Books for January 2011...

Dear Journal~

I've found one of my favorite past times just before bed is reading...Here are a couple of the books I've enjoyed over the month of January!


This story takes place in Oregon during World War 2, Pearl Harbor has been bombed and you become enlightened as to how the aftermath of that event effects all kinds of people in our country, but none more then those of Japanese decent. The story line focuses around a young boy who is Chinese with parents who want for him to live the American Dream, however by placing him in a white school where kids aren't able to tell the differences between the many Asian descent, he is grouped into with a hated people....Not only do I love how the author writes, but this book set me in a time period I didn't know much about!

I give this book 5 stars! It reconfirms that friendship and love can over come all prejudice!

The setting for this book is at a beautiful farm and cozy town in rural California. It focus's on a widowed women trying to make ends meet after the untimely lose of her young husband, and the events of a wayward fourteen year old girl. It's intriguing how the author pulls these two people together among others, and holds your interest as you wait through a number of events to see how they will all become connected and move forward through their individual trials.
I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It's not as light reading as some, but I love that this book is about second chances and reconfirms that none of us are past the love and wonderful blessing of family or change!



This book has been by far one of my favorites! It has a sequel and I can hardly wait to read it! I feel like this LDS Author has mastered the perfect balance between page turning suspense and testifying of the truthfulness of the gospel, all in one. It takes place in France during World War 2 (which made me hesitant at first, because of just reading the other book set in the same time period, but was well worth it) a young women takes on the daring assignment of jumping into enemy lines to test a new from of Morse Code, in doing so she is captured and her fate is in the hands of a faithful Mormon Nazi Captain. There are many twist and turns as the captain is torn between following God and becoming a traitor to his country or doing the will of his Nazi commanders.
After reading this book I realized that I've read the Book a Mormon a dozen times, but have become immune to the fact that it's a book full blood and wars. That the extent of suffering that took place because of the wars can sometimes be over looked. That it is possible for men to follow God and still be strong Military leaders enduring the horrific tasks of war.
I gave this book 5 stars. The language could of easily been a problem, but the Author did an amazing job moving beautifully back and forth between French, German & English as she lets this adventurous story unfold.

Until next months book list, I hope you enjoy a good book or two...

Shondell

A Love Hate Relationship....

Dear Journal~

We were so excited to have our cute friends Neilyona & Zanya over this last week! Their Mom had a funeral to go too, so we had the girls for the day!

The funny thing is that when they are here, it's like a love hate relationship between Zanya and Buster, and also, Neilyona & Levi!


Zanya is so adorable following Buster around trying to give him loves, and throwing his toys....but as soon as Buster would bring the toy back to her she would say "no!" and throw the toys again....Buster thought this was a fun game but finally Zanya would fold her arms and turn her back to Buster and say "No!" refusing to play anymore...Buster would do anything he could to get her attention and playing again. But of course when Buster went off to follow the big kids, Zania is upset that he's no longer wanting to play with her. They love to hate each other!




Both Levi & Neilyona didn't want to take naps but ended up falling asleep when they were laying on the couch watching T.V....there is nothing cuter then sleeping kids!


The funnest thing happened when we were down stairs playing...the kids were on the slide. Zanya had just gone down the slide and was sitting at the bottom while Levi stood on the top of the ladder waiting for his turn...All the sudden while singing the very popular American Idol song "pants on the ground, pants on the ground" song Neilyona came up behind Levi grabbing his pants and pulled them down around his ankle, while finishing "looking like a fool with your pants on the ground!" At which point Levi in total panic, quickly hurried to cover his private parts seeing how he had gotten himself dress and not put underwear on!

Talk about loosing it! I was in raptures...one because my son was running around without underwear on & I had no idea! Also because Neilyona just kept singing even with Levi's bare butt right at eye level, not even surprised by it! Kids! They are truly entertaining!

I love when the girls come...they squeal and cry and are so cute, but remind me to be grateful for boys....I'll be glad to have girls as daughter in-laws when they marry my boys!

Until next time...

Shondell

Levi's New Bed x 2!

Dear Journal~

This past fall Levi was labeled a "Big Kid" and move in with brother Brennan in what use to be Brock & Brennan's bedroom. Now with the exciting move-in of our Nana & Papa, Brock is turning over his room to them & taking his place back in with Brennan. So....Levi still wanting to be a "Big Kid", asked if he could still have a bed in with the boys and...."your wish is my command!"


Levi is so very proud to be with big brothers & near Nana & Papa's room....


The bed was one of my typical "MaGayver" moves but seems to work....here is the PVC pipe frame that Levi helped me make.


Here is the final product....it looks cute and Wow, three boys in one room! I hope poor Nana & Papa get some sleep next door! :)

Such good kids!

Until next time....

Shondell

Pro Minature Golf!

Dear Journal~

Last week after F.H.E. we met up with our cute cousin's and went Miniature Golfing! Our cousins have been golfing before but it was my boys first time (you can tell by the crazy way they held their putter)!


Brennan, Brock, Levi, Rushton, Paige


Brennan giving his best efforts....but what you really should know is that the course was so crowded that we had to really hurry along and as we started the 6th whole it was Levi's turn so we where all like "Levi get your ball set up..." and Brennan turns around seeing a green ball (the same color as Levi's) on the putting green behind us and thinks it must be Levi's, so he picks it up and walks over to place on the ground for Levi....Alisha & I are doing everything we can to not bust up laughing as we watch the faces of the teenagers on the 5th hole as Brennan took their ball! When we told Bren, he just said "oh..sorry!" put the ball back down and waved giving the teenagers one of he's cute freckled face smiles. First Rule of Miniature Golf! "Don't take other golfers balls...." Hee, Hee, Hee! Love you Bren!


Of course Rushton took our fun game of Miniature Golf as serious as every other sport in his life...making sure he was lined up perfectly, and ended up having one of the best over all scores! So cute! Look at the Form! Rule Number 2: "Wait for everyone to have their turn...no matter how slow they are!" Thanks Rush for waiting for us New-bee's!


Levi was kind of a mess and a half! He had a bit of a hard time understanding how to hit the ball at first but once he got it down he was so excited he wanted to hit every ball on the coarse! My cute big kid! Rule number 3: "No hitting other peoples balls...just your own!" Hee, Hee, Hee!


Paige was a proper at Miniature Golf as any little cute Princess could be! She did a great job waiting to for everyone else! She also had some pretty amazing golf skills for a 3 1/2 year old! Rule number 4: "Encourage everyone to do their best....and give golf pointers to those who are lacking your same skills!" Hee, Hee, Hee!


Brock was truly challenged by this whole game! There is not a lot a finesse when he would hit the ball....and often we caught him with that tongue out like he does in basketball...his shining moment was when he make the hole in one by accident, but not when he hit his ball in the water! Rule number 5: "Don't hit your ball in the water or the Lady at the counter gives you strange looks when you ask for another ball!" Hee, Hee, Hee!

All in all we had a great time! Thanks to our cute cousins for going with us!

We love Miniature Golf!

Until next time...

Shondell

Scouts - Volunteer

Dear Journal~

I'm grateful for boys that are always willing to help, and that love being involved in a charitable cause like Scouts.

The other day I took three of my favorite Scouts (plus Levi) to do a little serve. We went to the produce coop (Bountiful Baskets) that my Sister In-Law Nikki runs in Bloomington. After meeting up with our cousin Tanner (another Scout), the boys all helped unload the fruit & vegetables off the truck, stack crates, load produce in baskets and flatten boxes for recycling. If the coop was suppose to be work, you'd never know it with all the fun that was had by these hard working Scouts.

Crates being stacked after unloading the produce from the truck...


Baskets being loaded with produce...


Recycling at it's best... Brock, Brennan, Levi & friend Dawson (Tanner did not want to lay in the "gross" boxes for a picture) :P

Great Job Boys!

Until next time....

Shondell

Mr. Snow Man Please Don't Leave.....

Dear Journal~

When the very rare occasion of snow happens in St. George children and parents a like flock to the out of doors to play! Oh, and play we did!



After only a few minutes the boys had a couple of other kids from the neighborhood helping them as they built this large odd looking Snow Man. Each kids donation gave him a new and unique features. A bow tie here, two ornaments eye there, a licorice smile, a scarf and last but not least, a Santa Clause hat.



Here are the proud Snow Man creators, Brock, Brennan, Levi, Donavin Gubler, & Kaylee Christensen.

After the kids came in to warm up, as the sun peeked from behind it's clouds, Levi as quite seriously, "What will happen to Mr. Snow Man?" "He'll melt!" came Brock's quick answer, as which Levi shared as he looked out the window....."Mr. Snow Man, Please Don't Leave!"



The view from our front porch was so beautiful that it made me think.....
When it does snow, and I see how much the kids love it, I wonder if they'd love it any less if we had it all the time like up North....No...I don't think so, I still love it even as old as I am!

Until next time....

Shondell

Dear Journal, This is me.....

Dear Journal,

I wise woman once taught in our Relief Society class that you should take a self inventory at the beginning of each year and add it to your journal.
Often times when journals are found or donated for historical reference by families the person keeping the journal does a great job to describe all those they writing about, but fail to detail a physical description of themselves thus leaving the history incomplete.

So, This is me....rather then just a description I've included a picture seeing how I so enjoy having my picture taken! Ha,Ha! (and when you do it yourself this is how weird they look!)

Currently I am 37 years old, but most the time claim to be 40 (the same as Todd) then that way people always say "wow you look great for your age!"
I stand 5' 8" on a good day and have always wished I was 5'10".
As you can see I have brown hair and blue eyes. Brown is a good cover up for the peppered grey that really dawns my head after my accident. So, why look old when you don't have too! (Props to you Blair for keeping me beautiful!)

Presently we live in St. George which your Todd loves and is near the Grandparents, Uncle Andrew's family & Uncle Jerett's family. It is not my first choice in places to live as I prefer the snow and cooler temperatures but is where all the most important people in my life are, which is definitely worth it!

In 2011 I still love all the same things I have always loved....my three Hoodlums, their cute father, a fluffy white dog named "Buster" that seems to always be under my feet, especially in the kitchen.
Watching the boys play sports while visiting with other team members Mom's.
Church and the wonderful people in our Washington Fields 1st Ward.
Going 4 wheeling, Snuggling up with a good book, the mountains, Saturday Matinees at the cheep theater, playing 80's music nice and loud while cleaning the house, Road Trips, Visiting Family in Salt Lake, Vegas or Cal. Cooking with Dad and working on Genealogy....

The one new thing that I found I really liked back in 2010 was Fishing! I enjoyed how relaxing it was, you're out in the beautiful out doors, there is no one saying "Mom, Mom, Mom" and you can even read while you fish....double bonus! It was a blast learning this summer! I hope to do more this year as well.

As for this new year, there are a few things I'd like to master and have to admit that I still dream nightly of being in the mountains soaking in all the beauties God's created. One of my new goals is to get out of doors more, and lacks on my house responsibilities a little so I have more time for fun with kids!

Well Journal, that's me!

Until next time.....

Shondell

A New Year, A New Style...& Going Private!

I've decided to change things up a bit! After printing my past blog posts into books and my kids loving to look through them, I realized that the whole reason I blog is because I no longer keep a journal and it also takes the place of scrape booking at the moment. So, in order to keep this as a "Journal" for the 2011 year I will be starting every entry with "Dear Journal" and I'm also going to go private at the end of the month. Please let me know if you'd like to still be able to check out posts once I've switched!
Two other things to watch for....one Levi's Corner where you'll be able to read the latest in comments made by the man himself!
Also, my Books, Books, Books where I list the books I've read for the year and add my own personal review!

Watch for changes! :)