Way to go, IDAHO

The past few weeks have been kind of crazy.  Scott's boss tore his ACL and had surgery and so Scott has pretty much been doing it all.  Jason tries to do as much as he can (take phone calls and such), but there really hasn't been much that he could do, especially when he's doped up on pain meds (he would start saying funny things!).  A couple weeks ago, it was literally one of the busiest weeks I have ever seen Scott have.  I thought he was going to collapse!  There were a total of 11 new cases in one week, and that's ALOT!  We even had to pull Alec out of school one of the days because it was the day that I was leaving to go to Idaho to be with Jenette and they needed someone to run down to Tuscon to the Medical Examiner's office...Alec took 3 people down.  It was just a crazy week.  I left for Idaho and Scott and the boys were SO wonderful in letting me go help Jenette and love and kiss on baby Jane and Hanna.  I don't know what went on at home while I was gone, but I figure I don't really need to know :).  Actually, Scott said they did really well and stepped up to the plate and did all their laundry for the week and made dinner and did all their jobs without any complaint.  On Friday, when I came home, it was like they all collapsed and were ready for me to be back.  I was making freezer meals for a pregnant mother in our ward and Scott's first question was "are you going somewhere?!?"...almost in a panic!  It's nice to know I am needed around here :)

I drove down to Mesa to fly out of the airport there.  I got there 2 hours early, which I am glad because I stood in line to check my bag (small airport...no sidewalk check-in) for about an hour and 15 minutes.  It was nice that I didn't have to wrestle any kids and I was admiring all the mothers in line with their small kids and their patience with the situation.  The lady in front of me had a dog she was taking on board and that was a fun conversation.  It was a great flight and landed in Idaho Falls.  As I was picking up my bag, and I look over and saw Craig and Hanna to meet me.  It was a great surprise.  Hanna even let me hold her!  It was the start to a great week.  It was Jenette's first time out of the house in two weeks because she was just hurting so much from her c-section.  She kept asking me how mine felt, but I honestly can't remember.  I wish I could and maybe this is where journal writing would come in handy, but when I write things in private, I become a little more negative, and I don't like to go back and read that or have anyone read the negative, so here we are with no recollection of my c-sections.  

Craig spoiled me with Jimmy John's at least 3 times, and even had it right before I left.  He was even great and would start dinner before I could even think about it.  He is so caring and truly loves all his girls and does SO much for them.  I don't feel I did much, but was just on hand to do the little things like laundry, lifting Hanna, watching the girls so Jenette can sleep, and cleaned the house (I told her it gave her at least another month until she had to think about it!).  Hanna learned how to go up and down the stairs all by herself and was SO cute to watch her slide down the stairs.  By the end of the week, she was having fun with the added freedom of being able to be upstairs and come down when she wanted.  Here are a few pictures of me and Hanna playing with the box of stuff I made for her.  Some of it we didn't get to play with because she REALLY liked the eggs.  

Scott was so funny, though, and there was a day (Monday, maybe), I was talking to him and the kids on the phone and there was a knock at the door.  I opened it and there was a guy there with a vase of flowers.  He said, "Amy?" and I said, "yes", and he said "Bowler?" and I said, "yes?!?" and he said, "these are for you".  I was laughing because I was in Idaho getting flowers.  I opened the card and it was from Scott and it said "Happy Valentine's Day".  I just totally started laughing and he got to hear it all on the phone.  It was perfect timing, especially since he didn't know when they were going to be delivered.  I was great to look at them and smell them all week while I was there.

I felt bad leaving, but I had to get back to my family.  I was missing them a lot and Jenette was getting more capable even if she didn't feel that way.  I know her legs were hurting and she found out that the fluid retention she had was from the Tylenol with codine and so, hopefully she's doing better in that sense.  It's still going to be an adjustment to having another child.  It's just what we mothers have to go through and there is literally nothing anyone can do to make it better.  She's got great girls, though, and so I am sure that will help!

Other things that have been going on...

The boys have been enjoying going "spot-lighting".  I am not sure how Alec found out about it, but I just made sure he remembered what happened when he was shooting in an area that he shouldn't have been, so we'll see if he responds to that!  Anyway, basically, they shine a spot-light out on a field and it blinds the rabbits and they shoot the rabbits.  Alec was amazed at how good of a shooter Dallen is.

The boys have also been getting into golfing.  Alec just bought some clubs (Calvin paid for some of it too), and they go quite often.  We have even found Calvin skipping school a couple of times to go with his friend and his friend's dad.  It's great that they have found something they enjoy.  Dallen has been horseback riding quite a bit lately.  Most of the time he is on the back with one of his friends, but he doesn't care.  He just likes to go.  He is always calling them to see if he could go riding.  I told him that he needs to save his money and just buy a horse.  He has been working for a guy in our ward and earns about $50 a week and I am sure by the end of summer, he could have enough for a horse...of course, we would have to think about feeding it and all that comes with it (saddle, bridle, etc.), but we have lots of friends to help us with all that information.  I have a friend in the ward who is amazing with animals.  She is an older version of Dallen to me.  Anyway, she called me the other day and told me that I need to start building my chicken coop because if I don't get my chicks by the middle of April, I'll be out of luck.  She's always looking out for me.  Anyway, she offered to let Dallen ride her horses and so we told her that when she is home and feeling up to it, we would love to come over and do that.  She also is about to start training one and I am wondering if she would teach Dallen how to do it.  Anyway, she's amazing.  Dallen even set things up so that he and Ashton could take some horses out by themselves.  He's addicted!  

Dallen has a great group of friends here, and most of them are in our ward, which is even better!  But, they have been (about 2 times a month) going around town after school and they pick a place to eat and then they just walk around.  Two weeks ago, they went and ate at El Cupido's (one of our favorite little spots) and then hours later he called me and they had ended up at the restaurant, "Celebrations", where a lot of people from our ward work.

Dallen (on far right) with his friends, Calvin Stepp and Kaden Ramage washing dishes at "Celebrations"

 He told me that they were helping to wash the dishes.  Katie Larson works there (one of the girls from the family we did the 12 days of Christmas to), and she took this picture of them for me.  She was loving that they were there doing HER job!  I don't blame her.  I love small towns and the things you get to do (like that).  Dallen is definitely making a lot of memories here.

We just had Spring Break this last week.  Alec and Calvin went to St. George and said they had fun.  I know they went bowling and golfing and shopping, but I am not sure what else they did.  They don't tell me much!  Ashton, I am pretty sure, hung out in his pj's the whole week.  He loved not having to get ready to go anywhere.  He did have a party with friends to go to and ended up being the only friend to show up (and it was a girl throwing the party), so she and Ashton had a nerf war with her brothers and Ashton ate dinner with her family and said he got "grilled like he was being questioned by the CIA".  I met her mom and realized that we had attended a scripture study class together.  That was calming because you always wonder who your kids hang out with.  Anyway, despite the party going to putts for the girl, Ashton had fun :).  Dallen lived at the neighbor's house all week and I work there, too, so I saw him probably more over there than I would have if I didn't work!  He was helping them prepare their yard for a new (pregnant) horse they are buying.  He is just as excited as the family is for the new horse and her colt.  He has also been going on snake hunts with their boys and has caught a total of 6 garter snakes.  I guess it's that season :).  I guess that's why we keep all the extra empty tanks.

Everyone is back home, safe and sound.  Alec is still trying to decide when to put in his papers.  They are literally on the Stake President's desk, he's had all his interviews, and just needs to give the Stake President the green light to turn them in.  I know it is a big decision, but I also know that he knows it's what he wants to do, I am not sure why the wait.  But, that's between Alec and the Lord...not me.

We are having a quiet Easter dinner today and I always try to do something fun for holidays.  It's different when the kids are older.  No more Easter Egg hunts (in a way, that's ok!), and we really don't dye the eggs and all that.  I wanted to do baskets, but my kids throw away half the candy I buy, so I decided to go this route this year...(thanks to Pinterest!)

I decided to make the "basket" out of candy and then fill it with the things they like (caramel Cadburry eggs and sour patch eggs).  I think it was more fun for me than for them to eat them, but that's usually how it is.  I thought it was a good idea :).  

Scott and I have been really trying to get to know people in our ward and area and so we have been going out with different couples and have had families over for FHE.  Went out with Bishop Hardy and his wife Sandy (on their 33rd Anniversary!) and had a great time with them.  I really like Bishop.  He has really taken to the boys and helps our family in any way he can think.  He goes above and beyond, that is for sure!  We went out with the Hamiltons.  All their kids are grown and their youngest daughter just got her mission call to Equador.  I am not sure when she leaves.  The sisters that are going out are amazing and definitely want to be there.  Hopefully Alec will get to that point, too :).  We had the Parry's over for FHE and made chocolate suckers to send to the missionaries (mostly Derrek).  We played Ninja Attack and had a fun time.  Ira (the dad) is currently helping to remodel the temple and has a great love for the outdoors and my boys LOVE his stories.  This last week he told of a story about he and his kids were out looking for scorpions with a black light while camping at Roosevelt Lake and thought it was really cool when one would come into their light.  Then he noticed something moving by his foot and jumped back because he couldn't see it in the black light, so he turned on his head lamp and saw that it was a King Snake (poisonous) and had been studying about coming closer to Christ and told us at church today that he realized that studying the scriptures and praying and doing all those "little" things is like having our head-lamps on so that we could see the whole picture of our surroundings and be more aware of the dangers lurking around, but if we are just half-heartedly doing these things, it's like looking around with the black light and only the dangers that show up (like the scorpions) are the only ones that we will see and we will be blindsided by the dangers that we don't see (King snake).  I thought it was a great teaching and this is why my boys love him!  The majority of the people in our ward are like them and we just really love learning from them.  

This next weekend is General Conference.  I have decided to put together a challenge for my little family.  I sent it to Derrek and Lexi, but wanted my kids to truly prepare themselves for Conference, so we are going to have them write down questions they have and throughout the week at Scripture study, we are going to have them study the subject that they have questions about and then pray about the things they are reading and for those giving the talks on General Conference weekend.  I know, from experience, that when there are certain questions you need to know, the Lord answers them, and Conference is one of the avenues He does that for us.  I love Conference and the lessons the Lord wants me to learn next and the guidance that I receive on my path.  It is such a blessing and I just want my kids to know how they can go about doing it for themselves.  I am also hoping that Calvin will take the challenge and search the questions he has for the Lord and to find out for himself if these things are true.  It's really hard to watch as your child decides that something that is so dear to you is not for him.  Anyway, we just keep doing what we do and love Calvin no matter what.  I just know he could have a lot more peace in his life, but that is for him to find out.  I also want Alec, Ashton and Dallen to know they can have their prayers answered and that the Lord truly is there for them.  Anyway, we'll see how it goes.  

Scott's boss is back to work and yesterday was the first Saturday Scott has not had to work in over 2 1/2 months.  We are grateful Jason is healing quickly and he is so grateful to be back to work.  He really loves what he does and it's been hard for him to be down.  

Derrek is doing really well.  He is still in Columbus and celebrated his 6-month mark with burning of a tie.  He can't believe he has made it and was just sure he would have quit by now, but he sees the blessings and keeps going, knowing it is making him a better person.  It's exciting to see him grow and become a great young man.  Every parent's dream :).  

March already?!?

It's amazing how much quicker the days go by when you are busy!  I think that's the best part of having this new job.  I am busy and not sitting around all the time.  Anyway, we have had a fun couple of weeks and I beat Scott to the computer today, so I could blog!  First of all, we'll start with Valentine's Day.

I love Valentine's day.  Scott HATES it.  He always tells me "I don't like a day where I am FORCED to tell you "I love you".  I should be telling you every day".  Although that may be true and I greatly appreciate it, I still secretly wish for a little something.  So, instead, I show those I love a little more that day...and with all boys, that usually equals doing something with food :).  Here is what I made for their lunches...

Side note...Scott just told me I didn't need to capitalize that he hates Valentines Day...he said he likes it the way he does it.  Whatever!  Anyway, then for dinner we made heart pizza, I decorated with pink and red and gave them goodie bags of treats.  It was fun for me, anyway.  I forgot to take a picture of dinner...oh well.

The next day, Alec and Dallen left for St. George for Lexi (Schofield)'s mission farewell.  Alec really wanted to be there to support her and Scott and I couldn't go.  Calvin didn't want to go, so Dallen said he wanted to.  They visited family and friends and had a good time.  

  Then a few days later, it was Dallen's birthday.  His birthday was on Tuesday and he wanted to go spend time with his cousin, Jeremy, who has his birthday a few days later.  Alec needed his wisdom teeth out for his mission papers and the soonest the doctor could get us in was the day after Dallen's birthday, so instead of doing anything on Dallen's birthday, we "postponed" it.  I had planned a dinner and cake/ice cream on Tuesday, but a huge snow storm was coming over night and I knew that if we didn't leave that night, I would have a hard time getting to the valley on time for Alec's appointment.  So, instead of lasagna and ice cream cake we left Scott, Ashton, and Calvin at home to fend for themselves and we packed up and left early.  So, here are the pictures of his "birthday dinner" and his "ice cream cake"...

 First we went to Sonic for his birthday dinner.  I had to get pictures of Alec because he was acting like I was taking him to the slaughter house!

THEN...an hour and a half later...

 We had Dallen's cake/ice cream from Dairy Queen.  Again...Alec still could not find any joy in the situation. Dallen and I were having a good time, though!

 Alec was practicing for the way home and figured a good way to "set up camp".  He was funny about the whole thing.  It's like pregnancy...when you tell people that you are pregnant, everyone comes and tells you their "stories" and the worst things that could happen, and so was the same with wisdom teeth.  Alec was just sure he was going to die.

The next day, we played around and went to In & Out Burger for their birthday lunch (again...forgot to take a picture!).  Alec didn't come in because he wasn't allowed to eat anything and he didn't want to be tortured by the smell of hamburgers...I don't blame him.  Then it was time for me to take Alec and while Alec was getting his surgery, Heidi took Jeremy and Dallen to "Airtime" trampoline/play place.  It took an hour for the surgery and here is a picture of Alec as I was picking him up...

He almost doesn't look any different than from the day before!  He wanted me to record him, but he wasn't saying anything and I didn't want to wait for him to!  We got him back to Heidi's and we were planning on heading back that night, but that storm that came in, snowed all day in the mountains and I wasn't sure I wanted to go back.  We were going to stay the night, but for some reason, I felt I just needed to go...so, after talking with Scott, there was a window of opportunity to leave, but the window was about 3 hours and it would take me that long to get back home.  So, again...it was "rush, rush, rush" to get our things gather, packed, and on our way.  Alec, as he was getting in the car, said "I seriously don't remember the last 3 hours".   Emily told him that he was cursing a little and almost flipped her off and Alec just laughed because he remembers kind of waking up and looking at her and holding his hand up and then chuckled when he realized what he was about to do...and Emily was just sitting there watching TV!  It was interesting trying to find things for him to eat on the way home.  We got him a Jamba Juice right after surgery, but he couldn't suck through a straw and his mouth was super numb and he was getting it EVERYWHERE.  I think Heidi took a picture.  I will have to ask her.  Then on the way home, we got some Krispy Kremes because I thought "well, he can squish them and slide them down".  They were good :).  Then about an hour and a half later, I remembered that mashed potatoes and gravy were my favorite thing when I got my tonsils out, and so we found a KFC and found some chicken that he could chew on and the mac and cheese and mashed potatoes.  We drove off and not a half hour later he was saying he was STARVING, and for a teenage boy, you might as well have killed him!  I gave him medicine and knocked him out instead :).  The snow was coming down pretty hard by then and it was dark and I was just praying that the roads would not be icy because this was the stretch of road that would be the worse, if it was going to be bad.  As we were traveling up the canyon rim, I literally could not see in front of me.  So, out loud (I talk out loud when I drive), I said a little prayer, not realizing Dallen was watching and listening.  All of a sudden, I could see.  The snow still came down as hard, but for some reason, I could see.  I didn't say anything, and then Dallen said, "did it just get clearer?"  and I said, "yes, Heavenly Father answered my prayer".  It was a cool little moment and then I told Dallen that I knew we would get home safely and everything would be ok...and it was.  The roads were actually not bad at all and I was really glad I listened to my thoughts and I feel it was from my loving Heavenly Father.  Dallen soon fell asleep and that was his birthday.  At first he was upset that we couldn't have stayed longer, but I didn't plan the storm and sometimes we just have to be flexible.  

Alec is doing a lot better and we are glad it was taken care of.  He just submitted his papers on Saturday and today the Bishop sent them over to the Stake President, so we should get a package in a couple weeks letting us know where Alec is going on his mission.  He was hesitant to put them in before his surgery.  He said that when he came back from St. George, he wasn't sure he wanted to put them in.  Scott and I, both, told him that it was his choice and we would support him in whatever decision he made.  Then, Saturday, he asked me if he could use the computer and then a little while later I saw that he was submitting his papers!  I swear, that child never tells me anything!  So, I guess he's going :)

Derrek is doing much better on his mission and we sent him a couple boxes of food because he and his companion haven't figured out that you can't spend it all in the first couple days.  It's more Derrek's comp that does that and then Derrek ends up using his money to support them both, and there just isn't that much to go around!  So, I sent him a recipe book and ideas of things he could make.  Derrek was always the child that got someone else to do it for him and so this should be an interesting challenge for him.  I know he knows how...

Everything else is going and keeps going.  We have a neighbor that gave us her "garden" and it is all ready to plant in...well, we have to do the rows and such, but as far as prepping the land, it is all done, so I am excited to grow stuff and give it a try.  I am the child that always got out of gardening and didn't like to do it, so this should be interesting :).  

Oh, and Jenette had her baby, Jane Isabella, 9 lbs. 14 oz. 

 She had her on the 20th...the day that Alec had his wisdom teeth out.  I am going this week to help her (she had a c-section).  It should be fun.  I made a box of fun stuff to do with Hanna and to leave with Jenette for those times when she just needs Hanna to play by herself or to use for Church...

Most of it were things I found on Pinterest and almost "trash to treasure", but they were things I know my kids would have had fun playing with when they were Hanna's age, so, we'll see.  It was more fun for me to make it, probably!

Lexi left this week for her mission.  She went in on Wednesday.  I hope she is doing well.  I am sure she is.  She "Dear Johned" Derrek already, basically telling him that she doesn't want to worry about what is going to happen in a couple years and she just wants to focus on her mission and learn more about herself.  I think it's great.  I think she is wonderful and if it works out for the two of them, GREAT!  But, if not, there is a lucky guy out there, for sure!   

a month already?!?

I just saw that I haven't posted for a month...well, I'll have to do a quick (if I can!) recap of this last month...

I think one of my favorite things that the boys have been doing is Alec helping Dallen and Ashton make boomerangs.  Scott and I came home from somewhere and as we were pulling into the garage, there is Alec helping Dallen and Ashton cut out boomerang patterns, sanding them down and testing them out.  Now, that's one of his ideas I can get behind :).  Alec always has ideas...most of them are fun and entertaining, but there are some not thought through very well :).  Anyway, they tried a whole bunch of different versions and finally got one to work (with a little bit of wind in the air).  It was fun to watch them bond over it and especially have them out doing something creative.  Then the next week or so, Dallen brought home a science project that his teacher showed him and he was SUPER excited to try it at home...and the best part was, that I actually had all the supplies needed!  They made little "hot-air balloons", or the lanterns you see on "Tangled".  They made all different sizes.  Now, if I had a camera, I would be able to take pictures for you, but I sent that off to Derrek and I have the one that doesn't work well...bummer!  But, basically you take two straws and criss-cross them and tape aluminum foil in the center.  Then you make the "wick" out of paper towel and wax (my Scentsy holder was broken as a result, but I guess that was to be expected with excited boys and and experiment in progress).  After the wick is hardened, tape it to the aluminum foil and then tape the straws to a trash bag.  Then light it and the heat will make it float.

They experimented with little, big, and in-between sizes.  I quickly taught them how to scrape wax off of the counter and they learned quickly what worked and didn't work as far as size of flame and size of bag.  It was fun to watch and again, it was great to have them out of their rooms, bonding, and having a great time together.  It was worth the Scentsy holder taking a beating...plus, they used up all the wax that I didn't like!

Ashton had his 15th birthday.  He wanted an iPod touch, so he has been saving, diligently, for it for the past four months or so.  He saved Christmas, earned merit badges (mom, I'll email you later!), every allowance penny he earned, and did odd jobs as often as I had them available, selling his PSP and every thing he could do to earn a buck.  He will be getting it this week...it's been shipped!  This is a REALLY hard thing for me to let him have in the house.  But, Scott seems to think he is ready for it and I guess worse thing is that it will become mine :).  He's super excited, though, and I have told him many times how impressed I am at his ability to save and to turn down things that he really wanted, but then he would pause to think about how hard it would be for him to earn that money back and then the thing didn't seem so appealing.  If anything, this has been a great lesson for him in dealing with money.  He was working on the Personal Management Merit badge during all this (that's why he had allowance) and keeping track and having to plan for a big purchase was all part of it, so it was perfect timing, in that sense.  Here are some pictures of his birthday.

  I had to go to Tuscon for the Mortuary on his birthday and I usually take them out to lunch for their birthday, so we had opted for dinner here.  We started naming off the restaurants for him to choose from and there are 8 (or more) Mexican restaurants that we know of, a couple burger joints, and then the typical McDonalds, Arby's, Subway, Taco Bell, Little Caesars...SO DEPRESSING!  So, I told Ashton he could come with me to Tuscon and we could go to lunch for his birthday while we had to wait...so that's what he did.  We drove 4 hours down, played at the mall, ate at California Pizza Kitchen (I can't believe of all the choices, that's what he picked!), and then drove 4 hours back.  Alec and Calvin were a huge help because they went to the store and got everything ready for me to come back and make dinner...Navajo Tacos.  It was a fun day hanging out with Ashton and he seemed to enjoy it too, because when the day was over, he hugged me (rare) and said, "Thanks for a really good birthday, mom".  It is definitely one he'll never forget...it was his first time with a deceased person in the car...ahhh, the life of a funeral director's family!

This last week, a friend in our ward, took some Senior Pictures for us for Alec.  She got a new camera for Christmas and her daughter has been teaching her photography classes (she goes down to the valley for her daughter's class) and she posted pictures on Facebook of things she was taking pictures of and said that she was "playing with her new camera", so I asked her if she wanted to "play" some more and take some pictures for us.  She was excited to have a person because she loves taking pictures of her grandkids and wanted to practice what she has been learning from her daughter.  So, here are a few of my favorite that she took...

He's so handsome!  Such a young man, too!  It was a fun moment in time and we were so grateful that she was willing to do that for us because I didn't have the $190 to pay for an 8x10!!!  Ridiculous, if you ask me! I could buy a camera for that much!!!

I got a part-time job for my neighbor doing bookkeeping and entering and filing and all that.  It is the perfect job and I am so grateful and again, knew that if I had patience and trusted in the Lord, the timing would be best for all...so I get to make my own hours, I can still do runs for the mortuary, I literally walk two doors down, and I can wear whatever I want!  Tamra and I went to the temple a couple of weeks ago and I was having a bad morning and when she asked me to go, I knew that is where I wanted to be, so I was really glad she called.  On the way home, she asked if I worked and asked if I missed being in the construction business and all that and I told her that I didn't miss the stress, but I really loved what I did in St. George and then she said "do you want a job?" and I said, "are you serious?" and she said that she really needed help because she doesn't have time to be the person she wants to be for her family and she needs help but because of the last person they hired (embezzled $150,000!), she has been a control freak and it is now tearing everything apart.  I told her my reasons of why I haven't gotten a job (because my kids and family come first and I haven't found anything that will allow me to just work during the hours they are gone) and she said that she was completely flexible and I can come and go when I need.  She and her husband own a glass company and their jobs are all over the state (Tuscon, Flagstaff, Phoenix, basically wherever there is a job).  So, base camp is their house and that's where I get to be.  I'll be working with Quickbooks and it's good to see my old friend again :).  It's comfortable and I am just really grateful.

Other news...Alec has gotten his dental done (NO CAVITIES!!! I think that is the first time in his LIFE!), but he has to get all 4 wisdom teeth out...and not just out, but surgically removed because the roots are curled and won't be coming out without surgery.  So, I have to make an appointment with the surgeon and then he can OFFICIALLY send in his papers.  That should be happening this week.

Derrek is doing really well.  We sent him some music and I know that will help him a lot.  Music speaks to his soul and has since he was in the womb!  He is happier and more patient with himself and life.  He is such an example of faith to me.  I went to a Relief Society thing by Jenny Phillips called "Beautiful".  It's her new book/cd (I suggest every girl/woman get it and realize how beautiful we all are...it's really well done).  Anyway, while at this event, there was a talk given by a lady who had lost her baby at 37 weeks and had to deliver the still born baby.  She talked about going through grief and how there were so many times she thought she didn't have any more faith and wondered where it had gone.  I had thought that many times during these last two years and was frustrated with myself because I knew I know God, but I just felt so lost at times.  Anyway, she talked about how she realized that she did have faith the whole time.  She was attending church when she didn't feel like it, she was saying her prayers, even when she didn't feel like it, and she was doing those things she had been taught, even though it felt empty at times because she was just trying to get through the trauma of losing her baby.  I realized that this is what Derrek was going through and then I realized the tremendous faith that he was showing by staying and trying to work on himself and what was going on.  He's still working on it (I don't think we ever stop!), but I told him about the things I learned and I am really impressed with his strength to want to do what is right, even when he doesn't feel like it!

On other fun thing we did was we were invited to the Hancock's house to watch the Superbowl.  I don't like Superbowl Sunday.  It, to me, doesn't feel like it is keeping the Sabbath Holy.  So, when Rinda asked me if we would like to come over, and telling me that Cody (her husband...yes, the pro-bull rider) really wanted to get to know Scott and was telling me that this is really rare for Cody to do, I had to say "yes".  So, we went over and they made fajitas (so yummy) and there were about 4-5 other families from our ward.  And the great thing is, that there was hardly any football watching at all.  All the families really get along well and we had a ping-pong tournament, fashion show from the young girls, the boys played pool, moms chatted, and it was really a fun, great evening.  It was fun to see Cody's trophy room and he had pictures framed of him on a LOT of bulls, and there were several saddle trophies and it was just fun.  Anyway, it was a fun evening, and we are grateful for their friendship.