Percy Jackson and the Bed Thief

My kids would be extremely upset at me if they knew I was posting about this. Too bad, I need the memories.

Saturday we went and saw the movie Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief with the kids. It was such a great movie, through the entire movie I couldn't help thinking how lucky kids are to be able view such spectacular films. I think I went to the movies twice growing up, Bambi and Iron Eagle. Never anything this magnificent!

They loved the movie and talked about it all the way home. However, the minute we stepped in the door, THEY WERE SCARED. They couldn't go upstairs by themselves, they needed a buddy to go into their room, and they wanted to keep all of the lights on. MY LB and I were not going to have it. You wanted to see the movie, to bad, go to bed.

The next morning we had a two year old sleeping between us, a ten year old sleeping on our chair, and a five year old sleeping on our floor. Each one made a grand, "I'm Scared!" entrance and received a, "GO BACK TO BED". Spencer was the only one that stayed in his bed. When we asked the golden parent question, "Why can't you be more like your brother?" Spencer said, "I probably would have come in your room too if I wasn't sleeping."

Just as Percy was innocent in the movie, he too did not steal our bed. The Real Culprit..........

MEDUSA

And all of her creepy mythological cohorts.

Miserable Monday #27

The World turns aside to let any man pass

who knows whither he is going.

- David Starr Jordan

What is your purpose? Do you know it? Do you live your life according to it? I have had many incidents leading up to this Miserable Monday that put a smile on my face when I read it. This very morning during our homeschooling devotional (studying in "Preach My Gospel" a guide to Missionary service) we read about the Plan of Salvation and the purpose of coming to this Earth.

Yesterday I taught a Primary class about how Heavenly Father watches over us. How we can pray to Heavenly Father when we are lonely, sad, scared, or in need of help. Heavenly Father loves each of us. I know that because my Heavenly Father loves me he wants me to live with him again and he will do and has done all he can to help me return.

Also about a week ago I had a very good discussion with my neighbors about this very topic. Why do we come to Earth and how do Latter Day Saints believe that we return to Heaven? I was pretty disappointed in myself and didn't feel as though I contributed as positively as I would have liked to the conversation. I do truly have a strong Testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truthfulness of the Gospel, however I am not so eloquent with my words.

Quote John Bytheway- " Happy people know why they're here and what they're supposed to do. Since they have a purpose, they live their life on purpose." -end quote I do know that every morning I wake up I am on a mission to become more like my Savior Jesus Christ. To help others, love others, and to make choices that bring me closer to Him and finally home to live with my Heavenly Father. As I do this I am becoming a happier more blessed daughter of God.

Quote John Bytheway - " Having a purpose is like a rudder that steers you through life's storms, winds, and currents. Miserable people drift." - end quote

In our church each member is asked to serve in a calling, throughout our marriage our callings have changed many times. At times serving in a calling, parenting, working, and taking on the duties of household can be over bearing. Admittedly there are times when being busy gets to feel like to much and I have wondered, "Is this really what Heavenly Father wants for us?" Those are moments of weakness when my purpose and blessing elude me.

For I know that when I am serving I am following Christs example as he spent his life and mission in the service of others. Ultimately giving his life in service to us, his brothers and sisters. Now that Christ is not living on the Earth he needs followers to step in and serve where he would if he were here. Our hands become his hands as we help others, we are doing his work. I think of Jeremiah out on the trail changing the lives of the youth and I know that is where he belongs. I think of the many people that serve our family and I know this is what our Heavenly Father planned for us. To love, serve, and be there for one another.

I have to admit that I have not put much thought into what exactly will happen when I leave this Earth. I haven't spent much time studying, what happens next. However I have put much thought and study into why I was sent to this Earth and I know that I am a child of God, that my family can live together forever, and that a loving Heavenly Father is guiding me and awaiting my return.

As I strive to live my purpose and grow stronger each day I hope to one day hear, " Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter now into the joy of the Lord." Matthew 25:21 I imagine his embrace after he says this to me and than the reuniting of family and friends.

I know my purpose, I hope that you know yours. I am sure we all know that within this one huge purpose there are many small purposes that lead us to the person that we are and will yet become.

It's My First Time

I have been putting a lot of thought into "First Times", it has actually put me in quite a rut. My brain wont stop thinking about this quote, "There is a first time for everything". I think it has been causing me quite a stir as I have actually been experiencing and witnessing many "Firsts" lately.

Maggie's first date with dad and how excited she was.

My first time unenrolling a child from school and how nervous I was.

Spencer's first day of home school and his request, "Give me a break it's my first day."

Maggie's first loose tooth that is driving us all batty, "Just take pliers and pull it out, please."

My first day homeschooling my kids and hoping that I would enjoy it and not have any regrets.

Jeremiah's first time building a model airplane, "I just need one more part."

I could go on and on.......

On Matthew and Spencer's first day of Skate Boarding class their teacher had on a pin that said, "It's my first time." I was feeling a little cheated as I work for the city too and I never got a pin. He said that he got it from donating blood but he wears it all of the time. He says he likes to wear it because whenever he does it is his "First Time". I love that! He said he got pulled over and pointed to his pin and said, " Please, give me a break it's my first time."

Can you imagine how people would treat you if they thought that it was your "First Time". At the grocery store I am sure they would be more helpful, the dentist would be more gentle, the fast food workers would be more understanding when you just need one more minute, and of course it wouldn't be such a big deal that you forgot to flush. Do you remember being at the hospital delivering your FIRST child, opposed to being at the hospital delivering your fourth? That is exactly what I am talking about.

Thinking about this has made me think about how the older we get the less "First Times" we experience. Did you know that I was 22 years old before I went to Disney Land, Sea World, and the beach for the first time. Holy Cow! And I went there right after I was married for the first time and I just happened to be on my first Honey Moon. I think not visiting theme parks was a bigger bummer for my parents as I LOVED watching my kids experience all of these things for the first time. As a matter of fact being so aware of "First Times" lately has been great because I have been more aware when they are taking place. Just the other day Kendal got a band aid for the first time and she cried because she wanted it OFF. "I don't like band aides!"

Do first times scare you? Do you fear them? I guess I get a sort of uneasiness when I am venturing into the unknown. Don't tell, but the first time I put my foot on the Rip Stick I was pretty sure the other foot was staying on the ground. The first time that other foot went onto the Rip Stick I started to feel a little better. AND the first time I actually stayed on the Rip Stick my uneasiness began to vanish. Another uneasiness, OK fear, is going somewhere for the "First Time". Directions scare me! Once I find the place I am good from there on out, except the Temple. I still feel uneasy every time I venture to the Temple on my own, good thing it is so calming and peaceful once I get there.

So, why all the commotion about "First Times"? I have experienced some really great first times lately that I don't want to forget. Also, I am hoping that by putting my thoughts down it will free up some space in my brain. Who wants to spend time thinking about "First Times" when they can be thinking about "This Time" or "Next Time"?

Check This Out

A friend of mine and her husband started this awesome website,

Latter Day Sports.

I am always so amazed by the ambition and success of others. I love to see and hear about all of the great things people accomplish. Your awesome Sasaki family!

Check out the website and tell your friends!

Latter Day Sports

Time to Unload

I can not believe how heavy my camera has become. I can hardly hold it anymore without the weight of my conscience and the number of pictures it is holding weighing it down. It is past time to UNLOAD and RECORD!

Matthew's first AZVA field trip. We went bowling, met some new friends and got some good sound advice from veteran homeschoolers. Matthew was so sweet letting Kendal bowl with him. It is absolutely amazing to me how much the relationship between brothers and baby sister have changed. They live to meet her needs. The other day she wasn't feeling well and I wanted to let her sleep longer. When I left to take Maggie to school I asked the boys to keep an eye on her. When I got back she had thrown up and the Matthew had a bowl for her (she missed), she had new jammies on and Spencer was getting ready to brush her teeth (to get the yucky taste out). They are such good brothers and I know that I may be bias but I have to say I think they may be the sweetest boys ever.

Kendal has decided to stop eating and she will do whatever she can to keep from doing so.

As Kendal grows so does her relationship with her sister. The girls are beginning to play more together and as you can tell DRIVING us crazy in the process.

The boys started a new hobby. They have been enjoying the art of Skate Boarding. We got them super "cheap" skateboards for Christmas to see if they would take to it. About a month later they joined a skateboard class and are now in need of new skateboards (the kinds that cost more than $5.00). I love watching them step out of their comfort zone and get a little "DARING".

Look at Maggie, "TWO WHEELS". I can't believe how fast our kids are growing. There are those certain milestones that remind you, no that scream at you, "YOUR KIDS ARE GROWING UP!" Riding without training wheels is definitely one of those milestones.
I do have to put a little word in for Maggie (OK lots of words), she got on that bike and just started riding. She would fall and say, "I'm OK", and just keep on riding. The first night after learning to ride her bike I went to give her a bath and she had bruises all over her legs, yet she never shed a tear. Also after about two days of riding she was doing tricks, putting her legs up, letting go with one hand, standing up and trying with all of her might to do a "wheelie". She was putting holes in her leggings, scrapes on her arms, and more bruises on her legs but nothing would stop her. She is my kind of girl!

This is Kendal and her best friend Annabelle. I love that Kendal has a best friend and that they see each other almost every day. They are so good to each other. The other day Annabelle was trying to show Kendal how to ride her bike. She would push her and say, " Yeah, your doing it." They are very close in age and even closer in personality. They are both kind, loving, and have the best hearts. I am so grateful for our neighbors and their family values and Christian beliefs. They are the best!

Maggie had a date with daddy! She was so excited to be going out on her first date with her dad. A couple of days before the big day I took her to buy a dress. She was playing in the kid center with Kendal while I grabbed some choices. When I brought them over to show her she said, "Are they all immodest?" I replied with a, "You can wear a shirt under them or a jacket over them." When I held up my last choice (because it wasn't pink or red for Valentines Dance) she said, "That one is modest so I choose it." After that she just kept playing like no big deal. I got teary eyed and called MY LB to tell him what had happened. When we got home he told her how proud he was of her and how happy he was to go to the dance with her in her modest dress. I on the other hand chalked the whole experience up to another lesson learned from a child. MODEST IS THE HOTTEST!!

For my birthday in December MY LB got me a 5K. My sister in law Ashlee and I ran it a couple of weekends ago and it was great! I love the experience of a starting line with people hooting and hollering. I love the feeling that you just can't go any farther or harder and pushing yourself to the end. I love a finish line with juice, chocolate, and bagels. Mostly I love the accomplishment and the fact that it was ALL mine, I did and I don't have to share it. Selfish, I know but I share and give so much that having something of my very own is absolutely EXHILARATING.

BRRR!!

I am still trying to hunt down those low point (Weight Watcher term for; Low Fat) freezer meals. I have had some success and we have already enjoyed two dinners a la "THE FREEZER". I am surprised about 4 things, 1. They taste better than I thought they would. 2. They cost less than I thought they would. 3. They are less points than I thought they would be. 4. We are actually ending up with leftovers.

Here is what I have in my freezer right now and a little bit about what we have eaten. This is just a quick summary with details coming soon. I found some marinated Tilapia (fish), shrimp stir fry, chicken fried rice and some yummy hickory chicken breasts all for great prices at Sam's Club. I also struck a Smart Ones gold mine at Safeway last week and picked up 10 one serving dinners. I bought three each of, Santa Fe Beans, cheese ravioli and elbow macaroni in marinara. I bought some precooked chicken pieces to add to the Santa Fe beans and cheese ravioli and I plan on adding ground beef to the elbow mac in marinara sauce. The meat stretches the Smart One meals and makes a feast for our entire family.

For sides we have been enjoying veggies from the garden, salad, canned veggies and frozen veggies. As well as cottage cheese, yogurt and fresh fruit.

THE KIDS: This is actually a hard one since they are such food detectives. I can't omit anything as it is already prepared. I have decided that on nights MY LB and I enjoy Tilapia and Shrimp stir fry they can grin happy to know they will be getting frozen pizza and chicken nuggets. The only two meals I have prepared so far are, Smart One Cheese Ravioli with Grilled Chicken strips on top and Chicken Fried Rice. The kids really liked both!

Preparing the food I was nervous that I wouldn't end up with enough. Surprisingly we had leftovers for MY LB to take to work the following day. I am really enjoying my quick food prep experiment and I am excited to bring it all together to make easy "Home Schooling Mommy Menus".

My goal is 10 frozen prepared meals (not consecutive and I am keeping a tally this time). Stay tuned, I plan on giving LOTS of details.