. Oh well. It is a work in progress.

Mason

Mason is such a fun kid. Just making scrap book covers.

Our life always expresses the result of our dominent thoughts - Soren Kierkegaard

We need to be aware of what we think - for as we think, we are. Our minds are like extremely powerful magnets pulling the reality of our lives into place. Whatever the dominant thoughts may be, they in effect create the quality of our day-by-day living.If we allow our thoughts to be consumed with the fearful, negative, and defeatist ghost of the past, then we have decided what our present shall be since our thoughts determine our reality.

Attitude

IS

EVERYTHING...

Be Happy

New Hair

I know people love long hair, but I have had it long enough. It was time for some change. It probably would have been a good idea if I told Sterling I was cutting it. I told him it was a trim. Yeah.... like an 18 inch trim. OOPS! He likes it. I think he was just a little shocked. I always do crazy hair things. I am a gypsy at heart.