Love Potion #9

This year for Valentine's Day I thought it would be fun to leave something for Jeremy every day, leading up to Valentine's Day. Nothing big, rather corny actually. I gathered different candies and foods and attached a cheesy message to each. I started on the 1st and ended on the 14th. On the first day I left a box of milk duds for him to find, but he is a bad finder, so it sat until day 2. On day 2 I placed another item in his drawer, sure that he would find it. By day 3 I finally had to tell him what I was doing so he would know to"find" something each day. I had to start leaving things in more obvious places; on top of the toothpaste, on the car seat, on his towel. One morning I left a bottle of Crush labeled as Love Potion #9 on his iPad. Of course, that would be the one gift the kids would see and talk about. The kids think it's funny to talk about the label, Warning: Consumption may result in hot, passionate romance. They have teased about & discussed so much we had to ban it from the dinner talk. The label didn't keep them from drinking it though when I placed the remaining bottles in the fridge, but it did make them wonder if they were going to experience romance as a result of consumption!

Off she goes!

Michaella got her driving permit this month. In the state of California it is not valid until you have your first day of "behind-the-wheel" training with an instructor. Jan 16, 2o11 was her big day! She must have sat in the car for about 35 minutes before she ever got to drive. Her instructor, Tess was sure to explain how to adjust the seat, as well as the mirrors and lots of other tips before leaving our house. I had my first drive with her today on the way home from seminary. I was nervous. She hugs the curb a little too close while turning, forgets her signal, and has the seat pulled up way close. We all made it home & I even let her drive us all to our destinations for school. This is just the beginning. I'm sure that in a few weeks she will have the hang of it. I guess now we start saving for another small car & put away extra money for gas.

Journals & Scripture Study

For a few visits now our missionaries have challenged us to not only read the Book of Mormon regularly as a family, but to keep a Scripture Journal as well. I have been making more efforts at reading personally and haven't managed to get us reading together yet. I am using the blog The Red Headed Hostess to help me better understand and mark my scriptures. It certainly does help me remember what I have read. I have yet to write anything in my journal, but I do have one especially for this purpose. Just not sure what I want to write in it yet. I know that sounds silly but for some reason I think I'm going about this wrong. I better get over it and just start writing. It is definitely a way to see what you are learning.

I gave each of the kids a journal at our first Family Home Evening of the year. The purpose was for them to write in them things they wanted to talk to me about, ask questions and what not. Of course the older girls laughed, "No way!", they say. Surprisingly Merrick uses his daily. He writes well though out questions for and it has given me a chance to explain "mom stuff" to him. Maybe, this is the child that needed that outlet. Michaella is coming around. She writes in hers on Monday after Family Home Evening. She even asked if she could mark a page for me to read and made me promise not to read any other pages, which of course I did.

This year I am making an effort to be more diligent in things of the Spiritual nature. I'm glad to see we are off to a good start & I know it will make a big difference in our home.

A year in review.

2011 was a hard year for me. I have been reflecting a lot on events and situations that I found myself in. It has definitely been a time for reflection and evaluation. Without going into details, I found myself in "bad" situation with some of the parents that I worked with at school. I have spent much time thinking about all the problems this has caused for me and refuse to allow it to get the best of me. I am thankful for friends that have supported me and lent a listening ear when needed. I have chosen not to participate in the PTC this year, it's just not worth the drama.

The year was also a year of changes! My little guy, Miles started kindergarten! He was very excited. He spent many hours with me volunteering at school. Now that he could go by himself, he was very ready. He loves his teacher, riding the bus, making new friends, & hot lunch.

Merrick had a rough year in 2011. In March he began having some stomach problems. Problems that would send us to an all day trip to the ER, a stomach specialist & would eventually end with a trip to Valley Children's Hospital to have his gal bladder removed in August. It was all pretty stressful for us both. It was also discovered that he has allergies to milk and wheat. We worked hard to adjust his diet leading up to his surgery. Since the surgery he seems to be doing fine on a regular diet; though I do worry when he says he has a stomach ache. I think he is the only 8 year old I know that take Benefiber.

As if life wasn't crazy enough. I went back to school in August. With all the children in school, now is my chance & I'm taking it. I completed my first semester with straight A's. I'm hoping that will be true for this next semester too. I start next week. I'm hoping to continue going until I complete all the courses necessary to earn my teaching credential. I'll take it a semester at a time & see what happens.

Life has been good to us this year. We spent our first year in our new house. Jeremy continues to teach. The girls are still wild and crazy, in a good way. They are constantly making silly movies & having a good time. I'm lucky to have such happy, fun kids! I'm sure 2012 will be just as good to us!

Poor neglected blog

It seems like forever that I have come to update our blog. We just got so busy I didn't take time to keep up. Then of course we bought a house. So, that seemed to take up more of our time. So, today I decided that maybe I should do something about that!

This is our new house:

It is just over 2,000 sq. feet, 4 bedroom , 3 bath, LR,FR, DR. I love it!! It sits on a corner lot and our backyard faces Fargo Ave. So, we really only have 1 neighbor. The front yard is small but the backyard is a good size for the kids & tortoises.

Since moving Jeremy, Ron, and the girls have helped wall in part of the garage so that I will have a place to sew.

The walls are all up, my sewing stuff is in, we just need to paint it. I also need to decide exactly how I am going to set it up. I'm sure we will have lots of projects for awhile!

This is a coat closet just off the kitchen. We took out the coats & Jeremy added a bunch of shelves to house all our Food Storage. Now we don't have to keep it in the garage & we can see what's on hand.

Here is a look at the living room, pictures in the hall & the downstairs bath. More pictures to come as I get things set-up.

8th Grade Graduation

This last couple of week has been busy. We have attended one event after another. We started off with the Science Showdown. team Scholz wins again. It is always exciting to see what all the students learn! Here is Madison, studying away!

Our other events included Michaella's 8th Grade Banquet, School Talent Show, Show & tell, School Awards & Michaella's Graduation. I am truly proud of all my kids. They have done a great job this year & accomplished many great things. We attended Michaella's graduation on Friday. She looked so beautiful. What a fine young lady she is becoming.

Family time

This last weekend we got together with the Scholz side of the family for some serious Family Time. We were spoiled by Jeff & Lisa all weekend! "What did we do?", you ask... We did it all!

Friday night we enjoyed a Suite at the Taylor Swift Concert! All the girls were really excited to go. We sat up high in the suite & enjoyed refreshments & drinks provided by the bar tender.

On Saturday we were treated to a trip to Magic Mountain or a Dodgers game. Jeremy, the kids & I all went to Magic Mountain. We got to use the employee entrance & everyone was given a VIP bracelet. The bracelets allowed everyone to move to the very front of the line & jump on any ride. No wait time! The girls thought that was way cool!

A great weekend was had by all. We really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks Jeff & Lisa for another fabulous time!