A Brief Summary of My Kids

My mom asked me to write a brief summary about each of my kids for her blog. I am not sure if this is what she had in mind. Maybe it wasn't brief enough, but it is hard to sum up 13 years in a couple sentences. And if I write several sentences about one child, I better write equal amounts about the others. So I thought I would include it here on my blog and besides it is not often that I sum up their lives in a single paragraph. I love each of them dearly and I am proud of each of their accomplishments.

Eric has always been very alert and he has a strong moral compass. When he was only 2, he would become upset when he saw people boating on Sunday and not keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. When he was 3 or 4, he would make comments if he didn't see people keeping the door open for others. Even at 2, Eric was well aware of the stories on the news and would ask about them. Terri had to stop watching the news when he was around. Eric excels in school and loves to read, play video games, ride his skateboard, and hang out with his friends, and parents. He has loved living near the beach in Florida, Guam, Hawaii, and Monterey. He loves swimming, boogie boarding, and surfing. Eric always comes home and sits down to do his homework immediately even if it isn't due for a month. He is well liked by all his teachers, but it wasn't always that way. Terri often got calls from his preschool teacher because he would bite, hit, or pinch other kids. He has been playing the piano for 6 years , but doesn't enjoy it. He has played soccer, baseball, basketball, flag football, ran track, and now is starting to wrestle. He is currently serving as Deacon Quorum President and working towards his Eagle. He is a terrific big brother.

Erin was a wonderful baby. She never complained about going to bed. In fact, she often put herself to bed as a toddler. She sucked her thumb until she turned 5 and started kindergarten. We had the dentist put a wire in her mouth to prevent her from sucking anymore. She was rewarded with a new Gameboy for it. Erin is a wonderful student and loves to please her teachers and parents. She loves to read and always gets straight A's like Eric. She will do extra credit even if she has an A+ in a class. Erin attended 5 different schools for elementary school due to frequent military moves. Erin has been taking piano lessons for 6 years and although she complains about practicing, she plays very well. She is a hard worker and was recently rewarded for her hard work in math. She was able to advance to 7th grade math when she proved to her teacher that she has already mastered all the 6th grade skills. Erin often asks what else she can help with around the house. Erin is very attached to Nathan and she loves horses and begs for her own. She collects American Girl Dolls and toy horses. She loves to run but she has also played soccer and basketball. She is the most competitive Perez kid.

Nathan is a great, fun kid. He loves Winnie the Pooh and sleeps with him every night. Nathan is very affectionate and loves to make people laugh. His kindergarten teacher recalled a time when Nathan walked out of the bathroom and the kids were all sitting very quietly on the rug listening to the teacher read a story. Nathan snuck around the corner and made a large roaring sound. The whole class laughed including the teacher because up to that day, Nathan had always been so quiet in class. Nathan didn't enjoy reading until first grade, but now loves to read. He is a great speller and even won the Kindergarten Spelling Bee. Nathan is also a whiz at math. He can do math in his head very fast and accurately. Nathan worries about his twin Zachary because Zachary is much more daring than he is. He loves Legos and he is very creative with them. He loves to build his own as well as put together the Lego sets. Nathan would eat macaroni and cheese everyday if we would let him. He also loves junk food like his mom. Nathan says he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up so he can have horses for Erin to ride.

Zachary is very coordinated. He is just now (he's turning 7) starting to get competitive in sports. Like Nathan, he has played soccer, basketball, and flag football. Zachary loves to read and is excited about reading chapter books. His first grade teacher describes Zach as the model student. He is smart, obedient, and helps those around him that are struggling in class. He is compassionate and will try to comfort anyone that is sad. Whenever Nathan is sad or hurt, Zach will run up to his room and grab a pillow, blanket, and Pooh Bear to help comfort Nathan. He is a hard worker and does lots of work around the house. He will often finish dinner early and get up and start the dishes for Eric and Erin. He loves to do service for the whole family. Zachary is very attached to his mom (Terri.) He loves to sleep with her when his dad is out of town. He is usually the first one up in the morning and loves the alone time with his mom. Zachary often surprises Terri with breakfast that he has made. He loves long walks on the beach with Grandma (Lynn). He loves to ride his bike and skateboard. He also likes to run on the treadmill and play outside. Zachary loves the family dog, Buzz, and wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up. He doesn't like cats though so he only wants to treat dogs in his clinic.

One Style Fits All

Erin is in need of some new church clothes. So while at Target, I thought I would pick her up a cute skirt and matching top. No luck. All they had were these type of skirts:

So, I left Target and tried Dillards, Macy's, the Children's Place, Old Navy, Sears, JcPenney, Ross, and a couple other stores that I couldn't name right now. More of the same but in many different colors and textures. What if my daughter doesn't like this style? Aren't there any other choices? Erin doesn't like the style and if you ask me, they are too short anyway (even with leggings.) I think girls think that they can wear tiny shorts and skirts as long as they have leggings underneath. I better not get started on that one. Anyway....

I tried going to second hand stores thinking that maybe they would have some variety in their skirts. No luck there either. Most of the skirts I found at the two places I stopped were short jean skirts.

So, I typed in modest girls clothing in Google hoping to find some good LDS websites selling girls skirts. First thing that came up in my search was Amish and Mennonite, plain and simple clothing. I had to laugh. Do Amish even shop online? Then I thought, maybe an Amish dress would be kinda cute on Erin. Probably keep all those middle school boys away!!!

Book of Mormon Challenge

Back in July, the Relief Society challenged each sister to read the Book of Mormon in 100 days. That meant reading approximately 5 pages a day. Wow, I don't think I have ever read so much in one sitting or at least not consistently. Fortunately there was a schedule for the reading with a few catch-up days built in. Also, to my delight, they didn't include weekends. So each weekend either became my catch-up days or get ahead days.

I just finished the Book of Mormon today. How grateful I am for this opportunity. It couldn't have come at a better time because of the struggles our family was facing with having Mario deployed. I asked Erin if she would like to join me and she did. Then I decided to include all the kids. In the past we had done most of our family scripture reading out of the Children's Book of Mormon stories since we always have young children. And there were some nights since starting the challenge that I got too far ahead of the kids so I would catch them up to where I was by reading the children's version. But for the most part, we did our family reading out of the Book of Mormon.

Our family has been blessed for doing this. One blessing that I have noticed is Nathan and Zachary's reading has greatly improved. They love to read their verse or two when it is their turn. They follow along when others are reading as well. They seem to really like this time as a family.

Because we have so many verses to read, we usually read in the evening before bed. But Mario has started implementing reading a verse or two in the morning at breakfast. His scriptures are always based on having peace at home and many days we focus on the same scriptures. So the kids are memorizing them. We noticed that recently when we missed a day of this, our day didn't go as well as the others.

Lego Jackpot

Here are the Legos that we found at a bazaar today. Total price...$5. This picture isn't even half the Legos. These were just the ones at the bottom of the big box, that is pictured behind Mario. It was like Christmas.

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Uncle Charlie

I write this with permission from Charlie.

My brother Charlie, who is a brand new Army Lieutenant, just deployed for a one year to Afghanistan. I felt bad that he had to deploy so quickly after joining the Army. Mario was able to wait 12 years before a deployment. But Charlie had a good attitude and was anxious to get out there and get to work. He is a hard worker, quick learner, and go with the flow kind of guy. I don't recall him ever complaining about anything, ever.

So I was shocked and sad to find that his new commander in Afghanistan has been in Charlie's words "hazing" him. With fast Sunday approaching, I asked my mom and dad if they would like to join Mario and I in a fast for Charlie. I also asked Eric and Erin to fast with us for Uncle Charlie. I have found with Erin that we need to plan out our fasts and come up with a meaningful fast (to her) and then she willingly and happily joins in. She fasted almost monthly for Mario while he was deployed. Even Zachary fasted several months (one meal).

I was brought to tears when the next day (Monday) when I received this first email from my brother:

Appreciate the prayers and fasting. Yesterday, it seems the way the Commander (CDR) has been treating me has been noticed and brought to the attention of the Battalion CDR. The BN CDR talked to my CDR last night and told him he needs to be more of a mentor to me. The 1st Sergeant told me this morning. So things look like they are getting better. He actually showed me some stuff today, so let's hope this continues. I've have definately learned a ton since getting here so I know where and who to go for things.

This email was from Tuesday:

I worked a long day today, but that's because I worked out tonight with the CDR. Things were night and day difference today for the most part. I'm figuring out my place here, which has taken awhile.

What wonderful blessings from Heavenly Father...one that my brother was being treated so much better, but second that my children had their prayers answered so quickly. Hopefully this was a testimony building experience for them.

Zach on the Ripstick

Eric sold his Ripstick to Zach for $5 last Saturday. Then Erin taught him how to ride and he has been practicing in our garage ever since. Today he asked me to come watch him because he learned a new trick. He learned to dribble the basketball while riding. Then he and Erin started passing the ball too. I am amazed at his balance.

Zachary's Apologies

My family asked me to blog this so we never forget it.

When Zachary gets in trouble for hurting or offending a sibling, we often ask him to apologize. His apology sounds sincere when he says it but then when he hugs them, he stomps on their foot at the same time.

It sounds really mean and Eric and Erin should be even more upset with him. But it often leaves them laughing.

I see so many older siblings that are annoyed with the younger siblings, and I am so glad that Eric and Erin find so much humor in our crazy little boys.