A Jonah Tale - "The Dangerous Dentist"

This started back in March when Jonah had to go to the dentist for his regular check up and cleaning. Dr. Zuniga is wonderful, but Jonah is a more difficult child to work on. After about an hour of fighting him we decided not to torture him anymore and he referred us to a pediatric dentist that specializes with special needs kids. So I got on the phone and made an appointment with Dr. Cotton.

Our first appointment with her was great! She is an amazing dentist. Jonah was cursed with the "Rogers" teeth (not very strong). Anyways, he had a lot of work that needed to be done. I took him the first two times and then I had my mom take him because I couldn't take anymore time off work. Well the last time that Nana took him, he had to have a tooth pulled. He also was just having a difficult time there. So we decided to make the appointments for June when I was done working so that I could take him.

Well, with Jonah you have to "prep" him for the up coming events that he has to do. So the day before his appointment I was letting him know that he was going to see Dr. Cotton tomorrow and he started to cry. I asked him what is wrong. He said he didn't want to go to the dentist. I was assuring him that he would be fine and that she would take good care of his teeth. He was quite insistent that he didn't want to go. So I asked him why he didn't want to go see Dr. Cotton? His answer was simple and understandable, he said "Because she is dangerous!" I couldn't help but laugh.

Well needless to say we still went to see the "Dangerous Dentist" Dr. Cotton the next day. He did a lot of complaining, but he did great and is done for now. YAY! When we left the office he said goodbye to the nurse and I told him to say goodbye to Dr. Cotton, he wouldn't even look at her or say goodbye. I think he is a LITTLE mad at her. Oh well!

Help! Bees!

We have bees that we are not quite sure how to take care of. They have made a home in a pilar on our back porch. There must of been a small enough hole for them to fly in. Now we have a colony and not sure how to go about getting rid of them! It doesn't make it very fun to be outside, and the kids keep going through my bedroom to go outside. Any ideas?

Ducklings

This is a video of our little ducklings that hatched a couple of weeks ago. The big duck that you see in this video is the mom - Quackers. These little ducklings are fast! They made a swimming pole out of the other chickens water dish. We started out with 11 ducklings, but we lost a few along the way :(

The "NEW" Bed

The boys wanted to redo their rooms because Uncle Tim is giving them a weight set. So they ripped out the carpet in Levi's room, because it was just nasty. Anyways, they asked it they could take out Jonah's bed because he won't sleep on it or in his room at all and they want to put the weights in there. Jonah will either sleep in Sariah's room with her or on his "new bed" (the couch), or he will even try to convince me to let him sleep in my bed. I told him that Daddy sleeps in my bed and if Jonah were to sleep in my bed, where will daddy sleep? He response was: "He can sleep in my bed."

I asked Jonah if we got him a different bed would he sleep in his room. He said yes. So I asked him if he would sleep in a bean bag. He said yes. So I looked online and they are not cheap at least $100 plus! I finally found one from Walmart. Then on Saturday we went to Goodwill, because it was their 50% off day and they had an antique looking couch I was hoping would still be there, and it was! But next to it was this huge bean bag chair. It was marked at $39.99 then you take 50% off so we got it only for $20! When we got it home we barely could get it through the door. We took off the cover and washed it in hot water with detergent and oxyclean. After it was finished it looked good as new!

So that night I asked Jonah if he was going to sleep in his room in his new bed and he told me no! I asked him why. He told me that there were monsters in his room that told him they were going to eat his head. I told him that there is no monsters in his room. He was quite adamant that there is. I wonder if it is those mischievous spirits that were here when I was younger... So we got the "monster spray" (guardian and distilled water - it is an essential oil that helps) and sprayed it all over his room. When I went to check on him he was a sleep! When he got up this morning I asked him if there were any monsters that bothered him, he said no. I am happy and hope this will keep him in his OWN room.

The Gila Valley Temple

In May we took a family trip to the Gila Valley to see the new temple that was built. It was a wonderful experience to be there with my children and have them see the beauty and peace that lies within those walls. The boys were funny about seeing the bride's room. Jonah was quite good and seem to feel content. He was enjoying having his picture taken.

Unfortunately, Eric had to work so he was not able to be with us. Also, I didn't have Kaylee with us either. She would have enjoyed seeing the temple and being there, but she was being very difficult through the week and I wanted this to be a positive experience. Plus of the drive there and back in one day. She would of had a difficult time being kind. We did have a surrogate daughter/sister, Ta, with us. She is a sweet girl. Sariah and Ta have the same birthday, so it is like they are twins! We love her and glad that she is able to participate with our family.

After the temple we were able to drive around and see some things in Thatcher and Safford. I showed the kids where I lived when I went to EAC. We drove around the campus, which has grown! I told them I would love for them to go there. They would love it (or at least I think they will) as I did. We got to go to the Mi Casa tortilla factory. We were able to purchase fabulous tortillas. We went to a cool little candy and candle store, I think it is the Lollipop Shop? Anyways, they had yummy fudge and old time candy that I haven't seen in a while. We also went by and saw the childhood home of President Kimball. We were hoping to get a tour of the home, but no one was there, maybe next time. On our way out of town, we had dinner at the Tastee Freeze. It was yummy too!

We attended the temple dedication as a family. It was a lot of fun to see President Monson show his human side. He has such a great sense of humor. I enjoyed listening to all the speakers. I loved President Crocket when I had him as an institute teacher. What a wonderful experience to see it. I wish we could have been there! When the temple is built here in Gilbert, maybe will be able to have that opportunity, especially to be in the presence of the Prophet and Apostles.

A double date with Mom and Dad..

At the beginning of April, Eric and I were privileged to go on a double date with my parents. We went and saw George Dyer at the Mesa Broadway Palms. It was a very enjoyable evening! We had front row seats. George Dyer came into the audience and we were able to shake his hand, plus I got very lucky because I got a rose that he threw into the audience. :p He will be coming back this winter and next spring. I am going to take my kids to go see him. I love his voice! If you haven't seen or heard of him.... you are missing out!

Levi in his school play.

Levi was in a school play called A Pirate Love Story. He played the evil brother. He was quite evil I might add. He performed this weekend. He did a fantastic job. He is getting more confident in his acting and singing abilities. He is quite a character. Here are a few pictures of him and his mates'.

This kid here in the first photo is Levi's clone. His name is Feyd. He looks and acts just like Levi! Watch out world...

I think they have too much fun! :)

Ok....I have some STRANGE children...

This is a clip about Jonah being a goof ball.

This is Levi ....

This is Levi, giving us our weekly show....

Having faith as a child...

This week we had another test of faith. On Wednesday, I was up VERY early with Sariah because she was going on a history tour with her school and I had to have her down at the school by 6 AM! When I got home, I had to get kids ready along with myself for school. After school, I ran by my house after work to get my swim suit (I know crazy, but it was a hot day!). Then I went to my mom's because Jonah had therapy. When I got there, my brother Michael and his family came over and I got distracted from the pool because we were visiting. Then all of the sudden Michael, my son, showed up. Kaylee apparently had opened one of our gates and didn't latch it because it was too hard. So instead of asking for help she just left it, well it was windy and a wind gust pushed the gate open. The dogs had gotten out and they couldn't be found and that Jesse and Kaylee were harassing Michael, so he came to Nana's house.

When we got home we looked EVERYWHERE. We couldn't find the dogs. The kids had mutual that night so Jonah and I took the kids and we continued to look. It was so sweet to hear him calling the dogs and pleading with them to come back. I was so distraught and upset because it was Sariah's dog that was lost. We returned home and not sure what to do. Jonah came over to me and I asked him if we should say a prayer to help us find the dogs. He said yes and he said the prayer.

It was now dark and my hopes of finding the dogs was fading. Now I was worried of how I was going to tell Sariah. Well, I went online and started to post lost notices on facebook, craig's list, and http://www.pets911.com/. I had just printed some signs to post around our neighborhood about the dogs when the phone rang at 9:30 pm. A woman was asking if we had a dog named Precious. I said "yes" she asked if she had another dog with her, again I told her yes. She said that she found our dogs and would like to return them to us. So at 10 pm our lost little dogs returned home. I was so elated and happy that they were back safe and sound and also that someone was honest and caring to return our little "delinquents".

When I was praying that night, I was so filled with gratitude for bringing these dogs home, that a thought that occurred to me. Our Heavenly Father is so aware of everyone of us and aware of our worries and fears, that if we go to him as a little child having faith that our prayers will be answered. It was through the pure innocence and faith that Jonah showed me that we should always go to our Father in Heaven in prayer, knowing that he hears and will answer them according to His will.

ERIC GOT A JOB!

I am so happy to report that Eric finally found a job! I know that the Lord has been mindful of us and tests our faith and trust in him. Let me tell a little story about this job....

The week of General Conference Eric found a job on Craig's List that he had applied for. The Sunday after conference was fast Sunday, so we decided as a family to fast that Eric can find a job. We prayed and fasted ALL day (needless to say we had a VERY grouchy house by the time dinner came around!) That week Eric got called for an interview with the company called TCH. It is a rehabilitation center for disabled adults (Weird, huh?). He went to the interview on Thursday. They said if he made the cut he should hear from them by the following Wednesday (April 14).

I had to take some time off work that week because Michael had pneumonia and he was on bed rest. Sariah stayed home school that Wednesday (April 14) because she had a doctor's appointment. I took kids to school and decided to go to the temple. I did an endowment session and then sat in the Celestial room for quite so time (it was so peaceful and quiet, compared to the outside world!). That night we were at mutual with the kids and Eric turned to me and said, I guess that I didn't get the job.

The following day, I get a text from Eric saying he got a job offer from the company and would have the job if all the background checks come back clear. So that Friday he went in to fill out paper work and get a drug test, MVD records, etc. That Sunday we paid our tithing. It was wasn't hard to know that we needed to do it, it was putting our faith and trust in the Lord that he will take care of us. The next day Eric hadn't heard back from the company yet about if he passed the clearance parts. He called them and they said they had everything but the drug screen back and everything was clear so far. That night Eric got a call from the blood lab and inquired if he was on any medications. Eric told him yes and listed the meds he takes. They said that he test came back positive. We then had to get copies of the prescriptions and fax them in to prove that he was on medication. On Tuesday morning, I told Eric that he should go to the temple and serve. So he went that morning. It wasn't until evening that he got a call from the company that everything came back good and he was officially hired! He wouldn't be starting work until the following week. Thursday he got a call again from the company and wanted him to start that Friday. Was this all a coincidence? We don't think so! It was definitely a trial of our obedience and testimony of faith and we are very grateful we passed!

Just a little interesting note....our cobra will be running out this summer on July 31. Eric's new job has benefits and they start August 1. What a blessing, I thought I was going to have to put them on my insurance, but it wouldn't take affect until October 1. I was worried what we were going to do for two months with no insurance. Now I don't have to worry!

Thank you to all who fasted and prayed for our family. It has taken a year and half to finally get a "real" job for Eric! Thank you and we love you!

So it has been awhile...

This has been on my "to do list" for the past year. Life has kept me very busy. My kids and Eric are causing me to get gray hair which I now have to dye it often. I am still teaching first grade, I hope that there will be a change in my future with a different grade level. I was actually hoping to go part time or quit teaching this next school year because I really want to be home for my children, but Eric has no job and we keep praying and fasting that this will change VERY soon.

Here is an update on my kiddos:

Jesse - He turned 16 this year. He is in 10th grade at Gilbert High School. He is very tech savvy so we have keep track of him and pray that he will make good decisions. He keeps trying to convince us that we should let him get his drivers license, we tell him. Family rule when he is 18. He enjoys sports and hanging out with his friends.

Michael - He will be turning turning 16 in August. He is very handsome. He goes to Heritage Academy. He also enjoys sports and hanging out with his friends as well. If he could he would watch TV and play the Wii and computer ALL day long.

Levi - He turned 15 this year. He is in 9th grade at Learning Foundations and Performing Arts. He is really enjoying it. We feel that he has found his calling in life. He loves to entertain people and it comes very naturally for him. He has been involved with a sing and dance crew, he has been in a couple of plays. He loves playing the piano and is learning how to play the guitar. We just wish he work harder on his school work.

Kaylee - She will be 15 in July. She is in 8th grade at Greenfield Jr. High. She continues to struggle in many areas and challenges us as a family daily. She has a strong testimony in the gospel and enjoys the young women's program. We pray for her often and hope that she will not be permanent roommate.

Sariah - She will be 14 in July. She is in 8th grade Heritage Academy. She loves school and good at it. She is turning out to be a beautiful young woman. She is very excited because we got her contacts this year and next month she gets her braces off. She is my "back-up brain" and keeps me on track.

Jonah - He is 5 years old. He is currently in pre-school and will be in kindergarten next year. He is amazing little boy. He has come so far both in language skills and physical skills. He is quite an imaginative and very loving little boy. He loves Starbucks hot chocolate in the "little cup" and loves to play outside. The only thing that would be great is if we could potty train him. We are almost there... We are so glad that this little spirit is part of our lives!