Joy School Christmas

Amelie performed in her Joy School Christmas play on Monday night for family and on Tuesday morning for a rest home. Somehow, I was nominated (did I volunteer for this?) to narrate and lead the songs. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Amelie was the angel and delivered her lines so well. She also did an excellent job on the songs and would love to perform them for you--just give her a call and she will sing them to you. She is a smart and talented little girl with a great deal of self-confidence and assurance. She was a little unsure of the elderly at the rest home, but the performance was a great success. The staff and residents couldn't stop telling us how much they enjoyed it and appreciated us coming. We were even asked to come back next year and perform not only for the regular ward, but also for the alzheimer's wing. We have been trying to focus more on the giving than receiving as this Christmas is going to be small (I have gotten far too carried away in the past and really, how many toys does one kid need? e don't have room for what we already have. let alone add to it). Plus, as a Joy School, each student is choosing one of their own toys to give away to a children's/woman's shelter. It has been tough for Amelie to choose, but a very good lesson in giving.

Billy gets the Grade

I can't tell you just how wonderful it has been to have Billy with us this year!! He is such a wonderful young man! I couldn't ask for a better big brother, either. Amelie and Eric love to play with him and Tanner loves to smile and laugh with him. Billy has worked hard, too. He has earned quite a few merit badges and on his report card, he got 7 A's and one B. This was his first time ever on the Honor Roll and we couldn't be more thrilled!! I have thoroughly enjoyed helping him with his homework, too. I know, I'm crazy, but I miss teaching and helping Billy is helping me get my teaching 'fix.' Thanks, Billy for helping me keep up on my teaching skills. His teachers all enjoy him, too. They all praised his work and efforts as I visited with them at Parrent-Teacher conferences. Billy is simply the best!

P.S. On December 17, Billy was in the local newspaper (The Daily Interlake) for his academic acheivements in making the honor roll! Way to go, Billy! We are so proud of you!

Chubby Monkey

Tanner had his 4 month check up this morning and I knew he would blow me away. Here is the update:

He is 18 lbs. 7 oz. (at least a pound bigger than both Amelie and Eric were at this stage) and 27 1/2 inches long (again, at least an inch or more longer than both Amelie and Eric were). This places him in the 97th percentile for weight and the 98th percentile for height. The doctor even joked that she had a tough time checking his hips and legs because they are so thick (and he honestly had little chicken legs when he was born!). But she is not worried about his size--he is a happy, happy, happy, healthy little baby--and so strong! I threaten to cut my hair if he pulls it again because it hurts so much--watch out Darth Vadar, this one has a death grip of his own! And he was smiling and laughing with the doctor, just like he does all the time with Amelie and Billy. (They especially grab his attention.) He is truly a wonderful baby, though gone are the 6-7 hour stretches at night. That's because he is teething. The front of his shirts/bibs are soaked with drool and we are constantly pulling his fingers and thumbs out of his mouth. At least he'll try chewing on a pacifier! We all love watching him and talking to him and playing with him. He's our little chubby monkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today being Thanksgiving, I would like to take a minute and reflect on all the things for which I am thankful. I have a tremendous husband who loves me so much. I have six wonderful children without whom life would not be complete. I have a family who loves me and whom I love. I have a warm (usually) home that keeps us safe. I have a knowledge of God and Jesus Christ that leads me and guides me every day through all I do. I have wonderful friends all over the world whom I love and cherish. I have many luxuries of life. And though life is never without its trials, I am so thankful for my life and for all that Heavenly Father has given to me!

Here are a few pictures from our Turkey feast today. We had a wonderfully relaxing day and even started pulling the Christmas decorations out tonight. Tomorrow, we go to the mountains to chop down our own tree!!! I can't wait!

Parlez-vous français?

Jim is in Georgia for training this week, so when I picked up the phone this morning and it had his name listed as the caller, I was, of course, excited. I answered and the voice on the other end responded, "Bonjour!" Jim often does this (which is almost the extent of his French knowledge, though he tries, and of course remembers the bad words that my sister Anna taught him), so I didn't think anything of it. But, then the voice continued in French. "Oui, bonjour--Parlez vous français?"
Still, I thought it was Jim and he had learned/remembered this phrase, so I played along. "Oui, je parle français." Then, however, the voice at the other end started a full blown conversation with me in French and I knew it was definitely not my wonderful hubby. He had met a Moroccan at the training who, of course, spoke French and had him call me so I could speak with him in French. It has been at least a year since I have spoken to anyone in French, so it was a truly wonderful little surprise! And though I had to think for a second--and switch my mind over to French, I thoroughly enjoyed it! I know I made a few mistakes, but it was nice to know I can still communicate in French. What a simple but ever so sweet gesture from my wonderful hubby! Passez une bonne journée!! A la prochaine~

how do you do it???

Help!!
I see so many cute blog pages and I know your templates are not on the blogsite itself--where do you get them and how do you use them/add them/implement them into your blog? Can someone teach me?

So, I love the Twilight series--thanks, Tiffany for introducing them to me. And I took the quiz on my cousin Jerusha's blog to see which girl I was like the most. And well, I'm an Esme. I like her a lot and I do seem a lot like her character, so I guess, if the shoe fits . . .
I am excited to see the movie come out in December. Maybe that could be my birthday treat! (Hint, Hint!) I love to read most books, but this one was enjoyable and I had no idea it was written by a Mormon until I had completed the series. So, when is my inspiration and amazing plotline going to come to me so I can write a multi-million doolar series?! I keep brainstorming and hoping :) Perhaps someday . . . or maybe not.

Here's the link to find out which character you resemble most:

http://twilightersanonymous.com/Quizzes/Find-out-which-female-character-you-are.html