Catch up, again!

So much has been going on and I am so far behind on my blogging so here is a massive post to catch everyone up to date! I meant to put all of these pictures in reverse order but it didn't happen that way, blogger gets me too frustrated if I try too hard! So here it all is:


First is Jonathan's ceremony with Andrea's Closet. This is the organization that he did his eagle project with, they collect toys for children who are in the hospital and are having painful procedures. When they are finished, they get to choose a toy. Andrea's closet was founded by Andrea's parents after she passed away from leukemia when she was very young. She was able to endure the procedures if she had something to look forward to. After she passed away, her mother kept buying toys for Andrea and eventually gave them to a hospital and the idea took off from there. It is a really sweet story, they are such good people! Jonathan held a toy drive for Andrea's closet and built a mobile cart for the new Phoenix Children's Hospital West Valley Clinic. He decided to do this for his project because our Alex was hospitalized with pneumonia two years ago and they had to do a procedure on him and he was able to go to Andrea's closet at Banner Desert and loved it. We still have his toy tractor he picked out.

Anyway, there was a ceremony in January to formally give the cart to PCH West and Jonathan was invited along with any supporters that wanted to come. Here are the final pictures of his project, cart and his "posse"! Group shot! The Jeff and Mandy Smith family, Tyrel, Bryan, Connor I, Landon B, Mitch, Jonathan, Connor, Landon S, Eva, Kaitlyn, and Andrea's dad. The Smithsons came as well, but missed the group shot.

This picture of Landon and Connor is cute, but the picture in the back is awesome! It is made entirely of marbles.

Jonathan and his "posse" Mitch, Landon, Tyrell and Connor.

All of the people who helped at the toy drive that were also at the ceremony.

This little girl was very sick and was the first patient to come in and pick out of the closet. It was very sweet to see her choose very carefully. Jonathan loved seeing someone use something that he put so much effort into making. She was so cute but a bit overwhelmed by all of us with cameras and such!

This is Jonathan with Grandma Hooper and Andrea's grandparents.

Kaitlyn was chosen to become a member of the National Elementary Honor Society last month. She was only one of 4 sixth graders at her school to be chosen. The rest of these kids are in fifth grade. Not sure why there are so many more fifth than sixth, but oh well! In order to be in the society, you must be nominated by a teacher, have minimum of 3.5 gpa for 2 years and go through a selection process. She had to fill out papers with her qualifications and service opportunities. I am grateful for the church's youth programs that have helped to give her service projects and such that she had a few things to put down there. Being in the NEHS will improve her chances of being accepted into NJHS and NHS for junior and high schools. I am so proud of her! She has done awesome this year!!

Kaitlyn is on the far left.

Kaitlyn and Mr. Schiro, one of the programs sponsoring teachers.

Kaitlyn and her teacher, Ms. Galbreath (love her!!)

Kaitlyn also participated in the Kids Rock marathon again this year. Her and Connor both logged over 25 miles over the past few months and she was able to participate in the 1 mile fun run during the PF Changs Rock n Roll marathon in Tempe. She had a blast and was able to run with her friend Drew.

Jenna, Kaitlyn, Drew

The start!

Right before the finish line

Connor has been hard at work in January getting ready for the invention convention. He decided to make a solar powered skateboard. This was his idea entirely and we just helped him with some construction. He did the signs and put it all together. He actually had a working solar cell installed on his skateboard that could turn the wheels. It was a pretty great idea!

His cousin, Layna is in his class and I thought her idea was great. A machine that would make all our clothes and costs only $250! Sounds like a bargain to me!

Right after this, Connor turned 10. Happy Birthday to a wonderful son! He is funny, sooo smart, silly, sweet, and talented. He plays the cello and the teacher is amazed at his quick pick up of it. He is doing great. He is also a wonderful pitcher in baseball. He is hoping to be a starting pitcher this year! We love you Connor!!!

Luv this kid!

Alex was doing a project at school where he had to take a picture of him with Bobo the class teddy bear. I thought the picture was so cute I had to post it!

Other happenings, I have been released as the Primary Chorister and am now the Cubmaster. Hopefully it will be fun and something I can handle.

School is kicking my butt, but doesn't it always? I am looking forward to May 1. Then it's over! At least until fall! lol

Anyways, I have spent way too much time on this and now have to go learn about blood vessels and the Eightfold Path of Buddism. Interesting combination, I know! Cya!

So stressed!

This week, especially today, is so stressfull! I am dealing with stolen debit card numbers/unauthorized change of address and fraud, student loan and grant difficulties (the money was to be disbursed days ago and is having potentially big problems, but I hope they are minor), soo much homework, a messy house, 5 leaks in my roof and a property management company who will probably do nothing, someone wants to come and look at the house in the morning (note the messy house!), money dur for baseball signups and major payments due for NY field trips and basically running low on cash and day 3 of a bad migraine that won't go away!

Can I just curl up in my blanket and hide for a little while? Feeling sooo overwhelmed today! At least I have a new neighbor next door who is quickly becoming a great friend! She has a son who is Alex's age and they run back and forth and she likes all the other kids to come and play too, so that is soo nice. They are all over there right now so I was able to take a test on Hinduism. This religion class makes me feel so stupid! The textbook uses such big words and it is so hard to follow! Only adds to my frustrations! Arrrgghh! Anyway, back to reality which is usually pretty good, just not right now! :p

Texas

We went to Texas over Christmas break to visit my brother Judd's family. We tagged along with my brother Todd's family in their RV- definitely the best way to travel!! We had a nice, relaxing week in Austin. It is so beautiful there! These are all the cousins except the babies: Miley (Todd and Julie's daughter) and Coy (Judd and Heather's son).
From top left: Jonathan, Riley, Judd jr, Kaitlyn, Connor, Summer. Middle row from left: Jenna, Tyler, Lydia and Bottom row from left: Hayden, Alex and Ashton.

They love to make funny faces!

This picture is from "The Salt Lick" and may be the best BBQ ever! Sooo good! Especially loved the turkey. Mmmm.

Outside the Salt Lick

Jenna and Lydia

Riley and JonathanSummer and Kaitlyn
Connor and Judd jr
I couldn't get Alex and Todd's boys to pose for more pics, so I don't have any individuals of them! Oh well! We had a great trip and I am so excited to go back with my sisters in the spring. We are doing a long weekend at Judd's with Six Flags and I am sure another trip to the Salt Lick!!

Happy Birthday, Jenna!!

Happy 7th Birthday to my beautiful, sweet Jenna! We love you so much!!

We are so glad you are in our family!!

17 years and Counting!!

Happy Anniversary, Bryan!!

Our Carriage Ride

Our families

Happy Anniversary, Bryan!! I can't believe its been 17 years!! What an adventure our life together has been, but through all the ups and downs you have been my best friend and the love of my life. I am so glad you put up with me!

In other happenings, Jonathan is becoming quite a missionary. I am proud of his courage to speak up and share the gospel. He gave a Book of Mormon to a friend and now she and her mom are having the missionaries share the discussions. I have always been a bit more reserved about sharing the gospel and I am humbled by his good example to me. I thought parents were supposed to teach the children but I find I am always learning something from my children.

Another fun tidbit, totally random but fun is that I won some money from my bank! I never thought that would happen!! It is a program that every 5 minutes they refund a purchase made with a debit card. I actually won my purchase back! It was $31, but that is still awesome. I have to admit that I thought it would have been nice if one of my bigger purchases was refunded, but I will take the $31 and be happy with it!

I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all of you, may your Christmas season be happy, fun and full of hope! :D

School's Out!!

I am officially done with the Fall semester! Woo hoo! I have a whole month off, just in time to enjoy the holidays. I did fairly well this semester and still managed to get a B in Anatomy even though I bombed part of the final exam. (I mean bombed!!) So glad that part is over. Spring semester doesn't start until January 11 when I will take the second Anatomy class and a World Religion class. The anatomy class sounds stressful and the religion class sounds really interesting, but hopefully easy! I need an easy class after that ridiculous Eng 102 class. I am going to really enjoy this break! Happy sigh. :)

Right now I am content and happy. Life is still so far from perfect but I am grateful for the blessings I do have. My sweet family, they are my joy. I was able to listen to them and my super talented in-laws play their instruments today in Mountain Vista ward and I was overcome with gratitude for them and the talents they share and have helped cultivate in my own family. I am humbled by the love my Father in Heaven has shown to me and my family and know that He will direct our path if we let Him. Have faith and be patient and long suffering. (Sometimes the long suffering is the hardest part!) So many friends and family around me are burdened with difficult trials: physical challenges, lost jobs and financial crisis, divorce etc. I am always strengthened by your faith and courage. Your example shines bright!

Best wishes to you all!!

Answers in the Scriptures

I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father. I would be lost with out the guidance of the spirit to get me through the problems in life.

We have a leak in the ceiling of this house and I am now cleaning the bathrooms so the workers can come in and I won't be embarrassed. I have let things get a bit out of control since I had my surgery. Anyway, today has been a tidal wave of stuff. I should have known because life always throws me a curve ball the minute I start to feel that things are going to be ok. My roof is leaking, my management company informed me today that they are going to sell my house. I have a doctor appointment to hopefully remove my stitches unless something goes wrong there again!! Connor is in the nurses office again with wheezing and he just finished with a strong antibiotic and steroids to fix it. Not sure whats up with that yet. Top that off with a final exam to study for and church callings, I feel like life is starting to spiral out of control.

But, I do feel blessed because in the midst of all of this, a scripture came quietly to my mind. Instead of ignoring it, I went and found where this scripture is and I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my "issues". It will all work out the way it is meant to.

The scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I don't know how, but I do know things will be ok. I am calm. (That is something if you know me really well!! lol)