Brooklyn turns 12

Brooklyn's birthday was the end of September and she got the party of a lifetime!  We happen to have some friends who won concert tickets after they had already bought some so they offered them to us.  They were tickets to see Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers.  Brooklyn was ecstatic and knew immediately who she wanted to take.  We went along with our friends whose daughter is about the same age. 

We went really early so we could get a good spot.  Turns out we didn't have to cuz I guess Joe by himself doesn't sell out like when he's with his brothers.  The girls had a great time though eating dinner and making signs while we waited.

Brooklyn and two of her besties - Nikona and Anna

We took chairs so we could be comfy while we waited.  This is Brooklyn, Nikona, Anna and Makenzie.

This was no Disney affair.  The girls that were there were very scantily dressed and the atmosphere was a little dark.  When we got inside, they were serving alcohol and playing club music to which I heard many full on foul words.  We were thinking we may have to leave if it stayed like this.  The opening girl we didn't love but once Joe got on it was better.  He had a girl on stage with him doing a little too much bumping and grinding for our little ones though.  They commented on it after the show.  We stayed toward the back so as to not be too much in the craziness.  Even in the back, we were not more than 50 feet from the stage.

They all made posters but weren't really able to use them once we got inside. 

That says "freakin love u" in case you were wondering. Ü

The concert only lasted about an hour and a half total so we went for ice cream to end the evening.  They all had a ton of fun and Brooklyn was very pleased with how her birthday turned out.

This is B on her actual birthday, we didn't do a whole lot but she got her presents in the morning.

welcome to STUD-ville

It's amazing what a little stardom can do for one's social life.  My sweet little awkward and shy Rhett has entered STUD-ville.  Up till now he has mostly been overlooked, slightly teased and pretty much just a gangly 13 year old.  He got the part of Barron in Camp Rock.  Barron is a hip-hopping cool kid and Rhett plays it well.  One of the kids from the play said to me "DANG!  Rhett can dance!"  I know!!  He really is good.  Last night while waiting to pick them up I noticed three very cute girls swarming him.  I watched in wonder, thinking  "what's all that about?"  I had heard some whispering about this girl or that that liked Rhett recently but I didn't think much of it.  Now I'm looking at these three super cute girls batting their eyelashes at him and I'm thinking "Back off!"  I have to wonder, have they just now seen in Rhett what I've always seen: a sweet boy with a very big heart who happens to be pretty cute?  OR, are they swooning over Barron?  Whatever the case, we are going to need to keep Rhett's ego in tact if this keeps up.  These girls are making friends with Brooklyn to get the "in" with Rhett.  He's being oh-so-cool about the whole thing of course.  What I really hope comes from this is that Rhett can see himself through their eyes and have just a little bit more self-confidence.  I think this particular show has definitely vaulted him to Rockstar status.

Tender Hearts

Tonight we received an awful and disturbing picture message from one of our very good friends.  They were driving back from Cali, where we had just been with them, and their Suburban towing their camper had overturned on the freeway.  Their six kids were in the car when it flipped over.  Luckily there were only minor injuries aside from their totaled vehicles.  When we related to our kids what had happened to their friends, there responses were quite touching.  One of the first things said after all the "are they Ok's" was "should we take them some cookies?"  Then there was the request to say a family prayer in their behalf by my two littlest ones.  Katy said the sweetest prayer for them.  Then there were the comments on how sad they were that "I almost felt like I was going to cry" (Bo) and then he said "I want to make sure to remember my prayers before bed tonight so I won't have scary dreams about that."  Of course, our hearts are heavy for all they have had to go through today but also so grateful they are on their way home without any serious injuries.  I have only a slight inkling as to how frightening and traumatic that had to be for them.  It's such a powerful reminder that anything can happen.  Even to those close to us.  I'm so glad that my children first wanted to turn to their Heavenly Father.  I pray that they will remember that through the rest of their years, that He is where we find our comfort.  I'm so grateful to have such amazing friends and that they are still with us today.   

Bursting with Pride

I know I'm not the only parent who has experienced this, but it's still a wonder.  To watch your kids do something amazing, to excel, to put themselves out there.... it's such a wonderful and fulfilling feeling for a parent.  Tonight my kids did a "flash mob" in front of the theater to promote the upcoming show of Camp Rock they are in.  I haven't seen any of what they have been doing so it was all new to me.  I sat in awe and on the brink of tears the whole time.  First, because they could even do it.  That they could get up there in front of people they didn't even know and put it out there like that made me so proud.  Then, let me be honest here... they ROCK!  I may be slightly prejudice, but really... they were so good!  Little Rhett can move, he dances so well and looks so in his element up there.  Whitley has come so far in her abilities.  She just shines when she is performing and she also has figured out how to make everything work together when she moves.  Then there's Stephen.  He had so sing a whole song on his own while keeping up with the dancers.  For a kid who isn't the most nimble of teenagers, he was so awesome!  Then Rhett and Stephen and another boy all had a little solo part where they stand off against each other.  My heart just swelled watching them.  It was a moment when you wanted to stand up and yell "those are my kids!!"  Then to add to it, I knew most of those kids personally either from church or from doing other shows and I was just so proud of all of them.  I'm super excited to go see the show this weekend.  Glade video'd them at the mall and maybe I can figure out how to get it on here.  For now, I'm just enjoying the moment.

Be Careful What You Say

I was laying with Katy the other day and she was protesting the "nap".  I, of course, always win and she knows that.  She got up into the bed and laid next to me but with her very pouty face.  Then she proceeded to pull the sheet up and over her face.  I decided to go for the old reverse psychology technique.. Good, now I don't have to look at that ugly face.. I said.  She giggled and pulled the sheet down to which I cried.. Stop, No, Cover it up!.  She giggled some more and we did this two or three more times when she stopped and said to me "Is that really true?" 

We call her princess and tell her she is beautiful ALL the time.  One day of a smart remark and all of a sudden she has a complex.  How sad to me that that no matter how much we say something positive, the negative is heard so strongly.  I assured her I was teasing and she melted right back on to my shoulder where I love the most, but I was sad.  Stick and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.  Lie. 

On another quirky note: We were coming home from Sunday dinner when I had to remind a certain teenage girl not to wear a black bra with a white shirt.  One of the younger kids asked why and I said it didn't look nice and now she looks a little like a hoochi mama.  Of course they didn't know what that was so I explained that it was a girl who was not very modest and maybe wasn't very chaste.  Bo pipes right up and says " I get chased all the time!"  We all giggled and he says "No, really.. I do!"  Oh the joy of innocence.

I want my Charity back

I love to help, really I do.  If I wasn't a mother of 9 I would probably belong to the Peace Corp. or Red Cross or something and travel around helping people when tragedy strikes.  That's when I feel the best.  Last week a family in our neighborhood had their home burn down.  They have 8 children and pretty much lost everything.  In my attempt to "save the world", I started gathering everything I could think of and then went to the store to buy them hygiene stuff and odds and ends that one might not think of.  It feels really good to think you are saving someone.  I was so excited to go offer my goods this morning and know that today they would be able to brush their teeth with brand new toothbrushes and dry off with new, clean towels. 

When I showed up to help sort through all that had been donated and give of my own stuff, I was shocked to see the amount of things laying before me.  Wow, people have really stepped up.  They may have more things now than they did before the fire.  Assuredly, they may not get to my deodorant before it expires.  My new towels were thrown into a huge bin of other towels and the toilet paper with all the other many rolls.  It should still feel good to know that we did what we could, but in all honesty... it didn't really feel good at all.  I wished I could take it all back and do something else.  Nothing I bought would truly make a difference for them.  It may even make it worse, she could walk in.. take one look and say "what am I going to do with all this soap?". 

I'm really not complaining, what a wonderful gift to this family to have had so many people reach out and give.  The amount of clothing was surreal.  But what I did decide is that I'm going to be the last one to donate in the future.  See what got missed or forgotten and then fill that hole.  I want my offering to be useful, not tossed in with the other 12 tubes of toothpaste.  In the end, I know it will all get used and our time helping was probably more useful than anything we brought.  It's refreshing to see there is still much good in the world.

Insight

This weekend I came to realize many things.  First, tomorrow is always another day.  When this one is tough or you've made a mess of it, you can always start anew.  Move on.  I found out that you can't make people be dependable.  And even when they're not, it's not usually the end of the world.  Most things just work out.  And if it doesn't, not the end of the world.  You don't have to be everywhere.  Saying no or staying home doesn't kill you or anyone else.  Sometimes it might even save you.  Mom's are the best.  Especially mine.  Not all teenagers are rotten, actually many are quite sweet and nice and very admirable.  I have one. There's nothing like a sparkle.  No matter what it's on.  Sleep cures many things.  God hears me.  Old dogs can learn new tricks... or at least attempt them.  I love you Glade♥.  Sharing chocolate is better than eating it all yourself.  My world is not the only one.  You tend to love things more when you think they may not be yours anymore.  Giving feels good.  Relationships are work.  Apple cinnamon pancakes are fabulous.  All in a weekend.....

What I took from conference: I need to be a better scripture reader and go forward with faith that all things will be for my good.  Know that the experiences and trials will make me who I need to be if I will trust and be faithful.  I hope I am always wearing my best shoes and be ready and willing to rise up and get to work.