Ensign Article

In the February issue of the Ensign magazine there is a wonderful article about the experience of a birth mother and a birth father. I cried as these two unselfish individuals explained the depth of their love for their unborn children and shared how difficult it was to let their precious babies be adopted. They also explained how the experience blessed the lives in many ways. In the story about the birth father he describes a very open adoption plan. He has even been able to have his wife meet is birth daughter and her parents. I think it is wonderful that adoptions are becoming more open. I think it gives more comfort to the birth families to know that their baby is happy, loved, and cared for. I also think an adoptive child that grows up experiencing the love of his/her birth parents will be fortunate to never have to wonder if his/her birth families loved him/her.

I just can't wait until we get to meet a wonderful birth family and work out an adoption plan that meets every one's needs.
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Chess Anyone

Yesterday, it rained all day so Lance kept the kids busy by teaching them to play chess. I was surprised at how much they enjoyed it and how much the understood. Lance let them win and they were very proud of themselves. Later in the day they started playing "chess" using themselves and the kitchen tiles. Lance joined in and asked Brycen what piece he should be to which Brycen responded "the puddle guy." Lance and I just looked at each other and then I figured it out. Brycen thought the Pawn was a Pond and then he forgot the name, but remember it had something to do with water and came up with puddle. It was too funny!

Last week I taught the kids about Michelangelo. We learned about how it took four years to paint the Sistine Chapel. Then I taped paper to the underside of our table and the kids practiced "painting on the ceiling." They thought it was very cool. When Lance got home, the boys had him search for the new artwork, which was still under the table. Finally, after a lot of clues he found the artwork.

Scott's personal workout program!

Scottie loves to do sit-ups! He can do at least 50 of these rolling sit-ups and the whole time he is doing them he laughs. It is just a riot to watch him go. He has always had Abs of Steel.

Fun Day with Daddy

Recently I took Zac & Brycen to an Aviation Museum.

There were small Airplanes

And Large Airplanes.

There were Old Airplanes

And New Airplanes

There were Helicopters

And Aircraft with Folding Wings

Breaker Breaker, Anyone got their ears on?

Not Me :(

There were lots of Airplanes

And a simulator too.

Daddy sure knows how to have fun.

This Mystery is History!

On Valentines day Lance and I hosted a Murder Mystery Party for twelve couples. We laughed so hard all night long Everyone did a great job with their costumes and the personalities and acting skills were just priceless.

On Valentine's day Lance and I had a How to Host a Murder Mystery party. We had a total of twelve couples and it was a blast. The costumes were hilarious and the acting was outrageous!

I was an Art Dealer and Lance was a Big Game Hunter.

She was a Ventriloquist and he was her Dummy, Mr mike.

The Senator and the Reverend were having an affair. They both played there parts very well.

Our sleazy lawyer was hilarious he must have given out a 100 business cards. I wish you could see the white shoes he had on.

Once our victim met her demise, her real life husband could not resit giving her mouth to mouth.

I think this might have to become a Valentines Day tradition.

Way Out of My Comfort Zone!

On Thursday morning the secretary from Brcyen's school called and asked if I would be able to come in and teach the 5Th graders for the day, because their teacher was feeling sick. I was grateful that I was watching little Alex that day and therefore was unable to sub. See I am not a teacher! I love kids, but teaching other peoples children is just not my thing. My degree is in business. I purposely avoided the education building at BYU. However, when I explained that I couldn't come in that day I made the mistake of sounding as if I would have loved to help out. Thursday evening the secretary called to see if I would sub for Friday. I have never acquired the skill to just say no, so off I went Friday morning to face 14 private school 5Th graders. As Brycen and I drove to school I told him I was very nervous because I had never been a teacher. Brycen thoughtfully and honestly replied, "But, Mommy you've been teaching me for a long time. You taught me to talk and to walk." His sweet words comforted me slightly although I really doubted that any of these kids would need help walking or talking.

The day went okay. I don't think that I will be getting the teacher of the year award, but at the end of the day everyone was present and accounted for, I wasn't tied to a chair, and we accomplished everything on the teacher's lesson plan. I think the kids liked me. The hardest thing was that the owner/director of the school came by twice to observe me. I really wasn't nervous once the day got started, except of course when Ms Merrill was standing in the doorway. I feel proud of myself for making it through the day and.

Yesterday I attended a class on pruning roses. Along with not being a teacher; I am not a gardener. I love flowers and admire other peoples yards and gardens, but I am clueless when it comes to tilling the earth! Still I came home and got straight to work. I think my roses bushes look like I pruned them right, now I will just have to see how they do this Spring.

I think the kids may have more of a green thumb than I do. I took this picture of Zac, Brycen, and Alex playing in the garden dirt the other day. They had a great time and came out very dirty.

Random Cuteness

Cute thing number 1: Playing in the yard in January:

As I watch the news and see people having to deal with snow, I am so grateful to live in Northern California. I know sometimes Lance misses the snow, but all he has to do is drive for about an hour and he can enjoy as much snow as he wants--perfect! Yesterday the boys came home from school and spent hours playing in the yard. Zac even ate his snack on the trampoline.

And when he spilt his cereal, Shay was very happy to help clean up the mess.

Cute thing number 2:

My mom bought these little baby Crocs while on vacation a couple weeks ago. I guess she is as baby hungry as we are.

Cute thing number 3: Boys and their toys:

I went to cover Brycen up last night and found him sleeping like this:

As I went to put him back in his bed completely I found all these toys in the bed, no wonder he has to sleep standing up.

Cute thing number 4: Kid Artwork

After being inspired by a close friend, I have decided to teach the boys about a different artist each week. Yesterday we learned about Winslow Homer. The boys had a hard time remembering his name and kept calling him Martin Luther King Jr. At least they remember Luther's name!

Winslow Homer's "Catboat"

Scott's version of Catboat

Brycen's version

Zac's version (I think he is my abstract artist)

A Little Get Away

Last week Lance and I went up to Lake Tahoe for two nights with our friends who have a timeshare. The resort was wonderful we got to play indoor tennis, soak in the jacuzzi, and enjoy the steam bath. In the evenings we just hung-out playing games and talking. The boys stayed home with our friends and had a great time too. It was very nice to have some quiet time to just be together.

These pictures were taken from our balcony.

Our friends Tricia and Dave