I'm updating, ok geeeez

Hi everyone,

I have had several people ask me to update my blog. So I begin this. But where do I being.

THE PACKING The packing was the hardest thing in the world to do. It was so trying., With Mike being in California for a month I had to pack this house and hold everything together while he was away. It was a nightmare. There was only so much I can do. My Sweet Brother in law Jason came over one night with his screw gone and went and took everything heavy off the walls. Curtain rods, shelves, I can't believe we anchored these things to the walls like this. It left holes. After he left I felt like things were beginning to move faster. It was a relief. I knew we would come back to get the house ready for a renter so we just left the holes. I had some friends from my ward come and help me pack up my kitchen and decorations. It was nice to have friends like this.By the end of the month I was sooooo over this.. I couldn't lift or do another thing,

THE HOUSE I kept searching on line until I found a house that was worth making a trip to see. When I did find one in the right location that I wanted. I jumped in the car with three kids and my sister Allison for the weekend and we headed out to California. The girls were so tierd and we were packed tight in the car.We got cranky at times,. I agreed on the house. We managed to get the house painted and new carpet and appliances before my move in date. This would be a great feeling to move into a fresh newer house.

THE FRIENDS It was a nice surprise to have my Queen Creek friends, Layne,Cori,Tara,Debra take me to Serranos Mexican rest. We had a nice time. Then they had some man with a guitar serenade me with a Good Bye song in Spanish. It was cute and sad.. I miss you guyszzzzsss sooo much.. Talk about real people with genuine love. These are the ladies. They will always be special to me. I know we knew each other before we came to earth. They were meant to be in my walk of life. They are awesome n every way.

My Brother in law Mark who is awesome in every way drove back with Mike on a Friday after they both worked a good 14 hours. They loaded up the uhaul when they got here.. We have so much stuff to take it was crazy.. A wonderful friend Bibi and her husband and her kids came over to help move things into the truck as well. It was an adventure but Mike was so determined to pull out of Queen Creek by 7:00 in the morning. Well, it didn't happen. We left at 1:30in the afternoon. and left soo much behind. We were so tired. The rain started and made the drive harder. We pulled up and Mike's family was here to help unload. I had no idea they were all here. I thought we would empty the truck in the morning. We must have had 20 people here. The nephews who are now all grown and in their 20's emptied that truck in 30 min. My brother in laws were great help to..I stood at the door and told them what room it went to. It was sure a nice surprise to see them all here. After we unloaded. We ordered pizzas and Tanner, Ryan, Jacob all played handball inside the Uhaul. The rest of sat at chatted until midnight or so..It was a fun chaos.. I loved it.

UNPACKING It took us a few days to get organized and get things in the right place. This house is smaller than my Queen Creek house. But that is ok. Love grows best in little houses, fewer walls to separate. ( my fav country song) and we managed. The bedrooms are smaller so we bought Emalee and Ashlee bunk beds and they are loving it so far. I think they have switched beds a few times now. To this day I still have things that need to be done. I had so many decorations that I didn't know what to do with. I have a good friend Shannon who just moved into a huge house is Idaho. She was coming for a visit so I gathered things for her to take home and do what she wanted with. I hope she is liking them..

THE JOB Mike's new job has been the biggest challenge. It is not quite what he expected. The hours he works are beyond anyone every having a life. 14 hours a day. Come on who can do that and still remain sain? I'm not thrilled at all. The other challenge is having to try and keep the house quiet while he goes to bed at 7:30. He gets up at 2:30 every day. I found a fan that makes the loudest wind sound. It drowns out some sound. Try and tell girls to be quiet is rough. However I think we are getting down a system of settling down earlier. We just have to not talk loud or play loud music. So he can get in at least 7 hours of sleep. When the weekends get here there is no settling down this house until midnight... I keep praying the job gets better and easier. Now that its' been a a few weeks we are seeing him home by 5:oo 2 days a week. It's still not enough. We like him home more often. Family time is sooo important to me and we need him home more often. I kinda like him.. hahah

ADJUSTING. It is a big adjustment when you move. This is why I wanted to have the girls in the same schools and connect with past friends. So far so good. However, I believe the girls are seeing that there are friends that don't make the best choices.So, now they are faced with using their free agency in deciding what is a friend. They are strong they can handle it. I tell them to make memories not regrets.. I'm just glad they have each other. Ashlee is doing so well with her grades. She was invited to be in the high school AVID program at high school next year because of her grades. I know it is a monitored program that mentors the kids with good grades be on their way to college. Along, with special privileges. I'm still learning about that. Emalee is doing an on line High School. Emalee is my OVER IT child. She wants to be an adult. She doesn't like the drama of high school. I think she is just very mature for he age. She wants to move on to college. The on line high school is an accelerated plan that helps you to graduate early. She will be over her credits to graduate. They have social nights, and events planed. It is a Charter school. She actually logs on every morning and takes 6 classes. She can see the students name in the class and can hear them when they talk. The teachers pair them up for lessons and they work on a on line white board.. It's kinda cool. I always listen in on her Spanish Class. She is doing well. Haylee is the only girl her age in my ward at church. This is hard on her. So it doesn't make it that fun for Primary and Activity day.I encourage her to keep going. I did however, put her in girl scouts with her friend Erica. I had to do something to help her feel better. I can't believe how awesome the girl scout program is for girls. She is loving it. I wished that I would have thought of girl scouts for my older girls when they were little. It is awesome. She has a great leader Cinthia Masters and she has so much love for these girls. She is amazing. I just love, love, love her.
Me, well. I can be happy anywhere as long as my husband is happy and my girls are happy. I miss going to Cosmetology school. I'm having a hard time getting into a school out here. It will happen it's just gotta be the right one. In the mean time. Mike wanted me to be happy so he set up a salon station in the garage and all my manikin heads are ready for work. Although past friends know Im in school for hair so I had the opportunity to cut Desiree, Becky, Morgan, Teresa, Marina, Katie, and a few missionaries hair to practice. That was nice and It felt soooooo good to CUT CUT CUT...hahaha.. Other than this, I taxi 3 kids to three places 3 times a day.. I miss the buses in Queen Creek. The girls are close to a little shopping center. It has been nice to send them to the store for milk or pizza or subway.. They can walk and be back in a few minutes. On Saturday mornings, they get up and walk to get donuts at the donut shop.. The down size you can smell all the yummy food cooking from the front door.

THE HOUSE. It is a work in progress, It is a neglected house that needs so much work. The yards are huge and there are weeds. YUCK. I'm a weed hater.. Mike doesn't have much time to do yard work so I do the best I can. I did have the missionaries over to do the yards one day. That was nice In return they come and do their laundry here at my house on Monday's.. That is a good trade. The house in Queen Creek, sat for a month of so. Then we got a renter. So we are happy that we are able to keep the house and have it rented out. I don't like being a landlord though. Too much to think about.

So, now I'm back where I started from 4 years ago. What the heck happen? Why did I have to leave only to come back? I'm happy to come back but the last 4 years have not been easy. There has been trials and set backs and happy times. I left behind family in Utah, Family in Arizona and yes, I have Mike's family whom I have loved as my very own family. They have always loved me and my girls and made us feel apart of it. I have great respect for them. I just can't figure out why I had to go through all this. I have always wanted my girls to know their aunts and uncles and cousins. Yes, the bonds have been formed but now we are all apart again. I guess, this is what the Lord wants for me. You have to go where the work is. even if it means packing up and moving to another state. When your wagon is stuck in the mud you need to get out and dig it out. Not sit in the seat and pray for it to get out. Get out and work it out. (A general Authority from my church quotes that) This has stuck with me for along time. Well, our wagon was stuck in the mud (no job) and we got out and pushed it out of the mud ( moved to the job) and now we are working it out. Can't sit and pray for help and not do our part..So we felt this is what we needed to do. There are still lots of bumps in our lives just like everyone else. But we feel confident that it will all work out. This is the latest so far on our move. We have been able to take the girls to Disneyland and they beach a few times. We had a few family BBQ's and we are enjoying California life..




















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Another Adventure

Moving back to California has been on our mind for awhile. We both tried to fight it at first. However, ever opportunity that came for employment has been from California. I guess it is time to listen to the promptings and move forward.

I'm so puzzled and wondering why our family has had to go through a complete 360 turnaround in 3 1/2 years. We left California for many reasons. We wanted a change, we wanted to have our girls establish relationships with their cousins there age and Grandma also. I think since my Dad died I have felt a tug to be around my family. Maybe I needed that comfort being that I left home at age 18. I felt as though I was on my own at a young age. Being in Utah and Arizona has been challenging in many areas. We went through some financial struggles, a medical scare and surgery with Mike, a job lay off, lack of employment,misunderstanding and uncertainty, making new friends and their challenges they face and so much more. We have learned to pull together as a married couple with each challenge. We have improved our communications and have come to a better understanding of what each other desires. It has been a learning experience all around. We have grown together and have made decisions that will only improve our situation and our girls.

So this brings us back to so many unanswered questions. Why are we being pulled back to California to where it all began. Will it be the same there? Will it be different? Will the girls be happy? Will we all be happy?

As of today Mike is in California, he has started his job and his working hard to get us all there. Is work day starts at 4:00 am. He wakes up and calls me and we talk every morning as he is on his way to work. I know he misses me. well, maybe he just misses his warm oatmeal that I make him every morning.

We are so thankful that we have such a caring and loving Brother in Law Mark who helped Mike get this job. We are so thankful for his sister Diane for allowing Mike to stay with him during this transition. We are blessed to have family to support us in Arizona/Utah/Cali to help during this time as well. It is not easy being apart as a family. My sister Allison said it right, It is like your other arm is missing. You don't know how to do all that is expected of you when you don't have your other arm. That is what it feels like.

So, Im trying to figure out where to start. Where to start packing, the garage? the Kitchen, It is confusing me to begin this journey. I have tears of joy and tears of sadness because I have made some great friends here in this ward and I will miss the unity this ward as. I love this house, I love that it is brand new and feels so clean. Nothing is wrong with it. Nothing needs repairing. So today I guess I will start by cleaning up this house. As I clean I will pack stuff. oooo wait, I need boxes.. my thoughts are all over the place wondering where do I start. I guess I will go and find some boxes.

The girls don't like it when Dad is not here. They feel like its not as safe. Its quiet even Dude our Dog is quiet. Haylee sleeps with her Dad's shirt at night. She has been sleeping with me keeping me company even though she hogs the bed.

The girls are so sweet. They see my mind going through a million things. THey have been making dinner and serving my dinner to me as I try and make final arrangements. We are all supporting each other during this transition. Hopefully it will be soon we can be together..
It has felt so good to sit and type my thoughts. Thank goodness for blogging. I know that the Lord is with us all and will continure to guide and bless us if we are faithful.

Thank you friends and family for your understanding and support.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

This Christmas has just been so Sweet. There has been some special experiences that I have shared with Mike and the girls that have helped me to realize what is important. I have always known what is important but this Christmas confirmed this to me without any doubt. I was thankful.

We have had many opportunities to feel the True meaning of Christmas this season. Everything we did this year. We did as a family. Nobody was missing and we all took part in it. We started by putting of the lights on the house and around the yard. We didn't go all the way to the top of the 2nd story. Mike refused to hang from the roof this year.. You start to look at things differently and question if you can still do them when you get in your middle 40's...

With going to school full time I didn't have alot of time to decorate the house. I came home and Ashlee and Emalee started hanging the garland on the banister for me. I thought that was thoughfull that they wanted to do that.. So when I came home from school we worked together to get it done.

Christmas Eve was at our house this year. The girls and I made the yummy Ham and Cheesy Potatoes. And my sisters brought so much food. We ate a few times that night. Here is Jason enjoying the food..

The table was set by Haylee. Ashlee made all the name cards as wel..

Carla and the kids read a story of the Three Tree's. They had props and all.

The cast and crew of the NATIVITY STORY.

We had a fun evening. We realized that it was almost 11:00 that night and we still had plenty to do in our own home to get ready for the morning..

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Every year I have a picture of the girls dashing out to see the presents. We make them wait upstairs until the scene is set downstairs... Haylee is always the first one as I'm sure you can tell.

I realized after most of the presents were opened that I didn't take pictures.. So I started snapping some shots.

I love this picture, Even Dude, our dog was around to help open presents.

I have to say that I'm so glad that Haylee is 11 years old and still loves to play dolls. She loves toys and things to create. This child amazes me with her excitement of life...

Ashlee and her checker sweatshirt from Tilly's she wanted...

Emalee is a Twilght and New Moon Freak... So she loves her movie books with awesome pictures to look at.

She also loves her girly bling bling jewlery

And of course, The girls have been wanting Band Hero. So they can sing all the Taylor Swift songs. This is a pretty fun game. I like to play the drums...



What was best about Christmas this year is the opportunities we had to feel the spirit of Christmas. Haylee was in her first Band performance. She played the flute. She is loving this and I hope she continues to develope this talent.

Jason and Allison's ward Christmas Party was so nice. Jason was in charge of the entire music program. There Bishop wanted a spiritual feeling. He made that happen with music and songs and choirs and scenery. Jason also sang one of my favorite songs from the Forgotten Carols. "The Inn Keepers Song" Let him in.. He did a great job it brought me to tears..

Emalee and Ashlee sang on that Christmas Sunday with the Young Women and Young Men Youth Choir. It was great to see my beautiful daughters singing at church.

The youth also went on a hay ride. The packed this pull trailor with hay and all the youth drive around the loop singing Christmas Songs to homes in the neighborhood.

We all had a great Season and now It's all over and the deocoration are put away. Now we need to continue to remember these special feelings of doing everything together as a family.

Holiday Time.,

One of my favorite things to do in Arizona is to walk around the Mesa Temple to look at all the lights. It is so beautiful. I love to walk way out to the fron of the temple and be able to see the 3 wise men and the camels on the big front lawn.. It was a nice night to share with Allison and Jason and the kids. At first we were not going to go but I realized if I don't go something will come up on the weekends and we will miss it. So, I'm glad we took the kids and went.On the temple grounds there are beautiful lemon, orange and grapfruit trees. I went underneath one and had to take a picture of the fruit. by the way, it's not forbidden you can pick it..

Ava and Haylee thought they were at Disneyland...

It's that time of year where you try and pack as much into one month and stay in touch with the real meaning of Christmas. I love this time of year. Although I'm going through some of my "lasts" with having my youngest child growing out of the I believe in Santa phase. It makes me want one more little one in the house.

We decided this year we were going to put a Christmas tree up in the loft of our home. This is where we gather in the evenings and do homework and also the computer is in the loft. We do allot of family organizing up here. We bought a little tree and set in on the credenza. We choose some special ornaments of when the girls were very little and put a little topper on it. We sat around the tree one night and read from the New Testament. Luke Chapter 2. We decided we were going to read up here every night before bed and then have a family prayer. Yeah, I bet you think awwwwwwwww, what a perfect family.. Yeah right. We started this on December 1st and well it is now December 13th. We read an entire 7 days out of the 13.. Although the desire is there.. ha ha.. The nights just get busy with three girls and their different schedules.

When we get done reading the scriptures as a family I place them under the tree ready to read the next day. After, we read a few chapters and everyone went to bed. I sat up by myself and and was looking at the tree in the dark loft. I was reflecting the past year and some of the challenges we have faced as a family and individually. I thought about some dear friends in my ward that have faced harder challenges than my family. I know that loosing such a loved little child is very difficult no matter how long there have been on this earth. I though about 2 special friends from California who lost her Father this year. I though about the hard economic times that have affected some of my own family members and their children. This year seams to bring so much sadness to so many people that I know.

THEN, I looked at the tree and focused on each ornament and reflected the happy times each ornament brought to my heart. I skimmed all the way down to the bottom of the tree. I noticed my scriptures sitting waiting for our next reading time. The room was dark and lights from the little tree shinned on them and the thought came to my mind.

What a perfect gift these scriptures are. I thought about my Dad and almost felt as if he placed the thought in my mind.

How can I forget such joy the scriptures can bring, the peace that can fill a room the instant you open them and begin to ponder the meanings. How can I forget the gift of the savior and the joy that he gives to me and others. I know that it is through the scriptures we can change our sadness to happiness. I know that the teachings if applied to our lives will change the way we think and look at each situation. This I'm so thankful for. I'm so thankful for this tender moment. I love that I try and find down time to reflect. I used to run myself into the ground and rush through the memories. As I have gotten older I have made many attempts to "BE STILL" and enjoy the tender moment.. You can't hear them when you are rushing.

Here is a glimpse of how this thought came to be. I was so happy my batteries were charged in my camera to capture my tender moment.

Haylee's Birthday.

I love this little girl...

Haylee's celebrates her 11th birthday. We had her party a few weeks early. Looking at the calendar for the month of Decemeber we realized we don't have a free weekend. Decemeber birthdays are hard. Haylee is so a minnie me. She is an event planner. She had a notebook of all her ideas for her party. I literally had to no planning at all. She planned for a Rock Star party. With coloring hair it temporary bright colors, and music notes hanging all over the house. She loves the fact that she can read music since she started playing the flute. She is still in the beginning stages but she is doing well with it. We had a fun night with her friends. I still can't believe she is 11 years old... Where does the time go.

she loves her "New Moon" cd she got from Shaila.. Thanks Shaila

Here they are outside piled on the swing with their colored hair and silly faces.The girls painted these cute ceramic cupcakes. This was a great quiet activity.. they came out so cute. You could almost eat them. We spray painted them with gold glitter. I'm so glad that Haylee has a great group of friends to play with. I love the fact that she is 11 and still loves to play. She loves barbie dolls, and toys.. As long as she loves and plays with them she can have them.

11 things I love about Haylee.

1. She is very independant

2. She goes after what she wants and stays focused.

3. She is quick learner

4. She keeps her room cleaned up without being asked.(most of the time)

5. She reminds me to say my prayers

6. She loves to play girls stuff and as well as dig in the dirt with her Dad.

7. She is doing great with her grades.

8. She follows me around the house hugging me from behind as I'm cleaning the house.

9. She loves to cuddle still.

10. I love to watch her twirl around the house doing her dance routines.

11. I love the she has her own personality and that she is funny, and silly and serious when she needs to be.

I love being her Mom.

Happy Birthday Honey !

Time sure flies when you are " Stressed" You thought I was going to say "when you are having fun" right? Well, yeah we are enjoying living even though these are stressfull times for our family. I'm just so happy that we could celebrate my "GUY'S" Bithday. Can you believe he is 45 years old. WOW, To think I met him when he was 15 years old. We have known each other for 30 years and have been married 21 years.. How amazing is that? The girls made thier Dad a happy birthday banner and hung it up on the railing ovre looking the entry way in our home. I took Mike out to dinner that night and when we walked in the door the girls poured little cut out hearts all over our heads and yelled " Happy Birthday" It was cute..

one of my favorite pictures of him. This is what we love to do when we go back home to California. We visit the beach and just sit and stare at the ocean. I miss my beaches... Here is mike today. Yeah, I can "clearly" see the handsome grey hairs all around. Thankgoodness I'm going to Cosmetology school. I was able to color the grey right out. He was also pampered with a manicure and a pedicure from me as well. " he was pampered"

My sisters Allison and Carla and thier hubby's and all the kids went to the Bass Pro Shop for dinner. It was fun all going together. We spent a few hours in the store. There is so much to look at....

I can't wait to spend many more years with my best friend as we move into the different phases of our lives...

Update on Cosmo School

WOW, What an adventure it is.. I have been in school 3 weeks. I'm so exhausted. Going to school full time literally wears me out. I can't even think straight. I feel I have no time for my house. By the time I get home from school it is dinner, homework, dance, softball practice, I'm only home an hour a day besides sleep time.. What was I thinking.. I keep telling myself it will pay off once I get done with all my theory/anatomy classes and can do "just" hands on only.. That is when I will be able to use my creativity more.

So, far I have learned all there is to know about scalp treatments, head massages, and I have done at least 15 manicures/pedicures to my classmates in the last 2 weeks. This week we have focused on acrylic nails and nail design. Now, that was fun. I was able to create designs and polish in some creative ways.. I applied my first set of acrylic/tips overlays on my daughter Emalee. They came out pretty good for my first time. I think she is happy with them.

My classmates are pretty cool. I have learned to appreciate each one of them and what they have to offer our class. Each one has their own walk of life and experiences. There are a few that have made some hard choices and are suffering the consequences of that choice. There are times when I look at them with sadness and think If they only knew how much their Heavenly Father loved them ,how important they really are, They honestly don't have a clue. I treat them with care and also caution. I encourage them to keep coming to school and continue to make good choices. I think they will.

I'm so happy that Mike has given me "wings" he always encourages me in what ever I do. I know he is proud of me. So, I just have to keep telling myself to keep going on this road. It will end shortly and when it does I will be happy that I graduated and finished this study. I know I can choose my own schedule and have a career that I will be able to use my creativity and enjoy doing... I can do 9 hour days and come home and be a mom as long as I have my man to pick up where I leave off. He is doing a fine job...

COSMETOLOGY?

I have a new ADVENTURE in my life. I have reached a time in my life where I want to do something that I have always wanted to do. Cosmetology. I have been tossing and tossing this around for sometime now. When my younger sister Allison started school for this a few months ago. It inspired me to start thinking about "ME" so, I pulled out my Patriarchal blessing and read it. I started sorting some old items from High School. Praying morning, noon, and night. I came upon our Class of 1984 Senior Wills. Under my name I wrote I want to be a Cosmetologist. I want to own my own salon. It hit me as well. I REMEMBERED THAT I REMEMBERED I wanted to do this as well. I guess I needed to get back those feelings of those yester years. The Me before kids and before being a wife. Yes, I love being a Mother and a Wife to a great Man it is my ultimate priority. However, I realized that I would love to own my own salon and decorate it my style and enjoy the company of Fun women coming in and out all day long. Besides, I have 3 daughters just think how much money that can save me in hair styles and color. I love hair styles and coloring my own hair. It has always been a passion of mine.
My hours will be perfect enough to get home with my girls after school. With the support of my wonderful Husband who is already making plans for my salon. Maybe even hooking up a salon with Allison as she is further along in the program. So the Journey begins on October 26th. I will be a full time student at Empire Beauty School. I can't wait, I can't wait. I hope I will have lots and lots of friends and family who will step up and want me practice on them. LOL. (with of course assistance from a teacher) I'm excited!

My Mother

Lately, I have been thinking allot about my Mom. I don't know why. Maybe cause she is coming to visit. I like when she comes to visit. It just reminds me that I can be "me" and that is ok with her.I love that when I'm with my Mom or family I don't have to entertain I can just sit and be in the same room if I want.
My Mom is a fun mom. She likes to be busy and on the go. She is often sitting on the edge of her seat ready to go somewhere. I think her favorite thing to do is go shopping at Walmart and Target. She always finds a gadget. It's pretty funny. When you talk to her on the phone she will tell you all about her shopping adventure. Being a Mother to 9 kids. I know my Mom had to go with out allot of things. Allot of finer things. She stuck to the basics that is what worked for her. My mom would go without many things to make sure we had the things that we needed. I always tell my girls that I was lucky I had a lip gloss in my pocket. Now days kids have way to much. I had my sisters and our imaginations that is all. I loved it.

I can remember my mom setting up big blankets in the living rooms one for each of my sisters. We would build our home on it. We would pretend that it was a raft and we were floating in the river. We would be so excited when mom brought out the rafts.. (how funny that I remembered that)

Below is a picture of my mom the older child on the floor. This was Christmas morning. I loved how she is dressed alike with her sister. So fancy. I guess the tradition continued. All my growing up years my mom always made sure we dressed cute for Christmas. I don't know how she did it

Here is my MOm, looking so proud of her 4 daughters by the time she was 26. Yes, that is me in the red shirt. Still have those same cheeks. Love the simple times.

Here is My Mother and I now. She has had some challenges in her life. Loosing my Dad a few years back as set my Mom up for some pretty challenging times. She is a strong women who loves her kids. Although her mind and thoughts are all over the place she is loved. She has since found a companion to be with. They enjoy life together and share good times.

Cant' wait to see her and spend some time with her.

Haylee is excited about growing up

She is running for student council at her school. I think she was most excited about making the posters all by herself and posting them all over the school. She is loving this 5th grades stuff. Although I just noticed she spelled Secretary wrong. Ohhh well what do you expect out of a 5th grade Secretary. ( I guess I should have helped more.)

She also is taking on the challenge of learning to play the flute. It's only been a month however, she practices every day.

Some kids just like to be busy. She is one of them. I know she will do well.

Update, Update

Here is our first day of school. I can't believe that It has been a month now since the girls started school. Haylee, loves school. She loves being involved and being right in the middle of everything going on. (like her mom) She loves to help plan and stays in at lunch to help the teacher decorate boards and anthing else the teacher needs help with. She is a big 5th grader now. This is her last year at Elementary School.

Ashle, is in the 8th grade and is ready to take on the world. This year the 8th grade class is at the High School. They keep them seperate from the other high schoolers. They basically just borrow a building. The high school is brand new this year and only holds 8th. 9th, 10th. Each year they will grow into a regular high school. Ashlee is taking a Spanish class to get this out of the way. She wants to work on some harder classes before she gets to high school.

Emalee is a freshman this year. She is excited to be in high school and so far loving her classes. She is taking a TV Production class that has all the equipment for filming. She is working on a piece with a few class mates. She is the anchor person and is doing a segment on Traffic in the hall ways. She is filming crowded all ways and is prividing alternate routes to get to different destinations. She is loving this class. She is also taking a dance class

After school we always sit around the table and talk about the 1st day of school. We drin rootbeer floats and share the day. So far so good. It's been a month of school and the girls are doing well. despite girls drama that happens every year. I'm so glad that the my girls look out for each other and protect each other.

Here is the Church, Here is the Steeple

MorningSide Ward is finally getting our "OWN" home. We are all so excited. On the way to work I drove by our new stake center and this is what I saw. Yep, It's our steeple. I was so excited. I didn't have time to take the picture so I borrowed it from Cori's blog (thanks Cori) It was just a neat feeling to see it. I drive by the site at least 4 times a day sometimes more. Each and every day the building is looking more and more complete. The first thing that the Haylee said when she walked in from school was. Mom, The Pointy thing on the church is up....and it's pointing up. Funny girl.. We San Tan Vallians are so excited. ( our new city name). We are told December the building will be complete. It's only a half a mile away from our house.

P.P.P.

Haylee is a huge fan of Demi Lavato and Selena Gomez. She even remembers them when they sang with Barney when she was small. So when she found out that the two of them were teaming up to make a movie together. Haylee was soooooo excited. So, She wanted to have a Princess Protection Party. (that was the name of the movie) She invited a few friends and cousins and they came with thier blankets and pillows and had a late night over at our house. I got this cute idea from my sister Carla. Dip the pretty glasses in water than dip the rim of the glass in sugar and poor strawberry lemonaide in the glasses. Ohh my heck the girls loved this. Of course the sugar kept getting thicker and thicker on the rims. They felt all important drinking from a water gobblet.. (ha ha) you know little girls anthing to act like a grown up.
Haylee and Shayla on thier 3 rd glass (notice the thick sugar on the glass, sorry Tara is your girls get cavities, It would be my fault.

Cousin Brooke made a new friend with Sydney. They are the same age.

I just love this little girl. She is so girly and cute.

Haylee and Alicia. They just kept sippin the night away

watching the movie was the best part. They ended the night with a pillow fight and then around 10:30 I took them home... It was a nice night for Haylee. It's the little things like this that make them feel special. Haylee dvr''s the movie and I think I have heard it playing around 20 times now.. She is like her Mom once she is focused on something she goes overbaord until she is sick of it...