The Serpent beguiled them, and they did vote. . .

Well, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named has won the election. I love my country, I love being American, but I am very saddened by this turn of events. I urge you all to pray for the future of our nation, and stand strong against sin and adversity. We had a stake conference from Salt Lake last Sunday, and President Packer was one of the speakers. He had this to say to the Saints of Arizona: Be aware of revelation and pay your tithing. We will make it through the coming hard times and do not fear. If I can get a copy of the talks I'll send copies to all who would like them. Elders Bruce Hafen and Jay Jensen also spoke great words of counsel to us. I'm glad I was able to be there.

It's off to work tomorrow with my head held high and my heart heavy. Listen to McCain's concession speech. It's very good, too. Made me cry.

Have a good day/night/whatever.

Get out and VOTE

That's all I have time for today. But get out and vote. It's funny how Sarah's name is much larger that John's. Wonder if that means anything other than trying to get things to fill the poster evenly. Make it a great and historic day! Vote your conscience. I know I did.

Family Fun

Here's the latest in our lives. Amy got out the Lincoln logs and we've been having quite a bit of fun with them. She's quite the architect (with a little bit of help)




It's also County Fair time of year and here are the chickens Cameron and Missy entered. Wiley really likes them. I have better pictures of them, but really liked this one with Wiley's nose. Cameron got two red ribbons for the two chickens in the background and Missy got a blue for the one in the foreground.

There's me. Amy took it. That's all I have to say about that.

We had a ball yesterday. There's an alpaca and llama farm about an hour and 15 minutes from us that was having farm days this weekend with displays and things about the animals. So we took grandpa and went up there. Alpacas apparently love little people, especially Amy. They would all come up to the fence to see her.

This is my favorite picture.

They also had goats that the kids (which kids, mine or theirs?) were excited about.

Hopefully, one of these days our backyard at our new house will look like this, but not with quite so many alpacas. We're quite looking forward to having some of these and some of the goats of our own. Call us crazy, but we love them!

Have a great week!

Thanks Traci...

At least Traci responded to my plight. I appreciate that! Amy is doing better now that I don't take her to the bus stop any more. Daddy and Gampaw wait with her at the bus stop now. I miss seeing her off, but if it's too much for her, then I must give way. Good luck with all of your work propositions, Traci. I'm so excited for you.

Help! I need somebody...Help! Not just anybody ...

I need someone to help me figure out how to get my tiny to like going to school in the mornings. She's alright once she gets to school, but she's always crying when she gets on the bus and says she hates school and doesn't want to go. The other two were NEVER like that. I don't remember a day where either Missy or Cameron didn't want to go. They're so insane that they'll even go sick so that they won't miss a day (so they can get the perfect attendance award). Amy is just so different (yes, she is a mama's girl and my last) and the guilt is killing me! What do I do, you experienced moms out there! And even anyone with any suggestion will be welcomed.

A good long weekend despite...

Well, I've had a pretty good Labor Day weekend, even though I was supposed to be somewhere else. I've gotten over the disappointment and may possibly go in December. I'm going to apply for my you-know-what this week. Hope all goes well. Now we can settle down into the routine of our lives. I love September! It's more of a new year to me than January 1st! I was telling someone today that I have been in school for 38 consecutive Septembers! Not a break at all from school, other than summer vacation. Hard to believe! Well, I do have school in the morning, as do my children, so we're off to get ready for tomorrow. Make it a great day!

The Fruit of My Loins

With me starting school as well, I've been amiss in celebrating my children's start of a new school year. And one with all three in school, too! Hard to believe. Rob and I have truly been blessed with wonderful children. They are the neatest kids. I hope they have a great year.

Here's my junior high school student (or should I say middle school). Cameron started 7th grade this year and loves his P.E. class and teacher. The first thing he tells me about each day is what he did in P.E. and then something about Mr. Lamoreaux. So yes, that's his favorite subject so far. He tried out for the Knowledge Bowl team and made it, so he gets to do those competitions. Mr. Trivia will really enjoy himself.


Look at my lovely 5th grader. She just turned 10 and is growing up so quickly, but so well. We love everything about Missy. She has the most loving spirit of anyone I know. And her huge spirit is just so happy to have a healthy body and to be here on Earth. My Missy is such a joy to me.
Yes, the Tiny is off to kindergarten. It's been a rocky start. School started on a Wednesday, but the next full week of school started with tears every morning once she got to school. One day they lasted until noon. None of this was I aware of until Friday when I took her treats to school and found her crying. Her teacher said she did it every day. So we made Amy a happiness chart that her teacher would sign everyday if she wasn't crying in the morning. She almost lost her reward one morning but her sweet teacher helped Amy find her smile and she was able to get her reward at the end of the week (season 2 of SpongeBob). I hope that all is well this week.

Here are some more pictures of that morning.


Amy in her classroom. Her hair is finally long enough again to put in a ponytail (and that was on her orders).

I'm still comtemplating the events of the other day. I'm still troubled by the whole thing, but on an interesting level. It's still disturbing to me and a little tender. Have you ever felt completely alone before? Like there wasn't one soul in the entire world who cared about you? No friendly face, no encouraging words? I've never felt so empty before in my life. As I stood at the ticket desk, trying to comprehend what was happening, I felt despair like I've never felt before. Now I'm a pretty independent individual and pride myself on being able to make the best of a bad situation. Things usually work out for me because I feel I think well on my feet. But at that moment, I really needed someone to rely on. I wanted to feel like someone cared about me and my situation and that someone had answers or suggestions, or just something for me. But there was not a soul in that entire airport who looked my way, gave me any comforting words or reassurances, especially the airline people. They just wanted me to go away and be an idiot somewhere else. I can't even put into words exactly how I felt, other than it was the most horrible feeling in my life. I just kind of aimlessly walked away in a daze, having absolutely no clue what to do. I didn't even have the wherewithall to say a prayer. But Heavely Father was still with me, I guess, and the only thing I could think of was to get back home. Thankfully, I had a sympathetic husband to talk to when I got back to my car, and the sweetest customer service person at Expedia. She was the one who finally got the tears, once I wasn't numb anymore. I really appreciated her listening ear and trying to help me out with my problem. The most amazing thing of this whole experience was the love that I felt from my students the minute I walked back into my classroom. I decided to go back to work and not waste my personal leave day, and they were so happy to see me and so empathetic to my plight. I truly love where I live and work. They are the greatest places on earth!

So there's a point to my rambling, and I think a lesson I have learned. I feel so badly now for anyone of Heavenly Father's children who have ever felt the way I have in their lives. I don't want anyone to have to feel like this, especially if I am around them. I will, in the future, do everything in my power to help everyone around me know that there is at least one person in the world who cares about them. We are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and just like our theme in Primary this year, we all can say "I am a Child of God". I think it's amazing that that is usually the first song our babies learn when they go to Primary (along with Popcorn Popping on the Apricot tree and Book of Mormon Stories, of course). I was playing it on the piano one day when Amy came and sat down on the bench beside me to sing it. It was the most beautiful thing and I was so amazed that she knew all of the words. So I hope that you who read my blog (few, though, you are) will join me in this quest, endeavor, or whatever you call it. Help those around you feel the love our Heavenly Father has for them. I love you all!