Another Year

With each joy and sorrow experienced this year, we have had the opportunity to reflect and improve.

Mark started working for a new company in March. His most memorable moment was the gathering of our families to witness our son David’s baptism. He loves spending time with his wife and children.

I, Monica have prayed often this year for guidance, comfort and love. I have felt the loving arms of my Heavenly Father and Savior around me, which has been a blanket of comfort. I have been spiritually edified and empowered as a woman, wife and mother. I have learned that I can do anything if I just believe in myself!

Mariana is enjoying her last year in elementary school. Some things she enjoys as a 5th grader are: socializing, being a member of the safety patrol, and performing with the school orchestra. She has picked up two new hobbies, making bracelets and cooking. We love it when she makes her oatmeal cookies!

David was so excited when his baseball team won the championship. He got to be a part of the “Principals Club” for good grades and enjoyed playing games with the principal. He really enjoys spending time with extended family members.

Joshua has fun at home-pre-school preparing for kindergarten. He has made his 1st best friend and loves talking about him. He loves the great outdoors!

Ethan expresses himself more through words, but mostly through his wall art which can be seen through out our home! He uses all his energy to practice and train for growing up. He can’t help being so cuddly and cute!

2007 is quickly coming to an end, but we are so excited for 2008. We have goals set for the New Year to strengthen our family and prioritize our activities. We move forward in faith!

Back to School

"A Plan is all-important and it cannot be just any
plan; it needs to be a positive plan! I've said it once; I'll say it
again-When you fail to plan you plan to fail!"

September is the month for new
beginnings.

We have a 5th grader in our midst who is very independant and talented. Unfortunately the 2nd day of school she got sick and last week fell ill again and missed two days. She love being at school because her life is always busy as at home it is boring! Her newest adventure is Car Patrol in which she helps students get in/out of their vehicles. The kids use creative sayings to greet or bare you farewell. I suggested "Have a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day!" perhaps too long?

Our 3rd grader dragged his way into the new routine. This year he will be learning to play the piano.

We have a pre-school boy who enjoys reading, doing homework, and playing the abc game on the computer. He also likes to play at the playground (our back yard play set!) This year he will be learning some Spanish.

At the end of the line is a happy little boy who is content to learn what everyone else is doing.
He enjoys drawing, looking at books (sometimes he gets carried away and they get torn!)

Principal Dad has several projects that keep him busy at work. Football season has begun so of course he is keeping track with the scores. He-man has started a new work-out routine too!

As vice principal, head nurse, and educator I remain quite busy. Not too busy to remember to exercise my brain too! I enrolled in a free online course to better my organizational skills. I'm also earning a little bit of extra money with a job as a child care provider. At church I'm helping to direct a Road Show based on the Flintstones with the moral of Choosing the Right.

It is good to be OK at many things, but sometimes you have to reach a little further in order to be Great!

"Success, finally, is not what you have...it is not what you do...it is who you are-children of the living God!"

United

On July 1st we celebrated Joshua Michael turning 4yrs. old. He picked a Spiderman theme for decorations, which actually invited some spiders to celebrate! He is healthy, plays well with others, helpful, still accident prone, day time potty trained, loves books, and is just happy.

As a family we got together with my folks for the 4th of July. Grandpa was sure nice to get us tickets to see the firework show his company displayed in our big city! True Colors!

We took a mini-trip to a beach to celebrate our nephew/cousins birthday. Mark Allen and I had fun playing sea shell bulls-eye, and the boys had fun scooping sand and Mariana made a dribble castle.

Earth Day Every Day!

Lucky Charms!

Love Is In The Air

This Month was busy! Most of our family activities were on Monday's for Family Home Evening and attending David's baseball practices, we also started a free sign language class through church.

Mark and I attended couple's night out for a game night, and then on Valentine's Evening we were invited to a party for dinner and white elephant gift exchange. We also enjoyed a romantic fun dance night.

Mark has been a supportive, serviceable and loving husband and friend.

Since I don't get to spend a whole lot of time with my nieces and nephews I enjoy when I can play the role of Aunt Monica! I got to take care of my niece Jennifer for several hours, and last month I had Cameron and Cailey overnight! I had fun preparing a Chinese New Year Feast for David's class and also putting together their class Auction Basket which the theme was "Early Reader Book Worm. I wrote a list of jobs one year that I'd like to try and gift baskets was one of them! I enjoyed taking the little ones to playgroup activities, and story time. I did not enjoy receiving a tetanus shot, and I've been having a hard time breathing. I'm doing what I can to stay healthy like drinking more water, I'm also walking again!

Mariana had extra orchestra practices because of their upcoming performance. She has also practiced more with piano for the music festival. At activity days she learned to direct music and talked about beauty "Modest is the Hottest!"

David is involved with baseball again and he plays for the Royals.

Joshua likes doing different things but lately really wants more one on one time with us. He likes to play with his friends too. He picked a flower for his friend Bella on our last walk!

Ethan was invited to, and attended his first birthday party! He loved taking a balloon home!

Happy New Year!

Our first family activity was to walk through a rose garden. We then went to the museum and enjoyed a Benjamin Franklin exhibit. We enjoyed learning about his life.

"Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none."
Benjamin Franklin

Our church leaders have asked the members to have "Sweet Hour" on Sunday's. It is one hour for spiritual learning. The purpose is to protect us from the "whirlwinds" of the world by being spiritually stronger and growing closer as a family. We look forward to that hour every week.

Mark is well. He is a wonderful husband and father. He works hard with Metro, and in his spare time continues to play basketball and video games! This year he has made a goal to learn Spanish.

I am well too. I attended a meeting with the theme "Light Up Your Life" I'm learning to recognize when I'm receiving personal revelation. I'm learning to love myself by not trying to please others all the time! I've had an answer to a prayer and I've been blessed with some positive friends. I no longer do child care. I feel our children need my love and attention, and now I can focus on that. I volunteer at the school, and participate in a book club.

Mariana celebrated her 10th Birthday on the 6th! The theme was Winter Wonderland.

David is enjoying school, and playing video games!

Joshua is getting better with potty training, he is taking his time!

Ethan had a strange virus that gave him a rash and had several allergic reactions. He finally had a healthy day again. He now likes eating yogurt.