Name Change and other RamblingsA

Well daughter formerly known as Tornado let me know the other day that she really doesn't like that nickname....
Why? I asked..."Because it isn't very nice"  she replied.
So as I pondered this I thought.  In the world "school" for her she doesn't get a choice on whether or not she likes what somebody calls her because they probably wouldn't listen that is how children are...{I know I am mama!}
So at home she should feel comfortable loved and listened too.  Out of respect for my little girl I am changing her aka to simply B.  Why?  Because that is what her K.bug lovingly refers to her as and it makes my heart flutter.
AND because in my mind only I can think B stands for Before the room was clean , Because she is Her own person and has her own style.  Becareful that my hurt.  B is our curious outspoken fun loving laugh out LOUD wear whatever I want not what everybody else does child and B just suits her!
She will be happier with this name and I can have my inside thoughts when I hear B....Because B reminds me that she will B who she is no matter what!
Onto other ramblings of the family.  K.bug is doing really great in school she is so funny she received the award for highest score in Comprehension and Vocab for one of their tests again only  this time it said her score was "only" 75%.  She was upset. I sat her down and explained that if it was only 75% that must have been a difficult test and she must have done really well compared to the others she should be proud not upset.  My answer apparently not good enough, she asked her teacher why her score was only 75%....guess what mama isn't so dumb after all Mrs. G said the same thing!  YAY for mamas!
Jedi is up for review for his Karate class.  He is so excited because this means he gets his Gi and his belt and gets to fight the teacher (without Pads YIKES!).  He loves Karate.  He isn't a sporty kid but this is one he has a passion for.  I am excited to watch him excel in it.
Justin is almost done WOOT WOOT!  Oh my how we can't wait.  His last course ends the end of this month and then we get to see him on Sundays yay us!  Yay him.  Poor guy could use some much needed sleep!  What an incredible example he has set for our children.  I got me a good one I know  :)

Temple Square 2010

One of my favorite Christmas Traditions with our family is going to Temple Square.  The children love it too.  We decided since Justin is always so busy we had better take the BEAUTIFUL Sunday we had to go (it was such a nice night).  So Justin gave us a wonderful lesson on the reason for the season and we bundled up, forgot hot chocolate and headed to Temple Square.
We decided to catch Trax at Little America and ride in since traffic and parking are a joke this time of year.  Besides the kids love trax.  I was surprised it really wasn't too packed (Trax).  The lights were beautiful as always as was the spirit.  I love those grounds not only is the Temple a dedicated building but the grounds it sits on are also and the spirit is wonderful.

There were a few new things or at new to me.  They have this gorgeous Nativity sitting in the fountain outside the Temple gates....
Then inside the building I call the Mormon Heritage building it is on the south side they have a replica of the Salt Lake Temple showing all the details of the interior it is so neat!  The kids were excited to see what was inside that beautiful building. No picture sorry!
K.bug has always wanted to go to the Conference Center so we went and took at tour it was really fun to see their excitement of the different things like the original paintings and the huge amount of people it can accommodate.  It was all decorated for the Motab and David Archuleta concert which I have tickets too and can't go  :(.....

It was a really fun night I am so glad that we were able to go together as a family.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to know that I will be with my family forever I can't imagine being married to this man for only time and raise these children and never see them again. I am grateful my Heavenly Father knows that family should be Eternal and has given us a way to be.

Are We Done Yet????

 Wow it has been quite a week! After I finished bragging about being done with my shopping I got a swift kick in the pants for bragging LOL.
Not really but I think it was a blessing to have it done I know Heavenly Father knew that after the next week I would just need to sit and enjoy the spirit of the season.
Saturday Jedi started feeling a bit under the weather, stuffy nose headache just blah....Sunday Tornado started complaining of a stomach ache, headache and not feeling well (these symptoms are all her STREP symptoms), K.bug was congested but was a trooper and said she was feeling pretty good.
Monday the younger two had to stay home they were just sick, Tuesday we decided we better hit the doc for Tornado, I figured Jedi just had a cold.  I headed to after hour care and left Bug with a friend.  Jedi had started to fever so I decided he better come with me when we left our home his temp was 99.3 I gave him Tylenol.  By the time we made the 15 minute drive and sat for 15 minutes at the doc he was 103. He couldn't hold his head up and could barely walk.
The doc decided if it peaked that fast and strong he needed a dose of motrin too.  They tested him for strep negative then the tested him for Influenza A POSITIVE.  Dang!  As we sit in the room waiting for Tornado's strep test to come back (seriously thought we were done with this) I ask Jedi...."So gettin' flu shot is much better than feelin' this way for a week right?"  Immediate response (now keep in mind the kid couldn't even sit up)  "NO".  I couldn't quit giggling.  He HATES shots he was willing to feel this way rather than a pinch for 10 seconds.
Doc comes in well good news is we know what Tornado has bad news is its strep again!!!!!  My jaw on the floor are you freakin' kidding me!  We made her go through surgery so this was over!!!!  So we are now on our 6th antibiotic since September and guess who just said my head and stomach are hurting so bad....Yep Tornado!  Poor kiddo.
By the time Friday rolled around Jedi was warming up to the idea that maybe next year a shot would be a good idea.
I have lost my voice...I know the fam thinks its great.  But I feel wonderful so apparently this is my yearly laryngitis.  So after I made it through teaching with no voice I told Jedi you guys need to pray so I can have my voice back. Jedi: "why?" Me: "So I can yell at ya again"  Jedi: "why can't ya just use it to say you love me"  LOL  Love our kids they rock!
I am ready to sit back, relax and enjoy the spirit of the season.

A Tribute to an Unforgettable Grandpa Great

(in respect for k.bugs bday this post is late)
Yesterday (Sept. 17) a great man passed on to a more beautiful place to serve in a higher way with our Heavenly Father.

This man was IS incredible.  He had such a love for service and hard work.  Justin has told me many stories of Grandma tryin to protect the grandkids from  overwork and Grandpa (after he is out of ear range, he is smart  :)  ) saying "work won't hurt you".
I wish I had a picture of his Smile, he didn't just smile with his mouth he smiled with his entire face. His eyes would squint shut, nose wrinkle and shoulders shrug up it was my favorite.  He loved the Gospel he loved his family and loved the opportunity to just play cards with whoever might be visiting that day.
Even in these last days when we all know he was feeling his worst he worried about Grams being taken care of. He loved all of his grandchildren even in his last days in the hospital he made sure he got to hold the newest addition to his family, and posed for this picture. He is a man of Honor a man of Service a man of Love and he will be greatly missed and greatly remembered forever in this family.
Thank you Grandpa Great for the great Heritage you have set, for the wonderful man you helped my husband to become.  Especially for always making me feel like part of the family from the beginning.  It was a pleasure knowing and loving you here on earth.  I can't wait to play cards with you again some day.....We won't let Grams cheat and look at all of yours.  Love you always.