Jack Elliott Marshall

Happy Birthday Elliott!

Today my 'baby' boy turned three, and it has been a fantastic day!  McKenzie said it best when she said, "this is great we don't have school and we can just stay home and do stuff!" 

My  day started early...I have never missed a black friday and this year was no exception.  Aaron stayed home and spent the morning eating Fruit Loops--Elliott's favorite cereal (for this year any way), playing games and watching movies. 

When I got home, we made lunch, played more and had a great afternoon.  For dinner, Elliott helped Aaron make Pizza while I decorated his cake.  Our Friday tradition is pizza and a movie, and Elliott LOVES pizza so this day was no different. 

Cake and Ice Cream, followed by presents, and finishing our movie.  What a wonderful end to an amazing day. 

I can't believe that Elliott is already three-years-old.  Every day has brought smiles and laughter as we have watched him grow.  His humor helps lighten the mood, and he helps teach us all what this life is really all about. 

Happy Birthday Elliott!  I can't wait for another wonderful year. 

Halloween 2012

This year was VERY different in that it was the first year that we have had a sick child on Halloween.  Because of this, Elliott spent most of the day and night in bed and missed Trick-or-Treating.  Aaron took the girls, and I stayed home while Elliott slept. 

Alexis was a pirate, McKenzie-Little Bo Peep.  His sisters were great at sharing their candy as soon as he was feeling better, and luckly he will still have many more Halloweens. 

Elliott was going to be a dragon, a few days later I dressed him up and took his picture, because I couldn't pass up a picture of Elliott the Dragon :). 

Sgt. Marshall

On September 16, 2012 Aaron recieved another title to add to his ever growing list...He was promoted in the Idaho National Guard 25th Army Band to a Sergeant.

 

Chief Durfee, Spc. Marshall, First Sgt. Cleavenger

Notice the step back :).  

 The entire family was invited to his promotion ceremony and because it was in Boise, my mom, my sister, and my brother were also able to attend.

I had the wonderful honor of pinning on his new rank, the instructions I was given were to make the old rank fly and to make sure the new rank stuck (which I guess 'required' a little help) so I obliged and in the process hit my sleeping Elliott with the old rank (it defiently flew!), and knocked Aaron off balance with his new rank (I know he was expecting it, but I guess he just wasn't ready).

The General that was present for his promotion and his unit Chief both had some comments about Aaron and Military service.  The general focused more about military service, but Chief was more personal and it was good to hear how much Aaron is appreciated and loved in his unit.


We are so proud of Aaron, his musical talents, and his leadership ability.  He is a blessing in both of his occupations and in our home. 

 

We love you Sergeant!

 

Happy Birthday Alexis!

Alexis came home last week and informed me that she wanted to be a COWGIRL when she grew up, which wasn't necessarily new, but after weeks of worry about what to get her for her birthday, it finally clicked and this has become her new favorite accessory.

September 3, 2005--The day my life changed FOREVER and changes I would NEVER trade. 

I will never forget the amazing three night stay in the Moscow B&B (aka-Gritman Medical Center), and leaving with THE cutest and most perfect little baby girl in the world.  Fast forward SEVEN unforgettable YEARS and we have September 3, 2012.  That's right, my oldest daughter turned seven yesterday and we did our best to make it unforgettable. 

It started early (she went to bed the night before telling us that she was going to be the first one up, and she was--at 6:30AM on a holiday!)  and ended with enough time for a good night's rest on a school night. 

 

First things first, we celebrated by going BOWLING (because the roller skating rink was closed for cleaning) Followed by a traditional Wingers lunch. Alexis opted to go out for dessert this year instead of having cake and ice cream at home, so we left Wingers, forgoing the asphalt pie, and headed to the Pocatello Cold Stone Creamery. Alexis decided that the ONLY way to celebrate is by getting to choose your own gourmet ice cream flavor and having toppings of your choice mixed in by hand in front of you. Opening presents came as soon as we got home...Hold on to your hats, 'cause this was a moment to remember...SHE LOVED IT!  and insists on wearing her new had as much as possible. 


 Alexis is AMAZING!  She is a strong leader, she is kind to others, and always knows just what to say.  She is always there to lend a helping hand with whatever we might need, and strives to anticipate where she can help others before being asked.  She is an amazing pianist and works hard at developing this talent.  She loves being outside more than anything else and has recently started making up her own gymnastic tricks which she performs on our swing set (her 'bars') and trampoline (her 'floor'), not to mention her wonderful circus acts.  She loves her bike and would ride it all the time if we would only let her...Our lives would never be the same with out her.  She lights up the day with her smile and humor.  She enlightens our minds with all that she is learning.  She amazes us every single day, and we am so happy to have her in our life. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXIS!

Back To School!

WOW, what an amazingly quick summer!  I can't believe that it is gone and school is back in session.  Aaron finished his schooling, completed all of his 'homework' and...PASSED!  He now has his Masters Degree and we are all so very proud of him.  He is already VERY busy with football season, marching band, and a new percussion class. 

Alexis is in the first grade this year and for the first time goes to school all four days. All summer long she was counting down the days when school would start again.  She loves being in school "just like Daddy".  She LOVES reading and learning EVERYTHING she can.  I can't believe that she is already in the first grade!  There are two first grade classes and NO ONE that she 'hung' out with last year were in her class...NO ONE from Arimo was in her class either.  As a mom, I was so worried for her, but on Back to School Night, she explained so maturely that this way she could make new friend.  I can't believe how blessed we are with this amazing spirit that adjusts to anything at the drop of a hat, takes new situations and soars through not willing to let anything get her down or hold her back. 





McKenzie started preschool today, she too was very excited and could hardly wait.  Every time we drove by her school last month she would yell, "There's my school!" Today was her first day, and I had no idea what to expect, so I prepared for the worst.  I planned on taking her and staying as long as she wanted me to.  I got her signed in and all of her supplies sorted.  She had her picture taken and was just settling into a puzzle when Elliott had to go potty, so I said I was going to take him, but I would be right back, she still asked if I was going to come back, so I asked if she wanted me to, and she said, "No, I'm fine, you can go."  VERY different from my shy-in-new-situations girl, but I was overjoyed with this reaction.  She was so happy to be there that any fear that she might have had were blown away from her excitement.






Elliott is about 97% potty trained...night times aren't our problem area, its PLAYTIME!  Sometimes he still gets so caught up in the moment that it is hard for him to gage his physical abilities and make it on time, BUT 97% is enough to say that we are a DIAPER FREE family! And he LOVES his big boy underwear and lately, he even insists on his daddy taking him in the stores to the boy potty.  In church on Sunday he REFUSED to go potty for me in the Women's restroom because "it was a girl potty".  I'm not sure about this new phase, but ready or not, here it comes!  Today was our first day alone together, and I'm not sure he knows what to think about it yet.  I am planning on making this time his nap time so there won't be alot of time to miss his favorite playmate when she is at school. 




I was asked earlier this year to teach a mini-class (if I can call it that) on quilting.  The only people that signed up for the class were five young women in my ward, so as soon as Aaron got back from Ashland, I jumped on the opportunity to get the classes going before summer was through.  We started with a course on fabric content, compilation, and care.  With a section on cutting with a rotary wheel and safety.  They move quickly and three short weeks later, we have blocks pieced ready to start lessons in hand quilting this week.  It has been fun being able to do this and have the focus be for young girls.  It takes me back being in Moscow Jr. High doing observation hours, plus the many courses on curriculum development and general FCS coursework. 


So we are off and running!  In our house this season naturally brings about new beginnings and we have already set wonderful goals for our family for this year...I can't wait to see the new directions we are heading...it's going to be great!

Jared

My nephew, Jared White, passed away on June 13, 2012. There truly is another angel to join the choirs of heaven.

Unfortuently at this time of mourning and memories also comes the stress of trying to pay for an unplanned funeral. I cannot begin to describe the feelings in my heart as I try to imagine "what if it had been me". I know that right now, I would not have the finances or the plans made to take care of my child's funeral, and I know I am not the only one.

My family has created a blog about Jared, some of you might have seen it on facebook. In this blog we tell of Jared. His medical history, his loves, and our loss. We have also set up a non-profit paypal account and are asking for donations to help cover the $7,000 bill for the mortuary and cemetary, and this is just the bare necessisities: embalming, casket, plot, opening and closing of the grave, and other mortuary costs.

Jared's family, like myself and so many others, did not have life insurance to help cover these costs. Everything will be out of pocket, and unfortuently in this case, that pocket is not that deep. Here is where we need not only the prayers, but also the financial help of you, our family and friends. Every little bit helps , $10.00 here and there combine to make a lot more than you might imagine.

We have reached out through facebook, blogs, and phone calls to family and friends of EVERYONE we can think of. Our hope is that they can and will help through a donation, reguardless how small, and will pass on the link that others that we do not know will also be able to help just a little.

This may sound like desperation, and you are probaby right, but this 14-year-old boy deserves a proper burial, not just a body bag and cement box, and with that comes a bill that cannot be paid without crying out for help from others.

Jared's story and a link for donations can be found at: http://helpforjared.blogspot.com/

This Old House

This past week/weekend Aaron and I spent a lot of time in our basement...and the results are AMAZING! With the help of our home teacher, my two brothers and their families (close and extended) we were able to take this:




And turn it into this!





We are leaps and bound ahead of where we were, but miles away from the finish line. It is weekends like this that I relish in the fact that SOMEDAY this project will be done and my basement dreams will become reality. We couldn't have done it without help, and we are both learning so much about construction-framing, electricity, HVAC, concrete, and more.

Our children were wonderful this weekend, they played with cousins and we didn't have any outbursts from the lack of parental interaction--It is moments like this when I know we are truly blessed in our efforts to finish our basement and increase our living space--which translates to separating our children so they don't jump on each other at night :)

Next up:
1-Intense clean up of the work area (I am a firm believer that if you clean up as you go, it makes it easier the next time around)
2-Leveling of the old floor drain so we can frame the other half of the basement
---All before spring break starts on Friday...wish us luck!

Happy March!

February has come and gone, and WOW what an adventure.

We started out our February (2nd-5th) in St. George where Aaron was a recruiter for the American Band College. It was a wonderful time for us to spend with family while Aaron worked. I loved seeing my children interact with grandparents, and my children LOVED this time as well. Alexis and McKenzie also had the chance to have a sleepover with their cousin M—a night with NO sleep and LOTS of play made for wonderful memories.

We went from St. George directly to Boise so Aaron could fulfill his duties in the ANG band. They had rehearsal most of the morning, followed by a performance the night of February 6th. It was a short trip to Boise, but in the process we picked up lumber for our basement framing project, and drove all night to get Aaron back for school Tuesday morning.

February 16-18th Aaron was back in Boise with his HS Pep band at Girls Basketball State. Games were Thursday, Friday and the championship game on Saturday—Congrats to The Marsh Valley Girls BB Team for winning State and an UNDEFEATED season!—Aaron got home late Saturday night, just in time to start another week.

February 23-25th Aaron was back on the road, only this time with his Jazz Band. They traveled to Moscow to participate in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. This was a great experience for Aaron’s students to see different jazz performers from across the nation, not to mention a great chance to see the beautiful University of Idaho campus. Many had never been, and it is an experience they will never forget.

And that was our February!

When Aaron is gone I do my best to keep down the fort. With lots of prayers and a little bit of luck, I keep the kids on schedule, and then stay up all night, either unable or unwilling to go to sleep on time without Aaron :). I have been able to complete some projects on my “to-do” list including a clock for Aaron’s parents, and re-organizing my house hold file box. Mostly I just try to keep my head above water, keep on top of daily chores, and somewhere in between find time to play with and teach my wonderful angels.

Alexis had her first Piano recital the end of January. She also started taking Tap Dance in January as well. She LOVES both and I am amazed everyday at both the natural talent and how hard she works to accomplish the tasks required with mastering these arts.

McKenzie entered primary in January and LOVES going to the big room. She is a HUGE helper around the house, she is quick to volunteer and slow to complain. She is a wonderful big sister to Elliott and loves to help him, which doesn't always turn out the best. She is mastering the fine motor skills associated with writing her letters, and enjoys dancing in the living room to whatever music is playing.

Elliott is getting to be such a big boy. He is my little singer. He LOVES to sing and makes up his own songs at night when we are getting ready for bed. He is also focusing on his independence and loves to do everything by himself and is quick to say ME!, MINE!, and NO! to anyone who even thinks about trying to help. His vocabulary is also growing leaps and bounds and there is very little that he says that I don’t understand. He likes to explore and loves to climb. Animals and their noises are at the top of his list of favorite activities. He is 100% boy, as long as his sisters aren’t doing their hair :).

March has already proved to be MUCH more relaxing as far as traveling is concerned. We are turning our focus back to our basement. Aaron has enlisted the help from wonderful friends in the neighborhood who have already taught him so many new skills related to construction work. Expect great news as the year progresses.

--Looking forward, no time to look back--

Happy New Year!

This year Aaron and I have set goals that focus around BECOMING better both individually and better together. To copy a phrase I heard last Sunday, we are trying to get rid of our REVOLUTIONS--goals that are so "good" they keep coming around year after year. :)

It seems to be that it takes little to no effort to break a good habit, and FOREVER to build it again. Here in lies the reason for resolutions: to make good/better habits. So how do you make/keep a good habit? Are they really that easy to break? Or is it only easy if you aren't 100% committed?

For example: As a child I used to bite my fingernails, being young, it didn't seem like I had any control over the action, it was just something I did and something that was a part of who I was. My Grandma Larson was always getting after me to stop and "let them grow". It took YEARS to break the habit. Looking back I don't remember the process or the exact day/moment when I finally committed to stop biting my nails, all I know is that I don't bite my nails anymore and it is something I would never dream of doing. My biting temptation no longer exists.

So, I pose a question for you to ponder, and I would appreciate any comments or opinions: Is a good habit really that easy to break? Or is it only easy if we aren't committed? And HOW do we commit ourselves, 100%?

It is not only my opinion but my conviction that our commitment level determines our success and the real challenge is overcoming being satisfied with who you are in order to allow yourself to BECOME something better.

As I begin my new year this is my new focus. Not on the goal, but on the commitment level, and overcoming mediocrity. It is easy to make a list of ways to BE better, but unless there is a desire and commitment to BECOME better, it is just a list on the refrigerator that will most likely be thrown away during spring cleaning.