Jorja Loves Frogs

We had the biggest surprise today. Jorja got a package from Grandma Parry. I wasn't expecting anything. Jorja's birthday is on Monday, but I didn't make her wait. When she opened up the box, she found a new blanket waiting for her! The blanket was covered in FROGS! My kids love the blankets from Grandma. When I say they love them, they love them to pieces. Maysen's blanket was in shreds after 12 years of loving. Jorja has several holes just beginning in hers. I had asked Grandma to make Maysen a new blanket, but I never asked for a new one for Jorja. This was a complete surprise. This new blanket is the same pattern as her old one, just with frogs on top. Jorja is in heaven! She thinks it is the coolest thing ever! She has even started to write a story about it.

Jorja's new blankie

Jorja discovered that her new blanket is even personalized! Grandma stitched JORJA LOVES FROGS!!! She loved that!

She also loved the RIB-IT-RIB-IT-IT-IT that Grandma stitched. It was like finding an amazing treasure. She was so happy!

Jorja wanted to pose with some frogs. She grabbed a few handy ones. I told her I was going to put the picture on my blog. She said, "Well, these are not all my frogs, only a couple."

What a wonderful surprise. Thank you grandma! I only cried a little - when no one was watching. Thank you for loving my children. I wish we lived in Idaho and you could teach me how to make these fantastic quilts. I love you more than you could ever know. Just when I think I can't love you anymore, you go and do something like this! Amazing.

Little Pirate Porge

Mike has been working on his booth for the fall festival. He has a cool green screen and the kids have had a great time taking pictures with it. This one of Jorja is my favorite so far. It is suppose to storm on Friday. I hope not, Mike has worked so hard on his booth. He's hoping to drum up interest on his movie making/technology classes. If you have any extra room in your prayers, pray it doesn't rain on our parade!

Pirate Porge

Maysen reminded me about a cute story involving Preston. Maysen brought home her gym clothes and lock because the quarter just ended. I was hoping she wouldn't have gym again (they switch every quarter and you don't find out until you go to school that day -- drives me CRAZY!!!) I even wrote an e-mail to the principal asking Maysen not to have PE. But, she does. So we will try it one more quarter. Anyway, I needed Maysen's lock to send back to school with her. I couldn't find it anywhere. I searched all the logical places. I was about to give up and go to the store to get her a lock when Maysen asked Preston if he knew where a red lock was. He said yes and took Maysen to his car that he rides on. The car has a secret compartment - low and behold it was there! Why don't I ever think to look in Preston's hiding places? When will I learn?

On another note, report cards came out today. Maysen had all A's. Her lowest grade was 94% in Gifted Math. She's pretty hot stuff. Stockton and Jorja did excellent as well.

Substitute Teaching

I have started Substitute Teaching. I started almost two weeks ago. I have been able to sub every day at the school Stockton and Jorja go to. It has been pretty fun, and very busy. It is fun to see Jorja and Stockton during the day. I always managed to keep myself busy before this, but now I have no time at all. I miss Preston. At least Mike is with him so I know he is having a great time. When I come home, Preston will run up to me, give me a big hug and say, "I missed you so much Mom!" He is growing so fast . . . and seems to be growing faster and faster every day. Slow down little baby! - after you're potty trained.

Halloween Party

Every year April & Brooke throw a Halloween party. They had it this past Friday. Maysen babysat and did an excellent job. We've had her watch the kids before, but not for so long. She also got all the kids, including Preston to bed. That is no easy feat. I feel like Mike and I have so much freedom now, although we still rarely go anywhere ~ it's just too dang fun being home.

Mike & Stephanie

Different

Mike and I have been looking for a saying we could put in Maysen's room with vinyl letters. We were looking for a cool quote, then Mike had an idea to use a quote from one of Maysen's stories. When Maysen showed me this quote she had written for her new book, I knew we had a winner. "Different. There's so much power in that word, it almost scares me." I loved this quote and thought it fit Maysen perfectly. Now we need to get pictures for her frames.

I realized I have never put pictures up of Maysen's finished room. We have a few small things left to do, but it is pretty much done. Maysen loves her calendar on the wall. On the purple board Mike writes her Portuguese words of the week. She loves that.

Maysen's alarm ~ very loud

Maysen just told Mike that she needs to be careful around me. She said, "I left my talk in the car and mom puts it on the blog, I show her my stories and she puts it on my wall!" Well, she is just too amazing to keep to myself. Love you!

Store

Today Jorja decided she wanted to do a store. She decided this after we used all the Clorox wipes on our cleaning day. It was empty, so she thought it would make a good bank. What good is a bank without someplace to spend your money? Maysen & Stockton played along with her. I bought a blue rock, two bookmarks and a pencil eraser. They cost me 6 pirate coins.

Jorja's Store

Stockton's Store

Maysen's Store

He Made It!

Stockton made the Reading Bowl team! He tried out for the Chapter Book team. He did great! In order to get on the team, you had to read the four chapter books they assigned and score 80% or better on the AR tests. Today, everyone that hadn't been eliminated competed in a mini-reading bowl. There were no teams, it was all individual. Stockton was amazing. He actually ended the competition with the highest score: 120. His good friend, Nicholas, made the team as well ~ we are excited about that. Congratulations Stockton! We are so excited for you!

Stephanie & Stockton

Stephanie, Mike & Stockton

Mrs. Peter's Birthday Cake

When Maysen started Kindergarten, Shannon sent her this book. She has always loved it. So, today for dinner we set up a tent in our front room, layed down a tablecloth and I read this book to them. After we all had Mrs. Peter's Birthday Cake. It was actually pretty good.

Story Time
Mrs. Peter's Birthday Cake

Jorja approved

In other exciting news, we also finished the New Testament today! We are starting the Book of Mormon again so that Jorja will be able to finish it before she turns 8. She is really excited to start reading it.

Young Women's

Maysen had her very first Young Women's activity tonight. Of course I had to document the occasion.

Maysen

Maysen and the other Beehive, Amy
Sister Massey (Beehive advisor) & Maysen

Sister Prillaman taught the girls how to make bracelet's for today's activity. Sister Prillaman was Maysen's Activity Days leader for about three years. Today felt just like old times.

Maysen & Sister Prillaman

Amy is about six months older than Maysen. I am so happy to have Maysen with her again! I was thrilled when they moved into our ward. Not only does Maysen have someone to be with, but Amy is the type of person you hope your children will want as their friend. Plus Amy and Maysen just get each other.

Maysen & Amy

Sister Nutter & Maysen

Heather Nutter is the Young Woman's leader. She wasn't thrilled I was putting this picture on my blog, so I buried it deep down here. Funny story about Heather. A couple of years ago we served together in the Primary Presidency. (She was also my pianist while I was the primary chorister, so we have worked together a lot). My cousin, Heather Nielson, was pregnant with her third child and I was waiting to hear her ultrasound results. My cell phone rang and I saw Heather flash. I grabbed the phone and said, "Is it a boy or a girl?" The response was, "what?" Again I asked, "Is your baby a boy or a girl". Heather NUTTER started laughing. Whoops. Guess I should be more careful.....

To IB or Not IB

I went to an International Baccalaureate meeting today. I have had mixed feelings about this program. The meeting was very good and calmed some of my most pressing fears. If we are still here in Georgia we definitely want Maysen to participate. The school she would be going to scares me, but if she is in the IB program a lot of my fears would be eased. I wonder how the IB program works in Utah? I don't think she would have the issues of me being scared for her if she is not in the program . . . So many decisions to make . . . Maybe I can talk her into not getting any older - wonder how that would work out?

Greed and Jealousy

Each of the kids take turns giving a Family Home Evening lesson. Usually we have them pick a topic out of the bucket. Sometimes they want to give their lesson on a specific topic. Sometimes we have very interesting/unusual lessons. Stockton gave our FHE lesson this week. He picked his own topic. This is his lesson:

My lesson is about greed and jealousy. I've written a short story about this topic. At the end, explain who was the better example and why:

Bobby and Moe were playing with a toy robot. Moe was winding it up. He was about to let it go when Bobby snatched it from Moe's hands. "I want it, so it's MINE!" "Bobby!" Said Moe, "Wait your turn!" Bobby shouted "NO!" Moe looked on the ground and saw the robot on the floor. He looked up and saw Bobby's arms folded and his head turned away from him. So Moe took the robot off the floor casually like if his pencil had dropped. "HEY, YOU GREEDY MORON! I DIDN'T SAY MY TURN WAS UP! GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT NOW!" Bobby tried to take it from Moe's hands but Bobby pulled a little too hard . . . Normally, both of the boys would have gripped and pulled intensely and the robot would snap in half and break. But this time, Bobby pulled it from Moe easily, but without much grip. It flung behind him and headed toward the wall at 40 MPH. And I bet you can guess what happened next . . . You got it! The toy robot suddenly stopped heading toward the wall and instantly fell straight downward at the floor. And then it landed on the floor unharmed. Bobby and Moe looked at each other. They both tried to grab it. "STEP ASIDE BOZO, I'M A FEROCIOUS VAMPIRE WITH DEADLY FANGS!" But before Bobby could even tough it, the toy robot suddenly opened up it's body and sent a flash of light at him. He was suddenly warped to the 18th dimension.

It was a little hard to understand Stockton because of his constant giggling. He could barely get the words out. Plus, Preston was jumping up and down and jabbering about something or the other. I think he wanted us to sing the B-I-N-G-O song again. We sang that for the opening song along with ABC's and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. But, as Elder Bednar pointed out, it is the consistency that truly matters.

Faith

Maysen had to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting today. Her topic was Faith. She wrote the entire thing herself. This is her talk:

Hello everyone. I'm Maysen Smith and I just turned twelve. I was asked to give a talk today about Faith. We all know what Faith is, believing in something you can't see.

I was reading Portuguese scriptures with my dad the other day, and I asked him about the brother of Jared. I remembered the boats that were shaped like watermelons, and how he got the stones lit by having faith in God. What I asked was, "What was Jared doing in all of this?" He replied, "He was trying to convince his brother to go pray and figure out the lights somewhere else."

Many people have faith in the scriptures. Nephi and Lehi had faith. Laman and Lemuel did not. Joesph and Hiram Smith had faith. They were killed because of it. But they never denied God. The Savior promised, "if ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me." Moroni 7:33.

Faith is a gift from God, but we must care for it. If exercised, it grows strong. If left alone, it becomes weak. One way to exercise our faith is by prayer. Another is fasting. Another, keeping the commandments. And reading the scriptures.

My family is almost finished with reading the New Testament in the bible from Matthew to Revelation. We will finish next week if we read a chapter each school day. Then we will once again start the Book of Mormon, this time with my sister, so we can finish it before she turns eight.

Baptism is important to be able to return to God. In some churches, babies are baptized quickly, because apparently "because they are descendants of Adam and have come into the world with sin." We do not believe that, though. According to the second article of faith, "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression."

My favorite prophet is Abinidi. He had faith, even as he was burning in the fire. He was able to convince one of the kings advisers, Alma, about the church. Alma had faith that Abinidi's words were true. He ran away to a grove and started preaching about the church. He was able to convince and baptize many people.

Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him; trusting his infinite power, intelligence and love. We must express our faith through our actions. Jeffery R. Holland spoke of Tithing Years once, specifically the decade from 12 years to 22. I have entered that decade.

This past week, I've been practicing, doing my best to show kindness and not speak harsh words. To help others and put their feelings first, and not my own. I am sure that's what Jesus would do.

I hope that when I die one day, I can be in the celestial kingdom. I will be able to see my grandmothers, and all other family members. I will see Heavenly Father and Jesus. I have faith that I will. I know They love us. We love Them. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Maysen did such a good job. She surprised the daylights out of Mike and I when she decided to quote Moroni 7:33 in Portuguese. We weren't expecting that at all! I'm proud of you Maysen. It is such a joy to watch you grow!

Happy Birthday Maysen!

Maysen turned 12 years old today. Crazy, I know. We had a long, enjoyable, sunny, day. Maysen decorated her cake first thing this morning. I put her hair in a pony tail to keep it out of the way. She told me to take a picture because I might not ever see her with a pony tail again. I obliged.

Maysen ~ 12 years old

Several years ago, we told our kids they could have a birthday party when they had an even number birthday. Maysen decided she wanted to have a vegetable car race party. The kids all brought different vegetables. Mike helped them carve them, and then they raced them down a track. I took a lot of pictures, but I'm unable to access them right now. . . .

Maysen had a great time at her party and let us know over and over how happy she was with it. After cake and presents they played a squirt bottle game, then 'Do You Love Your Neighbor'. Even Preston got in the action.

Maysen & Jorja

Blow!

After the party, we had a few more gifts to give Maysen. Things I had been collecting all year. We got her an alarm clock I picked up when I was with Ange & Rachel in May. I'm excited to have this small, cute clock instead of the obnoxious pirate clock she loves. Maysen had been hinting for a long time that she wanted birthday jammies. She loves the Carters feet jammies. She fits into their biggest size, so this is the last year for them. That is right . . . Maysen is now 12 and she fits into a Carters size 7. I had to get the jammies at an outlet mall . . . about an hour away. When I was there, I noticed a croc outlet. $5 crocs. I picked up some for the kids, along with croc church shoes for Maysen.

Stockton & Maysen

Notice Maysen is wrapped in her new blanket!
She also loves the new Webkinz Dragon Evan gave her: Volcano

Birthday Jammies

Maysen's biggest present was pottery lessons. One of my friends in our ward teaches pottery lessons. She will most likely be moving at the end of the year. Her husband will have finished graduate school. I couldn't pass up this opportunity for her. Maysen is so excited.

Quick Maysen story. Maysen was talking about her new alarm clock. She was excited that it snoozed for 5 minutes. She has it set for 5:55. There is a rule in our house that no one is allowed up before 6. All morning kids here! Maysen said, "This will be good. It will give me time to stretch and rub the sleep from my eyes." Mike started laughing and said, "Rub the sleep from your eyes?" She stomped away laughing and said, "Well, I'm an author!"

Okay, another quick Maysen story. Tito, Jakob's mom, told me she had been after Jakob to find out what Maysen would want for a present. Jakob came home and told his mom that Maysen wanted an editor for her birthday. Nice.

I am so lucky to have Maysen in my life. She has brought me unimaginable joy. I love you Maysen! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Oops

Yesterday was my first day as a substitute teacher. Well, first day in 13 years. I was also asked to sub for Mrs. Jackson today. Yesterday, I saw Mrs. Jefferies in the hall and told her I would be her sub tomorrow. She said, "Great. I won't need you until 11:15". I didn't know that. I thought I was needed the entire day. As I left, I told Nancy that I saw Mrs. Jefferies and she said she didn't need me until 11:15. She said, "Yes, did I not tell you that?" Guess not.

Anyway, I dropped Maysen off at school this morning. When I get home, Mike said, "Nancy called as soon as you left and asked where you were. I told her you weren't suppose to come in until 11:15. Nancy said they need you now." I was totally confused. I thought I cleared up my misunderstanding yesterday. That was when I looked at the calendar and noticed I was subbing for JACKSON not JEFFERIES. How embarrassing! Way to make a good impression!

In Her Dreams

I have been after Maysen for awhile now to tell me what kind of cake she wants. Today, she sent me an e-mail with the following choices. I don't think so, but one can dream.

Today was my first day substitute teaching. I lucked out. I had Mrs. Fowler's 5th grade class, and she had a student teacher! I just sat in the back and watched. Pretty easy. Preston gave me a cute hug and kiss when I got home. Pretty good day.

Standoff

Today I went to pick the kids up from school. Just like every other day. As I turned off the main street, I noticed three police men running by the trees with their guns drawn. Holy cow! What was going on? I turned onto our street only to be met by several police cars. One policeman came and asked where I lived. I told him the end of the street. He said I could go through, just make sure to lock the door and not to come outside for awhile. (We have a cul-de-sac that branches off our street. The problem was there). Anyway, I dropped off Stockton and Jorja with Mike, then made my way back through the barracade to get Maysen. By the time I got back with her (about an hour later), only one police car remained. A news van had now set up camp.

I watched the news to find out what had happened. It's weird seeing houses that you pass everyday on the news, and hearing your neighborhood called an "upscale suburban neighborhood". Anyway, a father came home to find his daughter moving out of the house with her boyfriend. They had a moving van and everything. The dad got mad, got his gun and . . . luckily no one was hurt and the standoff ended peacefully.

In other news, I have my first day substitute teaching tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous. I'll teach in Mrs. Fowler's 5th grade classroom. Then I get to teach Ms. Jefferies 4th grade class on Friday. Hopefully I don't embarass myself!

Done!

I have now finished the Parry Post! Yea! As soon as I can figure out how to get it into a PDF, I will send it out. It is more complicated than it should be because my computer won't print in color for some reason . . . even on a PDF. I am tired and want to go to bed, so this is the end of today's entry.

Sponge Skating Part 2

Jorja had Family Home Evening this week. She gave a lesson on the Holy Ghost yesterday, then today she wanted to sponge skate. This time all the kids have their own skates!

Show off those skates!

Train ~ just to freak their mom out. . .
Mike dancing with Stockton (Preston looks cute)
and Jorja
and MaysenStephanie dancing with Preston

A few days after our last sponge skating episode, Preston found Stockton's skates and wanted to put them on. I told Mike not to let him because I thought he would fall. Mike thought I was crazy. He put the skates on Preston, and Preston immediately fell. Mike felt so bad. Especially with the gigantic goose egg that Preston had on the back of his head. It made me nauseous to look at it. I could never be a doctor . . . or a nurse . . .

Anyway, this time we had Preston wear a helmet. That was a good thing. Towards the end of the skating, he slipped and landed straight on the back of his head. He hit hard! Preston got up holding his hand on his helmet and said, "My head doesn't hurt! The helmet worked!"

Preston

$17.00? I Don't Think So!

While checking Maysen's backpack, I noticed her school pictures. They take your pictures first, and then you pay later. If I fork over a check for $17 I will be the proud owner of 2-3x5s and 4-2x3s. You gotta be kidding me? I will just have to be content knowing she has a super cute picture in the yearbook.

Maysen - 6th grade

We had a relaxing day watching the rest of General Conference. I ate way too much chocolate. I'm just too good at Conference Bingo. Next conference I will only be allowed to play bingo on the morning sessions. That's my new rule.

Not Ready to Let Go

I snapped a picture of Maysen in bed for the night. Notice her beautiful blue blanket? She loves it. She carried it around most of the day today. Well, she said that she couldn't give up her pink blanket yet. She's had it for twelve years, so she needs it. She decided to have her old blanket cover her pillow. As long as she's happy. Maysen always sleeps on her dog Heart. Grandma Honey gave her this dog when she was four years old. She loves her dog, her blankets, and her grandmas.

Maysen

I love General Conference. The three older kids listened to the first session with us. They played conference bingo of course. Our favorite quote: "He's breathing my air". Stockton busted up laughing on that one. Love it.

Mike went to our old Bishop's house this morning. He was helping Mike out with a few things. When he was there, Mike noticed an envelope addressed to us. Inside was a card and a Target gift card. The card said, "While sitting in the General Relief Society meeting, I felt impressed to do this for you. Please know that God is aware of you; I know it. Many people - both far and near - love you." Thank you to whoever sent the card. I think it was post marked Nevada. That was very, very kind. We have three birthday's coming up, so this will be put to good use. I wish I had been more thoughtful of others when we had the means to do so.

Thank You Grandma!

Maysen got a new blanket from Grandma Parry today! She is so happy. Maysen picked out the fabric when we were in Idaho over the summer. The blanket is the perfect size. Maysen cuddled with it the rest of the day. When she was getting ready for bed she said, "I bet my pink blanket is going to be sad." Personally I think the pink blanket will be fine. This new blue blanket is bigger so Maysen won't have to scrunch up every night. She wanted her pink blanket to cover her completely . . . Thank you grandma!

Maysen

In the package was Maysen's Christmas stocking. This is the first cross-stitch she has done. It's beautiful! Thank you Debie for putting it together for us! Debie always helps me out on craft like things. Without her, I don't know where I'd turn! Thanks!

Now You Know How I Feel!

Stockton's teacher was telling me a story today. Classic Stockton. The intern was in the front of the class working on a difficult math problem with the kids. I'm assuming she asked someone a question that they didn't know the answer to. Mrs. Catlin said that there was just silence. The uncomfortable silence. The awkward, uncomfortable silence. Mrs. Catlin says she really tries to stay quiet and let the intern have control, but it was just driving her crazy. Mrs. Catlin looked up and she sees Stockton glaring at her with the most tortured look on his face. That cracked Mrs. Catlin up and she started laughing, which made Stockton laugh. He buried his head in his hands. Mrs. Catlin thought, "I'm going to get him in trouble." So, she got up and helped the intern out. Soon afterward, they split up into their reading groups. Stockton's group was working with Mrs. Catlin. As Stockton sat down, he said, "Now you know how I feel". I love that kid!

Mrs. Catlin was also commenting to me on the differences between Maysen and Stockton. When she read The Indian in the Cupboard with Maysen, she asked her, "What would you do if someone gave you an Indian, you put him in a cupboard and the next day you found out he was alive?" Maysen replied, "I would put a dragon in there and see if it would come alive", and other such answers. Stockton said, "I don't think I would even notice". I believe he is right.