2009 Paramedic of the Year!

This is Paul. He is Steve's partner. They work together each and every shift. They have built a special bond and love to eat pumpink pie on each shift.


My faculty party and Steve Department party were both on the same night. I was kinda upset that it wasnt Steve's idea of fun to go to my party! We were even arguing on the way to his party and he told me he would drop me off at mine if I didnt stop complaining. I'm so glad I didnt go. Steve was awarded with the Hurricane Fire and Rescue's Paramedic of the Year. What an awesome accomplishment! He dedicates his whole life to the department and I totally think he does deserve it!!!!

Steve thinks that Chief Kualman is the smartest guy on the planet, next to his Dad, and he looks up to him for his dedication to the department. I found out just last night that the Chief actually taught Steve swimming lessons when he was a young boy in St. George. Chief said that he remembers him wanting to jump off the diving board so bad but he didnt know how to swim yet.

Memories from my childhood

Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Dee Come to Visit

My dad and his wife came to visit us. We havent seen them for about three years. Its been a rough go with our relationship but here's to new beginnings. It was great to see them and the kids had a blast. Sunday we went to Aunt Sheila's house for dinner. Yummy pre-Thanksgiving dinner! Then the boys stayed the night at a hotel with Grandma and Grandpa. They were so excited about it and Steve and I enjoyed the peace and quiet!!! Monday Grandpa took Tyler to the gun shop to buy him his first "real" hunting gun. I love this picture cause it showes how much Tyler looks up "literally" to his dad. Especially when it comes to guns:) Grandpa sure spoiled Tyler and he can not stop talking about it. Steve took him out to target shoot right after Grandpa left because he was so excited to try it out.

My Dad, His wife (Delores), Aunt Gail and Uncle Clint, and Aunt Sheila and Uncle Bob

My Dad and two of his sisters.

Fall Photo Shoot

I bought a new camera (for my birthday and Christmas) so I made the boys do some posing for me. They were not too happy about it but I loved some of the pictures. The web pictures do not do the colors justice but I am still so excited with the results.

These three are by far my favorites!

A School Teacher....Why did I CHOOSE to do this??

Lately I have been evaluating my teaching....my teaching skills......the ability to change lives.....the ability to teach ALL children...

I have a tough group of kids this year and I really need to keep whining about it but they are REALLY tough. Groups like this only come around every so often (thank goodness) but I have really done some sole searching. I never really have let parents get best of me...I have hardly ever taken their statements to the heart of my psyche and as of late I have done exactly that...Who knows why..maybe I'm ready for a grade change or a career change (just kidding).

I came across this blog about a mother that home schools (no, I'm not thinking about it, not at all) her children. It hit the core of my being. I can not take the blame. I give the kids and their parents everything I have and sometimes even more but I expect that they will also give the same to their education or their childs education.


Mrs. G. was on the phone and her daughter brought up how she was struggling with the math required for her major and intimating, once more, that it would have been nice to have a parent who actually knew math…blah blah blah, and Mrs. G. finally stumbled across the answer she knew was right and true and would forever eliminate her math guilt. The conversation went as follows:
Mrs. G: Honey, is there a math center at your school where there are tutors available to help?
Mrs. G’s daughter: Yes.
Mrs. G: Are there math classes that you can take to strengthen your understanding of the basic skills of upper level math?
Mrs. G’s daughter: Yes.
Mrs. G: Well then quit complaining about my iffy math teaching and go take advantage of these resources. My main goal in homeschooling was to teach you to teach yourself, to provide you with knowledge of the tools that can take you as far as you want to go in any subject. If you want a stronger grasp of math, walk over to the math center or take some lower level math classes. But quit blaming me. Oh, and by the way, we pay your tuition.
Mrs. G’s daughter:……………………………….
And that was that.

I want to put up a sign in my classroom that says, "MY education---MY Future"

Take some responsibility!

Vererans's Day 2009

Dear terrorist,
I am an American and you don't know me.
I am nobody in particular but I am also all Americans, and you don't know me.
I am an American and you have bowed my head, but it is not bowed in defeat or resignation. My head is bowed in prayer and in sorrow, and you don't know me.
The fact that you don't know me will be why you will be defeated.
Where you cannot and will not accept or allow differences of opinion or religion in you midst I accept it. You don't know me.
America is often a very noisy place because we openly showcase our differences of opinion and conviction. You see that as dissention, and indeed we have those who shamefully use our differences for that purpose, but it is really the way we reach a consensus. You permanently eliminate anyone who differs with you. We shout at each other and often laugh when it is over. You don't know me.
America accepts Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Sikhs, Taoists, and Muslims too. We accept people from every country in the world. Where you try to eliminate anyone different than yourself, we recognize and celebrate that it is our differences that have created the beautiful multicolored tapestry we call America and Americans will defend those differences when threatened. You don't know me.
You are now being threatened and you stand alone. We too are now threatened but we stand together. You don't know me.
Iron is a strong element but it is also brittle and can be corroded. If you add other elements and compounds to iron you can create a metal alloy that resists cracking and corrosion. Your acceptance of only a single culture is like iron. Because we accept and incorporate a wide variety of cultures we are like an alloy. You don't know me.
In the conflict to come, should you win, you will shout in jubilation. Should we win, and we will, we will be happy to have prevailed, but we will be also be saddened at the losses..... even yours. You don't know me.
I am just one person, but I am also an American..... I am all Americans..... and we will defeat you..... because you don't know me.

THANK YOU for protecting MY freedom........
Remember that FREEDOM ISN'T FREE!

Memories

(I'm on a roll today!!!!! Please dont expect this to happen too often:)

Just last night I reconnected with the "Weight Family" via Facebook. All day I have been thinking about them and all the memories. I spend much of last night looking through Lynette's facebook photo albums. I copied these three pictures from her facebook. I really hope she doesnt mind...I know that my mom and dad will love looking at them.

But, for those of you that might not know this awesome family I will tell you a bit about them and why they are so special to me. From about the time I was two years old, Linda Weight was my babysitter. She watched Zach and I until the time I was about 12 years old. But I really dont think of her as a sitter, I think of her as an extention of my family.


This is Lynn and Linda!!! Two faces that I grew to love. Not only did they tend my brother and I on the weekdays they tended us on Sunday's too. So, we went to church with them. These two helped build my foundation and testimony for the LDS church. In fact, Lynn baptized me as a member of the church when I was 8 yrs old. I remember eating sunday dinners with their family. I remember feeling like I was just another kid in their family of 6. They always made me feel special.


Lori, Layne, Lynette and Lisa

Random memories:

-one of my earliest memories of Zach is at Linda's house. I remember my "huge" baby brother in a white onezie laying down on the floor and me trying to protect him from all the other kids.

-Once Lynette and I slathered vasaline or baby oil all over our bodies. I have no idea why but I remember getting in so much trouble.

--Sneeking into Lynda's room at Christmas time anxious to see what Linda had made for me. Always hand made gifts. A few that I still have.

-knocking at her door early in the morning, while everyone was still asleep, going into Layne and Lynette room, grabbing a blanket out of the blanket container thing and going back to sleep on the bean bags

-Walking to the candy store and getting in big trouble--once again

-being "sick" one day and hanging out with Layne all day instead of going to school

-Going to school with Lynette

-sugar tortilla's

-sugar the dog--that would always lay right by the sliding glass door.

-Easter mornings and egg hunting

-playing "life" and "monoply"

-Lori going on dates and all of us little kids making fun of her.

-Lynette spending the night at my house.

-making homemade french fries for sunday dinner

-Swimming at the city pool

-riding bikes at the church across the street

-watching Three's Company

-my dad getting in an accident and my mom taking us to linda's house--feeling very scared but totally safe.

-popcorn

I could go on and on. I love this family!!!!!!!!!

-

Reality Check

I have a few things on my mind---Last night at our area trunk or treat I visited with two wonderfully brave and inspirational ladies. One of whom is a great friend, Jill Ehorn Foy. Jill has been a great friend to our family for the past 8 or so years. My kids often refer to her as, "Mom's Jill" I love this lady so much as do many others. She was diagnosed with lung cancer this past spring. Though all of the treatments and news that went from bad to worse she has always held herself together. I'm sure in quiet moments she has had her melt downs but last night she was the epitome of happiness. Jill walked around to each and every car and gave out many smiles but even more hugs.

A few minutes later I visited with a gal that used to be in my ward, Mylinda. Mylinda is a few years younger than I am and has four beautiful girls. Last fourth of July she had a stroke. The result being that she lost function in one side of her body. There she was in a wheel chair moving herself along with the girls as they did their trick or treating. Each and everytime I looked over at her she was laughing.

Life is precious! Friends and Family, even more so. Life can change in an instant. A few months ago I risked loosing my youngest. I dont know how I could have lived without him. It was a huge reality check for me. I thought I would never loose the feeling of how I felt at the moment I got the call from Tyler saying Nate had been hurt. But just two short months later I am caught up in the day to day things of being a good wife and mother, a good LDS member, a super teacher.......I had forgotten. I let myself forget.

Halloween 2009

Storm trooper Nate. There was a time that being a bad guy was not cool...."The White Guys" are Nates favorite. I tried to get him to be frankenstein because of his head but he wouldnt even think about it.

Luke has been this skeleton for about three years in a row. He likes the creepy scary stuff but this is about as scary as I would let him. I even bought him the costume that Austin has on but he refused to wear it. Good thing because the costume I bought Austin was tooooo big.

Tyler was a good sport and helped carve pumpkins. He also took the boys around the neighborhood to trick or treat. He really did it so he could see his girlfriend (he doesnt think I know.)

"Five Little Pumpkins Sitting On a Gate"

Good Bye!!!!!!

A few weeks ago, Grandma and Grandpa Christian left for their mission to Berlin, Germany. We will miss them!!!!!!!

Fall Break

We had big plans for Fall break--Disneyland or lego Land--but because of money issues we decided to save a few bucks and do a mini vacation to Las Vegas. Typically when we go to Vegas the boys hang out at Grandma's and Grandma and I go shopping. But, this weekend we wanted to have some fun family togetherness--bonding--

We spent the first evening on the strip. We went to the Shark Reef at the Mandaly Bay. I'm not too sure if the kids really enjoyed this....I thought it was cool and the jellyfish were my favorite. The boys would have nothing to do with going slow and reading the info about the animals. Next we visited the Lion at the MGM Grand. Nate loved this.......He could have sat for hours watching.

The next day we drove out to Boulder City. I wanted to take "a lap" around the town and show the kids where I lived and hung out as a child. It actually was kinda sad. We then took a trip down to the Hover Dam. My kids were facinated!!!!!!! But only because the dam is where some of transformers was filmed. Who knew???? It is actually a real place.

I think the M&M factory was their favorite.....Well eating dinner at Aunt Peggy and Jeff's house was the best, according to Luke....Next time we will just send them to their house we will save lots of money.

First Grade!

Jessica wanted to see these--We bought the body cut outs from Oriental Trading, we made our own templates for the clothes and then had some Young Women in a nearby ward cut them all out, we had the kids decorate their own clothes, we hot glued a medium sized clothespin to the top of each shirt and the kids put their work on their bodies. All of our first grade hall is decorated with these cute little bodies.

Well...

You know your getting old when your 16 year old son calls to let you know that we dont need to pick him up to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house----cause, he will drive his own car and meet us there!!!!!!!!!

Randon thoughts

--I was highly disappointed with the Greys Anatomy season premier. I miss George already.
--I have been watching many interviews with Micheal Moore. As much as I don't like him, I am finding his views about health care true.
--Steve and I went to the temple last week. It was the first time in a long time that we went to a session because we wanted too. Not because it was a wedding or an expectation.
--I still cant get over the fact that Nate is doing so well. Each time I hear about an accident involving a child I cringe. Our life could have been so different. I cant help but feel so blessed and it makes me want to be a better person.
--I am jealous that Steve gets to spend a few mornings a week at home all by himself. But even more jealous that he gets to pick up Nate from Kindergarten each day.
--I have a little girl in my class this year that I am at my "wits end" with. I have tried every teacher trick I know and I still cant get her under control. I feel like a failure.
--My mom is on a 14 day cruise. I am jealous but mostly I cant stand not being able to talk/text her.
--Steves parents just got called on a mission to Berlin, Germany. Yes, they just got back from Germany about two years ago.
--My quiet sweet Austin has a horrible temper.

Presidents Obama

I saw this on Jessica's blog...I also couldn't agree more!

As many of you know, our current President of the United States plans on addressing children about education in a televised speech to be aired at schools this coming week. Many parents who disagree with many of the elected President's politics threw hissy-fits and forced several schools, including the one for my neighborhood, to forgo showing the speech.

The overall message? Don't listen to someone with whom you disagree.
Or ... Don't listen to him! I'll tell you already that I don't know what he's gonna say, but I'm sure it's stupid!

How long are these parents intending to send this message? For the remainder of this administration's term? What if the next president isn't to their liking? What do they suppose the consequence to this repeated message will be? What might their child learn to do when they disagree with their own parent? Their teacher? Their clergy? Their spouse?
People who are upset by the idea of their kids listening to the president of their own country for one measly day are insecure. They believe that their kids have no ability to discern, that they will be brainwashed. If your kids have no ability to discern, the problem is at home, not at the White House. Or, perhaps, you have the rare magical child who remembers what you told them after being told only once. (As far as I know, President Obama will not be planning on saying, "Look at me when I'm talking to you! If I've told you once, I've told you a hundred times! Do I have to tell you until I'm blue in the face??")
Instead of seeing this as an opportunity to open up dialogue with their children, some parents have freaked out and avoided an opportunity to add another teaching moment about respect for authority, interest in the political system, and common courtesy.
Parents: If you disagree with someone's beliefs, at minimum teach your children to disagree respectfully. If they disagree with their teacher, you wouldn't expect them to just not show up to class. If you disagree with a traffic cop, you wouldn't be expected to not show up to court. (Well, not without accruing fines or a warrant anyway.) Keeping a speech from the leader of your country out of schools is the equivalent of "not showing up." I don't believe your intent is to create a person who immediately shuns or ignores people who hold different points of view.
"That is our doctrine—a doctrine of inclusion. That is what we believe. That is what we have been taught. Of all people on this earth, we should be the most loving, the kindest, and the most tolerant because of that doctrine."

- M. Russell Ballard -

Had Mitt Romney become president and decided to address school kids, would there have been Southern Baptist groups up in arms? The same parents who called schools today whining about Obama's address would have written off the Southern as ignorant paranoids.
Teach your kids to listen and discern, not to invoke the blanket response of ignoring the Commander in Chief or whoever else they disagree with. You would be embarrassed if your child reacted like this to anyone. What better way for your kids to learn better strategies than from your example?
"While we strive for the virtue of tolerance, other commendable qualities need not be lost. Tolerance does not require the surrender of noble purpose or of individual identity."

- Russell M Nelson -

Listening doesn't equate embracing the speaker's ideas. It doesn't even mean silent endorsement. At minimum, it is polite. At best, informative. Why the knee-jerk reaction?
"Love is an ultimate quality, and tolerance is its handmaiden. Love and tolerance are pluralistic qualities—encompassing all—and that is their strength, but it is also the source of their potential distortion. Love and tolerance are incomplete unless they are accompanied by a concern for truth and a commitment to the unity that God has commanded of his servants."

- Dallin H Oaks -
The best way to get your child's enthusiastic participation in a topic is to do it when he has heard about it elsewhere; in this case, it would have been at school. Children love to hear what their parents think about topics they've heard about at school or from friends. They want to feel confident and informed.

“We call upon all people everywhere to recommit themselves to the time-honored ideals of tolerance and mutual respect. We sincerely believe that as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences.”

- Statement of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, Oct. 1992 -

It goes without saying (and yet, here I am saying it), your child will not always live in a community that readily understands their beliefs. Your child may not foresee the variety of value systems out there. Regardless, a well-adjusted child deals with differences courageously and compassionately.
I do not support any particular agenda or political party. I DO support behaving like adults and teaching children how to interact with others appropriately. I also support equipping children with the skills they'll need now and as they move through the diverse world.
How will they learn these skills? By segregation? Through censorship? They will learn through your careful teachings, and their knowledge will be cemented through their experiences.
For me, scarier than a one-time speech from a political figure with an "agenda" are parents who handicap their children's abilities to resolve differences. Scarier than that is a mob mentality in my own backyard.
"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates in obeying honoring and sustaining the law."

Articles of Faith, 12

Regardless of your stance or feelings on the leader of your country, wouldn't this be a fantastic opportunity to watch the President's message (whether at your kids' school or online) and then discuss your family's beliefs? Would this not be a safe environment to teach your children HOW to discern as opposed to simply WHAT to think?
Teach your kids how to process thought and they will grow up to be adults who are less prone to jump to conclusions. They will have an easier time making friends. They will develop better communication and compassion. If you merely teach them what to think, they will be unsure of themselves when you aren't around. Or when your opinions change.
People we dislike and even people we love will say and believe things that we do not agree with. How and when will children learn how to respond and discern in these situations if what they hear is continually censored?
“Each of us is an individual. Each of us is different. There must be respect for those differences. …

“… We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of forbearance, with tolerance one for another regardless of the doctrines and philosophies which we may espouse. Concerning these you and I may disagree. But we can do so with respect and civility.”

- Gordon B. Hinckley -

Ouch!!!

This is our first day home from the hospital. Tyler spent all of his money on a remote control car for Nate. He stopped at WalMart as soon as he got off the bus. He really wanted to surprise Nate with a BIG toy. This day was the worst for us. Nate looked so banged up and was not wanting us to talk to him. We had to keep his wounds clean but he did not want us to touch him.


By Saturday morning he was up and moving around fairly well. He wanted to play with all of his new toys. He spent some time looking at himself in the mirror. He came out and told us he looked like a geek. Then later when I took him into the bathroom he told me that he felt like his head was cracking. He kept moving it side to side. Then he got real quiet and said that he looked creepy. He was quite sad for a while. Then a bit later he said that his brain was mad at him.

Nate has about 50 staples in his head. We have slowly tried to clean it off. He still wont let us clean him up but I think he has about 30 dollars cause we have tried to bribe him into it. From the very beginning he was very concerned about his toes. While he was in the ambulance he did not once complain about his head he only complained about his fingers and toes. More than once he looked at his owies and said the wanted them off of him.

Steve's E-Mail to his brother about Nate's accident

We were delivering the local newspaper and tyler and nate were in the back of the truck throwing papers. Next thing I knew nate fell out on the drivers side right on his head. I ran over and he was unconscious. He wasn't moving at all. He had a large 3-4 inch cut on his head that looked like he got scalped. You could see his skull. He had lots of scrapes everywhere also. So he was knocked out for about 30 seconds and then started crying--which was good cause then I knew he was still alive. I thought he was dead cause he wasn't breathing or anything. The ambulance got there and I picked him up and we went to the hospital. Tyler was freaking out and pretty shook up. He and Rachelle came down to the ER and Mckay came and we gave Nate a blessing. They then scanned his head and took about 10 X-rays. They all came back negative. No broken bones and no bleeding in his brain. He had to get knocked out to suture the skin back on his head and he had a cut on his lip that needed stitches. We stayed over night at the hospital and then came home yesterday about 2 pm. He had a pretty rough night last night but today he has been running around and playing. He keeps saying he wants to go to Walmart. So there must have been angels cushioning his fall because he should have been dead or at least had several broken bones and a skull fracture. Pretty lucky. So no more rides in the back of the truck.

Humpty Dumpty

Last Wednesday, September 2, Steve, Tyler and Nate were delivering our local Newspaper. Tyler and Nate were in the back of Steve's old truck and somehow Nate fell out the back of the truck. He slid onto the asphalt head first. Steve says he looked out the mirror and saw him falling and he quickly stopped the truck and ran over to him. By that time Tyler had jumped out and was first to see our little Nate--He was bleeding from his head and lip. Tyler said that he was not conscience and had his legs and arms locked. Steve called 911 and called for the ambulance. In the mean time Steve was trying his hardest to keep Nate comfortable and still. He remembers lots of cars stopping and wanting to help. Tyler tried to call me but I was in Parent Teacher Conferences and I didnt answer. A few minutes later I got a text from him that said, "911". I got ahold of him and he was crying and told me Nate had fell and was on the way to the hospital. I quickly left school. I remember telling a few people to go sit in my room and tell the parents and I remember trying to find the principal. On the way out the door I was still talking to Tyler and trying to calm him down. I talked to one of the firefighters that were still there. He told me about Nates head injuries but also told me that Nate was crying. I was so glad to hear that!!! I called my mom and also our piano teacher because she had the other boys at her house. I got on scene and by this time there was only one fire truck and a police car. The officer was talking to Tyler and trying to get a report. He was saying that he tried to ask Steve questions but he was ignoring him while taking care of Nate. He finally let us go and we headed to the St. George hospital. I called Steve's Dad but then remembered that he was in Chicago at Kims house. I asked him to find someone to come over and give Nate a blessing. Tyler and I got to the ER and them wouldnt let us back into to room. That was the longest few minutes!!!! Steve came out to get us but Nate had already gone to get a CT scan of his head and neck. The nurses brought him back and we had our first look at Nate. He has an area on his head that looked like he had been scalped. His skull was showing and he also had an area on the other side of his head that was cut open. He had lots of scrapes and road rash on his hands, arms and legs. His lip was also bleeding and cut open. Tyler took a quick look at him and noticed that his legs and arms were not locked up any more. But, he did not like the look of Nates eyes...they had given him some medicine to sedated him. Tyler was shook up and wanted to leave. I took him to the family waiting room and we called one of his young men's leaders go come get him. As we were walking there I saw Uncle McKay Christian walking in. I got Tyler situated and walked into Nates room and heard McKay giving Nate a blessing. I dont remember anything he said but I do remember feeling like things would be ok. Steve and I walked down to see Tyler and the whole room was full of people that we knew and loved. Tylers leader gave him a blessing and we sent him to their house to rest. By this time the preliminary CT scan results came back clear. The other techs came in and cleaned up his other abrasions and then took x rays of every inch of his body. The ER was full of Drs and nurses that knew Steve very well and I am sure we received extra exceptional care because of this. The ER doctor came in and told us that all the scans and xrays came back clear and the next step was to get Nate's head put back together. A plastic surgeon came in and explained the surgery. We had Nate transfered to another floor by the surgery room. By this time Nate was starting to come to a bit and was able to respond to our questions. Grandma gave him a five dollar bill that he held in his hand until the went to surgery. He also held on to a yellow bear that the ambulance drivers gave him. Someone came in and asked us if we wanted something to drink. Nate piped up and said he wanted some Root Beer. And for the next hour or so he wanted Root Beer. The DRs took his back in for surgery and we got settled into the waiting room. Grandma went home to be with the other boys and Steve and I tried to rest. The surgery was about two hours and we got to go back to see him. He was asking for root beer again! The nurses gave him some and that was all he drank for the first 12 hours or so. We had to be transfered to the other hospital because it housed the pediatric unit. Steve went in the ambulance with him and I drove my car. I dont remember much of that drive but I remember seeing the lighted tree on top of the hospital. We got situated in his room and were both ready for a long night. Nate did not want the oxygen mask on him or anywhere near him for that matter. That was one of the biggest fights we had for the first night. Trying to keep his oxygen saturations up. I slept with Nate in his bed for some of the night. The next morning we just kept a watchful eye on Nate and looked for signs of his little personality come out. Little by little he asked us thing and we asked him questions. He looked at his scrapes on his arms and hands and asked where he got the owies from. He did not remember!!! Thank goodness. He got up and went potty two times while we were in the hospital. I was amazed that he could stand up all by himself. At about noon the pediatrician came in and checked him out. He gave us the go ahead to go home. Nate had had a rough morning at the hospital and did not want to be touched. He was extra sensitive to any stimulation and all he wanted to do was go home. Steve and I drove him home about two oclock. Grandma had a bed all made up for him on the recliner. We had his favorite beanie babies and his favorite fire truck blanket. We spent much of the day trying to keep him comfortable but he was still very agitated and onry. It was a rough day for him and for all of us. At one point I was ready to take him back to the hospital just so they could watch him. I hated to see him cry and be uncomfortable. Steve and Grandma kept a good eye on him--with all of their medical knowledge and medical supplies. Paramedic school finally paid off!!! Each day Nate has got increasingly better and happier. He seems to be remembering more and more of the accident but I'm not sure if it is because we have talked about it so much. The brothers were amazingly tender with him for about the first 24 hours home. Now they are jealous of all the presents people have brought over for him. Tyler spent one evening talking to me about the accident. He told me details that I am not sure I wanted to hear but I am confident helped him begin to heal from the trauma of seeing this horrible accident. Steve has also seemed to be recovering from the initial shock. He has kept himself busy with some new solar powered appliances. He finally went to work today. I will post a section of the email that he sent to his brother. The emotions in it show how scared he was. As for me, I am wondering how I stayed so calm in spite if how terrified I was. I have never in my life been that calm yet so scared. I know without a doubt that we all were being watched over and guided by Heavenly Father and many angels. Thanks so much to everyone who said prayers in our behalf. I think about 90% of the Hurricane Fire and Rescue Department called or came by to see Steve and Nate. Many other members of our ward and more family members also called or paid a visit. THANK YOU for you love and prayers I know that we couldn't have made it without them. I will post pictures later but for now you can check some out on my facebook.

Back to School

The first day of school came and went without a hitch. The boys all love their teachers and are excited about school. Once again, I cant believe how much they have grown. It is strange not to have anyone at the babysitter all day...


Nate--Kindergarden

Luke--Second Grade

Austin --Fourth Grade

Tyler--Seventh Grade

As for me, I'm a bit overwhelmed with my class this year. I REALLY hope it gets better!!!
I chopped off my hair a few days before school started.

LDS Temple Open House

While we were up in Salt Lake we had the opportunity to attend the new temple in the South Jordan area. It has not been dedicated yet so we were able to take our boys inside to view the beautiful building and feel the spirit of our Heavenly Father. Nate was only interested in seeing the room the "You get married in" It was wonderful to be in the "sealing" room of the temple and to show our boys the two big mirrors on either side of the room that show a quick glimps of what eternity will look like.

Tyler took this pictures of us mid kiss. I love it! It is always fun to show the boys that inspite of the day in and day out stresses we still love each other. Although they all think that when we kiss it is so gross!!

I hope that the kids will always remember the feelings of peace that they felt in the temple. They were very well behaved inside the temple and I am sure it is because they felt the closeness to our Heavenly Father.