Look, I Have Pig-Tails!

We are patiently waiting for Ella's hair to grow out and today we were able to pull most of it back into pigtails (do people still say pigtails?)

Splash Into Summer

A bunch of girlfriends gathered here with our kids to start the summer off right. Two days of lounging around the pool-my kids playing with their friends, ordering enough pizza to feed an army, having 8 boys in my room at 10:30p.m. deciding to go "Ghost Hunting"-can't beat that!

WARNING #1 - ELLA HAS GROWN 4 INCHES SINCE WE BROUGHT HER HOME-ALL HER CLOTHES ARE TOO SMALL-INCLUDING THE SWIM SUIT THAT I BROUGHT...SHE IS SHOWING OFF A LOT OF SKIN =)

WARNING #2 - MY BOYS STILL WORKING ON THEIR TAN-BEWARE OF BLINDNESS =)

Madison's Graduation Theme: "The Death of a Dream Makes One Become A Devil"

A Sun Devil that is. An ASU Sun Devil. Arizona State University-Home to the Sun Devil. The biggest party school in the nation (too bad for them she does not party.) More on ASU below.

In the history of the Gilbert Public Schools, it has never RAINED on graduation...until 2008. Not only did it rain all day-the wind blew and it was COLD. The school scrambled to figure out what to do about graduation because the ceremony was suppose to be in the football stadium. The principal decided to bring the graduation inside the school. Unfortunately, with a graduating class of 676, there was no room for everyone to be in the same place. So the kids were in the auditorium and the families were scattered throughout the school watching the ceremony on a big projector screen. I watched my daughter graduate from High School while sitting on the floor in the gym. Here is the low-down from Graduation Day:

Madison's favorite restaurant-Gecko Grill

Family Pictures
Our lovely spot on the gym floor (I was thinking "un-freakin-believable")
Auditorium before the students entered
Students entering for graduation ceremonies
First speaker
Second speaker
Third speaker-Class Valedictorian
Principal
Choir
Ella getting bored and playing with lip gloss-676 names are a lot to get through
Somewhere in the next few pictures there is a black blob...that is Madison getting her diploma



Our Graduate
Ella wondering what that "funny hat" was

Aunt Trisha and Aunt Cherise
Grandma and Grandpa
Best friend - Hannah



All in all graduation ended up being OK. The students loved the fact that they had the whole auditorium to themselves...just them to celebrate what they had accomplished.

Madison will start at ASU in the Fall, but not after letting go of a dream that she has had since 9th grade. ASU was the LAST place Madison wanted to go to school, but she applied there anyway as her back-up school. She was accepted into one of the nation's most prestigious Journalism School...the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in the Broadcast Journalism division. Out of 1100 students that applied to the program only 275 were accepted. Based on her GPA, ACT score and class ranking, she was also awarded a full scholarship for tuition and books. Madison has always dreamed of going to BYU and majoring in Musical Theatre-a passion of hers. She has decided to take a different road-the one she thought she would never travel and give up her dream of attending BYU. She has slowly come to terms with the fact that she could not pass up this opportunity at ASU. This Fall, The Cronkite Journalism School is opening up a new facility in downtown Phoenix that was partly funded by CBS. This school is as high tech as one can imagine and the opportunities are endless. She will be in the nation's 5th largest media outlet learning from the best in the field. A CNN anchor left his job to come teach at this new school. As she will have to say goodbye to friends that are leaving and put her "Broadway" dreams on hold-we know that she will be successful going down this path in life. But, as parents who spent a lot of money for voice lessons, we are hoping she can find a job SINGING the evening news =).

There Are Moments In Life When

your heart stops beating and you can't seem to catch your breath...I had two moments like that yesterday.

Steven Curtis Chapman's family experienced a horrible tragedy. Maria, their youngest adopted daughter from China was hit by a car in their driveway and killed. The Chapman family has dedicated their lives to children around the world, especially the orphans of China. I pray that through their faith they will be lifted up and given comfort. Our thoughts go out to this family, especially their son who was involved in the accident. Please keep this family in your prayers.

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

Here are two songs that I LOVE by Steve Curtis Chapman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=demRHgul2Zk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLYxtuC0oRk (the song playing on my blog...if you want a good cry watch this whole video & explanation-grab a tissue)

Madison's Graduation-My first born is done with High School...stopped my heart for a moment. I will post later about the details.

I'll be back soon. Family in town, Madison's graduation and Ella running a 103 temp is taking me out for short break =).

I'm Starting To See A Pattern...

These handsome sons of mine have developed what I would call shape blindness-similar to color blindness, but instead of not being able to see colors, my boys are not able to see shapes, especially any circle shape. My boys have several chores around our house and one of them is feeding their dog, Jack, our Goldendoodle. Every time they fill up Jack's bowl, this is what I walk into my laundry room and discover:

I asked my boys in a VERY loving tone:

"What part of the bowl is too hard for you to get ALL the dog food into?"

They responded:

"What (total blank stare on their face)...we always get the dog food into the bowl."

I walk them into the laundry room and ask:

"Then why is there always dog food on my floor?"

They respond:

"(Blank stare again)......................um, I don't see any dog food on the floor."

I point out the dog food.

They respond:

"That's, like, only 10 pieces of dog food Mom...whats the big deal?"


The big deal is that whenever someone walks into the laundry room and SMASHES the pieces of dog food, I have dog food crumbs everywhere...and then it dawned on me that I have had this conversation many times before with them about the


and why they can not seem to get an exact aim into the round circle. I have decided that my boy's track record is about 95%...95% of what needs to get inside of a bowl will make it. Cereal in a bowl, dog food into dish, and you know what into the toilet. It is just a boy thing and I do love my boys because they just crack me up!

The Computer, Friends and Church

My computer has been in the shop for the last 4 days-I can't believe how much I am dependant on my computer and how much $$$ they cost to fix when they die.
Ella had a really fun play date last week with her friend, Julia...they posed at will when I brought out the camera. These girls are definitely NOT camera shy and I couldn't resist posting some of the pictures =).
Today is Sunday, the day we worship. Church was amazing today...it was our Stake Conference-the twice a year meeting that all the wards in our Stake meet together to be instructed by our leaders. When I walked into the meeting, I was overwhelmed by the youth choir that was singing. They sounded like angels and I was immediately humbled by the Spirit. My husband was ask to give the opening invocation and I was humbled even more when he asked, in he middle of his prayer, for comfort to be given to those that were suffering in the aftermath of the China earthquakes. I appreciated him so much for his continued prayers on behalf of the people of China. Our leaders talked about remaining steadfast in this difficult and trying world, being faithful and fortifying our homes against the temptations of Satan. I always love to come home from church feeling uplifted and with a renewed sense of duty to be a righteous mother and wife.
We had the privilege of watching Madison graduate from Seminary tonight-a beautiful meeting. Madison, along with two other Seminary graduates, was asked to speak at the commencement. As a mom, I was in awe of this daughter that I raised, just listening to her testify about the things she knows are true and right, brought huge tears to my eyes. Now, we look forward to Graduation this Thursday. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that fact that my first born is graduating...I think I might be the only parent that is going to stand up at Graduation and shout "I OBJECT." I personally think she needs to go back the ninth grade and repeat High School because she grew up way to fast! Family is going to start trickling in on Tuesday so our week should be busy, but fun.
I have been told that my blog is getting closer to being done...I am so excited for the finished product. Enjoy the Ella and Julia cuteness.

China's Earthquake

I have been saddened by the events that have unfolded in the aftermath of the earthquakes that hit China several days ago. The destruction, loss of life and injured is mounting. Families have been torn apart. I read that in one town alone 80% of their population might be lost. After spending two weeks in China to adopt Ella, I fell in love with the Chinese people, their customs and ideals. They are a people who are deeply rooted in family. I owe so much to a country that is allowing us the privilege of raising one of their special little girls. In a world that witnesses so much turmoil on a daily basis, I have a special place in my heart for China and it's orphans. Please join with our family as we pray for the people of Sichuan Providence and for the orphanages that have been effected by this natural disaster. Below is a link to two incredible charities that deal exclusively with Chinese orphans, please visit their site if you are interested in a donation or an update about the situation.

http://www.halfthesky.org/journal/?p=88

http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/earthquake.cfm

Swim Fun With Friends

Ella was invited over to her friend's Julia and Emily's house for a swim party. Julia and Emily's mom is Miss Rhonda, Ella's preschool teacher. Ella got an extra treat that week-swim party with popscicles and 3 days of preschool. Thanks for a great swim day.