Way to go Emmie

Third grade in Mrs. Naerbo's class has been a good year!

Kellen sat with Emmie and acted like the big kids

New Years Eve (can't believe I only took 2 pictures :( !!!)

Aunt Lynnette with Lucus

And Nick and Alex too

We are right in the middle of high school soccer season for Perry and Basketball season for Davin. The pace required to get the parenting job done right is killing me, but I sure enjoy seeing these kids get to do what they love and do it well! We had so much fun at Davin's last game. We made posters and painted our faces and the gym was packed as they battled their cross town rival and won!!! Davin's girlfriend, Shayna was there sitting on the other side with her school, and every time Davin took a shot their fans would loudly chant Shayna, Shayna, Shayna. He was not distracted, however, and ended up with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Perry's team is having a much harder season. She is playing hard and good, but they just don't have any scoring power which makes it hard to walk away with anything but a tie. Perry plays center mid and leads the team in headers for sure. She is still trying to enjoy the experience, but a win would sure help :)!

Went to the temple last night - learned a lot - love the peace that is there. Came home to 8 huge deep voiced teenage boys sprawled all over the sectional watching a basketball game - love this too. Woke up to rain and an uncancelled soccer tournament for Josie. Watching my little boys out the window right now as they float lego boats down the gutter - a tradition started by Davin and passed down. Now I am going to start chocolate molds for Jake's big wedding in one week! Busy, very busy, but happy, very happy!

Went to the Santa Rosa Plataeus yesterday our last day of Christmas break if you don't count the weekend. Brad was working so missed out on our adventure and picnic, but all six kids went. I was getting out of the shower when Dav came home from 3 hours of bball practice, and I heard his 5 year old brother telling him we were going. His response, "I am not going dude." Brody's response, "She is going to make you." Davin's response, "Dude I said I'm not going my legs already ache." Brody's response, "Your going cuz we're all having a picnic." By the time I got downstairs to tell Davin it would mean a lot to this old mom if all of her children could spend just 2 hours together he was all for it. Thanks Brody for laying the ground work :) and for being so confident and strong to be a match for that big old teenage brother of yours! It was beautiful and warm and everyone was playful and pleasant. The key is short activities with reasonable expectations. In fact expectations are the key to most of our happiness or unhappiness. I had a college professor spend two lectures on this topic, and at the time I didn't fully comprehend the message. Mostly I just thought it was strange that in an English class I was being taught about expectations. I get it now for sure. I will not expect my entire family to "joyfully" work together on Saturday morning or anytime for that matter. We work to get it done and I don't care about the joy part and don't expect it. I don't expect an amazing hot date with my hubby every week, so when I get one like last night it is delightful. I do expect the kids to do their best at whatever they do, I expect respectful interaction even when there is an "issue", I expect time, which is precious, to be balanced so that this family gets some of every one's! So two hours together in nature with all my peeps was just great. Thanks guys.

While I was walking today I was thinking about some of the things we have tried to teach you kids. It boils down to kindness and self-control because when you focus on these two, it naturally leads to good character. It was clear to us in the beginning that if you focus just on obedience children will obey out of fear or to please or other reasons, but not because they are developing and recognizing their own internal desire. It has worked pretty well. There have definitely been times when we have had to force immediate obedience because of the situation, but for the most part you guys are turning out to be really kind empathetic people with your own "good character". Love you guys tons - not going to apologize for intentional parenting :)!