Spring Break!

Tommy catching some rays!

Since our crazy district didn't give us a spring break, we took one for ourselves. I headed to Las Vegas with six kids. We dropped off Eric in St. George for a conference and then headed to the sun. The week was spent at Robin's house relaxing, chatting & controlling the kiddies! Oh, we can't forget the endless shopping trips we made. I bought some awsome shoes, a cute purse and a great outfit, and that was just my part. I also had to shop for a spouse and six kids. Let's just say Vegas gambling isn't the only way to deplete your checking! It was plenty warm for us but I think the Vegans thought we were crazy. Alicia and Tommy were the only ones that swam every day although Emily and Richie did brave the tipid waters a couple of times.

Emily & Alicia spent their nights at Mike & Michelle's. They loved tending Chasers and having Aunt Michelle do their hair.

(Emily holding Chase in her cute outfit from Holister & sunglasses from Michelle) Adam and Benny never really got all the way into the pool but had plenty of fun playing on the steps with their cousin Connor. Caden was their fun babysitter most of the time since their sisters were busy elsewhere.

(Ben, Adam & Caden)
This is one of the few times Michelle actually had to hold her baby. He is a tunk but so darn cute. He reaches for anyone that passes by. Love the glasses, Michelle!
(Chase, Connor, Michelle, & Caden)

The putting green at Robins house was a huge hit. The kids loved it and no one ever bonked anyone on the head with a club, that we know of.

(Dillon & Richie)

Robin's pool is gorgeous and it is just right for kids. It is a lap pool and the kids love doing cannon balls in the middle but can all touch (except the 3 year olds) bottom at both ends. The water wasn't real warm but that didn't stop them. The heater was on but it didn't click on until noon.

Caden thought all should join in on the fun! Our last day of partying was in Bloomington . There were five of our siblings there~ Dusty, Robin, Me, Jim and Mike. We had lunch and an easter egg hunt in a park. Robin treated all the kids to the ice cream man. She handed one of the older ones a twenty. I didn't think it would be enough, we did have 15 kids afterall, but it came to $19.75.

(Dustin, Caden, Alicia in her cute sunglasses & earrings Aunt Robin bought her, & Robin)

We ended the party at Cousin Sherrie's house. My Grandma and Grandpa Tebbs were there w/ the Bulkely crew. I hadn't seen them for so long and I miss them so much! It was so fun to see the cousins, Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Russell. We played in Sherries great back yard and had a bbq. I had had a rough day w/ bloody noses and having to say goodbye to the Vegans but I was surrounded by family which was all I needed. It is great to be home but I sure miss them all! Alicia said it all when it snowed yesterday...."I wish we could have stayed in Vegas just one more week!"

Happy 8th Birthday Rich!

Richie is an easy-going, sweet, thoughtful, talented,laid-back guy! I enjoy listening to his many stories and ideas that are very elaborate. Sports is his first love. Not sure which one but football, soccer, basketball and baseball are among his favs. He is a hard worker at school. Rich is so excited for his baptism. He can't wait to get the Holy Ghost. The baptism date is April 12th. He is a great brother to all his siblings but especially to the twins and Tommy. He is very patient and loving with them.

Tommy, Adam, Me, Ben, Emily, Richie & Alicia

Eric took Richie street racing for his birthday.

I Love You Richie!

Is it warm yet?

I took the little boys to the park last week. The sun was out and it was a nice day. I picked up Wendy's and layed out a blanket for a little picnic. I got back into the car and turned it on. I read the temperature.....37 degrees! I guess I jumped the gun a little. I guess sun does not equal warm. But the kids didn't complain and played at the park for an hour. They kept coming back to eat their fries which I can only imagine were very cold. But at least the weather kept their chocolate milk cold.

This week is suppose to be in the 50's so we are loving it. And next week we'll be in Vegas basking in the sun. Heck, we'll probably be ready to swim and get tan. This has been a very long cold winter.

We made it to Three!!

Adam & Ben~almost 3!

Ben & Adam~ 2 years old

I can't believe how the time has flown. Over three years ago I was very happy with the little family we already had but Eric thought he needed 5 to make a basketball team. So we were in the process of praying what to do. Before I had a chance to make the decision I was already pregnant. I went to the doctor at 6 weeks because I was having awful pains. I thought I either had a cyst or an eptopic pregnancy. The doc did an ultrasound and told me it was gas. I started crying when he told me there were two sacks, meaning twins. I called Eric on my cell on the way home. I barely got out, "You're not going to believe this but we are having twins..." then my phone died.

I was in tears for the next 5 months. I came to terms with the fact that our family was going from 6 to 8 just in time to be put on bedrest. I endured (secretely loved) bedrest for 7 weeks. Then one night my mom decided to stay the night instead of driving home. Last time she did that my water broke at 7 am and Tommy was born two days later. Eric joked with her about this and then we all went to bed. At 4:30 am Eric knocked on my moms door and told her once again, my water broke and we were on the way to the hospital. Two hours later Baby B was born 10 minutes after his brother, Baby A. Thus their names...Adam & Benjamin.

The things I have learned about twins these past three years are~

1. Even though I had no intention of doing so, you must dress them exactly the same or else be prepared for an all out fight.

2. Twins have their own language. Forget about trying to understand it.

3. Toss aside all previous rules. Binkies, bottles, candy, anything to make it easier.

4. They always have a constant friend & protector but they also have a constant wrestling buddy.

5. There is double the work, double the insomnia, double the fights, but double the love.

I have been crazy these past three years but sometimes when I look at them my heart swells so big I feel like it is overflowing. Adam & Ben have brought so much love & happiness into our home. I know Heavenly Father had to send them at the same time because He knew I had reached my end. I am so grateful that He did. What a blessing they are!

Great Expectations

I attended our Stake Relief Society Women's Conference yesterday. One class I went to was entitled; Great Expectations, or, Why in the dickens am I not perfect? I went to sit down and the speaker was not what I expected. She was a very pretty older lady in her late sixties or early seventies originally from Texas. She had us laughing so hard in the beginning that my stomach muscles ache right now. I just wanted to put a couple of her points out there and see what you thought.

1. The depression rate in Utah is one of the highest in the nation. She believes that one reason this is so is because those without the gospel are happy living Terrestial or Telestial laws. As LDS women we are trying to live Celestial laws in a Telestial world.

A little bit ago I heard that the Danes of Denmark are the happiest people on earth. This shocked me. I lived there for over a year and although there were happy people I never thought that as a whole that they were that happy. As I listened to this talk yesterday I remembered that the finding behind the study of the Danes was that they had very low expectations and therefore were happy and content with their simple lives.
One of my sisters believes that the reason the depression rate in Utah is so high is because the Utah women actually go to a doctor to get diagnosed. I must admit, I never knew it was a problem until I moved into this area. But I think it is great that it isn't one of those hidden closet topics anymore.

2. When our time comes to be judged by Christ and He asks us if we are worthy, what will our answer be? She told us we don't need to be perfect to be worthy, just pure. We can know if we are pure by asking ourselves one question. "When is the last time you felt the Spirit of the Holy Ghost in your life?" If you are able to feel the Holy Ghost in your life then you are pure.

This lady was so sweet but had a sense of humor like no other. After talking about how obsessed we are about our bodies she told us this: when she is buried the only numbers she wants on her tombstone are "Married in a 20 but buried in a 12" Her daughters told her there was no way they could fit her into a size 12. She told them, "Just split it up the back and fluff it around, no one will ever know. I'll worry about the resurection when that time comes."

I felt wonderful when I left her class. I would love your input on why you think the depression rate is so high in Utah and also what it means to be pure.

A Wonderful Day!

The kids Valentine to their dad

Adam

I had such a great Valentines Day. Eric ended up having the day off because of the awful weather, so meetings were canceled. I spent the morning at Tommy's kindergarten class playing Cupid, Cupid, Love (duck,duck,goose). A few of the kids thought it would be funny if they picked me everytime. After an hour of this I was sweating and exhausted.

Last night, Eric & I went to the movie & dinner. I wore the jacket Adam has on above,as it is one of the only red casual items I own. The first time I wore this jacket Adam started yelling, "Bot, Bot!" I had no idea what he was saying but he wanted it and started yanking it off of me. Finally it hit me. I asked him, "Are you saying boat? Do you think this is a life jacket?" "Yes! Life jacket! Life jacket! Mine!!!" So much for thinking this was actually cute!

Back to the movie. We went and saw, "Definetly, Maybe".... I cannot recommend this to anyone. It was a very funny, cute story but oh, so naughty. Eric told me after he was just waiting for me to say we needed to walk out. But only the first part was naughty. I came home and told my babysitter never to go on a date to this movie. It would completely embarrass any teen on a date. Without giving a complete review of this movie, I can't explain it very well. The women were dressed very modest (no cleavage), no bedroom scenes but lets just say it started by the Dad picking up his 9 year old girl who had just had an unexpected sex education class and she had lots of questions. If anyone has seen this, let me know. It was PG-13 but when it comes to love stories, PG-13 can be pretty risque!

Valentines isn't too much different from other days in our house because Eric showers me with love continually throughout the year. I couldn't ask for a better hubby to share forever with.

(side note, if anyone can teach me to put the pictures in any spot besides the top, let me know.. Maybe I should put the pictures on first and then the text?? I can't figure out how to cut and paste on this thing)

It's Great to Be 8!

Richie~almost 8!

Last night was Richie's "Great to be 8" program. I was asked to give the Holy Ghost talk. We are three for three now, giving talks at all three of the Great to be 8 programs we have attended thus far. With an average of 6-8 kids per class, one would think our odds wouldn't be so great. I must say though, I gave the best talk yet for myself. I had a lot of comments and didn't even walk out the door w/ my talk b/c the teacher wanted a copy. So I thought I would give you the basics of my talk just in case any of you have a need.

Things you need: a lantern, a gift box w/ 2 magnets per child in it, 3 typed out scriptures

I started out telling a story of a boy walking down a path in the dark, trying to get home to his father. It was so dark that sometimes he would go off the path. Lucky for him there was a lightning storm. Each time the lightning struck he was able to get back onto the path. He had to go very slow so he didn't go off the path too far. He came to a house where they gave him a gift, a lantern (I have a red one that I got from my Grandmas store). They lit it for him and he was able to get home to his father without falling off the path.

I compared this to everyone has moments where they feel the H.G.(burst of lightning). Soon, each of them will receive a gift, just like the boy~The Holy Ghost. Then I explained all the H.G. does for you, very simply, comfort, guide, make you happy, give answers.

"There are a couple of things we all need to do so the H.G. can bless our lives.

1st. We need to learn to listen to the H.G. In a minute I'll have you all close your eyes, when you hear a voice you recognize, raise your hand. BE VERY QUIET so you can hear. Only raise your hand if you know who is speaking." (I then had 3 people read part of a script. quietly at the back of the room~I used a parent, their teacher, prim. pres.)

"The Holy Ghost is someone who loves you, like your parents or teachers. We need to learn to recognize the Holy Ghost just like we do our parents & teachers. When we do, the Holy Ghost can help us whenever we need it.

2nd. We need to make sure we do the things that make us worthy to have the Holy Ghost in our lives. (I then had a present and opened it. It had magnets in it~two for each child but I didn't hand them out until after so they would listen to the Bishop) The Holy Ghost can only be with us if we are doing what is right. One magnet represents you and the other represents the Holy Ghost. When we are doing what is right they stick together (demonstrate). When we are doing things we shouldn't (give examples) then they won't stick together. (turn the magnets so they repel off each other ) The Holy Ghost can't be with you when you are not following the commandments."

I then closed by telling them how precious this gift is to them and to never set it aside....

The kids loved this and came running for the magnets as soon as the closing prayer was said. Richie kept saying how much he loved it all. If you know Richie, this is very unlike him. I must admit, the internet is such a blessing when we are not creative ourselves.