Whew...this week is over!

As you can see...we had a couple of birthdays this week. Thanks goodness they are on the same day! Scott and Alec had their birthdays. Scott turned 37 and Alec is now 14. We tried to make it special. We started the day out by opening presents. The kids bought Scott a present..."UGLY PILLS". They thought it was the funniest thing in the world. They spent their own money on it and wrapped it up for him. They were almost jumping out of their skin to give it to him. On the side of the bottle, it gives directions and part of it said, "two words...PAPER BAG". Alec got three pairs of shorts and two shirts. He didn't think I could pick things out for him, but I didn't do too bad. Sunwest took Scott to lunch (that he was late to), and Alec got extra money for his school lunch. We went to Jumpin' Jacks, where they have all these bounce houses set up in a warehouse and you pay money to go play on them all. The kids love it. I actually fell asleep on Scott's shoulder for about a half an hour. We came back to the house and had some cheesecake and sherbert ice cream. This week is Derrek's birthday. He's a little excited.

This week was also my first PTA "assignment" for the teachers. It was S. E. P. week (basically parent/teacher conferences and the kids are out early) and it is also the end of the month and so I had to do birthdays. My job was basically to "spoil" the teachers. They needed snacks or food or something like that so they could take it to their room and have it there to eat in between the parents coming. I couldn't pick just one snack, so I loaded up a basket full of different snacks (granola bars, fruit leather, ritz bits, etc.). I just set it on the table each day and would go and pick up the empty basket the next morning to be re-filled. Thank goodness for Costco. It worked out. Then on Thursday, I took in a cake (from Costco, of course), and eleven goody bags full of a "movie night" (popcorn, Hollywood Video gift card, and candy) and handed those out to those who had a birthday this last month. Then an hour and a half later, when I went to take the basket of goodies in for the SEP's, the cake was GONE! I couldn't believe it. Anyway, I made it through and don't have S. E. P.'s until November.

Saturday rounded out this week nicely. The three older boys went with their Scout group and hiked the Narrows in Zions National Park. They had a blast. I went to work at the temple, and came home to Scott mopping the kitchen floor. He and Dallen and Ashton cleaned the whole house except the older three kids' bedrooms and the two bathrooms. What a treat! All I had to worry about was laundry, so I grabbed the book "Twilight" (because I have been told I must read it), and started it. I had about three or four hours to just sit and read. It was great. Those moments are rare for me. It's a good book and easy to read. I am pretty sure I am like the last person to read it. Oh well...

Wow...how fast things change!

This is the only picture of Ruth I could find on this newer computer. She is with Kathie (and her husband/kids) and Jennie, Scott's sisters at their favorite place...Disneyland! I have found myself in much reflection over the past week, since we have found out that Scott's mom has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer. I find myself happy and sad at the same time. I am sad, for the obvious, that Ruth has to go through this and the chances of her returning to our Heavenly Father are great. But, I find happiness in the thought that she gets to go. I guess it was a good thing that I saw "Saturday's Warrior", no matter how cheesy it seems, it still has truth in it and hope. It also reminds me that the Lord watches over us and allows us to always be connected with our families. It has been interesting to see that even though we are sad by the news, there are constant "tender mercies" that the Lord gives to us. The kids and Scott and I have been in awe that we could feel peace in times of sorrow. Our frustrations of "not mom!" have changed to understanding and peace. We are excited that we get to go to Disneyland in September with her (a tender mercy). I know that there is a bigger picture here and even though I do not understand it at times, it always works out for the best. This has pretty much consumed our week. Scott is in Phoenix this weekend with his siblings and parents. What a great experience and memory. I heard a talk yesterday about wasting our time, and how we don't know when we will leave this earth, but that we have about 72 hours per week to put our time to work so that we can return to our Heavenly Father. I have reflected on what I have been doing and found that there is always room for improvement and thank goodness I have time!

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.