Love Fudge...

I am soo relieved to be on Christmas break! It means that everyone had their Christmas musical programs, parties, gift exchanges, teachers were gifted, and I am not on call for subbing, I can just relax a little, right?****** I have really learned to appreciate what it meant to be a stay-at-home-mommy, which could be a whole post all on it's own. Anyway, I am looking forward to some quality time with my children and Loren, today we played a board game, and started baking our goodies, the kids love both! We made my "special recipe, sugar cookies", and my beloved Grandma Joy's Peanut butter fudge. Loren and I have it down to a science, (the fudge making process is very intricate.) My Grandpa would stand beside Grandma, the way Loren and I do now, and assist in making the "love fudge" I was taught by the best! My Grandpa Charlie made sure I wrote down every detail of how exactly, the heavenly candy is made. It is one of my most favorite memories of them together, and a wonderful tradition, one that I'm sure will live on for years to come. The time I spent with my Grandma, learning how to make some of her best recipes, for example; Biscuits and Gravy, to name another, was one of the smartest things I have ever done with my time, I miss her soo much.

Use your light to change the life of a child....

Charlee's 16th...

16 is sweet...

Charlee finally got to have her party! It was very simple, but she had a great time. We played sand Volley ball and ate, until it got too cold, then we went to the mall and had a scavenger hunt. There were like 17 boys, but only a couple of her girl friends could make it, she was a little disappointed but she never said anything, that's Charlee she never complains about anything. She did have all of her siblings there and was totally great to them. Charlee also never asks for anything, the night with her friends is all she asked for, for her Birthday we are so happy to have such a great human being for a daughter!

People used their light.....

Yeah! we raised $320,000 for under privileged kids on the West side! And the Gala is over for this year! Everything in my department went beautifully, the decor came together and the vast hall I had to decorate looked great, it was so exciting when all was finished!I felt like I really accomplished something, I know I sound like I am giving myself a giant pat on the back, but it was the biggest project that I have ever been in charge of, for me it was a big deal. Of course there were other ladies, some who worked much harder to make the the whole event turn out great! Next is our scholarship dinner in the Spring, it's also a great night!

Broccoli Watch..

Broccoli(code for small)~ Porter has been having really bad pains in his legs for the last couple of weeks, that I have to massage out frequently, yeah he knows I'd do anything for him. Sometimes they are truly very painful, and the same happened with the other four kids... I don't think it's just wishful thinking, I think it's a GROWTH spurt! Maybe not soo broccoli anymore yeah!

Use your light to change the life of a child....

Just one more week until "Enchanted Nights", Golden W.H.E.E.L.'s(women helping educate and enrich lives) annual Gala! We raise money for children on the West side primarily for West Valley child crisis center, and college scholarships for seniors. This year our theme is "Use your light to change the life of a child", who ever came up with that is pretty awesome. We are having roughly 600 guests and for the first time in the Coyotes Arena(jobing.com) thanks to Jerry and Vicky. I am decorating Chair this year. And I will post pics. asap!

Our little Bug turned 16!

Heaven help us, Charlee can finally date.... I am officially asking for a variety of choices, so she won't be tempted to settle down too soon! Those of you who know boys that have HIGH MORAL STANDARDS, who also are RESPECTFUL, and KIND, her Father and I would greatly appreciate you sending them our way. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of boys who are eager to date our wonderful girl, but there are not very many opportunities for group dating. I know several wholesome young ladies, and it would be great if we could form some kind of dating co-op. Time is of the essence, for when she sees this post, I will have to remove it.

Let's give Thanks!

First I would like to give thanks that my computer is up and working again! It was too scary not knowing whether we'd lost everything... I'll be backing up all my photos now. Really I am mostly grateful for my family! We went to Grandpa Bob's and Grandma Rox's for dinner and had a Turkey Shoot! For those of you who don't know,( all 3 people who read my blog) a Turkey Shoot is where you shoot at targets with guns, Grandpa even had a little beebee for the kiddos. When I was young, it was a tradition at Thanksgiving and with all the extended family at G & G Joy's house it could get quite competitive! Anyway our little shoot was fun for everybody. Matt and Jen, Erin, and Grandpa Joy were there, uncle Kirk, and all the grandkids. LOTS of yummy food too. Matt and Jen have 3 beautiful little girls, and Erin has her 4 handsome boys, which Porter is grateful for, he loves being with them, finally some male bonding! Grandpa seemed to enjoy himself, although everything, especially Holidays remind us of Grandma. Brooki is thankful for time to play with Eliza and Janey. Emmilyn,gives thanks for time to hang with Mason, but she, Stephi, and Charlee are all thankful for snuggily Little Lucy! she just curls up on ya, (if she has her silky). Erin, Matthew and I are thankful we can look back on our childhood and laugh! Loren and I are thankful for each other, 17 years. wow! I love you Grandpa, Mom and Dad. Thanks for everything.

I'm afwayed your gonna ground me....

Porter came home from school today totally mortified, he handed me the pretty little pumpkin seed he'd been growing since Halloween, I took it , told him how neat the plant was, but I couldn't understand why was soo sad. He said that I was gonna be too mad at him, and he was afwayed that I would ground him, because he'd gotten a red card, and he immediately started sobbing. When I finally got him calmed down he told me that he was just playing Cooper and Carter's game with them. It sounded innocent enough, but upon further investigation I discovered that the object of the game was to either wrestle your Nemesis to the ground or just take a swing at them. Everything was fine until his giant friend accidently caught someone, and that kid didn't like it, O and the name of this little game is; the "Hitting Game". Yeah I guess that's a problem. In Porter's defense, he never was lucky enough to lay a hand on anyone, and he learned a valuable lesson about, those whom you associate with.... Anyway the pumpkin sprout was real sweet, and to this day that has been his only red.

Pleeeease Grandpa...

Lake Powell has held some of the best memories of my childhood. We spent a lot of time there in the summers as a family. Swimming in the warm water, skiing, boogie boarding, sleeping under the stars, or just boating. The scenery alone is enough to imprint you for life. We would meet friends and extended family there, and we would take turns bringing friends from home. a lot of fantastic memories were born there, but my sister and brother would agree that one of the most vivid, was seeing the moon rising over the beautiful rocky landscape... We were just hangin out one evening, chillin on the boat when Dad said," hey do guys want to see something neat? we were like yeah! Okay then follow me and your mom, your gonna see the moon rise, it's so beautiful." So we jumped up on to the rocks and tried to keep up with Dad, he then told us to sit down where we were, and we would see it soon. We were all waitng excitedly, & Mom started yelling "look, look" and the next thing we saw was Dad's big white rear end mooning us! Yeah, we all thought it was pretty funny, and still do, it's just one of those images you can't get out of your brain! Well, eventually we moved, and Dad made the decision to sell the cabin cruiser, that was not an easy choice to make. Those were some dark days, and we still miss that family tradition!~ Recently we were fortunate enough to take our children to Lake Powell, and stay on the Kings house boat, it was awesome! It was one of the best things we have done with our kids, they loved it as much as I did when I was there age, although they still haven't had the opportunity to see the moon over the rocks. Hurry up Grandpa & buy a new boat!

Howe family favorites...

We love the water! Our most favorite family memories have been at the ocean in La Jolla, and on the water at Lake Powell!~ La Jolla is like experiencing a different lifestyle for many reasons, but we got lucky with Price line and got an amazing Hotel. It wasn't amazing because it was luxurious, it was the location! We literally could walk out the back of our hotel on to the beach. A private beach, which was maintained daily. And situated in a cove-like area, where there were only small waves so the little kids are safer. It was beautiful, and the hotel has complimentary beach chairs and towels, and you can also get food and drinks served right there on the sand. When we planned our vacation we wanted to have time on the beach, but we were also there for Sea World, which in hind sight wasn't necessary (although Steph loves marine life). the beach was the most fun by far and less expensive, the time passed too quickly and the kids were never bored. The water was warm and calm enough for lil' boogie boarders, and the sand was soft, perfect for laying on, or making sand sculptures and of course Brooklyn's fav. collecting sea shells. At night it was a little chilly, but you could build a fire to roast wieners and marshmallows,(we haven't done that yet, but it sounds so beach bummy, beach bummy that's funny.) Anyway, my best thing was just sitting quietly on the beach listening to the waves and watching the dark water in the moonlight there is something a little scary about how powerful the water is and that it can be deadly, the massiveness of the sea is truly awesome.. It's spiritual, I could sit there every night, to wind down it's the most relaxing thing in the world.

PTC ; J., T. and me...

JoAnna , and Toni; my girls, my sisters. I have been blessed to have amazing women in my life! These two are unique because the 3 of us have very different stories, but we get each other exactly, there is a bond because of our experiences. We love each other, and even though there is an odd number, no one is ever out.

Sister from another Mr.

I don't know what I would have done the last 17 years without my girlfriends! I couldn't count how many times they have been there for me when I needed them.... Char was my first true girlfriend. We met at S.U.U. in Cedar City , Utah when our husbands got put on the same softball team. Char was like being back with my family, it seemed like we'd always known each other, we thought the same things were funny, and we had so much in common. That's when I decided I could live in Cedar. She let me wash our clothes at her house so I wouldn't have to be outside freezing and pregnant going up and down the stairs of our scuzzy apartment. We wall papered our trailer house's together, you can't say that about many people. I got to be with her when she was converted to the gospel and entered the waters of baptism against the wishes of some of the most important people in her life. Char showed me how to be a good wife, ( she had been married a whole year longer than me). She was there at Charlee bug's 6 week check up, when the doc. told me that my baby had a heart defect and would most likely need surgery, I wouldn't have been able to get back to Cedar without her.... The night she lost the baby that she and Sterling had tried so hard to conceive, was the night I knew she was my sister, it was so painful to see her go through that. She loved my child and was like Bug's 2nd mommy. We stayed with her family parent's when we would have to make the trek so often to Primary Children's Hospital for appointments. We'd share dinners, and late nights while the boys were studying or having Nintendo tournaments. And the day Colton was born was one of my happiest memories. I was finally able to teach her something, I was a champion breast feeder. We started our first business together, the "Sports Court"and watched our first "venture" be not so successful. Soo many hysterical memories that when we talk about them today we can't stop laughing. Like when we couldn't understand why we weren't losing weight, when we were going to step-aerobics at least once a day, and eating no fat! Later we realized that having that large fat-free frozen yogurt everyday after working out, or eating ton's of "fat free pasta dishes and "fat free" Hot Tamales could have been the culprit. No wonder why a couple of years later the Atkins diet was the first one that ever worked for us!
~The day Loren and I left for Arizona to begin the process of opening our own Big O Tires, we couldn't stop crying, that sucked. I Listened to the tape of Dan Folglegberg she had made for me the whole way to the Valley, (Loren was driving the U-haul) or that wouldn't of ever happened.
~We have not been fortunate enough to live in the same place again, but we have traveled to be with each other for milestones in our lives, and spent hundreds of hours on the phone. Both of our families have grown and changed, the same with our hairstyles, and jobs, but when we are lucky enough to be together, it is as if no time has passed, and nothing has changed.....

If I could have any talent, it would be singing...

Man O man, Our Stake is so talented! Tonight we went to the Stake musical, and it was amazing! Stephi was in the Young Women's choir(she was great!) and Emmi did a taped piece, about how reading the scriptures as a family makes her feel happy.(she was super cute) I am very happy that our children are being raised in this Stake, It was so moving to watch the scriptures being acted out in such a beautiful way. And beautiful art work also, especially the Tree of life quilt, Nancy.... O yeah by the way, today work was easier, I worked with 2, and they were very different from eachother, both were mostly smiley and happy! It was nice, I can't beleive how quickly you bond with these kids, I think it's because they're innocent, and they love you so easily....... Goodnight, Soccer for Steph and Porter bright and very early in the mornin.

I was so wrong...

Today i was supposed to be at a job, that when I got there it had been over staffed. They ended up sending me to another school to be an aide for a paticular girl for the next 2 days. When I walked in It was full of big kids, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. First thing, a sweet boy named ***** offered me some hand sanitizer, I took some and said thank you, then the teacher told me that the girl I was supposed to work with was the most violent child of them all, and had actually injured people, so they put me with"hand sanitizer boy". I had already realized that these children were autistic or something similar, which was fine but I soon found out why H.S. boy had the sanitizer at his seat. One of the teachers told me that he was a "licker", he would lick (slobber) his hands and arms and wipe them on his face and hair and then on me. Now if anyone knows me, they know that I have an issue with germs and I'm sure that my eyeballs were about to pop right out of my head, when she instructed me to be very firm, wash him up, and re-direct him, which would be often. So ***** is as tall as I am and definitely stronger, getting him to stay in his seat was a challenge, he could only focus about 2 seconds at a time and then I would firmly remind him of his task(coloring, puzzles or blocks). I would have to put my hand on his to help him trace a shape, and tell him to look at what he was doing. He could only say one syllable sounds not words and his favorite was ta- ta which meant computer(his most favorite thing). All he wanted to do was just sit very close to me and smile this goofy grin,which made you love him, or he would want to get up and wonder. It was not an easy day, but at the end of it, he was responding to me, he would color consistently for about5-7 seconds while looking at what he was doing! and that small thing was so exciting, that we would have to high 5 between colors! He would hold onto my hand while I cut feathers, that he had colored for his turkey. I was more comfortable with him by the time I left. The other kids had issues of their own, but I just kept having a recurring feeling that they have whole and amazing spirits who had agreed to live on this Earth with their disabilities. And I had a new respect for the people who work with these children every day, but mostly I felt respect and love for him.... I think I am going to be able to go again tomorrow.

My first day at my new job..

Well, it definitely was not what I expected. Today I was in a class room with 9 children in kindergarten, they are mildly retarded, with behavioral disorders. There are 4 adults in there at all times, some are there for one specific child, and some are there to help with all the children. I was there for all. I have to preface this by saying that they were all sweet little spirits, and I felt genuine love for them. ~ I saw things that I have never seen before in all my years of babysitting, being a mommy, and having foster children. All I am gonna say tonight; is that it can only get better from here, and I gained another layer of perspective on how blessed I am. I Too tired to give the details tonight, we had soccer & Y. W.'s, & I need to go start some laundry and go to bed! I am going to work at a new school tomorrow, because I have a job!

O my heck I got a job!

This morning I got my finger prints done and my picture I.D. at the district office. This afternoon I got an offer to sub. at Desert harbor Kindergarten. My official job title is; SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT AIDE, SUBSTITUTE! So I go on Wednesday, after I drop off my kids at their school, and then I'll be done 40 minutes before they get out. So this job could work out really well if I get to work 5 days a week. I feel like Heavenly Father has answered my prayers! So I think I'm more nervous than Porter was when he went to kindergarten for the first time which was yesterday.O, I have no clothes to wear, I don't even know what I am supposed to wear? Hopefully I will switch schools often enough that no one will know that I am an outfit repeater!
About Porter, he likes school so far, he acts so big about it, and he says that he loves recess the most. (shocking) He has a new friend named Cooper, and Cooper is definitely not broccoli, he looks like he could be on the freshman football team. Porter is having one issue so far, he gets very frustrated when he can't do his work right the first time. I have tried to explain to him that it's just fine to need to practice while he's learning. I told him that even his brilliant Mommy doesn't always get it right. (I had no idea how to fill out my tax information today) Anyway if Porter can be patient with himself he will be just fine, easier said than done, too bad being patient takes the most practice...

Everyone knows it's Charlee...

"I'm SIXTEEN in 19 days and 6 and a half hours!!" That is all we here about anymore. Hooray for Loren and I! Dating, driving, & dating, & dating & more dating! At least that's what she thinks. Holy crud! we are getting a glimpse of the future with our 4 girls! who can't wait to have their freedom. The rules in on this subject are still being written.

1. There will be no steady dating.

2. Either her Father or I will need to accompany them, or they will have to agree to an in-body tracking device.

3. They have to return within an hour.

4. There will only be group dating, large groups, at least 20.

5. The mandatory urine analysis (drug test).

6. The mandatory driving test, with Loren riding shotgun.

7. The Grandpa test.

We are not sure of the rest yet, but there is approximately 19 days left! Other than the boy issue, Charlee is pretty awesome for a teenage daughter. She is very smart. Math, English, and Spanish are her best subjects. She is currently the student body Treasurer, and she is the President of her seminary class. Charlee has been interested in the culinary arts for a few years, and she has become quite the cook. She makes dinner at least once a week, which is helpful. Bug is quite obviously beautiful, but she is equally beautiful inside, if not more. Charlee is kind to everyone and they all seem to love her. Cho bug has been well-known since she weighed about 10 lbs. People in Cedar knew us as Charlee's parents! maybe because at 10 lbs. she was walking and looked like she was wearing a wig. She is taller then me now, and has grown into her hair We love her soo much and we are so excited to watch her growing up into a beautiful young lady.

Stephi loves monkies..and dogs, birds, horses, snakes and ....

Stephanie is definitely our resident Dr. Doolittle!~ She loves animals and they love her. Her favorite TV show is Animal planet's "Animal Cops", and she is pretty sure that she has a future with the four legged variety, unless she gets to work at Sea World! Steph, also loves babies! she has made quite a name for herself in the world of babysitting. She has lots of friends, and she is sure to include everyone, so that feelings are not hurt. Stephie has a great sense of "self" she is confident and not afraid to put herself out there. Steph is currently on the honor roll and the Student body historian. Teacher's love her outgoing and friendly attitude. Unfortunately Stephanie is taller than me, and although she is only 12, she looks 15. The girl can athletisize!!! She is awesome at soccer, she is one of the best players on her team, and she is good at pretty much whatever sport she tries. She loves Charlee and thinks she should be able to do everything she is doing. They act like girlfriends most of the time, otherwise you'd better back up! And much to our chagrin the boys are diggin her, so yes she has decided that she likes them too. Steph is a social butterfly, and enjoys going anywhere with her friends, she also likes to sing and is participating in our Stake musical. Loyalty and integrity are two other traits that she possesses, we love, love, love her and we are very happy to call her our daughter!

M&M, our sparkly girl....

• 
  
  
  
  
  

Emmilyn, she's our soft hearted girl, with a wicked sense of humor... She loves to tell jokes and she is kind of naughty in a cute way. The first time Emmi's hand fell asleep she came to me so worried because her hand felt "sparkly". I knew exactly what she was talking about, although it took me a while to explain to her that she shouldn't be afraid of going to sleep at night. This tender hearted child picks up on anyone who is feeling down, she will worry about them long after their sadness has left She will let you know that you're the "prettiest Mommy she's ever had!" or that her " Daddy's ears aren't too big", and she is always sure to give hugs and kisses, and let's you know how much she loves you at the beginning and end of every day. Not to worry, she can hold her own; tough and stubborn, when she makes up her mind it is very difficult to sway her. When Emmi thinks someone is being picked on or left out, she will be the first to jump LOUDLY to their defense. She definitely has some pipes! Em, has a lot of friends, she is so much fun to be around, I love her dry humor. She's very intelligent and she just gets it! She does very well in school and her teachers love her. Unlike Brooki, Emmi will be the first to tell you that she does NOT clean up! so we have to get creative.(threatening) Anyway Emmilyn loves to cuddle and be close to her family,and anything that is soft, like her silky, and she's told me several times that she especially enjoys me, because I'm so "soft". Her older sisters' love her sweetness, Charlee likes to cuddle her. Brooklyn wants to be just like her, and Porter really enjoys irritating her. to irritate her, because she still loves to take care of him, She is way to big for her britches, and is wanting to do everything that Stephi is doing. As for her Daddy, she has him wrapped right around her little finger! Scary.