Where does time go?

This is a picture I found of Calvin with Grandma Bowler at Christmas when he was just barely one years old, so it would have been 1996. I find it really strange that it has really been since October that I have blogged...I am generally pretty good and keeping up with it. Where does time go? Well, we are in the thick of the holiday season, getting gifts for others, making cards, treats, etc. We love this time of year. We love the music, the cold weather, the lights all around, and we love the feelings that we get this time of year. We always say we will try to have this same spirit all year, but for some reason it doesn't seem to last like I would want it to. I guess that is something I could work on!

We went to Phoenix for Thanksgiving and it was good to see everyone again. Scott was soooo nice because I was really freaking out about possibly gaining more weight because the past two times I have been down there I have gained 7 pounds collectively and I have worked so hard this past year and a half and I didn't want it to be another hurdle. So he exercised with me every morning and then helped me to remember to control myself because he knew I needed that. So, we made it back and I achieved my goal of not gaining anything. So, I considered it a very good vacation! I think my favorite part was our traditional shopping on Black Friday and then the girls getting together and having breakfast at IHOP or somewhere like that. I just love that we are all friends and really love each other.

We are all doing good. The kids are trying to finish getting things in before the quarter ends. I am proud of them because they really check their own grades and push themselves to get things done they know they need to.

We went this last week to the Temple Visitor's Center where they have the Reflections of Christ photography on display. There was one of the manger scene that I really liked. We all reflected on our love for Christ. We had our Ward Christmas party and Scott, being Bishop and all, had some teen-age girls singing "Santa Baby" to him and kissed him on the cheek a couple of times during the song. He was dying from embarrassment. It was funny, to me, though, because several people asked me if I was mad about it. I was laughing.

Something else that was funny, this last week, was that Scott asked me to print off a new family picture for his frame at work (which currently has a "horizontal" picture in it) and he asked if the pictures my dad took were horizontal. And I said, "well, the best one is vertical, but that shouldn't matter, we can still use your same frame". He could not picture how I could put a "vertical" picture in his "horizontal" frame. He was almost arguing with me and basically saying that I was wrong. So, we were at my parent's and I was working on the pictures to send to Wal-mart and he comes in and says, with a "horizontal" frame in hand and a "just prove to me" attitude, "show me how I could possibly use this frame with a vertical picture" and he throws it in front of me standing "horizonally". Without saying a word, I just turned it "vertical" and it still stood and then went on with what I was doing. It was so funny. He grabbed the frame and just walked away and didn't say anything. Now he says, after I say I did something stupid, "well, at least you knew how to turn the picture frame". It was definitely a classic moment.

So, I found something I would love to have, and thought I should pass it on...

http://www.perpetualkid.com/to-do-tatto.aspx

I am always writing stuff on my hands to remember what I need to do...I just figured this was for me :).

Well, hopefully you are enjoying yourselves. Oh, I forgot to say...no gingerbread house this year. But Scott said that everyone that entered this year stepped it up a notch from what was brought last year! He feels he contributed that way...they were able to raise a little more money, anyway.

Calvin Turned 14!!!

We are so proud of our Calvin!

Finally! Calvin turned 14! He is as tall as Derrek and Alec and acts like he should be able to do any and all things that they get to do, but it's hard to remember that he is two and one year younger than they are. It doesn't help that he has been able to sneak into church activities for the 14-16 year old (because according to him, they do "cooler" activities). So, he is finally 14 and he was made a Teacher, officially, today. It made him very happy.

Other things that happened...

Lauren moved out this week. We definitely wish her well. Scott and I can truly say we have learned a lot from this experience and hopefully we have been able to help her. It just takes people a long time to figure out what they truly want in their life and her choices were starting to effect our family, and I know the Lord was/is helping both us, and Lauren, and we are grateful for that.

Alec was suspended this week for doing something at school that he knows he shouldn't have done. Keep him in your prayers. Especially because he has to go back to school tomorrow and face his peers and they have been able to talk and gossip about him all week and so that is what he gets to walk back into :(...I hate middle school! He is struggling emotionally with life and he is a very inward child (even though he doesn't seem like it!) and I just pray that he will be able to know who he really is and not beat himself up for things that happen. Needless to say, it's been an interesting week! I am REALLY grateful to all the family members that we have talked to that have helped rally around him and help him. None of us can do this parenting thing on our own!

Derrek is looking for a job. It's not going so well. He almost had a job at McDonalds, but it fell through, and to be honest, I am almost glad. Nothing against McDonalds...I just think he would have had a hard time working under the person that he would have been working under. This has definitely been a faith building experience and he has had to learn how to rely on the Lord like he has never had to before.

Again we go...moving on into another week!

One thing certain...things always change

The Bowler Family Nov. 2008

We just got back from Phoenix this last week. Scott's mom passed away after battling Mesothelioma (sp?), cancer that was in her lungs from asbestos exposure from who knows when. It's been a surreal experience, but an amazing one. We have definitely felt the peace of knowing that we will see her again. She will be missed, though. We have seen the "tender mercies" of the Lord through this whole experience, even until the end. We were able to hug her one more time and sit with her and I think I cried more than I have in a long time. We all knew it was time, but it is still hard to let go. I think she even struggled with letting go. I KNOW that she loves all of us (over 50 of us...kids, spouses, and grandkids). She hugged us with all her might. I didn't know she had that much strength in her and I was further down the line in hugs! She was/is an amazing woman. Scott and I thought about how influential one woman was on so many people (in just her family). Sometimes I didn't know why she would put up with all that she did, but I realized this last week that it was because she truly tried to live like Christ. She gave everything she had to that worthy goal. Just imagine what we could do and the influence we have on others...she truly left some big shoes to fill! We'll truly miss her.


I am truly starting to like having another driver in the house. It ALMOST makes up for my struggles with being in the front seat while he practiced driving this last year. Friday we went to my mom's because my sister and family was here from Germany and I needed to see her! But, Scott and I wanted to go on a date, so Derrek drove the boys home in one car and Scott and I left in the other car on our date. One less thing I had to do! Then yesterday he took my list and money to Wal-Mart and went shopping for me. I think this will be the best way to stay in budget because he won't stray from the list like I do when I go to Wal-mart! It's been fun, except for him constantly asking "can I go...", "hey mom, can I take the car...". So far it's been good, though.



Well, on to another week!