I know, I know... it has been a LONG time since I posted anything and I am realizing that I hardly took any pictures our whole trip, so if you are interested, check out my sister's blogs. They probably have quite a few posted, or maybe they will send me some soon? I have a couple of the kids in the snow and on Christmas day, but that is it. We left the middle of December and got home the middle of January, and I just didn't see the point in posting anything in-between because we were with our family the whole time. We had a great LONG, COLD vacation though. It snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed! I think we ended up with a total of 30 inches or so by the time we left. The kids got to go out and play in it a little bit and had a great time. It was really nice to be able to see everyone and spend so much time with our families. We had a great holiday season and it was hard to get back into our daily routine. What wasn't hard was to come home to 80 degree, sunny weather! Now I know why we love it here so much! Who's ever heard of laying out on the beach in January? Anyway, we got home Saturday the 10th and my kids both got sick on Monday the 12th. Go figure. Donovin was just running a fever, nothing else (?) and Halle had a runny nose and was sneezing like crazy. I wondered if she just had allergies or something, but she stayed home for a day of school. She was fine after that.
On Sunday my dad called and said that my grandma Koplowitz was not doing well and he was going out there on Tuesday. I didn't really expect much to happen, but then he called on Thursday and said she had passed away that night. The funeral was going to be on Friday. My sisters and I decided to all fly down to New Mexico and be there. We are all very glad we did. It was very last minute (seriously, I had like five hours to get ready to go) and our husbands were all wonderful to take time off and watch all the kids. We just couldn't send everyone, but we wanted to be there really bad. It was a beautiful service and we are so glad we got to be there for our grandpa and see our dad and aunt and uncle. She was an amazing woman who was always full of love and smiles. She loved her family dearly and always took such good care of everyone. You could not be around her and not feel loved and especially full... she LOVED to feed everyone. We will miss her greatly.
Oh yes, one other thing... Dononvin is potty trained! Yay! That is always such a relief for parents to have over with. He didn't have a single accident today and woke up dry from his nap. I am so proud of him. He is doing amazingly well!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, November 9, 2008
So many blessings...
I can't begin to tell you how many miracles we have seen work in our lives since we made the decision to move here over a year ago. For some reason, we are meant to be here and stay here. As many of you know, we have counted on our savings to keep us going since the beginning of the year, and a couple of months ago... it ran dry. We knew this was coming and that we would have to figure out a way to make up the difference if we were going to stay here. I was trying to get my nursing license and start working, but it took two months longer than I thought it would. Tyler contemplated asking for a raise at his job, but that never felt right to him. We had been praying and praying and fasting and going to the temple for a couple of months to try to get some direction, but nothing was happening. Both of us felt that we needed to stay here, and that every thing would be okay, but we had no idea how. We were growing desperate and very frustrated with ourselves when one day, out of the blue Tyler calls me on his way home from work and said " Something really weird happened at work today." I could not imagine what, and I was hoping it was a good weird. "Annie told us today that she is leaving." This came as a huge surprise. Annie is Tyler's direct supervisor and has been at Fox for about four years. Tyler made the comment that this opened up her position, and he was really the only one in the department who was qualified, and wanted her job. A couple of days later his Department supervisor called him into her office and offered him the position. It comes with a raise! Heavenly Father truly does hear and answer our prayers. He may test our faith greatly before He can bless us with what we need, but he does answer them one way or another.
At one point, we considered (AGAIN) moving back to Utah. It never felt right, but we didn't know if we would have any other option. We worked through dozens of scenarios from moving to another apartment, to Tyler getting a different job, to me working two jobs, Tyler working two jobs, selling our car, but nothing felt right or worked out. Tyler even tried to get his resume updated and ready to send out to other companies, but when he went to find it on the computer, he couldn't. It had disappeared. He knows he saved it because he spent weeks working on it. He could not imagine what had happened and was quite upset that it was gone. Obviously we are meant to stay right where we are and we could not be happier. We still LOVE it here and are excited to keep moving forward.
It has also been a great privledge in our lives to have been able to participate in the Proposition 8 campaign. (check out Protectmarriage.com for info. and the latest news updates). We spent about every Saturday and some Sundays since the end of August making phone calls to voters about prop 8. We got many who responded positively, but many more who gave us an earful and called us all sorts of colorful names. It is an extremely sensitive subject, especially now, but has been since the campaign started. Tyler learned really early on NOT to discuss it at work. I am so proud of the Church however for all of their efforts to preserve the family and protect our rights to worship how we chose. If Prop 8 had passed, churches and other organizations would be forced to allow homosexual marriages, adoptions and other practices to take place on their properties, or face legal action. I find it an honor to be singled out and persecuted for standing up and fighting for what we know is right and most important and precious to our Heavenly Father- the family.
I find comfort in knowing that the apostles and prophets have seen these days and have given us guidance. Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave a talk at BYU in the 1970's that speaks of these conditions as if he was here in person today. Of course, we know that he passed away nearly four years ago. A family member sent it to me, and just this last Sunday at Stake Conference, our Stake President quoted it in reference to the protesting of prop 8. It in part reads:
"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life. This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive.. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.'
--- Elder Neal A. Maxwell
In the wake of all that was happening the week following the election I have to admit that my heart was filled with a little bit of anger towards all those who were unfairly singling out the Church. Protesters stormed the temple grounds and made a mockery of all we hold dear and sacred. Signs and graffiti littered the temple gates and sidewalks. Some of those who contributed financially to prop 8, or displayed signs in their yards or on their cars were victims of harassment, vandalism and even assault. I was a little bit angry and needed to put things into perspective. I had received this month's Ensign- the conference issue and the first talk that caught my eye was by Elder Robert D. Hales entitled: Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship. The talk in its entirety is truly inspired and fits exactly the situation that is happening. It is so amazing! I recommend reading and rereading it. Our Stake President also quoted heavily from this address. Some of my favorite parts are:
...one of mortality’s great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively—to “put up our dukes.” But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior’s example. Remember that Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi’s dream, those coming to the Savior also endured “mocking and pointing . . . fingers” (1 Nephi 8:27). “The world hath hated [my disciples],” Jesus said, “because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.
When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage.
Experience shows that seasons of negative publicity about the Church can help accomplish the Lord’s purposes. In 1983, the First Presidency wrote to Church leaders, “Opposition may be in itself an opportunity. Among the continuing challenges faced by our missionaries is a lack of interest in religious matters and in our message. These criticisms create . . . interest in the Church. . . . This provides an opportunity [for members] to present the truth to those whose attention is thus directed toward us.
We can take advantage of such opportunities in many ways: a kind letter to the editor, a conversation with a friend, a comment on a blog, or a reassuring word to one who has made a disparaging comment. We can answer with love those who have been influenced by misinformation and prejudice—who are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). I assure you that to answer our accusers in this way is never weakness. It is Christian courage in action.
I know that we have true disciple's of Christ on the earth today and a true and living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.
I have to remember that God is in charge and whatever happens is necessary for His plan to come to pass.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ is truly my most prized possession and I am proud to stand up and defend it.
I am so grateful for all Heavenly Father has done for us. I do not know why He has decided to bless us so much, but I am so grateful for all we have and I hope that I can prove to Him by the way I live my life and try my best to follow Him that I am grateful for all He does for me.
At one point, we considered (AGAIN) moving back to Utah. It never felt right, but we didn't know if we would have any other option. We worked through dozens of scenarios from moving to another apartment, to Tyler getting a different job, to me working two jobs, Tyler working two jobs, selling our car, but nothing felt right or worked out. Tyler even tried to get his resume updated and ready to send out to other companies, but when he went to find it on the computer, he couldn't. It had disappeared. He knows he saved it because he spent weeks working on it. He could not imagine what had happened and was quite upset that it was gone. Obviously we are meant to stay right where we are and we could not be happier. We still LOVE it here and are excited to keep moving forward.
It has also been a great privledge in our lives to have been able to participate in the Proposition 8 campaign. (check out Protectmarriage.com for info. and the latest news updates). We spent about every Saturday and some Sundays since the end of August making phone calls to voters about prop 8. We got many who responded positively, but many more who gave us an earful and called us all sorts of colorful names. It is an extremely sensitive subject, especially now, but has been since the campaign started. Tyler learned really early on NOT to discuss it at work. I am so proud of the Church however for all of their efforts to preserve the family and protect our rights to worship how we chose. If Prop 8 had passed, churches and other organizations would be forced to allow homosexual marriages, adoptions and other practices to take place on their properties, or face legal action. I find it an honor to be singled out and persecuted for standing up and fighting for what we know is right and most important and precious to our Heavenly Father- the family.
I find comfort in knowing that the apostles and prophets have seen these days and have given us guidance. Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave a talk at BYU in the 1970's that speaks of these conditions as if he was here in person today. Of course, we know that he passed away nearly four years ago. A family member sent it to me, and just this last Sunday at Stake Conference, our Stake President quoted it in reference to the protesting of prop 8. It in part reads:
"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life. This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive.. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.'
--- Elder Neal A. Maxwell
In the wake of all that was happening the week following the election I have to admit that my heart was filled with a little bit of anger towards all those who were unfairly singling out the Church. Protesters stormed the temple grounds and made a mockery of all we hold dear and sacred. Signs and graffiti littered the temple gates and sidewalks. Some of those who contributed financially to prop 8, or displayed signs in their yards or on their cars were victims of harassment, vandalism and even assault. I was a little bit angry and needed to put things into perspective. I had received this month's Ensign- the conference issue and the first talk that caught my eye was by Elder Robert D. Hales entitled: Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship. The talk in its entirety is truly inspired and fits exactly the situation that is happening. It is so amazing! I recommend reading and rereading it. Our Stake President also quoted heavily from this address. Some of my favorite parts are:
...one of mortality’s great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively—to “put up our dukes.” But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior’s example. Remember that Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi’s dream, those coming to the Savior also endured “mocking and pointing . . . fingers” (1 Nephi 8:27). “The world hath hated [my disciples],” Jesus said, “because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.
When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage.
Experience shows that seasons of negative publicity about the Church can help accomplish the Lord’s purposes. In 1983, the First Presidency wrote to Church leaders, “Opposition may be in itself an opportunity. Among the continuing challenges faced by our missionaries is a lack of interest in religious matters and in our message. These criticisms create . . . interest in the Church. . . . This provides an opportunity [for members] to present the truth to those whose attention is thus directed toward us.
We can take advantage of such opportunities in many ways: a kind letter to the editor, a conversation with a friend, a comment on a blog, or a reassuring word to one who has made a disparaging comment. We can answer with love those who have been influenced by misinformation and prejudice—who are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). I assure you that to answer our accusers in this way is never weakness. It is Christian courage in action.
I know that we have true disciple's of Christ on the earth today and a true and living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.
I have to remember that God is in charge and whatever happens is necessary for His plan to come to pass.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ is truly my most prized possession and I am proud to stand up and defend it.
I am so grateful for all Heavenly Father has done for us. I do not know why He has decided to bless us so much, but I am so grateful for all we have and I hope that I can prove to Him by the way I live my life and try my best to follow Him that I am grateful for all He does for me.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Happy Halloween!
Finally I am getting around to posting Halloween! Only a week late... oh well! We did have a great Halloween! The Saturday before Halloween we went to our ward trunk-or-treat with our neighbor/friend Brett and his son Ryder. Halle really wanted to be Belle, Donovin was none other than BATMAN! And Ryder was Buzz Lightyear! There were a lot of fun games and treats for the kids. The funniest of them all had to be the donut on a string game. Halle was REALLY good at it and devoured two or three donuts in record time, Donovin had a little more trouble deciding how to get the donut in his mouth without using his hands. As a result, he ended up with powdered sugar all over his Bat mask. He just grabbed it and stuffed it in his mouth after that. It was hillarious to watch though. After an hour of games we went outside to do some trunk-or-treating!
Thursday night we decided to carve some pumpkins. Halle really wanted to make a jack-o-lantern, so we helped her do that. Tyler made a great Batman pumpkin, and Vinny and I painted a lumpy, bumpy witch pumpkin.
Halloween day was exciting as well. Tyler dressed-up for work as Dwight Schrute from The Office (our favorite show!). He won first prize at work for the best costume. He said it was because he didn't break character once during the day. What he won?.... A giant bobble head Stewy doll from Family Guy. Wahoo!!! Halle had school, and they did not celebrate the holiday at all, which I think is a good thing. There is no point in trying to teach kids when they are in costumes and high on sugar. After she got home we went to the local rec center for a super hero Halloween party. Halle won third place in the costume contest! She could not have been more excited! Donovin got to get his picture taken next to Batman, the highlight of his life so far. Halle decided to be Wonder Woman for this party because it was all Super Hero based.
After that, we came home and had a "spooky" dinner of mummy dogs, eyeball crackers, tomato soup and vampire blood (thanks Kim for the recipes on your About.com site!) Halle wasn't so sure about the food. I guess it really grossed her out. We got ready to go trick-or-treating and went with our friend Fraya who was a beautiful little Jasmine. We went around the neighborhood behind us right by Halle's school. We were out till about 8:30, then came back to our place and all the kids watched the original King Kong (1933 version), and a couple of Simpson's Tree House of Horror episodes. They ate candy, popcorn and then went to bed, or tried at least.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Fire safety day!
It was fire safety day at the Fox lot! Tyler really wanted me to bring Donovin to see the big fire truck and meet real live fire fighters and Smokey the Bear. Halle wanted to go, but she was in school :(. Oh well, maybe next year. Vinny had a great time. He was a little awe struck at the size of the fire truck. The firemen were really nice and showed him all of the neat tools on the truck. He of course had to wear his fireman suit, and everyone there (especially the ladies) thought he was the cutest thing in the world (which of course he is)!
He liked the boots for a second, but then he really wanted to get out of them!
The firemen take this ginormous truck out an average of six times a day! And they keep it so clean. Those are real wood ladders and they use them every day. Can you guess the advantage of wood over aluminum?
Two reasons:
1- wood does not conduct heat like aluminum, it does not get hot the whole length of the ladder
2- it is easier to see defects in the wood ladders and repair them before it causes an injury.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Kidspace!
On Tuesday Halle had an "unassigned" day at school meaning they had no school, why? I still don't know, but they have those frequently throughout the year. I think it was a Jewish holiday. Anyway, we went to an awesome kids museum in Pasadena with some friends from the ward and Fraya (Halle's little freind from next door.) We had a blast! It was SOOOOO hot though! It was the first of October and 100 degrees! But the kids stayed nice and cool playing in the water. It is the closest our children will get to playing in a mountain stream being the city dwellers that we are. There is a little rock water fall that the kids love to climb up and down and at the bottom is a big pool that they can play in. At the top is a water fall and pool and water wheel. We spent the majority of the day there, although, as you will see there was a lot to do inside as well. The majority of the indoor exhibits are bugs! Donovin loved going into the dark room and looking at the spiders, beetles, and cockroaches in their cages.... UGH! Bugs are not my thing, but he loved it. They also have a colony of bees that you can observe through glass. Very interesing, but there are a lot of bees around outside as a result and unfortunatly, Eric got stung on the arm by one. A worker got the stinger out with her name badge (do not try to pull a stinger out, use a credit card or something else hard that you can just scrape it off with) and he did not even cry. What a trooper. At least we know he is not allergic.
Fraya, Olivia and Halle having a ball giggling together and being girls!
Eric and Donovin, two of the cutest little guys in the world!
Any time we go anywhere Donovin has to have his "tocts"- crocs, "yite mean a teen"- Lightning McQueen sunglasses, and his hat. He will not leave the house without them. I think he likes wearing the hat especially because he knows that means I am not going to do his hair.
Olivia climbing out of the ant hill. I don't think Halle ever tried this because she said it was too dark and scary.
Fraya, Olivia and Halle having a ball giggling together and being girls!
Eric and Donovin, two of the cutest little guys in the world!
Any time we go anywhere Donovin has to have his "tocts"- crocs, "yite mean a teen"- Lightning McQueen sunglasses, and his hat. He will not leave the house without them. I think he likes wearing the hat especially because he knows that means I am not going to do his hair.
Olivia climbing out of the ant hill. I don't think Halle ever tried this because she said it was too dark and scary.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Doing better
I knew it would happen sooner than later. Halle came home from school happy every day this week. She says that she listened to her teacher better and talked to her freinds less, so her teacher did not have to scold her as much, and that made them both happier! She still says that it is hard, but she does not have emotional break downs anymore. I'm sure the year will still be full of ups and downs, but for right now things are looking brighter for our little first grader! Thanks to everyone for your comments and encouragement and advise. I am going to try potty training with Vinny FOR REALS this time! I have "tried" two times in the past, but after cleaning up 6 accidnets in a three hour period two days in a row, I just felt like being lazy and giving up and trying again later. That was about a month ago, so I think we will start Monday, and hopefully I can stick with it! At least we have wood floors. Now I just have to worry about all of the furniture.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Struggles
So, Halle started school about two weeks ago. She does not like it very much at the moment. She misses Kindergarten and her teacher from last year, who was absolutely fabulous. She says her teacher this year is mean and she yells a lot. I have talked with her teacher, and she seems nice, but can come across as a little harsh. I feel so bad for Halle because she LOVED school last year, and now she comes home grumpy every day. She will often just break down and cry and cry. She says that first grade is so hard and she has a hard time paying attention for a long period of time. I feel so bad for the poor emotional girl. She is doing very well academically. All the homework she brings home is no problem for her and she is reading very well. I guess she will just have to keep getting used to her new environment. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be happy to take them :) It is so different to have to deal with theses types of problems.
I haven't posted pictures for a long time, so here are some random ones from the summer...
On Halle's last night of freedom before school started we had a slumber party and movie night on the living room floor. It was so much fun! I ended up in my bed at about 1 am because I wasn't too comfortable. Tyler came in around 4. We watched movies, had snacks and had a great time together!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)