He's getting it!

Alex has been mowing lawns this summer and has managed to (begrudgingly) open a savings account with twenty five of those precious dollars and save another $125. 

He has been plotting and planning what to buy with this money all month - claiming it's "the most money I ever have!".

First he was obsessing with buying a cell phone -as mentioned in an earlier post.  Last week Rylee mentioned Christmas and drawing names and it dawned on him that he will need money for Christmas shopping and he laid his head on the table and groaned,  "Presents?". It was very apparent that the idea of saving his money to buy Christmas presents is the lowest thing on his list! It was almost comical. I took him aside later and asked him how he would feel if he told me his birthday was next month and I acted like he did, throwing my head in my hands and saying "I have to buy you a present? Grrr..." He admitted he would feel bad. 

But apparently not bad enough to make a difference in his plan to spend his money?

He decided to buy an I-pod touch. 

Not too sure I'm happy about that but he agreed to some basic rules and guidelines with regards to it's use. Of course he doesn't have near enough for a new one but I got him on KSL and he called on a few used ones and found one close by for $120. Just in his price range. He arranged to meet the lady Saturday morning and took James with him. It is practically new. It's an older generation and doesn't take pictures or video but he is thrilled with it. (He asked the lady if she would "take a discount" very nicely and she said no but then sold it to him for $110 anyway - probably because he asked so very nicely!)

He has even figured out how to text on it! So it's almost like a phone. Of course he needs Wi-fi to text but he is in 7th Heaven!

After the priesthood session last night, he went to his first girl/boy party. It was a birthday party.  He was so excited to go but very disappointed afterwords as they sat around and didn't do a whole lot, some kids left and some girls cried over hurt feelings or whatever 7th grade drama they had drummed up.

I was standing in the kitchen checking my emails before heading to bed when he came up after the party and told me how much he had missed me. Such a funny kid. Who misses there mom at their first girl/boy party? I gave him a hug but he decided that hugging wasn't enough, he wanted me to sit down and hold him. I said I would right after I checked my emails when what to my wondering eyes appeared in my in-box???

I had won an E-bay bid for a BROKEN I-pod touch that I had not bid on or knew anything about.

What the heck?

Alex immediately denied having anything to do with it. 

After logging on to see my winning bid - A $51 broken I-pod needing a screen, a battery & with water damage I discovered that whoever placed this bid, set the max bid at $111 + $5 for shipping.  It was just too apparent that this was the workings of one uneducated, button pushing, new to eBay, excited young boy, making bids willy-nilly named.....ALEX!

Yep.

Sure enough.

Oh my. After getting the truth he claimed to not even know what a bid was. Which seems to be the problem we have every time he gets on a computer. He doesn't know what he's doing but proceeds with all confidence that he does.  Usually it's just downloading a lot of crap or importing music into programs that bogs down my Mac. But this was a new one. He actually placed a bid on an I-pod he didn't even know was broken. James was livid. (I have to admit I was too but was calmer than James.  But that's usually how James and I tag-team. One of us has to be calmer and rational. 95% of the time I'm the crazy, yelling, threatening one and he's the voice of reason, but not this time!)

After hearing it from James he came in to my office and told me how sorry he was. Keep in mind, Alex rarely apologizes without me reminding/prompting/requiring him too. So this was big. 

I knew he felt bad. 

I know he didn't know what he was doing but this is just why we have not allowed him on the computer. I thought getting him on the KSL sight was pretty safe. 

Wrong-o.

I told him I accepted his apology but he'd have to pay for this item to make things right. He promptly gave me his last $15 dollars and we set up a chart to document each time he makes a payment. I explained how eBay works and then sent him off to his bath

After his bath he came down all bleary eyed asked if we could talk in private. He sat me down in my office and with eyes brimming with tears he suggested that we make a rule that he doesn't get on computer because he doesn't know what he's doing. 

I almost fell of my chair.
I told him that was probably a good idea and talked to him about how if he had only asked and communicated we could have helped him with this. That we have helped the other children place bids and pay for things. He just needs to communicate. 
I then asked if he would still like me to hold him? He threw himself in my arms and sobbed "But I hurt your feelings!"  Oh, be still my heart. Is this boy actually getting it? Luckily he couldn't see my beaming smile as I held him and told him that the fact that he feels so bad and said sorry and is trying to make things right, makes my feelings feel better already. Everything will be okay.

We both learned something last night. 

He learned what a bid was, how binding it is and hopefully to COMMUNICATE with his parents before ever doing something like this again.

I learned not to save my user name and password on my PC and that Alex - after years of talks and rants about being truthful, saying sorry, hurting feelings is getting it! 

By George.....he's getting it!

Full Circle Moments

 Kambree
Kam is home for conference weekend and my baby girl is growing up!
You hope and pray, as you raise your children, that they will learn everything they need to know. That they will make good choices. That when it comes to dating and selecting a spouse they'll use wise judgment and realize just what a HUGE and important decision they are making.
Kambree's young and she's usually about the chase and once she turns a boys head and he starts liking her, she's done. I like this approach because I don't worry too much about her getting married anytime soon. But last year, I picked up on her turning the heads of some boys that really didn't have her values and ideals. They were fun, party-type guys with a few bad habits.  I wasn't too worried because again, she's about the chase but you know what they say...."You always ended up marrying the guys you date." and there were a few guys I didn't want to be calling son in law anytime soon!
So it warmed my heart to lay next to her on her bed last night and hear about the latest boy. Travis. And to hear about his character and the long talks and great personality this boy has. (Truth be told it scared me a little. He's a country boy and they are dangerous. I should know. I married one!) It was nice to hear her admit that she'd been dating guys in the past not up to her standards and that she had made some personal goals and changes in her life.
Now don't get me wrong. I don't want to be planning any weddings anytime soon BUT I love that she's hanging out with guys that can take her to the temple and be a good husband and father because...."You always end up marrying the guys you date!"  

Austin
Last week was our primary program. During the last song "Armies of Heleman" the 16 & 17 year old boys had been invited to walk up and sing the last verse with the primary children. I had no idea what song or what the plan was until it happened. So there's Austin up there. Almost 6 foot tall, 185 pounds, suit and tie singing the last verse with the little primary kids:
. 

 We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we’ll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.

Chorus
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.

Oh my goodness. I lost it. I didn't just cry I sobbed. In my mind it seems like yesterday that he was primary aged, reciting a memorized part, standing up-sitting down, singing -or in Austin's case not really singing. Then to see him standing there practically full grown. Knowing that in less than 18 months time he could be on a mission. I just couldn't stop crying. Devree looked at me like I was crazy. James just patted my shoulder. Austin just rolled his eyes. He thinks I'm crazy too.

Alex
One of the biggest misconceived notions about adopting an orphan is that they'll be eternally grateful. That they'll realize the love and sacrifice spent on their behalf and spend their days thanking you & praising you for your efforts. I've had folks comment on how "happy and grateful" Alex must be about being adopted into our family.
Please.
He's a kid.
Upon arriving home he felt entitled to anything and everything his siblings had. (Think of the spoiled girl on Willy Wonka "I want it all. I want it right now....") After almost a year of him complaining and pointing out all the things that he was still lacking (I-pods, cell phones, etc.) we started his gratitude journal. Each day for over a year and a half he has had to come up with something he's grateful for. Often times he'll look around and write about the first thing he sees. He's mentioned being grateful for pencils, paper, fans, fridges, stoves just about every animate object within eye sight of wherever he is sitting and penning his journal.
That's fine. It's important to appreciate everything you have. (I, myself am very grateful for indoor plumbing, spell check and hair coloring.)
Over the course of the last 18 months of gratitude writing he has also written some sweet and appreciative stuff about having a family. Having a mom. Having a safe place to live.
I.EAT.IT.UP.
I do!
But I'm not a fool. I know a lot of it is written for my benefit. He's a smart kid. He knows what makes me happy and he wants to make me happy. And truthfully they DO make me happy and I'm not complaining as I'd take a penned expression of gratitude - be it just to appease me or in all sincerity - over no expression at all. Anyone would. It's a step in the right direction and honestly, I didn't adopt Alex to have him be eternally grateful, I adopted him because I felt so strongly that he was missing. That he was meant to be ours, that he was ours before this life and we just needed to find him.

Yesterday he was journal-ing a "Ukraine Memory" about the discipline tactics the orphanage used. (I love it when he chooses to write about his past. Not only for the remembrance value but for the healing that can happen. I believe and love the quote that says "Your past is just a story and once you realize that it has no power over you.") He wrote about being hit with a stick, sitting in a bucket of salt for not taking a bath all night and of course the naked walks of shame through his classroom for misbehavior.
I sat down with him to correct the sentence structure and spelling and swallowed my hurt heart about the content. As we were correcting Alex grasps my arm with both hands, lays his head against me and sighs with relief, "I am so grateful that you get me out of there mom.". It was the sweetest most sincere expression of gratitude I have ever had from Alex. It must have hit him full force that this could still be his life. I hugged him tight and told him how sorry I was that he had to experience any of this and that he is safe and home and will never go back there. I asked him if he believed me?  "Yes mom. I believed you would come get me from orphanage and I believe you now."

Rylee

Rylee has always been on board with our decision to adopt but I think secretly she's been a little disappointed that Alex:
a. wasn't a girl
and
b. was more like a brother.
They get along about 50% of the time. She sort of lost her position in the family. Although still physically the youngest she is certainly not the baby anymore. Alex has taken that position. Adopting -even at the age of ten - requires as much time, energy and patience as having a baby. Rylee has not so happily scoot over on her baby pedestal and Alex has had to share it - although somewhat begrudgingly about being on it at all !  We have had conversations and tears over "Alex always hugs you. You always tuck Alex in longer than me. You spend more time with Alex." which is all true. Alex does hug me all the time, it takes me longer to tuck Alex in as we are usually talking about some sort of behavior or issue we're working on and raising Alex and catching him up with all he's missed just takes a lot of time!
Friday night Alex and Rylee spent the evening with mutual friends. Two were friends of Alex's adopted from the same Ukraine orphanage the other, a sister for Rylee to play with that she adores. They had a lovely time but these boys are still pretty fresh from the orphanage and a bit wild and crazy.

After a fun filled night of games and rides at Hollywood Connection the friends went home and Rylee said in comparison to these two high spirited boys,  "I am so glad that Alex is my brother!"
 Alex grinned from ear to ear. It's always good to hear you are wanted. And this was a first from Rylee.
Alex then piped in "And I am so glad you didn't adopt another Ukraine kid!" Apparently these two boys - as much as Alex loves them - wore both my babies out!

Super Boy Alex!

This is Alex as Clark Kent and his friend (and our neighbor) Katie as Super Girl for "Super Hero Day" during spirit week at school. (Alex made his own Super Man t-shirt. It was my idea to go with the Clark Kent look.)

Alex is really liking Jr High. We just went to parent teacher conferences and he's actually doing pretty well!  It was fun to see him say hello to new friends and point out people he knows.

Today we were talking about going to the Russian store and Alex was trying to remember what the name of the scone like things filled with meat, cabbage or potato's are called. He couldn't remember and exclaimed, "Mom I am forgetting my Ukraine." "Honey, I think you've already forgotten it." I say this as during parent teacher conference he pointed out another boy adopted from Ukraine and I just happen to know this boys father and went to talk to them. The father introduced Alex to his son and told his son that Alex was also from Ukraine. All Alex could think to say was "Priv-et". ("Hello?" Even I can say that!)  Then Alex whispered to me in a panic, "Mom, I don't speak Ukraine." Luckily the boy was whisked away to talk to the teacher that had just become available, saving Alex from having to confess that he doesn't speak Ukrainian anymore. Alex likes to keep it on the low down that he came from Ukraine. One of his teachers didn't know until just last week.

On the way home from the orthodontist today Alex told me that they need to put a Russian store closer to our "village". "Our Village?" I asked trying to suppress my laughter. Curious I asked, "What is the name of our village Alex?" "Murray." he answered. That just made me laugh. We defiantly live in a city not a village. But I love that Alex calls Murray OUR village. 

Sunday Rylee pulled "Oliver" - the musical - up on Netflix and we started watching it. It's the opening scene where the orphans are eating that terrible looking gruel and little Oliver comes up and asks for more. Alex turns to me and  with big eyes says "Mom, we even had better food than this!" Then minutes later he looks at me baffled as it dawns on him, "Mom, did you think my orphanage was like this?" I had to confess that while I was completing his paper work, I had visions of it being this bad. He assured me it was nothing like this. Then he turned back to the show as they started the next musical number, "Why do they have to keep singing!" he complained. (Sigh) Because it's a musical my dear....

Lately he's been walking down memory lane. Yesterday he wrote in his journal about all the things he stole in Ukraine. He confessed that he thinks he probably stole over a hundred things. Sunglasses, phones, DVD's, wallets, shoes, jewelry, credit cards, food, etc. I was pretty surprised. I had an inkling but really no idea he had stolen so many things. He wrote about how he never got caught, that sometimes people would yell bad words at him, how the orphans would go as a group and distract the clerks and how he would always share whatever he stole with his friends.

That night he came in and crawled on my lap - something that he does less and less these days - and he brought up his stealing. I could tell he was feeling a bit bad. I reminded him of his baptism and that all those times he stole in the past he has been forgiven for. He hugged me tight. 

So, after talking so much about Ukraine he decided he wanted Bogdan (Josh) and Vulva (Benson) to come "hang out" (he refuses to use the word "play" because that's for babies). He normally doesn't want much to do with his past or ever mention kids from his orphanage so I called Danielle and we arranged a time for her two boys to get together with Alex. Benson was unavailable. I am sure Danielle's boys have retained their language - it's easier with two than with one as there is someone to talk too - so, I hope things will go well. They'll probably do just fine. Rylee is excited for Windsor - the boys sister to come play - that's one of the perks of adopting through our foundation, our circle of friends just keeps expanding, not only my children but for me too. I love talking with the other moms. Love it. 

We had a little set back with Alex and his bath last night. I really thought he had mastered using soap but I just got this very strong feeling to check and see if he was using soap.  The good part is he told the truth and  admitted that he had only used soap on his forearms, so back in the bath he went. Only this time, mama scrubbed him from head to toe - minus the boy parts. Good grief. (I let his cover himself with a washcloths- but he was still pretty mortified. Mortified but clean!) 

Tonight he came down squeaky clean. 

I sure hope that at 13 years and 2 months old this is the last time I have to bath him. I assured him it would be the last time....as long as he always uses soap!! 

Today he was working on homework on the computer. He had to fill out a form and he came up all perplexed. "Mom, am I a boy or a girl?" I looked at him puzzled and said, "Uhm.....a boy?" He started laughing - realizing what a silly question that was once it left his mouth. Sometimes I do worry about this boy of mine. He doesn't stop to think. He gets overwhelmed and his favorite answer for any and everything is "I don't know." There are times when I'm talking to him that I tell him he cannot say "I don't know". I just ban the phrase from our conversation. I'm always saying "If you don't know, then who does Alex? You are the only one that knows what is going on in your head!" 

I will end on a happier note and with one of my favorite journal entries from Alex last week:

Here verses There

So, I am going to write about here verses there. 

Here will be America, there will be Ukraine.

Here I get to eat as much food as I want, there I get to eat small amount of food.

Here I get to go to stores, there I don't get to go to stores.

Here I get to be treated nice, there I don't get treated nice.

Here I get to shoot my airsoft gun, there I don't get to shoot them.

Here I get a family, there I don't get one.

Here I have nice mother, there I didn't.

And along with being grateful for scissors to cut things, tomato's to make tomato juice and  and a piggy bank to hold his money, here are a few of my favorite grateful entries:

I am grateful that I have a safe lovely place were (where) I can be loved.

I am grateful that my mom gives me good advice. 

My mom and dad are the best parents I ever had.

Can I just say....the grateful journal is the best thing we ever came up with!? 

Seriously, we wouldn't get this kind of feed back and sweet thoughts without it. Sure he says "I love you so much mom." and squeezes me tight daily, but to have it documented and in his own writing on his own accord makes nights like last nights scrub in the tub all worth it!

  

Homecoming 2011!

 The table.....

The boy before picking up his date.....

 The boy with the middle sister.....

 The boy striking a pose.....

 The boy standing normal for his mothers sake....

 The boy holding the dog that the littlest sister dressed for homecoming too.....

 The boy saying "This is the last picture Mom!"

Setting out the appetizer while waiting for the group to arrive...

 The littlest sister/waitress lighting the candles.....

 The couple.....

 The group.....

 At the table...

 As the night got darker, the night got more romantic.
A shot without the flash....

  And with the flash....

 The groovy ride....

The chef & the waitress....

As much as Austin will hate me blogging about this.... 

I am going to.

I was so impressed with this group of kids. (My kitchen sits around the corner from this dining area so they couldn't see me but I could hear everything!)

They were so polite and well mannered towards each other. The girls were dressed so modest and were just beautiful and the boys smelled so good and were so handsome but my favorite part?

That they offered a prayer before they ate.

Warmed my mothers heart.

That and all the compliments.

The menu consisted of :

Shrimp Cocktail

Orange Julius
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Roll

Chicken Cord on Bleu

Asparagus

Rice Pilaf

Fudge Mint Draping Cake

Overheard comments:

"Wow. If we were at a restaurant we could never afford all this."

"This is so great, we should do this every time."

"This is so awesome I can't help smiling."

"Austin, do you always eat like this?"

"I bet we're having the best dinner ever."

Seriously.

How can you NOT love making a fancy dinner when the kids are this complimentary? 

Cost:
New purple shirt & corsage?
$35
Groceries for dinner?
$60
Pulling this off without burning, dropping, forgetting and/or spilling anything for this awesome group of kids?
Priceless.

Cell Phone Saga....

Alex has it in his head that he is going to buy himself a cell phone. 

A crappy Cricket phone. 

He's calculated that at the end of this month after mowing lawns, he'll have enough for the cheapest-crappiest phone and possibly two months of service. (He has yet to factor in taxes and connection fees - I'm going to let the Cricket people surprise him with that info.)

I've just let him plan and plot. 

Whatever. 

It's his money.

However, in true Alex fashion, the idea of this cell phone is consuming him. Everyday it's more and more questions about the cell phone, the service, where the store is, how long will it take if to get the phone if he buys it of the website etc.  Finally, yesterday I signed off. 

"Alex, I think buying a cell phone is silly and torturous. You can only afford two months of service and then you'll have a cell phone in hand that will be good for nothing. If you want to buy a cell phone, it's your money but you are on your own. I will not be helping you with a purchase I don't agree with."

I know.
I'm mean.
But really?
Two months? And with the lawn mowing season coming to a grinding halt for the next seven months, there is no way he'll be able to come up with the money for another month of service. 

As I was tucking his disgruntled self into bed I tried a different tactic. 

"Why do you need a cell phone? Who are you going to call?"

"I will call you when it is raining." 

"I know when it's raining. I can see the rain. You don't need to call me." 

 (This would be for me to come pick him up from school.)

"What if you are in Smiths and don't know?" 

"Then I am in Smiths and I can't come pick you up until I am done, then I will see it's raining when I go to my car and come get you or you will have walked home in the rain. Either way, calling me won't help. Who else will you call?"

"I will call friends far away."

"Like who?"

"I don't know....Chase. I will text Chase."

"What will you text Chase about?"  

(I am laughing inside just picturing his ability to spell and how impossible it would be to read and understand his text. I am sort of thinking maybe texting might improve his spelling? But I quickly dismiss that notion. Writing in his journal daily has yet to do that and it's not like his little friends will correct him. His text will probably consist of Alex writing something and whoever responding will write, "What?") 

"I don't know."

Then I tell him the reason I am not supplying him with a cell phone is, he hasn't proven he can take care of one. I remind him of how he puts away his laundry - just shoving it in any available drawer - the condition of his locker - that we clean out weekly but each week is crammed full of wrappers and garbage - and the fact that I have found his chap-stick, his entire bag of orthodontic elastic bands, numerous batteries, pocket knives and candy wrappers- some with candy still in them - at the bottom of the washer on beyond numerous occasions.

He grumbles, 

"I know how to take care of a phone mom."

"Really? Like how you took care of your watch?"

"That is watch not phone. I put it and someone shook it." 

(He threw it on a blanket at the lake rather than store it in his bag and when we cleaned up, someone probably shook the blanket - sending the watch into the bushes?  Of course Alex didn't think about his watch until the next day.) 

"It is the same thing. It could have been a cell phone. You only had your watch for a month."  

(And that would be his third or forth watch he's had since arriving home.) 

He sighs.

He knows I'm right.

I know I'm right.

I know he's not ready and if it's not lost, stolen or broken in the first month - it will be sitting useless the next. It will really be torture for him and in return, torture for me!

"Okay. I have something else I will buy for one hundred dollars."

"Oh really, what?"

"A light saber."

Then I sigh.

Give me strength.....

Family Report

Bedtime Report:

Last night I snuck over to my parents to check out the leak they had in their basement. I gave everyone instructions to turn off screens, finish reading, turn off lights and get to bed at 9:30. I came home around ten and could hear muffled giggles and the scurrying of not so little feet running to their bedrooms.

I went upstairs to find that Devree, Alex and Rylee have been having tickling wars and that they are all wide awake! Alex was complaining that Devree tickled his "armpit to death" and Rylee and Devree were so wound up, wide eyed and bushy tailed!

That's what growing up with siblings should be like. 

I remember the minute my parents would leave we would grab pillows and have a pillow fight. I also remember playing chess in the hallway after bedtime with Jeff. One of us would push the board out and we'd both lay on our belly's - our rooms were across from each other - and play chess or checkers. The minute we'd hear a parent coming we'd sit up - one of us grabbing the board and slide back into our rooms. We did this all the time! 

It's memories like these that build relationships. Despite Alex's protest and armpit issues, I knew he had a blast. With teenagers, these moments are often far and few between so we just have to embrace them when they happen and hope that someday they'll happen again.

In other warm and fuzzy family news:

Alex has taken to calling Austin "Broski" as Austin has always called Alex "Broseph". 

Endearing brother names. 

(I love it but I won't tell them that. They're at that age that if mom thinks it's cool, then it's not!)

College Report:
Kambree called yesterday and shared that she has been called to be the 1st counselor in her student ward Relief Society presidency!
I could tell this freaked her out a little. It would me too at the age of 19! But she'll do great!
She is also dating a TON, loving her roommates and got a A on her first CNA test. 

Morning Report:

Today, Austin came up ready for school in jeans and a nice shirt. He approached me from behind and warned me not to freak out when I turned around.

I did of course. 

He looked so nice. 

He announced that he thinks he's going to wear jeans more and that we need to go shopping. 

(Be still my heart!)

I tried to refrain from complimenting him anymore but  I couldn't help point out how nice he looked to Devree.

Austin rolled his eyes in exasperation.

He tried to tell me that the reason he doesn't dress nice is because I make such a big deal of it. 

Please. 

I told him I was just appreciating him. He told me he doesn't like to be appreciated, how would I feel if he went on and on thanking me and complimenting me for...making lunch? I explained that if I hadn't made lunch for three years, that I would be happy to hear compliment after compliment!! (Yes, he's been wearing gym shorts and white T-shirts to school everyday for three years!) 

Besides, I'm a mom. It's my job to compliment and praise. How would he feel if I had turned around and looked at him and had gone... "Meh?" and acted like it was no big deal.

I got him there.

I think I'll wait and see how things go though before we go shopping. This could just be a one day phase. However, truth be told, this change in apparel, I think has everything to do with a certain girl. Nothing else. Amazing how a girl can change a boy. I'm just glad he's liking a girl that encourages nice jeans, shirts and yummy smelling cologne, not shaved heads, piercings and black combat boots!

Blessings I tell you.

You got to count 'em!

And yes, I had to take a picture. Much to Austin's chagrin! Not the best picture as he's eating breakfast and I of course had to snap it quick. But it's proof! Documentation! Jeans and a nice shirt! 

Hodge Podge Of Pictures!

Rylee's "Spaghetti" Cake....

We thought we'd try to fool the family and set it out for dinner!

(She saw this done on cupcakes and I told her we should try it as a cake. It's a white cake - baked in my barbie doll dress pan - I think a bowl would work too? Then the canned frosting is tinted with a bit of cocoa to make the right color for "noodles".  Frost the entire cake lightly with some of the frosting then stick rest in a ziplock with a small hole in the corner and squeeze  all over the cake to make the "noodles". The "meatballs" are made out of Ferroroche's, dipped in strawberry jam and placed strategically on the "noodles", grate white chocolate over all as "parmesan cheese" and wha-la......Spaghetti Cake!) 

I grew basil for the first time this year and had my first "pesto day" with Amy & Sara!

Here's last weeks harvest out of our garden:

Hum....what to do with all those HUGE zucchini's?

Send them to school to Rylee's teacher!

(The three older girls all have the same teacher!)

We thought it would be so funny, luckily their teacher thought so too! 

4 down 5 to go!

I canned chili sauce with 25 pounds of those tomatoes. 

As I poured the last of 36 bottles I noticed two little white balls plop into my bottle. What the heck? AIR SOFT BB's!! Apparently someone shot into the tomatoes?  Someone? Who am I kidding? It was ALEX!!!!

(I just hope I found the only two!)

Court Of Honor

Alex received SIX merit badges and.....one rank advancement! 

Call To Fast!

Hello my blogging  friends!
I have a dear friend having some serious medical issues and her doctors cannot figure what in the world is wrong with her.
It's very scary. I know this first hand after spending time with her on Friday.
My friend - just six weeks ago - ran a triathlon, was camping, water skiing etc. She is super active, has two darling , adopted daughters from Ukraine in fact, she was in Ukraine when I was and seriously saved my sanity by staying with me while I was stuck waiting on Alex's passport. She is one of my most favorite friends. (I know that we must have been friends in the pre-existence and that she was sent into my life at a time when I needed her most.)
About a month ago she started having seizures - out of the blue. The only thing she could deduct was it might have something to do with a car accident she had a few weeks prior? She had whiplash and pain in her head and neck and had started having migraines. She's had test after test run and the docs can find nothing.
Now, in addition to the seizures, she is passing/blacking out, often times can't walk or get her limbs to do what her brain tells them to do and has even started having breathing issues. It's like her brain is telling her body what to do, but her body is not getting the message. It is very scary. I can't even imagine how sad and scary this is for her husband and daughters.
The doctors are stumped and suggesting she may have to go to the Mayo clinic - as they have yet to find anything on any of the many tests they have run and re-run.
Friday, she passed out at lunch, again while we tried to get her into the car -she's in a wheelchair - and then two more times in the car.  One time she had a little seizure during her black out. It was so scary.
But despite this, her attitude is amazing! Her girls are stepping up to the plate taking care of her and the household chores. Her husband has been so caring and protective. She has an amazing support of friends in her area. But it's her attitude that just blows me away. I don't know that I would be as stalwart. I think I just roll up in a ball and cry.
I was telling James about my concern for her tonight and he suggested that we have a fast on her behalf. He reminded me of the scripture where Jesus healed a man and... explained "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." (Matt 17: 14-21) and then I came across the scripture about the sons of Mosiah, they “had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation," (Alma 17:3)
She needs this illness to "goeth" and if not, she needs her doctors and health professionals to get some "spirit of prophecy and revelation" to help her.
I am proposing that next weekend we fast and pray on my sweet friends behalf.
I hope you will join me and my family and invite any family and friends to do the same.

Tomatoes & Airsoft BB's

"Only two things that money can't buy,

that's true love 

& 

HOME GROWN TOMATOES!"

James happens to grow amazing tomatoes. Some of our plants are 7 feet tall. And each year around this time I can tomatoes. I come from pioneer stock - you know stout women that walked across the plains with a baby slung over their shoulder and a toddler in hand - they lived in log cabins, sewed their own clothes, grew everything and canned it all - yes - those are my ancestors. Both of my grandmothers canned. My Grandma Johnson canned just about everything and it is from her I learned all that I know. Not a canning season goes by when I don't think of my grandma and wish I could ring her up and ask her a question or two.

I am not a professional canner -apparently that's not a real word - by any means. I can tomaotes. And every 5 years or so I can chili sauce. 

Guess what? 

It's been five years.

So last Thursday, after harvesting our garden, it was time.

I have to get myself all psyched up to do this. 

I like to can little pint sized bottles as when using chili sauce, you usually just need a little.

So as I'm pouring my 36th bottle - I see two little white things plop into the bottle.....??

I pour the contents back in the pot and look for it.

Nothing.

I pour again, and again I see very quickly two little white things, plop, plop.

I fish them out and what do I find?
TWO AIR SOFT BB's!!

Apparently, the were IN the tomatoes? 

Oh great.

Apparently some boy child of mine has used the tomato plants as target practice?
ALEX??