***Admit one ***

We had a really fun American Idol standards night with Neosho ward Wednesday.
It was really fun and very well done. They had a realistic panel of judges, lights and even music.
The contestants talent was their standard. Kevin was kind and looked for any opportunity to serve and do good deeds. There was also Taylor questionable flicks Hicks, who was booed off the stage for his soft view on rated R and PG 13 movies. There were 10 contestants some good and a couple not so good.
We had posters to cheer for Kevin and the movie thing really stuck with me.

It got me thinking and I had a little fun with it tonight.
The smell of pop corn filled the air and the kids were so ready for what ever I planned. I called them all out in the hall and gave them printed movie tickets and allowed them into the living room.
I told them that the movie we were about to watch was rated R, it had violence, lots of bad language and some nakedness, everyone ready? They looked at me in disbelief!
Brooklyn got up and said I am not watching that and left the room.
I called her back and told her good choice and rewarded her with a choice of candy.
The others quickly followed Brooklyn's example and left making and even bigger protest at the idea of an inappropriate movie. They were all rewarded.
I thanked them for making the right choice and told them that we wouldn't miss lead them but that no matter who it was who had a stupid idea, it was still a stupid idea and they had a right and responsibility to make the choice for them selves.
Then we enjoyed Race to Witch Mountain. I hope that they remember that every choice is theirs to make and not to follow the crowd.

Joseph got his baseball certificate and two medals, one from the league and the other from his coaches. He missed the BBQ because of a visit, he was unable to get his mom to take him, but we got it for him and I can't wait to give them to him.
He has a whole wall for baseball.
They missed him and can't wait for next season.
Way to go Joseph.

The new Grand baby has arrived

We got a new grand daughter. Onyx Rayn Morgan was born July 17th.
She weighed 8lbs. 12 oz. and was 21 inches long.
Grand parents came to adore the sweet bundle too.
As you can see she was born with lots of hair.
So if you see bald babies, you know who got it all. =)

Day Camp Rocks!

I am the Scout leader for our Bears and Wolves. We had Cub Day camp last week.
Three days from 9-5! There were activities all day and everyone had lots of fun.
10 out of 11 of my den were there and then we also had my three little ones and two
more little brothers go to the tag a long and tots part. They got to do BB guns and artery and swim every day. The last day the fire department came out the last day and they got to check out the trucks and then get hosed off. It was the high light of the day. We had fun and learned a lot. I love Scouts!

4th of July fun

We had lots of fun with the family on the 4th of July.
Visited with a long lost cousin, we miss James already.
The kids had the most fun with the water and the adults got
to just relaxed.

Loving Baseball!

The end of the regular season has come and it is on to the tournament.
The boys both played today at the same time in different cities.
So, Scott took off work early and took James to his game and I took Joseph to his game. We kept in touch by cell phone to find out how the other one was doing.
We were on the phone when James scored. It was awesome!
James team won 11-3 he made two of those runs.
Joseph came in but the point was taken away because when his team mate hit the ball he tossed the bat and it hit the catcher. The catcher was ok and the hitter came out and apologized. The coach had the whole team come out of the dug out to take a knee for the catcher. I thought that was a very nice gesture on the coaches part and a very good example for the boys.
Play of the game, bases were loaded and one of the boys hit a home run! Incredible!!!
Joseph and his team won 5-3.
Way to go boys!

Lunch with Grandpa

Today will be a rough day. We will go to church and Dad won't be there.
I thought about this and cried again. I looked at our youngest sleeping so peacefully and saw that she had gathered a collection of her favorite things to keep beside her as she slept. A small pocket Bible given to her from Nursery, some bracelets, a note book, a baby doll and a picture of her grandpa on top of it all.
He had the strongest bond with everyone he came in contact with no matter what age they were. Dad and Haylee had lunch together on Monday. What a precious memory that is for us. Mom made him a spinach tortilla. She told Haylee and I that he liked the plain ones better. Haylee watched closely while mom put the beans, lettuce, and cheese on top. When Dad came in to eat Haylee asked him if he liked the tortilla he laughed and said not really, then she asked him if he liked the stuff on top and said yes. Then she decided to eat hers. I will put that in a journal for her.

Fun at the park

I am sometimes guilty of being in a hurry. I was once told that moms are in a hurry but grandmas and aunts aren't? When I was with my nieces and nephews I was mindful of this. Now I am going to be a grandma, will this make me more aware?
We do have to be at base ball practice at a certain time but once we get there we have time to relax and play. On Monday the practices are an hour apart and since it is on a school night I take the other kids home so they can get baths and homework done and it is just Joseph and I the last hour. On Thursday practice is back to back so we play for two hours it is a school night but we are done by 7 so it isn't so bad.
I keep an eye on them in a small friendly area and relax. Of course after that there is a mad dash to the house to get everyone bathed and settled in for the night but that is more my pace anyway. It will be interesting to see how I balance grandma and mom pace at the same time.

Baseball Season

We go to practice twice a week. James has it the same time Monday and Thursday but in different places. Joseph has both practices in the same place but at a different time.
It is very exciting. The other kids like to play at the play ground while the boys are at practice. Dinner is fast or flexible that night. This week (on Monday) we threw hockey in for Jessica and Mariah too. That night we had a picnic. =)

We had a pack meeting about a month ago. The dad's and their boys make a cakes together and they get judged at the meeting. Categories are best tasting, best looking, most colorful and most creative that kind of thing. I think next year we will pick a category and aim for that. We had some professionals this year. Things like the sword and the stone and fancy coconut ones too. They always have fun with their dad and everyone gets a certificate and lots of cake. =) James is has his Wolf and several arrows. He can't officially start working on his Bear till he turns nine.
Joseph is in WEBLOES and is earing everything. He has so many belt loops he has no place to put them and has a baggie full of patches and things he has earned at every meeting. They love Scouts.
This is all new to me but I am learning fast. I have been a den leader for almost a year. I started with Joseph and then I got James too for a couple weeks till Joseph moved up. They move up when they turn ten so I will get to keep James till next July. =) It is amazing how much they can learn and earn so early in Scouts.
They have levels like Wolf and Bear but they also have electives like arrows, belt loops and pins. It is a lot of fun every week.

Last week was great. The kids Aunt Melanie, cousins Meghan and Zach and Grandpa Ruston came to visit. We stayed up late talking, watching movies and being silly.
The kids, Melanie and Heather and John went to McDonalds and the weather was great for playing outside. Sunday morning was a little crazy getting ready for church but not bad. I can't wait till they come back. We took some pictures.

Jessica had big plans for her birthday that fell through that week before her birthday. She had really been looking forward to this birthday for a long time and we wanted to make sure it was special.
We planned a surprise party for her at the house and invited friends from school.
It turned out very well and she said she was surprised.
We were very sneaky and had her friends call to see if she could go hang out with them and also asked them to have her ask if she could invite them over. We were their ride to the party and I couldn't think of a way to hide the party showing up with her.
She has a really good group of friends they stay clear of trouble and make sure their friends do to.
Happy birthday Jessica! We love you! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Comment if you dare!

Comment if you dare!
So, I thought I could get away with just randomly commenting on this post -on other people's blogs -without having to lift a finger. I was wrong. I failed to read the fine print at the bottom that says YOU HAVE TO DO THIS TOO! ...Just know that when it comes to me and creativity -I'm a FAILURE! So, comment if you dare!

The first five people to leave a comment on this post will receive something made by me. However, there are some limitations:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make. (which means that you may HATE it!)
2. What I create will be JUST for you. (The best thing ever! ...even though you might hate it.)
3. It will be done this year -by December 31, 2009. Unless my dog eats it or the children flush it or we have more than our own children, or a grandchild is born or I have to clean out under my bed.
Just kidding I think I can do it by the dead line.

4. You have no clue what it's going to be - cards, cardboard automobiles, bows, shoes, a leash for you kids, a bag, frames, hate mail (jk) or a little invention of my own (to who knows what!). I may even fail at baking something and mail it to you. Who knows? Ha! -Not you!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. It may blow your mind!

Here's the catch, if you choose to do this, you MUST post this on your blog and be ready to make something for five people too. This WILL be fun! When you receive the fantabulous item that I make you, you MUST post a picture of it on your blog. (Even if its a tub of burnt cookies!)

This is for you Julia! I love you xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Heather and John Morgan were married February 26th in the home of Grandpa and Grandpa Willis. Mom set up everything and decorated, Susan and Merrila donated flowers and dishes.
In attendance were friends and family to witness the sweet ceremony.
We missed Julia and Jacob who were out of state. Josh was unable to attend the actual wedding but came down and spent a couple of days with the family and was very helpful with peacemaking and preparations. Thank you Josh.
Heather chose the oldest four sisters there for her brides maids Jordan, Jessica, Nickie and Alicia. John had Jeremy who had introduced he and Heather. (they found him at the last second and drug him in as is for the wedding) Nate a long time good friend, and Justin and Even new friends to him and Nickie and Alicia's boyfriends as his best men. Haylee brought them their rings.
Bishop Leavitt preformed the wedding ceremony and afterward anyone who wanted to give them advice got to take turns doing so.
Some of my favorites: If your husband comes home and dinner isn't started let him smell onions cooking and he will wait for dinner.
When your wrong admit it and apologize when your right be quiet.
Remember in an argument she is always right.
Stand beside each other and back each other up always.
There was a lot more, I just can't remember. We had a lot of wise married couples there. Thank you for all your help and support.

Heather is getting married today!!!

Our internet has been down for almost two weeks so this is just a quick update on a busy day.

Heather and John are getting married today.
We are very excited for them. Pictures to follow!

New Beginings program

The new beginnings program is where the Young Women display some things they have learned and tell what the YW program is all about. The older children welcome in the younger girls and it is always very spiritual. Jordan is the Loral class Pres. so she conducted. The girls all sang a beautiful song and they explained the values they have been working on.
They made and displayed boxes to show the value. Jordan and Mariah did theirs on Knowledge both turned out very well. Mariah is younger and needed more help. Jessica did hers on service. Hers had two young children shoveling snow for an elderly man. There was a lot of detail and it turned out very nice.
I canceled Scouts for the night so I could go. We will do it Saturday instead. It worked out even better because one of the boys in our den is getting baptized so we will stay for the baptism after Scouts.
Scott has been called as the new Young Men’s Pres. last night was his first night with the youth so he just got to pop in for a minute. It is always a special program and I am so blessed to have three beautiful young women in our home with such strong goals in life.

Jessica needed an outfit for choir. It had to be a white button up blouse and black pants. Jessica is hard to find clothes for because she is so small. She had looked while she was out on a visit. She asked a few friends and got some suggestions in Carthage and even the mall in Joplin $$$. I had to take Brooklyn to the dentist so I decided to look around. I went to my favorite thrift store and found two pairs on pants and a blouse that fit her like it was tailor made. All three were less than $10 all together. When she got home from school she tried them on and they all fit. She went with the fancier black pants that were high wasted because they were more dressy for choir but she will probably wear the other pants that are "hip hiphuggers" more often because they are comfortable. I love to find what I need for the price I can afford. Scott has a good job, and we have a lot of kids. =)
My grandmother always said waste not want not, now I say it too.

This is James (8) in a mood. He has had moods in the past and they never completely went away but they have gotten worse lately.
When Jennifer gets in a mood she will usually ask for a little time alone so she can pray. She comes out happy and hugs me glad to be done with those feelings.
Saturday after the visit she was fine till bedtime. Scott and I had gone shopping but I called to check on them. It was almost 9:30 and the kids were still up. Jessica told Jennifer to go brush her teeth and get ready for bed, and Jennifer started crying. It turned into a full out screaming fit and Heather had to take over. The next morning Jennifer told me her throat hurt. I said it was probably because of all the screaming she did. She looked down, I asked her why she did that. She said she didn't know. Then she asked me if I thought she should take naps for the whole month of February? and that she thought she should. I told her that she would be taking one that day but I thought she had learned a lot. She curled up in my lap and we hugged for a long time. She has come so far, I am so proud of her progress and happy for her.
James? I am still working on it. He loves the wii and the computer and he hates to take naps but nothing I say can get him out of these moods until a consequence has already been assigned. Saturday morning he was in a mood and he had to go to bed early. Then I heard from all of the other kids that while he was with his other Mom he was worse. The other kids including Jennifer tried to talk to him but it just got worse. They said he was really mean to his Mom because she wouldn't buy him toys.
I asked him how he would feel if someone acted like that to him. Of course he said sad. He got to take a nap on Sunday and go to bed early for his day of behavior.
I reminded him that the rules of kindness and respect weren't our rules but Heavenly Fathers and that he takes those rules with him everywhere at school, church and on visits. For the first time in years he had to be taken out of Sacrament those of you who are shocked brace yourselves, it was Scott who took him out.
I think he his testing his boundaries to be sure he is well within them? We will enforce the rules consistently and spend more time one on one. We will spend more time reading together, he loves that and maybe he can help me a little more.
He is a very special boy and I love him so much. I hate to see him struggle so much.

Haylee's new dress

Haylee was tired and being really grumpy and I was trying to distract her a little till she fell a sleep. I told her if she wanted to go shopping with me in the morning she would need to go to sleep. I told her I thought she needed a new dress for Sunday and asked her what color she wanted. She forgot about being grumpy and said green.
In the morning when she woke up She said she dreamed about her new green dress.
We didn't find it when we went out in the morning but Scott found one later that night. She was asleep when we got home. This morning I woke her up and told her daddy had found her a green dress. She sat strait up and was so excited. Her eyes were so big and she said" you found it" (like it was the one in her dream) and squeezed my neck. I told her daddy picked it out and she couldn't wait to find him to hug him. I told her he was in the shower she could put it on and show him when he got out, but she was sure that hug was more important. She got him as soon as he came out of the bathroom. His hug was as big as mine. Her excitement about the dress didn't ware out all day. I love gratitude.

Breaking Dawn

What can I say? It was awesome!!!
I asked Julia if there would be more and she said possibly but not from that aspect.
That would be a book I would be there at mid-night for myself.
On to The Host.
I think I will spend more time blogging before I submerge myself again.

Attitude

Lately I have noticed a change, every time I try to tell the kids why they need to stop what they are doing they get an attitude. They are mad! I am out numbered and expect it a little but it has been in over drive for some reason.
Yesterday I reminded James that he couldn't play the wii till his home work was done and that he was grounded from it because he had hit his little sister over it.
He was really mad so I showed him a little box. I tried to get the doll in it without opening it. I tried really hard but couldn't get it in there. Then I tried with something smaller that I knew would fit, again without opening it. The smaller thing was a CTR ring. It wouldn't fit no matter how hard I tried. I asked him what he thought the problem was. Why can't I get it in there. Haylee (3) came over to help me by opening the box. It really was that simple. I explained to him that when I tried to talk to him and help him make better choices and he was mad his mind was like the box, it was closed. In order for him to understand and make better choices he had to be open and listen. I thought it was a really good analogy and it was too prefect that when I looked around for something small that I knew would fit into the box that the CTR ring was right there. He is a really good kid and so loving.
We have a close relationship and I love having the opportunity to teach him things.
Visual things that come in the back door seem to work the best.

On to Breaking Dawn

I love reading this way. It is cheating a little but I can make bread, do dishes, and laundry while I read and I did all of those things today while I finished Eclipse and moved on to Breaking Dawn.
It just keeps getting better. I am hooked and don't know what I will read after this.
I think it will be The host. Scott has already read it and he said it would be good.
Anyone out there read a good book lately?

On to New Moon

I finished reading Twilight at 1:00 this morning! I actually finished reading the epilogue by flash light after Scott went to sleep.
I had it on MP3 and had to recharge the battery twice so I was really reading it at 1:00.
I enjoyed it very much. I thought Bella was negative in the beginning, I think I just got used to it. The end really leaves you hanging and I am glad I don't have to wait for the next book to come out.
It is a little creepy to be in favor of a relationship that is kept a secret from their parents because they wouldn't approve, and for good reason.
It is a true modern day Romeo and Juliette.

I did enjoy it and am on to New Moon.

The game

Haylee likes to play this game with her dad. He gets up out of his computer chair and she steals his spot. Then she smiles and wiggles her whole little body announcing in a chanting sort of way, ever so sweetly, "I stole your spot". She also steals his spot on his side of the bed. When this announcement is made he is supposed to come lay down on the bed like he doesn't know she is there and pretend his bed is wiggly and lumpy.
Then make her his pillow until she is ready to play with someone else.
Last night I was laying on my stomach on the bed and she made herself comfortable on my back. She saw her Dad get up and it was on! She leaped off me and across the bed like a ballerina (but with the speed of an Olympic runner) in two steps she was in his chair. He saw her start for it but she was too fast. She got the chair.
Way to go Haylee!

Saved by my subconscious mind

Subconsciously I must have talked myself out of it. I was going to post a more realistic picture after the whole glamor shot photo.
I had just had Mariah, she was 10 lbs. 2oz and the labor was long and hard.
I looked as drained as I was.
Like I said I must have changed my mind because when I went looking for the picture
I couldn't find it. I must have hid it from myself.
If I find it I will try to talk myself back into it.

This is the glamor experience. On the back of the picture it said 95' so I was?
Get a calculator! It is so sad I have to go back to see who I gave birth to on or around that year and go from there. Wow I was 27!

I was 18 when I got married and twenty when I found out I was going to be a mom.
In this picture I was about seven months pregnant, she was due 10/88.
My Dr. said you look about 16 we will see what you look like after this baby. =)
Time really files. Now Heather is 20 and having a baby of her own.

This is me when I was 23. Heather was three, Nickie was 14 months and Alicia was two weeks.
It reminds me of a song my mom wrote. She said we had asked her where we came from.
This was her answer....

Three little girls sitting in a basket floating on Nantasket Beach
They were held up by a Heavenly elastic and they all had a watermelon each.
They floated around from town to town, eating up the watermelon, spitting out the seeds. Well, they got so full that the lastic wouldn't pull and they all tumbled over and they ended up with... me

Hard question, good answer.
Thanks mom

A wonderful day at the temple

Scott and I both got to go to the temple with the youth yesterday.
The temple in "our area" is in Oklahoma. We had 9 girls and I think 10 boys.
Our total group was 29, we took four mini vans since none of the fifteen passenger vans in the ward are reliable. We left the church at 9:20 am and didn't get back until almost 10:30 pm. When we got to the temple they lined the youth up in a straight line they stood still and quiet for almost ten minutes. (only in the temple)
Then everyone went into the little locker rooms to change. Everyone helped each other and took turns and were just happy to be there.
I watched them as they did their part and had the pleasure of giving them their towels when they were done. I felt a little guilty not sharing that experience so a little more than half way through I traded off with one of the other sisters.
I helped the girls if they needed anything or had any questions about where they were supposed to be and I got to help with the laundry. I say I got to help with the laundry because I enjoyed working with the sister from the temple, we had a wonderful visit and it is so organized. I know it is the temple and that there will be order in all things in the Lords house, but it is hard to imagine such order even in the laundry.
I was so busy helping rotate, fold and even put away that I didn't realize everyone else was done with their cleaning and had gotten dressed. We were off in another room away from everything. I was the only one they were waiting on. They came looking for me and informed me. =$ They didn't mind and thought it was funny and typical for me to get caught up in getting things done.
I excused my self and was ready in three minutes.
It was so fast that several in the group commented on it and on of the sisters wanted to know if I had taken a secret passage to get back there because no-one even saw me pass them. Since I had kept them waiting I was glad that they realized I hurried not to keep them waiting any longer. The next stop was Cici's pizza and they were hungry.
The competition was on, who could eat the most. I Let them know the only reason they won was because Nickie wasn't there. She has a hollow leg or something. She can put away the pizza and has managed to win every trip that I know of.
We won't mention names but on of the leaders was blowing paper wads at our youth and some of the other leaders. It was all in good fun and didn't last long, before he got caught and sweet, quiet, and not messy revenge was taken.
The ride home was quiet and peaceful.
We got home and were being filled in on the day at home, when James came into the kitchen and threw up all over the floor.
I went to get him a bucket and found that he had a trail from his room and all over his bed. I got him a bucket and he waited for us to finish cleaning up. I made up his bed and tucked him back in sure that his belly was empty. poor thing.
Thank you Scott for your help with the bed. I got done with the last of the laundry about 12:30. He didn't get sick any more and is feeling better this morning but still a little under the weather.
Joseph slept through everything last night and slept in this morning too.
That is not like him, so I kept him home too. Brooklyn and Haylee stayed home to help them fight this off and keep from possibly exposing the many older and very young they would come in contact with. Better to be safe than sorry.

I had a wonderful day at the temple and I am glad we made it home for James when he needed us the most. I am also glad that Heather didn't have to be elbow deep in that. I know she would have and I am glad she didn't have to.
She stayed with the kids yesterday and they had a lot of fun. The house was clean and so were all the kids. She did everything just as I would have, she has been watching. Thank you Heather.

Today I am thankful for a day of rest.

This is a big week for Jordan. She got her license on Tuesday, looked for and picked out her car on Wednesday and bought it on Thursday. (Anyone who thinks that is too fast doesn't know what it takes to pass the mom test that comes before the drivers test.)
I told her if she ever feels this way about a boy he is probably the one.
She LOVES the car. She said she feels so spoiled. I reminded her she is making the payments and thus spoiling herself. She has been working for about eight months and she got her GED. I am very happy for her and if it is not a bad thing I am proud of her too.
In case you can't tell by the pictures it is a 2001 Ford Torus.
She said she is going to name it her green tortes. Green because of the dealer she bought it through and Torus sounds like tortes. She is so excited.
You go girl, but not too fast. =)
We love you!!!!!

Ready or not here she comes

Jordan got her license today!
We decided it was because she is cute. She did good but made some pretty big mistakes.
At one point he told her to turn left. She thought that was odd since she was in the right lane but she slid over to the other lane and prepared to turn. He told her to stop, there were cars coming. Then there was another time she did something and he said "don't do that again, I mean don't ever do that again." She thinks that comment had something to do with turning too.
I have to say that she was the best at parallel parking. I think she was a natural.
He told me she made a few mistakes but she did well and she passed.
Yea Jordan!

Happy Birthday Jennifer

Jennifer is almost seven. I can't believe it.
She was walking and talking before I knew her but we have been through potty training, her first day in primary, her first day in kindergarten, learning to read and write I love the way she spells. She sounds things out very well.
Learning to cross the monkey bars and she is a pretty good swimmer. She is an amazing little girl. She uses her words very well when she gets mad and instead of haveing melt downs she usually chooses to go to her room to pray.
She loves the scriptures and primary songs. Her favorite prophet is Joseph Smith.
When she was three we learned all the names and faces of the First Presidency and the 12 apostles as a family. We offered all the kids a large candy bar if they could do it before conference. (a couple of weeks away) When Scott tested the older kids he mixed up the pictures and they had to tell him who they were. When he got to Jennifer I told him I wasn't sure she would know them out of order, she was only THREE. So he started gathering them up in order...
Gordan B. Hinkley, Thomas S. Monson, James E. Fause
Packer, Perry, Nelson, Oaks, Ballard, Worthlin Jennifer was right beside him nameing them and helping him find their picture.
I said never mind, test her like the rest of them. She got them all!
Happy Birthday Jennifer! We love you.