Family Home Evening and Reenactments

Two weeks ago we had the missionaries over for Family Home Evening. Even though they were told they were in charge of the lesson portion of FHE they gave me blank stares when I turned the time over to them. They were troopers though and came up with an awesome idea to reenact when Nephi and his brothers went back to get the brass plates. You can read the whole story HERE.

Apparently all my children are playing Nephi and the other two missionaries, Elder Morrison and Elder Metcalf are his brothers, Laman and Lemuel. In the first picture Elder Krieser is telling them that they have to go back to Jerusalem to get the plates of brass from the wicked King Laban.

When they get to Jerusalem the brothers decide on Laman going to King Laban to ask for the plates. Elder Tolley is King Laban, and I'm pretty sure the pillow on his head as his crown was his idea.
Of course King Laban says "No Way!" when Laman asks for the brass plates and sends his guards after him. That's a sweet picture with Elder Morrison jumping clear over that chair to escape Theo, the King's guard.
When Laman told his brothers about how King Laban turned him down they figured they had a lot of riches at their house and maybe they can bribe him with them. Here they are showing King Laban their precious things in hopes that he will give them the brass plates.
He says, you guess it, "No Way!" and sends his guards after them all and tells them to kill them all AND take their precious things.
The guards chase them out of the city, but are unsuccessful in killing them. Phew!
The Lord tells Nephi to try one more time and He would deliver King Laban into his hands. So obediently he returns to the city to find King Laban passed out drunk in the street. The Lord tells Nephi to slay him, Nephi is hesitant at first but then the Lord SAYS, "It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in disbelief." for the plates of brass was scripture that they needed to take with them on a long journey. So Nephi slays the wicked King Laban, with some mad pillow fighting skills, gets the plates and returns to his family in the wilderness.

THE END.

And then there were 5....

For those of you who guessed it by my hinting around in a previous post, you are correct. I am in fact pregnant with number 5! I've actually known since the pictures of us at our camping trip. I have to admit I was in denial for awhile and a little afraid that I may not in fact be pregnant. Despite the crippling fatigue and constant nausea. But all doubts were laid to rest last Tuesday when I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time, and then yesterday the baby got it's first pictures.

Theo and I are super excited and feel that this little spirit was destined to be with us. I thank my Heavenly Father constantly for my wonderful children, no matter how much hair falls out of my head each day. Now I can look forward to this glorious addition, that I believe will finally complete our family.

My Joy School Graduate

Miriam graduated from Joy School today. Joy School is when a group of mothers take turns teaching each others kids. It really has been fun, but now my little Miriam is moving up with the big dogs and is starting Kindergarten this fall. I can't say that it feels like time is flying by for me. I guess it's because Tobie has been in school for a while now and it seems to have taken forever for her to join him. Also she loves learning so much that I have been chomping on the bits to get her into a real classroom to let her really spread her wings.
The Joy School cake that I made for the occasion. I actually used the picture off of one of the school posters we have used all year. On the poster version each window has one of the kids picture on the back and behind the door is a wheel with the different teachers. When the kids come in they turn their pictures around to let us know that their minds are open and ready to learn. It's a great concept and it's been really fun for the kids to do throughout the year.
They all look relieved now that the formal festivities are all over. They are such a cute bunch of kids. I know they are all going to do well this fall. Great Job Graduates!

Tired Lately

I've been meaning to comment on my wonderful husband's posting. I have been very adamant about having him make a posting, and I'm very grateful he did. I was a little less moved when after reading it, it was mostly him tooting his own crafty horn. But beggars can't be choosers, so I should just be happy because it was a good mothers day, and I have had my share of bad mother's days.

For example, a few years back when we were living in California Theo was deployed for Mother's
Day. I felt sorry for myself as I struggled with three youngsters all alone in sacrament by myself. I complained relentlessly to Theo on the phone how crummy it was that he wasn't even here for Mother's Day. All I wanted, besides my husband, was my Mother's Day chocolate. Just one little taste of that chocolaty goodness. I was so desperate I was talking about locking Tobie up in the dog kennel and putting Emma and Miriam in the crib while I walked to the Coast Guard exchange right behind my house. Of course I would never do that, but that's how desperate I felt.

While I was "Woe is me!"-ing on the phone to Theo I got a call. I click over and my friend from church had noticed me that I was husbandless and took pity. She always gets a huge chocolate cake on Mother's Day and it was simply just too much for them and could she bring me some. I tell you I almost started bawling on the phone right then and there. She came over and the chocolate crisis was resolved.

You may think the story ends there, but this story actually started a long time ago when I was just a newlywed. I was attending an Enrichment Night in my new ward when the ladies started acting out a particular scenario. This one lady was completely depressed and all she wanted was a piece of chocolate cake. I sat back in all my pre-baby glory and thought this was preposterous. Who would actually be that depressed for a piece of chocolate cake? I scoffed at the idea, but for some reason that scenario really stuck in my mind. Ironic isn't it that this scenario played out almost exactly for me. It's moments like that when I think Heavenly Father has a great sense of humor. We are all created in His image, so it's nice to know that humor is on the list.

I hope this post makes sense. I haven't been too into being on the computer lately. I've just been too tired. You can read into that as much as you want.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

As a tribute to my beautiful wife I thought I would finally make a posting on her blog. She always brags about how other husbands post on their wives blogs. I thought this would be an appropriate time. I would like to show some pictures of her wonderful Mothers Day gift from 2007. Finally it was completed last April just in time for this Mothers Day. It may have taken a while to finish, but for such fine craftsmanship that's the price you have to pay. I am sure Michelagelo's Statue of David took about the same time.

The fine woodwork of such a piece takes time. Poplar wood joined together with no screws, custom staining, custom hardware, a large amount of storage(the top drawer is as large as the table top),

and a butcher block top custom fitted for the table.
Of course no price is too much for my beautiful wife on Mothers Day. Three years of sacrifice that I put into this table is only a fraction of my devotion to her. Maybe too long for her to wait but patience is a virtue. Enough of my wife's wonderful kitchen island. I would like to say Happy Mothers Day to Kara. Contrary to your belief, I think you are a wonderful mother and wife. The fact that our children have not totally destroyed our house is enough of a testament for me that you are doing a great job. We love you!!! Me Especially,
Love, Theo

Pawpaw's 70th Birthday

My Dad turned 70 last week and this is the cake I made him. He's really into western movies, old timey country music and anything cowboy related.

I have more pictures of the party, but I think my camera has had a stroke and is not working properly anymore so I can't upload the pictures.

Also I've been really touchy lately and I just don't feel like trying to figure the darn thing out in the fear that it will end up in a shallow grave in my backyard.

Happy Birthday Daddy! I love You!

Spring Break Fun

For Spring Break we decided to take the family on a little camping trip. We really feel blessed that we get to live here because we are so close to the beach. This camp ground is on a military base in Pensacola, FL., and is only $6 a night! This is the view from our campsite. We could hear the waves as we lulled off to sleep at night.

Heading down to the beach!

Little Miss Hannah preferred the sand, as soon as I made mention to go in the water she plopped herself down in the sand and cried, "NOOO!".

She warmed up to the idea the next day right before we were getting ready to leave. As long as she was holding mine or Daddy's hand, that is.

Don't let the sunny scene and blue skies fool you. Even though it was pretty warm that day the water still hasn't had enough time to warm up yet. That didn't stop our kiddies from jumping in the waves and trying to splash a dry Mom and Dad.

I love this picture of Emma laying out in the sun trying to get warm. She would take breaks every now and then and just roll in the sand to try and "warm up".

Getting ready for dinner and s'mores. Not only is the park for tent campers like us, but there were several RV's, which is my life's ambition to be able to retire and buy an RV so Theo and I can travel all over the states. The camp also had this really nice bath house with showers. NICE!

After we left the beach Theo wanted to see the National Museum of Naval Aviation. This place is super cool and I recommend it for anyone. They had air crafts from every military group. They even had ones you could sit in.





They even had a section on space travel and the progression of aviation suits. Did you know that the first suit was tied together, literally! You could see the stitches.

They had a play section for the kiddies, and unfortunately we past that first thing on our tour. So the rest of the tour was the kids asking every few seconds if they could go back to the playground. They had some neat things for the kids set up through out the building, but that playground was just the highlight of their experience. I'm sure if we just went for that the kids would have thought that was the most awesome place.

It really was a great Spring Break!