Happy Anniversary

Well, 14 years!  We are getting up there!  Darren and I are pretty dang good for each other.  I fell like we make a pretty good power team. 

Have you ever heard our engagement story?  I don't think I have ever blogged about it, so now would be a great time. The year was 1996.  We were both 18.  I was a Senior in High School and Darren was a Freshman at BYU.  Darren was born and raised in a small country town called Housatonic Massachusetts.   Growing up he and his family became freinds with another LDS family by the name of the Schmutz's.  A couple years previously the Schmutz's moved to Provo, and I became good friends with  their daughter, Ann.  I distinctly remember one day riding in the car with all my girl friends when Ann said, "there is this guy my family used to be friends with from Massachusets.  He is living out here going to BYU and we need to meet him!  He is really cute!"  I said, "yea, I totally want to meet him."  About a week later Darren got his wisdom teeth out and needed someone to take care of him so he stayed at the Schmutz's.  I remember getting some excuse to go to their house on my lunch break to see him.  I was wearing a yellow skirt. I saw him laying on the couch with his cheeks all puffy.  Yea, he was cute, even with puffy cheeks.  Darren and I were pretty much made for each other.  We both liked each other instantly and didn't play games.  Our first date was to go see Anthony in the hospital after he was born.  I wrote him the whole time he was on his mission.   I knew he was the one I wanted to marry- but that's another story.  Maybe tomorrow would be a good day to tell it!

What Makes You Smile?

Popsukls makes me smile.  What makes you smile?  I love popsukls!!!!

By Kyle E.

UFO's

Paul has been checking out books from the school library about UFO's.  Seriously?  Why do they have books about UFO's?  And why is Paul checking them out?  I have tried talking to him and telling him that I don't believe in aliens- and so he shouldn't either.  I tried telling him religiously, and logically, why aliens don't exist.  He doesn't care.  He read a book about Roswell- and he is convinced.   I found this paper in his backpack.   Oh boy.

If I were President
I would make schools more funded and make it so that if other people are talking and your not, you shouldn't get in trouble. 
But I wouldn't let the government keep secrets from us about aliens and UFO's.
I'd help nursing homes and hospitals to have better equitment.
I'd pass a law that kid's saftey comes before adult's saftey. 

Paul Ernst For President!!!!!!

Letters From Cousins

Here is the cutest letter Bridie sent to Ellie before Christmas.  I think Bridie is 5- such a cute age!

Dear Ellie,

How is it in Florida? Do you like how no cousins around?  Ellie, are you having fun in Florida? Do you miss the snow?  Is anybody sick in your family?  The people in our that are sick are Isaac, Jacob, Bridie, Eleanor, Matthew, Adaline and our dad.  So what do you want for Christmas Ellie! Do you wonder what you will get for Christmas?  Well I do.  

Sincerely, Bridie Harkness  (Isaac Harkness did most of the letter.)

If I Had A Hundred Dollars

  If you won $100 what would you do with it?  I can think of a ton of things I would do if I had a hundred extra dollars; buy some cute clothes, maybe a pair of shoes, a new swimsuit, go on a date with Darren, buy some fun home decorations.   What do you think most kids would do if they won $100?  

 Kyle brought home his paper from the 100 days of school. I thought it was so sweet. 

  If I had $100 I would send it to charity.  The charity I would send it to peaple with owt money.   
Kyle Ernst 

I told him if he had $100 to give it to me so I could buy some things on my list! Ok not really, I told him he was a really good kid.  

About a Year Ago

About a year ago on Feb. 7th I was hugely pregnant.  An emotional wreck.  And had never met baby Gabe.  Today, a year later, I am happy.  I feel strong physically and emotionally and cannot express how much  love my little angel baby.   Time seems to go faster with each child.  There are so many moments with him that I wish I could just freeze.   I love little Gabriel so much.  He is the love of our family! So often you can find our whole family crowded around him trying to get him to laugh.  I call him the family "puppy".   Wanna know some more things about Gabe at his 1 year mark?
-Gabe has 10 teeth! 8 in front and 2 mollers
-Gabe is crawling, and almost walking
-He loves to talk! He is constantly making noises and mimicking what we say.
-Gabe is sensitive to music and loves to dance.
-I think Gabe is a brilliant baby.  If I ask him to spit something out he will.
- He has already figured out how to go down the stairs backwards
- He hates his high chair.  Hates.
- Gabe is the lightest sleeper ever.  If a neigbor opens their garage door he will wake up.
- Gabe is an early bird.

Here is how his birthday went:

In the morning Gabe and I went on the back Lanai and did a little photo shoot

I love those big brown eyes!  Everywhere I go people comment on how beautiful his eyes are- I agree! 

I couldn't resist taking a picture of him sleeping.

 Remeinber how I said he HATES his high chair?  just watch the video below.

For all of my kids I have done a chocolate cake for their first birthday.  None of them had any interest.  Especially Paul.  I was so excited for Gabe to dig in and entertain all of us! Well, I was highly disappointed.  Maybe we will start doing it at the 2 year birthday.

Struggles as a mom

My kids are all in Elementary school.  They aren't supposed to be having bullying problems yet- right?!  I mean, Paul is only in the 5th grade for heaven's sake.  But lately the other kids in Pauls classroom have been calling him such mean terrible names- pretty much every swear word you can think plus more.  He came home today and cried.  I have been worried sick.  I sent the teacher and the school counselor an e-mail.  They are going to talk to the students.  We will have to see if that fixes the problem.  I can tell you one thing, I will not put up with it.  I never thought I would home school, but I am considering it pretty seriously now.
The crazy thing is- that this is a good school! What would life be like if they went to a school in the ghetto?
Paul wanted to send his teacher an e-mail- this is what it said...

Mrs Salmons,
                    I don't like to come to school because of bullying. Bullying and teasing makes me feel depressed and sad. It is hard to learn and to do school work because of bullying, boys making weird sounds, etc. I really want it to stop.


Your pupil, Paul

 I gave all my kids extra love tonight.  I told them how wonderful they are I am privileged to be their mom.  I held them in my arms and kissed each of them.  I read extra long to Ellie and Kyle.  I snuggled with Paul. I talked about how fun movie night is going to be.  What do you do as a mother?  I want to just keep my kids home all day for forever.