Here is the picture!

Here is the picture of Jimmy with his new haircut! He now likes his haircut because he got a lot of attention from the ladies!

"I Look Ugly"

This afternoon Jimmy asked if he could brush his teeth. Hmmm let me think about that one....That little guys brushes his teeth like 4 times a day. I was busy doing housework and I realized that he had been in the bathroom a little too long to just be brushing his teeth. So I went into the bathroom and the first thing I saw was a pile of dark brown hair on the floor of the bathroom. Then there is my little boy standing there looking in the mirror with a look of "uh oh" on his face. Yes, Jimmy cut his own hair. The funny thing is that when I walked in he was actually trying to cover up what he did. He was trying to brush his hair so I wouldn't notice. I was not a happy camper. I wish I would've thought to get the camera, but I was trying to figure out how to fix it. The only thing to do was to shave his head. He was not happy with this consequence. He was supposed to go within the next week to go and get his haircut with Papa. Something that is an ABSOLUTE treat for that little boy.
So I shaved his head. He was quite funny through the process. He thought it tickled. Then he caught a look of himself in the mirror. He actually almost cried! I asked him if he liked it and he said "NO! I look ugly!" I showered him off. He got dressed and went in search of his hat. For the next hour he kept on repeating "I look ugly!"
When it was time to pick up his sisters he told me that he wasn't going to tell Ebi, Katie and Sara that he cut his hair. He didn't want them to see how "ugly" he looked. Poor little guy. I guess that will teach him a lesson. Well, girls, I guess we aren't the only ones that cry about a haircut that we don't like.

We already have one casualty

What is it about school and germs? Katie is our first casualty in the germ war. She woke up this morning miserable. Sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, achy, fever..... Second week of school and she already has to stay home. I was so close to just giving her some tylenol and sending her anyways :) But she was feeling too awful.
I had been feeding them apples, orange juice, vitamins with extra vitamin C; I make sure they are in bed at 8:00 every night; I disnifect the door knobs, toys, faucets, basically anything they touch; but no luck....What do you guys do to keep the "germs" away.... I am at a loss...

1 down; 3 to go

Don't Under-estimate girl power!

Yes, I have another soccer story.... Eberly ended her indoor season last Friday night. Her new one began last night. When you sign them up for soccer you get to request one person that you would want on your team. They are always real good about trying to get at least one friend on your team. Well, apparently we had a lot of girls requesting to be with each other. Due to football starting, there is also a shortage of boy players compared to girl players.
So, it was asked if playing on an "all girl" team would be okay. I had to laugh.. They don't know our girls I guess. Eberly is playing with 5 of her good friends. They are all really good soccer players... and more than that they play with each other. Team play is essential in soccer. The 7th player on the team we just met last night. But she fit right in.
Right before the game, the other team looked at ours and one boy started heckling and saying how they were going to "kick our butts", since it was an all girl team. Lets just say that the game ended up being quite frustating for that little boy. The final score was 6-1! Eberly scored 2 goals last night. One of the things I loved about watching the game was seeing how the girls fed off each other. There were a few girls, that were more reserved and not quite as "go-getting" as the others. But they showed a new level of confidence last night. I couldn't help but think that having a cheering section from their own teammates had something to do with that. It is amazing what a dose of encouragement from your friends can do.
I guess that boy learned his lesson. Never underestimate the power of a group of girls!

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school for the kids! Eberly is now entering the fourth grade. She is so excited because she is in a class with her best friend for the first time. She is also excited because she has a great teacher, Mrs. Seeley. You should have seen the excitement on her face when she realized that her classroom is on the 2nd floor. It is hilarious what excited kids these days. Katie is entering the second grade. She too has a great teacher. Mrs. Nishigushi. It was hilarious trying to teach Katie her name. "Mrs. Hoochicoochie?" I think she is getting better at it though. She was the one I was worried about since she doesn't like change and/or being away from me. But when we got to school we went and checked out her class list. Her cute little friend Jeffrey is in her class. YA!!! They are really cute together. She calls him Jeff Jeff and he calls her K-K. So there were no tears once we got to school. Woo Hoo! Last year I had to leave with her teaching holding her while she was screaming for me. ugh.

Sara is now is Kindergarten. Last year she was enrolled in Poway's Pepp program which a pre-kindergarten program. It was wonderful for her. So she is now a full-time kindergartner. She was so excited that she got to be at school for the same amount of time as Katie and Eberly. Her teacher, Mrs. Baird, was Katie's reading and writing teacher last year. She said this morning that when she saw Sara's name "she had to pick her!"

Our prayers were definitely answered. They all got fantastic teachers!

Now Jimmy is the center of attention (not like he wasn't already)! He was quite sad this morning though. He moped all the way to the car after dropping them off. He wouldn't even walk on his own. Daddy had to carry him.

Why do these things happen?

I know we have all asked this question... Why is this happening to me/us? I have been asking myself that question over the last couple of days. I woke up Sunday morning with EXCRUCIATING stomach pain. I am talking the kind that has you rolled up in a little ball. I assumed that I was just having a bad stomach flu. By the late afternoon I was almost in tears it hurt so badly. It was as bad as the labor pains I experienced with Katie (before the drugs :) )... So I decided it was time to go and have this checked out. After spending hours and hours at the ER... my cat scan revealed that I had an ovary colapse and an ovarian cyst rupture at the same time. But, apparently both of those things are fairly common... just not at the same time. But this also caused my appendix to get irritated. So for the next 24-48 hours I have to rest and be aware of any worse pain... especially on the right side. I am feeling SO much better than I was on Sunday. The pain is almost non-existant; with the exception of some sharp pains here and there once in a while. Stupid ovaries ( I am done with them anyways!) I am just extrememly tired.
So, yes, I have been asking myself why is this happening to me? Here are some of the conclusions I have come up with:
1. To make me realize and appreciate how great our ward is. I have mentioned our sweet, dear neighbors across the street. (The one that planted the apple tree) Mike went over to borrow a heating pad. When they got to church they informed the bishop/relief society president about how sick I was. (I did not know yet what was wrong with me). As soon as church was over we got a call from our home teacher and our Bishop. Our neighbors, Frank and Ona, came over immediately to offer dinner and to make sure we were taken care of. They made us a fantastic dinner last night. So good in fact that Eberly said "Gosh Mom. You should get sick more often". I also received a call yesterday from the relief society saying they would like to bring our family dinners for the next couple of days. I felt silly accepting since I was already feeling so much better and Mike would be home; but they wouldn't take no for an answer. They offered to pick up the kids too. What a great ward we have.
2. To again gain appreciation for the Power of the Priesthood. When Frank and Ona came over, right before I went to the ER, he and Mike gave me a blessing. What a wonderful experience. While I was still in pain, it was not nearly as severe as even a few minutes before. Instantly I knew I was going to be okay.. Because trust me, I thought I was going to die.
3. To appreciate my friends. I had planned on taking the kids and one of Eberly's friends to the beach tomorrow. Those plans have now changed so I called my friend to cancel the "play date". After I told her what happened, she offered to take the kids to school (even though they attend different schools) and to make us dinner on Thursday. I told her that I should be fine on Thursday and it wouldn't be necessary. I told her I would feel silly if I was totally up to par and she was bringing me dinner. She just laughed at me and said "SO WHAT!!!!" "Now it is one less thing you have to worry about on Thursday."
4. Mike now knows what I have been through. He has had 4 trips to the ER in the last year and a half. It has been quite stressful. He now appreciates what I went through and how hard it is to see your sweetheart suffering.
5. It has also helped Mike to appreciate ME in general. He has been so worried about me that he has been waking up all through out the night to make sure I was okay. He has also come to realize that those dishes don't wash themselves and those clothes don't get clean magically.
6. To make ME appreciate housework. It is amazing how quickly you miss being able to do the little things. I get yelled at right now if I even try to do some cleaning. I actually miss being able to clean my own house. But I am supposed to be resting.
7.To make me appreciate my health. I think sometimes we take for granted feeling good. Those that are mothers understand that we are in a constant state of tired. But when we get sick we realize how strong we really are. I miss being JUST tired.
8. Made me realize how much I am loved. Mike contacted Dad to let him know what was going on. I don't think a half an hour went by where he wasn't texting Mike asking how I was and what was happening. He called yesterday just to see how "his girl" was doing and to have Mike hug me for him. Mike's cell phone died in the hospital... Since we live only minutes away he went home to get mine. When he got back he had beautiful home made cards from the kids. Mike has barely let me breathe on my own for the last day or so. He has told me how much he loves me over and over again. My mom and sister have called regularly to check on me and see how I am doing. And my friends have also showed such great love and concern. I am so thankful for those who have shown me such great love.

So basically I am not happy that I have gotten sick. But I think we need to look at the bright side of things in order to survive them. So yes... I feel awful! But, I have gained a lot through this experience too!

My boys

I am going to try and make a long story as short as I can, but that is easier said than done. A lot of you already know the beginning of this story.

Mike and I have a special group of "boys" in our lives. They are young men that Mike has taught since they were the age of 12. He taught them in some way until they left for their missions. They have been in our lives for most of our marriage. Katie, Sara and Jimmy don't know that life exists without these young men. Eberly was about 18 months or so when they first came into our lives. Our story is living proof that you never know in what ways a "simple" calling can change and affect your lives.

Our boys have brought so much to our lives. They made regular visits to our home throughout the years. They were the only babysitters our kids ever knew. They always seemed to have this special intuition when I was having a bad day. I would get a phone call out of the blue "Hey Sister Proffitt! Whatcha doing? Can we come over?" I always wondered how they knew. When Mike was working grave yard shifts, they would show up on a regular basis to keep me company and help with the kids. They have been a major part in our lives.

Well two years ago we started having to say goodbye. Our first boy left on his mission to August of 2006. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I don't know how moms do it. They aren't "technically" my sons, but it was so hard to say goodbye. Katie cried for hours after we had to say goodbye. We had the wonderful experience even of taking one of our boys, Ricky, to the MTC. Mike still makes fun of me because I cried off and on from Utah until we got to Las Vegas. I though it would get easier, but it hasn't. I miss them more and more it seems like.

Receiving their letter is amazing. You can hear the growth just in their letters. And amazingly enough; they still have their intuition of when I am having a bad day. I always seem to get a letter from one of them when I just not up to par.

Well, the wait is over! They are coming home! Kyle returned home from his mission on Wednesday. It was indescribable how good it felt to hear his voice. I was amazed at the maturity I could hear.

They boys have been so worried that the kids would forget them. Not a chance! Even Jimmy, who was not yet two when they started leaving, gave Kyle the biggest hug when he saw him! You show him a picture of any of the 8 boys and he can name them in a heartbeat! They know who their family is.

We had the wonderful experience of attending Kyle's homecoming talk yesterday. The spirit was so strong in that chapel when he spoke. He spoke of something Mike had taught his when he was twelve and how he used that in his mission. It was proof that you never know who or how you may touch in your callings. He remembered something that was taught to him 9 years ago!

We have had so many wonderful experiences with them. They have allowed us to share so much of their lives. And now we get to experience the joy of welcoming them home.

Another Hat Trick

She has done it again! She played indoor soccer last night. *(this picture is from her outdoor season last year; not from indoor) Her team won 8-6. Eberly scored 3 goals again! We are so very proud of her. Even if she didn't score any goals, the fact that she has such enthusiasm and drive. That is what makes us proud of her.

Mike and Dad were not yet back from their trip. So I made sure to text them when she scored. Her first goal was at 7:55. Her second goal was at 8:03 and her third goal was at 8:08! I guess Dad was amazed that she was able to not only score 3 goals, but also under 10 minutes.

Way to go Ebi!