We made it!

We made it through the first week of school. Here are pictures of them. We have three different shifts in the morning because we have three different schools. Calvin was first, then Derrek and Alec went, and then Dallen and Ashton. The anticipation was almost too much for Ashton. We got to the school, and the first bell rang, and he froze knowing he needed to get to class, but didn't know what class he was in. I saw panic in his face. I told him it would be just fine because it was the first day. So, we found what classroom he was in and he wanted me to take Dallen first. They are literally on opposite ends of the school! So, Dallen saw some old friends and was happy to be back. We went to Ashton's class and right as he got to the door...he froze and crocodile tears were streaming down his face. His teacher bounded out the door and said, "Are you in my class?". I said, "yes, but we need a minute". I am not sure this was a good way to start, but it happened, non-the-less. After about 15 minutes, trying to get over being embarrassed and scared at the same time, I gently pushed him into his class. It was horrible. I just wanted to take him home and say we would try again tomorrow, but I knew it wouldn't do either one of us any good. He made it through the rest of the day just fine. The others did too. There were some new rules at Calvin, Derrek and Alec's schools that bothered the kids, but other than that, they are glad to be back. There is one rule that floors me, for Calvin's school. They have two stairwells for students to go upstairs. This year, they have changed it so that one of the stairwells are only for those going downstairs and the other is for those only going upstairs. So, if you had your last class by the stairs that goes only downstairs, and your next class is on the same side of the school, just up stairs, then you have to go all the way to the other end of the school, go up the stairs, and then go to the other end of the school to get to your class. They have a new principal, so I think she is trying out new ideas. I don't know why...the old ones were working just fine. Derrek doesn't get to go off campus this year for lunches and he is upset about that. Next year he can. Derrek LOVES seminary and looks forward to it every day. All of his friends do too, which is great.

The only other thing that happened this week is that Scott's mom has been in the hospital, and they have ruled everything else out except Cancer...they just have to find where it is. We are praying very hard for her in our little corner. We love her tons and even though we can't be there physically, Scott can still give her a phone call and ask when she wants to be taken out behind the barn (the loving son that he is!).

This video attached is actually to show you the creative outlet for the week...so not to spoil it, read over there and watch over here.

School is in the air...

I am pretty sure I have a couple of kids that are going to die before school starts. Not from me! What kind of mother do you think I am! The anxiety that they are feeling from starting school is enough to kill them. I went and bought wood and stuff for Alec to make a dog house. The poor boy needs something productive to keep his mind off school. We got their schedules on Wednesday and I about died...Derrek and Alec have the same math class. The poor teacher. Let's just say that they feed off one another, and I just pray that the teacher will survive this year! Derrek goes to seminary and he is excited because he has our bishop as his teacher. I really think this is a blessing for Derrek. It's not easy to go to seminary, but our bishop has a way with kids and he gets the boys to listen to him at church, and I am sure that will carry over to the seminary. Calvin starts football Tuesday. He has been wearing his gear around. It is pretty funny, but I told him I wouldn't post any pictures...yet! Ashton got the one teacher that I haven't heard anything good about, so we'll see how this goes. She is really mean (so people say), but the way people parent now days, I could see how being stern is translated into being mean. Dallen...well, let's just hope that he won't run away from this teacher!

These pictures are what the boys work on when they are bored. Alec doesn't want to spend money on tech deck ramps, so he decided to make his own "park". And these are Lego creations that Derrek and Alec did. Alec's is the "fatter" ship and Derrek's is the other one. They are both great at creating.

Derrek got back from Timberline this week. All day, yesterday, he just kept thanking us for sending him. They are starting meetings for their Scout Jamboree in 2010. They get to see historical and church sites while they are there. It is definitely an opportunity we couldn't pass up. All but Dallen get to go. We'll have to plan something special for Dallen. The boys will be gone for 3 weeks!

I just signed up to do teacher appreciation this next school year for the PTA. I am pretty sure that I am not sure what I have gotten myself into. Let's just say, that it is a big deal considering my budget is $2,100.00 for the year! I didn't even know the PTA had that much money! So, any ideas on birthday gifts or appreciation gifts, let me know. Any input is welcomed.

I went and saw Saturday's Warrior and The White Star. They were celebrating the fact that it has been 35 years since Saturday's Warrior was first done. They have written a continuing story called The White Star, and the music is by Janic Kapp Perry (one of my favorites), and written by Doug Stewart, who wrote Saturday's Warrior. It was pretty good. I am probably the wrong person to give any critique because I am not a huge fan of theatre. But, it was well done and the acting was decent. If you loved Saturday's Warrior, then you will love The White Star. I just was never a huge fan of Saturday's Warrior. I know that is blasphamy...but, it's true.

The Joys of Camping!

First of all...these pictures are of Derrek learning to drive Grandpa's boat, and pull a skier (Calvin). Derrek was so excited and I guess this is a little better than letting him out on the road...not much longer!

We went on a Ward Campout Friday through Saturday. It was a cool 100 degrees (it was 110F in St. George) where we went. We were having fun and someone came up to me and said that the "flies were following Dallen around". So, I went and checked him and somehow he had gotten poop on the outside, back of his shorts. He couldn't stay like that the whole time, we had just gotten there. We only live 30 minutes from where we were camping, so Scott took him back and got him all cleaned up. Then, we only put up a tent for me and Scott and let the boys sleep out on the grass, under the stars. After dinner, we played games and such and talked with everyone there. One of the moms came up and said "just so you moms know, the bathroom on the otherside is clean and there are flushable wipes in there." She said, "I just shut the door on the other one because there is poop all over the toilet and there is poop on the ground in the other bathroom, and I draw the line on what I clean." So, we were grateful to her that she was willing to clean the other one.

Around 3:00 a.m., Scott and I woke up and I thought the sprinklers had gone on (we were on a grassy patch). No...it was raining! We didn't have our rain tarp on, because, well...when does it rain in St. George? It didn't last too long, so we were drifting off to sleep again and ....yep...it started raining again. Mind you, my kids are out in the open! So, I told them to gather their things and go sleep in the van. Dallen was in with me and Scott and the other four went into the van. It died down and then had one more little spurt for the rest of the evening. We were very tired. The coyotes were howling, the dog in the neighborhood was howling, babies were howling, rain was falling, Scott and I were snoring...it was noisy. The funny thing is that we has some of our deaf brothers and sisters come up and I was wishing I was deaf really bad!

We all woke up the next morning, not too early...7:30 am, and it all of a sudden hit me that the reason Dallen had poop on his shorts was because he was the reason that the other toilet was condemned! I rolled over and asked Dallen if he was the one that made the poo mess in the bathroom and he said, "yes". Then I told him that I needed his help to clean it up. I walked in the bathroom and the toilet is full of poopy toilet paper (not much new in dealing with kids), but in the corner by the trash can was a nice big pile of poop...did I mention big! I asked him if that was from him and he said "I came in here to go poop and the toilet was like this and I didn't want to go in there and I didn't know we could use the other bathroom because I thought it was just for girls and so I just went over there." So, luckily there was a hose in the bathroom and a drain. I made him take the pile and put it in the dumpster, and then he hosed down the rest. There was no plunger, so we cleaned off what we could for the toilet and just closed the door. I hope someone isn't too mad about that whole thing. If they had known what they could have walked into...I am sure they would have appreciated what we had done. ARGH...kids!

Then we get home and go to leave again, and the keys are locked in the car...both sets. So, we waited for the locksmith. $50 later...we are going again. We went to pick up our dog and he had run away the night before. Poor Kent...I would have been really worried if Angel had escaped. But, I didn't think Shep would go too far. After about an hour we still couldn't find him. We were pressed for time, and I finally said a prayer to have some help. So, I had this thought to go back to Kent's house, and I got out and started walking toward the tamaracks. All of a sudden I heard some jingling behind me. I turned around and there was Shep running full speed. He was definitely happy to see me. We got him home. He won't be doing any escaping for the next few days because he managed to burn his paws from the hot asphalt and if a dog has tippy toes, well, that is what he is walking on. It looks pretty funny.

We also celebrated my Grandma Steurer-Nyquist's 80th birthday. I really love that my children are able to know so many of their great-grandparents. We also picked up Calvin's football equipment, so that excitement is in the air. Derrek heads off to Timberline tomorrow. He is nervous, but I know he will have a great time. Anyway, until next week...