Footings

Well, there's progress..... Apparently, our engineer wanted to make extra sure our foundation wasn't going anywhere because he over, over-did the footings. Which is really great and all that, but also more expensive. I guess we have footings that could hold a 3-4 story building - so we can always add up! :) That also takes a little longer, of course. But, the holes are really fun to play in!
This is what Lafe does EVERY time we go to the property. In case you can't see it, he has a really long measuring tape.

My little soap-box

My sister-in-law sent me these videos, and I started to think about how important this issue is to me and that it's something I can blog about. There are more repercussions to letting same-sex marriage become normal and lawful than we can even imagine! There are reasons that our Heavenly Father created two genders and that is so that we can create children under the SACRED union of marriage. Marriage is between one man and one woman - period! And, I get SO frustrated with people calling this discrimation and bigotry - they are nowhere near the same. We watched "The Great Debators" this weekend and I came away realizing how our generation and especially our childrens' generation, really cannot comprehend the civil rights issue and looking at different races so differently - So Grateful! But, it also made it more definite in my mind that this issue is NOTHING like the black people faced in their lives for civil rights. Their discrimination and vile mistreatment was simply because of the color of their skin. Same-sex marriage/relationships are a choice and a sinful choice. You cannot compare someone's sin to someone else's simple right to live even though they are darker. If you have this issue coming to ballot in your state, please vote for keeping marriage between one man and one woman.
Two great websites:
http://www.standformarriage.com/

http://www.yesformarriage.com/

Four videos well-worth watching!:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1784521903
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1784553601
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1749436976< color="#cc0000">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx-glEL5SHE

Erin's 13!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Erin!!!

Erin is 13 today!!! Woohoo! Erin is a great oldest child! She tries so hard at EVERYTHING she does, and does really well. She is a great example to her litte brothers and sisters, and really wants to help out her mom. Erin loves playing the flute, school, friends, and playing sports. She's extremely responsible and loves being in Mutual at church. WE LOVE ERIN!!! Happy Birthday!

This was at her Birthday swimming party on Friday night - she had a blast and was SOOOO excited to see her friends from Elementary school! P.s. - that thing she's holding is kind-of like a water disco-ball - it has lights that shine down into the pool, but it has many different settings and colors. It's really fun. We gave it to Grandpa and she special requested to use it for her birthday :)

IT"S FALL!!!

Today is the first day of FALL!!! Yeahhhhhhhhh!!! Even though we don't see much of fall around here, I still love it because it's means cooler temps, eventually. I really miss feeling the season's brisk air and seeing the beautiful fall leaves. And, I love feeling it get a little darker each day - it's like a sign to get all cozy inside for the winter - ooooohhhhhhh!

Tagged...

Okay, so my sister-in-law tagged me and I get to tag five of you out there-- yipee!!! Here's how it goes: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current collections/obsessions, and 3 surprising facts. I'll post them on my blog, and then if you get tagged, you post your info on your blog and tag five more people.


3 Joys:
-My family!
-Chocolate!
-Beautiful cool breezes through the trees in the mountains!

3 Fears:
-Losing my husband or child to death
-Not teaching my children enough to keep them strong in the Gospel and able to withstand the world
-Driving on bridges over water (see previous posts)

3 current collections/obsessions:
-Books - I love to get my kids books and see what they're reading. I'm trying to be obsessed with reading myself, also, but I just feel so guilty just sitting.
-Thimbles - I have thimbles from places I've visited all over the world. My mom started collecting spoon when I was in high school, and I wanted to collect something, too, but different, so I collect thimbles.
-Blogging - my sanity and connection to people right now. I love being able to check in on people without bugging them.

3 surprising facts:
-I lived in Germany when I was little.
-I enjoy laundry and grocery shopping - I know, weird! I love being able to get all the laundry done and put away (doesn't always happen) and it feels like the kids all got new clothes every week! And, grocery shopping - I love to buy anything, even food - it's fun!
-I'm not a dog person! - surprising if you've been reading my blog because we do puppies, but I don't care for dogs. They have wet noses in your face and other places I don't want, their breath ALWAYS stinks, they bark, they poop all over my backyard, and they always want attention. I much prefer cats because they love you, lay there quietly, are soft, and cute - but they do shed. Every once in a while I think I might could enjoy loving a dog more, but I think it will have to wait until I don't have a little child that needs so much of the same attention!

So, I've decided I'm not too exciting, but there you go. Now I tag: Lori, Kelli, Julie, Heather, and Cindy and anyone else - I'd love to read about you!

Ball!

So, I'm driving down to pick the kids up from school today, and Kelcie fell asleep, so I'm having an occasional conversation with Talin. He points out a motorcycle going by, I think. Then, I'm sitting at an intersection that sometimes backs up for over 1/2 a mile (those of you down there probably know which one), and I hear "Mama! Ball!". I didn't think much of it the first time. After a few minutes I hear it again and happen to look back and he's pointing out the window. So, I quickly look to find what he is looking at. The "ball" was one of the water towers and, sure enough, it was a perfect white "ball"! I got so excited and told him "I see it, I see it!" He got excited, too, and said something that sounds like "I see it!" We move a little forward and it hides behind a hill "Mama! Ball! Whe-is-it?" We were having so much fun with this "ball". Soon, it reappeared - "The-i-is!" "Ball!" So cute! I love rediscovering the world through my kids. This age is so fun because everything is new and they are trying so hard to express themselves. I think they just love it when they are understood. Moments like those you just treasure and appreciate your kids. Too sappy? - sorry.

Student of the Month

O.k., so I've decided this month is totally about Erin (her birthday's even coming up!). On Wednesday, she had TWO teachers choose her for Student of the Month!!! SO COOL!!! Her band teacher and her literature teacher both picked her - how neat! Congratulations, Erin - GREAT WORK!!!

My girl - almost 13

This is the beautiful picture our Bishop's wife (or my friend Amy :) ) took of Erin for Evening of Excellence - I just had to share. She doesn't know, but as soon as we have the place to put them (aka the new house) we want one of each of the kids and our family - she's wonderful! I have to advertise a little for her because I just love her and her work, so here's her Photography site: http://web.mac.com/kroffamy Thanks again, Amy!!!

Ward Campout

Last night we went up to the mountains for our ward campout - It was SO FUN!!! The kids had a blast dancing to the music and running around with friends. Saturday morning we had this wonderful breakfast and then just played around. The kids picked wild Blackberries that were so yummy, and just had a great time playing around in the trees. We spent the afternoon back at Lafe's parents' cabin that is just right there, too, and the kids played all afternoon together and happy! SO FUN!!! So glad we could go this year.

Real Groundbreaking

O.k. - for real, now! The guys were leveling, etc. our land today!!! Not too exciting, but after a week of really good rain (which we LOVED so we're not complaining!), we're just really excited to see something actually happen on our lot!

Evening of Excellence

Erin had Evening of Excellence tonight for Young Women's. She's been so excited because she had a goal to have finished one value experience completely by this night, and she actually finished two!!! She finished Knowledge and Individual Worth. For her ten-hour projects she pieced and tied a quilt from her old baby blankets and pj pants, and then she also tutored a couple of girls in math. It was such a beautiful night - they did an awesome job!

FHE Treat

Yummmmmmmmm!