It's been quite some time since I posted a new blog.  I am enjoying my job at Roosevelt School.  I remember being so nervous when I was layed off at Thorner but I have to admit I love this job so much more.  I still love the school Thorner and I miss all of the wonderful teachers but there are wonderful teachers here at Roosevelt and I enjoy being in the library and troubleshooting and doing some supply ordering and everything else they need me to do.  I am never bored.  Garrett is back in residential and I am grateful he has enough of a desire to go there and we pray everyday that he will overcome his addictions and lead a happy life.  Devonn got a teaching job at Harding, 5th grade, Carla got a job as Social Service director and they rented a house a few blocks away.  I love that James and Andrew can ride their bikes to my house.  I pray they will be safe always and grow strong in the gospel.  Blaine has been watching Lexi everyday and they have a special bond.  He is still looking for a part time job.  Jazmine has moved out of the house and I pray she will be strong and find work and make good choices.  Emilee is expecting her first child.  We are so excited to welcome Alexander Samuel into our family.  I am so proud of her for her weight loss and healthy lifestyle.  Gary got a job down in Los Angeles and they have relocated to Sherman Oaks, Ca.  We are blessed to have all of our children so close.  Quinn got a job at Biomat as a lab tech and was able to purchase his own car.  I know he still wants to work as an aquarist somewhere on the coast and I know he will, this is his first step.  We did not have an exchange student this year but we are thinking about it for next year.  I am so very excited to take our every other year family trip to Catalina.  We have already booked our room at the La Paloma cottages.  My mom Karen had a bad fall in Sept.  She broke her neck and had to have major surgery.  While she was recovering they kept x-raying her lungs for her pneumonia and one wise doctor noticed it never changed and ordered a biopsy.  She has lung cancer.  Adenocarcinoma, which is often found in women non-smokers.  They have a new targeted treatment that is only offered to non smokers.  She is positive and has set a goal to enjoy Catalina.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I love being with my family and love them all so much.  Devonn and Carla took us on a trip to Yosemite for my birthday!   Blaine and I took a trip to Ventura and bought a KIA and traded in the FJ.  We miss the FJ, but the KIA is so much more affordable.  Andrew was baptized.   Here are just a few highlights since my last post:

 Traditional Thanksgiving family photo

 Emilee and her baby bump posing with siblings Garrett and Quinn

 My granddaughters Kaydance and Shiloh, it was nice to see them on Christmas eve.

                    Emilee and Gary Christmas Day

             James, Andrew and Devonn

         Quinn and Emilee posing with mom

                                        Andrew

           Mom and Devonn with his 12 foot fishing pole

                                     Yosemite Trip

                                    Blaine and I in Ventura

                                Devonn and Andrew on his baptism Day

                                           Lexi with Devonn

We had a nice time at the Shafter fireworks show.  Jazmine came with us and stayed the night, went to the breakfast with me then she went back to her bio families where she is now staying.  We picked up Garrett, he got out on July 7th.  He is doing well, is enrolled in an outpatient program and is attending daily NA meetings.  He will start oilfield training classes on the 22nd.  He plans to also enroll at B.C.

I haven't been so great at this Blog stuff, the past six months have been a whirlwind.  We enjoyed having Paoleta so much, she left on June 19th back to her home in Bulgaria.  Some highlights:
We celebrated her birthday with a trip to Six Flags on May 15th.
We went Camping the first weekend of June.
I got a summer school job with Special Ed.  Thankful I got the job.  We are currently trying to find homes for the next upcoming students.

We will be going to the Shafter fireworks show on the 3rd.
Garrett comes home on the 7th of July 
Maybe Blaine and I can run away for our anniversary this year to the coast.  That sounds nice when it's over 100 here.

January snow fun

We took the cluster up to Sugarloaf Village for a day in the snow. It was lots of fun and on the way home we stopped at Hosanno's for their yummy pizza.

Fall and Winter 2012

Sept. Oct. Nov. December just sailed by.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and just finished another wonderful Christmas with family.  I love being with my family.  Here are some pictures to tell the story. Oct. Nov. Dec. memories

I forgot to post about our summer vacation to Catalina

First off James was baptized before we went to Catalina.  His daddy baptized him and it was so special.

We had a very enjoyable time in Catalina.  Due to traffic we almost missed the boat and that was too stressful so I think next time we will take the Catalina Express as there is a boat going out on the hour, not just one.  Blaine and I along with Jazmine, Austin, my mom, Sally, Emilee and Gary, Quinn, Devonn, Carla and James Andrew and Lexi.  I love spending time with my family in Catlaina.  I loved snorkeling.  The water was not that cold this year, I think Quinn said it was 70.  I loved the flying fish boat ride and the Island at night.  It is so peaceful.