Party Time!!

So I am a big believer that kids (or spouses)  will prove you right. I figure that by telling my children how awesome, smart, kind and amazing they are, they will prove me right.  Well Scott tells me everyday, at least 20 times a day that I am crazy.  I believe that last night, he was proved right.

 Our kids wanted to have a going away party with their friends, one last day of just fun.  A date was set and invitations were handed out.  Last night was the kids party.  Besides our family, 35 kids came and went between the hours of 5:30-8:30. Most were here the whole time.  Eight large pizzas were devoured, 6 litters of soda, a gallon of milk, a platter of veggies, a fruit salad, 2 batches of caramel corn, a huge bowl of muddy buddies, and a plate of cookies later I had 35 kids (39 including my own)  sugared up and ready to party.  They played capture the flag, a balloon pop game, relay of dressing up and using chopsticks to eat m&ms, and had a ton of laughs.  My house was too small and the noise level too loud.  Who knew that 10 teenage girls could be so loud,  (even one of the younger girls said "I hope I'm not that loud when I am their age) and that my house would smell like a boys gym locker room, phew wee!

My kids have some really great friends.  I am so grateful we were able to have them all over, so grateful when they all helped to clean up afterwards, and so very grateful when they all went home!  I didn't realize that my kids were so popular and loved.  We are all going to miss our Oak Harbor Friends so much, but I know we will make more amazing friends on our next adventure.  How blessed we are to have such great friends all over the world. 

 Here are just a few pictures from the night.

Thumbs up for a great time!

QOD 8

If you could be great at one thing what would it be?

If I had to choose one, and only one thing, I would have to go with my fatherhood skills.  It was a tight decision, either a great dad or a great husband.  I went with dad because it directly impacts four impressionable children.  I would want to be the best possible father I could be.  I want to help my kids learn confidence, self worth, hard work, the value of a dollar, virtue, compassion, charity, service, etc...  There is so much to help a child learn, and so many ways to fail.  If I could be guaranteed to do one thing right, I would choose to raise my four amazing children right.  They are that important.

I told Scott that answer didn't count.  He is already a great father and needed to come up with something else.  This was his reply.

So, you didn't like my answer last time, about being a good father, so I thought about it and came up with a new one.

If I could be great at one thing I would want to be great at inventing.  I would love to come up with new ideas in my mind and turn them into some thing tangible and useful.
(Scott)


If I had to chose only one thing to be good at, it would be a musician.  I would love to be able to play the piano perfect without having to put the time into practicing.  I am not very patient when it comes to practicing, and get frustrated really fast when I don't get it right the first time.  So I would just like to be able to play the piano perfect with out having to practice.
(Jennifer)

3 Questions

I know I have been slacking on the Question of the day,  Even Scott has noticed, and started sending some to me.  Sheesh  So here are the last 3.

What are 20 things you are Thankful for?

1- My amazing wife.  She is strong, independent, and sexy.  She isn't scared to buy or sell a house, move, or do a month long road trip while I'm away.  On top of that she is an amazing cook, extremely compassionate, and would give you the shirt off her back if you were in need.  She is a wonderful mother for our four children and has raised them into amazing children.
2- Four amazing children.  I am in awe with my children.  Emmi is such a great example to me, in nearly every way.  Kaleb has a great sense of humor, his stories are hilarious.  Brody is such a great older brother for Mia, those two are best buds.  Mia gives the sweetest heart-felt hugs ever.
3- Parents who were willing to discipline me, love me, challenge me, and still, to this day, are a good example to me.
4- My nine siblings who all helped make my childhood unforgettable.  I have so many wonderful memories from my youth; Jennifer loves when I share them.
5- Jesus Christ.  Because of him we know the path we need to walk, and have the option to be made clean and can return home to our Heavenly Father.  Without him we would have no hope.
6- Temples.  I will always be grateful for the gift of eternal families.  I can't think of anyone I would rather spend eternity with.
7- The gospel.  Through it I know I will have the opportunity to be reunited with my family members who have passed from this life.  I am looking forward to meeting my Grandpa Daniels, and for Jennifer to meet my Johnston grandparents.
8- America.  I am so thankful I was raised in such a great nation.  Even though I am worried about the direction it is headed, I am still grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me.
9- My home.  I am grateful that no matter where we move we have always managed to find a good house and turned it into our home.  I am grateful for the warmth and love within those walls.  I am grateful for the reprieve I get while there.
10- Date nights.  I am grateful for my wife who insisted on date night.  I am even more grateful that while I've been deployed she began having date nights with the kids.  They LOVE it.
11- Blessings.  I am grateful for the commandments and guidance given by the prophets.  Following these have provided us with so many blessings.
12- Volunteers.  Our church runs on volunteers and service, from the bishop to the nursery teachers.  I am grateful for people who are willing to accept those callings.  I know they have, and are helping me.  They are also instrumental in the lives of my children, through achievement day girls, young womens, and both cub and boy scouts.
13- School teachers.  I'm glad there are school teachers, but I am thankful for the school teachers who love to teach and love their students.  They affect so many lifes.
14- The internet.  Without it you wouldn't be reading this and I wouldn't be able to skype with my wife.  Yes, I'm thankful for phones too.
15- Aircraft.  I love airplanes and they have kept me employed over the last 19 years.  Even more, I love being a pilot.
16- A well paying job that allows my wife to stay home and be the mother our kids (and I) need. 
17- Trials.  No, I'm not saying I want one now, but I am grateful for the trials I've had and how they have helped shape me into the person I am today.
18- Prayer.  No matter where you are, what is happening, or how far gone you think you, our loving father is waiting for us to call to him.
19- The priesthood.  I am grateful it has been restored to the earth and for the opportunities I have had to use it.
20- My life.  I am grateful for the opportunity I've had to experience life, become a husband and a father.  I hope I have many years left, to grow old with the love of my life, Jennifer, and to play with our grandchildren (and maybe even great-grandchildren).
(Scott)

1- My husband.  He is my best friend, and there is no one else I would rather spend forever with
2- My children.  The are a joy in my life (most of the time, hehehe)
3- Indoor plumbing,  I can't image what it would be like to have to poop in the woods for my whole life. 
4-  Instant hot water.  I love my hot showers
5- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  I am so grateful to have it in my life.  It is truly a blessing
6- To be able to be a stay at home mom with my kids.  I am grateful that I don't have to worry about having to work, that I can be home when my kids get home, and be here when the are getting ready in the morning.
7-  My Friends.  I have amazing friends, my life would be pretty sad without such great friends
8-  My parents.  The made me, and raised me to be a leader and not a follower.  They are pretty amazing.
9-  My siblings.  Life would be pretty boring if they were not in my life. 
10-  My In-laws.  The raised an excellent guy, are are pretty amazing themselves.
11- Modern conveniences.  They are pretty cool, and make my life a lot easier.
12- My home.  It doesn't matter where we live, the house is always turned into a home, and I am grateful for the roof over my head, the hot water, the warmth that is inside.
13- The Sun.  I love the blue skies and the Sun that shines in it.  I always feel more motivated and happy when the sun is shining. 
14-  My body.  I am grateful for a body that allows me to do all the things I want to do
15- Good music.  I love listening to music, it helps me to feel happy and uplifted
16- Books.  I love to read, and I love learning, and books are such a great source of education. 
17- Skype.  It allows me to see and hear my loved ones who are so far away.
18- Moving-  I am grateful that we move so often.  I am able to meet some wonderful people, and be able to learn so much about the different places we live. It also helps me to purge and get rid of "stuff"  I don't need.
19- The military.  It has been good to me.  I am grateful that I don't have to worry about whether or not a pay check is coming or not.  (For the time being anyways)
20- Jesus Christ.  That he so unselfishly gave his life for me.
 (Jennifer)

If money were no object, what is your dream job?

I would choose to operate a ranch for troubled teens.  I would love the opportunity to take these youth in, kids who feel unloved, unwanted, and useless.  I would put them to work so they could learn what it feels like to accomplish something.  I would expand their world through interacting with the animals on the farm.  I would build their self worth through praise, trust and love.  I would love the opportunity to try and make a difference in their lives.  If it only made a difference in one life it would still be worth it.  I guess I like the thought of taking a person written off by society and helping them realize their worth and become a benefit to society.
(Scott)
 





There are so many things I would like to do, personal trainer, dental hygienist, brain surgeon, financial planner, the list goes on and on.  But if money were no object, I would still choose to be a stay at home mom that would be able to take the whole family and travel the world every summer so that they would see what they were learning in their books in school.  I feel like I would make the most impact in the world by raising good, respectful, honest, kids, that would hopefully choose to do the same thing.  So there you have it, a summer traveling stay at home mom.
(Jennifer)


10 Pet Peeves:

1 - Lifetime welfare recipients. The welfare system should provide
temporary assistance to those in need, but generations are growing leeching
the welfare system (and our economy) dry.
2 - People with a sense of entitlement. Everyone is of equal worth and the
law is universal, you are not excluded.
3 - Whining. I understand things are hard and unfair, but whining about it
to everyone won't change a thing.
4 - Lying. Nothing "gets my goat" more than being lied to. I will never
understand the people who seem to lie about everything. They can't even
tell the truth with things that don't even matter.
5 - Closed minded individuals who force their views on others. I like to
determine why others believe the way they do when we disagree.
6 - Vanishing Christian displays. Jesus' birth became Christmas, but now it
is the "holiday" or "winter" break, and "holiday trees." Why is it OK to
offend the Christians by making them give up ground when others just keep
taking and taking? If you don't like the pledge of allegiance because it
has the word "God" in it, don't say it, but don't make me stop.
7 - "Emergency" people. You know what I'm talking about, the people who
think their crisis is the most important thing going on in the world and
they want you to drop everything and bend over backwards to help them. This
would be fine if it was a crisis and it didn't happen multiple times every
week.
8 - People who throw plastic or Styrofoam products into the campfire. I
know, I know...so minor, but it's true and it's my list.
9 - Hypocrites. Sure, there are good people who mess up...that's a mistake.
What gets me are the people who will stand and provide lip service about
something, but already has plans that contradict what they just said. Ex -
establishing an alcohol limit, then exceeding that limit the same day.
10 - People who take advantage of others, especially when they find
enjoyment in it.
(Scott)

1- Having to remind my kids to do things that they do everyday.
2- Bad drivers. If you are in the fast lane, you better be passing.
3- "Pretend" Friends. "Friends" who say the will help you out, but when you ask they are nowhere around.
4- Negative People. I can usually find a positive in all situations, it really bugs me when some people only focus on the "glass have empty"
5- Being Lied too. It tells a lot about who you are when you lie
6- People who have the bass so loud in their car that I can feel it in mine.
7- Being late. I really don't like being late, or having people show up late to my house. It's about respect, people.
8- Parents that let their children disrespect them, and they just let it go.
9- When my kids have friends that come over and trash my house. Clean up after yourself. I sure hope that my kids clean up after themselves when the are at someone else's home.
10- The neighbors dog that takes a crap in my yard every day! So frustrating. I seriously want to shoot it.
(Jennifer)

Another Q.O.D.

I know you have missed the Question of the Day, so here you go.
What are 20 Unique Traits about yourself.

1- My left big toe is "interesting" after my lawnmower accident in high
school.
2- I have done the splits once in my life, and it broke my femur (when I was
2 1/2 years old).
3- My earliest memories include 1) a picture of Disney's "Butch the Bulldog"
a nurse drew me when I was in the hospital for my broken femur, and 2) the
area around West Yellowstone, which I recognized when we returned for a
family reunion when I was about six.
4- I love being a husband and a dad, it is the greatest and most fulfilling
job in the world.
5- I love to fly.
6- I am usually very laid back, not the stereotypical "Alpha" male in my
line of work.
7- I am turned off by women who use tobacco products, I find it extremely
unattractive.
8- I love the outdoors, the mountains, the wilderness. There is beauty and
peace to be found there.
9- I came from the best family in the world, as Jennifer likes to call it,
the "Beaver Clever" family.
10- The high bridge of my nose and deep-set eyes make it difficult to find
good sunglasses, but especially swimming goggles.
11- I grind my teeth in my sleep, and chewed through my first night-guard in
a matter of weeks.
12- I love rock climbing, mountain biking, etc, but I don't like to do this
things alone.
13- I function fairly well while deprived of necessities: the week with
virtually no food in SEER school, lack of sleep, etc.
14- In high school I started writing in all capital letters because my
penmanship was so terrible. Didn't help that much. :-)
15- I tend to live life all in: once I make up my mind I am committed.
16- I take pride in being reliable and a man of my word. I try to never
lie, to anyone.
17- I am blessed with viewing material possessions as "things" and don't get
overly attached. It helps keep my priorities in check.
18- In general, I am a cheapskate. I am usually unwilling to spend money,
even for vacations, sometimes to my detriment.
19- I tend to place others needs before my own, and even my families.
Thankfully I have a wife who will recalibrate my time when needed.
20- I love rural and small towns over cities. I love the friendliness,
values, and the pace of life. I dislike traffic, crime, and the impersonal
feel.
(Scott)

1- I don't like feet, except little baby feet. Large, hairy, adult feet kind of gross me out.
2- I love most candy and desserts of any kind, although they make me sick when I eat them. That doesn't stop me though, I still eat them.
3- My Idea of a nice relaxing evening is reading a book by a nice warm fire on a cold and dreary night, cuddled up next to Scott, drinking hot chocolate.
4- I am usually always cold. I sleep with an electric blanket on almost all year round.
5- I love it when people play with my hair. It relaxes me and puts me to sleep.
6- I hate exercise, but do it anyways because I feel better after I do.
7- I pick my toenails. It is a really bad habit that I am working on improving.
8- I didn't finish college. I was 2 semesters away from my associates degree. I wish I would have finished.
9- I was a nobody in school. I run into people that I knew of in school, and they have no clue who I am.
10- I find myself hilarious. The other day I was walking into the store and I thought of something that I found super funny and started laughing at myself.
11- I must be crazy after my last comment, I may need to be committed one day. At least I will still be laughing right?
12- When I was younger I always wanted to be a singer and a gymnast. I still love to sing, and belt it out in the vehicle on a regular basis, much to my kids dismay.
13- I speak what is on my mind, sometimes to a fault.
14- I don't like the taste of soda.  Usually the only time I drink it is when I am traveling.  The caffeine in it makes me stay awake for a very long time.
15- I have started to be a clean freak.  With trying to sell our home, my kids have noticed that I get a little upset when the house is not picked up.
16- I like to read recipe books and then make the yummy food I find, and eat it.
17- I love spending time with my family, especially with Scott.  He is my best friend, and I really enjoy his company.
18- I love babies.  They are so precious.  I also love to give them back to their parents.  I am going to make a wonderful Grandma, and spoil my grand-kids like crazy, then give them back to their parents and take a nap.
19- I love the sun.  I have really missed seeing it lately.
20- When I was younger, I wanted to be a brain surgeon.  The brain fascinates me.
(Jennifer)

Picture overload from October

 Caramel Apples

Kaleb getting a hold of my phone and taking a picture that I didn't even know he did!

Halloween costumes, If you could go as far as to call them that

Brody's soccer award for being the most communicative
 

 Pumpkin patch

 My little cheerleader

Brody showing off his soccer skills

Priceless picture of Kaleb and his previous self.  He totally posed for this, I laugh every time I look at it

QOD #3

What super power would I want, and what would I do with it:

After much thought and consideration, I would love to fly.  I know, I know, I'm a pilot; but I would love to lift off the ground under my own power and zip around.  I think if I had that ability I would fly you, my amazing wife, to the top of a mountain peak (or the space needle) with a picnic lunch on a bright, sunny day.  How awesome would it be to watch a fireworks display in Seattle sitting a few hundred feet up over Lake Washington?  I know it's pretty selfish, but after contemplating many that is what I came up with.

Scott

If I could have any super power it would be the power to give and get motivation.   How awesome would it be to have motivation to do anything you wanted.  I would first use it on myself so that I would be able to get all those things done that I keep putting off.  Like exercising more, reading my scriptures more, learning Spanish.  So I guess in a way my super power would be pretty selfish as well.  I need to get motivated!

Jennifer

So for the last few days, we have had a guest staying with us.  She is 4 years old and told me last night that she "just needs to marry Brody"  She loves Brody, it is so cute.  Last night they were on the couch watching Scooby -doo and a "scarey part"  came on and she just clung to Brody.  It lasted for about 30 minutes.  It was so funny, so I had to get a picture or two.  Brody doesn't seem to mind the attention, he is so good with her, although he doesn't want to marry her.  Already a heart breaker. I love the look in his face for the first picture, it's priceless!

Question of the Day

So I came across a pin on pinterest that had many different questions so I thought it would be interesting to see what Scott would answer.  So I send him a QOD (question of the day) and figured I would post mine and Scott's answers on here for posterity

First Question:

Three legitimate fears, and why:

First - my biggest fear would be one of my kids or my wife die while young and I am left to live my life without them.  I guess you could say this as much physical as it is spiritual.  The thought of going through life without one of you tears me up, but the thought of going through eternity without one is even harder to imagine.

Second - War.  In the world we live there are wars happening all over the place.  I am out here, deployed, on the other side of the world.  My biggest fear is we are going to be involved in WWIII in short order.  I really would love to serve my country and never have to take the life of anyone else.  I know if the time came I would do my duty.  People talk about shooting a ship or submarine with a missile or torpedo and get all excited over it.  I think to myself how I would be responsible for the deaths of the hundreds of people on board.  The thought of war is ugly and I don't want any part of it.  However, I do this job because someone has to do it, and I trust myself to do it correctly.  Also, I would rather I be fighting the war than our kids.

Third - I have a fear of heights.  I also have a fear of being buried alive.  I know, I know - I go rock climbing and I go into caves.  Just because I do it doesn't mean it doesn't scare me.  When I was a kid and we would explore caves I was always worried there would be an earthquake and the cave would collapse, trapping me inside.  Worse than being trapped inside is the thought of being pinned so I can't move.  Guess you could say I am claustrophobic.  As for heights, the cable cars that would take you across the park in Lagoon used to scare me to death.  I was always afraid the cable was going to collapse and I was going to fall.  Similarly, when I take a chairlift, some of them get really high and it scares me.  Yes, I can control those fears and I do it anyways, but it really scares me.
(Scott's answers)

1- Having my husband die and leaving me here to raise the kids all by myself.  Deployment is one thing, I have an idea on when Scott will be back, but the thought of him never coming home is terrifying to me.

2-  Drowning.  I have this fear that I will be driving across deception pass bridge and there will be an earthquake and I will be driving on the bridge when it crashes into the water below and I will be stuck with the kids in the car and not be able to get them or myself out.  I don't like the thought of watching my kids suffer. or me not being able to breathe.

3-  Getting caught in a fire and burning to death.  It seems like a horrible way to die.  I guess the thought of having to suffer immense pain before my death scares me.  So I pray that I will go peacefully in my sleep. :)
(Jennifer's answers)

So I never realized that Scott had such a fear of heights, he rock climbs as often as he can, and goes up skiing as often as he can.  Who knew, not I.


10 things I would tell my 16 year old self:

1 - Life is worth living. 20 years down the road you will be so happy it will all make everything worth it.
2 - Work on your testimony because when you leave home you will no longer have your family support.
3 - Go on the Thanksgiving trip to Arizona with your family, family is that important.
4 - Every choice you make deserves thorough consideration and thought. Pray about everything.
5 - After you pay your tithing, pay yourself.
6 - Regardless of what path you take, remember the Lord has a plan for you and wants you to be happy.
7 - Your wife and kids are amazing! They make every day extraordinary. Take the time to plan things to do with them.
8 - Take your wife to the temple as often as possible.
9 - Be romantic, court your girlfriend until you are married, then continue courting her as wife. You can't be too passionate when you propose, so go all out.
10 - Take your wife on a wonderful honeymoon. After that, continue to date her weekly. She will be the greatest joy in life, and she will be with you forever. It will be worth it.
(Scott)


1- Save your money, don't buy something unless you have cash to pay for it. 
2- Be nice to your husband, it will make you and him a happier couple
3- Remember who you are, respect yourself
4- You will have some tough choices ahead, always ponder and pray before you make any big decisions
5- Take Spanish in high school
6- Finish your college and do better in school, it will be worth it in the end
7- Be a better sister, Kristina needs you
8- Don't be so judgmental, no body is perfect including you
9- Keep exercising, make better food choices, you will thank yourself later stay away from sugar, it will make you sick
10- Study the scriptures always, they will have all the answers you are looking for.
(Jennifer)