Tucson Zoo

The boys have been begging to go to the zoo. This will be our last time in Tucson. I will miss the snack bar because hotdogs and chips only cost a dollar each. It's conveniently located right at the end. So when I get tired of walking, I remind the boys of the lunch awaiting them. That always gets them moving faster.


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Ford Ranger

Mario is mourning the loss of his beloved Ranger. He had to sell it yesterday. I have been begging him to sell it for years because it is so small, but he loved his truck and wouldn't dream of parting with it. The plan was for it to eventually become Eric's truck.

But, with upcoming move in a couple weeks to Omaha, Mario thought about trading it in for a 4x4 SUV. But he just couldn't do it. It would need some maintenance before the long road trip. But after taking it to the shop and finding that it would cost more to fix then it was worth, he felt he had no choice but to say goodbye. He sold it to the twin's basketball coach who plans to auction it off. It was a difficult day for Mario and he isn't sure how he's going to live without a truck now. Eric may be getting his first truck within a few months of moving to Omaha. Then Mario will always have one that he can borrow. I think that will be a good solution. Eric will just have to wait a few months before he gets his learner's permit to drive it.

Newspaper From the Past

We just happened to be visiting a toy store in O'Fallon when the newspaper was doing an article on the small business. They asked if Nate and Zach could be in the newspaper.

Dear Tooth Fairy

I was going through all my files (can you tell it is time to move again?) and I came across this adorable note from Erin to the Tooth Fairy from 2006. She was almost 7. Unfortunately it was written in pencil so it is hard to read. It says, "Dear tooth fairy I am sorry I Lost the tooth I know that I have lost three But they are so little Erin"

Standing Alone

The yearly theme in Sharing Time is Choosing the Right. I am in charge this month and so I have been teaching the primary kids that sometimes choosing the right means standing alone. A few weeks ago, Zach chose the right and told his friend that he couldn't play a teen video game. Today, Eric chose the right and decided to not watch the R rated movie that his World History teacher showed the class. Being 14, I told Eric that it was up to him to make the decision. He chose to not watch even though it was only him and one other LDS girl in his class that had to leave the room. Eric personally witnessed several kids in his first hour class forging their parents' signatures.

As a mom, I know my kids make lots of wrong choices. We all do. But today, I am proud that Eric wasn't afraid to stand up for his standards. I would have been mortified if I were put into that position at 14. In fact, I am not sure I would have made the right decision. It makes me angry that our society puts so much pressure on our kids and especially teenagers. I am so glad I don't have to relive those years personally, but in a way, I feel like I am reliving them through my children. My heart aches for them that they are required to stand alone sometimes.

This day was important for our family because when the other 3 children are put into this same position, they will have a big brother's example to look up to. I am grateful for his example.

Eagle and Facebook

Eric had his Eagle board of review on Wednesday. He asked me and Mario to accompany him to the interview. Of course we weren't allowed to go in during the review, but that didn't help my anxiety over the whole thing. I was a nervous wreck for him. Fortunately, Walmart was only a mile away and so I left and went to get a few things while Eric sweated through his interview. Mario called me to tell me that he could see Eric through the glass window and he assured me that Eric was smiling and laughing and looked completely comfortable. After about 45 minutes, they let Eric leave and then called us back in a few minutes later to tell us that he was now officially an Eagle Scout. Whew! What a relief, it is over.

I have always been opposed to having Facebook in our home. I didn't want to get hooked on it and I certainly didn't want my children using it. But about a month ago, I came to the conclusion that I can't shelter Eric forever (as much as I would like to). So Mario and I talked and decided to allow Eric to get his own Facebook page when he passed his Eagle board. So Eric immediately came home after the review and started his page. Mario sat with him making sure the privacy settings looked right. Then we watched him start "friending." First guy that friends him back is in his Spanish class. Mario and I watched over Eric's shoulder as Eric scrolled through his Facebook wall. It was covered in 4 letter words and immoral stuff. I immediately felt a pit forming in my stomach and felt like we are making a BIG mistake in letting Facebook into our home. As far as I'm concerned, it is pure evil for teenagers (and for some adults). I went up to bed and Mario spent a long time talking to Eric about the dangers of this new hobby.

Of course we have strict rules set up for using it, including we have to be home and around for him to use it. We ALWAYS have access to his password and he better be careful who he friends and what he says on there. We won't hesitate to take it away. A couple days later, I am not sure how I am feeling about it. I really want Eric to be able to make some decisions. I can't send him off to college in 3 years being completely sheltered. But Mario and I feel that home is a sanctuary from all the peer pressure he feels at school everyday. Now allowing this in our home, we feel that we may be taking from his sanctuary. It is not easy being parents to teenagers. I am grateful that Mario and I are on the same page with everything and that we have a strong foundation in the gospel.

Lt Colonel

Today, Mario was told that the General gave him a DP (definitely promote) to Lt Colonel. I had no doubts that Mario would make LtC because of his two Master Degrees and deployment. He has checked all the boxes. But he still worried because recently the military stopped allowing passed up Majors to retire at 20 years. So if he didn't make rank, he would have to separate. After 14 years, and this close to retirement, that would be horrible. I think the boards meet next month but the results don't come out until June. So if Mario would have only gotten a P (promote), we would have had to wait until June to know if he would be promoted. So I am thankful that Mario can put all the stress about promotion behind him and now he can just stress about the upcoming move and new job. Does the stress ever end?

I think it is time for some Ugly Cake, except it isn't so ugly because I finally replaced my pan that was no longer nonstick. I am so proud of Mario. He has always put the family before his career and Heavenly Father has always blessed him for it. I think it's safe to start planning our vacation to Hawaii now. Hooray!!