Jocilyn in 2009

So, I've been totally lame with my blogging... there have been many changes. A lot of growth, my baby will be 2 next month and I don't think she's been blogged on since babyhood... But this one is about my oldest baby, my Jocilyn.

Jocilyn turned 8 on July 15, 2009. She was baptized on Aug. 1, 2009. Here is a pic from the evening, same day as the baptism, sitting at urgent care because she had an ear infection! ... Smiling little trooper!

Very proud parents of this beautiful young lady who has a real desire to do right.

She even made her daddy cry, okay, choke up on that day... her daddy has to love someone a lot to get choked up over them! She is that neat!

Here are the girls in the Fall of 09' this was either the first day of school, or picture day... these two are so great together!

Jocilyn,

Dad and I are proud of you and your desires to do great things and to choose the right. You are a wonderful blessing in our family. There are times when being good is hard, there will be lots of times like that, and times when you might be confused about what to do or how to act, you can always come to mom and dad, we love you, Heavenly Father sent you to us because He trusts us to teach you about him. The day of your baptism, you promised to keep the commandments and to always do the things that Jesus would be happy about. I know you will take things seriously. Sweet baby girl, my snuggle buddy, my girl who loves her little sisters and helps me so much at home... know that you are special. Know that you have a purpose here on earth. Know that you are in charge of how you feel, and how you treat others or react to them when they are not kind. You are a blessing, I love you, sweet girl!

oldies but goodies

There are some movies that are just good. When we moved to CA, we decided that we would no longer have satellite or cable TV. Instead we would use the computer to watch our most favoritist shows. So the laptop is hooked into our 48" flatscreen TV and we have a wireless keyboard and mouse, which act as the "remote controls." This has significantly reduced the TV viewing time of every member of the family! ... for better or worse...

Anyway- 2 of the most visited sites are Netflix and Hulu. On Netflix there are things that you can view "instantly." Well, the kids are getting bored. So, I begin to scroll through the movies, "This one is good, " I say..... "Mom, that's old." they say... and so it goes. So last night I just clicked on "Guarding Tess," I'm not even sure what it was rated (more language than I remembered, but still) and they sat and watched it and loved it. While my mom was here, Jocilyn watched, "Walk, Don't Run" with Carey Grant, and she was so funny, "this is actually a funny movie!" (*gasp* ...so surprised!)

Today we did not get anything particularly productive accomplished. However, they did watch "Housesitter," Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin... and they loved it... we quoted favorite quotes from that one for a while. And then we watched "Wild Hearts Can't be Broken," which they also loved... some movies are just good. They kept asking, "mom, what happens?" I had to tell them, "I don't really remember, it's been 20 years since I've seen it..." 20 YEARS?!?!?! geeze... who am i? and when did I become old? Of course, the other night I had a dream where someone just kept asking me in a very skeptical manner, "You're still 37? ... You're still 37?" ... that's all I remember of the dream! ... and I am not YET 37, for the record... Maybe the dream was foretelling that I would be forever "young" at 37 years... nah, I don't think so... but still, i maintain that if it was good once, it'll likely be good for always, I just have to get the kids to believe me more often!

too gone, too long

Remember the old song, "Too Gone, Too Long?" Well, it was sung by the great Randy Travis and goes on to say, "and it's too late to come back now." That's kinda how I feel about this bloggity! I've been off it for so long, I can't figure out how to change the background, or make the fonts visible, I'm in a world of hurt over here!

I remember when I got all hot and excited about this thing called a "blog." I wanted everyone to have one of their own, and I wanted a million readers to see mine (okay, not really a million, but like, a lot...) and I remember Marie saying to me, "What IS it? I don't understand what you do..." And now look at her! She's a blogging queen! She has all of her entries bound at the end of each year and is amazing! This is family history! This is a way to document the growth of our children! ... and I'm sucking at it!

I'm open to all helpful hints, ideas... heck if you have my password, feel free to break in and make the blog pretty! I can't seem to manage it! But I'll keep trying to get back in the swing of things... there are so many more options now, I'm confused..... help? anyone? hello?

"You don't know who they were..."

While my mom was here, we got to talking about parenting. I find that I yell. I'm a yeller. There are times when my kids hear me say words that I shouldn't, especially to them.... I'm not proud of this, nor do I tell you so that you can turn me in to CPS! I'm not that bad! But my mom said something that struck me, and I've been mulling it over the past couple of days. She said, "your dad brought it home for me a long time ago when he said, 'Dianne, you don't know who they were in the pre-existance. They may have been your leaders, they may be older and wiser spirits... you don't know who they were...'"

We know that Heavenly Father is sending his most choice spirits at this time, some of the strongest, most valiant spirits are being sent here in these latter days. And even if we don't think they may have been anything more special than us in the pre-existence, they are NOT ours! They are on loan to us, they've been entrusted to us, we are going to be held accountable for what we teach them, how we treat them, and many other things pertaining to them when we face our Father on the other side. I don't want to have to explain why I was yelling stupid things, or being snarky toward them because I was in a foul mood, or how my sarcasm sometimes really becomes sardonic in nature. I love my kids! I would strangle anyone else for yelling at them! I would come un-glued! Un-hinged! and all other things "un!"

So, thanks mom for reminding me that my kids are so very special. That they are to be treated with respect at all times, even in times of discipline and training. My relationship with them is so important to me, I want them to trust and respect me, not fear me for any reason. So, new goals- yell less, respect more... this is good stuff!

Updates-n-stuff

Okay, so it's been a minute since I last blogged... although, I have thought of it nearly every day! I sometimes think, "oh, I should blog about this idea, or that event..." and then I don't...



In August our family moved from Idaho to California. WHAT?!?!?!?! You heard me, we moved to California. Matthew took a position in Burbank as the Director of Operations over Sorenson's Burbank VRS (video relay service) center. It is the second largest center and so it was a strategic move, as much as anything. We hope that he is successful in making that center successful, so far, he is really enjoying it.



The kids are doing so well. We arrived in Burbank on Sunday Aug. 8, 2010. School started on Thurs. Aug 12th... we live in Valencia, about 25 miles/1 hr. from Matthews office. But the community is so very family oriented and we are really enjoying it. We prayed and prayed to find the right ward and the right school- outside of that, it wouldn't matter. The ward is friendly- Matthew and I were issued callings last Sunday (they must be under the impression that we are active!!! ok, kidding). As for school, the first parent/teacher conferences were this past week. Jocilyn's teacher said she is doing great, but sometimes gets into trouble for "chatting" with her neighbor, Hi-eun (sp)... this is so very out of character for "J!" At every other conference the teachers have said, "If I didn't take roll, I'd never know she was here!" So it is kinda a good thing, and she is participating more in her class, so very good reports there.



Regarding McKenna, we had decided in Idaho, after many discussions with the principal, her teacher, and her private tutor, to have her repeat 1st grade. It became more clear that it was the better choice when we learned that we would be relocating. I was really nervous when I was getting them enrolled, because the school here told me that the parents were not the ones to make that decision here in CA, they said that I needed documentation from her ID school that retention was their recommendation. So I called Galileo and asked them... they told me that they were not "allowed" to retain kids, it wasn't Idaho's policy, it was a parents choice, therefore, they could not legally provide any such documention. OH, NO! I cried, I prayed, and I cried... I was told by the school here, that it would be the principals choice as to whether or not she'd be placed back in 1st grade... so I would not know until it was posted the day before school started. On August 11, I turned to my scriptures and read this, "And now my *daughter, Tricia, I would that ye should remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 38:5 *son, Shiblon) ... now what this told me was, to put my trust in God!! So I did. I said to myself that it would not matter, if she repeated 1st or moved on to 2nd, it would be what her Father knew was in her best interest, regardless of what I thought best. Well, she was placed in a wonderful, seasoned teachers class, Mrs. Hovore, 1st grade. At P/T conference this week, I sat down and said, "I'm worried about this one..." She replied, "you shouldn't be! She is doing well, you made the right choice holding her back and I feel she's going to have a very successful year!" (don't cry, don't cry, don't cry in front of the teacher!!! ... this is the thought in my head!!!) I'm so thankful for good teachers, and for a Heavenly Father who knows what His children need.



Maesyn is growing like a weed, although I'm determined to keep her my baby! We have yet to take away her "beep" (pacifier)... if she can't find one, she wanders around wagging her finger (the "where" sign) while she says, "Ummmm, beep? ... ummmm, beep?" until she finds one, it's so cute. She loves to get into the "yipes" (wipes) if she thinks anything is "oooh, gwoss!" and is often heard saying that something is, "sooo toot!! (cute)" She also still goes to sleep with a bottle (judge if you must... ) I keep saying I'll stop this, and then each time she lays down I get out the milk and bottle, warm it up and give it to her. She lays down, she mumbles her own little prayer, words I do not understand, but it starts w/ "Heav fah," and ends w/,"Men!" Then I ask her, "Do you know mom/dad/sisters/gm/gp love you?" each to which she nods, then she stops taking her bottle and says, "Jesus loves me, sweet dreams!" and that's my dismissal... she's an angel... who acts like an evil little stinker sometimes... She has taken to "dumping" things. She did not do this until this week. My mom visited us here, for the first time, this week. While she was here, she talked of Dallin, and how he dumps out EVERYTHING... well, I think Maesyn was listening!!! She's decided that's the example she'll follow!



It has been a change living here. Of course it has been, why wouldn't it be? The last box I unpacked held the scale.... yep, you know where this is going, don't you? Uh-huh... so I did a dumb thing and stepped on it! The last time I remember weighing in Star, I think I probably weighed... (weight for it- pun intended) 178 lbs.... yea, that's not pretty. Wanna know what's worse? 193 lbs!!! WHAT?!?!?! That is like single digits away from *gag*choke*sputter- 200 pounds!!! TWO-HUNDRED POUNDS!!! I just want to be sure you are getting my shock and amazement at my own size... how did this happen right under my nose? Well, you see, my mouth is right under my nose- that is how it happened!!! That, and, I've developed an unnatural love of any clothing made with lycra! You don't realize the expansion when there is such give in the fabric! Forget "cotton," my song goes, "Lycra, the fabric of my life!" So began the diet. It just so happened that I weighed myself and got this shocking news on the very day that the women in my ward planned a "girls night" to go and grab dessert together to get to know me- such a sweet thing to do! I felt so flattered! I told Matthew, "I feel like I've been invited to sit at the 'cool' table!!!" ... well, I sat at the "cool" table chugging diet coke and picking at the fruit garnish on the carrot cake that I ended up taking home to Matthew!!! Thus far, I've lost 6 pounds... prepare yourself, I'm liable to give "updates" on my loss or gain in the coming weeks/months! This is a big deal for me! I don't want to weigh 200 lbs, ever! But it is not outside the realm of possibility, very real possibility- single digit possibility!!! Enough of that...



Tonight was the General Relief Society Meeting. I had planned to go the dinner at bishops house and then carpool to the stake center with the others and continue to get to know them. Well, I hadn't realized that this was the same week that Matthew would be hunting in Idaho. So I've pulled it up online. I came in at the song, "More Holiness Give Me"... a song that I dearly love. The speaker I tuned in just in time for, was our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I love that man. It was with the change between President Hinckley and President Monson that I had the most trouble. Not "trouble" really, but I had a strange sense that I couldn't think of anyone but Gordon B. Hinckley guiding this church... I struggled a little with these feelings because I knew that the change was right- but I didn't have a confirmation until President Monson took the stand at the next conference, and I had a feeling of warmth, power, and overwhelming assurance that this, he was the new prophet of the Lord.... I've always loved him as an apostle, now I love him as the prophet. I did go back tonight and watch all of the conference- but I've been listening to his talk while I type, I think I've listened now 6 or 7 times tonight (just his talk). He's speaking about judging others... I'm guilty of this sometimes, but I'm also guilty of assuming that I'm being judged, and that isn't fair to those around me. I will have to work on both.



This entry has just run on and on, hasn't it? I'm sorry if it's bored you... no, I'm not really- if you were bored, you should have stopped a long time ago!!! ;-) I will work on getting some pics of the kids and the house on here. But as I close here are a few quotes from President Monson's talk, "Appearances can be deceiving, what a poor way to measure a person....



In a hundred small ways, all of you wear the mantle of charity. Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgemental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey called life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way. May we strive to do our best to help out. ... Charity never faileth. May this long enduring Relief Society motto, this timeless truth, guide you in everything you do. May it permeate your very souls, and find expression in all of your thoughts and actions..."



What a great message, if I could just start with being more charitable in my own home! Wouldn't that be amazing! This post is truly disjointed, so I'm going to put it out of it's misery.



The End...... (whew!)

Do you want to be "brown?"

McKenna, "Mom, can we please crimp my hair?"

Me..., "Maybe" (don't commit, you hate the crimp)

the next day... McKenna, "Mom, you said you would crimp my hair! can we do it now?"

Me, "Tonight, probably..."

While crimping the hair....

McKenna, (as her hair is smoking in the crimper) "I just love how it burns my hair! It's so pretty.... I'm sure people will think I'm brown!"

Me, "Do you wish you were 'brown'?"

McKenna, " Not really... I just like their hair. But I don't want the braids, I just want it like this..."

Me, "why don't you want to be 'brown'?"

McKenna, "Well, because Obama is 'brown' and I don't like him. He's not a very good president."

So, we had a little conversation about how not all people of any race are really the same just because their skin is the same color... I hope she got it- Her hair is HUGE! She is so cute, and so smart... Obama could be purple... still "not a very good president!"

...... there, I've blogged!!

Pictures for dad...

Matthew is the new manager of the VRS center in Boise. He tells me that his office is bare of anything personal and he would like pictures of the family to help personalize it. I'll have to take his word for it since I cant' even enter the center due to the FCC regulations... whatever-

So, without a formal sitting arranged- and there won't be one until I like my hair... I decided to take the girls out and take some pictures of them at some of the places here in town. I don't have a fancy camera, and it wasn't the right time of day, but they turned out okay. Here are some of the pictures we took. I'd like to take them back at sunset so that the sun isn't in their eyes so much.... but in the mean time....

I had a few of them printed in 8x8's and 8x10's and those were a part of his Father's Day gift. I think he liked them, and I'm glad to have a few decent, updated pictures of the girls, no matter how, where, or what camera they were taken with...

I love my pretty little girls! How blessed we are to have them!