Just a few more days...

We are so excited!!! Just a few more days and we get to see Derrek!!! We miss him.

As a follow up to the boys' grades...we took the Xbox away, as I said last week and Calvin was getting a new game on Tuesday. Well, I talked to his teacher on Monday. I was able to hear her side of the "cheating" story. She said that she doesn't know what he was doing, but it did look like he was cheating. He was flipping through the pages at the time she saw him. She said that there were others who were watching him and she felt that she was put in a position where she had to stick to her guns so that all rules were obeyed by all. She couldn't dismiss it because if another child did the same thing, she would have to dismiss him, too? So, anyway...we understood she was basically backed into a corner, and we understand what she had to do. Seriously, I could never be a teacher. So, she said that Calvin would still be able to make up his grade and gave him a plan to do so. I came home with that info and Calvin was missing 4 assignments (that still didn't count, but our rule is that if you handed in everything and did your best, we don't care what the grade is. If you're not handing in everything, then we can't help if you don't help yourself). Calvin had to do those assignments to get to play the Xbox and then each day we would see if they had their assignments done. Calvin got all four done Monday night (AMAZING!!!). He got to play the Xbox the next day with his new game...all is well with him :)

I talked with Alec's teacher on the down low...Alec doesn't know I talked to his teacher because I wanted to know if I needed to push Alec to go talk to his teacher or a counselor to transfer out of the class. His teacher was great and Alec ended up being brave and talking to his teacher. Alec came home and said "he's a great pep-talker". I thought that was funny. So, together, Alec and his teacher came up with a plan and Alec is amazingly understanding his homework and actually anxious to see how he does on this next test.

Dallen is still Dallen. Until he decides that he wants to do this for himself, then we are looking at low grades. I am really glad grades don't count during 6th and 7th grade!

Derrek had Sadies Dance yesterday, with a girl at his school. I think her name is Megan. I haven't been able to talk to him today. I was visiting teaching when he called :(.

I had a girl at church ask me today if Alec had been asked to the Winter Formal. I said "no" and then she later came up again and asked when she could come ask him to the dance. I'm excited that she wanted to go with him.

Calvin applied to MANY jobs this week and a kid at school, who works at the Wendy's by our house, told him that he got the job by going in and talking to the manager after he applied on-line. So, it was crazy on Friday...I had to get Dallen and Ashton off to scout campouts (it was crazy because they were both going to the same place, but with their individual leaders...one at 4 and the other at 4:30...in two different meeting places!). So, after the younger two were off to their campouts, I took Calvin over to Wendy's and it just so happened that the General Manager, who would be doing the hiring, was there and Calvin talked to him. He came out almost skipping. The good thing, too, is that Calvin just had his haircut the day before and so he looked presentable (in my mind). Calvin has been "waiting by the phone" and just wants this so bad. So, who knows...keep him in your prayers. He just really wants a job. Alec, too. He's been applying, but is still too shy to go talk to people. Scott might start doing the night calls and if he does, he is going to ask Bunker to see if they would hire Alec to do them with him. Scott asked Alec if he would do that with him and Alec said "so, I'd be picking up dead people...I'm not sure I'm okay with that". But, I think he would do fine. We'll see...it's still in the works, but I think it would be a great backdoor into the working society for Alec. He just isn't able to do it normally :).

Well, other than that, things are good. The last two weeks were really interesting, financially. Just when I thought I had learned all I could about dealing with finances, I learned another lesson, but it wasn't learned until there was only 29 cents in our account for 7 days! I don't say this for people to send us money...please...it has been a good experience. Scott and I had both realized that even though we have skinnied things down, that we weren't really thinking about money when we did get it. When we would get it, we would just spend it again. This last week, though, we were more aware of gas we used, drinks at the QT, necessities verses wants and realized that there were a lot of things that were wants. We found that we were willing to sacrifice things that we wanted to do (like me driving up to see Scott's sisters or Calvin and Alec wanting me to pick them up from school) so that we could make things last a little longer. I don't think we have ever really had to do that exercise to this extent. It was a great learning tool for us as well as the kids. They, too, have really learned the value of a dollar and I am grateful that we have been able to talk to them about the struggles, but that they see we keep going and that blessings do come.

I just was amazed that I could learn more. Anyway, it is all good and we are continually being blessed and our eyes opened to becoming better people. I love it (most days! There are days I kick and scream and don't want this trial...but after calming down, I see the blessings!).

Life as we know it :)

I am glad this week is over. It seemed to be very stressful and long! We took away the Xbox due to bad grades and I am sure part of it is the kids, but I almost feel that their previous education at Snow Canyon was weak in preparation for coming to this school. They are highly academic, which is great, but it has been a huge awakening for Calvin and Alec and this school does not mess around. At Snow Canyon, they could do assignments from the beginning of school and still get partial credit. Here, it is like college...if it's not in, too bad! Well, Alec and Calvin both have math classes that are killing them. Actually, Calvin's teacher accused him of cheating and took his test and tore it up in front of him. He claims that he can't do anything right in her class and so I have a meeting with her tomorrow (I hate confrontations!). Anyway, until we hash this out, there is really no hope for his grade. If it doesn't go well, I will be heading to the counselor's office and change him out. We'll see, though. It definitely is a two-way street. I don't think that Calvin cheated. He has such a guilty conscience, but then again, he kept the "M" rated games from me for a few weeks (until I found them). So, who knows.


Alec, I feel, realized that he would have to work hard in this class and then bombed the first test (after he felt he put forth effort) and then Alec tends to just give up because "why bother if you can't do it good" kind of attitude. So, lately (because the Xbox is gone) he has been doing his homework and being a little more responsible. He doesn't know this, but I talked to his teacher and he agreed that Alec is struggling and he said "this is a really hard class". So, he said that he would talk to Alec about it tomorrow after he sees how Alec did on the most recent test. So, we'll see if he needs to transfer to a lower math (Alegbra 2) and relearn what he should have learned in St. George and go from there. Thank goodness we came into the school where we were actually ahead on credits. This way, there isn't the threat of summer school or anything like that. Alec was actually going to have to find stuff next year to fill his schedule, but maybe if he fails the class, he can get rid of the "F" next year when he takes it again. Anyway, it is all new and confusing!!! But, they want their Xbox back (they weren't playing it tons...it was just something to get them motivated!). They also have been looking for jobs. We told them one of the criteria to getting it back is to come up with a goal of how many applications they would turn in each week. It's hard because they both need to apply to places and both have no experience. Also, around here, you have to be 18 for a lot of the jobs because that is the age you are allowed to sell alcohol...we didn't have alcohol in the stores in Utah like they do here. So, this week they are headed down by the mall to Toys R Us and other places like that. I just want them to try. I know it will happen...heck, I still don't have a job, but I'm still trying. It's just time to start working on it. Alec is really afraid to do this. I think he has a huge fear of rejection, so I'm hoping that this exercise helps him realize that it's okay to have people say "no". Anyway...


Scott has been working a ton...you know what that means...many people are dying! It's actually their busiest time of year...I think all the snowbirds come back and holidays and such just is too much for people :). Anyway, my weekends are pretty much alone with the kids. He worked all day Friday...13 hours and then again on Saturday for 7 hours. Then we went to help Scott's sister, Kathie, finish her cabinets because she is getting countertops tomorrow. Very exciting! It looks great, but we were there until midnight! It was a long exhausting day for all of us. School is still going great, and he found out that he will be graduating as a member of the Honor's Society...with honors! Seriously amazing considering his struggle with school when we were first married was a nightmare (six different tries and many student loans!). I knew he had/has it in him!
Today we had our Primary program at church. I am the Primary music chorister (love it!) and so it was a lot of work getting the kids ready for this program. I was really wound up because I had had an idea with one of the songs and wanted it to work out so bad because I knew it would touch a lot of people. The song was "We'll Bring the World His Truth" or aka "Army of Helaman". My idea was to have the primary kids sing the first verse:

"We have been born as Nephi of old, to goodly parents who love the Lord. We have been taught and we understand that we must do as the Lord commands. (chorus) We are as the Army of Helaman, we have been taught in our youth. And we will be the Lord's missionaries to bring the World His truth".
Then this is my idea...to have the Young Men/Women of the ward (ages 12-18) do a flash mob type thing where they stand in their spot and sing the second verse with the primary (their parents and adults had no idea that they were going to do it...just the leaders knew!). I wanted to do this because of the words...

"We have been saved for these Latter-days to build the Kingdom in righteous ways. We hear the words our Prophet declares "Let each who's worthy go forth and share" (chorus) We are as the Army of Helaman..."
Then to have them sit down and the whole congregation sing the last verse with the primary...

"We have been taught and we understand. Increase our knowledge through study and prayer. Daily we'll learn until we are called to share the gospel to all the world (chorus) We are as the Army of Helaman...

Then the Primary kids sang the end part "To Bring the World His Truth".


It was amazing! The Spirit had most of us in tears. I just felt that the words were so fitting for each group. Anyway, it was my favorite song (maybe because it worked!). The youth were awesome and I am grateful to Calvin, Alec, and Ashton who stood up and did it even though they were afraid that they would be the only ones. They weren't, but the other kids were kind of waiting for direction and when my boys stood, the rest did. I am grateful to them. They love me :). This is also Dallen's last primary program. He will be graduating from primary in February! I can't believe I won't have any more kids in Primary! This next conference is going to be awesome...Priesthood session is for me to do whatever :) Not, that I haven't enjoyed having time with just Dallen...I have...it's just one of those milestones I have joked about enjoying for so long.

Derrek is doing good. His foot still hurts and is cramping his style, but it's just one of those things. He just told me today that he got accepted to Southern Utah University in Cedar City. He is applying to University of Utah and also BYU. We are SUPER excited to see him next week.(this is how he and Alec will always be to me!...so cute!). I told him to tell me what meals he misses and I'll make them for him while he's here...it's a good thing I can cook...my boys will always come home for that!

Ashton and Dallen are doing good, for the most part. They are both trying to figure out school as well. Dallen's teacher is good, but I can't figure her out. She called me on Thursday (I got 3 phone calls that day from teachers about 3 different kids!). She asked me if there are things going on at home that she should know about. I was thinking in my head "only that we are living off $4 for the next week...but nothing major"! She said she thought he was depressed and that he doesn't focus on his work and is disruptive and on and on. He actually just butts heads with people when he thinks what they are asking him to do is stupid...he does it to me and his dad!!! Anyway, it's something to work on...there is something about 6th grade that I hate...this is my last year!!! Ashton is making friends and doing good. This year he has worked really hard at getting things turned in and being more responsible. This is my child who loves to avoid work and in the past would cry for hours on having to do one problem. So, it's been GREAT! I'm happy for him that it is easier and he has realized that just doing it makes life easier.

Well, I didn't mean for this to be so long...but, it is my journal (I like writing it here because then I tend to be more positive if I know people are going to read it...there are definitely things that I can mention that are negative and a "downer", but why focus on that!). I hope you're not saying "this was positive? I'd hate to see what was negative!". Like I said...it's been a rough week, but the kids are all doing great, trying always to do a little better and working hard at finding the good out of the bad. They are amazing.

Fall Fun...

It has FINALLY gotten cooler here. It is really nice, and you almost forget how hot it has been...almost! We have really enjoyed the cooler weather. It makes us want to be outside more.
Well, lots has gone on...so where to start...

DERREK

We'll start with Derrek! He has had some fun times these last few weeks. First of all, he fractured his foot playing football in PE class at school. He has to wear a boot for like six weeks or so for it to heal. It hasn't been fun.
He also had his Senior Pictures taken (by my dad...his grandpa...Thanks, dad!). Here they are...he's so handsome (and silly!).

Then, thanks to Facebook, I saw that he went to the Yellowcard concert with Hayley (she bought him a ticket for his birthday).

And, then...again, thanks to Facebook, I saw that he went to Pineview High's Sadie's with Lexi Schofeld (sp?). They are a little item, according to Derrek. Here are pics I got from that...I haven't talked to him yet today, so all I have is the pics. I need to find out what all the pictures mean. Anyway, it looks like they had fun.

I think that is about all for Derrek! We get to see him in a few weeks and we are all really excited. He still hasn't seen where we have moved to, or met any people that we have met. Our ward keeps asking us when they are going to get to meet him! We love our ward. They are great.

Scott is doing great with school. He has been recommened for a scholarship by his teachers because he has a 4.0!!!! About another month and then he is done with this semester and then he just has one more. I seriously can't believe how all this is working out. I can't say it has been to our doing, either. There have been amazing miracles this whole time. There are days, however, that I would be more than happy for this trial to ease up! It's mostly financially...it's definitely in the Lord's hands. We are doing all we can and He has been watching out for us. It's all good.

Alec, Calvin, and Ashton have been doing a dodgeball tournament with the Stake down here. I personally can't believe that they have the Deacons in with these older boys! Those poor Deacons are just targets! Alec said there is one team that is all Teachers and Priests (14-18) and they have no mercy. Ahhh...I love teen age boys! Anyway, they have been having fun with that. They are freaking out, though, because their Priest/High Adventure group is planning a backpacking/hiking trip to the Grand Canyon. It will be four days and they are going rim to rim and back. It is a grouling hike and Alec and Calvin are freaking out. So, we have taken the Xbox away (their grades have been slipping), and hopefully they will want to get out a little more. Scott and I have talked about doing family hikes like we used to, in order to help them prepare for this.

We had a fun Halloween. It is really strange having older kids. Our neighborhood got together with a pot luck. It was fun and there were a lot of people. The problem with being in a new ward is that we were struggling to know people's names/faces and then they put a costume on, and it all goes out the window! It was fun, though. After, we let Dallen and Ashton case the neighborhood and Alec and Calvin went to hang out over at the Hooper's house to give out candy and play Xbox. Scott and I went home and handed out candy and watch a movie...no kids. It was weird. Here is a couple pictures of Ashton (Michael Jackson) and Dallen (something scary) and I had to show Ashton categorizing his loot...

I was able to go to Time Out For Women with Heidi, Kathie, Rebecca, and Rachel (she joined us on Saturday), and we even saw Tiffany, who is married to Scott's cousin, Jim. We were too late to get tickets for Friday's presentations, but it was Heidi's birthday, and so we decided to go ahead and get a hotel and have a girls' night and then do TOFW the next day. We went and had mexican food (my favorite) and then we all forgot our pajamas, and so we went to Ross/Target to find some. It was fun. The next day was great and full of uplifting speakers and the theme this year was "Become who you are meant to become". For me, it is something that I have really been working on this past year. Most of the speakers, to me, just validated that I have been doing things right and that this journey is beautiful, and it has been for me. It's been hard, but I love who I am because of my journey. I have learned my strengths and try not to focus on my weaknesses, only to improve myself. Anyway, lots of great talks and music. We got pictures with Hilary Weeks, one of our favorites, and then I wanted a picture with Shawni and Linda Eyre because Dallen's best friend in St. George is their nephew/grandson (Ashton Loosli). Anyway, it was fun. Then I ran into someone that was in my ward when we lived in Laveen. We were only there for 4 months and I kept looking at her and wondering how I knew her. Then, at the end, I had to ask. It was fun catching up with her. She has 5 girls! I told her I was glad someone was able to take on the "girl" side of things, while I cover the "boy" side.

I think that is all for now...whew! I am sure I missing something else, but this is long enough!