Willis Family

Admit one

2009-08-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-08-15T15:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-08-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-14T08:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-11T19:21:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-17T05:26:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-24T06:59:00.001-07:00

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. =)

2009-03-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-03-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-03-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-03-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-04T05:58:00.001-08:00

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!!!

2009-02-26T05:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-12T10:41:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-02-12T10:06:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-02-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-04T12:17:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-31T17:35:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-28T12:14:00.001-08:00

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

2009-01-21T05:43:00.002-08:00

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

2009-01-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-13T19:02:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-13T08:59:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-11T08:26:00.001-08:00

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.

2009-01-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-06T18:00:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-05T18:01:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-04T18:52:00.000-08:00

I was talking with a young non-member girl this past week. She said that she would rather be "just Christian" and not have to try to be Mormon, that Mormons have too many rules. She said that it seemed like as soon as you got old enough to have things God just took them away. He just sucks the fun out of everything.
I thought about that and later asked her if she wanted to go to the Olympics then she would want a Gold Metal and she would need a trainer. Would she get one that let her eat what ever she wanted and exercise when she wanted and practice when she wanted or a very strict on who got results? I explained that that is what God does, he takes a way some worldly fun and danger for the results we will want... Temple marriages, forever families, eternal happiness.
I have thought about that a lot since. We have to give up coffee, tea, strong drinks, smoking, immodest dress and premarital relations for better health and long life, respect, happy and strong marriages and to have the whole truth in our lives.
The pioneers had to give up land, homes, safety and even their lives just for their membership and they knew it was worth it.
I am thankful for the gospel in my life. I am thankful to know where I came from, what I am here for and where I am going. I am thankful for a wonderful family and thankful for the blessings of the temple to know that we will be together forever.
When you love someone that much, how can "till death do us part be enough?"
I am thankful to know that we have a prophet today who leads us by revelation and for the peace that gives me. I am also thankful we don't have to give up our homes or our lives to have a testimony. I am thankful for the opportunity to share that with our children and help their testimonies grow.
These are pictures from Nauvoo, we will go back soon.

I am not tired and I don't want to take a nap!

2009-01-04T18:10:00.000-08:00

2009-01-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

People love to laugh. Some of the funniest people I know are Lucile Ball, Martin Short, Steve Martin... Well, I don't KNOW them but everyone knows of them because their funny.
People follow blogs because they want to know about you and because they are funny. Since we know this we try to be funny. Usually when I try really hard to do something I succeed except being funny I get the opposite effect? Can you learn to be funny?
I believe I have a good sense of humor. I think a lot of things are funny and I can find humor in just about any mess. I guess that is pretty important when you have as many kids as we do.

I was 36 when I had my last child and chose to get fixed. So my favorite joke....

Why do Mormon women stop having children at 36?

Because 37 is just too many =)

2009-01-03T18:49:00.000-08:00

I love these pictures they bring back a lot of fond memories of blending our family.
There are a lot of people who put two families in the same house and they stay separate and never actually blend. Our family works together, plays together and yes occasionally they even fight like real brothers and sisters.
This Christmas vacation we have played a lot of games and sand together.
I love having a big family the more the merrier my mom always says.
A couple years ago we went to Florida and met up with my friend Andrea. She was pregnant with her 8th? Her husband had to fly back to Tenn to work and she was driving back solo. We decided to meet up and drive back at least part way together.
Andrea has been around my family since I was in 7th grade. I called my mom and asked if it would be ok if we all came back to her house for a couple days.
My mom being completely insane said said they would be thrilled to have us all.
the head count... Me and Scott and our twelve and Andrea and her seven, TWENTY-TWO!
We all had our own bedding and brought food. Scott and some of the kids went for fireworks and we had the time of our lives. Thank you Mom!
We have had big and little vacations and been through a lot together it really is a wonderful life.

2009-01-03T18:48:00.001-08:00

Scott put our old pictures from the hard drive on the computer and loaded it to the picasa program.I really enjoyed looking back at how young our children were when we were married and joined our families. It will be five years in May, the time really does fly when your having fun or working hard and we have done both.

My turn

2009-01-03T10:00:00.001-08:00

Today I have funny kid stories.
My three year old is very spoiled.

At bedtime(on weekends)I ask her who she wants to watch a movie with? She will say Mom and Dad and come watch Stargate or Star Trec or a kid movie with one of the older kids. On school nights she has to come with me.
She falls asleep and then is moved to her bed, usually.
During the day she goes from child to child playing and I keep an ear out but she is pretty independent. Last night I went looking for her... She wasn't with Mariah or Brooklyn her usual choice for winding down. Jessica and Jordan were in their room and she wasn't in there... Ok? She had asked if she could sleep with Jennifer but I said no because they would play. They play so well together. =)
They were sound a sleep in Jennifer's bed. I had to take a picture.
This morning I asked her how she slept, she said really good and said she had a dream. She said there was a good wolf in her bed,that was creepy. She also had a good dream about... Sponge Bob's tooshie. I told Scott his daughter had a dream about Sponge Bob and she corrected me, it was about his tooshie.
At breakfast Jennifer tried to explain that they had been talking about Sponge Bob and FISHIE, but Haylee insisted she dreamed about his tooshie.
Well... ok what can you say to that?

2009-01-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

Jordan, Joe, and Josh
This was taken a couple years ago.
They are full of plans.
I look forward to looking so seeing all that they do and the friends I know they will still be.

2009-01-02T07:57:00.000-08:00

Today is January 2nd 2009,
This is a new year time for "change" I have decided I love my life and that change is over raided. I will stick with the old new years resolutions since they are the same as every other year. Be more organized, exercise, eat better, write in our journals...

This year I am thankful for the progresses that I have made in my life and for our family and I look forward to this new year.

We don't have "new year resolutions" but we do have some goals we have already been working on. Our food storage is coming along, and we will double the size of our garden this year and I will learn what to do with it. =)

Happy New Year!

2008-12-29T08:43:00.000-08:00

We opened presents for what seemed like a very long time. Josh helped me pass everything out. Thank you Josh.
Nickie and Alicia were out with friends from out of town and didn't come over until later. But we got to see all of the kids except Jacob. We sent him a big package, it was fun putting it together. He did call and we past the phone around to everyone. He is doing very well and is glad to be in his new area.
I know he will miss the people in his old area, he really loved them.
We miss him but are happy for him and love to hear about the work he is doing.
We can't wait for Mother's Day.

2008-12-29T07:48:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from our wonderful Christmas morning.
I woke up at 7:00 the kids started waking up about 8:00 and we made a BIG breakfast.
We sat down to eat about 10:30, and started opening presents about 11:00.
This year we talked about it and agreed that the magic of Christmas is over as soon as the last present is opened so we wanted to postpone it a while. It was awesome and lasted a very long time.
You might ask (for future reference) how do you get children to sleep in on Christmas morning? Easy you let them stay up as late as they want on Christmas Eve.
All the kids knew we were wrapping presents so they let us and they loved staying up. This was one of the best Christmas mornings ever.
More pictures to follow.

2008-12-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Christmas is almost here and we get a call from our missionary.
We are all very excited! We enjoy writing to him and telling him about all the missionary work we are doing and we have our missionaries over every chance we get.
I always send them home with homemade bread. The last two times it was baking when they got to our house. They are kids and they get so excited about things that remind them of home.
I hope someone is doing the same for Jacob.
Does anyone have ideas on how the get the most from his call? We got a call on his way out to Az. And it was a little crazy. Well, we were all there. =$ We will all be there again. He couldn’t tell who was talking and then about the time he figured it out someone else was talking….
We don’t get another call till May so we really want to enjoy it.

This is my 100th post. =)

2008-12-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

This is my 100th post. I think that is special.
Julia is working on a project that involves pictures of all the kids. I can't wait to see it. So, I have to go through the endless number of pictures. It is very time consuming but lots of fun. Another good thing came of it, I found all the boys doing the goober face and had to share it with you all.

Another one for Julia

2008-12-12T05:59:00.000-08:00

This is the famous goober face, even on our wedding day.
Scott has a picture of all of his kids doing the goober face.

I will try to find them. It is a family tradition. =)

2008-12-12T05:49:00.000-08:00

This is for you Julia.
She says that her favorite pictures are ones that are truly taken.

That is to say when people aren’t posing to be “at their best” and are just the way they are.
This is our family September 4th 2004 at the St. Louis temple right after Scott and I got married.

Kids say the darnest things

2008-12-11T20:02:00.000-08:00

The kids had a visit with their other mother today.
Jordan said James asked her if she was still their mother.

Scott said yes, of course she is still your mother.
I asked him why he would even need to ask such a question,
and he said because she got remarried and she isn't a Willis anymore.
It is funny to see how differently children think.
I am glad he asked.

Too cute not to share!!!

2008-12-11T19:58:00.000-08:00

Special moments caught on cell camera

2008-12-11T15:55:00.001-08:00

How do you say no to a face like this?

2008-12-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

Haylee is three and this is her trying to get me to pick her up while I take pictures.

How do you say no to a face like that?

Years of practice!

A cup of hot choc. is the perfect end to any day

2008-12-07T21:57:00.001-08:00

We watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and then decorated ginger bread things. That sounds like a good Christmas family tradition.

2008-12-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

2008-12-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

I usually write Jacob on Sunday so I tell him about talks and share lessons and testimonies instead of sharing all the family stuff that makes him miss us and spend his p'day crying. He is doing well and wants to hear more about home.
I did well with little news from home on my dearelder.com letter until I accidentally erased it instead of sending it. I don't know a word for frustration like that. So I told him a few little things and sent him pictures of everyone.
We miss him and are looking forward to our phone call on Christmas.

Opening Christmas?

2008-12-02T05:42:00.000-08:00

Last night we had the missionaries over for FHE. It has been our tradition for the past several weeks since we can manage to have an investigator every week.
It has been very rewarding for us to be able to share the gospel and the missionaries take charge of everything. (I feed them and fix the treat)
Last night Elder Horch shared one of his family traditions, it was called opening Christmas.
There were several wrapped presents. The presents are opened by the youngest to the oldest. Each present is a clue to what you are supposed to do next.
The first present was a hymnal. We took turns choosing Christmas songs from the hymn book, and sang almost all of them. I loved that part.
Then they unwrapped the book The Night Before Christmas and read it.
The next gift was the Christmas count down book and we got to keep it.
Then my favorite part they unwrapped the scriptures. They read the birth of Christ from the Book of Mormon and the Bible in alternating scriptures.
It was awesome!
The last gift was chocolate covered cherries! Yummy!
They call it opening Christmas and it is done the first Monday of December.
It is not too late if you want to start it this year.
It was one of the best FHE's we have had.

2008-12-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

I heard a talk a few years ago where a man said that right now in our lives we have the least amount of responsibility that we will have.
He was speaking to men and women at all different stages of their lives, he didn't know what they were going through now or what they had been through. How could he say that and better still how could it be true?
When I thought about it and as he talked I realized that we grow all the time and where much is given much is required. A young mother with little children may think the diapers and sleepless nights will never end. (the diapers do end)
Then she has teenagers and then weddings then grandchildren and great grandchildren...
Our lives continue to be blessed and we work harder to be responsible for those blessings. Each of our lives are different. Some people will never have the responsibilities that others have and yet they will never have less responsibilities than they have now. The responsibilities will change but never decrease. If that is a depressing thought it is because we tend to stress and look for a time when we won't.
That brings me to my closing thought and favorite scripture.
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God
As I think of this scripture I think of us frantically trying to get things done or stressing about things we can't change and God with a loving smile on his face softly reminding us that we need to stop and remember he knows everything and has it all under control. What a peaceful thought and even more so if you can remember it during chaos.

Dedicated to Julia at this crazy time in her life, I love you

2008-11-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

This is one of the ways that the Willis guys in our home bond. Aren't they so cute?

2008-11-28T20:36:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Feasting

When the Halloween pumpkins are gone,
And the leaves have all fallen to ground,
When the air has turned windy and cold,
Then Thanksgiving will soon be around.

Thoughts of loved ones all feasting together,
Pleasant pictures from past times appear
To dwell in each heart and each mind--
Then Thanksgiving is finally here!

The kitchen has scrumptious aromas,
The dining room looks oh, so fine,
Decorations with pilgrims and turkeys,
And now we are ready to dine!

First the napkins are placed on our laps;
Now the prayer for the meal to be blessed,
Then we stuff the good food in our tummies,
And we hope for it all to digest!

By Joanna Fuchs

2008-11-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

We made OREO turkeys just for fun. The kids were very creative. We were supposed to use candy corns for the feathers but you have to plan way ahead for that because they are hard to find this time of year. Scott and Julia both looked at several stores. We will plan on that next year.
They were fun and tasted good anyway.

2008-11-28T20:15:00.000-08:00

I talked to John this afternoon and he said he read everything I had given him last night. He said he posted the Articles of Faith on the cork board in his room.
Heather was on her way over there and he planned to talk to her about what he read and how he felt. He said it looked like exactly what he needed. We talked for a few minutes about the Proclamation to the World and they strength the church instills in our families and in each of us.
He called the Articles of Faith card by name. He really had read it.
This is backward. He should have been a member and they should be married and then they should start a family. Since it is what it is, I will pray for him and teach him every opportunity I get. There is a lot at stake. I am hopeful.

Thanksgiving feast

2008-11-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

We had Ham and turkey real mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, jello, pudding, green beans, corn, rolls, and stuffing.
We had Nickie and John (Heather's boy friend) for the first dinner and then Julia and Josh and the missionaries for the late dinner.
Our day was full of food and family.
On our way back to Springfield John said he loved our family and wanted his to be just like it.
I had the opportunity to talk with him about the church and gave him several church
pamphlets. I had planned to give him a least the first discussion while he was there.
I sent him home with much more. It was a wonderful day and the spirit was there all day.

2008-11-28T18:46:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the Zola and Merrill Wills Family.
I thought you all would enjoy it since most of those who follow my blog are from here.
When I think of the love and beautiful legacy they have pasted on it makes me feel very blessed to be a part of it.

The light bulb

2008-11-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

When you have an ordinary light bulb and it goes out, it blows as you turn the light on with a blue flash that would almost be pretty if it didn't leave you standing in the dark or just doesn't come on at all. If you have a "long lasting" bulb it does the same thing it is just supposed to take longer to do it. However if you have a florescent bulb and it goes bad it causes the other bulb with it to dull too. It is a long drawn out and somewhat painful process. Both bulbs are dull every time the light goes on barely making it worth the effort to flip the switch and this can go on for days or even weeks, then the flickering starts! To sum it up the florescent light bulb is a drama queen by design. I'm going to die.... I am dieing .... I .. am.. d....i....e...i...n..g. If you already have as many girls in your house as we do, invest in regular bulb, this process is just too much.

2008-11-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

Little girls learn things from watching their mommies.
I actually learned to make bread from Julia and now I get to teach the rest.
Thank you Julia! I have bread in the oven right now. =) That is my favorite smell.

2008-11-26T20:34:00.000-08:00

Jennifer is six and in first grade. She loves to read and write and is very good at it. This is a copy of her latest art work and writing.
They really are priceless.

2008-11-26T15:19:00.000-08:00

These are some of the pictures Julia and Melinda took earlier this month.
Aren't they precious?

Twilight midnight showing

2008-11-22T19:28:00.000-08:00

Count down to Twilight is over Julia drove all the way to Springfield to watch the midnight showing with her most sensitive of brothers.
Heather took a car load from our house (Jordan, Jessica, Mariah) to watch the midnight showing in Monett and both theaters were packed. Mostly girls but a couple guys.
They were not quite bright eyed and bushy tailed the next day but they did go to seminary, school and work the next day and said it was so worth it.
They lost a little sleep but they will be able to recover soon enough and the memories
of midnight showings and getting the book as soon as it comes out last a life time.
They love to read and they enjoyed it together.

Fun survey – Who are you most like?

2008-11-22T15:17:00.000-08:00

Ladies Only ... Which Movie Star Are You? This is kind of fun!
Ever wonder which movie star you are most like?
Well ~ A team of researchers got together and analyzed the personalities of movie stars.
They gathered info has been incorporated into this quiz.
There are only 10 questions so it doesn't take long.
Number your paper from 1 to 10, then answer each question with the choice that most describes you at this point in your life , and then add up the points that correspond with your answers.
In the comment section put who you are most like.

Now Don't look ahead or you will ruin the fun!
1. Which describes your perfect date?
a) Candlelight dinner for two b) Amusement Park c) Roller blading in the park
d) Rock Concert
e) Have dinner & see a movie f) Dinner at home with a loved one

2. What is your favorite type of music?
a) Rock and Roll b) Alternative c) Soft Rock d) Classical e) Christian f) Jazz

3. What is your favorite type of movie?
a ) Comedy b) Horror c) Musical d) Romance e) Documentary f) Mystery

4. Which of the following jobs would you choose if you were given only these choices?
a) Waiter/Waitress b) Sports Player c) Teacher d) Policeman e) Bartender
f) Business person

5. Which would you rather do if you had an hour to waste?
a) Work out b) Make out c) Watch TV d) Listen to the radio e) Sleep f) Read

6. Of the following colors, which do you like best?
a) Yellow b) White c) Sky blue d) Teal e) Gold f) Red

7. Which one of the following would you like to eat right now?
a) Ice cream b) Pizza c) Sushi d) Pasta e) Salad f) Lobster Tail

8. Which is your favorite holiday?
a) Halloween b) Christmas c) New Year's d) Valentine's Day e) Thanksgiving
f) Fourth of July

9 If you could go to any of the following places, which would it be?
a) Reno b) Spain c) Las Vegas d) Hawaii e) Hollywood f) British Columbia

10. Of the following, who would you rather spend time with?
a) Someone who is smart b) Someone with good looks c) Someone who is a party animal
d) Someone who has fun all the time e) Someone who is very emotional f) Someone who is fun to be with

Now total up your points on each question:
1 a-4 b-2 c-5 d-1 e-3 f-6 2. a-2 b-1 c- 4 d-5 e-3 f-6
3. a-2 b-1 c-3 d-4 e-5 f-6 4. a-4 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-1 f-6
5. a-5 b-4 c-2 d-1 e-3 f-6 6. a-1 b-5 c-3 d-2 e-4 f-6
7. a-3 b-2 c-1 d-4 e-5 f-6 8. a-1 b-3 c-2 d-4 e-5 f-6
9. a-4 b-5 c-1 d-4 e-3 f-6 10. a-5 b-2 c-1 d-3 e-4 f-6
NOW take your total and find out which Movie Star you are:

(10-17 points) You are MADONNA:
You are wild and crazy and you know it. You know how to have fun but you may take it to extremes. You know what you are doing though and are much in control of your own life. People don't always see things your way but that doesn’t mean that you should do away with your beliefs.
Try to remember that your wild spirit can lead to hurting yourself and others.

(18-26 points) You are DORIS DAY:
You are fun, friendly and popular! You are a real crowd pleaser. You have probably been out on the town your share of times, yet you come home with the values that your mother taught you. Marriage and children are very important to you but only after you have fun. Don't let the people you
please influence you to stray.

(27-34 points) You are DEBBIE REYNOLDS:
You are cute and everyone loves you. You are a best friend that no one takes the chance of losing. You never hurt feelings and seldom have your own feelings hurt. Life is a breeze. You are witty and calm most of the time. Just keep clear of back stabbers, and you are worry-free..

(35-42 points) You are GRACE KELLY:
You are a lover. Romance, flowers, and wine are all you need to enjoy yourself You are serious about all commitments and are a family person. You call your Mom every Sunday and never forget a Birthday. Don't let your passion for romance get confused with the real thing.

(43-50 points) You are KATHERINE HEPBURN:
You are smart, a real thinker. Every situation is approached with a plan. You are very healthy in mind and body. You don't take crap from anyone. You have only a couple of individuals that you consider 'real
friends'. You teach strong family values. Keep your feet planted in them but don't overlook a bad situation when it does happen.

(51-60 points) You are ELIZABETH TAYLOR:
Everyone is in awe of you. You know what you want and how to get it. You have more friends than you know what to do with. Your word is your bond. Everyone knows when you say something it is money in the bank. You attract the opposite sex. Your intelligence overwhelms most. Your memory is the
next thing to photographic. Everyone admires you because you are so considerate and lovable. You know how to enjoy life and treat people right.

Thank you Josh

2008-11-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

Last night I got a call from Heather. Things were really out of hand, I could tell from the noise in the back ground and from the tone in her voice.
I am usually very calm but I was an hour away and she needed me right then.
Then I thought about Josh, he was really close. I called him and asked what he was doing, he said playing video games. I asked him how many people he could get to Heathers and how fast he said three and we are out the door. I called him a few minutes later and he was half way there. He didn't even know what she needed but he was going.
He and his roommate packed all of her stuff and when I got there they loaded it up for her.
Thank you for being there for me and for being such a good big brother.
I love you!

Out of the mouths of babes

2008-11-19T13:09:00.001-08:00

I want to share my ten year olds and their testimonies of their Heavenly Father.

Brooklyn came to me in tears. She said that she had been moody a lot lately. She said that she said her prayers but it wasn’t the same as when she used to study a lot. She said that she wanted to know more and she felt so bad that she didn’t all ready know it. She cried and I felt bad for her but felt good that she had such a desire. I hugged her and told her we would take more time to learn what she wanted to know.
Scott and I get up at 5:15 to say prayer with the seminary children and go back to bed. On Monday’s he has to check to be sure that reports were run before he goes back to bed. There was a soft knock on the door about 5:45, Scott was still up so he answered. He hugged Joseph and told him it was only a dream. Joseph went back to bed for a few minutes till it was time to get him up for school.
When I came in he told me that it wasn’t a bad dream that scared him that it must have been the cats fighting outside his bedroom window. His reasoning was that it sounded like cats and that he always prays before going to be that he will have a good night sleep and have no bad dreams.
What he said made sense and I did have four more kids to get moving for school.
When I thought about it later I realized that this was an important link in his testimony.
When he woke up, it was sudden and he was scared, he went down stairs for comfort and reassurance.
Then in his bed wide awake he decided it couldn’t be a bad dream because he had prayed like he always does that he wouldn’t have them, so it must have been a cat because Heavenly Father always answers prayers.

Today I see it clearly

2008-11-19T12:40:00.000-08:00

I have been told all of my life that the end is coming and we must be prepared. I have believed it would happen... I just couldn't see it in my life time.
Now, I believe things will change and that I could be here to see it.
We have also had many ice storms and I felt the need to have the required food and water for our home. We have 14 children, 8 of them still live at home.
Those who don't live at home are not quiet self sufficient and would need our help.
That is a lot of preparation. The cars we own are not our only financial set back yet, seem to be the biggest one.
I am thrilled about the lower gas prices and have decided to set aside what we saved to buy our food storage.
I have the best adviser in these things ever and she lives right next door. Mom Willis said I needed a ton of canning jars. She didn't say a ton she actually calculated it up.... it was a lot! They are a seasonal item and can't be found now.
I took my advise and prayed for what I needed.
Scott found jars online but then found out the shipping was $90.00.
The next day I took Jordan to work. She was out of Soda water and asked me if I would go to the dollar general and get her one. I said yes, reluctantly.
I had Haylee and it was cool outside....I went in and since I was there I looked around for canning jars. Then I asked the store manager. He said he had one box left and told me where I would find it. I went and got it but had to go back and ask if he could order more. He said no but the other man beside him was a store manager across town and he had a bunch. I got Scott from work and we bought all they had.
Eighteen doz quart jars and three dozen pint jars! They were less than we would have paid on line too. These jars were in the back, I had to ask for them and I wouldn't have been there at all if it weren't for Jordan and my willingness to serve her that morning. God answered my prayer.
I am a spoiled daughter of our Heavenly Father and today I see it clearly.

Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right by Tim Kimmel

2008-11-14T18:37:00.000-08:00

Every parent hopes their kids will turn out right. They pray that when their children leave the nest, they will be ready to face the world. And they hope that their kids will be equipped to stand strong in life's battles.

There are no shortcuts to successful parenting . . . no secret formulas to raising kids of strength and character. However, there are steps you can take to prepare your children for the challenges ahead. But you'll need an effective game plan.

He Dedicates this to his parents and thanks them for the legacy and says he'll do his best to pass it on.
He talks about every day opportunities to teach that many parents miss and helps you look for them and make the most of them.
One well put example is:
"The Gold Rush Days- Miners slaved in the hot sun day after day. They'd swirl sand around in their pans for hours to extract tiny glimmers of gold. Most of what they ended up with was gold dust.
But it had value. Supplies at the general store and whiskey in the saloon could be had by simply sprinkling a little bit of that dust on a scale. Sometimes, however just as they poured the stuff, someone opened a door and allowed the wind blow some of the partials off the scale-where they would settle through the cracks in the floor. At other times the miners were simply careless. In their hurry to get what they wanted they'd sacrifice more of their precious gold than they needed to. It would float through the air.... and ultimately slips through the cracks.
Our relationship to our kids has too often followed similar lines.

He gives pearls of wisdom that we can all use in our own lives.

Well, I should go enjoy my children before I have to put them to bed.

Creative corrections

2008-11-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many people have told me I should write a book about my family and how we do it. I don't have time right now so I just blog.

I wanted to share one of the books I have actually read and referred to often called "Creative corrections". Lisa Whelchel is best known for her role as Blair Warner on the hit 1980s TV series "The Facts of Life." She and her husband, Steve, a minister, have three children, whom they home-school. This excerpt is from her book, "Creative Correction."
I looked on google to see what I could find and was surprised to see negative things about her and her book? I have read and read that book and I don't remember her suggesting that spanking was the answer. I know it is an alternative, on the rare occasion I have resorted to it my self. I think explaining to a child what they did, that other times other things have been tried and why you are going to have to do this, spanking them and them that you love them and need them to make different choices is different from snatching them up and hitting them while they hang in the air by on arm or smacking them as they pass you.
I love the book because she defines their behavior and has a scripture for every behavior that they can come up with. The Bible says that it is important to teach them this and this is where in the Bible it is found.

I think as mush as this book offers my favorite part is the scripture references right with the behavior so you can remind them these aren't your rules but Gods rules that you are responsible for helping them learn to follow.

There are behaviors and suggestions for discipline
Leaving a mess? The next time your child "forgets" to put something away, put it away for him. When he asks where it is, tell him that he'll have to look for it. Believe me, he will learn that it's a lot more trouble to find something that Mom has hidden than it is to put it away in the first place.
Yes, there are thinks I do different because I am different and my children are different and I do like that one.
One thing she taught me was that a child's behavior in public may be more embarrassing to you but it doesn't make what they did more wrong and the discipline shouldn't be greater because you were embarrassed. I had to face that one not too long ago. I took a deep breath and had to agree.
I had made arrangements and they didn't get followed through with. I had to admit that I wasn't upset that there was a misunderstanding but that I had to face the other people involved. That new perspective helped me a lot and avoided unnecessary conflict with in my family.
I totally love this book!

Realization at its best

2008-11-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Realization at its best

Jennifer is six. She is beautiful and smart. She is sweet and helpful and spiritual. Jennifer was fighting with her younger sister over a toy. That is what young sisters do sometimes. Jennifer was bigger and taking full advantage of her size (she was being ruthless) so mom had to step in.

I found out that it was Jennifer’s toy but that Haylee had it first. I explained to Jennifer that if she had waited a little bit Haylee would have gotten tired of the toy and she could have just gone behind her and picked it up. The other wiser option was to offer to trade a more exciting toy for the one she wanted.
The third option was even more clever, if she refused to trade take that rejected toy and pretend that you are having so much fun that she has to have that toy. I reminded her that she was older and that she could easily out smart her little sister and it could be fun and there wouldn’t be violence or crying involved.

We also had to talk about how she was feeling at the time. She was not sorry that she had handled it the way she had and she was mad that I was talking to her and she couldn’t learn because she was angry.
She went to her room to think about it. (they let themselves out when they are done thinking)
Later that evening I was in the middle of cooking dinner, you know that crucial time when everything is finishing all at the same time so it gets on the table hot? Well Jennifer had been reading and wanted to share it with me. I somehow felt that it was more important than dinner and listened intently as she shared an article from the friend. It was about trading with your little sister instead of fighting with them and about not being angry because you can’t solve things that way.
Wow! That was more important than dinner. She heard what I said and recognized it in print.
That was a true mom and Jennifer moment.

2008-11-06T10:55:00.001-08:00

They will always look back and remember times like these.
Sometimes there isn't a camera available but their heart always takes a picture.

2008-11-06T08:53:00.000-08:00

This is the laundry room, I spend a lot of time in here.
I have to share my inspiration in this area because it isn’t as bad as you would think.
When I first got here we had thirteen children in the house. All the laundry would come to the laundry room where I would wash, dry fold and attempt to sort according to size.
We had big boys and little boys, that wasn’t too bad. Then the girls….. We had them all different sizes and if you got this one’s clothes in that one’s pile the other child thought the other one was going to keep it. With girls they get attached to clothes and at times a shirt means more to them than their sister.
Then after my attempt to sort, the piles would go to a long table in the downstairs living room.
I would remind them that no one was to come to the dinner table until they got all of their clothes off the table. Then these clothes that meant more to them than their sister…. You guessed it…. Didn’t belong to anyone. Mountains of clothes not belonging to anyone or having been worn by anyone were now clean and folded and taking up space on my folding table. I was inspired! It all came to me at once.
Every room got a laundry basket, and two days that their laundry would be done a week.
Whatever came from that room went back into that room. No more sorting, no more claiming or not claiming. Laundry was simple! The schedule is posted in the kitchen, both bathrooms, in the hall and the laundry room. The older ones do their own laundry and the rule is that they have to spend a few minutes straitening up the laundry room first in order to use our machines and soap. The laundry room is never clean but it is much better and although laundry will never be easy it is simple.

2008-11-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

In our home we have two bathrooms.
The upstairs bathroom is a bit bigger with more counter space and a bigger mirror; it is the favorite among all the children especially the teenagers. Scott and I usually take the bathroom of least resistance the smaller one downstairs. I find it makes the wait for the bathroom seem shorter if you go up and down the stairs between the two checking to see if they are still occupied. =)
We have a strict shower schedule, all the younger ones Brooklyn, Joseph, James, Jennifer and Haylee are to bathe before dinner giving the hot water heater a chance to restore and the older ones their time in the bathroom after dinner. No one except for Scott can shower in the morning.
Scott went to Arizona a few weeks ago and we really missed him.
The night before he came back Jennifer said “now we will have to share the bathroom again”.
We probably won’t ever have another bathroom but they will have lots of fun stories about sharing the two they had.
Uncle Jean said that when his kids were younger they always talked about adding on to their house and that every summer they decided to go on vacation instead. He said they don’t tell stories about the bathroom they would have had but they share lots of stories about their family trips. Yes, we have two bathrooms and surprisingly it is enough.

2008-11-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is the first pioneer trek I was involved with.
Jacob, Julia, Jordan, and Nickie had fun getting ready for it and a blast there.
They got rained on, and were dirty and sweaty but had the time of their live.
I know that their testimonies grew too.
They are doing it again next year and Mariah, and Jessica will get to go.
Scott and I have already signed up to go. I am looking forward to it and will
need to prepare spiritually and physically to be able to enjoy it to it's fullest.
I will be looking for suggestions between now and then for the best clothes / material and stuff to take. I guess I should learn to sew too. =)

Obama-nation

2008-11-05T06:25:00.000-08:00

I couldn't find a picture to go with the way I feel this morning.
As I watched the electoral landslide unfold before my eyes I felt an overwhelming feeling of numbness come over me. It was like watching as an avalanche heads your way and knowing that there is nothing you can do to escape it.
I watched so many celebrate this coming destruction and it reminded me of a scene from Independence Day where many people went to the top of the tallest building to welcome the aliens. They were having a big party waving signs to welcome them. The bottom doors of the ship opened to destroy them and they stood there in awe at how beautiful it was. Then in an instant it is over. To the rest of the world the intent was clear and panic resumed.
In this case it is amazing to see how many people chose to stand on the tallest building to welcome and celebrate this. So many people so desperate for change they didn't care what kind or where it comes from.
It is too late now, what is done is done. Now what?
Mom Willis quotes the profits and says there will come a time that if you can't make it, fix it or grow it, you won't have it. The end seemed so far way until yesterday.
Good ideas for Christmas this year...
clothes line and old fashion hand washer
Hand grinder for wheat
wood burning stove
generator
more quilts
old fashion tools
canning jars and lids
Food storage
water in bulk
entertainment without a cord

It will be like the old days we have heard stories about, only harder because we are so spoiled.
I have to admit that I had almost envied the simple life they had and the closeness they found because they had to work together and had less distractions.
Maybe they are right and this is a good thing?

2008-11-04T07:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas is my favorite time of year. For me along with the birth of Christ and the special feeling it gives me I love to give.
I am a power shopper mostly because I don't like to do it and usually get it over with asap but Christmas is different, I start months in advance and enjoy every minute.
I love to find the perfect gift and the look on their faces when they get it is the best present I could get. I also like to save money so if I got it on sale that is even better.
One of our new family traditions is to get the kids together and give them a certain amount of money so they can shop for each other. No one who works at Wal mart has complained yet. We have done it for the past four years and will do it again this year. I think it is the kids favorite part too. I love to see them trying to be all sneaky hiding from each other and from us too some times.
It is a lot of fun! We pair them up and give them names to shop for and they have really gotten into the the spirit.
Jordan shows the look that makes my heart melt.

2008-10-02T13:57:00.000-07:00

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year.
I love being surrounded by family and the spirit of Christmas, love and giving is
unlike any other time of the year.
I also love the smell in the air. My favorite smells are warm rolls and pies.
The kids are looking forward to sweet potatoes and ham.
My mom always started shopping for Christmas during the summer, with as many children as we have I also start by summer. I love finding the prefect gift for each person, that is really my favorite part of Christmas.
I love family pictures and getting one is really hard and rarely fun if you can imagine. We have twelve beautiful smiling children but we are missing Heather and Nickie. This year Jacob won't be here. We will miss him a lot! We need ideas for missionaries for Christmas. We are lucky to have him in the states, it will be easier to send him something.
Well, it is coming fast. I wish I could do a cool count down like Jordan has on hers.

2008-09-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

We got our car back yesterday!!!!!

When I called on Friday they said give them an hour and it would be ready. I said we live 45 minutes away and if there was a problem with it and I couldn't get it then, there would be a problem. So, I said I will make arrangements to pick it up on Monday.
It went into the Shop a year ago August.
We got it back one week to the day that I started calling and letting them know I wasn't happy and that I didn't want to have to come down there and lose my temper.
I let them know that Scott was too nice and he won't be calling again, and that I will. They replaced the fuel pump with no cost to us for the pump or labor.
It was fun to drive it to Scott's work and deliver it myself.
So if your thinking about taking your car in to a foreign specialist in Joplin Mo.
you might want to ask around first.
We have a new to us mechanic in Granby. He is a member of the LDS church and comes highly recommended. We are going to take the Malibu in next week. We will let you know how it goes. Jordan is so excited! She gets her license in October and can't wait to drive.

2008-09-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Our car has been in the shop for over a year now.
Scott is a very sweet and understanding man, he has taken care of calling about the car
up to this point. I went in to pick it up a couple weeks ago because they said it was running and we gave up on the electrical problems we took it in for.
Julia went with me. I paid them and said nothing to them about how upset I was about the fact that it took them so long to not get the job done.
I got in the Mustang and Julia got in the Audi and nothing happened.
Hoping Julia had forgotten how to start a car I tried, and still nothing.
I was mad! I marched back in there and said a few choice sentences about it taking a year and not having time for this. I had an appointment 40 minutes away and I had to pay for it whether I was there or not.
Now it has been two more weeks and Scott called to see where they were, now the fuel pump is bad. We had just had it replaced right before we took it to them. Scott said he would just tow it home he was not giving them any more money.
Darn right we aren't giving them any more money! And they will replace the fuel pump!
If it hadn't taken them a year to not fix the car it would still be under warranty.
I called Scott and told him that I had just called them up and told them I was tired of their "the dog ate my homework" excuses and I want my car back. We have been told two weeks every time we called and continued to drive our 15 passenger van every where and pay insurance for a car we haven't seen in a year.
They said I will find out and call you back in two hours. He said they have said that to him too. So I waited and after 2 hours and 20 they called back apologizing for the 20 minutes told me where they were at with the car and that they would have to replace the fuel pump and they would get right on it. I said he does know that he has already been paid all that he is going to get doesn't he? They said yes mam they do.
When I talked to them today they said I should have the car by Friday and they would keep me informed about any possible set back, and that she knows that any set back will cost them business and money.
It feels good so far and hopefully Friday will feel extremely satisfying.
I will defiantly keep you posted. Julia we inspire each other!

2008-09-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

Scott and I went to the hospital on her due date to have her induced as planned.
After 12 hours of labor it was decided that the contractions were not being productive and the doctor that I grew to love and trust recommended a c-section.
Heather had gone to pick up the little ones and some of the kids went to get dinner for the family.
Scott stayed right with me through the whole thing until they took her out of the room.
She didn’t have a name for three days.
G 10 Girl number 10!!!
We had already used 18 girl names without duplication and that was amazing.
I think that our pick of names were very different but middle names are usually common.
Scott had all very traditional somewhat old fashion names. Julia, Jessica, Jennifer, Jordan and I had Heather, Christen and Alicia, Mariah and Brooklyn.
I had mentioned Hailey for the comet because he liked astronomy he said defiantly not but, then after three days I put his middle name Haymore and my middle name Lee together to make Haylee and we both knew that was the name.
Haylee Catherine (after my stepmom and friend)It was like Brooklyn Rayn after my mother Lynne and her fathers middle name Ray.
Wow that was tough.

2008-09-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

I am not sure why Nickie has Brooklyn’s whole head covered but it is obvious why it looks like Heather is about to spew a drink. This is our oldest 10 children at the hospital waiting for number 14 to arrive.
St. John’s hospital was incredible! When Scott and I decided to have a baby together we knew that thirteen was enough but we wanted to share the experience with each other and to have our own child together.
I was thirty six and Jennifer the youngest child was almost three so when we decided to do this I wanted to do it right away. I wasn’t getting any younger and I wanted Jennifer and the baby to be close.

Do you know why Mormon women stop having children at thirty six?
Because thirty seven is just too many =)

My last two children were delivered at home with a mid wife and it was wonderful, it had also been 7 years and we live out in the middle of nowhere now, so we decided to go with a hospital.
I found the right hospital and they helped me find a doctor that would do things the way I wanted, then we decided to try for our own little miracle.
The youngest three stayed with Grandma Willis but the rest were there for the day of labor. It was a fun family memory.

2008-08-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

Jessica had a lot of fun in Florida.
She likes the salt water, the sand and the waves.

2008-08-27T18:12:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn and Mariah especially liked the bird show.

2008-08-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Alligators this close is creepy!

This was the smaller of the two the other one was 8 feet long.
Jordan and Nickie got to pet the little one its mouth was taped shut. The gator has a lot of power to close its mouth but very little power to open it up.

2008-08-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

This is Nickie she is almost 18.
We enjoyed having her on vacation another year.
She is independent and high spirited.
Next year we will save up for the BIG FAMILY VACATION.
This one will be the biggest one ever! Scott has dreamed of going cross country..... we want to come close to that. We hope to have enough excitement planned that even our grown and moved out kids will want to come.

We will go farther west then go to the coast and down to Florida, of course.
Florida is not just a great place to vacation I came from there and have family and friends there too.

2008-08-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

This is My sister Dawn and Trey, and a picture of most of our children.
Dawn had two sons (Chris and DJ)who are off on their own, and we are missing Josh, Heather, Jacob, and Julia.
We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed getting the kids together again.
Dawn is a year and a half younger than me, but got to be a grandma first.
DJ just had a boy the last week in July, they named him Damian. Congratulations DJ!

2008-08-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Joseph just turned ten.
He loves school and especially math.
He has an MP3 player and has down loaded his favorite music himself. He really likes country music. His favorites are Tim McGraw, Lonestar,
and Rascal Flatts.
He loves the computer and has even designed his own video game by going on line and getting characters and using picture back grounds.
When Scott told him he could teach him to have the characters inter act James and Joseph were totally blown away that their dad knew how to do that. That was a fun moment.
On vacation with out computer access Joseph enjoyed music and his cousins.
He said his favorite part of vacation was playing Yu-gi-oh with his cousin Adrian and tubing.

2008-08-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

Jennifer was in heaven everywhere we went.
She was loved and spoiled by everyone.

She soaked up all the attention and took on a very outgoing personality the whole trip.

This is Jennifer with corn rows in her hair. Aunt Cimmeria leaves a beautiful trade mark on all the girls when ever she gets a chance.
In case you don't know about corn rows it is very time consuming. Cimmeria is very good and pretty fast and it still takes an average of 45 minutes to an hour and a half per child and she did all 7 girls. Haylee was too busy with the cousins.

2008-08-15T06:09:00.000-07:00

When Haylee wasn’t playing with Ukiah she was making music.
She loved the drums and the toy guitar.

2008-08-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

Haylee is three months older than her cousin Ukiah. The last time they were together they were little and couldn’t talk. This time they were inseparable, I think that was mostly Haylee’s doing.
She is a social butterfly and although Ukiah seemed to like her well enough he has two brothers and seemed to notice she was “different”.

2008-08-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

The big birthday event!

James turned eight on July 25^th.

We were leaving on vacation for two weeks that day and didn’t want to wait that long to have him baptized so we arranged to have him baptized on his birthday before we left.

It was a family affair. Julia and Jordan gave the talks, and Mariah bore her testimony. Brooklyn and Joseph gave the opening and closing prayer, Alicia lead the music and Jessica played the piano. James was baptized and confirmed a member by his dad and Jennifer handed out the program.
Grandma made cinnamon rolls, they were delicious!
Nickie and I were in charge of clean up.

2008-08-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

2008-08-14T19:45:00.000-07:00

We went to visit my Nana and Papa in North Florida. They took us to see the most incredible mural.
It was of the Ichetucknee River and it was three-D. We loved the mural and had to tube down the river. I had done it several times when I was a teenager and wanted to share that memory with my kids.

I got a small raft for me and Jennifer and Haylee everyone else got their own tube all of the little ones got life jackets. We lost my only paddle half way down, thank you Alicia. She thought it was funny that I was” up the creek without a paddle”.
Many of the kids said that was one of the favorite things we did.

2008-08-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

Fun at Daytona Beach! We went to Jacksonville to see my sister Dawn and her family and then on our way to Bradenton went to Daytona Beach for a few hours.

I made lunch and Scott and the kids were swimming when the sky to the North got a funny grey color and it kept getting closer. We grabbed the kids and some stuff and ran for the cover of the pier.
Just as we got under it the sky opened up and poured down rain for about 20 minutes.
Then just that fast it was gone and they went swimming again. They got to swim for about 15 minutes and the sky from the South got black and lightening flashed in the distance. We went to the showers to clean up and they turned on the fountain. The fountain was as much fun as the beach.

Jungle Gardens famous people

2008-08-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

We went to Florida to visit friends and family. We stayed with my dad and step mom Cathy and my sister Morgan. They took us to Jungle Gardens. It was great. This woman in the picture told us all about nature and life cycles of things. She told us all we wanted to know about alligators and then some.

Then as she is explaining that in some places they eat the roaches she puts a two inch live cock roach in her mouth like it is nothing and keeps talking! She asked if any of us would ever forget that she just did that, of course not. She said she had just proved that we wouldn’t drop dead if we put one in our mouth and made herself famous and unforgettable. That she did. She was funny and entertaining.We learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Thank you Dad and Cathy.

Willis Family

***Admit one ***

The new Grand baby has arrived

Day Camp Rocks!

4th of July fun

Loving Baseball!

Lunch with Grandpa

Fun at the park

Baseball Season

Comment if you dare!

Heather is getting married today!!!

New Beginings program

Haylee's new dress

Breaking Dawn

Attitude

On to Breaking Dawn

On to New Moon

The game

Saved by my subconscious mind

A wonderful day at the temple

Ready or not here she comes

Happy Birthday Jennifer

I am not tired and I don't want to take a nap!

My turn

This is my 100th post. =)

Another one for Julia

Kids say the darnest things

Too cute not to share!!!

Special moments caught on cell camera

How do you say no to a face like this?

A cup of hot choc. is the perfect end to any day

We watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional and then decorated ginger bread things. That sounds like a good Christmas family tradition.

Opening Christmas?

Thanksgiving feast

The light bulb

Twilight midnight showing

Fun survey – Who are you most like?

Thank you Josh

Out of the mouths of babes

Today I see it clearly

Raising Kids Who Turn Out Right by Tim Kimmel

Creative corrections

Realization at its best

Obama-nation

Jungle Gardens famous people

Admit one