My Scoopy!

So, today I'm going to tell you a little bit about my boy, Isaac. When he was a tiny baby, his Dad nicknamed him Scoopy. (We don't know why. He doesn't even know. He just did). Well anyways, it stuck. And that's what his family calls him sometimes.
He has one of my very very favorite smiles EVER. His dimples just melt me. He has this mischievous spirit about him. Sometimes, it makes me want to pull my hair out, but sometimes I just adore it, and it makes me laugh.
He has such a soft spot in his heart for little ones, and puppies. He can hardly stand to NOT pick up his baby sister if she is anywhere near him. He just loves to hold and cuddle her. He loves to go up to our dog and just pet and nuzzle him. He's a tender hearted boy.
He has such a great sense of humor, and will catch me off guard so many times with his little quips, and jokes.
He is really enjoying soccer and spends many recesses playing soccer with his sister, and any other kids that want to join in.
The boy has a mind for Math, and is so quick with it.
You can almost see the cogs a turning when you give him a math problem, and he spits the answer right back out.
He's actually won highest GPA awards in it, and has been making the honor roll, since he was old enough to.
One of the things that really is a skill, but drives his parents crazy sometimes: his listening skills.
There are so many times, we'll be trying to talk to the kids, and he will obviously be distracted by something else at that moment. So we get annoyed and say "Isaac! Repeat what I just said." and wouldn't you know it! That little stinker will recite almost the entire comment we had just made, almost verbatim! It makes us smirk when he does too.
He has taken an interest in "creature creating" lately, and enjoys just doodling new ideas. The boy just really makes me smile, and I like him a whole lot.
He tries so hard to be a good boy (but you can sometimes see the inner struggle he has with it. He just REALLY wants to eat that candy bar on the counter sometimes, that mom told him not to. ha ha)
OH, and newest development, is that there are some girls that have crushes on him (word gets around). I knew it was only a matter of time with his wit, and those dimples (and brains to boot!) Breanna just gives a funny look and says "They have a crush on him? That's WEIRD!" ha ha. It's weird that he's growing up so much. (Almost 11 years now! WOW!)
Just thinking about him, makes me smile SOOOOO much. I'm so glad we have a Scoopy. What a great kid.

Adam

SO, let me tell you a little bit about my oldest. He's such a great kid.
It still blows my mind that I could have a 7th grader, but I do! AND he's going to be 13 soon. . . . that's right, . . . a TEENAGER! . . . To be honest, I don't worry about him, ONE BIT during the teenage years.
Every day, he takes an hour long bus ride to and from his middle school. The conditions on the bus are deplorable. Language is horrendous with the constant use of crude terms and even the "F bomb" is dropped numerous times. And these are only middle schoolers!
Yet, here's my sweet son, who takes his Mp3, and tunes out to the filth around him and tries to ignore it. At the end of last year, there was even an incident of one sixth grader being bullied by an 8th grader. The 6th grader "J" threatened the 8th grader "B" that he would go to the principal. "B" responded by saying that everyone on the bus would back him up and say that "J" was the one that actually started it. Then "B" looked around and said "you'll all back me up, right?" To which, MY Adam stood up and said "I won't! You totally started this, and I'm not going to lie about it."
"B" looked at him, then sat down. I was SOOO proud. Keep in mind, my Adam is one of the smallest kids in the school, and "B" is a large kid. Now, granted, it does help that I know "B's" mom, and he knows Adam and I (and it's been under good circumstances), but STILL, that took guts for Adam to do.
He has not seemed worried about being bothered or bullied. I LOVE that he's comfortable with who he is. He doesn't like to see kids get picked on, and tries to do his part.
He's been doing well in school, and has learned to play the trumpet. It is so fun for us to get to listen to him improving on it.
We are getting to the end of this soccer season, and a little sad that this will be his last season of being on the same team as the twins. Those three are SO fun to watch together.
Adam is a real leader on the field for the defense. He usually plays "sweeper" (for you soccer players out there :-) . He really commands this position! It's actually quite funny, because it's very noticeable when they pull him out of this position. Two weeks ago, we had an intense game. It was 1-0 late in the third quarter (our favor), and the coach pulled Adam out of the game to have a breather, and switched Isaac with an offensive player (Isaac is usually a guard for defense). Well within 2 minutes the other team scored TWICE> Adam's coach from last season was sitting by us, and was muttering "WHY would he pull Adam away from sweeper?!" After the 2nd goal, it was hilarious, when our coach, pointed to Adam, then out to "his position". He switched to sweeper, and there was an enormous cheer from our cheering side. It was hilarious! Adam stayed in as sweeper, and the other team was unable to score again.
It's definitely not all him, but they have an amazing defense when you combine their powers (MY three are referred to as the "Beck trio").
I love watching soccer.
I really love seeing Adam's personality come out more and more all the time too. He is so fun to talk to. Most mornings, it's just him and I, since he leaves for his bus, before the other kids have to wake up. We have great talks.
I am so happy that he has a great group of friends here. Our LDS group is really small, but they really seem to pull together and enjoy each others company. To me, that is a beautiful thing.
Basically, I am so proud of my oldest child. He's a great example to his five younger siblings, and most of the time seems to understand that. He is so sweet and wonderful with those little ones too. Keep in mind, he still acts like a turd sometimes, and is still very much a kid. . . but I really like him. The end.

Section 29

This week in my Doctrine and Covenants class, I was given the opportunity to do a more thorough study of Section 29 (In D&C). There are so many wonderful tidbits to be found in there.
Next, I had to answer a few questions, which I have attached below:

What are two important truths you learn from your study of section 29 concerning each of the following doctrines (six in all): the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement?

The Creation:

1- TRUTH: By the power of the Spirit, the Lord created ALL things, both spiritual AND temporal. (D&C 29:31)

Importance of knowing: All that we see is created by God. No matter what man may say, they themselves are here because God created even them.

2 - TRUTH: The Lord’s work (creations), have no end. (D&C 29:33)

Importance of knowing: God’s creations did not end right after he created Adam and Eve. They continue on today, and will forever more.

The Fall:

3- TRUTH: By transgressing the commandments (Adam partaking of the fruit), he became subject to the will of the devil, because he yielded unto temptation. (D&C 29:40)

Importance of knowing: When we allow ourselves to succumb to temptation, we are more vulnerable to Satan’s plans and persuasions. We should not allow ourselves to EVER fall into his snares.

4- TRUTH: The fall caused Adam to experience “spiritual death”, which is the “first death”( This is the same death that will be pronounced upon the wicked) (D&C 29:41)

Importance of knowing: Though it may seem to some like a small infraction (the mistake that Adam made), it too would have separated Adam from God’s presence forever, had he not repented.

The Atonement:

5- TRUTH: They (the seed of Adam) should not die (as in, spiritual death), if they repent (and angels will be sent forth to declare repentance and redemption) (D&C 29:42)

Importance of knowing: Even though we error and make mistakes, we can return to God’s presence if we rely on the atonement and repent

6- TRUTH: “Little children are redeemed from the foundation of the world through mine Only Begotten” (D&C 29:46

Importance of knowing: There is no need to baptize babies, since they cannot sin (D&C 29:47). Children should not be held to the same accountability as adults.

**What questions does this section invite you to ask concerning God’s plan of redemption?

I believe this section leads one to ask HOW do we repent? How do we make sure our repentance process is acceptable to the Lord?

I am constantly amazed at all that God created for us, and of his infinite love for each of his children. It is almost unfathomable to realize the depths of his love. What a great blessing to have the atonement available to each and every one of us. Some days, I truly feel blessed.

--I really am grateful for opportunities like these, that help me to learn and grow.

My kids & hubby

I love this picture! (and can you see the bird diving down in the background? cool huh). This was taken on the beach in Spain, right in front of our apt. rental. What an amazing trip that was! (Details to come soon :-) )

Another picture of my little munchkin.
Books are seriously one of her favorite things. She loves reading them and throwing them on the floor. Either way, it's exciting, and she loves books! :-)

You so need to see how she's grown!

Just look at my baby girl! She's so grown up! and SO fun! She's 13 months now, and so full of life and happiness. She is still the happiest baby on earth and laughs ALL the time! She loves our dog (oh yeah, we got a dog. I'm not as thrilled, but the rest of the family seem to enjoy him:-)
Angela also LOVES music, and will get annoyed if others try to interrupt her music time (on the real piano, or her play piano or drum). She loves shoes, and smiling, and crawling EVERYWHERE (but has no desire to walk. ha ha). She especially loves to empty out bags or buckets of their belongings. (this is NOT my favorite game to play.)
IT's just her and me at home during the day, since all the other kids are in school, and we have a lovely time together. OH, I love this baby girl!

A Soldier comes home. . .

It is AMAZING what happens in a year!
Many good things have happened.

In May, PAUL CAME HOME! (Let's blame my lack of posting on the blog to spending time with him and the kids instead ;-)

I've had many times in my life that were filled with utmost joy and happiness that I thought I would burst. . . This is right at the top of that list. I can't quite say it was the happiest day of my life, but Pretty sure it is tied for that position (along with my wedding day and the births of all six of my children).
I was so nervous the day of and the day before he got home. I had butterflies, and could hardly eat. Funny enough, as I think about it, I get teary eyed. . . It is truly a magical amazing moment. To be separated from the love of your life, your best friend, your helpmeet, your spouse for a YEAR, is crazy! To reunite, is indescribable. I just couldn't stop smiling.
There's a song "I could not ask for more" that kept reeling through my head, because I found the lyrics SO appropriate to my feelings in that moment when I finally held him in my arms again. "These are the moments, I thank God that I'm alive. These are the moments I'll remember ALL my life. I've found ALL I've WAITED for, and I could not ask for more. I could not ask for more than this time together, I could not ask for more than this time with you. Every PRAYER has BEEN ANSWERED, every wish I had's come true. . . "
I just saw a picture today, and it put me right back in that moment. It seriously brings me tears of joy.
I can't help but think of our Father in Heaven and the reunions that are constantly taking place above us. Going through a deployment separation REALLY helped me see the heavenly perspective that is there. When we talk about the joyous reunions that must be taking place when someone we love passes on, I can visualize even MORE what that must be like! and WOW! Reunions full of LOVE are amazing.
I can't believe it's already been five months since he came home! WoW! It's flown by. I am hoping and praying it continues to go that fast for my dear friends who are experiencing deployments right now. I look forward to the tears I will shed on their behalf when they are reunited again. Oh what joy! I love my life!