Hyman Family (My Fairy Tale)

Sickness, Surgery & Service

2010-05-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

SICKNESS- My week started out with my two older daughters not feeling well and Clint telling me it was no big deal. It is just a cold they will be OK. By Wednesday when they were still feeling sluggish and I could tell that something wasn't right I took them to the Doctors (I know Clint didn't want me to because it always costs money but my mothers intuition told me to.) So I took them in and it turned out that both Hanna & Ester had strep. I of course felt like the worse mother ever because the doctor said oh their throats look really sore. One good thing about it is I got to have them home with me which I really like. It is a sacrifice for me to send them to school. I would rather have them home with me every day. I would be doing them a disservice by homeschooling them they are so smart they need school to excel.
SURGERY- For the last two weeks I have known that I have had to have my uterus and one ovary removed. That time came on Friday. I was totally fine with the whole thing on many levels that I knew it was the right thing to have done. When things fall into place just the right way there is no doubt in my mind that it is the right thing to be done. I have been blessed with 5 wonderful children who were all a part of Heavenly Fathers plan for me. I feel so blessed to be given these choice spirits. Now a different chapter in my life begins. I mean I knew we were done having kids about 3 1/2 years ago when Clint had a vasectomy done. (I am sure he is so happy with me sharing that. Good thing he rarely reads my blog.) But now it is permanent on my end. Clint has been so supportive. I am really surprised. I normally feel like a burden to him. I didn't want to have him do anything he didn't want to do while I went through this I was planning on having my mom and Monica help me. He wanted to bring me there, be there during the surgery (he even asked if he could be in the operating room and helped the doctor. They said no to that.) AND he even spent the night with me at the hospital. I feel very blessed and cared about by him. I mean I know he loves and cares about me but sometimes I don't think it is as deep as it is. Anyway he was very attentive and caring to me and it was nice to see him show that towards me.
When we got to the hospital on Friday I was fine I was good till they started talking about putting pain meds in my spinal column. I have never really had epidural with my kid because it scared me with the whole spine thing. That was the only thing that I was worried about but they told me they would sedate me first. They put some stuff in my IV before I left Clint he said I left the room with the biggest smile on my face. He asked them if he could have some of that for home. That is all I really remember then I came out of it and met up with Clint again. They put me in a room and I was in and out of it for the next little while. They let us go home. I couldn't wait for that. I don't care how nice a hospital is I hate spending the night there. It makes me so anxious. So now I am home. I am surprised that there is not much pain. I am sore and it feels like something has been removed but other then that I am fine.
SERVICE- I really like to be on the giving end of service. Me giving it to others. I am not comfortable with it being given to me. I had to learn to be able to receive it about 6 years ago when our house burned down. It was a hard lesson for me to learn but I kept telling myself that I would do something for those in need with out a second thought. I love to serve. It is my way of showing how much I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My sweet husband, my mom, sisters, my ward family and my sweet friends have been so caring and loving to me. Weather it be a treat they dropped by, a dinner they made, or a visit, a call, a text, or a Facebook message. I have felt so much love by so many people. The ones I know truly care about me because they want to not because they have too. You know who you are and I am truly blessed to have you in my life.
My week with sickness, surgery & service.

Life's Triggers

2010-04-21T10:48:00.001-07:00

To think 10 years ago I did not rely on the stupid Internet and now to be with out it for 2 months has been a trial. Well it is back and one of our two computers is working and restored. If only I could do that with me take a 2 month brake from life and be back new and improved. I know we are given trials to learn and grow. That is suppose to make us stronger and it does but I am growing in ways that I do not want to grow (size). I hate that I have a weight issue. It will be the battle of my life. I just wish I knew what triggers my episodes of not caring about myself and feeling like I am the scum of the earth. Well I know what some of them are but why do I let them bother me. I know that I have one of the best men in the world for my husband and everyone also tells me. It is fine that I am always being told that I have the best man but honestly it gets old. I know that that must sound so mean. Don't get me wrong I am so thankful he chose me there are so many better women out there he could have easily gotten. There are so many good things about him and I think he knows that. I think sometime it goes to his head a little who wouldn't let it go to their head when they are being told how wonderful they are all the time by everyone. Well I wouldn't I have always struggled to believe that anything about me is wonderful. Well my children are absolutely wonderful and they are a small part of me but aside from that there is not much good that comes directly from me. WHY...WHY...WHY do I feel that way??? I am trying to figure that out. Heavenly Father doesn't make junk unless a piece got by unnoticed. (I did come in a package deal. Maybe I was a mistake) I don't know. I really hope this doesn't sound like a pity party I don't mean it to sound that way I am just trying to put my thoughts out there and figure out why the heck I can't feel like I am a good person under all the fat. WHY...WHY...WHY does weight have to mean so much??? WHY...WHY...WHY... do superficial thing have to be so stinking important to some people even to me??? I will never have that model look or body so get over it. Yeah right like it is that easy! It isn't dang it! So what it boils down to and to sum up this stupid entry is. I have a wonderful husband, good children and don't deserve any of them. I have gained weight, I have been in a stupid depression for the last few months, I am a terrible house keeper & wife and have been awful about personal prayer. All I want to do is eat and sleep like someone of my size needs to do that. I hope something triggers me to do otherwise soon. I wish I could feel like it is OK maybe I did do something right and that is why I have good friends. Instead of feeling like they are being my friend because they feel sorry for me. Or that I have a good husband because I try to be a righteous woman instead of feeling like it is because he is such a good man that he had pity on me because no one else would. Now he is stuck with this for an eternity. When I share my feelings with my sweet husband his answer to me is always if you feel that way then make some changes to be better. Or when I tell him how I feel with the weight issue. He says it is not a problem but when we first got married and I was at my smallest ever in my whole life with the help of starving myself. I still was not good enough then. There were still things said by him and others about my size. Now 14 years later I am not at my biggest or my smallest and I have lost over 75lbs in the last few years it is still a stupid dumb problem. WHY...WHY...WHY??? These are the questions in my head. I have true testimony of all that I am taught in church and in the temple but does it really pertain to me. Like I said maybe I wasn't suppose to be made. I don't know!

MY WISH

I wish one day I could wake up thin, with perfect knowledge in the scriptures, does all I am to do in church callings and spiritual things in the home, a good house keeper, a wonderful mom (one that speaks in a sweet quite voice and never yells or says anything negative or bad) and the perfect wife (who never gets mad or complains about her husband and lets him hunt, camp and play at the dunes all he wants along with keeping a wonderful budget with out ever wanting anything) I am not that now or anytime soon. I can do some changing but will never be one of those women. You know the type that her husband has nothing but good to say about her and while baring testimony can't even speak of their wife because they are so filled with emotions on what a better person he is because of her. You know that type I will never be that. One could only wish RIGHT! I don't know what has sent me off in such a tangent and triggered me to feel this way for the last 5 month and only feeling more and more worse. Only time will tell and trigger me in the other direction (I can only hope and pray) as for now I wish I understood life's triggers.

That was our Valentine's 2010

2010-02-19T17:22:00.001-08:00

Because Valentine's fell on Sunday this year there was a lot of things going on starting Friday. First on Friday the girls had crazy hair day at school. Good thing for marked down Halloween clearance for that. The only one daring was Eliza the other two wanted their hair normal with some red spray.

Then of course Katie had to have crazy hair also. I think she was more excited to have it then the girls.

Katie was also excited to go to Eliza's kindergarten class for the Valentine party. This year the school sent home suggestions for the party. They were asking for healthy heart type foods. My children love cheese and crackers so that is what they brought in for their class parties. The kids loved the heart shaped cheese.

Jacob goes to the middle school their times are different. I picked Jacob up early so he wouldn't have to wait for me once his school was out. He too enjoyed Eliza's class party. He was helping keep the class entertained while Eliza's teacher cleaned up. He was so good with the kids. Eliza's teacher said he was welcome back anytime.

Then Saturday started with the girls having to be in different places at the same time. That is hard sometimes but we got it done. Clint helping with a service project. Me giving a hair cut and finish making the girls cute shirts for the next day. To add to all that we had to slaughter our last pig so we would not get a fine from animal control.

This was bacon our pig that we have had for a few months. She weighted 5lbs when we got her. On slaughter day she had gotten to 103lbs.

I will spear you the gross pictures. It was messy but it had to be done. We got about 70lbs of pork. It is in the freezer now. Monica is having a party for two of her kids with pulled pork sandwiches. I am making the pork=).

The pig took a long time to gut it and whatever else they did. While Clint was doing that I was making the cute shirts for the girls.

Then we went out on a date for Valentine's Day. Clint got me some pretty roses. We went to our church stake adult dance. It was cute. We had a lot of friends there. We just hung out and talked. It had been such a busy day I was so tired. I was ready for bed. When we got home we had a nice surprise from the kids. They had made our bed and made really cute cards for us and had them on our bed. It was so sweet.

The next morning I got up early and made my family pink pancakes and bacon for breakfast. (store bought bacon) I always buy my kids a little something for valentine's just to let them know how much I love them. The only thing I regret is that I smelled like bacon the rest of the day. I hate that.

My Jacob I love him so much he is such a good kid. He had to give a talk in church on Valentines He did such a good job. I have so much fun with him. Sometimes I forget I am the mom and I have to discipline. I am the mean parent in our house and I hate it sometimes. Good thing I have pretty good kids so I don't have to go to crazy.

My Hanna (aka the little mean mother) I am so thankful for her in our home. She has such a tender spot in her heart for animals. But she also loves to eat bacon. I also have a lot of fun with Hanna she makes me laugh.

My Ester she is so sweet and the most like me in many ways. She is there to help and care for anyone. When she gets mad watch out. She was so excited for Valentine's Day. She couldn't wait for it to come.

My cute Eliza. She is my little baby. Even though Katie is the baby my Eliza likes to be the baby. She is so sweet and little.

My Katie who is really the baby but don't call her that. "I am a big girl mom". I love the time I get to spend with my Katie while the kids are in school. She is growing up so fast and I have to reminder her not to say the same things the big kids say because it does not sound good coming out of her cute mouth. I also have to remind he to be nice to her mom a lot.

I love Valentine's day so we could express our love to those we love. But I don't just wait for that day. I try to often tell my children how much I love them. I love my husband also very much and am just so thankful for all I have. That was our Valentine's 2010.

Taking on a Dare

2010-02-16T00:02:00.000-08:00

I am not much of a reader. I go in spurts and read then not so much. Right now I am reading The Love Dare. I am really enjoying it. If anyone wants to better their marriage I would encourage them to read this. I am only on day 6 but it has helped me see things in a different light.

Like it says in the Bible man is not meant to be alone. I am so thankful for my husband he is the greatest gift I have been given aside from the Gospel. I know that those who know me hear me complain about my husband and I must apologize for that. He is a good man who loves me despite my many many faults. He is the one I have on my mind all the time. I want to shout to the world that I love him and have loved him for a very long time. As most of you know he was my one and only boyfriend. He was my first kiss and he will always be that. We have had good times along with bad but I see him as my better half and with out him I would be nothing. I am doing this love dare for him. I want him to know I would walk to the ends of the earth for him. (maybe that is what I have to do to be thin) He does not know that I am doing this love dare. When you have a good thing what is wrong with making it better. That is why I have decided to take on this dare.

Ready for it to be over!

2010-02-02T09:35:00.000-08:00

I can't explain it. I don't know what is happening to my life. I am not one to take on challenges well like I have seen many good friends do. We are all healthy (except my mental well being). I could not imagine if health were to fail on anyone of my kids. We are all well taken care of we still have our house. I just feel like my life is spinning out of control.

I stopped listening to the news and talk radio because I felt it was negative. I have been praying more trying hard in a lot of ways but I can't seen to dig myself out of this hole I am in and I am scared. Why do we go through things like this? I know it is for me to grow and learn something from it. I keep thinking I have learned but then something else happens and I realize I still have to learn. I want it all to stop because I feel like I can't take much more. Then I remember only the Lord knows how much we could handle. I am in contact with Him a lot through the day I tell Him I want things to be better. I hope I don't lose my hope. I wish all the pain I feel and have in my heart were all physical then I could take some thing to ease it away. When those you love so much are not there for you and do not help you in your time of need it hurts more. I hate emotional pain. In the past I have dealt with in awful ways that I am tyring not to do. I know this blog entry must sound so down and I am sorry for that. I am very thankful for my friends who help me feel loved and cared about. They are one reason I know Heavenly Father hears me. I am just waiting for my lesson to be over. So I could look back and laugh at the way things were. I know that everything is done in dew time. I am just ready for it to be time.

I love my Family!

2009-12-20T22:24:00.000-08:00

Each year we have family pictures done for Christmas cards. This year a friend of mine took them and did the most fabulous job (thanks Erin).
Erin Bentley Photography

Life has been its normal crazy busy life. It is sad when the truth slaps you in the face and you realize you are not being as good of a person as you should be. I had that happen to me recently. I hope I have learned from this. I know I have and I want to be better. I really try to be Christ-like. It is always my focus but sometimes I lose it and I am negative. That is how I have been to many people in my family who are always so accepting and loving of me despite my oddness. I want to be better. Thank you to all my family. You all truly teach me to want to be better through your example. All I know is I love my family.

Halloween, Haunted House & The Hunt

2009-11-03T20:00:00.001-08:00

I do not know why the deer hunt and Halloween always happen around the same time. It is hard to be without Clint on Halloween. This year was fun either way. I went to our ward Halloween Party on Friday with the kids. Monica's family came with us. She is always willing to help me out. I am very blessed to have her. She also helped me with the girls costumes. We made the girls costumes and I bought Jacobs.

My Fruit Salad

Strawberry (Katie), Pineapple (Eliza), Grapes (Ester),

Watermelon (Hanna) & Banana (Jacob)

Our ward party was so fun. I loved seeing all of my primary kids dressed up.

Some of my primary kids. I love them all.

Clint came home to get Jacob late that night so he could go hunt with him the next day which was Halloween. I knew I was going to be alone with the girls on Halloween so I made plans with my good friend Jenny Powell and went to her house for dinner and then we took the kids trick or treating.

Me and my Good Fruit

Hanna and Audrey

Hyman & Powell Girls

My Strawberry

She was kind of bitter that night.

My pretty sweet watermelon

After we went Trick or Treating we went with the Powell's to a haunted house. A family in our stake put it on every year. It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of friends there. It was spooky. I am so thankful for my friends and the fun we have together.

Meanwhile........

Clint and Jacob had some good bonding time together hunting.

Clint got his deer.

He was so happy.

He looks so handsome.

Jacob was happy also.

He is so cute.

Just before the gutting.

It was a good weekend Clint and Jacob had fun and got their deer. The girls and I had fun with family, our ward and friends. It was a good Halloween, haunted house and hunt.

BYE Little Pigs

2009-11-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

Our family was so excited to get new pets. Our little Pigs. We got two that we named Pork chop & Chorizo last Saturday. Then last Wednesday we got three more that were not being cared for on some farm in Maricopa. We were all so excited. The little ones were so cute. We named them Bacon, Sausage and Peperoni.

When Clint brought them home one of them was not doing well. It was so cold and shivering. So we brought it in and gave her a bath to try and warm her up. Hanna was so good with her. She is so loving with all our pets.

After the bath we tried to feed her with a baby bottle and kept her wrapped in a towel so she would stay warm. It was a good effort but was not meant to be. She died during the night. It was a learning experience. The kid said so many prayers for the pig. They knew she was cared for before she died and was comfortable. They understood it was not meant to live.

Hanna taking of Peperoni

On Friday Animal Control was called on us by our neighbor who doesn't care for us. He knows every code in the city code book by heart. He knew it was against city code. We did not know that. Our other neighbors have horses. So we thought it would be fine. I guess not. Animal Control was nice to us. They said we should have been ticketed $250 for each pig but would give us a break. They gave us 72 hours to get rid of them. Then if they were not gone we would get the fine. So we do not have our new pets anymore. Clint took them out to the desert. Now we have a bunch of pork in our freezer. Bye little Pigs.

Halloween FUN

2009-10-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

I try to carve Pumpkins for a family activity for FHE every year. This year I googled LDS pumpkin carvings and found a web site that had some really cool patterns. I chose President Monson for mine. As I was carving I thought this doesn't even look like him. Then when we lit it I was surprised.

President Thomas S. Monson

Jacob tried to do a pumpkin where the mouth spelled out SMILE but he kind of messed up so his just had a big mouth. It still looks cool.

Jacob's Big mouth Pumpkin

Hanna of course could not do one without it being a cat.

Hanna's Cat Pumpkin

Ester was going to do a CTR pumpkin but she said it looked to hard. So she just wanted a simple carve that she drew up.

Ester's Jack-O-Lantern

Pigs are a big thing in our family lately. We have gotten them for pets. That is what Eliza and Katie wanted their pumpkins to look like.

Eliza & Katie's Piggy Pumpkins

Usually I am the one to help the kid do theirs and I don't really do one. Clint helped them this year and I got to do mine. They lasted the first night then then they started to rot. It is sad they don't last longer. Any way pumpkin carving is always Halloween FUN.

We are so Lucky again!

2009-09-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

Oh my heck, I think our house is destine to burn down again. With Clint's stove incident and now with what happen last night just a week later. First I will start from the beginning.

Friday after I picked the girls up from school I had a brilliant idea to get a new kitten. We all like them but mostly Hanna. She is so good with animals. So we went over to animal control here in Apache Junction to see if maybe they had any kittens. We were lucky they did and they had the most cutest one. We named her Patches.

Patches & Hanna

Patches has been so loved this whole weekend. Hanna being Hanna and being such a good caretaker for Patches keeps her in her room with all she might need and more. Any way last night we got home from a friends house and Hanna got ready for bed and thought Patches might be cold. She set up a heat lamp for the cat. This heat lamp was set up under her bed. Along with the dress Hanna wore yesterday for a blanket. This morning when Hanna woke up there was an awful smell in her room. She said she was dreaming someone came to visit us and they smelled really bad and she didn't know why. Then when she woke up the smell was the heat lamp which had melted it's plastic shade to the carpet

The heat lamp

Melted lamp shade in the carpet

It had started to melt the carpet. I guess the dress was on top of the lamp. This is what happen to the dress.

Front of dress

Back of dress

When Hanna realized what had happened she started to cry because she thought I was going to be mad about the dress. I wasn't mad. How could I be when she was being so sweet to the cat. I just keep thinking it over and over in my head how dangerous it could have turned out. It makes me want to have an emergency plan if something should happen for FHE tonight. We have been through it before and we all made it out safely before. I think I am being warned we need to have a plan. That is what we will do for FHE tonight for sure. All I could say about today's happenings is we are so lucky again.

I don't know if I like this new stove.

2009-09-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

For all of my friends and family who have heard me complain the last six weeks about not having a stove and cooking on the camp stove. We finally got the beast. Clint was so excited he hooked it all up and went to lite it for the first time and it blew up in his face. He burned the hair off of his right arm all the way up to the back of his head. It smelled awful. The thing that I was worried about is the flames got all in his face and burned his beautiful eyelashes completely off and his eyebrows. He was in so much pain I took him to the urgent care just to make sure he was OK. Now his face just looks like a bad sun burn. They told us at the urgent care his eyelashes would grow back. Thank goodness! They were beautiful and long . We had to shave his head to even out his hair. Burned hair smells awful. I am just glad he didn't burn down my house again. I keep saying this stupid stove and Clint keeps saying It is not the stoves fault and that he loves it. Well the thing is such a beast and ugly. I don't know if I like this new stove

It was fun at the Cinders

2009-09-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

We finally went to the cinders in Flagstaff for Labor day weekend. It was so cool there but hard to ride. I am use to the sand or trail riding. It was still fun. We have some friends the Brice's that like to ride so we met them up here. They put up with our crazy family and I am always thankful when they invite us back for more fun.

We always have to take both the truck and the van when we go camping or to the dunes because we have so much stuff. I told Clint he could have Katie and Jacob go with him for less problems. It did not work out that way. He took Katie thankfully and Mr. Jacob the big tease came with me and the rest of the girls. I wanted to ring his neck into the first hour. We were calling Clint telling him to pull over to take Jacob. Clint said the next stop which ended up being a gas station in Flagstaff a Sinclair. The kid were excited to see the dinosaur there. They all got on it and we took pictures till my brilliant son decided to push off his sisters during this picture moment.

Katie, Eliza, Ester, Hanna & the pusher Jacob

(Notice Hanna's face the other girls had no idea they were going over. Then of all girls to get hurt it we the two little ones they both hit their heads on the hard ground. I had to pick them both up and carry them to a table and sooth them. This whole time Clint is filling up on gas and water for the camper. I will admit it was so stinking funny I had to laugh while my babies cried.)

So we got to the Cinders and it was so amazing how you will be riding and all the ground is black then it turns red my two favorite colors.

You can kind of see how it changes from black to red

I had Hanna hold up some of the little cinders to show how it is black and red

We were pretty high up. The girls enjoying it.

The Guys

(Jimmy Brice, Clint & Jacob)

You could see the clouds in the back ground it had rained and some mountains higher up had snow on the tips. I thought that was so strange being only September.

This is a picture of the slant we were coming down. I was sitting in the passenger seat. I was scared coming down. It is kind of hard to see but I screamed several times coming down. It was like a roller coaster. Which I do not like .

This is my Katie in the camper being funny with her hot chocolate mustache laying on my bed.

While we were in Flagstaff we went one of the days to the Meteor Crater. It was this big hole in the ground. They charge a butt load of money to go look at this hole. Well Clint paid it and we all went to look at it. When we got there and we were all getting out of the van we realized Katie didn't bring her shoes. I was so annoyed. I told Clint to get shoes on her before we left but Clint listened to me like he always does and the result no shoes. We went as planed. Katie just walked around bear footed the way she likes it best. Anyway so we went and looked at the hole. It was interesting but a little boring. Clint was asking one of the tour guides a bunch of questions and this guy was one of those guys that takes their job very serious he was answering Clint's questions and then Clint said yeah right like you could even know that. I was so embarrassed I walked away.

This is the kids standing in front of the crater.

Katie, Eliza, Ester, Hanna & Jacob

I was happy to leave there because I was nervous the whole time because I am afraid of heights and Katie running all around made me very uneasy.

Jacob doing a jump on this ramp we found

Clint was kidding around with Katie and told her she could ride on top of the camper on the ride home. She really wanted to. She was upset to have to get down.

My cute Eliza she loves to go with daddy and go fast on the Rhino.

Ester is a total daddy's girl. She loves having Clint all to herself and would ride all day & night.

Hanna is my funny little prankster. She likes to stay with mom and is not so much a trill seeker like her younger sisters.

Jacob we like to refer to as the DORK.

He was fine with forgetting his bag of clothes at home and he would have been fine with no shower for the long weekend but I wasn't. I went into town and got him some cheap clothes so he could at least change once. He is funny though. He is so carefree and I hope he always stays that way. I love everything about him and my girls. It was fun at the Cinders.

That's whats new!

2009-08-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

I have had such a busy summer. Things are slowing down now that school is back in. I only have one child home with me and I don't know what the heck she is thinking most of the time. She is so mean to me I get called all kinds of poopie head names and she does mean things. I don't know if it is because she misses the kids or that she is three years old or maybe she is the challenge I need at this time in my life. She is loved either way. Here is what happened today.

Monica was coming over. I asked Katie last night are you going to be nice to Grant (Monica's three year old). She said yes. I asked her again this morning. She said yes. Well she wasn't very nice to him once he came over. She loves to ignore him. I wonder who she got that from. Any way then they went downstairs to play.

Jacob got a tortoise on Saturday we named him Franklin. He is really cute.

FRANKLIN

Well Katie was told to leave Franklin alone while Jacob was at school. I don't quite know what part she didn't understand because she went into his room got Franklin put him in the sink and poured hand soap on him. I asked why she did that she answered cause. I am glad to report he is ok. That's whats new.

2009-06-21T22:13:00.001-07:00

Fun but CrAzY!

2009-06-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our first trip of the summer was on the weekend of Memorial Day. We went camping with friends and family on the Rim. I have been asking my sisters for years to go camping with us finally they did. Our toy hauler is good for our family of seven but add two more families to that. CRAZINESS! We survived and had fun. The place we went to was very pretty. It had a little river that ran really close to our camp. The kids and Clint and I caught some crawdads. It was so fun. That night Clint cooked them for everyone. I think they are gross but it was fun to watch the kids catch them. The kids got really dirty. It was fun but Crazy.

Choose the Right.

2009-05-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Jacob is so funny. He will always be my baby boy. Last Wednesday he had his last band concert for the school year. He had to get dressed up. He looked so handsome. He told me he was going to wear the same thing to school the next day. I did not believe him. The next morning he came up ready for school dressed like the night before. I said you were not kidding. He looked so cute. He told me he walked around school like he owned the place. He is so cute he doesn't let things bother him like I would have when I was his age. This weekend he went on his first scout camp out with out my husband. I was so worried. I do not like for my kids to do things with out one of us being there. I will have to learn to let go a little as they grow. I love all my kids the same. Jacob has a special place in my heart he was my first and he is my only son. He was telling me about things that went on in school today. It makes me mad that kids are so darn mean. The kids that were mean when I was younger probably had kids and don't teach them the right way to live. It makes me so mad. Thankfully it doesn't bother Jacob the way it would bother me. I don't know when being a good kid made you gay. When I was in school being the good kid made you a nerd or the teachers pet. So these kids think my son who is all boy is gay because he is a good kid and stays out of trouble. He stays out of trouble because he is being raised to choose the right. I love my son so much. He has such a tender side that he gets from me and a goofy side he gets from my husband. He is so wonderful I am very blessed to be raising such a choice spirit. He will be turning 12 soon and will be given the priesthood. He does all that he is supposed to and I don't have to worry if he can choose the right.

It is DONE and it is BLUE!

2009-05-13T09:54:00.000-07:00

This is what it looked like when the pump had done all it could. Gross! The kids said yuck that is what we were swimming in. It is hard to tell in the picture but there was a bunch of caked on yuck on the bottom of the pool. Me being me walked down to get the pump and fell right away. I slipped on the gross green slime and down I went into the gross water. Eliza said what did you do that for mom. Like I meant to fall.

My ever faithful servant/best friend/sister/Monica came to help with with the hard part of scrubbing the bottom of the pool.

We had a lot of little helpers also. They helped scoop the water to get it all out.

We finally had to get the shop vac to get the last of the water out of the pool. The kids were so anxious to start filling the pool. I would not start until I had every bit of the gross water out.

The kid came home from school and could not wait to start in the pool.

It was nice to have it so shallow with the little kids.

We put sunscreen on to late for Monica. She was hurting.

It was getting deeper. We had three hoses in the pool.

All the hard work paid off the kids really enjoyed it while it was filling up.

The next day. We would not let the kids go in until the big ones came home from school. We let them dip their feet in. They were so excited.

It was getting deeper and deeper.

Now it is all filled up and the kids have gone swimming almost every day (never on Sunday though) I am so thankful for all who helped me with my pool project. Clint is gone from our house so much it is nice to know I have my family to help me in my time of need. I love you guys.

Everyone is welcome to come swimming this summer now that it is done and it is BLUE.

My beautiful Hanna

2009-05-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago my Hanna got her braces off. I had forgotten to write about. I think she looks so grown up.

My beautiful Hanna

I will get it BLUE!

2009-05-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

For weeks now I have been asking my husband to please get our pool back into good condition for the summer. Our friend Tanner was our pool man but stop doing pools because he was busy also being a fire man. So I thought we could save money and do the pool ourselves. Right! This is how it has been looking.

So today I had the brilliant idea to drain it. Clint did not want to drain it but he is hunting. He also had plenty of time to get it blue not pickle juice green. I borrowed my friend Tanner's pool pump and got started about 2:00 this afternoon. I told my kids they were not to get wet. Right again!

They started with putting their feet in. I kept telling them don't the water has disease in it. You will get sick. That held them off for a little while.

They said they were helping me clean the steps.

Jacob doing one of his dorky dance moves. He was saying this is High Pool Musical. See his jazz hands.

This is how they ended up.

Notice in this picture the only one that listened to me was the 2 year old standing in the back ground not wet.

They just kept getting deeper

and deeper. Until they were swimming in the pickle juice.

They had fun though I don't want to take that away from them. I hope the don't get pool flu.

So here it is 9:00 and the pool is empty. It was all the way full this afternoon. I am surprised it only took a few hours to empty. There will be more to come on my brilliant idea today. I am glad tomorrow is Sunday (a day to rest). Come Monday I will be scrubbing scum from the bottom of the pool. I am very determined to have a nice pool for the summer. I will get it BLUE!

Where is the warning?

2009-04-30T18:49:00.001-07:00

I try to do all I can to help all who ask of me. I really love to serve in many ways. I lately have not been myself. I have not felt well for almost 3 weeks. I have not been able to do the things I like to do. I haven't helped at the girls school like I do. I haven't done things for my family like I should. I have been an awful wife, mom & visiting teacher this month. I am not used to feeling this way. I haven't even wanted to do my blog. Because of not feeling well physically I am also not doing so well emotionally. I feel really depressed and down because I have had to put things on hold. Today was the first day in a few weeks I felt more myself. I felt happy. It is hard sometimes having my husband gone at work, then when I think he will be home on the weekend he has other plans that don't include me or the kids. I get sad and mad. That is how the last 3 weekends have been for me. I guess I am just selfish. I just love being with my husband. Although I don't blame him for not wanting to be with me lately I have been so mean. I know that when I feel this way I just need to do more so I don't feel so useless. I am so thankful for my mom and sisters who have helped me the last few week. They have watched my kids and picked them up from school because I felt so awful. I hope I am out of the slump. I went to the doctors and had some test done. I am starting to feel better physically. It is just the dumb mental part. I really wish when I start to get depressed there was something that could let me know. Like if you are getting a cold you might start to sneeze a bunch. But when you start to have a bout of depression where is the warning?

The real meaning of Easter

2009-04-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

I love Easter. I don't particularly like the whole bunny thing. It is a cute thought and all but only a young kid could believe a bunny leaves an Easter basket. Katie for weeks now has been asking when the Easter bunny is coming back over. It is cute she gets on a play phone and says "Hello Easter Bunny come over". I do Easter the way my awesome mom did it for me. The Easter bunny hides a basket with little gifts and candy and always a stuffed bunny somewhere in our house.

After they all found their baskets I made them wait so I could take a picture.

My mom always bought us a new dress on Easter Sunday. I now do that for my children.

I had Jacob wear a blue shirt this year. He will get the priesthood soon and I will have him where only a white shirt to church. So this was his last Easter with a colored shirt.

I call them my stairs. My cute kids with their Easter Bunnies.

I know Easter is not really about bunnies and candy. It is all about our Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement. I know He sacrificed His life for me. I know that deep inside my heart and am truly thankful for Him.

Each year since my mom and sisters moved here we have a tradition. We go to the Easter pageant together. We pack a picnic dinner get there like 3 hours before it starts and have fun being together. This year I got some pictures with some of the pageant people.

Eliza and some men

Hanna and Ester with a warrior

Eliza and Katie with the warrior. Katie held the whip and Eliza held the sword

Hanna with John the Baptist. I love this picture.

I love to go to the pageant. It is the story of Easter. The real meaning of Easter.

Park fun during Priesthood

2009-04-05T17:49:00.000-07:00

The last few times on conference weekend my sisters and I meet at a park while our husbands go their separate ways for priesthood. My husband always goes with his Dad and two of his brothers to priesthood. I think it is nice to do things traditionally with family.

I love spending time with my sisters and our kids. It was nice to just have it be the sisters. We were able to laugh and have fun. I needed that yesterday. I was feeling a little low due to other family members and it was nice to have time to laugh and not worry we were hurting anybodies feelings or having to walk on egg shells with what we said.

We packed a picnic dinner. Monica really liked the tuna I made. The kids made the Doritos into sandritos. Then when Dave Monica's husband came when priesthood was over it was so funny he ate some and didn't know they had sand in them. It was like something I would have done to him but didn't think of it.

Carla, Me & Monica

Jacob's last time hanging out during priesthood. He will be going to the next one.

Hanna and Kristian

My cute Ester

Eliza on Jillian's bike

Katie on the seahorse.

Mine and Monica's bike

Monica thinks her orange bike is so much better because she bought it at a bike shop and I got mine at cheap old Walmart.

I like our park fun during priesthood.

We Love Grandpa Jerry!

2009-03-22T14:29:00.001-07:00

On St. Patrick's Day my mom since moving here has always done a traditional Irish dinner corned beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. For the last few years we have always dropped a plate off to my mother and father in law. They love it. This year we invited them over. Not only was it St. Patrick's Day but it was also my father in law Jerry's birthday. I was so glad they were able to come for the dinner this year. I do so much with my family. We do every Tuesday night dinner at my house and we get together on the weekends. We are always with my family. It is nice when we could spend time with Clint's family also. My kids love when they are able to spend time with all their grandparents. I know my kids like it when Clint's parents come over and they have all their attention rather then it having to get split up in 15 different directions. So they had them all to their selves. Jerry is a good grandpa he has a way of noticing the kids good qualities and praising them for it. We love Grandpa Jerry.

Our FHE Fun!

2009-03-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

I try really hard to do Family Home Evening every week. I truly believe it is important. Because we had spring break this week we were able to stay up later. So I decided to do something fun for FHE. I invited boys from our ward to go with our family. We went to Golf Land. I really like to do mini golf. It is really popular where I grew up. There were quite a few places to go back home in Connecticut. I would love to build a course out here on the east side of the valley. Just a dream. Any way I took my kids and two boys from our ward who I really like. They are good boys I was glad they were able to come with us. Clint met us there after work and we had dinner then did a game of mini golf. It was so much fun. Because we had so many people in our group we divided up into two teams. I was with my older two and our friend Nick and Clint was with Ester Eliza & our other friend Martin.

Some might think that is not a very good FHE but I like to have a good time with my children and their friends. I want them to learn that Mom and Dad can play and have fun too. I also want them to learn to enjoy the time we get to be with each other. I read once a prophet said that FHE does not have to be a class room setting. I am thankful for FHE. I get upset because it doesn't always run smooth but at least my kids are being raised in a home that does it.

Jacob, Nick and Hanna

Clint & Ester and Katie who was everywhere.

Katie climbing on the wall that the kids were asked to stay off of.

Taking it easy after 18 holes of fun

Martin, Jacob & Ester

OUR FAMILY HOME EVENING FUN!

ZOLA turned one already.

2009-03-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

My niece Zola turned one last week. They had a really cute first birthday for Zola. Monica had it at Cafe Rio. It was very quaint. I can't believe how fast time goes as you get older.

Princess Zola and her beautiful Mom

I love her cute smile

Her cute cake that my sister Carla made. Monica saw a picture of a lopsided whimsical cake and Carla made it for Zola. It was really pretty you can't see in the picture but it had pretty edible giltter on it.

This was the little cake just for Zola. She didn't get to crazy with it.

I can't believe Zola turned one already.

I love Scouts!

2009-03-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

I love my calling. I get to do things with the scouts. It is all new to me and I am learning a lot slowly. On Saturday I got to be the leader for our ward to go to the 11 year old scout stake day camp with Jacob. We don't have a leader over that right now. Since I am over Cubs in our ward I went. It was fun spending the day with Jacob. The wards were divided into groups. We were lucky we got to be with our old ward and Jacob's best friend is in that ward. We went to four classes. They were all very interesting. The first class was on compasses and how to use them. It was hard for me. I had to keep on asking Jacob for help. I still don't really get how to use them. I kept thinking of Bella when she has to go find the meadow by herself when Edward leaves. I remember she used a compass.

Then we learned knots. It was really fun. I could do the bowline like no body's business. Jacob was getting mad because I was able to do it faster then he was.

Then we went to a first aid class. Jacob was acting like he has passed out. Then they were talking about how to help someone out if they were hurt and couldn't walk. At first the guy teaching the class wanted the boys to carry Jacob who was the biggest of the three. One of the scouts said "OH NO!" then they carried him instead.

Our last was fire and outside cooking. The boys loved that the most. They got start their own little fire. It was a fun day and the more I am in scouts the more I love scouts.

I almost PEED my pants!

2009-03-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

On Friday I met Monica for lunch. We went to her new favorite place Pei Wei at Dana Park in Mesa.

If any of you have been to Dana Park you know they have these fountains all around.

The kids love to throw coins or coings as Eliza calls them in the fountain. After we had lunch the kids wanted to do that. They were trying to get it on the top tear of the fountain. Monica's son Grant thought he had a brilliant idea. He got up on the little ledge with his coins and took aim to throw it in the top.

Well he lost his balance and throw himself in. It was classic.

Grant never let go of his fortune cookie through the fall and everything. He was upset he had crushed it though. He was soaked from the waist down. I have always waited for one of Monica's boys to fall in a fountain. Every year when we go to the temple lights I wait for it to happen and it never does. This time it did and I laughed so hard I seriously almost peed my pants.

Lost Dutchman Parade 2009

2009-03-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

On Saturday Jacob was in another parade. Every year the last weekend in February is Lost Dutchman Days here in Apache Junction. They have a lot going on that weekend. There is a parade, rodeo, carnival and an arts and craft show. We have only ever gone to the parade. I like that the city does it. It makes it feel small town. Our family is always busy on this weekend with birthdays but I am glad we were able to go to the parade. Well I went with all the kids and my true and faithful sister Monica came to help with kids and support Jacob. Clint was still camping.

Jacob and his blue trumpetJacob marching

Thunder Mountain Marching Band

The Girls waiting for their big brother

An old Apache Junction Police car

Clydesdale horses

Hanna and her friend Daisy enjoying the parade

Eliza and Miss Devry

(her preschool teacher and my friend who I will miss when she moves)

Cool bikes

Jacob wants to build one with Clint

Superstition Search & Rescue

I have a lot of respect for these guys. I am sure they get used a lot. I myself have almost had to use them when Clint had gone hiking once. Thank goodness he was alright.

An Apache Junction Parade consists of a lot of horses and cowboys

AND

A ton of these guys

They are nuts driving around in these little cars

CAUTION: Watch your kids

Me and my Katie

It was a fun parade with friends and family to hang out with and laugh. I enjoyed the longest parade ever The Lost Dutchman Parade 2009.

MY ELIZA IS 5!

2009-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

Mommy & Eliza

On Friday we had Eliza's 5th birthday party. She has been asking since Christmas was over when her birthday would be. She would ask almost everyday how many more days to my birthday. I made her a countdown 55 days ago. Now it is over. It is a little confusing for her because she was born on February 29th which happens only every forth year. So we always do her birthday near then. On the years there is no 29th we celebrate it on the 1st. Eliza has been so excited about her birthday. We had it at Peter Piper Pizza. It was so much fun. Thanks to all my friends and family who helped me. I was a single parent that night doing a party with a bunch of kids. My husband was doing what he likes best camping.

Eliza and a group of her friends.

Uncle Lee & Big brother Jacob

Lee was betting with Jacob he couldn't eat a bunch of red pepper on his pizza. I don't know what the outcome was.

Eliza on a quad game

The quad was nothing like a real quad. I tried it and was awful at it.

Eliza and a gift from one of her friends.

Eliza enjoyed all of her gifts and was so happy to show what she got after she opened them she would hold it up high for everyone to see.

Hanna and Katie with some of their friends

Jacob and his best friend Alex

Katie and her friend/enemy Grant

Nanny Mom and Zola having a fun time

Quade cashing in his tickets

Quade had a fun time pushing other kids out of the way so he could play a game.

Me and my sweet children

We had a fun time and were very tired by the end of the night. I am thankful to be able to do fun stuff with my children. Even though Clint was not there he provided for the fun party. I can't believe my thumb sucking hair twirling petite little Eliza is 5.

Happy Birthday Quade!

2009-02-22T17:06:00.000-08:00

QUADE

This weekend my sister Monica had her oldest sons 6th birthday party. It was really cute. It was a kite theme. She bought a kite for all the kids to fly. The sad thing is that there was no wind. The kids worked hard trying to get their kites up in the sky.

Hanna and Eliza

Eliza got hers up a little.

Katie and her Mickey kite.

Kedrik blowing bobbles

Grant and Katie

The best of friends and the worst enemies.

Pinata Time

Quade did not want any one else to go. He started hitting the pinata and did not want to share. So I tried to help get the stick and he started to hit me with it. The kid is a nut. He hates me most of the time but always wants to come to my house.

Katie got a turn.

Jillian's turn

Eliza's turn

Eliza was having a rough time this day. She fell earlier before the birthday party and scratched up her knee and elbow. Then when she was trying to get her kite up she was running and did not see another kite string and got it rung around her neck. It left a rope burn on her neck. There was so much crying. I didn't get the picture of it but Ester broke the pinata.

It was a fun birthday party. I love spending time with my sisters and mom. I can't believe Quade is six. He is one crazy kid. I love him to pieces. Happy Birthday Quade.

February 2009 Sand Dunes

2009-02-20T22:40:00.001-08:00

It is Always Fun at the Sand Dunes!

2009-02-20T19:51:00.001-08:00

Yes another trip to the sand dunes. We went for a long weekend. We usually don't stay over on a Sunday but we did this time because the kids didn't have school on Monday. Our family rule is not to ride on Sunday. To try to keep the day different and to still remember it is a Holy day. That is hard to do at the sand dunes. We went on a long family drive that was 34 miles one way. We tried to go kind of on a leisure ride. I did any way. I kind of had to remind Clint to take easy. He did good considering all the huge dunes we went by. It was fun to see so much sand. It is really pretty. We went with our friends the Brice's again. I like going with them they are fun to be with. They have a projector with a big screen and we watched a movie outside. It was really chilly there. Jacob Clint and Jimmy tried several times to do the SOBE bombs. We only had 7 SOBE bottles each time they would put one in the fire I would get so scared. I am so thankful nothing happened. A SOBE bomb is a glass bottle filled with gas then you put the lid back on with a whole in the top and stick it in the fire. We have always seen them done from a distance. They are done a lot at the sand dunes. I did not like watching it up and close. I was worried Clint would burn down my camper. He is know to do things like that. Of course not on purpose. Clint and Jimmy worked hard on their sand rails that would start and then have problems but in the end they worked. My girls love playing with the sand, the yellow quad and Shy the Brice's dog who is so good. I told my kids that if we ever got a dog which we won't I would totally get a dog like theirs. She is good and really pretty for a dog. Jacob got to ride with David his cousin a little. They ride really well for being so young. I have something funny to share that my nephew Danny said. We went on a family ride when we first got there. Which is different then it used to be. Clint used to get there and go on a ride with just the guys and leave me with the kids. It used to make me so mad. He would say Renee you don't ride my speed. I got used to that. He has started wanting to go on more and more family rides now. It is a nice change. So we went on a family ride and the nephews went with us because their dad Russ went with his guy friends on a fast ride. Anyway I was going kind of slow and careful because I had Isabelle our friends baby buckled in the back of the rhino with two of my girls and Danny in the front. He said to me what is this the Lewis and Clark expedition get moving. He is only ten. I told him I was being careful because of the baby. Then he said wait when did you have another baby. I said since the last time I saw you two weeks ago. Then I told him it was our friend's. He is so cute with babies. On our way back he sat in the back with Isabelle and held her hand. My nephews are good boys. They are being raised differently then my children are. But they are really good boys. I really like spending time with them. Danny is fun to talk to and very entertaining. David is fun and really funny. Both of the boys are just really sweet. I am glad we get to spend time with them at the sand dunes. Before we went this time Clint and Jacob worked hours on the sand rail to get it running again and Clint added a third seat for the kids to ride in it. He really worked hard on it and I just realized I never got a ride in it. Maybe next time. Monday it was time to pack up. I was so sore from our long trip the day before that I was no fun. I drove this time and pulled the trailer with the sand rail to try and have a little more peace with the kids and Clint drove his truck with the toy hauler. There wasn't very much peace. The kids still fought. But it is worth it because it is always fun at the sand dunes.

The Hyman Boys

2009-02-20T19:29:00.000-08:00

Russel, Israel, Seth, Clinton & Adam

I love this picture.This is my cute husband and his brothers at Grandma Holt's memorial. I think my husband is the cutest. He just shines. I really love him. I think he is a good example to his brothers. He is right in the middle. Two older and two younger. He has good brothers. They really respect one another. They have a good time together. I remember the first time I was with them all I thought I was watching an episode of the Brady Bunch. I thought this can't be real, but it was 100% real. They just laugh and laugh a ton when they are together or quote silly movies to one another. The brothers are all different with different beliefs some the same and they all get along. I find that really cool. I just wanted to share that about the Hyman boys.

I found my true love.

2009-02-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

As most of you know I met my husband when he was serving faithfully and diligently as a full time missionary in the Hartford, Connecticut mission. He served there from February 1994 -1996. His last seven months were in my ward. The Southbury ward in the New Haven, CT stake. Our family has always been close to the missionaries ever since my Mom sisters and I joined the church in 1988.
I had gone away to beauty school and came back to live with my mom in 1994 with intentions of serving a mission. My twin sister Monica left on her mission in August of 1995. My sister Carla was attending the U of U so I was at home with my mom. Now that I knew how to cut hair I did it for a service for the missionaries. They would come over for dinner and get a free haircut while they were there.

Just before Monica left on her mission. She would hang out with the sister missionaries in our ward a lot and go on splits. She would tote the Sisters and Elders around on their P-day. I know that wouldn't be allowed today but it was OK back then. Anyway I remember her coming home from being with the Sisters and Elders all day. She was upset. I asked her why. She told me we got a new Elder in our ward and he is so rude. She said he was making fun of her. (well she thought) So I took her opinion of this new Elder in our ward. I had my guard up when he first came over for dinner and a haircut. Monica had made a name for him Elder Punk. She said he had a punk like attitude. So the Elders came for dinner and haircuts. This Elder Punk made me so nervous the first time I cut his hair that I started to sweat. He seemed so picky. I told my mom not to have them over for dinner again that the new Elder made me sweat when I gave him a haircut and I didn't care for him very much or his companion at that time. So time went by Monica went on her mission and Carla off to Utah for school. We would have the missionaries over still because my mom is so sweet. Well Elder Punk got a new companion.

A brand new Elder fresh out of the MTC. He was so sweet and kind. We started having them over a little more. Elder Punk had now been in my ward for 4 or 5 months now. He seemed to not be as bad as Monica had made him sound. He was fun and very dedicated to what he was sent to do serve our Lord. I started to see him in a different light. Carla came home for the holidays in December. She was now going to go to school from home so she wouldn't be leaving again. I was happy about that. Anyway I remember going to church the Sunday after Carla got home and Elder Punk was happy to see Carla. I remember feeling so jealous. I was mad at myself I could not understand why I felt this way. Then the next Sunday after that was the Christmas Sunday and Elder Punk was in our ward choir. I watched him sing I could not take my eyes off him and it hit me hard I was in love with this elder. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to eat. I couldn't sleep. I would pray to Heavenly Father for guidance. The missionaries came over for Christmas day dinner. I had butterflies the whole time. I remember looking into Elder Hyman eyes so strong I thought I gave myself up. But being a man it flew over his head. We brought them home that night and when I got back home I saw a shooting star and me being me with a little girls mind wished upon it. I wished to have Elder Hyman in my life forever. I knew he would be leaving soon to go home from his mission. I couldn't tell him how I was feeling he was a missionary. For those of you that know me I often stick my foot in my mouth. Oh my heck was this ever hard for me not to just blurt it out that I was in love with him. I prayed so hard to know what to do many many times. I knew how important it was for me not to break any mission rules. I was answered in prayer to be patient. That is not something I do very well. I was answered over and over again the same thing. It was hard to take this answer but also comforting. It gave me hope. Now I wanted the missionaries over every week and wanted to help them with rides and investigators however I could. I fell even more and more in love with Elder Hyman as the time went by and it killed me not to tell him. I almost slipped a few times. I remember getting up set as the time went on that he would be going home. I had a sister missionary friend that was leaving the same day Elder Hyman left so we went to the airport to see them off. I wrote Elder Hyman a note and told him how I felt about him. I gave it to him with a tape of music that reminded me of him. This was February 9 1996. He waved and looked at me just before he stepped on to the plane. He called me two days later as Clint not Elder Hyman. We talked for five hours on the phone. He told me he wanted to see what would happen. He came to visit six weeks later. We were married five months after he got home from his mission. In the Mesa temple.
I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father had His hand in our meeting. I am so thankful for that and for that shooting star. We were obedient and faithful in our doings and I found my true love.

We will miss Grandma Holt

2009-01-29T12:12:00.000-08:00

Ellen Irene Holt (Irene)

1912 - 2009

I knew this day would come. We can't all live forever. With the gospel in our lives we are taught that there is life after death. With families being forever. I am sure Grandma Holt is tons happier now. In this entry of my blog I want to dedicate it to one of the strongest ladies I have ever known.

I have been blessed to have known Irene (Grandma as I called her) for almost 14 years. I loved her a lot. I miss my own grandmothers who have both passed on. I always enjoyed the time I got to spend with Grandma. She is Clint's grandmother in every way but blood.

I will share some things about her. She died last night. She was almost 97 years old. Her birthday would have been in April.

When we were first married I started to give her perms. I loved those times. I would look forward to those times. She would tell me stories of when she was little with her father and brothers. Her mother died when she was 12 so she was raised by her father. They would hunt, farm, and work the land. She would tell me stories of her only daughter who she loved more then anyone. Her daughter died when she was in her early twenties. She would tell me stories of my husband and his brothers and sister when they were little.

She filled a spot in my husband's family that was empty and did it with so much love. Her whole life she served tons and endured a lot. One thing I really loved about her was the church was so important to her. I love the church with all my heart and that is how it was for her. When she would get her hair permed. I would sometimes go pick her up bring her back to my house and do the perm. We would talk tons. She would always bring a snack to Jacob. When I told Jacob that Grandma went to live with Heavenly Father last night. We were laying in my bed talking about her. We asked Clint to tell us some of his favorite stories about Grandma Holt. He told us how she would come and visit once a year and take them to Long John Silvers. He looked forward to it every year. Then Jacob said I remember when you would give her a perm and she would bring these snacks.

I think we will always remember Grandma Holt when we see these snacks. She knew Clint liked the animal crackers and what kid doesn't like goldfish. She always remembered us. I wanted her to know how special she was to us. We named Katie after her (Katie Ellen). All our kids middle names have meaning. They were named after someone in the family. She would never say just Katie it was always little Katie Ellen to her. She would tell me how her prayers would take so long because she prayed for everyone in the family everyday. How she wanted those who left the church to come back. She would ask me what can we do? It broke her heart for what they are missing out on. Especially the younger generation which were her great-grandchildren. We went as a family to visit her on Sunday after church. She had been in Hospice for the last few weeks. She was still with it knew who all the kids were. She used to send them cards in the mail randomly just to say hi. She would say kids like to get mail. I am glad we all got to see her one last time. I am mad at myself because I had all intentions to go see her yesterday but played lazy all day with sick kids at home. So I was going to go today for sure. Then last night Clint's mom called to tell us she had passed on. She was so strong for so long. I am sure she is happy to be with the daughter she lost and all her other family that has passed. I am so very thankful to have known Grandma. I hope she knows how much I admired and loved her. I know we will see her again but for now we will miss Grandma Holt.

What the heck!

2009-01-18T20:52:00.000-08:00

I love to go to church. It is a little challenging right now because we meet at 9:00 am and my husband has meetings at 7:30 am. He is not able to help me get the kids ready as much. I do have to say he is usually a help on Sundays. I just have to pick out the clothes and he will help get them dressed. Then I have to do their hair. With meetings so early he can't do as much to help. One thing I do leave for him to do is get their shoes on. Well after today I do not know if I will be leaving him such with responsibility.

I see Sunday as a special day every week. We need to look our best. (Jacob thinks he does not apply to this rule sometimes. We will all look nice then Jacob looks like he slept in his clothes and came to church. He is all wrinkled) Anyway, it seems like such a struggle with shoes every week. This is what happen today when I didn't see Katie leave for church. I was running late because it is so early that we have to be there. I was running like 20 minutes late Clint took the three younger girls to church and I took the older two with me. I told Clint please get the third row because that is where I like to sit. He did that surprisingly. How ever I get to church sit down next to him. I happened to look down the row at my girls and I noticed Katie's feet. I looked at Clint he of course was smiling thinking it was so funny. I said "What the Heck!"

KATIE

(When Clint picks out her shoes for church. A black shoe and a purple boot.)

SUPERCROSS 2009

2009-01-14T19:15:00.000-08:00

We went to Supercross this year. I hadn't been for a few years. I was pregnant with Katie the last time we went. It was a lot of fun. This year we had a group go. There was a ton of people there. They had this booth set up where they air brushed on the kids faces tire tracks. It was cool.

HANNA

JACOB

DANNY

DAVID

ALEX

(Jacob's best friend)

ROBERT

KRISTIAN

_____________________________

Jacob and his friends

Inside Chase Field waiting for the races to start.

The Boys

My cute husband Clint and his brother Russ with Danny.

My brother in law Lee and my nephew Kristian.

Me and Clint

I love him so much!

The cool track.

It is amazing how they could make a long track in a small place with all the curving.

They are racing.

James Stewart

The winner and the one we were cheering for. He is the best at motor cross.

That was Supercross 2009

New Year's at the Dunes 2009

2009-01-14T18:55:00.001-08:00

Our New Year's in the dunes

2009-01-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

We went to the sand dunes for New Year's eve and stayed the weekend. It is what Clint loves to do. Our whole family enjoys it. I like being there with my family just spending time with them. I watch the girls play in the sand which they love to do. The girls like to ride Jacob old quad with a sled tied to it. They have so much fun.
Along with all the fun at the sand dunes our family has had some real nice spiritual experiences happen to us.
This last time Jacob went out on a night ride with Clint and a friend of ours Jimmy. I did not want Jacob to go. Clint talked me into it. They came back ten minutes later with out Jacob. My heart sunk. They said that they couldn't find him and they thought he might have come back to camp. I was so mad at Clint. Me being me started yelling at Clint telling him Jacob is still so young I knew he shouldn't have gone out with them. I told Clint to bring him right back he was not to go with them any more. As soon as they left to go look for him I told the girls we have to say a prayer. So we did and I felt comfort right away. About ten, fifteen minutes I heard their quads come back and Jacob came in the camper. He took one look at me and I could tell he was scared. He tried to play tough with Clint. As soon as Clint left to continue his ride Jacob broke down. I hugged him and told him how we prayed he would be OK. He told me how he must have said a ton of prayers that he would be found or he would know his way back to camp. I feel like that was a spiritual experience for us. I am so thankful Jacob was prompted to pray and felt our Heavenly Father watching over him. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life all the time.
The rest of our New Years was nice and fun in the dunes.

I am

2009-01-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

I am... A Child of God.
I think...I do not do enough for the people I love.
I want...to always have my family nearby.
I have...many wonderful people in my life.
I miss...my Grandmothers. They would have loved my children.
I fear...losing Clint. I do not want to live without him.
I hear...Jacob teasing Ester and Katie talking and the dryer going.
I smell...toast the kids had it for a snack.
I crave...Oreo cookie milk shakes from Jack in the Box. It has been a week since I have had one. They are off limits for the new year.
I cry...at church when I have been touched by the spirit.
I regret...not being kinder to certain people in my family who are now gone.
I search...for goodness in a world that doesn't have a lot.
I wonder...If I will always be fat. It is my curse.
I wish...my children will always be strong in church.
I love...My husband with all my heart.
I care...about everyone.
I always...try to choose the right. I said try.
I worry...that my children will fall away from the church. It means a lot to me.
I am not...a very good housekeeper. I am awful at it.
I remember...the first time I realized I was totally in love with my husband. When he was known to me as Elder Hyman.
I believe...in wishing on shooting stars
I sing...in primary. I have to be an example to the kids.
I don't always...treat my husband with the respect he deserves
I argue...with my brother in law Dave the most. Also with Clint, my Mom and my sisters. I still love them though, well Dave is another story.
I write...things down with hopes of remembering. It doesn't always happen.
I lose...EVERYTHING. We probably have two or more of things because I lose them. Clint is the same way. Our poor kids.
I listen...to the prophet.
I can usually be found...at home, shopping, church, or my girls school.
I need...to be a better wife.
I forget...a lot of my childhood memories.
I am happy...when I am with my husband and children doing what we like to do.
Tag! You're it! (Yep! That means you...who ever reads this!)

I hope we will shine in 2009

2009-01-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

Since this blog is also like my journal I wanted to post our family goals on it. Hopefully with them posted it will encourage us to do them. I want my family to be better this year. I told them 2009 was Christ-like time. For FHE I went around to each member of my house and asked them "How they were going to be more Christ-like this year and also how they were going to be a better person?"

Hyman Family Goals 2009 It is CHRIST-LIKE time.

Katie -

* To go on the potty no more diapers for Mommy and Daddy.

(since Katie is so little that is a great goal for her.)

Eliza -

* Be Nice, Try not to be mean

* No hitting and scratching

* No middle finger to anyone.

(I just wrote what she told me. Why she would say that is beyond me. She saw a shirt at the sand dunes that had the middle finger on it and has asked a ton of questions. She knows it means something bad.)

Ester -

* Listen better to Mom and Dad.

* Try not to laugh at other people.

Hanna -

* Try to be nicer to my family.

* Be more helpful to Mom and Dad.

* Try not to ask for a lot.

* Try to be a better sister.

Jacob -

* Take better care of myself.

* Share more with my sisters and cousins

* Try not to get as mad.

Clint -

* Be more organized

* Do my calling better.

* Go to the temple.

Renee -

* Try not to raise my voice as much.

* Go to the temple more.

* Read the scriptures & pray more fervently

* SERVE, SERVE, SERVE!

*Try to show more gratitude

* Better at house work

* Have FHE every week

* Do my calling better

* Choose healthier foods

* Move more

* Be better all around

I am usually really bad a keeping and achieving goals. I need to teach my children to be better then me. My hope for this year is to be better. I hope we will Shine in 2009.

Temple Lights for FHE

2008-12-31T00:08:00.001-08:00

We had plans to go see the temple lights for FHE. We do it every year. It is always so beautiful. I look forward to the time when I could go and not have to worry where all of my kids are and if they are dry and not wet from falling in the fountains or the reflective pond. I worry every time we go since Jacob was a baby. Anyway we went this year after Christmas because of how busy everything was this year. Jacob and Ester were not feeling so good. Clint stayed home with them. I took Hanna, Eliza and Katie with me. We met up with my sisters and their families at the temple.

Hanna Katie & Eliza

The missionaries gave the girls a picture of Christ. Such a nice gift and Eliza and Katie fought over who got to hold it. Kind of runes the spirit.

The Cousins by the fountain.

(No one fell in this year)

Me and my girls. We missed Ester.

Me and Monica, Carla wouldn't get in the picture.

My cute girls and the pretty lights.

We went into the visitors center. The girls were amazed by this. We need to go back soon and just spend time in there. There is so much peace. That is just the visitor center. There is more inside the temple. I love going there. For the new year I need to go more. It is a gift to me that I do not use as often as I should.

This is a new statue of Christ that is on a thing that spins around. Katie loved holding His hand and pretend to dance with Him.

I love each year going to the temple lights for FHE.

It was cold but we had fun.

2008-12-30T23:51:00.001-08:00

It was cold but we had fun.

2008-12-30T23:40:00.001-08:00

We went to Globe to go quad riding. It happened to snow the day before. It was so cold. I have never rode a quad in the snow. It was fun. There wasn't a lot of snow. Maybe an inch. To us it is a lot. The kids were so excited to be in the snow. We had left our younger two with my sister. I am glad we did they would have cried the whole time because it was so cold. I had on 3 pairs of gloves and my hands were still so cold. I grew up in weather like that I do not miss it at all. It was cold but we had fun.

RoCk BaNd FuN!

2008-12-30T22:22:00.000-08:00

I bought Rock Band for the WII for my children the day after Thanksgiving. They were not allowed to open it until Christmas eve day. I am so glad I made that rule. It is so much fun to play but is kind of addictive. We played it on Christmas eve with my brother in law Russ and his boys who are all very good at it. Then on Christmas with my brother in law Lee.

Christmas Eve

Jacob on guitar taking it very seriously

The Hyman Band

Danny (singer) Russ (drums) Jacob (guitar)

David (groupie/dancer)

Russel is amazing on the drums. He plays on expert and does awesome.

Christmas Day

The 2 year old band

(Grant - Katie - Kedrik)

The babies as we call them all got guitars for Christmas.

Me on the guitar. I am not very good.

Jacob on the drums in his Christmas PJ's

Lee on vocals. He thinks he is awesome but I think I heard some dogs howling.
RoCk BaNd FuN!

Santa was really good to us this year!

2008-12-30T21:35:00.001-08:00

I love Christmas morning. I always loved it as a kid. I could remember wanting to wake up so early. My kids are not like that. They woke us up at 7:00 am. They were all so excited. I always take a picture before they can open any gifts. Santa brings them a few gifts that are not wrapped and mom and dad give the rest or the kids give to each other. This Christmas was so sweet. My children have and get a lot. I think I do that because even though my mom did all she could to give to us as children it was always a struggle for her. I knew we were poor as kids. I am sure it was very hard for my mom being a single mom. I could remember being made fun of as a kid by other kids because we didn't have a lot. I had thought a lot about something I wanted. I realized I have everything I need and want. I want to give to someone. This year a gift from my husband was being able to give a single mother we know a nice Christmas. We tried to do it as a secret for her and her children. I got caught though. It still was a lot of fun doing it. I am trying to teach my children how very blessed we are to have all we have. My husband provides very well for us. We are in no way millionaires, but I am very thankful for what we have and we like to share it.

I love Christmas morning because of the joy it gives me to see my children just so thrilled that Santa and mom and dad got them what they wanted. This was a wonderful year for us to teach our children how to give to those who don't have as much as we have. I am very thankful for that. Santa really was good to us this year.

Merry Christmas to all!

2008-12-20T19:16:00.000-08:00

Our family would like to wish all of our friends and family a wonderful Christmas. We want you all to know how thankful we are for all of our many blessings and thankful to know so many wonderful people. May you all feel our Lord a Saviors spirit this time of year. Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Party

2008-12-20T19:03:00.001-08:00

We went to the Gryphon Christmas party. This year it was fun my mom was there because she now works for Clint. Carla's family was there also because Lee works for Clint too. I always feel more comfortable when my mom or sisters are somewhere with me. The Gryphon party has a bunch of Clint's extended family there because a lot of them work for the company. It was a nice Christmas party.

He is our protector

2008-12-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

My husband is a good provider and protector of our home. He is not the cleanest though. Any way our family has had chickens on and off for the past eight years. The kids like to collect the eggs. The other morning really early like 4:30 - 5:00 am Clint jumped out of bed and I heard him open the back door and then I heard him whacking something out side. It was raining which is not common here and I got worried to think what the heck is he doing. I got up and went to the back door to see what he was doing. I called for him and no answer. I was so scared. I called for him again then he walked around from the chicken coop and said something was after the chickens. I asked him what and he said a raccoon. I thought yeah right they don't have those here. It was dark he must not have really seen what it was. I asked him what the pounding sound was he said he was whacking it with a pole. We went back to bed. Later that day the kids and I went out to see it. Sure enough it was a raccoon. It had gotten into the coop with the chickens and was after them. Clint was protecting what is ours so he had to do away with the raccoon. He is our protector.

Christmas is a busy time of the year. I love it!

2008-12-16T01:40:00.000-08:00

Oh my heck. I am busy. I can't wait for the kids to be done with school for the year. A week ago Monica and I had our first boutique of the year. I was so busy gearing up for it and very disappointed when we hardly sold anything. It was fun though. All our stuff looked pretty and made me decide to start a blog for Label Twins in 2009. We have only been doing the labels for the last four years. I thought it was time or shall I say it is about time to start a blog. Christmas is a busy time of the year. I love it!

Our Snow Days

2008-12-06T23:05:00.001-08:00

Our Snow Days

2008-12-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

Here in Apache Junction the Parks and Rec. department brings in a truck load of snow for the kids to play in. They do it every year. It is fun for our kids to get to really play in the snow since we don't get it here. Ever since I have been a mom every year one of my kids asks me "When is it going to snow?". I always tell them it does not snow here. They don't quite get though. I have gotten used to living here in Arizona. I like that I don't have to wear a coat. You could wear flip-flops all year. My sister Carla does.

It is fun living here in Apache Junction, Arizona. My sisters and I took our kids to the snow and then they got to sit on Santa's lap.

Hyman Kids

Steele Kids

Spencer Kids

(Quade telling Santa I am trying to be good. It is just so hard.)

Then we went to a small light up parade that Apache Junction has every year. It is so cute. Every year I say I want to be in it. I just have to put lights on my Rhino and throw candy. Maybe next year.

That is how we have a snow day.

The real reason for this Season

2008-12-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

I love this time of year for many reasons. I love all the magic for children. I love that I am able to give to all I love. I love the beauty in Christmas and most of all I love that the world rejoices in the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is Christmas. I wish everyone would remember the real reason for this season.

Hiking and Quad riding in the Superstition Mountians

2008-12-02T21:14:00.001-08:00

Hiking and Quad riding in the Superstition Mountians

2008-12-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday our good friend Ray wanted to show Clint a natural bridge in the Superstition Mountains. He does a lot of hiking and knows a ton of different places to go in the mountains. We all went and decided to take the Rhino and my quad to see how far we could get. We followed Ray's GPS to get us to the natural bridge. When we first got to where the bridge was we thought the GPS was wrong because it looked like a cave. Then we went up the trail a bit and we were able to see it was a natural bridge. Clint, Ray, Hanna and Ester hiked up to the bridge. It took them about an hour to go up and back. I waited with Jacob, Eliza and Katie. We kept yelling to the others to see if they could hear us. The echo was cool. When they got back from the hike we continued on the quads. Some parts were a little scary. It was just wide enough for the Rhino and I was behind on the quad hugging the mountain as I followed Clint. It was so beautiful though. We don't live very far from the mountain. I see them every time I go outside and drive by them daily. I never knew there was such beauty in my backyard. Thank you Ray for showing us such beauty and for putting up with screaming tired kids. I am thankful for Ray being the navigator. We are home safely. I love my husband but his scents of direction isn't the best. I am getting him a GPS for Christmas. I can't wait to go hiking and quad riding in the Superstition Mountains again.

Quad riding with my family nothing more FUN.

2008-12-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

As you all know our family loves to go quad riding. I would like to make it a tradition to do it every year the day after Thanksgiving day. This year was especially fun because it had rained for two days before. I love riding when it is muddy. There isn't the dust from when it is dry and you get to look like you had a bunch of fun by getting muddy.

For some reason I was the only one that got muddy this time.

We went riding on Friday. My sister Carla and her family all came finally. I always ask her to go. She drove the Rhino with her two younger kids and my two younger girls. I rode my quad that Clint bought for me like four years ago. It doesn't get much use because I always ride the Rhino. It was so much fun. Clint's brother Russel and his boys also came. We rode out to this field where there were jumps. Jacob and Russel's oldest David ride so good for only being 11 years old.

I am always impressed with my sons riding abilities. It just comes so natural to him just like Clint.

These are the boys. Can you say Like father like son.
(From left to right Jacob, Clint, Danny(Russel's youngest) Russel and David.)

I love to see Clint and Russ together and then the younger generation together. David is just like his dad and Jacob is just like his.

While we were riding we came across this cool wash that went under the highway. I thought it would be a nice place to take pictures.

In the field the kids had so much fun just playing while the guys were jumping. Clint taught me how to jump Jacob's quad I got like an inch of air. I was so happy. The next day I felt it though. I am an old lady.

Daddy & his Girls

They all love to ride with him

Then with all fun sometimes something bad has to happen. Thank you Clint for taking one for the team. We got a stupid ticket for riding in a place where we shouldn't have been and AZ Game and Fish caught us. We didn't know we were doing anything bad but we were. So Clint has to go to court on the 15th and pay for us. But like I said quad riding with my family nothing more FUN.

Look what the CATS brought in!

2008-11-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

Along with our family we have two cats. Oreo is the black and white one and Diego is the black one.Our Hanna is a cat lover. I try to give my kids what they want even if I don't like it sometimes. Today was one of the times I wish we didn't have the cats. One of the main reasons for having them is we live where there is a lot of critters. So I thought they would help with the mice. That is keeping them out. They bring them in along with bunnies, lizards, birds, squirrels and today a snake.

I was working on somethings with Monica today and Eliza came up from downstairs and said mom the snake looked up at me. I thought she was talking about a toy. I said what are you talking about. I got up and looked downstairs and sure thing there was a snake. I was so afraid. I asked Monica what to do. She called her husband to see where he was. He was to far away. Then I called one of my friends to see if her husband was home. He is an AJ fireman. He was not home he was at the station. She told me to call 911 and tell them what was going on. So I did. Well Monica did. We just kept watching that snake to make sure it didn't move. It didn't so then I started to think it was a toy. I would have been so embarrassed if the firemen got here and that is all it was. Three manly men came. One with a long grabbing stick one with a bucket and the other for support I guess. They slowly went down the stairs. Then the stupid snake moved and me being me started screaming and jumping up and down. It scurried away towards the wall and I screamed again. They finally go it with the grabber thing and started to walk toward the steps to put it in the bucket that was being held by one of the firemen. I think they got a little scared also. It was kind of funny. They said it was not a poisonous snake. They took it away. Thank you Apache Junction Fire Department. They saved my life today. Now I know I have a place to call the next time I say "Look what the Cats brought in".

My TBF

2008-11-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

My family means a lot to me. My husband and children are my world. Before I was given them I had the family I was born into. My mom is an amazing person who I look up to for many reasons. I don't know how she did it alone for so many years. Then I have two sisters who are my best friends. They are always there for me. They both give me so much of their time. I also look up to them both for many reasons. Carla my younger sister is a good mom who tries to teach her children to choose the right all the time. She does without so her kids could have the things they enjoy. I guess all three of us do that. We must have learned it from our mom. My twin sister Monica is an on the go mom. She is showing her kid how to serve in the drop of a hat. I love both of my sisters very much. They each teach me thing that I need to be better at. Monica's family makes me very thankful I only have one son and really obedient children in school. While Carla's family makes me thankful none of our kids have food allergies. I could not pick a favorite sister. I have fun with both of them but my sister Monica is my rock. She is always there for me. We have a lot in common. We have a little business together and love to just hang out with each other. Last night my mom and us three girls went to the midnight Twilight movie. It was fun to be all together. Monica an I got there like 3 hours before the movie and we hung out with some of my friends till the movie started. I am thankful for My twin best friend.

My World

2008-11-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

The other night I was doing some Christmas shopping. I was at the store pretty late. I was by myself which really doesn't happen very often. Anyway as I was leaving the store and driving down the road. I noticed a lady on the other side of the road staggering over her feet with her clothes falling off her. I could tell she must have been under the influence of something. My first thought was AJ white trash. Then I thought about it for a minute and thought how terribly sad for her. How awful it would be to live a life tied to drugs or drinking. I felt sorry for her. I hope and pray that never ever happens to any of my children. I hope from what we teach them and learn at church they will make the right choices. I love this life. I love having the commandments and the word of wisdom. By keeping the word of wisdom it makes me free. I am truly thankful for my life. In my dreams there is no drinking and drugs in my world.

My little Helper

2008-11-18T09:41:00.000-08:00

I was looking on my blog last night and Ester was in the office. She asked me why I didn't have anything up on it about her. I told her I was planning to put something on very soon about her. So now is that time.

I love all of my children very much. They all hold a special place in my heart. They are what I live for. Their joy is my joy. Their pain is my pain. I prefer them to be joyful. My sweet Ester is one of the most joyful out of my five. She is so much like her dad and in a weird way she is so much like me. She is kind of spacey like the both of us are. She has a get the job done attitude like Clint and is a very hard worker. She was born that way just like her dad was. Ester has the biggest heart like me. We care about everyone. She has incredible faith also. She often reminds me of the little thing that are important. Not by word but by action. She is a great example of service. I will be doing something and without asking or saying anything she will do the dishes or clean up a mess. Then she will show up with a big smile on the face. I will ask her what is so funny. She will say go look at the sink or whatever it might be. She is so sweet. Of course with all kids they are not perfect. She has an awful temper like me. When we get mad we get mad. She also doesn't think about the out come of things like her dad. That gets her in to trouble sometimes. I love my Ester or S.E. as we sometimes call her. I am so thankful for her. She is one of the many gifts from heaven. She is my little helper.

Sweet Stuff

2008-11-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

I asked my Hanna what she wanted to do for her birthday this year. We have always had big parties. Last year was her last big party after she turned 8. So this year I told her she could pick four friends and do something small. She chose to go to Build-A-Bear Workshop with her four friends and two sisters.

I always hope my children will pick good kids to be friends with like it says in the Gospel Standards. Hanna has picked good friends which is comforting to me. It is nice that they all have the same values and beliefs that Hanna is being raised with. As I drove I listened to what they were talking about and it was so cute listening to a bunch of 8 & 9 year old girls talk. I heard "I wish John McCain won" "yeah me too". I thought that was so funny because I am not political at all I vote because I have to and these cute girls totally were into the election. Then they were telling each other silly scary stories. Then I would hear "was that a true story". They are still so innocent but grown up at the same time. I am thankful for friends that are raising their kids the same way I am and have good standards set for their children. It really is a blessing to me.

The girls with their new animal.

Happy Birthday my Hanna Baby. I love you to the moon and back forever and ever. You are part of what I live for.

This is my sweet stuff. I love watching my children enjoy life and have fun. I always want to be a part of that and will try to give them all I can for the rest of my existence.

Homemade ice skating rink

2008-11-11T15:16:00.000-08:00

Today I put Clint and the kids to work. As I stood and did what felt like a thousand dishes I told Clint and the kid to clean out the freezer. It has been needing to be cleaned out for the last two years. I know that is very gross. We had fish from like the last five fishing trips. Elk from last years hunt. Tons of stuff we had gotten on sale, half eaten ice cream sandwiches and about an inch thick sheet of ice on the bottom of the freezer. Eliza got in and said "look mom I am ice skating" she thought that was fun. I just had to get a picture of something so cute. The kids and Clint did a wonderful job cleaning out the freezer. Clint even threw away stuff and any of you that know him know that is a hard thing to do. He keeps everything even food that has gone bad. I was so happy to have it cleaned out. It was a big job. Our Ester helped him to the end. The others lost interest.

Veteran Day Parade

2008-11-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

Today our family went to the Apache Junction Veterans Day parade. Our son Jacob marched in the marching band for his middle school. They looked so good and sounded really good. He is the one with the blue trumpet. He told me he was not going to wave to me when he marched by. He couldn't help it we were all calling his name and he gave us a little smile and wave. I can't believe I am old enough to have a middle school aged child. I was so proud of him when he marched by I had to stop myself from crying the happy cry.

I love him what can I say.

2008-11-10T23:34:00.000-08:00

This weekend was my sweet husbands birthday. I am four months older then him. I always like it when we are the same age if people should ask our age. He can't wait to get old and I am fine if I stopped aging at 25.

Any way we were able to get away for a night. Together without kids. It was so much fun. (Thank you Carla for watching our house full.)

I love my husband more then words could ever express. I think of the Blue October song Calling You where it says "I can't believe you actually picked me." I feel like the luckiest or blessed (which ever way you look at it) girl alive to have him.

I took this picture while he was eating breakfast. I am sure he will be so happy to know another picture of him is on my blog. For those of you that know him know how humble he is. He is in no way a show off (except when riding his quad) or doesn't like to bring attention to himself. I wanted to have a party for him like I do every year but he just wanted to spend time with me. I won't argue that because I always want to be with him. I love him what can I say.

He is my son and I love him

2008-11-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

This is my goofy son. He is 11 years old and very much a boy. I love everything about him. He is the sweetest kid I know. He amazes me in the choices he makes. He has really good integrity. He makes me laugh a lot of the time. This picture is how I found him when I got home from the store a couple of nights ago. Earlier that day I had bought marked down Halloween stuff. You never know when you will need a clown wig. Well Jacob thought it would be funny to greet me this way. He did the make up with marker. The next day when he got ready for school he still had a tint of green around his mouth. He is my son and I love him.

"MY COOL KATIE CAT"

2008-11-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

I love being a stay at home mom. It is fun to have one on one time with just one. Having five children sometime doesn't leave much time for one on one. Every Tuesday and Thursday my four year old goes to preschool. The older three are in school. I get to be with just Katie my two year old. She is so silly as she gets older. She doesn't like to hold my hand or sit in a cart at the store. She is a big girl and doesn't want to be bothered with her mom who is tyring to keep her my baby. She does like to tell me "shut up" and "no mom" all the time. When you are the baby you hear the older kids say stuff to their sisters and she thinks it is ok to say it to mommy. The older kids are always telling her "no" . Katie thinks that she can say no to me. I love my Katie just the way she is. I will miss the times I get to be with her once she starts school. I am glad that won't be for a year or so. I do look forward to the time I don't have to change another diaper.

2008-10-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

My True Love

For any who should happen to follow this blog. You will soon find out that I am truly and madly in love with my husband. We have been married for almost 13 years. He is my absolute everything. My biggest love is for our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. My next biggest is my husband. I fell in love with him because of his devotion and love for what is so important to me my Heavenly Father and His Son. I often feel like I have been given more then I deserve with him. He is wonderful in many ways. He loves me despite my faults and looks. I look at him and see true love. I am thankful for all I have in life, the Gospel, my children, my family, my friends and my Clinton.

2008-10-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

The begining

2008-10-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

From the start we are all here on this earth for a reason. We my not know what that reason is till you leave this existence. I am thankful I have been sent truth and meaning in my life at a young age. It has formed me to the person I am today. I am not anything special but I am a child of God and that makes me special. That makes all of us special. I wish I could have had that knowledge when I was really young. Like when I was in grade school. I am so glad my children are being raised with that knowledge. We all have a Heavenly Father that loves us. How wonderful this world would be if we all had that understanding.