Jani's Dance Concert

Janika LOVES her social dance class.  She also likes her dance partner.  Tonight they had a dance concert.  They dressed "50's" and did the swing.  Awesome flip, huh?  

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving!  Shane (my younger brother) and his wife Alicia (my sister-in-law) came down Wednesday evening with their adorable girls and stayed through Sunday morning.  The cousins played non-stop and had a blast!   Our friends, the Healeys, also stayed overnight on Wednesday on their way to Vegas. 

Thursday we had a delicious Thanksgiving feast and then played around.  Shane and Alicia made these awesome pies -- two of them with gluten free crust!  Yeah!!  They were SO good!  They brought a fun game down called "Ticket to Ride" and Jase was totally addicted.  He LOVES games -- especially strategic ones and was bugging them to play it with him about every five minutes.  Janelle really got into the game playing too.  The younger kids enjoyed more simple games such as "Apples to Apples Jr."  They also had fun watching movies on the big screen (wall)  in the basement.

The kids eight and younger all slept in the basement on air mattresses and sleeping bags.  The girls made a "girl's club" and made a sign and even made up a song about it.  Jaiden sung it to me -- it was actually quite catchy.  You may find it on the top ten one of these days.  Alicia also did a photo shoot of our family while she was here (can't wait to see the pictures!)  The weekend went way too fast.  Thanks for coming, Shane and Alicia! 

Sleeping Children

These three kids share a king sized bed.  Josh and Jaiden always fall right asleep but Jenna is always more difficult to get to bed.  She loves sleeping next to a warm body though.  If she ever ends up in bed with us she snuggles right next to me.  It is precious and sweet for about five minutes, but then I can't sleep with her little arms flopping all over me.  A few nights ago Josh and Jaiden were already sound asleep when I put her in bed.  She cried and screamed as usual but then after a few minutes all was quiet.  A little later I went to check on them and she had plopped herself right in between her brother and sister and went to sleep.  Notice her little arm sprawled out across Jaiden.  I took a picture and then spread them all apart again so that they wouldn't wake each other up.  They looked so sweet!

Geckathon

I knew Jase was doing the Geckathon (mini-triathlon) again this year but didn't know what day.  Unfortunately I had already been scheduled for an interpreting appointment a month in advance and so I had to miss it.  I was really disappointed because I really would have liked to have watched him.

This morning Jase got ready to leave on his bike about 12 minutes before he was supposed to arrive at the swimming pool.  He came in the house all upset saying that his bike had broken.  I hurried and called one of my neighbors asking if I could borrow one of their bikes and they said that was fine.  So we drove over, grabbed the bike, and I dropped him off at the pool.  I then hurried home and brought all of the kids to school and hurried back to the pool to see him swim.  But they had the girls race first and so I wasn't able to watch him since I had to leave for my appointment.   Later on I got the full report.  Jase and his friend, Ky, decided to stick together.  When they were biking they came across a boy whose bike tire had popped.  They decided to get off their bikes and walk with him.  So either they were very sportsmanlike and wanted to give this kid some moral support or they were just plain lazy -- I'm not sure which.

So to make a long story short, they came in almost last place.  But at least they get a "pat on the back" for moral support and good sportsmanship!

Happy Birthday Rick!

Rick has the cake backwards -- he is 43, not 34.  Maybe it is wishful thinking.  It was a tough day with Rick gone for his usual church responsibilities.  We had kids crying, whining, fighting, throwing tantrums and having melt-downs all day long.  Josh screamed and bawled the whole way home from church and for a good half hour after we got home because he couldn't find his leaf picture.  Then he found it right there in his front pant's pocket.  Jaiden was having a melt-down because she couldn't find the shirt she wanted to wear.  Jenna was crying because she wanted to play outside in the freezing weather.  Jase was everywhere except were he was supposed to be.  We had a big disjointed breakfast this morning and a yummy roast-beef dinner tonight.  Rick received several birthday calls.  We played a game of "Don't Eat Pete," which was difficult because Jenna kept taking all of the candy when it wasn't her turn.  (Notice her trying to blow out the candles on the cake).  She was so cute this morning.  She kept saying, "Happy Dirday!  Happy Dirday!"  The upswing was that the three youngest were in bed by 7:30.   Then the rest of us played Mexican Train.  Well, I started playing but then Janelle took my place while I uploaded my pictures and made hot chocolate and marshmallows for everyone.  They are still going strong.  We are so grateful for Rick.  He is a wonderful husband and father and I certainly feel his absence when he is not home (like on Sundays)!   So Happy Birthday Sweetie -- I look forward to many many more years to come.  I love you!

Puddles

Last night Rick and I went to a neighbor's wedding reception and then to Janika's play.  Rick and I went to pick up our Bountiful Baskets together and then went yard sale shopping.  One of the sales happened to be at a friend's house and I got a very nice comforter set.  I had wanted one for awhile and so I was excited.  Jared went on a scout hike to see some hieroglyphics.  It was cold outside but hopefully the exercise kept him warm.  I brought Janika in to get her hair colored.  She wanted to go back to her natural hair color so that she doesn't have to keep getting touch ups.  I agreed -- we don't need unnecessary expenses right now.  We matched it up to her natural color but it looks darker.  It looks really pretty and should fade a little to match her natural color.   

Rick went shopping with Janelle at Costco and who should they run into but President Uchtdorf and his wife!  Janelle said that she got to high five him and told him that she was just baptized.  Rick got to shake his hand and talk to them for just a minute.  I guess they are staying in town for the week.  Pretty cool! 

Tonight Janika went to her "Peter Pan" performance and then to the Stake dance.  Rick and I went to the temple.  Jase was baby-sitting -- but obviously not very well.  I came home to find soaking wet towels all over the kitchen floor.  Apparently Jase was playing the Wii while all of the other kids were watching.  All of them except for Jenna that is.  She was "washing her hands" in the sink.  She knows how to push a chair over to the sink and turn on the water.  This time she happened to find the stopper which she put in the sink.  Soon the sink was full and started overflowing causing a flood of puddles all over the floor.  Gauging by the number of wet towels on the floor, it took him awhile to notice.  Grrrr!  When Rick got home he took the Wii away and Jase has to earn it back.  Jase is so responsible when it comes to his school and church duties and also some of his jobs at home.  I never have to remind him to take out the garbage each week the night before garbage day.  But I guess we need to go back to our "No Wii or Video games while baby-sitting rule!"  

Awards Night, Piano Recital, and Peter Pan

Today the kids played at our neighbor's house while I went to an appointment.  Tonight was ASL class, an awards night for Jared, Janelle's piano recital, and Janika's opening night at Peter Pan.  Rick went to Jared's recognition night where he received the Academic Award.  Janelle's recital was "students only."  I picked up some of the kids after my class and went to Janika's show.  Friday night Rick and I went to her show again.  The show had improved a lot since the matinee's (from what I heard).  It was a fun show and we enjoyed it.  The sets were awesome!  Janika was a pirate and did a great job staying in character.  She had the face and limp down pat.  She looked really cute even with her mean expressions.  Captain Hook was a great actor -- he was hilarious and had a great accent.  Janika had a blast with it and is already looking forward to auditions for the Spring show.

Hot Pink

Last week I went to one of Jase's Choir performances.  Apparently last year when the choir director asked the kids what color they wanted their shirts. the boys said they wanted pink.  So pink it was.  This year the boys voted for pink again -- hot pink no less.  Jase told me he did NOT vote for it but the majority did.  The girls have turquoise blue.  Next time I will bring my camera to get a shot of the whole choir.  They are definitely bright!  Jase does look pretty cute though.

Mortified!

Yesterday one of Jaiden's little school-friends called (actually her mom called) to see if Jaiden could walk home with her daughter after school and stay for a play date.  Jaiden was thrilled and started jumping up and down at the prospect.  I said that would be great and I would pick her up after on my way to class.  Jaiden had been there before for a birthday party but this was her first play date with this friend.  Well today ended up being a busy day.  I babysat our cute neighbor girls in the morning and then Janika and a friend came home for lunch after the matinee' of their play.  I brought Jani and her friend back to school and soon after the kids arrived home early because of Parent Teacher Conferences.  (Speaking of which, I went to all three conferences yesterday and they all got absolutely glowing reports).

Jase usually rides the bus, but I got a call from him saying he needed a ride home since he had stayed after school for student council.   Rick called and asked if I could meet him at the hospital before my class to visit a member of our branch who had recently had surgery.  So I dropped Janelle off to piano and called to make sure Jared got off to scouts.  I told Janika there was a ham cooking and asked if she could start some rice and vegetables and asked her to remind Rick to bring Jared to pack meeting when he got home.

I taught my class and it went well.  As soon as I start teaching I become absorbed in that and all thoughts of home are out of my mind until the drive home.  I thought it was cute that my whole class (I only have 10 students and two were missing today) squeezed together to be on the front row.  It is arranged in tables and doesn't fit everyone on one row but they squeezed in so that no one would be left out on a different row.  I said I felt very privileged to have a class where everyone wanted to sit on the front row!

Anyway, I was driving home feeling happy and calm when Rick called and said, "Jaiden still isn't home..."  "JAIDEN??  OH NO!  I completely forgot about her!  I can't believe it -- she is still at her friend's house and has been there for (I quickly did the math) SIX HOURS!  OH NO!  I am SO embarrassed!"  I drove as fast as I dared to pick her up, mentally conjuring up all of my pathetic excuses for forgetting her.  I imagined the mother checking the clock hour after hour, wondering exactly what kind of mother would leave her six year old with someone they hardly knew for hours on end.

Anyway, I arrived and apologized profusely again and again and explained that I had completely forgotten about her (terrible, I know).  It wouldn't have been so bad if it was someone I knew well and that knew that I was normally a very responsible person.  Of course she was very gracious and understanding and said that the girls had played and had a great time and Jaiden just ate dinner with them.

I told her I hoped we could do another play date again if she wasn't scared off by this fluke of irresponsibe behavior.  She assured me that they would do it again.  When I got home I asked Rick if he didn't wonder where Jaiden was. He said he did but that the kids just said she was at a friend's house.  He asked our kids if the friend's parents were bringing her home and they said yes so he didn't worry about it.  

No, I was supposed to pick her up and man was I ever MORTIFIED that I forgot.  I suppose it could have been worse.  At least it wasn't one of those "left my child at the gas station" stories. But I still feel terrible!  Jaiden didn't care, she had a great time.  Well, I guess I will go check my calendar for the twentieth time today to make sure I haven't forgotten anything important!

Primary Program

Our kids had their primary program today and did a great job.  Right now we only have six kids from our deaf branch who are in primary (and four of those are our kids).  All of the kids are hearing and go to primary with the hearing ward (who meets in the same building at the same time as us).  So we combined with the hearing ward for Sacrament meeting so that our members could enjoy the primary program as well.  The whole group of primary kids had learned two of the songs in sign language and then I had each of our primary kids come up and sign the other songs.  They did a great job!  I always love the primary program.  It is one of my favorite sacrament meetings of the whole year!

Sunday Shots

I tried to take some pictures before church but it is pretty much impossible to get everyone to cooperate and smile at the same time!  I saw a commercial on TV for a photo editing program that puts an invisible square around each person's head.  Then you can take several pictures and swap in the heads from one picture to another until you get everyone smiling.  We really need to get that program!  Maybe that is why we take so many silly pictures -- then the kids can do whatever they want and it doesn't matter.  But then they don't know how to stop being silly when I want them to smile!

More Baptism Pictures

Janelle's Thoughts on her Baptism

Janelle was SO excited for her baptism today.  She has been looking forward to getting baptized for years!  This morning she was saying, "It is finally here, I am getting baptized TODAY!"  She couldn't have been more thrilled.  When we got home, Janelle's Grandma typed up some of Janelle's thoughts.  I thought they were so sweet that I decided to include them below.  (It also helps me know where we need to clear up a little doctrine!) 

Janelle’s Feelings About Her Baptism

I feel really special because of course my mother and dad let me get baptized and because I chose to get baptized.  I feel really good because I feel warm because I promised Heavenly Father special things when I got baptized and when I received the Holy Ghost.  I promised Him to be a good example, and I am.  Of course I am really nice, and I am sometimes tender to people.  I treat people like I should be treated, treating them like I want to play with them, and I always smile at people.

When my sins got washed away I felt really good inside.  When I got all the way down it was a little cold but when I just stepped in the water then it felt warm.  I wasn’t scared because I knew Heavenly Father would protect me, and He did.  

I felt really good because I chose to be baptized and my dad baptized me.  Only dads have the priesthood.  Some boys are not old enough, but they will probably get it when they are about eighteen.  Girls don’t have the priesthood because they have the power to have babies.  My family taught me this.  I felt really special because I knew that Heavenly Father and Jesus and my family would protect me from Satan.  I know when you turn eight he can hurt your feet and Jesus can crush his head. 

Probably about 19 or 20 (people) came to my baptism.   Grandma Jensen and Gerilyn and Grandma and Grandpa Westra came from far away.  I felt really special that they came from far away for my baptism.  It was so special that they would choose to do that.

Baptism Pictures

We made it to the Stake Center on time in spite of a few shoe problems this morning. Jaiden let Jenna wander around outside with no shoes on making her only decent pair of tights wet and dirty.  Then I couldn't find Janelle or Jenna's black Sunday shoes anywhere!  I was frantically searching through closets and underneath beds.  Josh's shoes broke last week and I bought some new ones the same size but when I tried them on this morning they didn't fit.   So we were scrambling and had to make-do with their summer sandals.

But everything went smoothly for the baptism.  I was so impressed that Janelle's first and second grade teachers took the time out of their busy schedules to come to her baptism.  Janelle friend Boots and the Purdys came too.  We were also happy to have some of the Deaf Branch members come to support her.  I love baptisms -- the spirit is always so strong and each and every one.  I remember that from my mission.  No matter what the circumstance, the spirit was always there.

We did a last minute musical number with all of the kids singing and signing "I Like to Look For Rainbows" and it was really sweet.  Janelle received such a beautiful blessing for her confirmation.  She really is a special little girl.  We felt really lucky that Grandma and Grandpa Westra could travel down for her baptism as well as Grandma Jensen and Gerilyn.  After the baptism we came home and had a delicious early Thanksgiving feast!  Janelle was excited to receive her own set of nice scriptures from Grandma Jensen with her name on them.  We enjoyed relaxing the rest of the day!