Lately...

Jane just finished some private swimming lessons...Jane and Linda will take group lessons together at the end of the month.
Jane recently had her 100th day of school!

Claire gave her first talk in primary. She was really excited about it. She spoke on choosing the right, which is ironic considering that the week of her talk she chose to cut her own hair. She has some pretty short bangs. :)

Bruce had his Blue and Gold dinner. This is the skit portion.

The weather here in Oceanside has been absolutely beautiful. The first time we lived here I don't think I fully appreciated the weather. After living in Virginia for 2yrs. I can really appreciate 73 degree weather in February!

Brace Face!

Bruce got braces and an expander on this morning. It makes me feel old knowing that I have a kid with braces. But, he's only 8. They start earlier these days to prevent more work in the future.

Here are Bruce's before pictures.

(crooked bottom teeth & top teeth separated with one in front and one in back on his bite.)

Here are the pictures from getting work done this morning.

This is the expander he has on the roof of his mouth. I have to widen it for him each day for 14days and then they check it again. It's supposed to widen his jaw and make room for teeth to come in.

The Braces

We got clear braces so you can only really see the wire.

His New Smile...for now.

Mormon Battalion 2012

It's that time of year again, time for the Mormon Battalion commemoration. We attended this last year with Robert's parents and decided to go again. We love going to Old Town, it's so beautiful there.

Grandma & Grandpa Thompson and the kids.(along with cousin Elise & Audrey)

Jane found one of her favorite things...a horse. She was so excited to pet it.

Bruce ready for the long march. I love the California flare w/flip flops and shorts. :)

Our kids. Claire had to wear this hat all day because of an unfortunate hair cut she gave herself last night. :/

It was a fun morning.

33 Years Blessed

Today I turned thirty-three years old.  As I look back on the last thirty-three years there were a few  specific things I am very grateful for in my life.

I'm grateful the Lord let me have such a wonderful mother. She has always stuck by me, through the good and the bad. When my father left, she held our family together through love and sacrifice. Where would I be without her? I speak to hear almost daily for advice and for her friendship. I love and admire her.

I'm grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know it is Christ's restored church on the earth. It has provided me with guidance and standards, and most importantly the knowledge that I am a child of God and that he will always love me. This knowledge has made all the difference in the world to me.

I am grateful for the Saviour. He has never given up on me, and  I certainly feel I've given him reason to. Even in my darkest hour when I had basically given up on myself, He put people and circumstances in my life to help me find my way. He is my friend and my advocate.

I'm grateful for my brother & sisters. I've heard the quote, "Sisters are different flowers, from the same garden." I love that quote. My sisters and I are all very different. We have a lot going on in our individual lives. But when push comes to shove, we would sacrifice anything for each other. I have been able to depend on them in hard times and I've been able to change and make important decisions with their advice. Who needs friends? I have sisters.

I'm grateful for my babies. How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful son, and three beautiful daughters? They are my world. I learn from them each day, and find myself trying to be more like them. I try so hard to be a good mother to them so that in hard times they will always know they can come to me and that I will always love them. I enjoy being a full time mother. It is the most important job I will ever do. It is the only thing by which I think I'll ever be able to measure my success by.

I'm grateful for Robert. I know I was supposed to marry him. He loves me no matter what. I'd never been able to say that about a guy until I met him. I've never felt so secure than when I'm with him. I know that no matter where we are, apart or together, that I love him and that he loves me. It has given me wings to fly. He is my partner. I love him very much. We can accomplish anything together.

Adoption

Since June of last year, Robert and I have been in the process of being approved for adoption through San Diego County. I made a separate blog of the process we've been going through. We are now approved for adoption. I'm not sure what the future will hold in this regard but it's been quite a journey. You can click on the link below if you want to read about it.

Our Adoption Blog

Cub Scouts

A few pictures from Cub Scouts.
Bruce has already received some belt loops and his first badge.
It's tradition for the dad to hold the Cub Scout upside down while the mother puts a pin on them. Bruce had to leave the pin upside down until he did something kind for someone.

We're looking forward to another fun year in Cub Scouts!