SYTYCD!

I grew up dancing. I loved it. Still do, just wish I could do it more. I remember watching Solid Gold growing up and longing to wear gold lamee and dance like those girls, whipping my long ponytail around and around. I stopped dancing a few years ago...wish I didn't, but life happens, kids happen, callings happen, and I'm okay with it, but I do have to say, that SYTYCD reignites that fire in me. I'm ready to get my jazz boots back on and give it a try. Unfortunately and fortunately, life is still happening, so maybe later.

In the meantime, I'll live vicariously through the SYTYCD dancers. Amazing. But even more amazing? Seeing them on tour because of my great friend Ashlee who didn't let me miss it this year. We had tickets for mid-way up in the arena until some nice lady gave us seats on the 16th row on the floor with no one in front of us. I was close enough to jump onto the stage between dances! I didn't, but I wanted to. We felt like the luckiest girls ever that night! We saw amazing talent, gorgeous choreography, had a night out on the town, and talked and talked and talked for the 2 hours it took to get there and back, then sat in the driveway and talked some more. Thanks Ash! What a memorable night. You are the kind of friend that has always been there to make life just a little more fun.

Thank You Veterans

I love that Gilbert is such a small town in a big city.

I love that they give the kids Veteran's Day off school.

I love that there is a fun little parade in Mesa where we get to celebrate Veterans and our current soldiers.

I love that I have friends who want to go.

I love talking to my kids about sacrifice.

I really love that they are starting to understand.

Oh No!

Jace: Mom, when did you learn to drive?
Mom: When I was 15.
Jace: Oh, so one year before you can kiss girls, you learn how to drive? I though that all happened at the same time.
Mom: No, you start learning to drive when you are 15 (ignoring the kissing thing).
Jace: Did you know Tanner has already been 15 for a little while? He can kiss a girl in less than a year! I can't wait until I'm 16.

Oh No!!!! Like father like son. Mothers, lock your daughters up!

Mike: So, what do you guys want to be when you grow up?
Jace: A police officer (for lots of reasons that all boil down to the fact that he gets to boss everyone around all the time).
Parker: A policeman (because he copies everything Jace says).
James: Spidorman
Mike: Oh, so how are you going to make money?
James: I will just shoot my webs like this, and I will get money.

James has it all figured out!

James is Fwee!!!

James turned 3 the day after Halloween. Kind of a bummer time to have a birthday after a week of non-stop Halloween parties, but he's definately worth celebrating. We opened presents at the park and had a few families over for cake and ice cream sundaes. We are crazy about this little guy. He is our little clown and always so happy (even when he's naughty he seems to do it with a smile). He loves to snuggle, to read books, to eat candy, and to play with his friends. He's always saying the funniest things. A recent favorite when I was watching his friends little brother who likes to cry.

James: Bwig (Brig), Why did your mom buy dat baby at the store? He cwies all da time.
We just love this little 3 year old!

A Month's Worth of Halloween

Starting our neighborhood "Boo!" tradition which my boys are crazy about!

Decorating our crazy pumpkins...then they found the Sharpie!

A little Halloween cookie party, where James and Parker topped each cookie with so much candy, there was no cookie left to see.

We also went to a Halloweenie Roast, had 2 class parties and went to a big bash with Corbin and Melissa, and I forgot may camera at all of them. Here are the boys before the 2nd Trunk or Treat of the week.

And here are the boys and the Jones after a yummy lasagna dinner. They are ready to hit the streets.

Parker and James lost their steam and both were asleep before 8. Jace stayed up and we put all the candy into categories and ate most of our favorites. By friday, I'd had enough candy, told my kids I dumped in the garbage and left 10 pieces out (seriously, by 7 am James was saying, "Hey Mom, could I maybe just have a little tweet?, then said that every 30 minutes all day long!). I felt a little bad because Jace and Parker were so good and disciplined, but I had to get it away, so it's now in 2 large Ziploc bags in my closet in case there is a candy emergency or gift bags to fill!
It was fun, but boy am I glad Halloween is over!

Strengthened Shoulders

I was reading the scriptures to my boys tonight (the children's version) in Mosiah where Alma's people were put into bondage and ruled over by Amulon who refused to let the people pray. The people continued praying in their hearts and, "God heard their prayers and strengthened the people so their work seemed easier. The people were cheerful and patient."

This passage hit me, hard. I've been wrestling with the fact that it seems that life happens the way it will, whether we pray or not, that bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people all the time, that life is most often unfair and there are no answers to the question why, when or how come?

Then I realized that the people of Alma prayed, and I'm guessing they prayed to be set free, to have their land back, to be able to practice their religion...all good, noble, righteous desires, but they didn't get any of those, at least not immediately. What they got were strengthened shoulders so their difficult plight seemed easier and they were cheerful and patient, because they recognized the Lord's hand in their life and didn't question his plan or his timing and remained righteous. They allowed God to strengthen them. How often do we pray for deliverance, or a miracle and get strengthened shoulders in return? Do we accept them as God's gift or God's neglect? What could our trials be like without those strengthened shoulders?

And then, the miracle happened...it always does. The people of Alma escaped from their bondage through God's direction and deliverance. No one can predict when or how, but somehow the miracle always happens....