Just want to share a picture of Brittnie from youth basketball. She really has her head in the game (as they say-sing in High School Musical)! And, she is aggressive and goes after that ball. Kara has had to learn to be aggressive, but Brit just naturally has that gift.

It isn't easy, but it is worth it...

I have a dear friend here who is going through a horrible mess with her oldest daughter. She has not spoken to her parents in years, but every now and then will contact her siblings and try to stir thing up and say that she wants to get back together with her parents, but only on her terms, and then she changes her mind and does nothing. But what she leaves behind is heartbreak for her parents, and disappointment for her siblings that they cannot be one big happy family again. Every time this happens (and it has happened a few times since I have known my friend) I wonder which if any of my children will hold a grudge against me later in life? I hope that none of them will. I think as parents we all try to do our best. We make mistakes, but we try. I love my children more than life and would do anything for each one of them. I hope in the end what they remember about me is that I love them and that I tried to be the best Mom I could. I hope that will over ride any negative feelings towards me. And, I hope and pray that I will always be able to have a relationship with each of them. I tell my kids everyday, several times a day that I love them and I hope they know that I mean that with everything I have. I would not change a thing about any of them. They are each special, unique individuals that have their own gifts to share with me and all they come in contact with. As for my friend, I hope that all will work out with her and her children and that they will be able to find a way to work through their differences and each work together to make their family one again-which is what we should all be working towards.
Well, Kara's team lost their game again last night. :( She is frustrated!
I started back to school last night. It is nice to have some adult interaction and to see that their are people my age (and older) who are still working on their degree. I am grateful that I have the means and a husband and children that support me in my educational pursuit! Thanks!

God Bless The USA

On the day commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King and his "I have a Dream" speech, and on the eve of the inauguration of President elect Barrack Obama, I am grateful to live in this country where I do believe all dreams are possible. While I disagree strongly on many issues with Barrack Obama, I hope and pray that he will be the President of The United States that we need right now. I will pray for him and his family daily, and I will trust that he will do what is best for our country. That is all I can do. I believe that God is in control, and so therefore, He will not leave us alone, either individually or as a nation.
As most of you know, I LOVE George and Laura Bush. I believe that President Bush has done what he believed was best for our country, and while we may not all agree with him politically, he has handled his role of President of this country, and Laura has as first lady, with grace and dignity. He is a good man who was faced with some difficult decisions that I do not think any of us would wish to make. I know I would not.
God Bless America!
By the way, Kara will be able to vote in the next Presidential election! I feel so OLD! :)

Snow Blast (For Those Who Dare)

Well, Kara's BB team lost- again! I really hope they win a game soon.
Ron has Alex, Brit, Sharity, Ryerson and Christine at the Snow Blast here in town. Kara and I are here in the house. I don't know- something about freezing temps, and snow blowing in your face does not sound like fun to me. Maybe I am crazy, but I don't think so! :) I think those who are out there in it are.
While they have been gone I have been cleaning house and Kara has been studying for the rest of her finals next week. I can't believe the school year is half over! It has gone by so quickly. Summer will be here before we know it, and on a cold day like today, it cannot be here soon enough! :)

Too Cold!

Another COLD day here in Northern Michigan. When I say cold, I mean the kind of cold that you do not want to be outside for any more than a minute or two. So, it has been too cold for the kids to be outside playing. They have been stuck inside and they are going nuts and so am I. :) Today was a half day of school for them and they have Monday off, so hopefully it warms up like it is supposed to this weekend. It is the Snow Blast here in town this weekend but I can guarantee you I will not be participating! LOL!
Kara has a basketball game tonight. I hope her team wins this game for their self esteem. They have all been trying hard and they deserve a win. I will keep everyone posted.

The Lost Wallet & My New Years Resolution

Today has been kind of a frustrating day. But then leave it to a child to help get me back on track. Little Miss Christine had lost her wallet and I was helping her look for it (praying we would find it soon, so she would leave me alone about having my new one). We went upstairs, and after some cleaning we found it and I said, "look what happens when you clean", and she just smiled and said "Yeah! My wallet!" :) I can see why we are told to become as little children. They are so sweet and are so easily satisfied, most of the time. :)
In regards to my frustration, I made a new years resolution to be nicer to people and today has been one day I have been glad I made that resolution because otherwise I would not have been so kind to this guy regarding a business situation today. Oh well! No need for the boring details.

Snow Day!

Today was a snow day for the kids. We got about 5 inches of snow. We have also had alot of blowing and drifting. The temps are in the teens- it is COLD! Much too cold for the kids to be outside, much to their dismay! So, instead we have been in the house cleaning and trying to stay warm. Atleast we can get some things accomplished inside.
Brittnie, Sharity, Ryerson and Christine are all into Webkinz and going on the site and caring for virtual pets- who thinks of these things? I wish I could thing of some idea like this! :) Anyway, between that and the Wii they are atleast having fun inside.
Kara is at basketball practice-no they did not cancel it! She did not want to go out in the cold either.
Alex is keeping busy trying to earn some spending money for his Washington DC trip in the spring.
This is the first relaxing thing I have done all day- so despite the fact that I am enjoying sitting here typing on my blog, I need to go and get some more things done around the house. :)

A Memorable Sunday...

Today we had a nice day at church.We had testimony meeting since church was cancelled last week due to ice. Their were alot of spiritually uplifting testimonies shared. Ron, Alex and I all shared ours. The little ones were all good. It seems to get better every Sunday. Today was Christine's first day in Primary. She loved it and Brittnie and Sharity said she was good and listened to her teacher. Sister Hoover made a special doll for her as a gift. She has been so wonderful with Christine the last few months at church and Christine just adores her. She went out of her way to make Christine feel special when she wanted to go to primary so badly and could not. Also, today Alex was ordained to be a Teacher in the Priesthood in our church. Ron performed the ordination and it was very spiritual. I am grateful to have the gospel in my life and in the lives of my children.

Snow Fun!

Yesterday we took the kids out back sledding on our big hill. They had so much fun! Alex and Ryerson were riding their snowmobiles. Ryerson is so happy to have a snowmobile to ride like his big brother! Brittnie is doing so well on the snowboard. We have been told she has natural athletic ability, so I guess that is going to include snowboarding. Sharity and Christine love sledding and they like trying to pull each other around on the sled too- it is so cute! :) Ron enjoyed playing out there with all of them- he is a big kid at heart! Me, I had fun being behind the camera taking the pictures and staying out of the snow! LOL!
Kara was the only one missing because she had a basketball game. Their team lost 13 to 29, but Kara made 6 of their teams points. Way to go Kara!!

Christine and the Wii

Just wanted to share this picture of Christine showing everyone how much she loves the Wii!

Suggestions

Today has been a fun day- Right! Ryerson and Christine have been whiny! Typical sibling stuff- one minute they are happy playing together, and the next minute they are fighting!

kara had a basketball game last night and she came home discouraged because her team has not won a single game so far this season. The good news is that kara has been averaging half of the points her team makes at each game. We told her to just try her very best and that is all that matters. I am proud of her for hanging in there. She is doing well in school considering all she has to handle. She is in the honors program and so she always has alot of homework plus basketball. She is definitely not a quitter and I am grateful for that!

Alex has a girlfriend and he is driving Ron and I nuts about going to the movies with her. We have told him no, that he can't date until he is sixteen, but that has gone over like a lead balloon.
Sometimes I wonder if I will make it through all of this teenage drama!
And, by the way, brittnie is heading full force into all of it. So, I am going to have three teenagers at once to deal with! Suggestions, anyone?

I just realized the only one of my kids I did not mention is Sharity- that is because she has been the easiest one lately, but I am sure that will change! lol!

(by the way, our keyboard is messed up which is why there are no caps sometimes)

fun, fun, fun

Today has been a nice day. I spent time with Ryerson and Christine playing Candy Land and the Wii. They sure do love the Wii! Ryerson is so good at all of the games for his age. And Christine tries just as hard as she can. It is so fun to watch them and to play with them. Christine loves her Candy Land game she got from Santa but she always wants to be the gingerbread girl and does not like to lose!
The other kids just got home from school and they are getting ready to all go out sledding. They love to play outside in the winter! They come in with red cheeks and cold hands and faces, but they don't care- they love the winter! As for me, I prefer to stay inside and keep warm. And, when Dad is outside with them, I can get alot done in the house.I need to make one thing clear too, kara is all about staying inside with me. She informed me this Christmas that her ideal Christmas would be somewhere on the beach with a palm tree for her Christmas tree!

January 5, 2009

Well, the kids are off to school, so I am home with just little Miss Christine. She is so quiet and entertains herself on her own so well. It is a real blessing. She is also sweet and cuddly and gives me hugs and kisses all day, which is a nice change from teenager eye rolls and foot stomping. :)

Speaking of teenagers, yesterday Alex turned 14. I am adding a picture of him so you can all see how big and handsome he is. I know, I am bragging, but oh well! :)

A cold but special day

Well, it is another cold day in Northern Michigan. Church is cancelled due to icy roads, so I guess we will just stay inside and have a quiet family day before the kids go back to school tomorrow.

And, today is Alex's 14th Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
We hope that this year is one filled with happiness and success for everyone!