Tyler's in the double digits now

My amazing Tyler turned 10 on January 13th! He's so much fun to have around! He tries to be as goofy as possible, sometimes in wrong situations, but he's such a card it's hard to get mad at him. Will was in Seattle for Tyler's birthday so he ended up with quite a few nights of celebration to make up for Will being gone. On Tuesday we went out to eat at Franks with Mom and Dad then we came back to the house to hang out for a while. On Thursday Mom and Dad took us out to McDonald's for dinner (totally unexpected) and I had purchased some mini chocolate chip muffins from Costco to give him a little birthday celebration that night. He got a couple small gifts from his brothers that night, too. It was a lot of fun!


I made his birthday cake Saturday night so we could have it for the Sunday whole family celebration. Well, Will and Logan ended up getting sick on Sunday so we postponed the celebration for Monday at lunch time since it was MLK Jr day and there wasn't any school or work for the men. Tyler kept asking for Nintendo DS games for his gifts, well, I had something else in store since he had grown out of his bike he got 3 years ago...I think he was pretty happy with his gift! :) We had a great day and lots of wonderful small days of celebration. He is one special kid!!

10 Reasons I love Ty:
1. His sense of humor
2. His desire to the best he possibly can
3. How he wants to take on more responsibility
4. How he can remember whatever he chooses to remember
5. His sensitivity
6. He follows examples very closely, so it keeps me on my guard to speak with a kind voice always (at least I try)
7. His understanding of the gospel and desire to choose the right
8. He loves having friends and feeling loved by them
9. How much he loves being so close to his Gramma and Grampa
10. His desire to please the Lord

I love you so much Tyler!!!!

Thank you for serving our country

Yesterday we went to Staples to recycle some printer ink cartridges (so I can get $2 for each one in Staples savings for my next cartridges). We were up near the counter and Kaleb was kind of hanging close to this gentleman in Army fatigues and I asked him what he was doing. He said, "I'm kind of nervous to tell him thank you for serving our country." I looked at him in utter amazement and said, "Well then, just go do it before he leaves." So he did! The gentleman seemed a little taken aback and said it was his pleasure and he wouldn't have it any other way. He said thank you to Kaleb for saying that to him. My son makes me soooo proud to be a mom. I remember mentioning to the boys to do that to a group of Army members quite a while ago when we were in a store. No one was able to before the group was gone. That he would remember how important it is to be thankful for their service to help keep us safe brings tears to my eyes! That's my boy!

Then, last night I had Kaleb watch the boys while I went to the Temple. I had 2 neighbors on call for emergency situations, just in case. Everything went smoothly and the house was standing when I got home. Then as he was hugging me goodnight I told him I had money for him and he said I didn't need to pay him. I just asked him why and he said that a scout is willing to serve without any monetary reward. :) Ah, doesn't he just melt your heart?!! I payed him anyway, because he is soooo awesome! I love him and every day he makes me more and more proud to be his mother here on Earth!

Kaleb turned 11, in Aug!

Oh my word. Life has been flying by and I've been holding on by the skin of my teeth! We have had such an amazing last few months. I've started to write down our adventure across the country and will start to post it in increments, but right now I'm busily packing up our belongings to move back to San Luis Obispo, CA! We are so excited! Will got an amazingly wonderful job (sent only from the man upstairs) in SLO and we get to move back our happy place. We have been so blessed to live in Nashville for the last 2 1/2 years! Our lives have changed in so many blessed ways, it's going to be hard to say goodbye. Our friends are numerous and the opportunities this area affords are limitless. It's been such a wonderful chapter in our book to add to our lifetime experiences!

So, Kaleb turned 11 when we were visiting in San Luis this last August. He has hit the age where he looks forward to the next year and he is beginning to come into his own as a marvelous young man! We had Will on iChat with us during the whole celebration. Brennan, Tracie, Tegan, Kaden, Garen, Emree, and Mom and Dad Scott were all there. It was like old times having family there to celebrate with us. I'm so excited to have that opportunity to do so again!! The kids are, too! Kaleb received some wonderful gifts. He got the Percy Jackson book series, a sweet remote controlled car, some clothes, a beautiful dragon puzzle, and other odds and ends. Kaleb makes me proud every day of his life! He is such a fine young man! Here are 11 other reasons I love my sensational first born child:

1. He is sooo excited to turn 12...
2. Because he can then pass the sacrament
3. And attend the temple to do baptisms for the dead
4. He is willing and ready to step in when anyone needs help, and I mean anyone!
5. He takes care of his brothers when needed
6. He is anyone's best friend that will let him be so
7. Kaleb loves life and learning new things
8. His enthusiasm when learning or doing something he is so interested in
9. His love for the gospel and willingness to share his knowledge with anyone who shows interest
10. His positive example to all he comes in contact with.
11. Kaleb has a desire to do good, in all he does.





Kaleb, I love you so much! Thank you for dealing with my shortcomings as a mother and for helping me become a better person! Your forgiveness, kindness, joy, and honesty do not go unnoticed!

Loves and hugs,

Mom

Better late than never, right?

Ok, so Derek turned 8 July 3rd. I am way late in posting about it, but it was such a busy time and such an important birthday, it's worth posting late. We went down to New Orleans the week before his birthday and had a great time with our family and Mom and Dad Scott. We got home the day before his birthday. On Saturday our community had a 3rd of July bike parade for all the kids in the neighborhood. The boys had a blast participating in that parade! We then made preparations for Derek's baptism to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's so neat to now have two children that have been able to be baptized on their birthday (Kaleb was, too). Mom and Dad Scott, Papa Whited, and his cousin Colby were able to travel from afar to be at his baptism. Derek loved having his loved ones here for him. After his baptism we ate somewhere that is escaping my memory right now and headed home for cake, ice cream and dessert. When evening fell we had a bit of a firework demonstration, as well. It was way cool! :) We had an amazing day! I am so proud of Derek and the wonderful young man he is becoming. He's a joy to have in our family and I feel lucky to be his mom!

Here's 8 reasons I love my Derek:
1. His spontaneity in some of the things he says.
2. How he keeps growing older without looking much older.
3. His entrepreneurial spirit, following his daddy's footsteps.
4. The way he loves everyone unconditionally.
5. His huge personality.
6. His tender heart and brilliant mind.
7. How his laugh is so contagious.
8. What a spiritual giant he is becoming.

I love you so much Derek! Don't ever change for anybody!!

Oh the places we'll go...

On a wild cross country trip,
We started on the Mississip;
The St Louis Arch was a go.
Cahokia mounds were so thorough.

Kansas City brought Independence,
As we visited Liberty Jail,
And were told the tail.
Of our prophet in remembrance.

Onward we drove,
To Council Bluffs where we learned,
Of our heritage that yearned,
For religious freedom.

Then the many stops:
Fort Atkinson, Fort Kearney, Ash Hollow, Fort Osage,
Jail and Courthouse Rocks, Scotts Bluff,
And back to Chimney Rock.
Fort Laramie, Fort Caspar,
We couldn't go any faster!

One Moore family reunion,
And on to Yellowstone.
The Grand Tetons we did roam,
With Jackson Hole, antlers and all.

Visiting family and friends
All along the way;
The Zent's and Wilcox,
Snell's and the Scott's,
Knighton's, et al en Utahts.

To California we came,
To come back again,
For a week of fun
With my sister, husband, and their daughters and sons.

Now in San Luis we do reside
For a month or 'til we decide,
To head back to Nashville,
Along the Southern trail.

What's been happening in our neck of the woods...

So, we've had some flooding here recently. Luckily, our home was not damaged in any way. I have finally found something to be thankful for with our hill of a yard! I didn't even mind mowing it today with Kaleb.

So, last Saturday and Sunday (May 1-2) Nashville was hit with a 500 year flood. The Cumberland River got higher than there has ever been a record kept. Many homes and businesses were affected by the flood. The water finally started returning to a non-flood level the following Wednesday. Downtown was flooded for many days, along with many homes to the East of Nashville. We have all started the cleaning process. Our ward was out Monday, May 3rd to help a family get their home gutted and ready for a redo. This process has gone quickly for most everyone, but all the "trash" (someone's lifetime of memories and property) is still sitting at the side of the road. We have been told how to separate the trash to make the removal go quicker, but I have yet to see any debris be removed. That has got to be hard to see your belongings sitting for weeks waiting to be taken away to the dump.

The hardest thing about this flood is that nearly everyone was without flood insurance because they were told we are not on a flood plane. One man reported he had flood insurance, but it was only for his house, his belongings were not included. How wrong is that of the insurance company? An elderly couple whom Kaleb and I helped out this last Saturday asked for flood insurance and the insurance company talked them OUT of getting it. Someone on that end should be held accountable. My heart aches for all the families that have lost so much.

The last report I heard, there were 21 people who were killed by the storms that hit the mid-US. Every time we drive past or on Blue Hole Rd, at least one of the boys say, "This is the road where that one guy died, isn't it?" They had on TV a recording of a man who was hanging onto a power poll, became exhausted and ended up drowning. I'm grateful my children are in tune to those that were affected by this flood. Whenever we drive past an area that was hard hit Kaleb begs me to stop so we can help. We have helped a lot, but life must still continue on. Our day to help will come again soon...maybe tomorrow or Thursday.

The first 3 photos are ones I took on my way to the grocery store Saturday afternoon. I was going to go to Publix, but they were flooded (1st pic). The 2nd and 3rd pics are just down the road from us on Nolensville Rd. The 4th and 5th photos are from Sunday afternoon when we decided to be daring and drive around a bit to see how things were looking. A little crazy and surreal if you ask me! The last pics are of the aftermath of the flood. So many homes have had to be gutted with drywall removed half way up the walls. I worry about foundations on some of the homes, but the owners have no where else to go. :(










With all that said, I have learned something very valuable through this, as has most of Nashville. We are a strong community. We truly are the Volunteer State! So many have pitched in, looting has been VERY minimal, and recovery is going quickly. Downtown is getting put back together for the CMA Fest taking place June 10-13th. The Opry Mall, Grand Ole Opry, and Opry Hotel are going to take a while to get back up to par, but they did have a good amount of flood insurance to help with their recovery. I am proud to be a part of such a great city. We've loved living here for the last 2 years, and are now even more happy we can call ourselves Nashvillians! :) (Not Nashvillans)

Logan turned 5!!

This last Monday Logan turned 5. I remember right after he was born I looked at Will and said, "When Kaleb is 10, Logan will turn 5." Well, this day has snuck up on me faster than I could have imagined!! When Tyler turned 5 he was so big, and now that my baby has turned 5 I realize how little Tyler really was! It's amazing what perspective can do for a person. I know these moments will keep coming faster than I can conceive, so I have to remember to enjoy each moment a little more, for they are fleeting compared to life! I have been a mother for 1/3 of my life already, and that is astounding to me. I've had some rough years and also some amazing moments that make all the stress and frustration so worth it!

So on to the reason for this note, my baby turning 5. We had a great day! It started out with picking up Gramma from the airport (a surprise for all the boys). For lunch we had Logan's favorite, Macaroni and Cheese. Will joined us for dinner at Chuck E Cheese's, because it's where a kid can be a kid. A kid he was, too. All the boys had a blast. We ate cake and ice cream while we were there, then we opened presents. It was a great celebration for a wonderful boy.

Here are 5 of the many reasons I love Logan:
1. His endearing almond shaped puppy dog eyes that melt my heart
2. How much love he has to share with anyone who comes around him
3. The joy he finds in the little things
4. How much he loves his Eema (Gramma) and family and friends
5. The spirit of joy you always feel around him




Happy Birthday my sweet Logan!!