My Little Big Family at the Mesa Temple

After 3 years of being back with the church, my hubby being baptized, then baptizing three of our children we finally had the privilege of attending the temple.  It was a long time coming yet it seemed to happen so fast.  On a Sunday we made an appointment with our Bishop for that Thursday 8/11/2011, then met with the Stake Presidency for our second interview on Sunday 8/14 and we now had our Temple recommends.  Monday I called the Temple to set our dates, endowments 8/20/2011 and the sealing on 8/27/2011.  If you would have told me 10 years ago or even 5 years ago I would be back at the Mormon church will my family and more involved than I have ever been I wouldn't have believed you.  I never would have imagined it would be my husband that brought us here and was the one who persuaded me to return to a church I left in my past.  Mind you, this is a man who told me when we met that he didn't believe in god (something I didn't believe because I could see it in his eyes).  I will write more about how we found/returned to the church another time but soon before I forget the details.  What I can say is I have an amazing husband that has surpassed any and all expectations I could have imagined in the man I married.  It was an experience that I wouldn't have wanted to share with anyone else in the world.  

Since everything happened so fast and the hubby works the night shift I had to get all of our clothing for the Temple.  I can't tell you how hard it is to get garments when you have no idea what they look like (we are the only members in both of our families) and you are not to open them until you get to the Temple to receive your endowments.  Not to mention for women they have a ton of styles and materials and I had to figure out what I thought hubby would like. One thing I was grateful for, I was all by myself without the kids (older 2 hadn't started school yet and were watching the little 2 for me).  One little piece of advise would be to ask a few friends what they like and write it down because it gets a little overwhelming when you are there.  Then buy a few different one and see what you like, I ended up loving the one material I didn't buy any of because I didn't think I would like it.  It took me a few pair before I found what I really liked.  The only other item I bought was my dress and slip. 

It was finally Saturday, I was a bit nervous and excited all at the same time.  #1 and #2 had meet the teacher from 11-1, hubby took them so I had enough time to get ready and not be rushed.  It's their first year at ALA so we wanted them to see the school before school started on Monday.  They got there early and returned home earlier than we expected which was nice.  I was surprised at how smooth it was leading up to us leaving all the kids.  Sister Larson was nice enough to come spend the evening with our girls so we didn't have to worry about them and enjoy our day.  The girls loved her, she did a hunt for the girls and they had a blast.  Around 3:30 hubby and I left thinking we were going to be late for out 4pm appointment but were pleasantly surprised to make it on time.  I don't think it could have gone any better.  Walking into the Temple for the first time was amazing and exciting all at the same time.  I'm so glad I got to share that with the love of my life.  It was funny to be called a bride again after 13 years of marriage but exciting to know I would be with hubby for ever.  All the sisters were so kind and helpful, I'm thankful to all of them for making me feel more excited than nervous.  It was time to change into my dress and I was glad I had my own dress.  With all the unknown of that day I was nice that I had my own dress I was comfortable in, knew what it looked like, knew it fit and loved the style.  I have to say I really do love my dress, love wearing it and think that being comfortable with what you have on makes all the difference.  I also had some amazing sisters with me to share the experience and help me along.  Sister Rhode was my escort and Sister Owen sat in for her until she arrived.  The sitting and waiting for the appointment was the hardest because I wanted to be with Ronnie yet thankful to have Sister Owen to talk with and answer all of my questions.  It was finally time and all I can say is I'm glad I have such a great husband.  We are more alike than we have ever been, headed in the same direction with the same goals even after 13 years.  It was an amazing experience that I hope to never forget and pray its something we can do often, together as husband and wife.  I was over come by the spirit when it was finally time to sit along side of Ronnie and just hold his hand.  I felt closer to him more than ever and felt his love from across the room.  

The following Saturday 8/27 we returned to the Temple with all of the girls.  It was another crazy day.  The older 3 had a Job's Daughters meeting from 10am- 12 and we needed to be at the Temple by 12:30.  I don't know what I was thinking when I set the time, guess I wasn't.  The good news is they had to be in church clothes for the meeting and the lodge is only 5mins away from the Temple.  With the big girls gone I as on my own getting the little girls ready.  I had everyones hair done and just needed to get them dressed.  So I sat them down in the living room with a movie to keep them occupied.  Everything was going well and we had about 20mins before we needed to leave.  So I finished getting Lily dress and sat her on the couch to watch the movie.  Next was Chloe and as usual her shoes were not put away.  As all three of them were watching the movie I walked into my room asked Ronnie if he had seen her shoes?  No, so I looked under my bed where they like to hide things and found them, woohoo (and it only took about 5mins).   Thinking this couldn't be going any better I walk back into the living room.  As I walk in I smell something and see Bella standing on a towel trying to dry something up from the carpet.  I ask her what she is doing and I see the blank look on her face.  Chloe did it.  I realize Im smelling BLEACH and quickly pick up the towel to find my nice dark brown carpet has a huge orange spot, ugh.  She has it one her shirt and all over her hands.  I ask her what she was doing?  Chloe had gotten it out of the laundry room and given it to Bella.  Then for some unknown reason she decided it was a good idea to try to balance it on her head!   It fell off, opened and dumped all over the carpet (I was out of the room for 5 mins).  At this point we needed to leave in less than 15mins.  There was nothing I could do about the carpet so I got Bella washed off and thankfully it wasn't worse, like in her eyes, hair etc.  We didn't have time to punish or even think about what happened and I think they are lucky because they may not have seen the next day.  After we got back on track, everyone dressed and in the car we were running about 15mins late, ugh.  Some odd reason we were not to upset about the carpet at that point, I think its because we didn't have time to see just how much damage the bleach had done before we left.  We left the house with 30mins to get to our appointment and it takes around 30mins to get there, still needing to pick up the older girls from Job's. The little ones fought the entire drive and the big ones weren't ready when we got to the lodge.  Somehow I was able to keep calm and we ended up only being a few mins late, how I don't know but was grateful.  I was a little nervous on how they would behave especially after the car ride but I couldn't have been more proud on how reverent they all were.  The second we walked into the doors they knew who we were.  You must be the Jones family the Temple worked said.  We handed them all of our recommends and together we walked into the Temple.  After checking in they walked us to the youth center with me in the front and daddy bringing up the rear.  I stopped and as each of the older girls passed I reminded them to soak it all up, look around, remember what you see, what you feel because you won't be back until you are in your 20's and getting married.  They all started to look around, had big smiles on their faces and look so beautiful.  They sat down in the youth center and Lily was a little scared but sis picked her up and she was fine.  Ronnie and I then went and got ready for the sealing.  When we were ready they took me to sit with him and talked to the Brother preforming the ordinance.  I was so nervous but loved being with Ronnie the entire time.  As we sat there we saw them bring our ward family into the sealing room we would be in and I got even more excited/nervous.  It was amazing and I love my husband more than anything.  There was nothing more special than seeing all six of our girls dressed in white dresses walk into the room.  They are all so beautiful, faces glowing with huge smiles.  Lily flower didn't notice me at first and when she did she ran up with a huge smile and said mama.  It melted my heart.  It was an amazing time and something I will never forget.  I can still see them walking into the room and the look on their faces.  The pretty bows they had in their hair and how excited they were that they got to keep them.  The Sisters in the youth center told me she has never seen a family so helpful to each other.  They helped each other find dresses and get dressed and it was fun to watch.  It's nice to know some of the things Ronnie and I try to teach them is sinking in.   I'm so grateful for the ordinances of the Temple so my family can be together for ever and all eternity.  

What a day....

Today was a grumpy day for the Jones family.  Daddy and the kids were in rare form.  There was a lot of bickering at dinner and it didn't get any better as the night went on.  #3 didn't do her chores yesterday so as her punishment she had to scrub down a wall of my choosing.  Something new I just started today and she was not to happy with me.  #2 didn't do hers 2 days ago so I had her do a wall as well.  I hope this will keep them up on the chores because they did not like the punishment.  Not to mention it took over 30mins to finish it's harder than if they would have just done what was expected.  

Bed time was fun with a 5 year old in tears.  I told her is was time for bed, she said why?  You have school   in the morning.  Why do I always have to go to school and never get to spend time with my family anymore (in tears).  What, I said.  I never get to spend time with you anymore mommy.  Poor thing, I was at a loss for words.  I gave her a hug and told her I loved her.  She asked if she could come lay in my bed with me until her sister got out of the shower (they share a room and she didn't want to be alone).  Sure, so by the time #3 was done with her shower, 4 was sleeping.  I got her up to go sleep in her own bed (just got her out of our bed when she started school, it was tough and I don't want to fall back into that trap) and she was so sad.  Crying, she begged to sleep with me but as hard as it was I had to stand my ground and make her sleep in her own bed.  I loved on her, told her how much I loved her and asked if she wanted to pray about it.  She was upset with me and sharply replied, "no."  I told her I would pray for her and everything would workout.  I reminded her we would spend the morning together and I would do her hair.  Its tough to go from being home with mommy all the time to a long 6.5hr at school 5 days a week.  I didn't think much about it when she started because I saw some of the children at drop off crying, clinging to mom/dad and not wanting them to leave.  #4 was fine and seemed like it didn't matter if I was there or not.  I was happy that she was excited and not upset but sad at the same time that she was ready to start on this journey without me.  I know she needs me but it was more that I expected.  Here sisters have been helping her with her homework (they love to help and fight over who gets to help her).  So I think I need to start helping her do the homework and do the required daily reading with her (homework is usually one paper and her reading aloud/someone reading to her).  Make that her alone time with me and see if that helps her feel like we have more time together.  Funny thing about the whole thing is how grumpy she has been toward me and her dad.  Starting to wonder if she is feel a little like we have abandoned her so she is acting out.  Just something that came to me as I was writing, so I guess I should think about it.

Exciting News for Our Family

Today Ronnie and I had an interview with our Bishop to get our Temple recommendations.  So we are one step closer to getting our family sealed for eternity.  We have our card but sill need to have one more signature to make them official and we hope to do that this Sunday.  It is the Steak Conference so I hope that they will still do the interviews, if not it will push us back one more week.  I'm so excited and it is a long time coming so I can't wait.  I'm as ready as I can be, we have gone through the Temple classes two times and been going to church for three years now.  Lexi is really excited to go but doesn't understand why she can't keep going with us after that.  There is still a lot we don't know and I have explained it to her.  Her thought process is, I have already gone so why can't I keep going.  Well thats about all for now, it's getting late and I need to get #5 and 6 to bed.

The Phone is Ringing Do I Answer.......

I was doing the normal daily duties around the house when the phone rings.  I look to see who's calling (deciding if I'm going to answer), the girls school.  My mind is going a mile a minute.  I'm thinking they did say anything this morning about not feeling good, both are good kids (only #3 and 4 attend this school) and then my heart sinks as I'm thinking what happened.  Who knew so much could go through your head in just a few seconds.   I answer and the caller said, hi Mrs. Jones, yes I reply, this is so and so from your child's school (in my head I'm saying, I know hurry and get on with it because I already know who it is not to mention you can hear somethings wrong by the sound of her voice) I have #4 with me and she had an incident. That can mean a million things, she peed (no she hasn't done that since she was 2), then I start to thing she broke something, thats as far as I got. Okay, I said hesitantly.  She passed out, oh my gosh as I start thinking about a million more things.  Let me give you a little background, when I was a Junior in high school I hit my elbow in the corner of my car door one morning before cheer practice.  It hurt like crazy when I turned to my friend and said I feel like I'm going to pass out.  After that I remember being on a backboard, strapped down and telling my cheer coach, who was in the ambulance sitting next to me, that my head hurt.  When you have a huge goose egg on the back of your head and strapped to hard board it will hurt.  Next thing I know Im a hospital room with my mom, dad (mom and dad were divorced so dad wasn't normally there), my brother, his girlfriend a few school teachers and some other friends from school.  The doctors start asking me if I remember what happened?  I told them I hit my elbow and passed out.  Anything else?  No, thats about it.  Well, you passed out and fell back, hit your head and you were out for over an hour.  It took 6 fireman to strap you down.  What?  I had gone into convulsions then started fighting with the people who were trying to help me.  I was yelling and screaming so loud my mom, friends had gone to my house to tell her she needed to come to the school, who was on her way could hear me before she was even at the school.  One teacher I will never forget, you know the coolest teacher who lets nobody get away with anything in his class, said you are the only student who will ever get away with talking to me that way.  Man and I don't even remember it but the rest of the school did.  It was early before school but lasted well past the start of the day so everyone was just arriving to school to see the show.  So back to #4.  She passed out and bumped her head.  Okay, here we go.  She fine now.  Thank goodness.  She just finished recess and wasn't feel very good.  She went to her teacher to tell her and out she went.  The teacher tried to catcher, she broke her fall but still bumped her head.  There wasn't a bump so we are thankful for the teachers reflexes.  She called the nurse for help and they wheeled her to the office.  On the way she started throwing up.  Best guess is she got overheated and needed to cool down.  They said she had lost all color and didn't respond for a few minutes but seemed to be getting back to herself.  When I got there she still looked a little pail but perked up when she saw me.  I think I was a relieved to see her as she was to see me.  She was doing better than emotionally than I thought she would have been.  That was thanks to her sister #3 who came up to be with her and was just called back class seconds before I arrived.  I asked her what happened?  I felt dizzy and couldn't see.  Then someone pushed me and I fell down.  Nobody pushed you sweetheart.  How did I fall down?  You passed out.  Why do you think someone pushed you?  I heard the kids say that after I fell down.  My heart melted, I love her so much and I'm so thankful she is safe.  She took about a 45min nap in the car while we waited for #3 to finish a test and then drive home.  When 3 got into the car I asked her if she knew what happened?  In the luck room they pick people to return the lunch buckets to all the classrooms.  I was picked and hurried to get #4's class.  Another girl came to me, said my sisters in that class can I have it.  I thought about it for a second and almost let her but said so is my sister and I want to see her.  When I got to the room #4 wasn't there and I asked wheres my sister.  They told me she went to the nurse so I went to see her.  That when I found out what happened.  I stayed with her for until my teacher called me back to class.  I'm grateful for #3 and her innocent little spirit.  The spirit moved her to check in on her sister and she followed, who could ask for more.  When we got home she laid on the couch for about an hour, did her homework and then was up to her normal self.  Up running around and playing with her sisters.  Today she knows that if she's getting to hot to get a teacher and go inside for the rest of recess not to mention all the staff will be keeping an eye on her.  Later that evening the principal called to make sure she was doing okay.  He asked if this was a normal thing for her?  Um no, never happened before.  I think he thought it happened often because I wasn't freaking out when I got there.  He is a new principal and doesn't know what we do for a living.   It might be a little harder when its your kid but the 20min drive helped and I knew if it was that bad they would have called and ambulance.  The only thing that worries me a bit is that her health in the hands of others when we are not there.  Another day in the crazy life of the Jones family.  

My Birthday and Disneyland

So all I can say is that my wonderful husband spoiled me on my Birthday.  Not only did he get me the pressure caner I have been wanting but he also got me a Brother serger.  Now if I can only get someone to teach me how to use them.  Well I have found some great tutorials for the serger (feeling more and more comfortable with it the more I use it), I'm a little hesitant to just try out the caner.  If I do something wrong it could blow up, scary.  So if I could get someone to actually teach me I would be more comfortable.  Then the older girls decorated my Suburban for me and also paid (with their own money) for 5 of the crafts for me so I can do Super Saturday.  #1 even made me some bath scrub, she is so thoughtful, oh and she is the only one who did her chores so I didn't have to.  Thanks sis for being you and your big heart.

So #4 has been in school for a week and a half and is doing great.  Her sister on the other hand had a tough day yesterday.  #5 came up to me crying, I asked her why she was crying and she said she missed #4.  She asked if we could go pick her up so she could see her.  Could she be any sweeter?  I had to explain that she was at school but at 3 I pretty sure it went in one ear and out the other.  So I offered her a snack and all was good in her little world.

#6 woke up yesterday with a big red spot on her right eye.  I have no idea what happened and she's not complaining about and its in the white area of the eye.  So we are just going to keep an eye on it and hope it goes away.  Only thing is that it looks like it might be getting a little bigger today, I will look again tomorrow and if its even bigger then we will take her in to get it looked at.  She's a little trooper, you have to be when you are the baby of 6 girls.

We are looking into going to Disneyland in October before our passes expire.  Just the thought of a trip gets me excited, then I start looking for a place to stay and the anxiety sets in.  With a family of eight we need two rooms so it gets expensive and then the excitement lessens.  I start the wonder if we should spend the money on Disneyland (my favorite place in the world, I'm obsessed) because how the cost of living has gotten crazy expensive.  I start thinking of all the things we could do with the money, then start thinking maybe we shouldn't go and next thing I know I'm depressed because I want to go so bad.  This adult thing really stinks sometimes.  We did go to DL in April (only 1 full day and 1 half day) but that's because the girls had a cheer competition, we were only a few blocks away and we already had passes.  The girls are not in cheer any more because it was expensive and hubby was working 5 - 6 12hr shifts a week (he didn't get to spend time with us) to pay for it as well as everything else.  We decided we wanted him home more which meant we couldn't afford the tuition.  It was hard not letting them try out again but the family is more important, I love having him home and I wouldn't change that for the world.  We also told them we could do more if we didn't have to pay for cheer.  But summer is now over and looking back they really didn't get to do much this summer.  We didn't take a vacation, didn't do much of anything but go to my moms to swim.  The older three did get to go to Job's Grand Session, four days at a hotel, it was a great time.  Then the 2 oldest did girls camp with church.  The youngest three didn't get to go do much so I feel like they deserve a family trip.  Not to mention #5 keeps asking if we can go see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald Duck tomorrow (doesn't understand it 6hrs away).  Now that I have gone off on a tangent let me get back to the trip.  We are in the process of  making reservations and planning it out but I would be lying to myself if I didn't admit I'm hesitant to spend that much money.  Ugh, I love Disneyland at Halloween time and it's become a tridition for us to go, I'm torn on what to do.

My Sad Little Girl

So this is the second week of school for #3 and 4.  Getting #4 to go to bed is still a challenge but I got her settled in her bed a little after 9pm.  Then 15mins later I go to check in on her and she is laying there crying.  I ask her why are you crying (the entire time Im thinking one of her sisters did something to her)?  She looks at me and starts crying even more as Im ready to lay into one of the big girls for making her so sad.  I picked her up and asked again, sweetheart what happened?  Her reply (are you ready, you might want a tissue), I won't get to celebrate your birthday with you.  What?  I will be at school and miss you party.  With tears in my eyes I promise her I won't do anything until she gets home.  I won't eat the birthday bars (her, #3 and daddy got them at the store today just for me), I won't open presents and we will celebrate with dinner out.  I also reminded her that we could do something in the morning before she went to school.  How can you not love a child that wants to celebrate you more that you do.  After a frustrating night of the kids not listing and pushing all my buttons my beautiful #4 softened my heart.  He knows just what we need, when we need it.  I couldn't be more grateful for this little sole I have been trusted with and hope I server her (and her sisters) well.  Thanks #4 for showing me how much you love me because I love you more than you know.