This was a first

In a matter of about 10 minutes I was informed I was breaking the law, would go to jail for 10 days if my child was absent again and that Child Youth Protective services was coming to do a home visit...

I was flabbergasted.


First of all, my children are in Kindergarten and 1st grade.

Second of all, they have missed school because we've been traveling.

Third, my children are excelling in school.

And then my list would go on to say:

My husband's deployed and we visit family to gain strength and refuel to keep going.  FAMILY always comes first.  My husband and I deeply value education as we both have bachelor degrees and he earned a Doctorate of Dental Surgery.  I was a school teacher before I had children...I know the importance of school and having your children attend school.  There is also great knowledge to be gained from traveling and spending time with family.  Within the school system math, reading, writing, science, history, and other wonderful and important information can be learned.  Within the family, children learn values, right from wrong, health, etiquette, work ethic, love, how to teach/lead, life skills, independence, growth, etc.  While traveling, these two worlds can combine and new experiences can be gained.  For example, when we're on the airplane and my 7 year old is reading the safety rules and regulations of the aircraft and what to do in an emergency, many wonderful topics are being taught:  

reading/life skills- the words like emergency, pressure, remain, safety can be explained

math/science/health/history- loss of air pressure and the amazing invention of the airplane on which we travel in our modern society.  

AND THEN for me personally, I would say:

I AM A GOOD MOTHER!  And the best thing for them!  Who is the state to say that taking me away from my children for 10 days to sit uselessly in jail is a smart call.  Just think of how devastating this would be for our children!  The children need me, their mom.  This seems so illogical that they would even consider this!  The government will take a loving, educated, law abiding (except for this that I didn't know I was breaking the law) mother and put her in jail while waisting tax dollars to fund her stay their all while her children's emotional and mental well being is being devasted! How do you think my stable children will feel if their care taker is gone without good reason and their dad is already gone serving our country!  Seriously BIG GOVERNMENT, think about what you're doing here!  Because there is a law that states if your child has an excess of more than 5 unexcused absences, you are not suitable to take care your children and the government will take action.  I tell you what, when the TN government declares absences will only be excused with a doctors note or funeral service note, they are sadly overlooking all the good reasons why a child may be gone from school.  There are so many wonderful reasons for children to be elsewhere than in the classroom.  And because of the few truly delinquent parents out there that caused this law to be in place, now we mothers who truly care about their child's well being will be punished!  

I've never been talked to so forcefully as I was today.  Yes, I would say I did not know the severity of my choices to allow our family to travel while you were away as I saw it as "helping" not "hurting" our family.  I saw it as making a smart choice to fill our happiness/energy cup to keep us uplifted and strengthened.  If I had known I was actually breaking a law, then YES my choices would have been different.  Were we just suppose to know this law or did I miss the parent meeting on this?  What I read on the school system site was that they could miss up to 27 days and still move on to the next grade level.  

So what does this all mean...the boys WILL be going to school every day until the end of the year or I WILL be going to jail for 10 days!

Thank goodness the lady in the hearing chose to give me a warning and not send me to court.  I do see that as a blessing.  But seriously, Child Protective Services coming to my house? (although, I light heartedly said they could come for dinner).

My least favorite thing about this whole thing was how fast Satan jumped at the chance to make me feel so low.  Wow, the thoughts flooded in on my weaknesses as a mom.  But then I remembered, that I can control my thoughts and will fight against these thoughts to bring the Spirit back.

Whew,  love you babe,

your wife
...come home soon

P.S.  I'm sending this to Mom, Dan, Daniel and Daddy...and want to know what the truancy law is in their state, as I know when I was a teacher in Alpine School District students missed school weeks at a time for family reunion, family vacations, family whatever...it may make me want to move back.

"Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielson

Now this is a real love story.  My perspective of motherhood has been changed after reading this book. I found myself rejoicing in the ability I have to comfort a sad face, to fold laundry pain free, and to roll around on the ground with these physical boys.  

I had to send her an email with my gratitude:

I LOVE YOU, your faith, your strength, your gripping writing skills, your courage to put your life out there for us to use as a source of inspiration!  I just finished reading your book today and I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am for your example.  I love how much you love your husband and how much he passionately adores you.  I love the sacrifices you both make on a daily basis to care for your children despite the pain and suffering.  I love how you trust God and are striving to do His will.  

Today when my husband called me from Afghanistan, I just poured out my gratitude for him, our love, our children, our health, the joy we feel when we're together and even when we're apart.  I feel more capable to do hard things and to find a sweet sense of contentment in the small things.  Even though my husband and I are apart right now and there are moments when I really wish he was here to help me parent my high energy boys, I feel the Lord strengthening me through many hands like all those who helped serve you in your time of need.  I too know the Lord loves us and knows us individually.  Your book reminded me of God's miracles and your faith reminded me to keep mine in constant alignment with God's will.  

Love to you my new friend!  How I wish we really could be friends as I know you would continue to inspire me!  

We LOVE love around here

Jax woke us up at 5:45am exclaiming there was something outside our front door.  We had been heart attacked.  Little does this person know how much I needed to feel a little extra love that day!

Heart pancakes for dinner.  

I made some edible bouquets for my visiting teachies, neighbors, and boy's classes.

Dinner with 3 Monkeys

HEAR NO EVIL 

(except when Jaxon speaks in burps and flatulence)

 SEE NO EVIL 

(except when Colton flashes his bare bum and proceeds to spank himself)

SPEAK NO EVIL

(except when Talon uses a four letter word at the table that he heard from the 4 year old neighbor kid...who would have thought he'd pick it up from someone younger than him)

Doesn't it make you want to dine with us?  There are many teaching opportunities so you may find yourself sounding like your mother as you do your best to remain calm and offer some of your knowledge.  

Ohhhhh, dear Colton

How I love you.  You delight me purely in so many ways.  You give the best hugs, cutest kisses, and are willing to snuggle anytime of day and it makes me feels so loved.  I adore your tenderness and desire to help your brothers and me often.  You have a desire to do good.  

I do have to say, that I find myself working extra hard to keep up with you somedays when you

DECORATE YOURSELF WITH MY MAKE UP

HAVE AN ACCIDENT

SLEEP EVERY WHICH WAY IN MYBED

SNEAK SNACKS UP TO THE PLAYROOM AND EAT THEM ALL

USE AN ENTIRE ROLL OF TOILET PAPER 

MAKE A SLIP-N-SLIDE WITH MY EXPENSIVE SOAP

...but the joy you bring to my life is all worth it!  How I just adore you my sweet boy!

Happy Valentine's Day my LOVE

You are...

Skype Conversation with instant message

Talon: i love you dad

doug:I love you Talon!!!!  You are my favorite dark haired blued eye boy!   I love you

 

JAXON!!!! I hope you are reading your scriptures! EVERYDAY!

 

Jax:i love you dad and why do like gons ?
Doug:I like guns because they are fun to shoot. It is a fun way to relax and be with my family. Do you like guns? I've got an idea. Why don't we go camping when I come home?
Jax: yes but can we bring beyblades ?
Doug: i think we could bring them. where would we play with them?
Jax: in the tent
Doug: will they spin if the floor is bumpy?
Jax: no? but i will bring a staeteeum

Doug: do you have a stadium?

Jax: yes
Doug:in Tennessee?
Jax: yes in tennessee
Doug: oh good. then yes, we can bring the beyblades. Would you like to play a game when we go camping? or have a fire? and roast marshmellows?
Jax: yes?that souns fun
Doug: I can't wait to go camping together. I also think a beyblade tournament would be fun to do at home. I can't wait. I miss you so much, Jax and hope you are helping mom.
Jax: i love you dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doug: Are you being a good big brother? Do you help your borthers when the need it? I LOVE YOU JAXON!!!!!!!!!! I am so amazed at how well you write and read! You are learning so much!
Jax: i love you to dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doug: lol
Jax:waht das that meens???
Doug: it means, laugh out loud
Jax: ok?

Doug: I thought it was funny when you put so many exclamation points. ok, talon's turn! good job jax!

Jax: i thot that was funny to

Doug: Hi, Talon!
Talon: ilike when you play with me
Doug: i like playing with you.

Talon: What do you want to play? i like when you write that

Doug: I like playing games, like chess or checkers. Sometimes I like to play Blockus or maybe hide-and-go-seek.
:) (playing with new found smiley faces)

 

Doug: Hi Colton!! I love you!

Colt: \o0oooejn;o mpio fgjuh upw4os˜†

c awrymnm

',mavzkzx;cx

a

oircohhjzhKkMzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzxj

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Talon: (kissing face)

Doug: (kissing face to amber) Kiss from me

Amber: thanks but i want one in person, I want you to come home

 

 

 

I was amazed at how Jax could type and read so well!!  It was funny to watch him get so focused as he typed.  The Colton was so excited that Mom actually let him touch the computer!  Good times!!

New Years EVE!

Ok, if I'm ever in Salt Lake City around New Year's, I'm totally coming to their festivities again.  I knew Nashville Tribute Band was playing at Temple Square so we planned on attending that free concert.  We stayed in the Plaza hotel that is right next to the tabernacle which was convenient.  Dan, Mom, Hunter, the boys and I all enjoyed the magical Christmas lights of temple square and ate at the Lion House Pantry which was cool.  We each had our favorites of the many genres of musical and dance performances in the tabernacle and the Joseph Smith Building.  This was such a family friendly event with clean music, dress, $1.50 hot chocolate, no cigarette smoke or alcohol and it was all FREE!  I took the boys over to the visitor center to see the Christus and they enjoyed the Book of Mormon displays and videos.  It was a magical night and when the New Year came we saw fireworks from afar.    Doug even called at just the right time to bring in the new year with us!  Wish we could have kissed and done all that magical new year stuff too, but we look forward to it next year!

My dad gave me a beautiful father's blessing over Thanksgiving break in which he admonished me to exercise and take time for myself daily.  So I'm working on it.

My 2013 New Year's Goals have been simplified to:
1.  Sit ups and push ups daily.
2.  Simplify my life.

I could easily add to number one- prepare my body to get pregnant again & eat more healthy and get organized with meal planning and food storage.  And could add to number 2- live in the present, prioritize between the good, better, best, and no over schedule myself.  Also, take time for myself everyday.

I've already made it to 20 boy push ups, said "no" many times to extra activities/meetings/gatherings and have decluttered/reorganized/simplified the following:
1.  Doug's and my closet and drawers (tossed out half of my socks and gave away a bunch of clothing)
2.  Our bathroom drawers, the boy's bathroom cupbards.
3.  Boy's drawers and clothing.
4.  Gave away all size 2T boy clothing.
5.  Kitchen cupboards, spice cabinet, gave away kid dishes, purchased fruit and veggie tiered baskets for my countertops, cleaned out fridge, freezer, and pantry (came up with a new storing system that helps with grocery shopping).

I've got plans for the office, toys, craft closet, and storage items.  And when it warms up, Garage here we come.  Why do we have so much stuff!  I've been inspired by my cousin Jeannie who is so good at simplifying and plus traveling, you realize you don't need that much stuff anyway.

Look who's 3!

Our little Colty boy turned 3!!!  And so we played in the snow and went sledding...his favorite!

Blakes' 9th birthday was the day after, so we celebrated them together.

 My boys never tire of playing with their Uncle Blake!

Christmas 2012

Christmas morning we spent with the Sturgeons and that evening we spent with the Wilsons.  I'm pretty sure the boys thought it was the best day ever and loved opening and playing with presents.  Some of their favorites were the wood snakes I bought from the flee market in Hawaii, the Angry Bird fleece blankets from Uncle Blake, Ninjago legos from Riri and Grandpa Sturgeon, Beyblades from dad, and the many reptile and animal books from Nana and Granddad.  

Acting out the nativity =)

 We tried to help Doug feel apart of Christmas by skyping with him...I think it may have made it harder for him not to be there, but I didn't want him to miss out completely.

Christmas afternoon we went sledding for the first time and the boys LOVED it!  Doug really hated missing out on this "first" and was sad he missed it. The boys had a such a great time that I actually had the thought, "Maybe I could live somewhere where it snowed if the boys could go outside and play like this."

And yay for the traditional "ROAST BEAST" =) ... yes, we did enjoy "The Grinch who Stole Christmas" and the "Polar Express" at Nana's too during the season.