Christmas Joy 2008

What does it mean if you get a coconut in your stocking?

Mia and her new coat.

Waiting to go downstairs Christmas morning.

That's not an Elf! That's a Man!!

Grandma with a few of her grandboys.

The Christmas Mama's.

Loved Christmas. . . The Party at my house for my Shaw family, Christmas Eve at my old ward bld. and Christmas morning with my best Pal Al and my little darlings. I loved it all! The Shaw party was a success because my sister-in-law Cori who had been in and out of the hospital just the week prior to our party was able to come. And I really, really love her. I made home made rolls which were, dare I say, fabulous! And I made a DVD slideshow of Al's side of the family. Some laughs and tears were shared, so "snaps" to me.

The Christmas Eve party had loads of food, which is always a great way to start a party, then a not to long, but great program, with syncronized swimming from the boy cousins, piano playing from some little ones, the nativity, and a great song sung by the little girls to a tune from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou." Kathy provided a pinata and there was only a small amount of bawling (I just typed bowling) so a success I say.

Christmas morning was sweet because we slept in until 8:00. We knelt upstairs for our traditional prayer and then I made the kids sit on the stairs for their favorite part of the morning--pictures! Not. There was a super nice happy feeling all morning and I felt nothing but blessed, blessed, blessed.

Mad Marcus

Mr. Chubby Cheeks with Auntie Shannon.

Wrapping up Christmas Morning.

Normal angry look, though usually w/o the gun.

Lover of all animals, especially dog Yoja.

Wearing Mia's too small, 3 yr old Bunny Costume

He loves any and all things StarWars.

With new snowboard at the Bearlake Cabin.

I remember perfectly the afternoon, just 4 days before Christmas when I got a call from my friend at DCFS who said, "I am holding a beautiful little boy who is only 2 days old, we just picked him up from the hospital. Will you guys take him?? He has nowhere to go!" I was prepared to say "no" (having known the pain of fostering a baby who had to be sent back to an abusive birthmother). But I found myself saying, "Yes, bring him over."

Since bursting into our lives, Marcus brought with him animal impersonations, wild, loud tantrums, sullen moments, sweet hugs, 1000's of kisses and lots and lots and lots of laughs.

He regularly imitates movies, people and animals. He can dance with moves you would probably only see on "Dancing with the Stars". One moment he will yell, at me and call me a "bumb head" and the next he will pat my face and say, "A lovely mother you are!" But of course it is said in Yoda's voice.

He gets frustrated easily like when he is doing his homework or trying to get me to let him do something I just said, "no" to. And then the next thing you know we've hit a landmine, KABAMM!! He is ripping up his homework or ripping his room apart, throwing things, or perhaps scrapping a nail in long gashes upon his newly painted walls. Finally the anger will blow over, though this can take ten minutes to possibly two hours. But once it has passed, I can go in pull him onto my lap and just hug and kiss him and maybe quietly read a book together. When he was only three we went to the doctors. After getting his throat swabbed he was so mad he spit on the doctor, threw his succer at her and screamed, "Stupid Woman dwiver." I think that came from "101 Dalmations", Apparently it was the worst thing he could come up with at the moment. He also ripped out a small amount of my hair.

On the other side he is so funny. Alan will be sternly trying to correct his behavior and he will be making goofy faces the entire time and murmuring, "yeeeessss, yeeeessss, my precious, what ever you say precious." imitating Golum. Alan is trying to be serious and I am bursting out laughing and soon both Marcus and I are in trouble.

And finally, I love this little guy beyond measure. After suffering for ten months not knowing if we were going to be allowed to adopt him, and trying unsuccessfully not to love him so much I am now able to just pour all the love in my heart out without restraint.

State Soccer Champions

Allie scoring at the Semi-finals. Allie with the trophie.

The WIN!!!

All of these girls including the coach on the right played in for the Championship.

Allie scoring!!!!

Allie was a little worried about making the BHS soccer team since she took last year off, along with cousin Jasmine, while they were cheerleaders. But they both made the team and ended up having a fairytale year. The team had a new young coach who the girls seemed to like quite a bit, he knew a lot about soccer but used an offense that didn't seem to work--maybe it would have been effective on a world cup level. This coach was a "free spirit" type of kid, that was sort of their buddy. But some of the parents began to become more and more disgruntled with the coach as Allie's team lost more and more games. On their side was the fact that even though 17 of the girls on the team were sophmores (only 2 seniors and four juniors) these were amazing athletes who had won all sorts of tournaments around the country. Then after various complaints and allegations made to the principal about the Coach having taken drugs during the summer and his being unwilling to take a drug test. . . he was asked to resign. There was a lot of unhappiness going on and I wondered if the girls would be able to pull together just enough to finish the season and salvage a few games.

Well the JV coach, who had coached twelve of these girls since they were 8 years old took over. He is rather quiet calm coach who doesn't yell at the girls. He immediately switched the team back to a strong system that really let the girls play up to their strengths. The girls won the next few games, but were just a "hair" away from being able to go to the "playoffs". However, after a tie breaker game they made it and were matched up with last years Champians, Orem High. The newspaper said, "Orem shouldn't have any problem beating the Lakers and moving on." Well our girls stunned them by beating them solidly. Next up was East High. A bunch of tall, blond, big viking looking women. This team had defeated our girls last year on their first round of playoffs. But our girls, the underdogs, were not intimidated. The game ended with a tie and a shootout. We won and the blonds walked off the field bawling. Now the papers were talking, about this very young team that was knocking out the "Big Dogs".

The semi-finals game against Woodscross was probably Allie's favorite game. She scored twice, had her photo in all of the big papers, was interviewed afterwards and featured on tv. The Lakers controlled the entire game. But there was still one more giant to defeat--Bountiful!!!!! Our girls had played this team and lost to them twice during the season. There was also some bad blood and "vendetta" between the two teams. The first time we played them, Bountiful had a group of about 25 boys who were hurling horrible words at our girls and my daughter particularly. Very gross, crude sexual and racial slurs were yelled. Their girls were also a very mean, physical team. So this final game was a rough one, though we scored first it was not an easy game by any means. One video online from the Deseret News showed several of the more platent fouls-- one of a Bountiful girl grabbing Abby around the neck and throwing her to the ground--no call was made. But in the end we scored again to seal the win. The girls and the fans and parents in the stands went wild. Our little sophomores had won the state high school championship!!!!

Cowgirls. The One In Maroon Looks about 100 yrs. Old!

Will's Smile!

The Boys Looking at Torman Land.

Our Land! Right next to Forest Service Land.

Reed's Favorite Outfit.

Marcus Riding Clara

Mia and the 4-wheeler

Cute Reed.

Friday was my birthday--yep I'm 47. But seriously I can't really be that old. I really feel I should still be in my early thirties. Oh well, whats to be done? It was a very wonderful birthday. We took the littles, Mia and Marcus up to visit Meg and Josh in Soda Springs. The big kids wanted to stay home--so we left them. (Mixed feelings about that). The day was autumn at its very best. Colors and warm temperatures, mountains and horseback riding. Meg is quite the horse woman and looked like she should be in a movie with her model looks and her confidence at rounding up the horses and getting them saddled. After everyone had lots of turns riding the horses around the arena (except Al--the non lover of horses), Meg and I went for about a two hour ride up into the mountains. We rode across a small river and up through soft pines frightening ourselves a little as we discussed the mountain lion sitings and the mountain lion tracks we saw in the dirt. But fortunately the neighbors dog Katie had tagged along so we took heart in the fact that she, being smaller, would be the first to go.

I have always dreamed of going on a ride like this one, but instead had to settled for the slow rides around a field or a very short turn loping along. But this was the ride of my dreams. Meg outfitted me with cowboy boots and leather gloves so I kind of felt the part. We finished our ride by coming through the back side of our NEW property. We are now landowners, thanks to the great deal Josh and Meg gave us. Someday, probably in the very distant future we may have a cabin sitting there close enough to walk over and borrow the Torman's horses and four wheelers. Till then they will just have to put up with us visiting, and eating their elk meat which by the way Megan did a very fine job of cooking for us. Great Trip!

Powerful Women

I just read a quote that said:

"Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning , Satan shudders and says . . . 'Oh shit, she's awake.'"

When I read this quote, after getting a good laugh, I immediately thought of Mom. In a season when women have been in the limelight for their accomplishments, i.e.vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, senator Hillary Clinton etc., I realize that there is no other woman who has more strength for good than our mom. She doesn't get the press coverage that should be warranted for such an amazing woman, but I really do think she, like Moroni can, cause the very powers of Hell to shake and lose their power. Then I think of my sisters who do the same thing in tossing evil out of their paths: There's Kathy who has a more tender, giving heart than anyone I know. She has such empathy for people, even those she has never met, that she will help without ever being asked. She lifts burdens and is the perfect leader for her four younger sisters. It makes me feel very secure to know when she is in charge. Shannon, is wise beyond her years--like an ageless, beautiful soul who doesn't just say in her prayers, "Please bless so and so" But is actually the one making those blessings come to pass. She gives strength to everyone she meets, because it just radiates out from her. Nancy is strong in part because of her great faith and commitment. Once she decides to do something, whether its to run a marathon at an insanely fast pace, be an extra loving wife, homeschool her children, or give a lesson in Relief Society, she, like our mom, does it to the full extent. She doesn't vasilate back and forth, but, like our Prophet Pres. Kimball admonished, will just "do it". Lastly, there's little sister Meg. Her love for others has steel-like strength. "Of these things Charity is the greatest of all" could be her life moto. She loves unconditionally, her Joshy, her kids, her friends, her family and her sisters. She is the best at making us love each other. She is the glue that keeps us together when we might drift apart a little leading our own lives. Then I have sister-in-laws on both sides of my family who are also great women of strength. And now, WHAT! The next generation of these women are even stronger than us, my nieces, our daughters, and now their daughters as in little Elle and Amber's girls. Yes I think, if we all love each other and never let little grievances get in our way, or dumb offences, we, TOGETHER, can cause Satan to shudder and say, "Oh shit, they're awake."

The strongest woman I know: Mom

The rest of us who want to follow in Mom's shadow...

Okay, maybe the Dad had something to do with our strength also. His girls sure do love him!!

Beau: A Calm Kid Who Won't Be Pushed

Sir Beau -- My little Braveheart.

With girlfriend Bailey.

Beau is a non-sleeper. Even as an infant he didn't like to sleep--getting up about 5 times a night and letting us know he was ready for food or play or just to scream in my ear. Now as a teen he still doesn't sleep much, (and, luckily rarely screams in my ear). Sometimes during the summer he will sleep in rather late, but on school nights he usually stays up reading until about midnight. He's a calm boy who doesn't get upset very easily and when he does it is really rather short lived. The other day he got mad at me for pestering him about football, and whether his coaches were horrible for this or that. But after we got home, and after he went to help an elderly neighbor, he came into the house, gave me a very long, sweet hug and said he was sorry. He will tell me all sorts of things about music, shows, friends, football plays etc. but is pretty locked down when it comes to sharing his feelings. I usually try to pry it out of him but with very little success. If he wants to share he will, other wise--DONT PUSH. He is smart and can do anything when he decides to do it--like deciding to become a lifeguard. But again, if he's not interested in pursing a talent or activity, it does absolutely no good to bug him about it. He is extra kind to his little brother and sisters, and takes over when his mom goes on a tyraid. He was the best choice to be the leader of his siblings.

Allie--One Emotional Crazy Girl!!

Allie as the Warrior Woman, she's ready to "kick you butt outside!" So don't mess with her when she is in this mood. Enjoying a potty break.

Allie telling the ref a thing or two. "Excuse me, but I think its our ball!"

Laughing it up with cousin Andre at the South Ogden Days Carnival.

With best cousin and friend Jasmine at Lagoon.

Happy about a candy bar from Mia and decked out for some crazy night of hanging with the girls

I have a daughter who is such a bundle of emotions, energy, and ups and downs that I constantly just try and navigate my way through each day. Every night she comes down stairs to plug in her phone, kiss me goodnight and tell me she loves me. If I'm up then I go in to see her. She still likes me to give her a back rub and always hugs me goodnight. She tells me pretty much everything about her life, even the minute details, the things she said, even that she kissed a boy (which I was NOT happy about!) Now and again she will pay me sweet compliments like, "A bunch of the girls on my soccer team think you are really pretty." Or, so and so wishes you were their mom because you are so fun. On the other hand she will roll her eyes at me, tell me how much I embarrass her, that I am so lame, weird, nerdy, stupid etc. etc. She can be very dramatic about most things and has inherited the Allred talent of embellishment and exaggeration. She will egg her siblings on until that are ready to blow their brains out, but on the other hand she will let Mia get in bed with her any night she wants and will whisper little stories to her, play games with Marcus and get Beau to open up and chat with her. She gets him to tell her more things about his life than he ever tells his parents. I love her so much I can't imagine how boring our lives would be without her. And then the next moment I wonder how we are going to endure this "white-hot ball of Canine Terrrrrorrrrrrr!" (From "The Family Dog")

Fieldtrip at Black Forest Pumpkin Patch

Mia with her best buddies Tessa Ulrich and Erin Sheffield. They got to pick their own pumpkins. It only took about twenty hours of walking through the field and staring at every pumpkin before they decided on the perfect one.

Best part of the field trip was watching the pig races. Suuuuueeeeee!

Me and Mia getting ready to go on a rootin-tootin, hay ride. (At lease that is what Farmer Bob called it!)

Mia just heading off for her field trip. Too excited to sit down.

Mia invited me to go with her on her fieldtrip to Black Forest Farms' Pumpking Patch. She is still at the stage in life when she really, really wants me along. The weather was perfect almost hot at about 80 degrees. I drove out with four other moms and got to meet an old school friend of Shannon and Meg's named Lindsey Moore. She is going through a rough time, her husband has been addicted to pain killers, she is going to Weber State and raising four little boys. I need to be extra grateful for the piece of cake life I have right now. I get to be home, enjoying my little photo business and available to go on field trips or help in my kids' classes or run to the temple do errands and all that good stuff.

Homecoming Letdown

Last week was Bonneville High Schools homecoming. It should have been the highlight for two cousins and their football careers. I thought of Beau and Andre and all of their little league games with Alan as their coach. I could still seem them playing in the championship game, 9th grade at South Junior High. Andre was making the runs while Beau was making some pretty great tackles. Sophomore and Junior years saw much of the same thing--#34 and #54 were superstars. So Senior year should have been the culmination of all this hard work. These are boys who had suffered through tough practices, serious injuries, fatigue, bruises, heat and given much of their life to football. But something happened this year that none of us can figure out. I couple new coaches were added and a favorite left for another school. And now suddenly our boys are on the sidelines. Andre plays a little and every play pretty much comes up with something good, but two other guys who really aren't as good, get to play ahead of him. Beau started one game for a kid who was out for testing positive for drugs (Al said he did a great jog). But next week Beau was out and the other kid in. Beau, who last year started both offense and defense and rarely came out for even one play has stood on the sidelines these last two games and not played even one play. I feel like I want to spit nails I get so angry, mostly because I can see what it is doing to Beau and his cousin Andre. Everyone says its politics, blah blah blah, but most of all it just breaks my heart.