Ward Christmas Party

We went to our ward christmas party last week. Tevon was so excited to see Santa! It was a great time. We only have pictures of Sipola, Mehi, and Tevon because Brax is too old and Lia had to leave the party to go to one of her friends parties.

December 8, 2010

On December 8, 2010 our little girl turned 5 years old!! It is so hard to believe that she is growing up so fast. She is such a great kid! She is our little helper that will do anything for anybody! She loves to tell stories and she adores her siblings. Happy Birthday Mehi! We love you!

Day 7 through 30

I really need to finish these days but since my computer crashed and I am now using my dad's computer it is making it really hard for me. I have no way of loading pictures on this computer so I have to finish without pictures. Anyways the person that has had the biggest impact on me would have to be Tevita. He has taught me so much. He is my best friend. I honestly don't know what I would do without him. I could go on and on about him but I know it would embarrass him so I won't. He knows exactly how I feel and that is what matters!:)
Day 8- Short term goals for this month:
I want to get my laptop fixed so I can actually blog with pictures!!!!
Day 9- Something I'm proud of in the last few days
My oldest son! I have been able to take just him for a few rides and we have talked a lot. He has such a great attitude and a kind heart. He will do anything for anybody and I am so proud of the young man that he is turning in to. Oh, and also Tevita for not actually knocking that guy at the football game out!!!lol
Day 10-Songs
I have never been one that could tell you the names of songs or who sings them. I just like music and I listen to whatever!!
Day 11-Another pic of me and my friends
Again, no pictures!!
Day 12-How I found out about blogger and why I have one
I found out about it from my sister-in-law, Jamie. I decided to get one because it is a great way to keep a journal.
Day 13- A letter to somebody who has hurt me recently
Dear Walmart,
I am really disappointed in the new way you are having us shop on Black Friday. I would much rather run in at five then stand around the pallets and get trampled at midnight. Also, please order more than 16 items of something that everybody wants!!!
Day 14- A picture of me and my family
Boy, this not having any pictures sure makes this hard!!
Day 15- Ipod
My Ipod is in my son's possession so I won't be getting that back anytime soon!
Day 16- Another picture of myself
LOL
Day 17- Someone I would want to switch lives with for one day and why
The Prophet. I would just want to experience that for a little bit just because I think it would be an awesome experience.
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals
Plan- Finish school
Dream- To be a size 5
Goals- Too many to write on this blog
Day 19-Nicknames
Dimage- Something about a baseball player name Joe Joe Dimagio. My parents used to call me that.
Rebel Red- Dad came up with that one.
Otis-Justin gave me that one.
Day 20-Someone I see myself marrying
Well, since I am already married I'm gonna have to say TEVITA!!!
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
If I could download a picture this one would be my beautiful family
Day 22-What makes you different from everybody else
I'm not sure of anybody who has such big hips and butt!!!
Day 23-Something I crave
Mexican food
Day 24-A letter to my parents
Dear Mom and Dad,
Thank you for being my parents. I know that I haven't been the best daughter. I have kind of been a stinker. But I do love you and appreciate all you do for me and my family. You have taught me so much and I love you with all my heart. P.S. Mom, I miss you dearly.
Day 25-What you would find in my bag
My wallet, hand sanitizer, pens
Day 26-What do you think about your friends
That they are all pretty cool for knowing me!! Ha ha. Just kidding. I love them all and they are obviously great people or they wouldn't be my friends!!
Day 27-Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
I thought it would be fun but it turned out to be more work than I thought. I thought it would help me blog everyday but obviously that didn't work.
Day 28-Picture from last year to now
Last year I had long red curly hair that had never been colored. This year I have short wavy hair that is red with blonde streaks.
Day 29-In the past month what have you learned
I learned a lot of important information about kids and how to work with them.
Day 30-My favorite song
Because I have Been Given Much. I love this song. It just fits.

Day 6 Super Hero

Superman was my favorite super hero!!

Somewhere I have been

One of the funnest vacations we have been on was our trip so San Francisco. We took the kids to Great America and had a blast! I was prego with Tevon but the other kids loved it!

Skip Day 3 move on to Day 4

OK, so since I am at a loss for pictures and have very limited time on the computer I have to skip day 3 and move on to day 4. I will probably have to come back to day 3 later. Anyway...Day 4. A habit I have that I wish I didn't. A really bad habit that I have is worrying about death. I worry so much about loosing my family. I have a hard time letting Tevita and the kids go on a trip without me because I worry that something is going to happen to them. It drives me crazy!! I am trying really hard to overcome it, but I still struggle. I really wish I could change it!

Day 2

Well, there isn't anything creative about the name of our blog. It is what it is!!

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you and your friends
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been to
day 6- favorite super hero and why
day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
day 8- short term goals for this month and why
day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days
day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
day 11- another picture of you and your friends
day 12- how you found out about blogger and why you have one
day 13- a letter to someone who has hurt you recently
day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- put you ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
day 16- another picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them
day 20- someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- something you crave for a lot
day 24- a letter to your parents
day 25- what I would find in your bag
day 26- what do you think about your friends
day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge
day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?
day 29- in this past month, what have you learned
day 30- you favorite song
I saw this on another blog and decided that I am going to do it. It should get pretty interesting!!! So, here is day 1.
Fifteen things about myself:
1. I have a HUGE fear of birds!! They really scare me. It doesn't matter what kind, I am just scared!
2. I love reading.
3. I love to shop but only clearance. I hate to pay full price for anything.
4. When I do that clearance shopping, I love shopping in the school section and the kitchen section.
5. I started dancing when I was 2 years old. I danced until I was 19 years old. Then after I got married I started teaching. I love it!
6. I love green plants.
7. I can't cook very well.
8. I never thought I would go to college and now I almost have my Bachelors degree and am looking forward to becoming a teacher.
9. I have three piercings in one ear and two in the other.
10. I love working with kids but am scared to be a Primary teacher.
11. I have had two sets of twins with only one of those four kids living. I also have four other children besides her.
12. I used to have hair below my bum. It is now above my shoulders.
13. I am a little OCD.
14. I love organization things like cute baskets, plastic containers, etc. etc. but I'm not that great at organizing.
15. I know how to crochet pretty good.
So, there are a few things about me. Hopefully I will be able to do this...it sounds pretty fun!

Parent Teacher Conference

Tevita and I were able to attend parent teacher conference last week. It was so nice to walk into those classrooms and hear nothing but positive things about our kids. They are all three doing excellent in school. Their test scores are all high. Their teachers were all sad to see them leaving. It was tough for us to say bye to those teachers. Our girls have only attended Koosharem elementary so they don't know anything else. We are so proud of all these kids. Good luck in your new schools kids. We know you are going to do great! We love you!!

Football season is over

Well, our football season for Brax has come to an end. We are so proud of him and all he has accomplished this season. He was a son, a captain, a missionary, a hero! He was named Man of the Camp. He had such a great season. It was so fun to have Tevita helping coach. Brax was so excited to have his dad right there on the sidelines. I took so many pictures of him but I chose my favorite for the blog. I especially love the one where he is leaning on his dad. This is so symbolic of how his life has been and is going to be. No matter what Brax, you can always lean on your dad and I. We are so proud of you and all you have accomplished! Now, on to wrestling!! Love ya Bud!

Playoffs

This is our boy and we are headed to the playoffs tomorrow!! Good luck son!

From job to career

When I was in the first grade I had a really great teacher. Her name was Miss Coates. One day she pulled me aside and asked me if I would be a friend to a deaf girl. I told her I would and this began my journey of helping those with disabilities. I was friends with this girl up until the time she moved away. I took sign language classes so I could communicate with her. I remember going into the classroom with some kids and learning the sign language. At first this girl laughed at me because I didn't know much but by the end of the year we were communicating with each other. Not only did I become really good friends with this girl but also the other kids with disabilities. I was friends with these kids all through school. I remember driving in the mountains with my parents one night. We were talking about what I would do when I got older and I told them that I wanted to be a teacher and work with kids that had disabilities. Well, I have went to a lot of school. I have a few certificates in different kinds of jobs. But here it is all these years later and I am almost done with my Bachelors degree and will be able to teach kids with special needs. I just recently accepted a position in an elementary school working with kids with special needs. I had such a hard time deciding if I would take the job or not. I have worked at my last job for about 10 years now and I love it! In fact, when I went in to give my two weeks notice, I couldn't give it all the way and am still working there part time. But I did accept this new position and am looking forward to helping these kids. When I talked to my brother about it he told me, "You are finally not just working a job, but a career that you have always dreamed of." He was right. When I was training for this new job, I saw my first grade teacher. All of my memories of elementary school came to mind and I realized that yes, I am ready to finally fulfill my dream. These kids are God's children. They are sent here with disabilities. I don't know why. But I do know that they deserve everything that "normal" people do. They deserve somebody loving them and watching out for them. They deserve to learn just like everybody else. I am so thankful for this opportunity. I am so thankful for the new experiences that I am going to have. I know that I am where I am supposed to be right now and I am looking forward to getting to know these kids and helping them!

Tevon

This little man weighs 27 lbs. I can't believe he is almost one year old!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Rod

Happy Birthday to Grandpa Rod!! We hope you had a great day and we love you so much!

Happy Birthday Lia

On Saturday September 11, 2010 our oldest daughter, Sisilia, turned 9 years old. She woke up and the kids were so excited to sing Happy Birthday to her. Her sisters couldn't wait to give her her presents. She loved getting some good presents and then we were off to her brother's football game. We spent the day at the football field and then we had to go to the store. Lia didn't want a cake this year, she wanted chocolate cupcakes. We came home and had a family dinner and cupcakes. Lia has grown up so much. She loves riding horses, playing the guitar, singing, playing soccer, and being a great helper/big sister to her little brother. She is so smart and loves learning. We love everything about this sweet girl and are so proud of her. We hope you had a very Happy Birthday Lia! We love you!

I have been trying to blog about the kids first day of school for a week now. I am having problems with the blogger thing though so today I finally just decided to load the pics one by one. Anyways, here is the kids on the first day. Braxton is in
6th grade with Mr. Torgerson. Lia is in 3rd grade with Mrs. Stapley. Sipola is in
2nd grade with Mrs. Bagley. There isn't preschool for Mehi so she will be learning at home with her daddy this year. The kids are excited for this school year!

The Loop

On Saturday Braxton played in his first football game of the season. He did such a great job! He is playing Center for the offense and Nose Guard for the defense. Unfortunately his team lost 10-18 but he did a really good job. After the game Tevita decided to take us on a little trip. Our kids had never been to Bryce Canyon so we did the loop. We started out in Richfield and went to Bryce Canyon and then went on the Boulder mountain. Then we were in Wayne County and then home. The whole trip took us about 7 hours. We had a great time and enjoyed showing the kids some new country. We honked the horn in the tunnel in Red Canyon. When I was a little girl that was my favorite thing to do. I guess I didn't make it as fun for my kids as my parents and grandparents did because they thought I was kind of silly for doing that. It was really fun to show the kids where my mom and grandparents spent a lot of their lives. I probably got some of the stories mixed up but I tried. Times like that I really wish my mom was still here. I would have loved to have her there with us to show the kids all her childhood places. The kids saw the museaum and wanted to stop and see. It was a really fun experience for all of us. There was some really cool animals there. We really enjoyed looking at all the butterflies. We were able to go outside and feed the deer. Lia was really scared that she was going to get bit by the deer. I was really afraid that we were going to be attacked by the chickens. Tevita had to come and hold my hand and walk me inside the fence because I was so scared. But it all worked out. We didn't get attacked and Lia overcame her fear and fed the deer. We had such a great time and it was so fun to have all of us all together.

Sipola's Birthday

Friday August 13, 2010 was Sipola's 7th birthday. She woke up and was so excited. She woke her sisters up so they could wish her a Happy Birthday. Then she called and asked if she could spend the day with me. So I came and got her and she spent the day at work with me. One of her friends called so she got to go play. Then Grandpa Rod wanted to take her to her first rodeo. So we all went to the rodeo. Sipola loves horses and loved spending time at the rodeo where she was able to see all kinds of different horses. She also got to watch the fireworks. They were pretty good. Aunt D put her name in at the radio station and she won the birthday cake. She was so excited about that. Unfortunately, the cake got eaten before I could get a picture. When we picked up the cake the lady told her it was her own cake and she could do whatever she wanted with it. She did exactly that! She gave each one of us a piece and then she spent the next two days eating it.:) Good thing it was one of those really small round ones! Sipola is such a good girl. She loves spending quality time with each one of her family members. She espcially loves watching the baby. It is hard to believe how fast she is growing up! We love you Sipola and hope you had a very Happy Birthday!!!

Our Son

Today I need to write about our son. He is not perfect. He makes mistakes. He sometimes talks back. But he is our first born son that would do anything for anybody. He would give the shirt off his back to somebody in need. He holds doors open for ladies. When he pays his tithing he pays one extra dollar for the Book of Mormon fund and one extra dollar for the Missionary fund. He wakes up every morning at 7 so he can take care of his baby brother while I get ready for work. I tell him that he doesn't have to do that and his response is, "Dad works hard every night and doesn't get home until way late. Let him sleep for a while and I will take care of my brother." I am not writing this to brag about my son. I am writing this so that when he reads it he will know exactly how I feel. There are times when Braxton does make mistakes and he feels bad about them. But he is really such a great kid. There is a reason he is our first born son. He is such a great leader. He loves learning. He loves helping. He loves working. He just recently attended a football camp. There was a coach from the University of Utah there. Brax said he didn't really know how to act since he loves BYU so much. I told him to give it his best and show the U coach what a great kid he is. Well, Brax went above and beyond. He did so well that the coach named him "Man of the camp". Brax pushed himself so hard. He never gave up. He ran so much and hard. He has been teaching his team the Haka. He is having such a great time. He loves playing and loves helping the other kids. He has been being such a great example to his buddies. He even had one of his less active friends ask if he could come and go to church with him. Braxton was so excited! Anyways, I could go on and on about our oldest son. But I know that it would make him blush! Braxton I love you so much. Thank you for always being such a strong boy. Thank you for all your help. Thank you for always understanding. Thank you for always taking care of your siblings. We love you son!

Tevon's first swimming trip

While we were at football camp we took the kids swimming. It was Tevon's first time and he loved it. We usually dunk the kids when they are 4 months but we just weren't able to with him. So he got his first dunk at 9 months. He absolutely loved the water and will fit right in with the other fish in our family!:)Lia also started to teach Mehi how to swim. She also did great teaching her. We had a blast and it was so good to get away!

Football Camp

Last week we were able to go to St. George for football camp. I felt so bad for Brax. It was so hot...120 degrees. But he did really good. He gave it all his effort and unfortunately, lost the competition by 2 seconds. He only lost because he went around the circle thing an extra time. When we were talking about it, he said, "it's ok mom. My dad always tells me to go the extra mile and that is what I did." What a great kid he is. I am so proud of him and so excited for this football season. I know he is going to do a great job. We love you son!