CS Lewis

I just finished reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". It's been so long since I read this book, I loved comparing the movie to the book. They did such a great job on the movie in staying true to the story in the book. I found one of my favorite parts, which is representing the Savior's sacrifice:

"The Hags made a dart at him and shrieked with triumph when they found that he made no resistance at all...they rolled the huge Lion over on his back and tied all his four paws together, shouting and cheering as if they had done something brave, though, had the Lion chosen, one of those paws could have been the death of them all. But he made no noise, even when the enemies, straining and tugging, pulled the cords so tight that they cut into his flesh...
"Another roar of mean laughter went up from her followers as an ogre with a pair of shears came forward and squatted down by Aslan's head. Snip-snip-snip went the shears and masses of curling gold began to fall to the ground...And they surged round Aslan, jeering at him...as they worked about his face putting on the muzzle, one bite from his jaws would have cost two or three of them their hands. But he never moved. And this seemed to enrage all that rabble. Everyone was at him now. Those who had been afraid to come near him even after he was bound began to find their courage...
"At last she drew near. She stood by Aslan's head. Her face was working and twitching with passion, but his looked up at the sky, still quiet, neither angry nor afraid, but a little sad."

This passage helps me remember how Christ was so mild and accepting of his fate, his fore-ordination. I also learn from this that I need to bear my struggles with more patience and acceptance, knowing that good things will come eventually. It is part of life to have challenges and things that make us feel like giving up. Christ set the example for us, and I should bear my burdens with more long suffering and solemness. I pray for that ability!

And it has hit!

Tyler came home from school last Thursday with a fever and just wasn't feeling very good. Sunday Kaleb came down with it. Today I was volunteering in Derek's class. When I called him back to do his Math facts test he said he wasn't feeling very good. As I finished up I asked him how he was feeling and he said he still wasn't feeling good. I took him to the office to see what his temperature was, 100.7. Dang it all! That's three of them now, and I'm feeling under the weather, too! I'm just waiting for Logan to say he's not feeling well, and Will keeps saying he needs to get out of this illness ridden home. :) I sprayed everywhere I could with Lysol when I got home to hopefully kill some of these icky germs.

I get a daily inspirational quote sent to me from the Biggest Loser site. It's amazing how many times it coincides with what I am dealing with day to day. Here's one from yesterday:

"Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference."

– Virginia Satir

Oooooh these words are so true for our family right now. We're just trying to make the best of our days. I keep looking for the good as the days go by. We are blessed in so many ways. I am so grateful for my amazing family! I am blessed to have the joy of the gospel in my soul. We have a piano in our home to help us strengthen our talents and expand our knowledge. I love having a piano to play whenever I feel like playing! We are keeping it for a friend while she is living in Hawaii for a few years. Yay for pianos!!

Uplifting Sabbath Day

What a wonderful day we had at church today! Tyler, Kaleb and Will stayed home from church since the older boys aren't feeling well. So it was just Derek, Logan and myself. Amazing talks were shared in Sacrament meeting (by Sister deGroot, Sophia May, and Bishop Brundage). Sister deGroot shared the importance of fasting, and really internalizing a fast, rather than going through the motions. She emphasized that we should prepare ourselves for fasting rather than: stuffing ourselves the night before so we aren't hungry as early the next day, forgetting it's fast Sunday at all, sneaking in a little cereal in the morning as we feed our children breakfast, and forcing those children who turn 8 to immediately start fasting because it can be more detrimental than helpful. I have been guilty of all those so often, it is hard to remember when I've actually prepared myself for a fast appropriately. I know I have, it's just been those days that I have full purpose in heart, when things are hard or someone is ill and needs a little extra prayer/thought. I need to help teach my children about why we fast, how we prepare to fast, and how to enjoy a fast; knowing all the blessings that will come to them or to whomever they are fasting for. They understand some of these concepts on a basic level, but I know they could know so much more.

After Sacrament meeting the boys and I headed to Primary. I love my calling...and I haven't always been able to say that about the calling I have. I am the Primary Chorister, and LOVE singing with the kids. I had this calling when I was pregnant with Kaleb, and did not have the same feelings. :) I love looking at those kids' faces, seeing them smile at me (or wiggle around) and hear them sing the songs we are learning for the Primary Program we'll have at the end of the year. Today I introduced our stick picture animals and sounds to sing with the songs. This was a new concept to this Primary and they LOVED singing like a sheep, bee, bird, and cow. It's such a great way to have them recall the words when they have to switch between baaing and singing the words to the music! It was so cute to see them so excited to participate in the music today!! I wish I could have recorded them so you could see how excited they were. "Can I hold the picture?", "Let's do it again!", and "Can we do the bzzz-bzzz to this song, too?" were priceless!!

Today was a much needed day. I'm also handing my worries back over to the Lord. He will guide us the direction we are supposed to go, He always has. Stressing and worrying about our situation is not going to help it get any better. So, I'm trusting in the Lord and doing all I can, and that will be enough!

News

They say that no news is good news...this is not always the case. Well, for as much as I try to stay upbeat in my posts...it's time to be down-beat. Will's been out of work for 3+ weeks now, and the job we thought he had in the bag fell through. We're both sending out resume after resume. I'm ready to hit the streets next week, not at a corner, silly, filling out applications wherever is possible (except fast food). I think I'll hit up Costco and Bed, Bath, and Beyond; whatever will bring in some money. We've made it through this before, but this time it hit really hard as we are still paying to live in Nashville and here in SLO. Oh, the joys of this marvelous economy. Even if you get a job, it's not guaranteed you'll have a job 2 months later. We're all hanging in there, but could use some extra prayers from our super awesome friends and family!!

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