I'm Baaaack!!

Well, it has been almost 3 months since my last update!! Sorry! Lots has been going on!

I will take you through the last few months, starting with Halloween!

Faith was Hermione Granger from Harry Potter. Hyrum was originally going as Dumbledore (the Headmaster from Harry Potter), but when we were informed just a few days prior to Trunk-or-treating that Dumbledore was, in the eyes of the author, a gay man, we changed Hyrum's costume to Young Merlin. Vilate wore one of the two "store-bought" costumes and went as Sleeping Beauty. While I am really love homemade costumes, an exception was made because she finally wanted to dress in a girlie costume. Helaman and Gloria were Mickey and Minnie Mouse...so cute!! Just 3 years before Hyrum and Vilate wore the same costumes!! And finally, Nephi was the world's cutest clown!! They sure were cute!

As I am thinking of the next thing that happened...the month of November seems somewhat of a blur! I had to go and get the calendar to see what really happened. In my World Music class we were required to attend a concert and then write a report on it. David and I took Nephi and went down to Sacramento City Community College and were lucky enough to hear Mary Youngblood, a Native American flute player. It was beautiful. She is a GRAMMY winner and it was so cool to not only hear the wonderful music but her flutes were fantastic to see!! So, concert report done (I got 200 out of 200 by the way!) then it was onto just reading and taking all the tests, there was one or two a week. Then add to that all the papers(4), journaling, peer edits and discussion boards that had to be done for English. It was a lot of work, but I really enjoyed this last semester!!

Okay, so back to November...I was really lucky that I was offered a job at school...if I worked on Make-up Picture day I could get all my kids school pictures for free!! I was all over that!! On November 13th I worked at school for just about 3 hours and walked away with school pictures of my 3 older kids....Sorry Mom, I meant to give you some when you were here...I will have to mail them to you! The lady that coordinates the picture days said that she will always call me to come and work this day so that I can get all the kids pictures for free...AWESOME DEAL!!!

November 14th, 15th and 16th were full of feasts, ice skating, goodbyes to a favorite teacher leaving for maternity leave, and parent teacher conferences. The kids are doing fabulous in school and loving every minute. On the 17th Nephi cut his first tooth with the second coming through the next day. He was really not as fussy as some kids were, but boy his bite HURTS!!! Then came the week of no school...in Sacramento we get the entire LONG week of Thanksgiving off! We had fun eating, watching TV, eating, sleeping in, eating and playing!! We took the kids to Thanksgiving at Grandma Morgan's office, the Institute of Religion at ARC. It was a blast. We played hockey outside, rode bikes, played air hockey inside and pool. After dinner we went over to the track at American River College and the kids and David had a fabulous time running around the track and practicing the long jump, while Nephi and I stood around and froze!! It was really fun!!

The day after Thanksgiving we had our annual Christmas Kick-Off. We ate homemade cinnamon rolls and decorated the tree. The kids each took a turn trying to put the hat on the top of the Christmas tree. We started using the Santa hat when Faith was a baby as a joke, and it stuck!!

Then I cooked another Thanksgiving dinner. It was yummy...I must say, I am an amazing cook!! But the bad news....I got really sick that night and through all the fantastic food up! It was awful. Then we spent the next week with various people getting sick with the flu. It made for a very long last week of November. Faith was in the Forgotten Carols this year. Our Stake, at church, put it on. It is a great Christmas play. Faith had a great time participating in this play and I really enjoyed the one night that I got to attend!

Then on to December. With all the school work - college and elementary, we were swamped. I completed both of my classes. I got an A in both classes!!!! Wow! I was really concerned about the English class, but I really did enjoy it and I learned a lot! We sped through December with 2 children's concerts, 5 Christmas parties, 4 school Christmas parties, 2 birthday parties, a great Morgan Family Christmas party, and Christmas. I started and finished my Christmas shopping on December 22nd and David did not get to go out until December 24th at 5:15pm. Between work and school and finances there was really no time before that. Then, David went out again a few days after Christmas to finish up!! We really enjoyed the two weeks off of school. We spent the two weeks staying up late and sleeping in. We watched a lot of movies, played outside, played video games, and went shopping. It really was a well deserved break for all of us. We have enjoyed the time together as a family!

On December 15th we got a phone call from President Smith letting us know that David's application for his Restoration of Priesthood Blessing had been approved. We were thrilled and on December 16th, Liz and Ryan Meinzer stayed after church with our kids while David and I went into the Stake President's office and all of David's blessings were restored. It was awesome. We immediately set the date for our family of 8 to go to the Sacramento Temple and be sealed for time and all eternity!

The day before our sealing was a terrible storm with winds reaching up to 60 miles per hour. We were determined to go to the temple that day and do a session, David's first in 15 years. We braved the storm, dropped our kids at 2 different houses, thanks to Tina and Jennifer, and we made it to the temple with 10 minutes to get dressed. We were met there by my mom, Nancy, and David's good friend (and mine) Sean Campbell. It was wonderful to be in the Celestial Room. It was so peaceful and I think that, while going through a session at the temple is an individual thing, I have never felt so complete being there as I did on that Friday with David being there! And being in the Celestial room was just fantastic.

On January 5, 2008, we took all 6 of our kids to the temple. It was fantastic. Here is the run down of our day:

6am - woke up with a start, we had fallen asleep in the living room trying to get Gloria to sleep and now I had woken up an hour late...let the stress begin!!!

got ready and got the kids up, fed, dressed, hair done (in curlers) and we were out the door by 8:40am, only 15 minutes later than I wanted to leave...pretty good!!

We made it to the temple only about 5 minutes later than we were supposed to be. Before our sealing, we sat together in our temple robes in the Celestial Room. While waiting to complete everything, we just sat there. It was the most calm and peaceful feeling that I have ever had. Just sitting there with David and being able to enjoy the peace and serenity, knowing that this day had finally come and then knowing that all our kids were there and that there were family members, wonderful friends, and temple workers helping them get ready was so wonderful. We sat in that wonderful room for at least 20 minutes just enjoying being there. There was another couple in the room with us. They were also going to be sealed and were waiting their turn. They appeared to be younger than us and I am pretty sure they were getting married and just starting their life together. It was kind of interesting to me. They sat there the entire time visiting and enjoying eachother. I sat there just holding David's hand and getting teary-eyed. For me just sitting in the right place with my husband, soon to be eternal companion was enough. It was really amazing and even now as I write this my heart is full of joy for this day!!

We were taken into the sealing room which was full of family and friends, it was wonderful to walk in and see all those smiling faces. We then were sealed by our old Stake President, President Alexander. During the part when it is mentioned to multiply and replenish the earth there were quite a few smiles and even some outright giggles!! Then we sat back down and waited for all the kids to be brought in. A huge thanks here goes our to Earline Fewkes. Earline is the nursery leader at our church and the Bishop's wife. She is also the most patient woman that I know and when I was trying to choose someone to watch our kids and keep them reverent in the temple, her name was the first to come into my mind. David and I really appreciate that she waited with them and helped them. Back to the sealing room...in came all these beautiful children dressed in white. It was so cool. There are no words to explain how happy it made me to see them. Then we knelt at the alter and were all sealed. As each of the kids' names were read, their faces lit up. It was amazing. I know that the right order of events is to be sealed first and then have the children, but being there with those kids, I would not change this experience that they had for anything. It was so worth the wait for them to be there.

After the sealing we were going to take pictures, but it was so cold and windy, that we only got 2 pictures and my friend has them on her camera. As soon as I get them I will add them in here!! Then we went out to lunch at Spaghetti Factory with our families and a few very good friends. It was great to visit. Then back to our house where we were able to visit with David's family that made the trek to be with us. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Bill, Tami & Brent, Ted and Ken for coming. We really appreciated that you took the time and money to come with us. The kids keep asking when they get to see you again!!! Tami & Brent made this awesome Christmas present for all of us. A DVD of the last 25 years in the Cox Family. It was so cool to see those old home movies and pictures, especially watching it will all of you!! We said good-bye to Tami and Brent, they had to get back to their kids in Fresno. Then we ate dinner and visited some more. It was great.

The following day, Sunday, we blessed our little, well not so little, Nephi. We were able to take some pictures of the Cox family that was with us. Lucky for us that Grandma & Grandpa Morgan could get in this shot with us!! What a family we have!! That day in Sacrament meeting we had 16 kids 9 years old and under. I think that is a record for the ward that we are in!! We took up 3 pews and it sure was great to see all those men get up to bless my little boy Nephi!! What a great example of priesthood holders that this little boy and all the other boys in our family have to look up to and emulate!! I am so grateful that all who came did and we missed those unable to make the trek!! We love all of you!! Here is a picture of Mom and all her boys!!! What a great group of returned missionaries to hang out with!!!

And here is my eternal family!!!!

From our family to yours we wish you the very best 2008!! We have had a great start and look forward to the opportunities that this new year will present for us!!! We love you all!! Please let us know what you are up to and how you are doing!!

WOW!! Lot's of stuff!

Allright! The last week has been a fun-filled busy one!! Last Saturday was Faith & Hyrum's play. They perfomed The Tempest. The play was an adaptation written by an elementary school teacher of the Shakespeare play. It was really fun!! Faith was Prospero (yes she played a boy!!)

Hyrum played Caliban!! It was so cool. The play was awesome for a bunch of little kids. It was especially cool because they did not use elaborate sets. In fact their sets consisted of tree branches that two kids would hold in front of their faces to be trees, and a bunch of metal folding chairs. The kids had simple costumes. It was all about imagination!!

After the play we got to have fun at the jamboree. There were children performing such things as gymnastics and dances. They played music, of course the kids were excited to hear the favorite : "Cha Cha Slide"!!! At their school this has become a very popular song!! The crowning moment for Vilate came when she got to take this picture with her friend...Darth Vader. So here is Darth Vader and Darth Vilater!!!

Helaman got excited when we got to jump in the bounce house and go down the slide many, many, many, many times. He also got a stack of free coupons of food and was thrilled when he got his own can of Sprite and a plate of baked beans. Gloria had fun, but by the end she was worn out!!

It was a very fun, and totally tiring day for Mom. I was so glad to see the car when we were done!!

I have started my classes at ARC and am really enjoying them. I am taking World Music and English 301. The English class makes me nervous....I hate writing essays, but there is this new program that AR English professors offer. It is FREE one on one tutoring with one of them. It is a .5 unit class and they will meet with you as often as you want and give you any help that you need throughout the semester. I am excited!!

Okay, some more random stuff...we finally did a photo shoot of Nephi...so here is one of the best pictures...not that any are bad...it's hard to get a bad shot when you have such a handsome subject!!!

Tonight was our Stake Trunk-or-Treat. It was really fun, crazy, busy and FULL of kids!! It started at 6:30 and I got the costumes finished at 6:40. Pretty good timing. Today was also the school carnival and I would be a terrible spouse if I didn't brag to everyone about my awesome hubby!! He braved the school carnival and all it's chaos with all 6 kids, including Nephi the one that refuses a bottle!! I dropped them off at 12:30 and off I went to school. I did not return until 4:10. When I got there the kids were all there, safe, having a great time with a bunch of candy and toys that they had won at the carnival games. Way to go Dave!! You are brave!! They had a marvelous time!!

So, now the costumes are done, the kids are in bed, I have done the dishes, it is time to fold laundry and go to bed!!! Ya know, my job is never complete. There is never a time when I can say that I am done. Mom's are great!!

Crazy

Can you tell that I like the word crazy? Man, I did not know how much I use it!!! Kinda funny! Well, tomorrow is the big day for Faith and Hyrum. They have their performance!! They are so excited and can't wait! I am really glad that it is not supposed to rain. We just found out that they are performing outside!

I went to my first class at ARC. I am not sure yet if I will be added, the teacher will let us know on Sunday. I was fun to be there. I really enjoyed being in a classroom that was full of adults. With no baby sounds, I was shocked by how quiet it was. Even at church there is always a baby around, but there were no babies in that room and you could hear a pin drop. I have to admit it was a little uncomfortable for me to be in such a quiet environment!! But, I am glad to be back on the road to a degree...even if I never use it, I am glad that I will have it!

Well, gotta go and take care of the kiddos!!

POOR BABY

Shots are the worst invention of man!!! Today I took my sweet, innocent, smiling baby to the doctor for his 4 month check-up. He weighs a whopping 15 pounds, 11.9ounces!! After we saw the doctor, we got to go into the playroom at Kaiser. After waiting more than an hour with 3 kids (the older 3 were at school), they finally came out an called Neffy Cox. We went into the room and they started by giving my smiling boy these yummy tasting drops, then he gave the nurse a huge smile and laugh.

Way to go Neffy, make her feel guilty!!!!

It worked, she said she was so sorry, because he was soooo cute!! (I know it!!) Then the 3 shots came. Helaman, the awesome big brother that he is, stood next to Nephi and just about cried for him. He was so sad and I could tell he was trying not to cry, but the tears were forming in his eyes!! Finally it was over!!!! We survived another shot experience...boy am I glad that they space these things out!! So, we have another 2 months before we have to go and repeat this fabulously fun procedure!! Tomorrow I am planning on doing a full photo shoot of Nephi, I will try and post more pics as we take them!!

Crazy Busy Week

Well, another Saturday gone by with not much accomplished. How is it that I seem to be on the go all day long yet nothing ever seems done? I guess that is not quite true...we went to 2 stores, did 2 loads of laundry (with 5 more waiting), went to a party for a friend that is going into the army (Hyrum was excited..."She's going to be an army girl?!?!?! Cool!"), took David to work, cleaned the toys and junk off the floors of the kids rooms and the front room, bathed 5 of the 6 kids, did the dishes, fed people, and of course...most important...I made brownies for my sweet, overworked, tired husband. So it seems I got a lot of things done...there is just always SO much to do!!

The last week was a little crazy around here. We did not have a phone for 5 days...there was a problem with the outside line and the phone company kept missing the appointments to fix it. It sure was quiet around here. I must admit that I enjoyed the lack of phone ringing that I usually hear all day long. While our phone was out, the boiler at our apartment complex died. It was the original boiler...so it was old. We had no water for one day and no hot water for 4 days. I had to boil water to make the bath water lukewarm for the kids. I am SO glad that I am not living on the praire with a bunch of kids. I LOVE MY HOT WATER!!! I must commend my brave husband, he showered twice in the FREEZING water. I boiled water the second day and I really tried to get into the shower on the third day, but it was SO COLD. I thought that I was going to freeze to death and seeing as I was the only adult here, David was at school, I figured that I should not risk death...there were kids sleeping at the time!! So I did the best I could with a wash cloth. The minute that I had hot water I was in that shower and boy, it was wonderful!!!

Add to all that the disappointment of my 3rd grader. Faith was all set to go on an overnight fieldtrip to Camp Winthers, up in the mountains. The morning before the fieldtrip the school got a call that Camp Winthers was under 6 inches of snow, the pipes were frozen and some were breaking. To make matters worse, there was another storm approaching on Friday, the second day of the fieldtrip. Well, the trip was cancelled. They decided to go on Thursday and drive along the river to see the water cycle up to Auburn, the conflunce or something?, and just not drive the final leg of the trip, but to come home the same day. According to Faith it was not very fun because they didn't get to sleep in cabins. SORRY FAITH!! The good thing about Mission Avenue School is that there is always another fieldtrip!!

Speaking of the kids school, just to give you an idea of the fun times there...on the same day as Faith's fieldtrip, Vilate had her French Cafe. The kids all dress up in red, black and white and the parents play restaurant for the kids. They come up in groups of 2 and 3 and are seated by a Maitre'd and are served crossiants, grapes, yogurt, sparkling cider and for dessert, chocolate eiffle towers!! The kids all wear berets, that I made this year (80 of them!! it was a crazy 20 hour job) and they are sooooo cute!!

The same day as these other great events Hyrum had the dentist come to his school. She told them all about teeth brushing. It is amazing that no matter how many times I tell the kids that you don't need much toothpaste to get the job done they don't listen. But then a dentist comes to school and suddenly Hyrum comes to me and says, "Mom, you know that toothpaste is not the most important part of brushing your teeth. The brushing part is and if you have too much toothpaste, the brushing doesn't work so good!" Thank goodness for the dentist!!

I love the kids school, but it is so much work. On top of the 80 berets I made, I also spent 2 hours this last week working on bookorders and grading homework for 3rd grade, an hour on 2nd grades reading charts and at least an hour on phone calls for the school carnival!! Sometimes it seems as though that school is over running my life!! I have learned over the past 4 years how to say NO much better and I will continue to practice that word!!!

Well, it is getting late, 12:05am and my poor cold and tired husband has not made it home from work yet. He had to ride his bike home. He is the utility clerk this week at work and it keeps him crazy busy. He has gotten off late every night and tonight I felt bad, but he has to ride home!! Poor boy!! I better make sure his dessert is ready for him!! Here he is...gotta go!!