My man's best friend

We miss you.

We watched your picture slide show and Ben taught the kids about how like Christ you always loved everyone. Everyone was your friend, and they knew it. You had a great quality to include and give voice to everyone in the room, or group. Thank you for that example.

Happy Birthday Dogg!

Neil Diamond - Coming to America

That Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash

I'm proud to be an American - American Soldier Tribute

The America I love!

Me playing tough girl at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Virginia

my sister Britt and Hubby, he is an Officer, . . and I guess a gentleman too.
The top picture does not do justice, we are covered in a nasty tan dirt film from our ride in the vehicle thingy. Maybe Dave will comment and instruct us on the proper term.

I was catching up on the latest news and stumbled on this talk . . . so I copied it. I really loved it. If you know me you know I am very patriotic. I love the fourth of July, I always cry through the National Anthem. I love our past history, our beginning. One of my favorite things about living here (or near my brother in law Dave) is....... At the Movie theater on base before you see any show you stand in reverence. With your hand over your heart you listen to the National Anthem and view a sideshow of the few and the proud that defend all that the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence held sacred. I know My father in Heaven preserved this land for a sacred purpose. I know the founding fathers created a masterpiece; the United States of America. I hope we can all reflect of what the fourth of July really celebrates; Independence from big government, Independence from improper taxation, and the freedom of separation from church and state.

Dad is home from his second tour in Iraq

Dave meeting his darling 4 month old girl for the first time.

A conservative believes that our inalienable rights do not include housing, healthcare or Hummers.

A conservative believes that our inalienable rights DO include the pursuit of happiness. That means it is guaranteed to no one. Unless Medicaid is your pursuit of happiness.

A conservative believes that those who pursue happiness and find it have a right to not be penalized for that success. That means free trade, and not penalizing gas companies for raising prices on us . .when their prices are also being raised.

A conservative believes that there are no protections against the hardship and heartache of failure. We believe that the right to fail is just as important as the chance to succeed and that those who do fail learn essential lessons that will help them the next time around. this sounds an awful lot like a lesson in Sunday school

A conservative believes in personal responsibility and accepts the consequences for his or her words and actions. Wow! What an amazing concept. So if I buy a ridiculously expensive house and lease a brand new car then I am responsible for the payments. Not the government when the going gets tough.

A conservative believes that real compassion can't be found in any government program.

A conservative believes that each of us has a duty to take care of our neighbors. It was private individuals, companies and congregations that sent water, blankets and supplies to New Orleans far before the government ever set foot there. AMEN! I heartedly believe government programs should be dissolved and handled by churches, citizens etc. The less bureaucratic the better the agency, the more compassion. I have experience working on both sides in several government agencies, social services, health care, education and it sucks on both sides.

A conservative believes that family is the cornerstone of our society and that people have a right to manage their family any way they see fit, so long as it's not criminal. We are far more attuned to our family's needs than some faceless, soulless government program. I wonder if this is why our Heavenly Father has the family unit central to his plan?!?!

A conservative believes that people have a right to worship the God of their understanding. We also believe that people do not have the right to jam their version of God (or no God) down anybody else's throat. One anonymous non-descriptive phone call is not legitimate legal evidence for one or 437 children to be removed from their homes. No matter what the religion is.

A conservative believes that people go to the movies to be entertained and to church to be preached to, not the other way around.

A conservative believes that debt creates unhealthy relationships. Everyone, from the government on down, should live within their means and strive for financial independence. Is that a direct quote from General conference?!?!

A conservative believes that a child's education is the responsibility of the parents, not the government.

So as the parent I get to choose when they go- Nope. Where they go, -somewhat. What they learn- Not at all. Who teaches them No, Only certain government trained and certified people can teach (program) our children. I love our public education system where masturbation is required curriculum, and no Christmas songs are allowed in the Christmas concert.

A conservative believes that every human being has a right to life, from conception to death.

A conservative believes in the smallest government you can get without anarchy. We know our history: The larger a government gets, the harder it will fall. OH how it has grown and grown in the last 100 years.

read all about it here

It's Organic! Go ahead and eat up!!!

We Joined the Pendleton Johnson Clan on a Strawberry picking adventure.
We did not realize it would turn into a thieving binge for the youngest of our group.




here are some great pics of the big girls. They filled their own bucket.




Now all the incriminating photo's. Benson and Katherine soon learned it was faster to eat them now, rather waiting for them to be cleaned or even purchased. They both figured out that there is no need to even take them off the plant. Us adults were greatly outnumbered. between keeping the girls within shouting distance, the boys focused on red strawberries and not green ones the little tykes got away with many, many stolen goods. Benson had a special ladybug toy in his left hand so Katherine out stole him.




Look at these yummy Carlsbad grown strawberries. Once at home we washed off the dirt, compost and other nature spices. I offered a few to Bence . .he had had enough. Hopefully he and Katherine do not get sick. We enjoyed our share of them alone for snacks, on French toast, with strawberry shortcake and homemade buttermilk scones sprinkled with powdered sugar (unless your Jeddy and then the sugar load triples). So yummy! So so yummy.



shot of the group in the strawberry fields. If you could see through hills and houses you would see our house behind Dave about 1 and a half miles. Just in front of britt is Legoland. It is always pleasant to see these massive rolling strawberry fileds among our little city. Their lease ends soon and many people want a big fancy hotel. I prefere the fields. I hope this spot stays agro, I hope we can come here and pick (or steal) many more strawberries.

Summer is here, I can turn off my brain . .right!?!

We have officially ended our first year in the public education system.


We said goodbye's and extended our friendships at a picnic at the park with a bunch of our buddies.

I loaded the kids in the van to drive to my sis house for a pool party. I was looking forward to a calm peaceful 30 minute drive. I asked each kid some music they wanted to listen to. Jeddy requested superman (five for fighting, and Madisen Bad (U2). So we proceeded in that order.

We I spent the next 20 minutes explaining the meanings and lyrics to the superman song to the kids, but mostly Madisen. "Why doesn't he like to fly?" . . . "why does he say he is only a man . .he is a super hero.? . . .his life isn't hard he has powers"

Luckily we were able to just enjoy 'Bad', I hope you do also. I tried to post it we will see if it worked. On our car ride home I had to explain the judicial system and why I wasn't going to go to jail due to me driving with out my license. I had to explain to my kids that yes I do criminal things, but I'll still be there Mommy. Madisen wanted to know all the laws you go to prison for, what is prison like, how long do you stay in prison when you speed ("like you always do mommy!").






This is going to be a fun summer, Benson has learned how to unlock and open the dishwasher, and can climb to the top bunk with out the ladder, loves to use the power sliding doors in the van (I think he has a goal to wear them out by constantly opening and closing them), and the best is our secure safe home is no longer a jail for him. He learned that you can open the garage door from inside the car. So if I don't lock the kitchen door to the garage he can open the door, get in the car (open and shut the doors a few times) then climb up to the button by the visors and BAM the door opens. Luckily he cant reach the car door handles yet and the garage door is LOUD opening and closing. So if I just keep my ears tuned we should be able to keep him contained. We are going to have to train the older crazies to actually shut their doors now. It looks as though my Jeddy Saga's have returned in the form of what use to be my sweet baby Bence. Is Benson to young for boarding school. He is a mature 16 months old?
I am not sure I can handle summer if I have to have analytical conversations all day long and keep up with Bence's antics. Luckily he still takes a nap in the afternoon. Wish me luck on my relaxing summer break keeping up with my boys not the jones's.