Monday, January 26, 2009

The Silverdale Stallions: Back Row; Courtney, Coach Monica, Coach Erin, Ashlyn, Middle Row; Erin, Lilly, Tjaden, Front Row; Ally and Audrey





This is my first year head coaching my girls basketball team. I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to work with. We have been practicing for the last couple of months and the girls have shown a lot of improvement already. Erin and I played volleybal last fall and she stepped up to assist me. I appreciate all of her help. We are getting ready for our first game on Thursday. Can't wait to see them play. Go Silverdale Stallions!!!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

An invitation to Ashlyn's Baptism....... Saturday, January 31 - 3:00 p.m. at the Silverdale Stake Center


Ashlyn is looking forward to her baptism this coming Saturday. Shama took the most beautiful pictures of Ashlyn in her white dress. If you are reading this and live close enough to come, we would love to have you come be a part of Ashlyn's special day!

Portraying Abish




I was asked to play the Book of Mormon character, Abish. What an awesome experience it was for me to learn about Abish and tell her story...I told here story seven times to the primary children this morning. It was our Stake primary activity and their were several of us portraying Book of Mormon characters. I think it was a great idea for the kids to see these characters brought to life. The kids asked us questions and learned so much today. Everyone did a fabulous job, it was very impressive and I was glad to be a part of it. We had Captain Moroni, Lehi, Sariah, the angel Moroni, Samuel, Nephi, Abish (me) and Joseph Smith.
If you are interested in reading about Abish, this is what I shared with the childen today. You can read all about it in Alma, chapter 19 as well.

My name is Abish.
I am a lamanite woman.
I work in King Lamoni’s court as a servant to King Lamoni’s queen.
When I was a young girl growing up, I learned from the teachings of my father following his experience with a “great vision.”
I spent my time developing my testimony in secret. I would continue learning, fasting and praying.
I believed in the teachings of the gospel, even though no one in my community shared my faith.

While working in the palace for King Lamoni, I did like them very much. There was a man named Ammon, who was a Nephite and a Shepherd to King Lamoni. King Lamoni was impressed by Ammon’s abilities. The King questioned him about his belief’s. Ammon taught the whole plan of redemption, the King realized that Ammon’s words were true. Being filled with such joy, he fell to the earth, as if dead. King Lamoni’s wife, the queen also heard and became overcome with the spirit. She likewise fell to the ground, overcome with joy.

Ammon was so thankful to Heavenly Father that he also fell to the ground. When the servants came to find all of them on the ground, they began to pray. Then, they also began to fill the spirit and were over come with joy.

I was very happy because I knew what had happened to them. It was awesome! The spirit had overcome them all with joy. I wanted everyone outside of the castle to feel the spirit too and be converted to the gospel. So, I began to run from house to house, calling the people to come to the house of the King. Soon, the palace was filled with many people.

They were astonished to see the King and the Queen and the servants lying on the ground as if dead. They also saw Ammon amongst them and knew he was a Nephite. Some thought he brought a great evil against the King’s household and called him the Nephite monster. They didn’t know what to do. One man drew his sword to kill Ammon…and when he did, he fell dead.

I thought it would be a wonderful event, but the people were fighting and confused with what they saw. They wanted to kill Ammon, this man of God. I began to cry!!

I wanted to raise the queen from the ground and so I took her hand. She immediately rose and cried with a loud voice saying “O blessed Jesus, who has saved me. O blessed Jesus, have mercy on this people.” The King also rose up and began to preach the gospel, which Ammon had taught him. I felt so good inside, as the people were listening to the King. Then, Ammon also added his words. The people no longer wished to do evil and they wished to be baptized. The king and queen were baptized.

I believe that through my faith and humility, along with the queens’, that these miracles happened.

Book of Mormon Characters





Fabulous Foto Friday!!



Brian and I went out on a double date, with our friends the Gardner's. We came home to find our boys like this...How precious!! Apollo and Chase ZZzzzzzzzz

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy 8th birthday Ashlyn!




It's hard to believe that my baby girl is turning eight years old today! I am so proud of the young lady that Ashlyn is becoming. Ashlyn truly makes being a parent too easy. I know how luck we are to have her in our family. She has such a kind and giving spirit. I often call her my middle of the middle child. Our middle daughter, as well. What a good little helper and peacemaker she is in our family. We love you Ashlyn Brooke!

Ashlyn turned eight years old today. She got her first set of scriptures! She is looking forward to her baptism on January 31st




Ashlyn invited five girls over for a sleepover and swim party the next day. I don't know if Chase ever gets used to all the girl frenzy that having three sisters can bring. I'm sure he'll appreciate it someday :) After getting chased around the house for a while, scratched and pounced, things settled down a little and he joined in on the fun. Here is Chase smelling a gift Ashlyn got that is 'everything you need to make projects sparkle.' Oh yeah! Glitter it up Chase.

Ashlyn and her friends swimming at the Bainbridge Island Aquatics Center, lots of splashing and smiles





The 'mommy' girlfriends poolside sipping our soda. Love you girls!

"Yo no soy Marinero, soy Capitan"



I remembered tonight why I had this sign made for Brian for Christmas. It's part of the lyrics from the song "La Bamba" and about the only Spanish that Brian knows besides "Me llamo es Bruno." Over the years, if you hang around Brian long enough, you have heard it a thousand times. "Yo no soy Marinero, soy Capitan." I got a call tonight from my friend Stephanie. She said she got a funny call from some guy speaking a little Spanish and not making much sense to her. As he continued on and on...she proceeded to say, ok I know it's you Brian, ha ha ha, kiss my butt buddy, I'm no dummy. Then the guy says, "No, no Senorita I'm sorry. This is Sergio, I'm the waiter at Azteca. Someone left a cell phone here."...I went back to the restaurant to pick up my phone and had some laughs with the staff. Sergio happens to be my very favorite waiter for years now, he already knows Brian's funny character and got a kick out of the whole thing. Then, he understood why Stephanie was saying those things to him. Just a heads up for Stephanie, Brian will probably try the Spanish phone call on you soon. So,look out Senorita. That was one to remember!

Feliz Cumpeanos a Azteca



Ashlyn and Ella are the sweetest buddies.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Fabulous Foto Friday




I got a call from my Mom tonight about these pics and thankfully she forgives me for posting them. I couldn't help myself though. She is adorable! I mean, just look at her workout clothes. I couldn't talk her into a t-shirt to save my life. This is as dressed down as she gets. We had a great time during her stay with us.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Brian and his doctor before the surgery




Brian has had a rough few days. It all started on Wednesday night when he had a horrible stomach ache. He went to work on Thursday and the pain progressively got worse and moved to his right side. He took an eary ferry back to Bremerton and drove himself to the Urgent Care. He kept telling me that he hopes its not just gas, or he would be so humiliated. After many hours and a transfer in an ambulance from the Silverdale to the Bremerton Harrison hospital, a cat scan relealed that it was indeed his APPENDIX. So as the clock struck midnight, he left the ball, lost his shoes and found himself going under the knife........The surgery was successful and now he is on the road to recovery. Thank you for all of your prayers and best wishes.

Ahhhhh....so sleepy


Poor Brian. He has been sleeping tons...morphine will do that to ya. Even when he's awake he says he can barely keep his eyes open. He had some visitors and I know that he apprecitated all the love you brought. He has enjoyed the goodies, cards, babysitters for the kiddos, texts and phone calls...even a special delivery goody bag left in our mailbox. What amazing friends we have!!!

Brian and the family at the hospital






Brian was able to come home late this afternoon. We are happy to have him home after two nights in the hospital. He can be quite hillarious while on the pain pills, the kids and I get a kick out of the silly things he comes up with. He keeps saying "It is sooo good to be home" mostly. His roomate John and him became good buds....but Brian has a low tolerance for loud smacking and his snoring didn't help either.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

It was a Rockin' New Year's Eve!!!








There is always yummy food at Shama's house. Chase loves being the jungle gym for the lil' boys.