Ladies Craft Night and More!

I love this picture! I always wanted to have a sister.

That picture is totally unrelated to the craft night though. My friend and neighbor Kim Thurston has decided that we need to get to gether once a month and chanel our creative energy as women. All Mesquitions who are interested check out this cute project. The first craft night is Thursday, November 5th.

Oh, yeah . . . My friend Lori got me on this 30 day yeast cleanse diet. I have lost 10 pounds in 15 days. Ten down, ten to go.

Big Day!

The Boy.

The Gifts. (ignore the xmas wrapping paper on the big one)

The Cake.

The Birthday.
It was a great day to turn two. The sun rose warm and sunny on a home filled with love for a special little guy we like to call, Bubba. For an early treat we made cinamon rolls, topped it with candles and sang happy birthday. We tried to teach Malachi to blow on the fire that lit the candles, but he just didn't have the wind power.

In the evening when Daddy got home we celebrated with gifts and cake. Cambria was a little concerned that the party was kind of boring because only our immediate family was in attendance. So without my knowledge she invited our two neighbor friends who happened to be riding their bike down our street. When they came in they said "my mom and dad want us to bring home some cake for them too." I told them that if their mom and dad wanted cake then they would have to come and get it themselves:) So Cambria was satisfied that we had a few extra guests at Malachi's party.

Above he is reading a card from Gigi that plays music of course. It was a hit because he loves cards that make noise. Below he is opening the most inexpensive gift; a case of match box cars for $4.50. Guess what he loved those the best. He kept saying "wow-wee!" with big exagerated, round lips. He carries them everywhere.

He also loved this, but a little less than the cars.

I am not quite sure as to why the kids ended up eating their cake under the table, but they sure had fun. Who am I to the question the wisdom of childhood? I am just so happy to have Malachi in our life. He is such a sweet boy and brings great balance to our family. He is a treasured blessing.

We started a new tradition of compliments for the birthday boy. While we were sitting at the dinner table each one of us took a turn saying what we like best about Malachi.

Cambria said: He hits you, then he hugs you. He wants me when we are being babysat at other people's houses. It is fun when I get to be the mommy. I am glad that he has rootbeer colored eyes like me.

Kiera said: I like that he has lots of presents!

Kai said: I like that he likes balls.

Amy said: I like that he is so sweet. I like that he sings to himself, that he wants to copy everything that Kiera does, that he runs to Cambria at naptime because he thinks she can save him from the impending sleep. I love that he gives me sweet kisses and that he is still too young to be willfully disobedient.




Switching gears:
We had our Tea Party gathering on September 12. We only had about 21 people. 10 people cancled when we changed the time but we didn't want to hold signs in the 102 degree weather. It was much more pleasant at 6PM. We only had two rude comments. One was directed at Kiera and me when we were standing all alone doing nothing more than holding the American flag (I didn't know that was offensive) and the people on the other side of the street got flipped off. Other than that we had lots of honking horns and cheers and thumbs up and shouts of approval. It was really fun actually. Here is the article they did on our event in the local paper. The didn't post the picture though so I will post that later. (We were on the oppositte side of the street from where this picture is taken - although Cambria and Sean are in this photo.)

The 9/12 Project- Please READ ME

I have never been one to follow politics or even care about them for that matter. That all changed this year. I'm not trying to be a hater, but I am concerned and I no longer feel like I have the luxury to ignore what is happening with my government.

I have started a new blog and I beg you to take a peek at it. A lot of people are completely unaware and we need to know. I would love civil, insightful comments- all of you are my friends and family and I love you all. I tried to stick closely to the facts with little personal commentary.
_________
Kai and I are hosting a TEA PARTY at 6PM tonight. We are meeting at the Smith's parking lot. Glenn Beck was the instigator of this project and already tens of thousands of people lined a mile long walk in front of our capital this afternoon.

This is what it is about:

The Nine Principles
1. America is good.
2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.

12 Values
Honesty
Reverence
Hope
Thrift
Humility
Charity
Sincerity
Moderation
Hard Work
Courage
Personal
Gratitude


Is This Reasonable To Request?
To Congress, The 5 Pledges

1. I believe in a balanced budget and therefore will vote for a freeze in government spending until that goal is realized.


2. I believe government should not increase the financial burden on its citizenry during a difficult economic times, therefore I will oppose all tax increases until our economy has rebounded.

3. I believe more than four decades of US dependence on foreign oil is a travesty, therefore I will support an energy plan that calls for immediately increasing usage of all domestic resources including nuclear energy, natural gas and coal as necessary.


4. I believe in the sovereignty and security of our country and therefore will support measures
to close our borders except for designated immigration points so we will know who is entering and why. I will vehemently oppose any measure giving another country, the United Nations, or any other entity power over US citizens.


5. I believe the United States of America is the greatest country on earth and therefore will not apologize for policies or actions which have served to free more and feed more people around the world than any other nation on the planet.

---Glenn Beck: In or Out 2010 If your politician doesn't believe, support or reflect these beliefs in their actions then they aren't supporting you. More importantly, they aren't supporting, protecting or defending the Constitution.

The week in review

i don't know what kind of news I could write to make people interested enough to comment on my blog but it is surely interesting to me that I have lost some weight!!! My pants sag right off of my waist now. I have been running 3times a week since May and it has been hard to tell if any weight has been falling off. I could tell that my legs were getting back into shape and that I was feeling more fit, but the numbers on the scale only dropped by a few little pounds that I didn't feel was very reflective of all the work I was putting in. Finally last night I put these pants on and realized that even if the numbers don't way what I thin or want them to say, something good is finally happening!


The blond missionary in this picture is Elder Hanson. We have known him his whole mission-he has been here through at least two transfers but maybe even three. He is somewhat shy and reminds me of my brother Chris who is also serving a mission. Elder Hanson helped demo our bathroom when we were going to put new tile in. (I'll post a picture of that when it is all painted.)
Cambria thinks he is really cute and I suggested that we call him Elder Handsome. She was mortified at the thought of me ever mentioning such a thing. Elder Koontz is his companion- we like him too and he is still here in our area.

Kai wanted me to take this picture of our little beloved. Soon it will happen and their is no way for me to stop it. This week our little baby will turn two which means he will no longer be our little baby but a full fledged toddler. . . time flies on the swiftest of wings.

I found this picture in a photo album that my grandma has. The bride and groom are John and Libbie Ferguson, the aunt and Uncle we just had such a great time with in Utah. My mom is the red head on the left. It is fun to see a picture like this of all my aunts.

Kai has been having quite an interesting time at the High School where he teaches . One of the classes that he has to sit through with his sped student has been teaching about evolution vs. creationism. On the black board notes that the students were supposed to copy said creationism was a theory based of faith that has no scientific proof to support it. Evolution included notes that said scientifically proven. Kai was quite upset at these notes but didn't feel like he could say anything in front of the students to directly contradict the teacher. After what seemed like an eternity a student raised his hand and asked "How has evolution been scientifically proven?" To which the teacher stammered and finally admitted, "Well, I guess it is really just a theory . . ."

Wow- do you know what your kids are being taught?

The next day was teaching about how we evolved from apes. The same students asked "if we evolved from apes, then why aren't apes still evolving into humans?" Good question right? The teacher then had to explain that once again it was just a theory. Good thing that student spoke up. It is amazing what liberties teachers can take these days. He was presenting theory as fact. Pretty scary. It makes me remember that I need to be involved in my kids education and know what they are learning everyday.

Say What? July and August edition

Cambria: (about our campfire dinner) I will always remember this night . . . (takes a bite of Kai's cheddar wurts sausage) but this I will forget, yuck!

Kai: That is the coolest new bike seat! (Kiera's princess bike seat brke off and when we got a new one, let's just say it didn't match the whole princess theme- we were afraid she would hate it.)
Kiera: Yeah, I know! It looks like batman!

Kiera: Mom, everyone who was nice to me in primary is getting a real live monkey!
Me: A real monkey?! Is that your thank you gift?
K: yes.
Me: Where will you get them?
Kiera: The jungle of course.

Cambria: Me and Kiera are going to be jungle girls when we grow up. We'll get married and tell our husbands we are moving to the jungle, not a house or a hotel and we wont wear underwear, only leaves.
Kiera: (rolling her eyes) And I will have to sew her clothes everyday.

Kiera: Jungle girls don't live any more do they?
Me: I think so . . .
Kiera: but even if they don't me and Cambria are going to be them anyway!

Me: Oops, I'm sorry did I bump your face?
K:(sweetly) Yeah, it's okay, just don't ever do it again.

K:What's this?
Me: It called plaster of paris (sp?). It's a dinosaur mold.
K: Can i hear it like a seashell (holds it to her ear ) oh! I hear Paris people talking . . . and a T-Rex!

Me: I'm going to start calling you "band-aid." That is your new name.
K:The Prince won't like that name. ( I don't know what prince she is referring to.)
Me: Well, he needs to know that you use a lot of band aids. I will tell him, Prince . . .
Kiera: (cutting me off) NOoooooooo!
Me: Okay, if you go brush your teeth right now I won't tell the prince about your band aid obsession.

Me: Hmm, those eggs are not the best.
K: Shhh! You'll hurt their feelings!

Me: Did you brush your teeth?
K: (shakes head yes) Shake, shake, shake, butter, butter, butter, brush, brush, brush!

Grammy: Kiera don't you want to try and go to sleep?
Kiera: hmmmm, do I want to go to sleep? hmmmm, do I want to go to sleep? . . . .hmmmm, that is a good question?

Me: (whispered) Sleep good, okay.
Bubba: (whispered) okay.

Seen: Bubba giving knuckles to 5 month old Justus.

Me: Every time I ride in this elevator I get light headed.
Cambria: (look of surprise- lifts up hair from over my ear) Let me see!

Me: Cassidy, I am afraid Kiera has come down with the chicken pox.
Kiera: And then I will jump out and say "Cock -a -doodle-doo!"


August

Kiera: I hate this new timer because you always set it for 5 minutes!
Me: I know, I love this new timer!
Kiera: Well I hate it! It is such like a naughty word!

Cambria: I wonder who thought of a unicorn.
Kiera: (Yelling down the hall) Jesus made them!

Cambria: Mermaid an satisfaction! (giggling) Uh, I can't believe I just id that! I don't even know what it means!

Kiera: Dad wants me to help him get water but my legs are all tingly and you know how that feels . . . you can't really walk.

me: EW! Your feet are all black from walking in the garage!
Kiera: They look like burned cookies. Every time I see them I want to eat them!

Our Friend Jodi sent us home from her house with two goldfish: Chanel and Princess.
Kiera: Cambria, isn't having a pet great!
Cambria: Yeah, this is even better than having a horse!