Kinda of a quiet day today. Woke up this morning to a frantic Michaela. She had just remembered that she had told her friend Jenny that she would come and watch her last soccer game. Our children have been lucky finding friends here in California.

The girls took this photo on their own with the timer. Of course, I am focused on why Michaela doesn't comb her hair become taking a picture, (she just got out of the shower), but she is sharing the moment with a friend.

Doug and I are singing in church tomorrow, Spencer has a talk, I am working on an Enrichment activity and teaching Primary. Tonight my thoughts are turned to...do we have clean, ironed clothes?...what will we have for dinner?...etc. It reminds me of the primary song, "Saturday is a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday, we ... and call it our get the work done day." Mostly, I think this works for mothers.

I will stop complaining when I'm dead, she said, so I got out my day planner & told her I'd love to pencil that in.

Enough for now...Love to all.

Okay, so we need your help. We went out today to help Spence and Michaela take pictures for their Reflections entries. I am going to post a few and let you help us decide on the final. I have already ordered the Photoshop software but haven't received it yet. Always a couple of days late. The theme is "My Favorite Place." Spencer's is of course "Gamestop" and Layla's is "Hanging Out with My Family." We tried hanging out of some trees for her but ants were crawling all over us and the pictures still looked shadowy and poor. Anyway, anyone willing to vote for either of Spence's photos, let us know what you think.

I looked at Layla's tennis shoes today. They were filthy. When I ask her how they got so dirty, she said, "It's call activity Mom. These shoes are a badge of honor." I guess she told me.

Enough for now...love to all.

I started work very early this morning. Polk, the company I work for, was hosting an ethnicity seminar. So interesting to have the presenters identify how different groups shop and what is important to them.

When I got back to my home office, I was informed by my children that the weekend has begun. They are out of school tomorrow.

Sometimes I think we should bury all our money in a hole & go back to
enjoying life again, he said. It'd probably be a good idea to make a map of
where the hole was just in case it didn't work out though.

----- The Story People

Sometimes it has to be okay to crave the kind of simple approach to live enjoyed by our children. This working for a living isn't all it is cracked up to be. I guess it all depends on how you choose to view your life. Do I acknowledge the blessings of my life or focus on the pebble in my shoe.

Enough for now. Love to all.

I am a bit obsessed with blogging. True to my compulsive nature, once I start with something, I must buy the toys, wear the T-Shirt and completely exhaust myself learning about how to do this until I am bored and can move on. I am not there yet. Last night I drug all the family to Walmart (cheap with little political conscience) to buy a new digital camera. I have a Video Camera and a camera on my phone, but no I need one with better megapixels and features. These are some of my first photos. Get a load of my handsome husband, wacky son and my darling daughter. Michaela came to me last night with concerns about how to get gum off her face. I shared with her the secret to remove gum--PEANUT BUTTER. She decided it was photo worthy. This child provides such humor in my life.

Don't you hear it? she asked
& I shook my head no & then she started todance & suddenly there
was music everywhere & it went on for a very long time & when I finally
found words all I could say was thank you.

-The Story People

I am also blessed to have a great husband. He has been so supportive through these last 12 years. When I look around, it reminds me that the Lord knows me and helped to find a man who could help me grow. I am grateful for him.

Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up. -Joseph Barth

Love to all. Enough for now...

We have been blessed with such great friends in our ward since we moved to California. This is a picture of Celeste Bowler. Her husband has been away for a few weeks and we were babysitting her on Sunday. Spencer and Michaela both leaned over to me during church at different times to see if we could invite Celeste for dinner.

Sunday I received another calling in addition to teaching primary. The Relief Society has requested that I serve on the Enrichment Committee. How do they find out these things? Actually, the Bishop asked if I was overburdened. Little did he know that I would spend time with the Enrichment Counselor, Jeanette Calloway and the Enrichment Leader, Karen Smith for my entertainment. They are amazingly talented women. Remind me of some of my dear book club members from home.

doesn't mind carrying a few choice pieces of baggage so she has a conversation starter in almost any social situation... -The Story People


Michaela & Celeste/Storm & Dorothy

Tates had a very nice weekend. On Friday, we took the kids to Disneyland. We bought annual SoCal passes in April and it has become our favorite "cheap" family night. My favorite moment of the night was when Spencer rode Thunder Mountain for Dad. This is Doug's favorite ride and he rarely gets to ride because Spence and Michaela have not reached their "thrill seeking" phase yet. Spence committed to ride if he could "cling" to me. He ducked his head under my arm and kept his eyes closed most of the ride. When we got off, he tried to convince Michaela that it wasn't that bad and she should try it.

Saturday, we cleaned most of the morning and ran errands in the afternoon. When we arrived home, on our doorstep were two cases of Red Grapefruit Fruit Naturals with a note from the "Grapefruit Bandit." I have become addicted to these grapefruit cups. It is like having candy (which I am not having for a month based on the bet with the kids) without the guilt. Our wonderful friend, Celeste Bowler, sent them. I am blessed with wonderful friends in this new ward.

I am reading a great book called "Putting a Face on Grace: Living a Life Worth Passing On." It has really made me think. The front cover: It's a living, breathing testament to the depth of God's love. You don't deserve it, but you've got it. So, what are you doing with God's amazing grace? It is mostly anecdotal but there are some beautiful reminders the unconditional loving quality of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. From the book, "We are not called to just bathe in grace: we are called to shower it upon others."

Enough for now...Love to all.