Parent Teacher Conferences

Mario and I attended conferences with 7 teachers today. I am exhausted now. Two of the teachers told me they wanted to clone my kids. Erin's science teacher went on and on about how great Erin was and asked her for a hug as we were leaving. She didn't really give him one. But him asking creeped me out and as soon as we left the classroom, I gave her a lecture to never be alone with the man. I am sure he is fine, but I don't want her taking any chances. Nathan's teacher also commented that she would love to clone Nathan because of his positive attitude about learning. In fact, that was a common theme that I heard about each of my kids today...They all like to learn. That was nice to hear. Zach's teacher noted that the only improvement he needs to make is to stop calling out the answer. He needs to raise his hand. That sounded just like Zach. He's the baby of the family and always looking for attention.

Both Nathan and Zach were asked to join the Enrichment Club after school on Wednesdays. There were only 6 or 8 other 2nd graders and the purpose is to challenge the kids that are not being challenged during the school day. Their first day was yesterday and they loved it. I love it because it means I have an extra hour to myself each Wednesday.

Erin joined the drama club and will be in a play sometime in November I think. She has a small speaking part. She was disappointed not to get a main part, but this is her first play, so she should be happy to just get a part. She plans to play basketball in the winter. Eric decided not to wrestle after all so I am encouraging him to get involved in a club or another sport. But he stays busy with all his classes, seminary, scouts, piano and mutual activities. But I know he will need to be involved in clubs and sports to be competitive for college scholarships. So I'll keep encouraging him.

Jamaica and Dominican Republic TDY

Mario had been gone over a week now. He spent the first few days in Jamaica. He assures me it was nothing special, especially the part he visited. Then he was able to spend a couple days in Miami and see his Aunt Maritza and his brother, Alex. Alex is as tall as Mario and just off his mission. That is amazing. He hesitated about going on a mission at first especially after his sister decided to get married and not go. I am so glad he got past that and he was able to serve. Alex must have been about 4 when I met Mario. He is a very smart guy and Mario said he looks like he is doing very well. I'm glad Mario got a chance to see him especially since it has been several years since they have seen each other.

After Miami, Mario traveled to DR. He seems to like the trips there because there is a temple about 15 minutes away. His driver took him there and then when he went back to get Mario, I guess the guys TDY with Mario decided to ride along. They must have gotten impatient waiting for Mario because a temple worker came looking for him. Mario was told a "Brother Lopez" was waiting outside. I thought that was kind of funny and so Mario had to rush out.

I am excited that he will be home tomorrow night. We have all missed him. We look forward to our family vacation to Florida at the end of the month. Our boys will finally get to go to Disney. They think they are the last kids on earth to finally get a chance to go. So it's about time we take them. I am feeling like they have really been deprived. :)

Beans

My mom sent me a blog that showed how to replace butter and oil with beans when baking cookies and brownies. I tried it twice with chocolate chip cookies this week. The kids devoured them. My kids are accustomed to my "weird, healthy" cookies though. But they were still shocked when I told them the cookies were made with beans. Fortunately they continued to stuff their faces. They were made with northern beans, wheat flour, flax seed, oatmeal, and of course the 2 cups of sugar. But sugar was the only unhealthy thing in them. So I let them eat as many as they wanted. By bed time, there was only 2 small bar cookies left.
I couldn't tell the difference between these and the flax seeds cookies I usually make with 1/2 cup of butter. The kids and I even liked the cookie dough. They had no idea they were eating a can of beans the whole time. Erin did ask me if I did something different with this recipe. When I asked her why, she commented that the cookies were really good.

I love it!





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Fasting for Hope

After scriptures last night, our family discussed ideas for our fast. Erin suggested we fast for her friend, Hope. Hope lives down the street and has been to our home several times. She was diagnosed with Leukemia last year. She has gone through treatments and was finally well enough to go back to school. Last week, Hope told Erin that she wasn't supposed to be in school that day because her white blood cell count was low again. Now she is back in the hospital and has restarted treatment. She has already lost all her hair (again). Nurses are coming to visit the class next week to explain what is happening.

My heart breaks for Hope and her family. Why are some people given such difficult challenges? I know that my challenges pale in comparison to Hopes, so I won't even try to compare. But I do know that I drew much closer to my Heavenly Father and to my family while going through the deployment last year. I had never prayed so much or read my scriptures so diligently as I did during that 6 months Mario was gone. It wasn't just the fact he was gone, it was the location and fear that he may not return. I don't think Mario being gone made me feel closer to my kids, I think it was all the praying and scripture study. I look back with gratitude for that challenge. It has made me a much stronger person.

I look back to the first Gulf War and then September 11. Our country became so united and people started turning towards God. It was amazing to see people of all faiths go back to church and pray. It is sad that it took tragedies and war to get some to that point. But nonetheless, they got there. So I think Heavenly Father uses these trials to help us remember Him. Last night in scripture reading, we read about Laman and Lemuel complaining that they didn't understand a vision. But when Nephi asks them if they prayed to understand, they said no. We got into a discussion about how sometimes people think they don't need God. They think they have life figured out on their own.

I like this quote:
"Life would be easier without trials, but we wouldn’t learn or grow much. Trials can humble us, help us grow spiritually, and remind us that we need the Lord’s help. Trials can help us learn to appreciate times of peace. Most important, they give us opportunities to show the Lord and ourselves that we will be faithful. How well you endure trials is up to you. Those who grow from their trials stay close to the Lord and ask themselves, “What can I learn from this?” Those who feel sorry for themselves in their trials ask, “Why me?”

I am grateful to have this opportunity to fast for Hope. At the very least, I hope it will bring her family a little peace during this difficult time.

Swat Team and Camping

Mario calls me this morning and tells me how great the camping was despite the thunderstorm all night. So the big kids and I planned to join him tonight. About 3:30 this afternoon he calls me to tell me not to come. He is coming home early. Mario explained that a family just showed up using lots of profanity and the parents were threatening the kids with a gun. Two ladies saw the guns and immediately left to call the police. I thought Mario would be home right away. Two hours later, I started getting really worried. My mind started wondering. I was imagining that he and/or the boys were shot. Or I imagined that Mario (who had brought his own handgun with him) must have had to shoot the parents while trying to protect the kids. Crazy, I know. I was expecting the cops to show up at my door at anytime. I just couldn't imagine why Mario wasn't home by now. I decided to go look for them. Fortunately I didn't get far before he finally called me. He had no cell phone reception from the campsite. He explained he packed up and as he was getting ready to leave, four police cars/SUVs showed up with their weapons drawn. They wouldn't let Mario leave until they questioned him. They arrested 2 men in front of my little boys. Apparently it was quite an exciting afternoon for them. I later found out that the guns were bb guns, so not as dangerous as what people thought initially. Mario doesn't know what happened after the police questioned him. He got out of there. I was really glad to hear his voice when he finally got cell phone reception.

They had a great time camping, hiking, playing Monopoly Deal, and getting fudge at the top of Mount Lemmon.

Jamaica and Dominican Republic

I am "stuck" in the 100+ degree desert, while Mario gets to spend next week in Jamaica, Miami, and Dominican Republic.  I am so jealous!

Camping

Mario has the day off tomorrow so he asked Erin if she wanted to go camping since she's always asking to go. But she didn't want to miss her Algebra test or drama club. Where are her priorities? So Mario took the twins. They didn't mind missing their spelling and math tests.

Freedom for me! Yeah!! The big kids and I may join them tomorrow night depending on how hot it is up on the mountain. It's been over a 100 degrees in the valley all week. Nebraska is starting to sound good. That's pretty sad.

We still don't know if that's where the Lord (and the military) wants to send us yet. We may not find out until October or November. But Colonel Sanchez is sure we will be going to Nebraska. It may have to do with no one else being "crazy" enough to put it #1 on their list.


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