Dancing With the Stars

So, James and I were asked to participate in a dance for our upcoming stake activity. It will be a Night of Culture. Hunter will also be performing with a group of about 30 kindergartners! His group will be doing silly synchronized movements to famous classical composers. It is very cute! James and I had our first practice last night. We were told that we would be doing country waltzing. Well, being a huge Jane Austin fan, as well as just having come from Virginia (Old Town Williamsburg), I wrongly assumed that we would be doing English country waltzing! As we walked into the church gym, we immediately noticed that our instructor was wearing quite a large belt buckle and that he had on cowboy boots. I began doubting that I would get to wear a beautiful 18th century gown and that James would be in tights! Once the music began playing, I was confident that it would be Boots for us!

I also wrongly assumed that James and I would sweep each other off our feet, immediately moving with grace and poise. Okay, we weren't that bad, but the next 3 lessons will be imperative to our not making fools of ourselves in front of the entire stake!

It was a lot of fun and a little exercise. The best part was that we got to gaze into each other's eyes--when we weren't furiously counting to three and stepping on each other's toes! I could really tell that those College country dance lessons came in very handy for me. Although rusty, I was up to speed a little more than my partner. It is interesting what happens to your body when stepping back on one foot and being forcefully spun in the opposite direction! Don't worry, as of today, I have recovered nicely.

As for the Dancing with the Stars part, well, the only stars we'll be dancing with, are the ones overhead late at night!

J-E-L-L-O

It's snowing again, and I'm depressed. I need some sunshine to melt all this snow away! Spring is right around the corner--I can feel it, but this snow is getting in the way of spring's plans! Thankfully I am meeting my mom and aunts at the hot springs this weekend. It will be such a nice getaway! Although the weather still won't be warm, the water will--and I will soak all of my worries away!

In an attempt to brighten my day, I am going to post these Jello pictures. They are so funny! And carry with them fun memories! Hunter loves to make rainbow jello! It took all day and the kitchen was a sticky mess, but we had fun and the results were amazing! The Jello lasted for 3 meals. As I was making it, the house was so cold that the jello sitting on the counter set before I could layer it on. I had to keep microwaving it!

HIT AND RUN

I am feeling extreme gratitude tonight as I shakily recall the events of today. Hunter came home from school as happy and chipper as ever and exclaimed that he had been hit by a car on the way to school, but that he was okay and that I didn't need to worry. I yelled WHAT??? And probably scared the poor kid to death. I tried very hard to get the story out of him, but he must have felt in some way that it was his fault, because he didn't want to tell me. Once I calmed down, I was able to get a general idea of what happened.

Hunter and Emily generally walk across the street to the school together. Sometimes they take a short cut and walk straight across the street instead of walking half a block to the cross walk. This is very dangerous because we literally live across the street and there are cars everywhere. Whenever they walk out the door, I tell them to watch the cars and cross only at the cross walk. Then I watch them until they reach the sidewalk on the other side of the road. The principal is usually standing close by on the sidewalk. This morning all was different. Hunter ended up leaving before Emily because he hates to be tardy, and Emily was running very late. I was rushing around helping Emily with her hair when Hunter slipped out the door. I had to catch him on the porch for a goodbye kiss. He left, and I proceeded to help Emily. I wasn't watching Hunter when he was crossing the road. This could have been the most tragic moment of our lives!

Apparently, and according to Hunter, he was walking in the crosswalk about 10 feet from the sidewalk when a car bumped into him and knocked him down. He flew a few feet and landed on his arm that he broke in Sept. The lady got out and asked if he was okay. Hunter jumped up and said he was okay and ran off to the school. The lady drove off. For some reason, the principal was not standing in his usual spot.

By this time, I'm shaking and sick to my stomach. I immediately called the school and asked for the principal. I didn't realize that I should have called the police and taken Hunter to the Dr. for an evaluation. I was already stressed and in a hurry because 15 min after he got home, I had to leave for IF to take Emily to a Dr's apt. The principal told me that the accident had been seen by a bus driver and reported to him, however it was unknown to whom it happened. He had gone from class to class asking if anyone had been hit by a car. Neither Emily nor Hunter remember hearing an announcement. The principal told me that he'd call the police and make a report. I didn't think I needed to at that point. Once home from IF, I got a message from an officer on my machine. When I called him back, he asked me why I hadn't called to make a report, and if I had taken him to the doctor. Boy, I felt like such a bad parent!!!

Hunter's elbow is sore, especially when he puts pressure on it. He hasn't complained about any soreness where the car hit him. Interestingly, he didn't understand what I was asking him when I was trying to find out where he was hit. I wanted him to show me on his body, but he kept touching the ground. Like--I was hit onto the ground, Mom! Finally, he touched his feet and ran his hand up to his head, meaning that the car hit his entire side of his body! I'm sure his big, bulky down coat and hood, which he fastens all the way up, helped to save him!

I can't tell you how grateful I am for that little guy. Hunter has always been a very sweet and easy child. It would be so difficult to lose him. I am just in awe that he is okay! I know for a fact that Hunter had his guardian angel with him today! And I know he did because of Connor's constant prayers to keep our family safe! I know that tonight, many prayers of gratitude will be sent upward from our family!

Now, the person who hit him??? I would hate to be that person when the police knock on her door! I don't know all of the details of what happened, but I'm sure it was an accident and that she was sickened when she knew she had hit a little kindergartener. I don't feel any anger toward her, only sorrow. It would be difficult to lose a child, but oh, how painful it would be to have caused it!

I find myself just shaking my head and feeling so emotional. I am so grateful to have been able to attend the dedicaion of the new Rexburg temple last night. It gives me great comfort to know that our family is sealed forever. Someone spoke of losing a child and the comfort they have of knowing that, although difficult in this life, they would get to spend eternity with thier daughter. I feel the same way.

Life is precious, Life is fragile, and we must handle it with PRAYER!

I LOVA, LOVA, LOVA YOU!

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching, and it just makes me think of all of the reasons I love my hubby! James is the most caring, kind, loving, humble, thoughtful, hardworking, intelligent, cute (etc., etc.) guy in the whole wide world. This post is for you babe!

Hannah

Love and Logic

So, James and I decided that we need a little more parenting help (who doesn't) so we signed up for a free love and logic course. Our first meeting was two weeks ago, and sadly, I didn't really put anything I had learned that day to use. The main objective of Module 1 was learning to be in control of ourselves, so that by example, our kids can learn to be responsible for their own behaviors. Needless to say, this is the hardest step! Our second class was last night. I was determined to put the precious amount of time I spent in the class to use. I didn't have to wait long for an opportunity.

The first thing we learned in class last night was that when we "rescue" our kids from tough situations, they don't learn the needed lessons! I immediately thought of all of those nights I spent helping my kids create posters and projects well into the night. I was perpetuating the problem and thus they didn't learn, and thus it was happening over and over. I mentioned this in class--mainly for shock value (it worked). Fantastically, I had an opportunity to redeem myself as soon as we got home from our class.

Hannah had been skiing, and we picked her up on our way home. She was very hyper and had spent the bus ride home from skiing thinking about a "project" that she wanted me to do. She has to do a group report on Ellis Island on Friday (it was late Wed), and had learned that she would get extra credit if she dressed up. Although it was nearly 10 pm, she wanted me to fire up the internet and start searching for costumes that I could make for her for Friday. Now normally I really get into this type of stuff and would love nothing more than to stay up all night sewing for her, but NO MORE. I am now a love and logic parent and I am bound by the rules in my booklet! I very kindly said that I was going to bed, but would be happy to help her in the morning if she could wake up early and get her chores finished, and we still had time. OH! The manipulation! She laid it on so thick!!! She said that she thought I would want to spend some special time with her. I agreed--just at a different hour--Then she got angry and said I wouldn't help her. She gave me the scowling treatment, but I held strong. It was actually funny now that I could see exactly what was going on. She denied manipulating me, however.

I am very pleased to report that she was up early this morning and had her chores completed with a little extra time for the computer. I helped her look at images (actually, I failed here and did it myself--but mainly because I was interested in learning about Ellis Island). Unfortunately, there is a phase two to this argument. After viewing appropriate costumes, I found the perfect skirt in my closet (even the color she chose), but she is bound and determined that I make a new one for her. I ended up telling her that if she wanted a home made one that she is welcome to purchase fabric and make one herself, and I would be delighted to instruct her on how to do it. Once again she complained about not having time due to homework. Since I am having a root canal this morning, I KNOW I will be in no state to make it! We'll see how it all turns out!

The next chapter occurred this morning with Emily. This one was VERY successful. Emily got upset while she was loading the dishwasher and stormed out of the kitchen proclaiming that she refused to do the work. I very calmly stated that it was her choice, but she couldn't go to school until it was completed. She said fine that she would stay home then. I agreed and stated that I had a lot of chores that I could use her help with and that because of the energy that had been drained out of me from her that it would take a lot of help replacing my energy. She went into the living room and sat in a chair as I was helping Hunter get out the door. It was very painful for me to bite my tongue, but I did hoping she would fail (a love and logic concept). At the very last minute, she jumped up and put her coat and boots on and headed to the door! I jumped up and said that I was SOOO SOOORRY (quite sincerely) but that she would have to do the dishes first. Boy was she mad. She stomped into the kitchen and pretty much threw the dishes into the dishwasher. I told her thank you and that I loved her. I did not lecture her on how much easier it would be blah, blah, blah, nor did I mention that it was HER fault that she would be late. She stormed out saying that it was my fault that she'd be late and that she hated me. Well, the love and logic video we watched showed how immediately the child takes ownership and is happy. We still have a long way to go, but I feel that this was VERY sucessful, and when the door closed I shouted YESSSS! I'm sure tomorrow will go much more smoothly!

Connor was a little easier. He wanted me to dress him, as he does most days, but he is very capable of doing it himself. I thought of those love and logic choices, and started asking Connor how he would like to get dressed. Would he like to put on his shirt or pants first??? It went on and on, and he finally happily got himself dressed and I wasn't even in the room with him!

I'm off to a great start--albeit delayed two weeks. I can't wait for the metamorphosis that will be my family! I will have to be on my toes at all times and think very quickly because kids are quick! I think I'll keep a journal to chart my progress! Your prayers are appreciated!

Bowling with the Buskas

My honey, what a hottie!!!

We had a really fun time going bowling with the Buskas for their daughter's birthday (eventhough I didn't win this time!) James creamed everyone with a score over 130. He was very proud of himself. Last time we went, though, he got last place even after the kids! I didn't have my camera, so these photos are complements of the Buska's and their AWESOME camera. --GOOD TIMES!

WHAT Tempurature?

I just had to mention this morning, that I sent my children to school in MINUS 3 degree weather! Thankfully, they keep the kids in for recess when it gets that cold!

Now, when does spring come to Idaho?

Frozen in Christmas

Okay, well, we definitely didn't have this problem in VA!!! It is so frozen and snowy here, that I can't remove my Christmas decorations!!! My lights on my roof have icicles that are about 18 inches long! My urns that I bought to put my little trees in on my front porch are frozen to the porch! One of the trees is frozen in the pot. I tried to move it (rather forcefully) and broke the poor thing off it's base! I hope that I will be able to glue it, because I love those pots and they aren't cheap! It should have given me a clue when I was putting my candy canes in along my sidewalk when I had to hammer them into the ground because it had already frozen by Dec. 1. Now they are under two feet of snow! And, I'm sure there is no hope of getting the spikes to come out until late spring or maybe even summer!

Remember my last blog entry when I described how light and fluffy the snow is, so much so that you could sweep it off??? Well--I've learned a thing or two since then! Idaho can have a nasty ice storm that almost rivals Virginia! In fact, we had sleet along a stretch of rte 20 that caused 15 accidents within 15 miles! James had to drive home in that! Good thing he's a professional!

I decided that it would probably be smart to get the extra snow off of my sidewalk and driveway before the sleet hit us. I took a flat metal shovel to it. Let's just say that I wanted to strip my coat off in 20 degree weather, I was working up such a sweat! It was slow going and I only got about half of the driveway done before it hit! I was very proud of myself this morning when I saw that my work along with the ice melt made for some fairly clear sidewalks. My porch, on the other hand, is solid ice. It's not just a sheet of ice, it's more like a block of ice!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to burn a few calories, as well as build some muscle. It's been a good excuse to get a little closer to those New Year's resolutions! So I say, "Bring on the snow, sleet, rain, hail, etc, etc!!!"

SLEDDING

One great thing about all of this fluffy Idaho snow . . . is SLEDDING (and I'm sure skiing too)! We haven't been able to build a snowman because the snow is like powdered sugar. We keep testing its balling capabilities, but it's just not there. The first time I shoveled off my driveway, I laughed because it was as light as feathers. I was excited to go out and get some exercise, but it didn't prove to be much of a workout. Some people just sweep off the snow with a broom. When it's snowing, it looks just like we're in a snow globe. It's beautiful. I'm now realizing why Audrey loves the snow so much--that Idaho girl!

My Little Princess

Emily got invited to our neighbor, Bailey Nicole's, Princess birthday party today. I think I was more excited than she was!!! We dusted off the Belle costume and gave her hair an updo and placed my tiara on her head. Instant transformation!!! Even her disposition changed into a proper young lady! I hope that Emily always remembers that she truly is a Princess--a daughter of a Heavenly King! I hope she will always remember what a special little girl she is. Love that girl!

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!

James just left with the little kids to go Christmas shopping--for me--and so Hannah and I are ALONE (a rarity) and so we both hit the computers--it's time to blog!

This morning it was about 9 degrees. That is COLD!!! If I had my way, I would have just stayed in front of the fireplace all day long. I wasn't born to be out in the white stuff, or when temps are below 65! We had a really good Idaho snow here a couple of days ago, and so the roads in Rigby are slick as satin!


Alas, it was my lot to go out, so I took two kids to two different dentist appointments, and made it to the post office to send Alex some home made Christmas goodies! The best part; 0 cavities, no lines at the PO, and only $4 to ship a package! Life is good! Oh, and I didn't crash the van on the slick roads! I'm still trying to get used to driving on the, frozen, packed snow! It's been a long time! In VA when it snowed, you usually got slush except for the rare occasion when it was just sheets of ice, and no one went anywhere then. Apparently, Rigby doesn't get plowed out too much, so it's to the tire store for me. Is it wise to spend hundreds of dollars on snow studs when you are driving a vehicle that will barely start on a cold day???

What do cold, snow, and December equal? CHRISTMAS!!! This year feels so wonderfully festive! I'm sure it's because I forced my family to make their Christmas lists before Halloween (thank you Ira) so that I could complete my shopping (well, most of it) before Thanksgiving! I also sent out my newsletter in Nov, so I could just sit back and relax and enjoy the season. It has been very relaxing--until I got an order for 200 Christmas cards ASAP! Thankfully, I found out about them, and had to have them completed within a week! I love to work under pressure! Now that they are in the mail, it's back to relaxing! It's been really fun enjoying our family's holiday traditions, as well as starting some new Idaho ones!



Imagine . . . 200 of these babies!

We attended our ward Christmas party last Friday. We showed up in our PJs. We held our heads high when everyone stared at us and no one spoke to us! We were asked to do a special musical number. In true Moore family style, we did a funny family Christmas medley. Connor started by singing Twinkle Twinkle into the mike. He did and excellent job, and the second he started singing, the entire room became silent! Next was Hunter. He sang All I want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth. He's missing his two bottom teeth, so the song was very appropriate. Next was Emily singing I'm Getting Nothing for Christmas--which she sang after I pried her from behind my back and promised that it would be okay and that she didn't have to do the actions! Hannah totally chickened out when she saw a boy from her school in the audience! She was supposed to sing I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. After the Children humiliated themselves, we did a round of Fish and Chips and Vinegar, only Christmas style. I think it was awesome! I totally wish we could post it on u-tube! All we got was this photo. Aren't we cute in our PJs!


I love having a fireplace mantel this year! It has been so much fun decorating it and hanging our stockings on it. It really makes the house look Christmassy! Also, when I went to Ut and spent the day with Connie Atkisson, we went to Tai Pan and went crazy buying decorations for our trees. After helping her decorate her tree(it looked like a designer tree right out of Tai Pan), she inspired me to add some fun things to our tree! Giant bells! I only put 3 on my tree, but it has tipped over twice!!! I'm sure it's due to the fact that my frugal side only allowed 3 bells and they had to be strategically placed on the front of the tree. Since they are very heavy, they made the tree topple over--with the help of a rambunctious preschooler! Nevertheless, the tree is beautiful this year!


We had a lot of fun with our new friends, the Buska's on Sunday. They came over and made gingerbread houses with us. What a lot of work and mess, but also a lot of fun. Things quickly started getting out of hand when Ken outfitted his gingerbread boy with a bazooka, and put doggie doo on the lawn! They are such funny and fun people to be with. I'm so grateful for their friendship! They have really helped us enjoy Idaho! James worked with Ken for a couple of months before he switched jobs, and they carpooled to work together. Sarah's daughter Lillian goes to school with Hunter. We walked past each other every day, and I never even knew who she was. Then they invited us over for dinner and games, and an instant friendship ensued.



Connor had so much fun oooooozing the frosting all over his own graham cracker house!

Emily and Lillian

The Very Funny Sarah Buska

Little Hayley Buska

James perfecting his silly looking reindeer and flat Santa

Can you see Mr. Gingerbread with his Bazooka?

THANKSGIVING!!!

Okay, it's not really the turkey's butt, its where the neck goes, sicko!
Cute little Sallie!
Dad, the turkey fryer!
Gorgeous Grandma Shirley
Now, that's a dog for me (and Emily).Hunter's dream come true--Pinata!

AWW I love you Mom!

Pies Galore! The best is eating pie for breakfast the next day!

Amazing FIRE!

We had so much fun on Thanksgiving Day! It has been almost 9 years since we've been home for TG. Out of 9 of us kids, 8 were there in all our glory! I have the most entertaining siblings, so there was never a dull moment! Sallie and I helped Mom prepare Dinner. Somehow she convinced me to pose with the turkey! Dad deep fried the turkey, which was amazing!!! And. . . the very best part of Thanksgiving (my most favorite family tradition) is right after the turkey comes out of the frier, we all stand around and singe our fingers as we pick the crispy skin off and eat it!!! I have very fond memories of this as a kid, and I got to experience it again this year! I made 6 pies! They were yummy, if I do say so myself. Bliss, Jon's girlfriend, made a homemade key lime pie. It was yummy too! The kids got to do a pinata, and the grand finale was a fire show put on by my brothers Jon and Ian and Bliss. It was freezing, but so amazing to watch. James, as usual was behind the camera taking many (almost 200) photos. I can't wait to share them! Oh, I almost forgot, Sallie, Sadie, Susanna, and I went shopping in PC from midnight to 2:30 am. It was so much fun!!!

On our way home, we decided to visit Temple Square. The lights were awesome. It was really fun even though it was freeeeeezing outside and we didn't get home until after midnight! What an amazing weekend.

Our 16th Anniversary

We had so much fun on our anniversary. We had to go to Ut for a Parent's retreat, so we paid the kids to miss school and headed down. We dropped the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa's house and headed to Salt Lake. We stayed in the Little America hotel and ate dinner in the Dining Room. It was soooo yummy, and way too expensive! The next day, we did sealings in the SL temple, which is where we were married, so it was very meaningful. Our experience was also very memorable because of some very unusual things that took place. All in all, I am convinced that I am married to the best guy in the whole world. I am the luckiest girl in the world!

Family Photo Shoot

On Oct 14 th we decided to do Thanksgiving pictures. So, you find the perfect spot, pose nicely, and smile. That's it! Easy!!! Yeah, right! We almost got the perfect shot SEVERAL times. Connor, who smiled adorably in the shot with just him in the tree, could not seem to cooperate for any other picture. Oh well, he is cute anyway and we all adore him. After a while we bagged it all and decided to just have a leaf fight in stead. It turned out being a very fun family outing!!! Maybe we should have had the leaf fight first. Maybe we'll try that next year! Thanks, Mom for all your hard photography work!!!