Paper Airplanes

Stockton got a paper airplane calendar for Christmas. For the first few months we were really good about making an airplane every day. Then we got behind. Now it feels like we will never catch up. We have now finished all of May. Stockton likes to name and date all of his airplanes. Preston loves to throw them.

Inventing Things

Mike made taco bowls for dinner today. He decided to make his own shells from scratch. As he was cooking he sang, "inventing things!" I thought it was pretty funny. The dinner did turn out delicious...as always. Have I mentioned how spoiled I am?

Mike inventing things

Yesterday at the Yellow Daisy Festival, I bought the kids fudge cones. They were the cutest things. Little fudge balls on top of mini cones covered in sprinkles. Yummy! I had a chocolate covered banana fudge (not a fudge cone). So good. I also bought a garlic jam, (also not a fudge cone) I was surprised I liked it.

Stockton, Maysen & Jorja

fudge cones
Preston
They weren't messy at all!

Jorja lost a tooth the other day. The tooth fairy gave her a unicorn beenie baby that she desperately wanted. Last night, Jorja left the tooth fairy this message. She had shells and 50 cents inside the envelope. I love her! She is so thoughtful.

Yellow Daisy Campout

My friend, Janet, and I went to the Yellow Daisy Festival today. It is this gigantic craft fair. I had heard about it for several years, but never bothered going until our friend, Brooke, was able to get a booth there. It is super hard to get one. She does pottery ~ you can check it out at magnoliapottery.com. Anyway, I wish I has gone earlier when I didn't have to worry so much about money....well, maybe it's a good thing I didn't go!

I was wishing I knew who to get Christmas gifts for. So, I decided to hope my family would exchange names for the kids....and hopefully I get the girls. In other words, Christen, can I pretty pretty please have Skye, Ella, Larkin & Marie's name for Christmas. :)

Stephanie & Preston

Janet has been a wonderful friend for me. She was my first visiting teacher down here. She also was such a wonderful help to me during my surgeries. I have always been able to count on Janet for the last 7 1/2 years. She is going to move to California. I'm really going to miss her.

Janet, me & Preston

Janet watches a little baby during the day.

Preston is so mad at me.

He can't get his pants off while he's strapped into the stroller.

Jorja decided that she wanted to sleep in a tent for time with dad. Mike and I were able to convince her that it would be more fun to set the tent up inside the house. (It looked like it might rain tonight.) That went over real well, and she is sleeping in it as we speak.

Preston & Maysen

What campout is complete without smores?
Jorja and her missing teeth

Dad's 66th

Happy birthday Dad! 66 years old today. Thanks for the wonderful way you raised me and my brothers. Thanks for all the help on my church talks! Funny story.....a few weeks ago my dad called me up and said, "Stephanie, I need help on my church talk. What should I do?" I asked him what the topic was and he said, "Studying the scriptures". I helped him out. Gave him a few pointers. Glad I was of service. I love you Dad! Even when you are making fun of me!

Grandpa Millburn & Preston

Stockton, Grandpa & Maysen in Nauvoo

09.09.09

Mike put together a video of our adventure this weekend. I love it when he does that!

14 Years

Today was our 14th anniversary. We went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Delicious. I got the carrot cheesecake. Around 5:00, I started feeling horrible. Besides my whole body aching, my throat started hurting and my head was pounding. Great. Mike fed everyone and got them to bed. Happy anniversary!

These last 14 years have been the best and worst of my life. Everything about my life with Mike has been absolutely perfect. I have loved every second of it. I love my little family. Mike is the most wonderful husband I could have ever imagined.

The worst part of my life has been losing my mom, and Mike's mom, and all the events that have followed because of it. That part has really stunk. My mom and dad were married 28 years when my mom died. We are now half way there. That is a scary thought. Also, it is weird thinking that we are the grown-ups.

Here are some pictures of our wedding day. I loved everything about that day. It turned out perfect.

My aunt Kris loved this picture. She said it was all of her sisters ~ Tammi and Rozie standing in for Sue.

Rozie, my mom, Kris, Jackie & Tammi

Turtle Cove

Today was our last day at Turtle Cove. The adults went out in the morning with the two babies. I tried to get up on one ski. Heather and Paul make it look so easy. I got up right away, but only stayed up for a few seconds. It is so wobbly! I kept trying, but soon my legs felt like jelly. It was fun though, and one day I'll get it. Mike went after me and did great - show off.

We went and got the kids for some fun tube rides. This time Stockton stayed on, but Maysen got thrown! The water was great, everyone had a lot of fun. Paul and Heather sure spoiled us this weekend!

After the tube rides, we packed up and headed home. It took us about an hour and a half to get home. Not bad. Now school starts up again tomorrow. I think I'd rather be at the lake!

Stockton

All our kids giving the faster sign
Stockton, Preston, Maysen & Jorja

Stockton giving the faster signs with his toes

Preston tries to give the faster sign, but uses his pointer fingers

Celia, Lilian, Dallin & Andrew

Maysen

Stockton, Maysen & Jorja

Stockton & Maysen

Jorja & Stockton

Jorja Loves Frogs

Today was a relaxing Sunday. We watched a video about the restoration. We had the kids work on their parts of the primary program, read books and played in the sand. Andrew found a frog for Jorja. He sure knows the way to her heart!

Jorja with a frog

Jackson Lake

First thing this morning, we loaded all the kids onto Paul and Heather’s boat. We spent the day on the lake. It was beautiful! The kids all loved the tube. Stockton fell off three times and loved every bit of it. Heather skiied on one ski. Mike and I surfed behind the boat. Paul surfed behind the boat, without the rope, forever! I couldn’t believe it! The kids enjoyed the cute little beach out back. It was a perfect day!

Celia, Preston & Jorja

Preston - cheese!Jorja
Lilian
Preston & Lilian - they LOVED getting into mischief together!

I was really upset with myself for forgetting to record the BYU/Oklahoma game. I did call my brother Matt and found out BYU won! I was pretty excited.

Heather Here We Come!

After school we headed down to see Heather and her family. They live just over an hour away. When we got there, the three older kids weren’t there because they were at their horseback lessons. Lucky kids! We had fun playing around Heather’s awesome house until they got back.

We then drove about 30 minutes away to Paul and Heather’s boat house. It is a house on a lake. It’s beautiful. Right now I am typing this in the dining room while all eight children are asleep. It’s very quiet. I bet it won’t be quite at 6 in the morning!

My cousin Travis was married today. My cousin Markell is getting married tomorrow. I wish I didn’t have to miss special events like this. At least I don’t have to be at home this weekend.

Busy, Busy Day

Mike, Preston and I worked out in the yard today. I checked Maysen out of school and took her to the orthodontist. Two of her brackets had fallen off. They were able to fix that, and also a wire that had been bothering her a lot. She is very pleased with that. Picking up kids, helping with homework, dinner, reading, laundry, putting kids to bed . . . . that pretty much sums up my day.

Jorja Loves School

Jorja loves school. Stockton does not. Jorja loves homework. Stockton does not. Jorja loves to sing about how much she loves school. Stockton does not enjoy Jorja's singing. Jorja jumps into the car after school giggling and smiling. Stockton jumps into the car and yells "I'm free!"

Contest

Yesterday when I went to kiss the boys goodnight, this is what I saw. I love my boys. I promise Preston eats. Stockton sure loves his brother.

Preston & Stockton

Mike asked me what I wanted for our anniversary. (14 years next week!) I told him that I wanted him to enter the Great Wolf Lodge video contest. I had pestered him off and on about this for awhile now. He went and looked and had three hours until the contest was closed! He went to work, woke up Maysen, and submitted our video 20 minutes before the deadline. I'm sure we won't win because they take into account how many hits you had. With putting it up the day the contest ended, we won't be able to come close to others. I thought the video was cute though. Thanks Mike! I love it!

Snorta

Tonight we played one of our favorite games, Snorta. Jorja won. Jorja and Stockton are amazing at this game. I tried to win, but probably ended up with the most cards. I knew Stockton was very good, but I had no idea how good Jorja was. She has incredible focus. Nice going Porge!

Jorja-sheep, Maysen-donkey, Stockton-cat

Bye-Bye Myers

Our neighbors and really good friends have moved. For the last four years they have lived two doors away from us. Now they are gone. Teresa says they only live twelve minutes away. That is good for us. We will still get to see them at church, but I am going to miss having her boys come over and ask Stockton to play. I'll also miss walking with Teresa late at night or early in the morning. I've loved having them so close.

We did have the Myers over for dinner. They have spent the last week packing, cleaning and moving. Yuck! Mike made No Names. Yummy! He made the tortillas from scratch, it turned out great. Eat your heart out Molens!

Some Things I'd Just Rather Not Know

Some things I don't want to know about. For example, I found out today that when Stockton was in 1st or 2nd grade, he jumped off our balcony onto the couch below. Is he crazy? Well, I know the answer to that one. Why, why, why did he do this? I'm so glad he didn't get hurt. Apparently this was done when I was at the store and Mike was down in the basement. There are so many ways that little stunt could have gone wrong. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. Does Stockton try to think up ways to drive me crazy? He sure is good at it!

I was worried that this would happen when we were building our house. We had them put a railing there instead of the half wall that was in the plan. I thought the half wall was just calling to be climbed on or sat on. I should have just realized that a full wall was the way to go.

Crazy - Part 2

So today was the first day Maysen had to carry her books to her classes without her backpack. We went over the map of her classes before she left and tried to figure out when she could make it back to her locker. She goes to school today, and they mixed up the schedule because of an assembly. Well, not an assembly, a fashion show that you had to pay $2 to attend. Anyway, 6th period was after 3rd. 6th period is Maysen's gym class. She wasn't able to get her backpack, but she needed to bring home her gym clothes. So, what does Maysen do? She puts her clothes over her gym clothes. She stayed like that the rest of the day. Crazy, crazy girl.

Another thing that is weird. They don't let the students go back to their lockers after 7th period. So, they are not allowed to have their backpacks all day, but they have to take them to their 7th period class, or they can't bring them home. Which means she needs to take it to 6th period. I hope she can squeeze it in there after 5th. I think they are just trying to confuse the kids. Some classes NO backpacks. Some classes YES backpacks. Then I was told in a few weeks they are going to switch the schedule every other week. Apparently 'kids learn better in the morning, that is a proven fact'. I wonder if kids learn better if they are completely confused about where to go, and what to bring? Also, they can't choose where they sit at lunch. They have to sit with their class - just like in elementary school Ridiculous!

Crazy

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with Maysen's school. They got their lockers today (they've been in school 3 weeks already). Now that they have their lockers, they aren't allowed to take their backpacks to class. That's the craziest thing I have ever heard. I also broke the news to Maysen that most likely she will have P.E. all year long. She went to bed in tears.

Stockton ~ The Bear

Stockton received his Bear in Cub Scouts today. He had to tell a Tall Tale before he earned it. He summarized the story of Rip Van Winkle. I'm glad he remembered it, because I had completely forgotten about it. I had good intentions about practicing the story with him, but that never happened.

Stephanie & Stockton

Stockton pinning his mom

Mike wasn't able to go to pack meeting because he has been suffering with a kidney stone all day. Jerome came over early this morning and gave him a blessing. Between that, Motrin, honey & Dr. Pepper he seems to be doing better. Hopefully the stone will pass without us having to take him to the hospital. Last time he had a kidney stone (June of 1999), he suffered with it for two months before they had to take it out manually - think drain snake. It wasn't a pleasant experience, and one he is hoping to avoid this time around.

On a completely unrelated note . . . when I dropped Stockton & Jorja off at school this morning, I noticed the Vice Principal call Stockton over to talk to her. She called him over to tell him that he scored 100% on his math pre-test. I'm not sure if it was a pre-test over all the material for fourth grade or not; all I know is that kid is amazing!

William Henry Branch, Sr.

I was reading my great-great grandfather's journal as I prepared for my primary sharing time on Sunday. It was fascinating. William Henry Branch was born August 9, 1820. He and his wife were baptized January 16, 1850. After his baptism, he immediately started making plans to go west. He went to visit friends and family assuming he would never see them again. When he visited his father, Elisha, he told him he was now a mormon and was headed west. His father said, "William, I do not expect to see you again on this earth, but if your religion calls you to leave your home and friends, go, and the God of Heaven bless and prosper you that we may meet where parting will be no more. I will not have it to think of on my dying bed that I ever said one word to stop you from serving God according to the dictates of your conscience." Wow. How wonderful.

April 7, 1857 he attended conference in Salt Lake and heard his name called out to serve a mission to the Eastern United States. He served in Connecticut, and while serving there was able to baptize his father. Nicely done.

Dizzy, Dizzy, Dizzy

I started taking my hormone pills today. I had been using a patch, but it is so expensive ($60 for one month). The pills cost $10 for 3 months. Much better. I was so dizzy this morning. I hope that gets better. Mike took the kids to and from school so I wouldn't have to drive. But I made it up to him and had cookies waiting for them when they got home.

I'm a little nervous about starting these new pills. I've heard a lot of different things about them. I shouldn't be at a higher risk of breast cancer because of my mastectomy, so that's good. My doctor is worried that my bones will be too brittle when I am older. Especially since I'm so thin. Hopefully the pills do more good than harm. Only time will tell - what a scary thought!

Emergency Preparedness

Jorja was in charge of Family Home Evening today. Her lesson was on Emergency Preparedness. I could tell she was really excited about the lesson because she was about to jump out of her skin waiting for FHE to begin. Mike said, "We have to go somewhere for three days. Gather up everything you need. You have two minutes to get in the car. Go!" Everyone tore up the stairs, laughing their heads off. I raced into my room and grabbed clothes and undergarments for myself, Mike's and my toothbrush, toothpaste, and my pillow. Then I ran to Preston's room and grabbed clothes for him. I threw it in the car, ran back and grabbed my baby ~ because I definitely need him! I strapped him in the car wearing just his underwear. We made it in the car in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Mike backed out and started driving down the road. He ended up driving to the school and parked there. We discussed what everyone had brought.

Mike grabbed some clothes, a brown cookie box (pop-tarts), and a jug of milk. Gross! That won't stay good long!

Maysen had some clothes, Heart (her dog), her blanket, her pillow and blindfold, and a cup because she saw Mike packing the milk.

Stockton got his toothbrush, clothes, Preston's blanket and was proudly eating the honeybun he snitched out of the pantry.

Jorja was a little more prepared. She had a ton of books, clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, and her blanket. She had packed up a little in advance.

We drove home and had icecream as Mike talked to the kids about what we forgot. We realized that I forgot pull-ups and wipes, and my hormone pills. Mike wished he brought the lock box with all our important papers. Maysen said we should keep water in the freezer in the garage. Stockton was excited over the fact he got a honeybun and icecream and wasn't even in eaters or tasters club!

We are all suppose to come with a list of things we would like in our 72 hour kit tomorrow. Pretty fun. Jorja, you are full of surprises!

My Family Can Be Together Forever Through the Ordinances of the Temple

"Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan." These words are part of the chorus of one of the more known church songs. But what is Heavenly Father's plan? It's simple. Come to earth. Get a body. Live your life. Die and return to Heaven. Families can be together in the celestial kingdom. They can also be together on earth. Sealing your family is a good way to do that.

When we were in Utah visiting our cousins this summer, my family visited the opening of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We visited many rooms, including the baptismal font, the sealing room, and the celestial room. The baptismal font was lovely. The water looked so clear. I could imagine being baptized for the dead in the water on the backs of the twelve oxen. The sealing room was also lovely. A rectangular pillar rose in the center of the room, for people to kneel beside. A mirror behind each person reflected everyone. You could almost see forever. The celestial room was my favorite. It was beautiful, and the spirit was strong. It's hard to describe, but I felt happy in that moment. I was sad to have to leave it. A temple is not just a beautiful building. It is the house of the Lord. Your body is a temple too. The temple of your spirit. D&C 88:119 says, "Organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." Amen.

--Maysen

Sleepover Stockton

Stockton is at a sleep over for one of his good friends right now. Preston is really missing him and is having a hard time going to sleep without him. (He's still awake and it is 10:00). Bret is a huge University of Georgia fan. Stockton and Mike worked on a simple computer game for his present. He can play as the Georgia Bulldog trying to catch more footballs then the Yellowjacket guy. (The footballs randomly fall from the sky). Stockton was so proud of his gift. Such a sweet, sweet boy.

First Grade Parent Meeting

There was a parent meeting after school for the first graders. I decided to go even though I know the ropes pretty well. One of the teachers mentioned that they have a chart this year that the kids can put stickers on to mark their progress. After the meeting, I moseyed on over to the back of the room to look at Jorja's chart. Yep, she had stickers. She has already met the end of the year goals for site words and fluency. Way to go Porge!

There is a lot of noise coming out of the boys room right now. They both had naps, so this will be interesting. They are a couple of giggling geese right now. Sure do love them.

Jorja's Black Eye

Poor Porge got a black eye today. Well, her eye is not all black as Stockton pointed out, but she has a nasty bruise around it. She fell in p.e. today. She said, "My eye crashed into the floor". Hopefully it will be gone tomorrow. Especially since it's picture day.

Birthdays

Today is my mom's birthday. She would have been 62. Wow! She's old. Maysen and Jorja helped me decorate cupcakes for her. Preston even helped, his version of helped that is. We made yellow cupcakes for mom and one blue cupcake for Percy Jackson. Happy Birthday Mom! We love you and miss you!

Maysen, Stockton, Preston, Jorja

While I was in the carpool line, I was reading The Last Olympian. This is what I read today: "Hey." Annabeth slid next to me on the bench. "Happy birthday." She was holding a huge misshapen cupcake with blue icing. I stared at her. "What?" "It's August 18th," she said. "Your birthday, right?"

How cool is that? I thought it myself, "Yes, it is August 18th". I have never read a book and had it be the date they were talking about. That is why Percy got a cupcake as well. Maysen even iced a trident on it.

Car Pool Lanes

Right now my life consists of car pool lanes, homework helping, dish washing, Preston chasing, bed put-downing, and Primary stuffing. Not very exciting to blog about, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I want this part of my life to last forever. In summary, nothing to write about, but we were very busy.

The Second Coming

When the 2nd coming comes
If you're a nephew or niece.
It really doesn't matter,
but if you climb the ladder
there will be 1,000 years of peace.

I will act like Jesus did
I will live with family.
My life is pure perfection,
Oh, what a great exception,
I'll live with God for eternity.

In the Celestial Kingdom
It's a pretty sight, thus we...
know there's only 1 talent
that we need but we haven't
need to lose. Let's all live righteously.

After 1,000 years pass
There might be a final feast
If you've been good, unfurled,
you'll find you own a world
and so then Satan will be unleashed

--Stockton

Invisible Air Bridge

I'm makin' a bridge across the Atlantic Ocean
& I'm not using wood or a magic potion.
Just don't freak out, it'll be peculiar,
It'll be very weird, I'll be using air, Mr.
What? You don't think it's strong? It'll be husky
It's gonna be very strong, I know I'll be lucky!

Chorus:
If ya don't think it's strong, ya too late
'cause I've already used 108
zillion 407 trillion 011 . . .
Well I know it's a lot, but I think smart

I've finally finished! I'll divulge, tell my secret. It'll act
right 'cause the air will touch. It'll keep contact.
On T.V. I will test it, don't think pessimistic
Don't think the worst, I know I'll live
I won't listen to your omen
What you think what'll happen
in the future.
I'll do my best.

Chorus

I'll reverberate when I win, ya see?
I'll echo loudly over & over, 'cause I'll have victory!
I'm testing it now, & I will not flinch
I'll avoid all my obstacles, I'll step inch by inch!
Wow! It looks I'm hovering over the ground,
This is really fun! I'm flying around!
The reporter speaks 1 language, he's monolingual,
He only speaks Pig Latin, & I'm almost done!
My last step! I made no errors!
Then it did mutilate, it got damaged
& I fell to a closet of nightmare of horrors & terrors!

Chorus

--Stockton

Stockton had an assignment last year to write a rap song out of his vocabulary words. He had to put the words in and be able to have others understand their meaning (if they didn't already know) through the context. He got to preform it for the class. I wish I could have seen that. His teacher said it was hilarious!