The Gilbert Gazette

National Christmas Tree lighting

2011-12-04T15:28:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I found out we could enter a drawing for tickets to the National Christmas Tree lighting. So I entered us, and low and behold we won tickets. Last Thursday was the big event, and I thought I had brought enough warmth for us (blankets, jackets, hats, scarfs), but we were still cold. We had a great time though, and although we werent able to stay til the end of all the performances (due to freezing) we got to hear the President speak, and saw the Christmas Tree lit by the first family. It was very neat! Here are a few photos...

(This is the tree before it is lit, I didnt get a good one after it was lit, my hands were shaking- brrr)

(They are so cute!)

(This is Mr President, obviously from a distance)

(This is the White House, so pretty!)

Gabe

2011-11-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Doesn't Gabe look so beautiful??? I'm a happy mom today...

Mom's Skydive!

2011-10-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry I'm a little late posting these.. but here are a few of the photos I took from the day mom jumped out of a plane!

Belated Birthday Photos

2011-10-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

I've finally gotten around to going through our photos from August at Jack and Christian's birthday. It was so nice to have Grace, Emily and Louise in town to help celebrate. It was a real treat to have family there for that special day. We love you guys!

Argentina

2011-10-06T18:35:00.001-07:00

Gabe's new investigator

Site of the "mystery explosion"

Gabe walks past this site everyday. Some people claim to have seen something fall from the heavens before this explosion but there is still no explanation as to what exactly happened. September 26, 2011 some sort of explosion killing one woman and wounding another 9 people. NASA denies any involvement. I'm thinking Gabe's new investigator looks sort of mysterious. Just sayin...

Apple Pickin'

2011-10-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Last week we went to another Apple Pickin Farm, and had a great time! We got a little too many apples, yet again, but we had a great time with Liam's preschool...

New Post

2011-09-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Leah is having surgery on October 5th. I am still hopeful she will not need the surgery. She has not been leaking much lately and hopefully she is all healed up before her surgery date.

Poor Leah

2011-09-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

She has a really big hole in her tummy. The surgery went well I guess but she has a hole just a little smaller than a dime in her gut. Hopefully this time it will heal up. They took out a bunch of scar tissue and repaired her stomach lining. She goes back in on Thursday the 8th. I will keep you posted.

Happy 30th Birthday Caleb!!!

2011-08-19T04:18:00.001-07:00

Happy 30th Birthday! We love you so much!
Thank you for all you do for us! You are the best!

Thanks

2011-07-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone that came to wish Caleb and Jamie well in their new adventure to Washington, DC. They left this morning on a jet plane. I'm feeling a little blue which is my standard when my sweet children that I love (and I love them all) move away but I'm excited for Caleb and Jamie and the kids on this new chapter of their lives. I'm so thankful for Skype and MSN Messenger and cell phones and text messaging and all the other ways we have to keep in touch. Thanks again to everyone that made Thursday's dinner party a great success.

Fun...

2011-05-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Since being at Grandma Louise & Dede's house we have been jumping lots, playing outside, and watching just a little bit of Tangled. We have been having fun, and waiting for warmer weather to come....we dont want 90+ degree days yet, but the 80's wouldnt be bad!

Happy 1 Year Birthday!

2011-05-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

I snapped these photos of Jaynann's little cutie at Easter on her first birthday. Can't get over how blue her eyes are!!

Graduate!

2011-05-21T13:32:00.001-07:00

Caleb graduated on May 13, 2011! We had a wonderful family lunch at Chevy's, and then the 8 of us who had tickets to attend his graduation, went to his ceremony. It was really nice, and they kept it short and sweet. I am so proud of Caleb! Congratulations!
Here are some great pictures of the fabulous day!

Shaver Lake

2011-05-04T14:56:00.000-07:00

So the Puentes have been toying with the idea of buying some land up in the mountains for a long while now. We finally made the plunge and you can look at some pictures here.

Its raw land, but its 7 acres and has a little pond on it. We're hoping to make it something special and would love to host folks over the coming years.

Elder Hulewsky

2011-04-11T20:39:00.001-07:00

Gabe is a new man. Check him out. He is thickening up. I'm so excited. He looks so good and so happy. Actually he looks a little sleepy or something but he still looks great.

Nik

2011-04-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Nik is in the video below. Nik shows up at about 5 minutes 50 seconds.

Dana and David Dornsife Celebration Video

2011-04-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

Emma's Birthday

2011-03-25T11:04:00.000-07:00

Emma turned 2! She is a big girl, very funny & cute!

Here are some photos from her party, including the cake...our first time with fondant, we had heard fondant isnt usually yumm to eat, but we made some marshmallow fondant, and it was good! Liam has requested a Mickey Mouse cake for his next birthday, so we are ready!

Thanks to all who came and joined the celebration!
We love you!

Here is the picture of the infamous Minnie Mouse card, that just in case you are wondering is still singing to her! The card is a little tattered but still singing away!

2011-03-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

In January we decided that we wanted to build a nice toy organizer for the kids, which was to include cubbies, and bookshelves. Caleb figured out the dimensions, and we headed out to Lowes to pick up some wood and necessary materials. We started with building the cubbies first, staining them, and then poly-ing them. We then followed with the bookshelves. Here is the work in progress, and the finished product, which all of us love! Caleb worked so hard at this project, and did an awesome job! He is amazing!

Pictures of Gabe

2011-03-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

He looks so good. I was so worried he would get sick and lose weight and die or something but he has gained weight and I'm so excited.

Ukrainian Youth

2011-02-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

I thought everyone (but especially the Ukrainian contingent) would get a kick out of this. Really moving stuff.

Happy Birthday MOM!

2011-02-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Mom's birthday, so we had planned on cooking dinner for her. I didn't get off work until 3 but when I got home Caleb, Jamie, Emily, Grace, Dad, and Jesse were cutting down the tree in the backyard! They were working on the tree and setting up the new play place for close to 5 hours! WOW! Lots of work.. Anyway, here are a few pictures that I have from yesterday. Happy birthday MOM! We love you!

2011-02-23T12:25:00.000-08:00

Sorry to be so braggerly, but I got on the Mormon Women Project today. I first saw this website a year ago and loved it! It was such an honor to be posted alongside women who have truly incredible stories, mine feels kind of dorky. Interviewing is really hard and it turned out more cheeseball than I realized until it was posted for all to see- but oh well. Check it out here

Ian Rocks

2011-02-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

Ian got some press time for being such an amazing, qualified, awesome Business Affairs guy! He got his photo in the trades!! Check it out

Cinderella

2011-02-13T10:52:00.000-08:00

Look What I Bought!!!

2011-02-06T08:12:00.000-08:00

I have always wanted one of these wooden play structures. I wanted one with each set of kids we had. I consider them to be in sets. The older kids, the middle kids and the little kids. Well I'm finally going to have one. Costco was having a sale on this one and I went online and bought it. Should be here in two to three weeks. At least we will finally have one for the grandkids and of course Emily and Grace said they would use it too. Haha...

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!
We love all of you!

Jury Duty

2010-12-08T11:29:00.000-08:00

At the criminal courthouse today. Glad I can render this kind of public service. Happier now that they have complimentary wireless in the waiting room

Gingerbread man

2010-12-06T19:52:00.001-08:00

Grandma Louise got the kids a Gingerbread Man kit...so tonight for Family Home Evening we put him together, and he is very cute! Thank you Grandma Louise!

Let the Holiday's begin! ...Gilbert family dessert Thanksgiving.

2010-11-29T22:14:00.000-08:00

Looks like trouble :)

Football boys!

A spider!

Boys on their phones, they much have been bored...

Some of the twins in our family!

CHEESE :)

hugs & trains

Thankfully we have such a BIG, wonderful, beautiful, supportive & loving family!

The Rotisserie

2010-11-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

So I bought a new grill with a rotisserie attachment a couple of weeks ago. I had an opportunity to try it out for the first time on Sunday and I was super happy with it. Meat was tender and juicy and the skin was perfectly crisp and smoky. Best whole bbq chicken I've ever had a hand in making!

Halloween Heroes

2010-11-02T14:23:00.001-07:00

Halloween

2010-11-01T15:05:00.001-07:00

This year Liam wanted to dress up, and Emma wanted to too! It was a lot of fun! Here is just a few pictures of this cute Minnie Mouse, and very muscular Superman...

I got published (online)!

2010-10-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

I submitted one of the posts on my blog to www.powerofmoms.com just for kicks one day and today they published it on their site! Powerofmoms.com was started by one of the daughters of the family who started Joy School, it's fun to see how the program really "worked" for them ;) I love this website, it's a fun resource for moms, I've actually started one of their 'learning circles' here in LA and I was thrilled they put up my post. In case you don't know, this summer I started reading tons of parenting books because I was having a struggle with my kids. I got more and more into it, blogging about what I was learning, and recently when someone in my twins group lost her twin sons who were born almost to the day gestationally as Caleb and Julian, I felt motivated to continue trying to improve my parenting and not just quit my project at the end of the year. When Caleb and Julian were enduring all their surgeries, xrays, tests and other horrible things in the NICU and we didn't know if they were going to make it, I tearfully promised them day after day I would be the best mom I could. I realized that while I'd been doing a good job I could continue to be a bit better. So I started a new blog away from our personal Puente blog at www.givingkidsourbest.com just this week with some goals and thoughts and plan to keep this up a bit longer. I was thrilled that powerofmoms published one of my entries, and they encouraged me to submit to their 'best of the blogs' section. I don't know how I find time for this, but somehow learning and sharing and throwing out questions has become a big priority and I feel it's really been helping us here at home to do the important things.

Thanksgiving Morning

2010-10-24T09:20:00.001-07:00

I talked to a couple of you about this. Not sure who exactly. Maybe it was a dream. No I'm sure I talked to someone besides myself. Anyway I was thinking it might be fun for a group of us to do this "Run to Feed the Hungry" on Thanksgiving morning. It benefits the Sacramento Food Bank and it looks like it might be a fun thing to do. Doesn't start too early either. Check it out at the following link and let me know who might be interested so we can coordinate rides and stuff.

http://runtofeedthehungry.com/faq

I don't know how to make the link live but you can cut and paste it into the go line and get the info...

Happy Birthday Nik and Leah!

2010-10-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

Happy 25th Birthday Nik and Leah! We love you! Hope you have a great birthday!

(sorry these are not the most current pictures, but thought they were cute- Nik is holding Emma in Downtown Disney, and Leah is at the Wiggles concert)

Homecoming and Grace's First Date...

2010-10-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Pretty Grace posing so nicely for a picture.

Grace again. Love those shoes. Hahaha

First date. This is monumental!!!

Emily looking very lovely...

What a cute girl.

Getting ready. Thanks Faith!!!

Well yesterday was the big homecoming dance. Grace and Emily are 16 now so they were both so excited to go to a school dance for the first time. We took a few photos of the girls and all their loveliness. They both looked so pretty and grown up. I never seem to upload pictures in the order I'd like. Maybe I should post more often you think??? The girls are still sleeping. I hope they had a good time...

Haunted Halloween Houses

2010-10-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

Grandma Louise bought us a Haunted Halloween House, so Liam asked if we could make it today. We were all so excited, and Caleb decided to head this task up, so I took some pictures!
Thankfully I was able to get one quick picture of the finished product, before it was being devoured. They enjoyed every minute of this, and now have black lips from the black candy.
Thank You Grandma Louise for this fun activity!!!

New Suits

2010-10-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not much of a clothes guy. Melissa has helped me on that front, but I don't much love shopping. I've been needing a good quality suit for a while now, the kids have absolutely decimated the other one I have. A friend suggested a place in the fashion district and so I made a trek downtown. The place is called Roger Stuart and is a suit wholesaler, shipping around the country. They have their suits made in Italy and Spain and sell them for 25-40% of retail. I walked in and was greeted by an old man named Max who sized me up, asked me what I was looking for and proceeded to run me through the store like a whirling dervish. Within 20 minutes I had two amazing new suits, some white shirts and a couple of ties. He then ushered me out the door to a tailor around the corner who fitted my pants in ten minutes. It was one of the best, most painless shopping experiences I've ever had. If anyone wants to come down with me when next in town, let me know. I wish I'd known about this place before Gabe left for his mission.

Liam's First Day of Preschool

2010-09-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

We have been talking about school for a few months now, and this boy was so ready to go. He would tell us about his Spiderman backpack, and his lunch pail. He would talk with Emma, about how he and Daddy would be going to school, but she would have to stay with Mom.

The day arrived yesterday, and to my surprise he was totally calm about everything. He woke up, had a nice breakfast, ate well for lunch too, and kept asking us when he would be going. As we loaded up the bike trailer, and got ready, he was so excited! We got there, and he was as happy as could be. He wasnt nervous, didnt have to hold our hands because he was shy, and he started right in with reading books. Of course I was trying to be tough, and waited to have a moment when we left. When we picked him up, he looked exhausted, but had a fantastic time. The teachers explained that he was the big helper, as many of the kids didnt want to help clean up, Liam was right there helping. They also mentioned that he ate quite a bit for snacks- I promise I fed him a lot before we left. On our ride home, he took a short nap, and then told me the many wonderful things he did. I loved it! We are so excited for him, and he is so excited! Here are a couple of pictures from the new adventure...

Marvin's Birthday Party

2010-09-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has taken some time, but here are some photos from the 80th birthday party!

We all had a great time, and the food was delicious!

Happy 80th Birthday Marvin!

2010-09-08T12:35:00.001-07:00

Rachel made reservations for dinner to celebrate Grandpa Marvin's 80th birthday. Details below

The Old Spaghetti Factory
Sunrise Blvd.
Roseville
6pm

Hope to see you there...

Family

2010-09-06T22:23:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love this picture....

these three make me so happy, and the two little ones absolutely love their Dad! Cant you tell?

Today we had Faith & Jesse over for a Labor Day BBQ, and had a great time. We asked Faith to take a picture of us (we needed one for our ward directory, and Liam's school). The kids were not too interested in having a photo, rather they wanted to play! They were pretty excited to have Faith & Jesse! Here is what we got with a little cropping help...

Thanks for coming over Faith and Jesse! We had fun!

love to talk on the phone

2010-09-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

It has taken Emma a while to warm up to everyone...she has found that Grandma has some great electronics, and they are both having a great conversation here. Grandma called her cell phone from her home phone, and Emma has answered! So funny and cute!

Ok...so now I feel like a dork

2010-08-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

Gabe would be so embarrassed if he knew this so don't anyone tell him. I was at the temple today and my friend Kathy Laret said I should have gotten an email letting me know that Gabe had arrived at the MTC. Apparently that's the policy at the MTC in Brazil. So acting on this information I called the Provo MTC to make sure Gabe had gotten there. Of course he had and he is all checked in. He even arrived early so that's good. But I did learn that he can email from the MTC. It depends on their P day but they can email so I'll let you know when I hear from him. Don't let Gabe know I'm a dork. Oh and you can use the website dearelder.com to send "letters" to Gabe for free just in case you were wondering.

Gabriel has left the building...

2010-08-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

We arrived at the airport early and Gabe let me take his picture right after we got out of the car. We got there really early, like 5 am early. Yawn...

Got Gabe's ticket, checked the bags, took a photo of Gabe with his favorite tie, didn't breakdown or start sobbing. All in all a wonderful trip. Gabe is off and running at this point. He checked into the MTC at 1pm Utah time. We don't have his mailbox number yet but here is the address to the MTC and I'm sure he will get whatever you'd like to send him.

Elder Gabriel Alexander Hulewsky
Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604

He has an email address too. Not sure when he will be able to access it but here it is.

gabriel.hulewsky@myldsmail.net

I'll post his emails here from time to time. I am surely going to miss that young man...

Temple Endowment

2010-08-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Not sure that my email reached everyone but just in case you didn't get the message. Gabe is going through the temple this Friday the 20th at 10 am. Those of you with temple recommends that can come please be there by 9:30 am. Thanks for your support.

Gabe's Farewell

2010-08-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

As most of you know Gabe will be entering the MTC August 25th. He will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, August 22 @ 11:00am. We meet at the Deseret Bldg. in Fair Oaks. Hope to see you there. Of course there will be food and festivities at the Hulewsky's following the meeting.

this beautiful city

2010-07-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

We have truly enjoyed being here this summer, and we have seen so much! We will miss the free museums with wonderful history, the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the ward here, Mount Vernon, and so much more. We have been so amazed how much Liam loves the museums...Emma not so much, but she loves to be able to walk around, pushing the stroller, and/well keeping us on our toes. The kids have enjoyed our walks everywhere, as that is how we have traveled this entire summer, unless it was a weekend and Caleb drove us (I havent driven since we have been here, as it is frightening, and he has had the car!). We have been to the mall multiple times, playing at the indoor playground, and going to the outdoor mall with the fountains for kids to play in. So much fun! We have also enjoyed swimming in the pool!

Although we will always treasure the memories we have had here, and have had a great time, we all look forward to getting out of our hotel room!!!!! I cannot believe we made it, a mere 12 weeks, in this tiny space. Something we will always remember, but not sure that we ever want to do it again...we look forward to sleeping in our own beds, our own rooms, having a bit bigger kitchen with 4 stove top burners & oven.

Here is a picture of all of us right before we left for here, and when we get home you can see how much the kids have grown. See you soon!

Farewell Uganda!!!

2010-07-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I can't believe I will be leaving Uganda tomorrow. The time has seemed like it has flown by so fast... I feel like I was able to do some good here....but I could do even more. The people here have taught me so much about love and concern for one another. I have felt so cared for here by the Ugandans. They are such a happy people even though they have practically nothing.... It amazes me really! This experience has also opened my eyes to the world and that life can be so difficult, yet we can find good and hope in all situations. I also have really learned that as I return home I need to seek to serve those people at home also. I learned I can do good whenever and wherever I am at. Thank you so much for all of your love and support and prayers since I have been here. It has really meant so much to me. I love you all so much!

This week I have finished my teacher trainings and today we did a day long disability training where we worked with disabled children and their families. Disabled children here are outcasted from the communities and so we were able to bring 30 families together to join a group of families with disabilities. It was amazing to see these families unite and plan for their futures. It was such an amazing experience to talk with the families. I was able to do many house visits with these families and learn of their personal difficulties and now was able to help them find others so that they can find strength in one another. It was a great way to end my adventure here!

I am so happy and blessed from coming to Uganda. I will see you all soon.... I love you!

Love,Jen

The Latest from Uganda

2010-07-14T10:06:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Well, I have a total of one week left… I can’t believe that it has gone by so fast. It is crazy how time flies… I feel like I have so much more to do here. I feel like this experience has enriched my life in so many ways. I am will forever be grateful for this experience.

Last week was amazing. I spent most of the week in Gulu which is up North about 6 hours. This is where the most recent conflict/civil war has been in Uganda and the “Invisible Children” documentary was filmed. This is a very damaged area and the people there are still recovering. I was able to meet with 2 women groups. One women group we are working with makes paper bead necklaces and we are working with them to sell them in the U.S. to help them pay for their children’s school fees. The other women’s group we are working with we were able to help buy pigs to help them start a piggery project where the women will raise pigs and sale them to help pay for the many orphans they are taking care of due to the conflict in Gulu.

Also, last week in Gulu I was able to work in the schools… I taught teacher trainings which were pretty amazing. The teachers were very honest about their concerns about teaching. For example at one school they have 1300 students and only 17 teachers. They had 140 students in primary 4. It is overwhelming. I also was able to teach students about staying in school they have a huge problem with children dropping out of school especially girls at the age of puberty. The girls feel like when they hit puberty it is there time to have children. So our goal is to educate as many of the students as we can to remind them to stay in school and the importance of staying in school. To put it into perspective they had 240 girls in primary 6 and only 54 girls in primary 7. They all drop out! It is a huge problem and makes me so sad. My time in Gulu was a time of learning. War can destroy a people for a time being but the people there are hopeful and on their way up.

Then I finished last week with a three day adventure at Murchison Falls! Yes, It was absolutely amazing. Day one was a game drive… I saw giraffes, elephants, buffalos, hippos, antelopes, birds… and so much more… it was incredible to be in Africa in these animals habitat. Day 2 was another game drive… this was even more entertaining because an elephant charged at us. Then we went on a boat drive to the Murchison falls on the boat ride hippos surrounded us and it was incredible yet scary they were so close to use. I felt like it was the jungle book ride at Disneyland. Literally! Then there were crocodiles swimming nearby. It was amazing. Then we hiked to the falls it was the prettiest waterfall! The hike was humid and hot but so worth it. Day 3 was filled with even more excitement, we trekked Chimpanzees and we found them… Many of them. The shrills of their cries were overwhelming as fruit and leaves fell on our heads as they moved along the trees above us. They were only about 10 feet away from us. It was awesome! (yet freaked me out quite a bit) Then the last part of my adventure was visiting a Rhino reserve where we hiked the grasslands and stood within 2o feet of a rhino (not behind) a fence. It was so funny they told me if it looks at you and starts to charge, run and climb a tree. You should have seen my response; I did an awkward laugh and said really. I can’t climb a tree! But, no worries I did not have to climb a tree and I was able to see a Rhino up close and personal!

Needless to say last week was really incredible and I was able to see so much and experience so much. If you have heard on the news about the bombings here there is no need to worry. I am 45 minutes away from the location and I was on a safari when it happened. I feel very safe here and am not very concerned. My group is being very cautious and careful. Well, I need to go now but I love you all very much and I am so excited to see you in a week! Thank you for all of your continued prayers and love.

Love you,

Jen

Bombings in Uganda

2010-07-12T12:28:00.000-07:00

We talked to Jen this morning. She has been away on a safari for the past couple of days, but she said all of the members of her group are fine and safe. I guess the bombings happened about an hour away from them , and she had actually been in that city twice last week. She sounds good!

Love you all,
Rachel

My First Tomato

2010-07-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

As I've probably noted previously, we're growing a garden in our friends' yard. To make a long story short, this kind of sharecropping was necessary in our apartment dwelling life. It has been, mostly, a lovely experience. Both families labor and split the costs of the endeavor and share equally in the spoils.

I've spent a little more time in the garden this week with our friends and the rest of the Puentes all out of town. Our tomato plants are starting to fruit and what a terrific variety of colors and shapes we've got going. I harvested a handful of the first fruits yesterday. I didn't think much of it until I got home, but decided to make a simple Caprese salad (tomatoes, mozarella and basil, lightly dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper). It was indescribably good, better than any salad I've had at fine restaurants. It is just one of the many transcendent experiences I've had in that garden over the last few months.

Not to complain about this modern world of ours, with so many blessings and benefits, but I feel sad that so few have the experience of a garden. Of the miracle of watching things grow and of tasting of the direct fruits of our labor. For me, a garden is a real testimony builder. I thought I'd see if anyone else out there felt the same. A google search for "god" and "tomato" yielded this result:

“Behold, the lowly tomato, token of God’s goodness, sign of his love and favor!” And thus our kids were introduced verbally to this dazzling, created order.

They were introduced much earlier with catechism questions:

Q. Who made you?
A. God made me.

Q. What else did God make?
A. God made all things.

Q. Why did God make you and all things?
A. For his own glory.

But, “Behold, the lowly tomato” was tangible, it was red, and juicy and sweet. And I hope they’ll always remember the tomato, token of God’s love and goodness. http://beholdthelowlytomato.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/why-the-lowly-tomato/

I couldn't have put it better my self.

More Uganda

2010-07-05T15:02:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Thank you so much for the emails about your July 4th good times. I sure did miss being in the U.S. yesterday but it was so special being with other Americans in another country.

So, another crazy Uganda story. So there is this crazy "garbage man" (literally a mentally ill man that hates white people) that lives in Mukono and as I was walking down the street today he hit me in the face and my glasses flew off... A little shocking is all I can say.... The boy that was with me scared him off. Then on the way back home today he was there again and hit the guy I was with. We came home and told our country director... he along with our Boda driver Freddy went and found him. They did a citizen arrest and literally tied him to a tree until the cops came to get him and take him to a mental hospital. That is another example of crazy behaviors in Uganda! Oh Boy! But I am safe and don't worry I didn't get hit very hard.

Today was a fantastic day... I started another teacher training today at an elementary school. The teachers are so eager to learn new teaching techniques and to be taught. I love working with the teachers here. I also went to a secondary school (high school) and taught life skills lessons to students about self-defense, leadership, etc. The children here are very eager to learn!

Tomorrow we are getting ready to head to Gulu, which is about 6 hours north of Mukono (where I am staying) I will be working on square foot gardening and teaching it to village people. I will also be doing teacher trainings in small village schools. Then this weekend I am headed to Murchison Falls for a safari. I am so excited about it! I lifelong dream for me really.

Well, mom good luck on your surgery on Wednesday someone please call and let me know how things turned out. I will pray for you! The phone number to call is 256701049756. Jody, is Dallin still sick? I am sad to hear he is sick and worrying. He is his dad's kid. Chris what is this traveling to Utah stuff..... I told you how I feel about that... You can not take the kids from me! I would be so sad. Rebecca, I am so glad you guys made it home safe and you had a great time. Rachel good job on the lesson. I am sure the girls learned very much from you! I am so sad to hear about Rich and Gilda... I can't believe that.

Well, I love you guys so much! Please take good care of mom... I have never missed a surgery of hers. She will need some tender love and care. Thanks for being so supportive and wonderful.

Love you,
Jen

Happy 4th from Jen

2010-07-04T16:34:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Happy 4th of July! I hope you had a great day... BBQ and celebrated without me! I had a great day today. First, things first the mouse is dead... Yes, we found it today and killed it with a frying pan! I know that is quite violent and disgusting but it was needed! I will sleep much better tonight.

Today was a great Sunday. We went to church today and it was very wonderful. The people are so humble, loving, kind, and friendly. They love Heavenly Father and always do their best to be obedient and to serve others.

Then we went to the Embassy for a 4th of July party... It was so wonderful.... Get this in Uganda we got hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, coleslaw, cake, and baked beans! It was so wonderful. We had so much fun with American music, performances, and fireworks. It was so awesome to be with a bunch of Americans on the 4th. It really reminded me again how blessed I am to live in the U.S. We are such a blessed people with so many opportunities in our lives.

Well, I need to go but I love you lots! I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to hear from you soon!

Love you,

Jen

Happy Independence Day!!

2010-07-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July. It has always been one of my favorite holidays. For the food, the fireworks and for what we're celebrating. We enjoy unprecedented freedoms in this day and age, in many countries. But much of what is now taken for granted in the western world started here. I'm grateful to those men and women who fought to promote liberty and freedom and to those, through the years, who have continued that fight. May we all have a lovely Independence Day!

Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. ~Louis D. Brandeis

America is much more than a geographical fact. It is a political and moral fact - the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality. ~Adlai Stevenson

You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck

The Adventure Continues!

2010-07-03T08:52:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,

So since I have been in Uganda I have had many wonderful experiences....This morning was not one of them! I woke up to a little crawling... yes I said crawling on my arm! I thought I was hullicinating because of my Malaria meds. I couldn't see because I did not have my glasses on.... Anyhow, I hopped out of my bed and looked at it and even mentioned to another girl that I had felt crawling... Then I sat by my bed and watched... and there it was a little mouse crawling through my bed in my mosquito net! Absolutely repulsive. I have experienced much here in Uganda, but this has pushed me to a new level! Having mice crawl on me as a sleep.... My goal today is to find that mouse and kill it! I know I normally don't kill things, but this might be the exception... The mouse has violated me! Oh my gosh! I will keep you posted!

Love you all,

Jen

More from Jen

2010-07-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Check out our team blog... it goes over a lot of what we are doing here! It is quite clever and informative... I have not done my own blog, so check this out.www.helpmukono.blogspot.com.

Love you lots,

Jen

Thank you!

2010-06-30T22:23:00.001-07:00

We had such an amazing week up in Sacramento with everyone. I just want to thank Emily, Grace and Grandma Louise in particular for watching all of our little guys and giving me a hand when I was there. They had so much fun at the park, exploring the tadpoles, going to see Toy Story 3, and just enjoying the yard. We don't get to see you as often as we would like and it's always such a treat to be there. We can't wait to come back again!
xox

Update #6 from Uganda

2010-06-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

I am having such a great week! Sunday, I was able to go to church here for the first time. The people here are so wonderful and humble. They love Heavenly Father and they feel so blessed in so many ways. It reminds me of how incredibly blessed I am. The church is run the same was as it is at home. It is neat to see how the church is so well run all over the world.

Monday, I was able to start my first teacher training. I have 10 people attending my class and they seem to be very receptive to my teaching. I have been teaching a lot about classroom management and disicipline strategies. The teachers here beat children when they misbehave and have difficulties regulating their students because there are so many in a classrom. I have spent time observing classrooms and adapting curriculum for them. It has been such a rewarding experience. I hope that it helps in a small way for them to become better teachers.

Tuesday, I had a really interesting day.... I am working with another girl from the U.S. that is also a teacher, but she is a special education teacher that specializes in Autism. We have began Outreaches where we visit schools and assess needs of the students with disabilities. The teachers here do not have a lot of resources therefore, we have began teaching trainings and in class support for students with disabilities. Then we traveled with one teacher to local villages to visit families of children with cerebral palsey... This children were not born with cerebral palsey but got malaria with high fevers and turned into cerebral palsey. These women are trapped in their homes and have no way to get support for their children. It is very sad... The women have multiple children and their husbands have deserted them because they cannot handle the handicap children. Because of this experience we are begining the process of facilitating and outreach clinic where we will bring together all of the parents of parents with severely disabled children to learn hygiene, physical therapy techniques, and to bring in drs for support. We are excited to help these women in any way possible. They feel so alone because they know no one that has children with severe disabilities... We are hoping to give them some strength and support.

Today is Wednesday and I spent the first 3 hours doing laundry.... I will never whine about doing laundry at home ever again. I literally had 3 buckets full of water, soaking, scrubbing, and rinsing. I think I am only doing laundry once. I would rather just be stinky.... But, as I do basic household things here I appreciate the culture here so much more. Cooking on Sunday was overhwelming 4 1/2 hours later we had a very minimal meal. I am off to teach teacher training again in a few minutes.... I am very excited.

Things here continue to be fantastic! I have 3 weeks from today. I can't believe how fast time seems to be going. I have so much I can do here! Thank you Sam for emailing me back. I am glad you are doing well and had fun at camp. I was thinking you didn't like me anymore. I am glad everyone is well and happy. Thank you for the emails, they make me smile!

Love you,

Jen

Kids

2010-06-29T06:21:00.001-07:00

The kids and I headed up to Baltimore, MD yesterday with our friends from Oxford, England to go to the National Aquarium. It was so wonderful...we saw the dolphins, jellyfish, multi colored frogs, turtles, sharks, fish, and much more. As we walked out of the museum, we found a grassy area for a picnic, and shortly after we started eating we noticed some very dark clouds approaching us. We decided to head to the car, and no sooner than we got in the parking garage did it start pouring rain with hail. Pretty cool! This meant for a hairy drive home, merely 2 hours later still on the road, we decided to call & meet Dad after he got off work and ride with him the rest of the way home. Phew...we had a great day though!

We have been able to see so much here, and really explore so much around the area. We love it!

Here is a picture from a few weeks ago of these cute kids...

Update #5 from Uganda

2010-06-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are not getting sick of hearing from me! I am just so excited about my experiences here that I love to share.... First of all, thank you for your emails and updates from home. I love to know what everyone is doing there. Well, I have completed two whole weeks here... The days are so long, yet the weeks are flying by. I am going to give you a little recap of my last few days.

I believe I already mentioned earlier this week the eye camps we helped to facilitate... That was absolutely amazing and so wonderful to see people recieve care they were so much in need of. It cost $1,000 only to have about 330 eye exams ,18 cataract surgeries and over 150 glasses were handed out.

Then Thursday was quite an outrageous experience... I am not sure if that is the greatest word choice, but let me in the best way possible describe our day. We are working with and a women's group here called CCWA that helps with AIDS outreach and sponsoring orphan children to go to school. We had invited 6 primary schools and 2 secondary schools to a Soccer tournament, during the soccer tournament we would be doing trainings with parents (if the children had them), teachers, students... Well, we were trying to just invite portion of the schools to have a total of 240, but instead we had over 1,200 students. But, we adjusted and succeeded. The trainings were awesome, the food was amazing, and people were recpetive. We also, played a soccer game CCWA vs. Muzungus (white people) you would have thought it was the world cup... People were cheering and yelling and we won! Exciting! It was a fantastic day... I taped the children cheering they were wonderful.

Friday, was probably the hardest day I have had here... We coordinated/organized an dental camp for a school that had over 900 orphan children that had never visited a dentist before. We brought down dentists from Kampala that donated services and we provided all the supplies. These children had never seen a dentist before and many had rotten teeth. I helped all day in the room where the children were walling/screaming because they were so hurt and scared. They had rotten teeth and they could not just give them a filling, so they had to extract their teeth and sometimes it was more than just one... It was overwhelming. But, It was preventative medicine!

Anyhow, things are so good... Hard yet, good! Funny story, yesterday we were at this school where the head mistress made this huge lunch... I mean huge heaping amounts of Ugandan food... It was the hardest thing to eat the posho, matoki, meat (not sure, I think it was goat) I wasn't eating fast enough and she told me get eating it was very scary... I didn't want to insult them.. So I pretended to eat without gagging it up!

Last, amazing event... Last night we attended a goat roasting/ bonfire at a local elementary school... There is nothing like dancing Ugandan children singing and clapping.. It was so wonderul. I have never smiled so much in my life... it did make me extremely nervous hoping that students were not going to fall in the fire. But, the dancing and singing was so special.

Well, I need to go... I love you all so very much... Thank you for all your prayers and love and support! I hope to hear from you soon! I am excited to go to church tomorrow... I hope mom, dad, and Rachel had fun at camp. I can't wait to hear about it... I hope Rebecca and family are having fun. And kids swim lots and make sure there is a lifeguard. Love you so much!

Love,

Jen

Update #4 from Uganda

2010-06-23T14:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I just wrote an extensive email and it just delete tthe frusration of internet in a 3rd world country.... But anyhow, things are going so well.. Grandpa thank you for the emails, the reason you couldn't find Sipi falls was because I had spelled it wrong... I also have seen Lake Victoria. I have seen lots of wonderful things as I have traveled around villages teaching health/hygiene lessons. I am learning so much and learning to better adjust to the culture.

This week we have been involved in coordinating Eye Camps where we brought together surgeons, nurses, and doctors from Kampala to screen over 350 people. We were able to perform 20 cataract surgeries, hand uut 200 pair of glasses, and many medications. This was an amazing experience and allowed me to really see the extent of the deprived health care here. But it was great to see people get the gift of sight. It was wonderful to be a small part of it. I also got to watch a cataract surgery. WOW! That was gross yet interesting at the same time.

Tomorrow we are doing a large football (soccer) tournament with schools where we will be doing an AIDS outreach and teaching. I will be teaching teacher trainings to 30 plus teachers. Which, I am very excited about. I am adjusting and learning to love it that much more here. I am happy! But, I sure do miss home.

By the way the weather is very humid in the day but nights are windy and cool. I really enjoy the food, mango salsa especially I will have to make it for everyone when I get home. Rebecca and Carl have fun on your vacation and Chris keep getting better with your teeth. Kids keep being good! I am also dancing in a festival next week to show an american dance. This showed be fun! Anyhow, I love you and miss you! I will write soon! Write back, I love to hear from you,

Love you,

Jen

Update #3 from Uganda

2010-06-22T16:38:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Thank you so much for your encouraging thoughts and emails... It is so wonderful to hear from you! I apologize for not writing back individually the internet here is very unreliable.

I wanted to wish all the fathers a Happy Father's Day! You are all such amazing men and have so much to give. Being here I realize how truly blessed I am with a father that has taught me to appreciate and love others and to work hard. I love you dad!

I have had another wonderful few days... With the organization I am with we get weekends off and so 10 of the volunteers decided to go travel to a national park called Siepe Falls which is about a 6 hour taxi drive... Now this taxi is not like anything you can imagine we had 21 people and 3 live chicken with no air conditioning on a dirt road for hours.... The best was it began to rain, not a little rain but massive amounts as we arrived in the dark in Siepe Falls. After our "safe" arrival we stayed at a quaint little campsite where we slept in adobe huts, with grass roots. It was as authentic as possible in Uganda. It has mosquito nets which was good. Then we hiked the most incredible waterfalls in the Rain Forest, I thought I had died and gone to heaven except for the muddy trail, I have pictures of what I looked like at the end. We ate at shacks with no electricity but the food was great. It was a wonderful journey we arrived home yesterday Sunday after a long taxi ride. We did eat at a restaurant where I had a brownie, I have never tasted a brownie that tasted so good.

Today I have already taught a health lesson to students on hand washing and proper hygiene. I met with the head master and he has asked me to come back and teach more. It was wonderful to talk to him about his philosophy of education and how U.S. schools compare to his school. I am currently developing a teacher training curriculum to start teaching next week.

This week is going to be amazing we are doing two eye camps this week where we are working with doctors from Kampala on helping people with cataract surgery. I need to go but I will write soon!

Love you,
Jen

Happy Birthday Faith!

2010-06-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

I know your birthday isnt until Saturday, but we wanted to say Happy Birthday Faith!

We hope you have a great and special day!

We love you!

Update #2 from Uganda

2010-06-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

P.S. Rachel if you get this right now have mom get on a chat with me! Teach her how! I will be on for a few minutes.....

Hello,

Mom thank you so much for the updates. I am glad you finished the food list for camp. I wish I could go with you guys! You will do amazing! I am glad everyone is good and happy! Tell dad he better write me back! Also, a few logistics that phone number I text dad on Sunday if you get an international phone card you can call me any time on it. It actually earns minutes for the people if you call. Call in the morning because it is my night time. I am still trying to get one here, but I have been so busy I have not made it to the store. Everything is so far away and I have to ride those yucky Boda Boda's which a hate...By the way my feet a beginning to heel I had 7 blisters in all. I clean them everyday and rebandage. You would be proud dad!

It is about 5:00pm here I completed my third day here. Yesterday was phenenomenal, I visited 9 schools in the bush area... we are planning a large soccer tournament with an AIDS awareness/health fair for next week. I met with the head masters which are the prinicipals at all schools. The schools fancinate me and I am in love with the children. They greet you and pet your arms. But, the schools are so very deprived and lack anything you could possible imagine. Children are barely clothed and have no shoes on as they run through the bush areas. But, the people are so excited for trainings...they really want the best for the children most of the children are orphans and have no shoes. We are also doing research as we visit the schools in order to try to get a TOM's shoe drop here next summer. I have some incredible pictures of these schools and people. Words cannot describe them or the lives they endure happily. Yesterday, I had to eat street food in the middle of nowhere I was little a little frightened but I ordered chips (french fries) pretty safe I think....Not healthy but safe.

Today, I was able to go to two more schools and teach health and hygiene lessons. I taught about hand washing and we are helping one school put in a hand washing station. I love the public health aspect of this program. It is such a good thing. Then we helped a secondary school to prepare for a festival to teach primary schools about AIDS awareness and health issues. These people are trully wonderful. I am having a fantastic time. It is so humid and my stomach is a little sick but things are good. This weekend we are going to Siepe Falls (not sure if I spelled it right to go hiking).

Mom you asked if I went to church on Sunday, we got here too late but I am excited to go on Sunday. I miss you each dearly. Thank you for your prayers and love and support. Mom, please get a calling card and call. I would love to talk! How is everyone, please email updates even if they are just silly ones. If I didn't put everyone on the email please let them know.... I am not sure Jaynann is on the list. Again, I love you! This is experience is great. I know Heavenly Father loves me and all of his children! Talk to to you soon!.

Love and miss you,

Jen

Update from Uganda #1

2010-06-16T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

So, as you may see my phone is not working here and electricity is scarce.... I came to the internet cafe twice in the last two days and there was no electricity! So, I am glad to hear Zander's surgery went well and Rachel is lifeguarding:) I miss you guys!

I am doing really well! I had my first full day here yesterday and it was absolutely amazing. I started the day by going to schools near our house. They are primary or elementary schools. They are so amazing yet sad at the same time. They are brick buildings off in the middle of nowhere with no electricity. Teachers are teaching with no curriculum and students have no supplies. Some classes have 30 to 60 classes and often multiple grade levels are together.It was overwhelming to me, but the children were attentive, respectful, and excited about learning. I help teach and work with the children after school they taught me a game called net ball.... I will have to start it in the U.S. The kids mostly live in boarding schools and put it this way I was there afterschool until 5:oo and they had not had lunch. I am amazed by the children they yell "Bye Muzango" every time they see a white person. It is so cute. I also went to the grocery store, and the market amazing.... Dad remember the picture I showed you of the market it is just like it.. I little intense. But I am being safe don't worry.

I know mom wants to know what I have been eating....My snacks from home and wonderful potatoes, beans, and lots of everything. Squash, pinnapple, bananas which are amazing! I am ate some street food but don't tell dad! It was really good. I am having a great time. It is for sure challenging and overwhelming. The people here are amazingly kind. I rode on a BodaBoda today, and I almost had a heart attack it is crazy a little motocycle no helmets nothing. I know scary.... I have terrible blisters today, so humid here my feet rubbed weird but it should be fine! I do love you so much! I am so blessed in ways I never quite grasped! Thank you for your prayers, love and support! I will try to write more often but like a said my phone doesn't work and the internet is half hour away. I am going to buy an international phone that only costs $0.25 per minute.... I hope everything is going well at home.

Love you,

Jen

Happy Birthday Melissa!

2010-06-08T09:34:00.001-07:00

I don't think I can adequately outline here the amazing load that Melissa carries with grace each and every day. She is a top notch mother, taking care of our brood of little monkeys in a housing situation that is too small with neighbors that aren't always the most understanding. She takes the time to teach joy school, shuttle them to and from play-dates, classes and other activities. She's always working to teach them, to nurture them and to love them. She is a great mother.

She also works a demanding part time job as a freelance editor for the church, cutting together amazing stories of faith and devotion. They have been a source of inspiration for our whole family and I'm so glad she continues to keep her professional skills sharp. She is definitely the best editor I know.

Additionally, she teaches gospel doctrine in our ward, which is filled with the highly educated and opinionated. She does an outstanding job and takes tremendous pains to be prepared. Her lessons are always fabulous.

She does so many other things too; fantastic scrapbooking and journalling, awesome friend to many of the other young mothers in the ward, 5k runner, the list goes on. That said, the thing I'm most grateful for is how loving and supportive she is of me. I wouldn't be the man that I am, without this wonderful woman. Thank you, Melissa! I love you! Have the best birthday in the world!

Happy Birthday Melissa!

2010-06-08T04:47:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Melissa!

We hope you have a great day!

Happy Birthday Gabe!

2010-06-07T09:13:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Gabe!

Liam says "Happy Birfdaay!"

Have a great day!

Gabe

2010-05-29T11:48:00.001-07:00

Jamie beat me to this posting about Gabe's mission call but I have some photos to add to the whole thing. We are very excited. I was a bit shocked but Gabe kept his cool during the entire opening process. I have noticed him consulting Google for info on his mission and Argentina in general. Reports to the MTC August 25th...

Congratulations Gabe!!!

2010-05-28T18:10:00.000-07:00

Gabe,

We are so excited for you!!! Argentina will be so lucky to have you for a couple of years...

We will definitely miss you, but we know you are making the right choice!

We love you!

Wonderful Grandma Louise

2010-05-26T13:53:00.000-07:00

It was so nice of Grandma Louise to come up and visit so I could get out of town with some of my girlfriends. The other day Julian and Caleb told me that they wanted to go and visit their 'Gramma Weez'. They really love her!

We've Arrived!!!!

2010-05-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

After 5 days in the car with two fantastic children we have arrived! What a relief!

We had our share of hiccups including pouring rain, tornadoes, thunderstorms, our 2 year old car braking down, and our last day of driving included making up for lost time with over 700 miles to travel. Yikes! Our kids were wonderful troopers with the help of DVD's, childrens music, and some Shrek toys/cups at McDonalds. We dont often buy McDonalds, let alone Happy Meals but when it came to helping us on our adventure we went.

After arriving, we had to be moved to our 3rd room (1st one smelt of smoke- which I have come to really appreciate CA laws of no smoking!!!, 2nd one had some broken ammenities), the fire alarm went off at 1230am the 1st night, and then yesterday as we tried to get some house hold items a flying/rolling tire came right at us as we drove. Thankfully it did not hit us, but it scared us all!

Today we went to sacrament meeting, and it was a wonderful meeting on temples. We spent the day in our place getting organized, playing, reading, relaxing, and eating. Tomorrow Caleb starts his new job, and we are excited!

Hope all is well with everyone!

photo shoot...

2010-05-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine is thinking of starting a photography company and asked if she could take pictures of the girls for her portfolio...I thought, "why not?" And I absolutely LOVE them! She hasn't given me a disk yet, but she emailed me some, so I wanted to share them.

Liam's 1st bike!!!

2010-05-04T21:11:00.001-07:00

We recently discovered that Liam was getting a little too big for his tricycle...so he tried out some of the communal bikes around our complex. Some of these too big for his size, but he had fun! With the beautiful weather the past few days, we have spent most of our days outside, except for nap times, and this is all he wants to do- RIDE BIKES! I love it, and I love to watch him- so does Emma & Caleb.

So we decided to get him his own bike- blue & yellow, has training wheels, and he can reach the ground when he stops. We also got him a new helmet that fits him better! Tonight Emma, Liam and Caleb put the bike together, and then he was off riding...I now think Emma wants one too, but she is still a little small. Our neighbor is actually making a bike for Emma that has no training wheels, and it helps teach the kids how to balance themselves. Cool!

For now we are enjoying the wonderful weather outside...playing on bikes, and having fun! (I would post pictures but I am not able to download at this time)

Mexico Surf Trip

2010-04-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

I don't want to give the false impression that I'm a surfer. In fact, I'm confident that what I do resembles the thrashing of an injured sea lion more than anything you might normally associate with surfing. That said, I've been enjoying getting out with some of the guys in the ward. Our big goal was to make a trip down to Mexico for a little surfing and a lot of relaxing. Well we finally did it and, it was awesome. Lots of cheap food, a fantastic beach front villa and plenty of empty surf spots. I had a great time and came back well rested. I can't thank my wife enough for handling the home front so that I could get away for a couple of days. You are the best, Melissa!

SOMEONE IS ENGAGED!?!

2010-04-05T23:04:00.000-07:00

She was too shy to post it herself, so I will do the honors...

HOLLY & DAVID
GOT ENGAGED EASTER NIGHT!

Details to follow....

Easter Surprise

2010-04-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I am posting a million photos here- we just had such a nice time and it was so fun to see everyone over the Easter weekend. Ian and I actually got to listen to some Conference talks (even if others didn't... sorry!) and it was nice to use Jesse's awesome Kohl's discount, get Grace and Emily's help with the boys and enjoy Louise's wonderful cooking. Caleb and Julian really love Liam (aka Lee Lee), even though they don't get to see him very often they had such a nice time together dyeing eggs, finding eggs, and just hanging out and sharing candy. I don't remember much fighting (if any, but I know that can't be right), which is so nice.

Grandma's garden seemed to have lots of springtime magic in it- the apple blossoms looked beautiful. It was a perfect Easter weekend.

Another Stellar Weekend

2010-03-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

It was a proud weekend in the Hulewsky household. Two major milestones for our twins Nik and Leah. Nik was accepted at Columbia which made him very happy (Jamie posted already). And then there is Leah who I thought had stopped developing. Leah with the bent thumbs cut her own hair. A proud moment and quite a major milestone for her. Clumps of hair on the floor and me with no idea where they came from. I thought they might be strays from a haircut Faith gave someone since I couldn't imagine Leah was even able to use scissors. That funny girl never ceases to amaze me. ha...

St Patty's Day

2010-03-27T22:04:00.000-07:00

Karlee standing on the light "lighting up mine dress momma!"

Allan, the model!

Joleen, so smiley! :)

Colbie Rae being her cute self!

(Needless to say, taking a picture of all 4 doesn't work so well!)

My mom (Carrie) used to make us all matching dresses until we started telling her not too! So, she was excited to be able to make the 3 girls matching St Patricks Day dresses! They turned out so cute & we are glad they have a Grandma with such a wonderful talent!!! :)

Congratulations!

2010-03-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Nik!!!!

We are so excited for you!!! Whatever/wherever you choose to go, we just thought it was so exciting to get accepted to such a wonderful school as Columbia!

Congratulations to Jessika, on getting accepted to the Masters program at USC!

More Flowers!!!

2010-03-24T14:30:00.001-07:00

Thank you Puente's. These roses are beautiful. Flowers totally brighten things up. I took a photo of Emily holding these but the lighting was terrible and you couldn't realy see her or the flowers.

Spontaneous Delight

2010-03-23T23:19:00.001-07:00

For the past year I've been taking turns teaching "Joy School" with three other moms who live within a few blocks of us. The idea behind Joy School is not to focus on teaching kids letters, numbers or other pre-K skills but to teach them principles that will help them have joy and be happy throughout their lives. In some ways it's a parenting class because a lot of the principles are things that kids have inherently- a natural curiousity, a desire to try new things- that parents maybe don't know how to direct appropriately so their kids lose it. Other things, like the joy of the earth, the joy of order, sharing, service, etc. are things that we learn about.

I really love the curriculum and I feel like it's given me so many great tools as a parent (let's just say I still have a lot to learn) but the other day we did a class called 'Spontaneous Delight'. It still makes me giggle to think of the name. Usually I'm kind of anxious about helping the kids to learn some kind of principle, but the goal for this class was just to have fun together, and to learn that just as it's important to be still and quiet something, sometimes it's also really good to giggle and laugh together. It was the funnest time I've ever had teaching a class. We just did lots of silly things (like popping popcorn without the lid on and painting with our feet which freaked them out initially before we had lots of fun with that) and had a ball. I wish that there were more things about how to have spontaneous delight... I think that life would be a lot less stressful. It's helped me to have more fun with my kids though, which has definitely been amazing. We're still trying to figure out what to do for preschool next year- our group will all be off in other places. I'm sure whatever it is won't be quite as fun as Joy School ;)

Trees...

2010-03-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Berry bushes are doing well...

I don't know what tree this is but it's looking good...

Fig tree looks good...even looks like there is a little fig forming.

One of the sad deer injured trees. The only one with any growth on it.

Cherry tree looks good. Not much of a photographer so I'm not even sure if you can see the buds.

Another cherry tree photo which is not very good at all. Obviously we don't cut our grass very often. We did water the trees and I will put another shot of fertilizer on them. No deer so that's the best part of all since they are protected this time. Yahoo for that...

Beautiful Flowers

2010-03-21T14:29:00.001-07:00

I'm not much of a photographer nor am I much of an florist but my co-workers sent these flowers for Emily. They are so beautiful I wanted to share them with all of you. I have such wonderful co-workers. I so lucky to have a job with good insurance and such good friends. I'm vacillating between gratitude and self pity right now. Not a good place to be but things will feel much better when Emily is home and we aren't making that long trek to San Francisco. I really hope her blood thinner levels are right on tomorrow so I can go pick her up...

She's alive!!!

2010-03-21T10:00:00.001-07:00

Emily the center of the world!

Leah so happy to be visiting the hospital but not staying... Ha...

Friday was a big day for Emily. Marge, Jenifer, Rachel, Jaynann, Sam, Hayley, Alyssa and Zander all came to visit. Then we came with Emily and Grace's friend Kacee as a surprise. Emily was surprised. Leah was so happy to see Emily and she was so good in the hospital. Leah was TERRIBLE on Saturday but that is a whole other story and I was so relieved she was good on Friday. One doc said she might come home Saturday. Another said maybe Sunday. Now the story is she will come home Monday. I'm exhausted and grateful that Mary is willing to stay over night tonight. I will go to the city by the bay tomorrow and hope to bring Emily back with me this time. She is doing well and thanks to one and all for your prayers and love.

ICU and no view...

2010-03-21T09:49:00.001-07:00

Emily got wheeled up to the ICU about 5pm. She was looking totally out which she was. She looked so much better than Violet did all those times but it was still very emotional to see little Emily completely out.

Lots of medical equipment and lots stuff hooked up to Emily.

I left to come back to Sacramento before Emily came back to life. She was in very capable hands and Mary took this photo of her. Before leaving I signed papers for Emily to be in a study since this is a teaching hospital I thought it was the least I could do since the doctors did the hard stuff and we got the best possible outcome. I hugged the surgeon. I'm not a hugger of strangers but I was just so grateful. I asked him if I could hug him and he said it was ok. He was so impressed with Emily and her mature decisions. He showed me that he made the most minimal incision possible since Emily was brave and not concerned with the idea of having a scar down the middle of her chest. The entire medical staff was wonderful...

UCSF a room with a view!!!

2010-03-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

Emily chillin the night before the surgery!!!

Beautiful view of San Francisco from the hospital room.

Not the best photo since I don't have photo skills like Melissa but you could see the Golden Gate bridge from this window. Fancy digs totally 5 star accommodations...

I got a call at work Monday morning the 14th of March at about 10am. "We have a cancellation can you bring Emily in by 11:30am for surgery tomorrow?" My response...no. After explaining the distance and the drive situation they offered us a 1:30pm check in which we took. Poor Emily had no idea why she was being pulled out of school early and of course she was a bit emotional and off balance as I must admit so was I. We tracked down Mary and then it was off to the big city so Emily could get her heart fixed. We got there late which apparently wasn't a problem since we had to wait a long time for the room to be ready. We met lots of other really nice shell shocked people being admitted to the hospital and we all promised to pray for each other.

Finally got into the room. Mary was distraught since there was no TV in the room. I'm sure she was distraught for other reasons as well. Then the parade of medical professionals giving instructions and information regarding the surgery. Emily's nurse said only parents could stay over night (we later found out that was incorrect) so Mary says "I'm the birth parent" so of course I pipe in with "I'm the legal parent" so we both got to stay. The rule is only one person with the patient over night in the room so I opted for the deluxe accommodations of the women's sleep area room M666. A converted conference room very uncomfortable not to mention the devils number part. Next morning the roll Emily out of the room at about 6:40am and down to the preop area. Sedation and more doctors. The resident the fellow and the real doc all came by to check on Emily with the two moms just happy to be answering questions. Emily rolled into the OR at about 7:30am and Mary and I begin the long wait. Once again we met lots of nice people waiting for their loved ones. After what seemed a long long time the nurse came to tell us the surgeon was able to repair Emily's valve so no replacement. What a relief.

Double Trouble

2010-03-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Just had to post these pics of Jack and Christian. Melissa is improving with her photography, but such cute subjects make it easier!

Happy 25th Anniversary!

2010-03-02T16:20:00.001-08:00

Happy Anniversary to Anatole and Louise! We love you and hope you have a wonderful anniversary!a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TcH7BZvQSeg/S42s2Z8bnRI/AAAAAAAAANI/JUJLbDIz4ZY/s1600-h/DSCN0492.JPG">

( I would post a picture from your wedding or reception but I dont have any)

Community College Swim Class (Or How I Learned To Embrace Middle-Age)

2010-02-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be 36 in two months. Its not something that keeps me up at night, nor am I desperate to do anything that makes me seem younger. I'm actually happier and more at ease with myself than I've ever been. That said, I have been having a hard time fully grasping the fact that I'm not really a young buck anymore. The guys at the mall who used to hand me passes to hip clubs, ignore me now. My pop culture references miss the mark about 95% of the time. But today was my first swim class at Santa Monica College. As I was standing there, I realized that when I started community college in 1992 many of my classmates were just being born!!! That just blew my mind. I felt really old.

That said, there was a silver lining. I absolutely loved the class. I think i'll be able to hit my 2.5 mile swim goal by the end of the year. Additionally, I was the fastest swimmer in the class. Granted, it is a beginner class and a good portion can't swim at all, but it made me feel good to beat some of these young kids. Its ok getting older, in fact, I'm kind of digging it.

Meet the newest member of our family...

2010-02-15T20:12:00.000-08:00

his name is Mickey. For Family Home Evening tonight, we went and watched the airplanes land/take off, and then headed over to a pet store. We walked all over, and then decided that perhaps we can have our 1st pet, a goldfish, whom Liam named Mickey (of course). We are all very excited to have him.

the Year of the Dragon

2010-02-14T21:18:00.001-08:00

I hesitated about buying a pair of dragon boots for Caleb and Julian that I saw at the Gymboree outlet over the Christmas Break when I was with Grace and Emily. They seemed like a flagrant waste of money- we so rarely see rain that they'd probably wind up spending their wearing life tucked up in the closet, like another pair of boots I bought for them two years ago. These boots did not get worn once! But I just couldn't resist them so I decided not to learn my lesson. I brought them home and we cracked them open that very afternoon.

Caleb and Julian had so much fun stomping in the puddles around the Hulewsky place that Ian got out some boots too and joined in the fun. I thought it might be the only time they got to wear them, but even then it was worth it.

When we got back to LA we were delighted to find more rain was in store for us, and even more delighted when I happened upon the unworn pair of boots I bought two years ago. They were brand new and fit Jack and Christian perfectly. Ironically they, too, are dragon boots. They wear them all the time. Now if only we could get a little more rain... ;)

3-Year Old Soccer

2010-02-13T21:59:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to get Caleb and Julian involved in soccer for a while now. Especially for Caleb as I hoped it would be a good way to get his right leg strengthened. They are too young for league soccer (AYSO's youngest group is Under 6, which we won't be eligible for until fall 2011). There are a couple of small classes available, but they are ridiculously expensive, which is compounded by the fact that we have two to enroll in everything. So, we decided that I would try coaching a team at the Church ball field. I was pretty nervous about it as I don't consider myself either a particularly good teacher or patient. My anxiety was compounded by the fact that we ended up with 13 kids wanting to participate (not to mention that Jack and Christian were sure to be in the mix). But I bought a DVD for coaching little kids and hoped for the best.

Well, we've been at it for about 5 weeks now and I have to say its been super fun. All the kids are a bit young, so focus and following instructions are a challenge, but they just love being with each other kicking balls and scoring goals. Its a blast to see them figuring stuff out and acquiring skills. I think they could all be really good little players if they stick with it.

It has also highlighted how very different Caleb and Julian are. Julian can't get enough. He absolutely loves playing soccer and he loves getting his shorts, shin guards and cleats on. He is by far the most enthusiastic kid on the pitch. Caleb, on the other hand, is a little cool to the whole concept. He's very social and loves to see the other kids, but he's reluctant with the ball and pretty easily distracted. That said, he's warming up to it and it has been great exercise for him.

Hopefully we'll take more pictures this week to post.

Emily

2010-02-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

Emily said I should post this on the blog so here it is. Emily wanted to play softball so we took her in for a physical. During the physical they discovered a heart mummer. Long story short after several more tests we just got a call from the pediatric cardiologist informing us that Emily has significant heart disease and will need surgery to repair/replace her heart valve. At this point we are all in a state of shock but we are of course optimistic that things will be fine. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Love you all...

Joleen's Blessing...

2010-01-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

We are blessing Joleen this Sunday, Feb 7th at 9:00 at the 51st & Dover building. Muffins & goodies at my mom's after! Hope to see you there!

The Brick Oven

2010-01-28T16:29:00.001-08:00

Melissa got me a really cool cookbook for Christmas. Its called JAMIE AT HOME by Jamie Oliver. The portion I've become infatuated with is the pizza section. Jamie had a brick oven built in his backyard (I've included a photo for reference) and he raves about the difference its made in his pizzas. While he claims you can get "similar" (read, not as good) results, I just can't get the brick oven out of my head. The book's influence has seeped into our ramped up attempts to purchase a house here in Los Angeles. So I'm now officially OBSESSED with the idea of building one in our new backyard. Just hope the backyard ends up being big enough!

Julian and Caleb's Joy School Christmas Program

2010-01-13T13:57:00.001-08:00

Luckily Melissa videotaped this. Caleb is one of two Josephs and Julian is the innkeeper and a shepherd. Good times!

Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes

2010-01-12T13:51:00.001-08:00

We got some really fantastic tomatoes last year in our weekly produce box. We made some killer pasta sauce with them (among other things). This year, Melissa and I are planting a small garden in a friend's yard. I went a little crazy and ordered 7 different heirloom tomato plants. Probably should have cut down the list a bit, but they all looked so delicious. They included:

Summer Cider

Green Giant

Paul Robeson

and Black Krim

Hopefully they'll be productive enough that we can jar plenty of sauce and fruit for everyone! I'll keep you posted.