Draper Temple

We were able to go to the Draper Temple Open House. All I can say is...WOW! We wanted to have the kids see inside the temple so that they would understand a little more of why Scott and I crave going there. I love that the Church gives us and anyone, LDS or not, to have the chance to go through and be taught about what happens in there and the different rooms and things done in those rooms. I think the power of knowledge helps in understanding, whether or not you believe it yourself. I am an idiot, though, because I didn't take any pictures while we were there. There really wasn't a place to take the picture and you aren't allowed to take any in the temple, out of respect. It is a smaller temple, but as always, incredibly amazing. They took us through the baptistry, the four ordinance rooms and two of them had murals of being in a forest setting, but one of the two serioulsy took our breath away when we walked in the room. I just wanted to stay in there. It made you feel as though you were in the forest and it was so peaceful and you never wanted to leave. Derrek kept asking "someone really painted this by hand?". Yep! There were actually two artists. Anyway, it was amazing and the kids really liked it. Plus, it is always good to get away, even if it is for only a day. They also took us into the Celestial room and a sealing room. They also had a gorgeous brides' room...seriously amazing. It was like you were in a princesses' room. Anyway, if you ever have a chance to go, I would encourage you to do so. Any age...you can take babies, too! They have another temple open house coming in June through August at the Oquirrh (oak-er) Mountain Temple (you could see it from the Draper Temple). I think we are probably going to try and do that one at the Steurer Family reunion, since we will be close by.

And last but not least...I didn't write last week because the story I had to tell wasn't ready to be told...I was still upset about it! Scott and I went to the movie last Saturday and while we were there, I get a text from the boys saying that Alec was lighting a candle and making a torch with the can of Pam...IN THE KITCHEN! Then he decided to go outside to do it...which only means that the flame must have been big and he knew that if we came home to the house being burnt down, he might just be in trouble. I am sure it was fun and cool to see, but seriously I was really upset. I just don't get how he (and the others for that matter) don't think about the possible consequences. I could even see Scott doing it! He was grounded all week and then when we came back from our trip to Salt Lake, he was grounded again because he had a D in his SCIENCE CLASS! Isn't that where they permit things like torches from the Pam can? ARGH! His excuse was that he just didn't turn in the assignments...all 11 of them! Any help on motivating a child that doesn't care about anything? Maybe if I use the incentive of being allowed to do a torch if he gets good grades would entice him...hmmm....that might be a good idea. Anyway, I can sort of laugh now...and as time passes, I will just add it to the pile of stories that a mom collects just from having boys!

Day by day...

Have you ever had a week where you just had to live day by day. You can't even imagine starting to think about the next day because you have so much that needed to get done that day, and then you wake up the next day and realized "oops...I should have looked to see what I have today", but it wouldn't have really mattered because you wouldn't have had time to get it done anyway?!? Well, that is how this last week was for me. It was a day by day situation!

We had a Blue and Gold Dinner for Cub Scouts and Dallen received his Wolf Award (yeah...we wait until the last minute!) and Ashton received his Arrow of Light and Webelos badge. I felt bad because they did a "ceremony" for him, but they didn't present him with anything, like the older boys got. They all got a cool arrow, and he was just basically patted on the back. Oh well. I am just glad he was able to get it and his leaders were very good about helping him do all the requirements. Now he is on to Scouts. I only have one cub scout left. I can't believe it. For all the years I have volunteered in Cub Scouts...it is almost over (well, I still have two years!). Anyway, it was exciting.

All the other stuff this week was the same old stuff. The boys went on a campout on Friday, that they told us about on Thursday night. Calvin didn't want to go because he thought they were going three hours away and in the snow, when really they were going three minutes away to Snow Canyon Park. I am glad it isn't just me that they have selective hearing. So he had himself all worked up about having to go, when really it was going to be a good campout after all. Lessons learned!

Well, I am off to another meeting...budgeting... Yep...we're trying to be good and now we have some people we have to report to. It is nice. Anyway, have a great week...and b.t.w. I hate taking pictures of myself, but I had to show my haircut.

Another Birthday...

We had a fun-filled week. Scott wasn't able to go to his game convention because of the Parade of Homes and the fact that it is our business' biggest week of the year. We usually get a few build jobs from it and anything right now is a blessing! So, he decided that he wanted to have the first annual "SADACAD Game Convention" at home. So, Monday he took off work early and we played game tournaments with the boys, winning cash prizes and adding a little something if they were able to beat me or Scott. Alec and Calvin got the bonus. Anyway, it was REALLY fun and it was much needed. I am pretty sure this is the start of a new tradition.

We had Dallen's birthday this week. He turned 9 years old. It is weird to see him as the tail end of kids and how it just seems to be going fast. People used to tell me all the time that I should just enjoy them when they are little because it will go by fast. Now I am starting to see their point. On Monday, most of the family in town was nice enough to come over and celebrate both Dallen and Ashton's birthdays. Then on Thursday, it was Dallen's actual birth day, so he wanted to go to "Pirate Island Pizza" for his birthday. I think we have gone there every week for the past month. Anyway, it is like a Peter Piper (pizza and archade), but it also is totally decked out like the Pirate ride at Disneyland. It's a fun and different place. The boys and Scott and I gave all our archade tickets to Dallen and he ended up with 2,750 tickets! It was fun. He bought a lava lamp. He also got a leopard gecko for his present (cage and everything), and then with the money he got for his birthday, he bought another gecko so that the other one wouldn't be lonely. He carries them around everywhere. We have to keep telling him that they need their heat lamp and they need to be in their cage for the most part. Anyway, above are some pictures of his day. Scott decorated his cake because I had to go somewhere and it has just been crazy trying to squeeze in working at the Parade of Homes because it is 3 hours out of our day that is already packed!

On Wednesday, Calvin and the other Young Men at church, made their parents a steak dinner and served us to say thank you for helping with all their scout stuff. I am not sure I have really helped, but I do make sure that they go to all the weekly stuff. Anyway, it was good and then it was funny because as soon as the parents were fed, the boys CLEANED HOUSE with all the rest of the food. I am sure Calvin ate the same as what Scott and I had together! It was fun, though.

One last thing that happened this week is that I chopped my hair to a bob, just above my shoulders. My friend cuts hair and I had wanted it the week before, but usually when I am in that mood, it passes and I am okay with my hair again. Well, this time it went on for a week and I had told her that I almost called her, so she texted me and asked if I still wanted it cut because she had some time this week. I realized I still wanted it cut and so I went for it. Scott had no idea and to my surprise was a little sad, but he is okay with it now...what could he do? I love it, though, because I finally have a cut that I can wear my hair curly (I have tons of natural curl, if you didn't know), and I don't feel like a frizz ball. Maybe I'll take pics. I hate taking pics of myself, but I might get brave!