I READ IT!!!!

Okay, that was a HUGE feat that I've never done in my entire life. Yeah, it's a tad difficult to admit...but I normally detest reading. I've enjoyed smaller books and certain kinds of books, but never novels!!!! I don't know how I got such good grades in English since I absolutely hated when we had a book to read :(

Well, I loved the movie so much that I had to read the book to find out more details as I know there is much more in the book. The book was absolutely amazing as well !!!! I'm shocked and surprised at how quickly I finished the book. I got it on Monday and didn't start reading it until Monday night when the boys went to bed. I read and read and couldn't put the book down. I read on Tuesday night as well and then spent part of the day today reading the rest of the book.!!!! Less than three days to read that BIG book!!!!! WOW!!!!

I can't wait to read what comes next :) I'm sure it will be exciting as well!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!

I am such a TWILIGHT FAN!!! WOW!!!!!!! We rented the movie over the weekend after hearing how amazing the book is from friends. I couldn't get enough of it!!!! WOW!!!! That's all I can say.....

We watched the movie Saturday night, then all night I kept thinking about and picturing Edward and Bella and had so many questions about them. We watched it again today... I still can't get enough of it... I HAVE to read the book now!!!! I went onto the twilight series website where the author talks about her story of how she came to write the book. Amazing story as well. I'm so glad she wrote the book and that it was made into a movie. I so can't wait for the next movie, but until then, I'm GETTING THE BOOK!!!! Even Tim wants to read the book to see what we missed in the movie.

Some of our favorite scenes are... wow, that's going to be tough. I love when Edward sees Bella walk into the science class and her hair blows right then. I also love the meadow scene when he picks Bella up and runs her up the mountain. Another favorite is the baseball scene!!! WOW!!!

The whole movie was so amazing that it's tough to pick just a few scenes for favs. I love how Edward is so protective of Bella and how she is drawn to Edward. I also love how Edwards family welcomes Bella and makes her feel welcome and a part of the family. As with everything in life there are gospel principles that I've found in this movie. One is so very important...that is control...Edward loves and respects Bella so much that he exercises great control and protection..... I hope and pray that my boys are just as protective and respectful to the young ladies they meet. Bella loves and respects her father....she doesn't want anything to happen to him, so she convinces Edward to protect her father as well. :) Maybe it's different in the book, but these are thoughts and ideas that I get from the movie.

I just can't rave enough about it... Deffinately 5 stars from me :)

One proud Mama!!!!

Okay, I just have to share how very happy and proud I am of my boys :)

Aaron- Aaron benchmarked on his writing assessment and his speech assessment this past month!!!!! YAY!!!! Now, we have to work on math and reading. Aaron is such a smart kid, it's showing it that we're working on :D I want everyone to know how smart this kid really is...is there a magic juice that I can give him? ;) Each and everyday Aaron rides his bike a little over 2 miles to school and then home. He has enjoyed it and done well. He has been told that when his grades are up and good, then he can get his permit and start practice driving....oh boy...don't want that insurance bill ;) I think Aaron has read the Oregon driving manual at least 4 times now..... Everytime we are driving somewhere, he points out something that he has learned in the manual... it's amazing how much he's reading it and learning ;) I think he will do well on the test the first time...now if we can get him to read his scriptures that much, we'll be doing great :)

Brandon- Just finished a fundraiser for marching band to help pay for their fees and travel. He finished his fundraiser in first place for sales and earned almost $100 for his band. His part of the band fee is taken care of as well as another kids fee :D WOOOHOOO!!!! Yes, the band did a Scentsy fundraiser!!!! I donated my comission from their sales to the marching band. The whole band received almost $600!!! There were three prizes for the top sellers. 1st place won $50 cash, which Brandon won that all on his own. I did NOT help him one bit or buy anything from him. 2nd place won a warmer and a bar, and 3rd place won a plug in and a bar. The kids did a great job and had a great time :) 47 symphony warmers were ordered last month from the fundraiser...they were on backorder until today and shipped out today !!! YAY!!!! Brandon has also been doing chess club after school and has done a great job !!!

Josh- Has benchmarked in Math. He only missed the reading benchmark by less than 10 points and was so very close. Josh also increased his STAR reading level by 2 grades :) That's a HUGE jump especially for Josh as he has struggled so much with reading. It's so nice to see that he is taking a liking to reading. His teacher said that there were days when she would count that Josh went to the library at least 4 times a day to get a new book. There were only two books that he didn't pass the AR tests; he was at 193% of his AR goal!!!! WOW!!!!!!

Dallin- Dallin will be moving up to the highest reading level when they come back from spring break!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!! At the beginning of the year Dallin benchmarked so he was only retested to be pushed and increased his score on each test :) Dallin LOVES school and just can't get enough of reading. I'm so glad that he didn't take after me in the reading department :) On our way to Idaho last weekend, Dallin had two books with him which he had finished before getting to Idaho. Dallin's STAR reading level in second grade is 3.3!!!! He absolutely loves to check out chapter books and does so well at reading even the scriptures!!! YAYA!!!!!!

Kyler- Kyler is learning and catching onto things. He still struggles, but his teacher sees that he knows things because he answers questions...just not when it comes time to test him ;) silly boy!!! Kyler loves going to school and loves to socialize with his friends :) He's become quite the social butterfly...now, we just have to continue working on his focus ;)

It was so nice this last week to have such good teacher conferences for the three younger boys. They all three surprised me with improvements :) I'm quite impressed with them and their hard work!!!

Our weekend

The boys and I headed to Idaho for the weekend this past weekend :) We had a great time at the New Plymouth Elementary school carnival. It was so nice to see so many friends and family. Saturday, the boys hung out with Tim while I went to my scentsy training in Boise.

I had such an amazing time at the training. I was blessed to meet Orville and Heidi Thompson as well as Kara Egan (one of the "inventors" of scentsy). I also met Heidi's mom and dad as well as many other amazing people. It was so nice to get to know more scentsy people and share the joy of such an amazing SCENTsational product. Orville was sharing with us how fast scentsy has grown in the 5 years it's been around. Each year there is about 400% growth!!!! AMAZING!!!! I'm so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful and SCENTsational company.

I left the conference with more ambition and excitement to grow my business and do more parties and share scentsy with whomever I can :) I can't wait to share it with everyone!!!!

On our way home from Idaho yesterday, we had stopped at the rest area just outside of Baker. As we were entering the freeway, I had seen a truck pulling a trailer that was very close to other vehicles. This truck was driving all over the place and almost hit several cars. I was getting worried after several miles of this driver stirring up dirt and rocks on the side of the road and going off the road and then back on and into the next lane. I followed him a safe distance and called the police as I was worried that this person was falling asleep or tired.

The police had found the pick up that I had reported and I thought all was finished and done. This morning I got a phone call from the state police asking me for a report again of what I saw. They had arrested this man for a DUII. I don't know all the details but I was so grateful that I had called it in. I am also very grateful that no one was hurt from this experience or event yesterday. We were all very well protected and watched over, for which I am extremely grateful.

The picture isn't a picture of the pick up, it is one from the internet...this car was placed in front of a school to show kids what can happen when drinking and driving... duii's are not just from drinking, they are from drugs as well... driving under the influence of intoxicants...drugs can do the same as alchohol can when you get behind the wheel. This particular picture, the driver survived with brain damage and the passenger was killed.

Is it or isn't it Spring????

I thought that maybe spring was here, then we were hit by another blast of cold and wind... I do love the sun being out and shining..it makes things so much easier. I am much more active and get much more done when the sun is shining.

I can't wait for spring to finally arrive.... why???? well, here are a few things I look forward to in the spring
1. opening the blinds and letting all the natural light in that can come in
2. sitting in the front room where the sun is shining through the windows. (I could easily be a cat)
3. flowers blooming... I can't wait to see all the colors in my front flower bed and plant more
4. strawberries in my front flower bed blooming
5. turning on the sprinklers and watching them and listening to them
6. the roads to finally be dry and clear of snow and ice
7. the warmer weather so it's not so miserable walking to school
8. the warmer weather so we can enjoy bike rides....although I need to get a new seat
9.being able to open the windows and let some fresh air in the house and not get a freeze out
10. playing outside and sitting outside watching the boys play in the warm sun without coats, hats and gloves.
11....and the fresh smell of rain... I love april showers and may flowers :)

Happy Birthday Brandon 13 years !!!!

Brandon's birthday isn't until the 5th, but i have a few minutes so I thought I would post a tribute for his birthday.

Again, it doesn't seem possible that I now have TWO teenagers.... I refuse to believe it!!!! It seems like just yesterday that Brandon was born with his little wrinkly skin all folded over his tiny little hands.

Since Brandon is the LUCKY 13, I will share 13 things I love about Brandon!!!!

1. I love that you are outgoing and energetic about life. Everything you do, you tackle with such vigor and excitment. This is Dad's favorite picture...you tried so hard to help till the garden...look at that dedication on that face.

2. I love that you are such a kind hearted friendly person

3. I love that you have the courage to stand for what is right and don't back down

4. You always know what will make me smile and you do such a wonderful job of making me smile everyday :)

5. You have such an amazing personality!!!!!! Bright, bubbly, crazy, creative...the list goes on and on and on and on

6. I love that you make your bed everyday and I don't even have to ask you to do it.
You also LOVE animals!!!!

7. You are so thoughtful of others and often go out of your way to make someone feel special and welcome

8. I love that you love to sing :) D&C 25: 12

12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

9. You are so incredibly good with children and babies. You'll make a great missionary with kids climbing all over you :)

10. I love that you are so eager and interested in your grades and try hard to get good grades.11. I love that you are dedicated to whatever goals you are working on at the time.

12. You love to have a good time and you make sure others have a good time as well

13. I love that you also honor the priesthood you've been blessed with. You hold that noble calling sacred and honor it to the best of your abilities.

There is so much more that I could say to honor you on your birthday!!!! I love you so very much Brandon. I am so grateful that you chose to come to our family and be with us and teach us to be humble and grateful.

I hope and pray that your birthday is a blessed day for you!!!! It was a blessed day when you were born.