Summer schedule

School is out and summer schedules have officially begun. Devyn got straight A's the last quarter, Courtney got 4 A's and 2 B's. I am so very proud of their academic achievements this year.

Alyssa graduated from Hanford West High School and Tori graduated from 8th grade. Watch out high school, here comes Tori! Derek will be junior this year, Courtney and Zach will be going into 8th grade, and Devyn will in 7th grade. Where does the time go? Seems like yesterday I was taking my girls to pre-school . . . . Those were the days.

Courtney and Devyn are on the way to Texas with their dad. They will be gone for 1 month. Tim's kids are with their mom for the next few weeks and then they will come to Kerman for some time with us. But for these few moments . . . it's just the two of us! I love all my kids, but the break is nice. I'm going to enjoy this time alone with my husband.

~Judy

My girls are AWESOME!

My girls are so wonderful. I am truly blessed. They don't back talk or disrespect authority, I never have to tell them repeatedly to do something, and when I say, "NO", they don't forever question me. Devyn is an early morning person and she is the one to wake up her sister. It's great! I don't have to do anything in the mornings to get my girls off to school (except drive them). They never argue or complain about having to do their homework, they just do it! I always tell my girls, "hard work pays off". The great thing is that they are really listening. They study hard and work extremely hard on all their studies. Most kids try to find ways to do less homework, but not my girls. Courtney and Devyn always look for more ways to earn extra credit and even ask their teachers for more work than what is required. All their efforts have really paid off. Devyn is in 6th grade and Courtney is in 7th grade and both maintain a GPA of 4.0. This school year Courtney has made "student of the month" and was told today that she has made the "Principal Honor Role". I am so proud of my girls and want them to know how awesome I think they are! I love you girls!

Love,
Mom

Why God Made Moms (answers given by 2nd graders)

I love talking to children their hearts are so pure and tender . . . and most often, really entertaining.

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause what's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

I love my family

My girls are growing up too fast. I took my girls to dinner (Yoshino's for sushi) Wednesday night. Courtney and Devyn are very close sisters and to watch their little minds at work is wonderful. Sitting at the table listening to them converse . . . OMW, they can talk and talk and talk! They're are so smart, funny, and just full of life. They make me laugh at the little things. It seems like yesterday I could hold them in my arms and now they are talking about boys, college, politics, and what they want out of life. In a few short years they will be heading off to college. I digress!

Speaking of college, CONGRATULATIONS to my beautiful niece Loretta! Loretta was accepted into Pharmacy school in Stockton CA. Stockton pharmacy school is HIGHLY competitive and very hard to get in. Loretta, I knew you could do it and I am so proud of you!

To my sister, WOW! You did an amazing job with your kids. Did you ever imagine that all 3 of your girls would be college graduates. Sis, I am so proud of you! Being a parent is the hardest job on earth and you mastered it. I love you and miss you.

To my baby brother! Come back already! Arizona is closer than Georgia, but it is still too far from home. I miss you all so very much. Looking forward to Caden's first birthday party. I hope you come out to Kerman in February.

And to the rest of my family, I love you all!

The Night God Came Looking For Me. . .

Have you ever had one of those nights where you went to church only out of obligation? You know, the service where you show up so the pastor sees you, but really not in the mood to pray or play (I play the piano / organ for church)? This was my night! Not feeling well to say the least, but decided to go to church with my family, but had no intentions of getting involved. We were almost 45 minutes late, But Ok, I'm here. All I could think about was how much I wanted to be at home in bed asleep. Then we walked into Church and it was a powerful service going on and I, still being stubborn, was just going to sit in the back and let it all go by. At this time I looked down front and there stood both of my girls in a circle praying with several other girls. Courtney and Devyn got a wonderful blessing tonight. It was a packed house and the power of God was moving across the building so strongly that no matter how much the flesh did not want to participate, the spirit was stronger. At this point I'm arguing with myself! My flesh wanted to sit and be left alone and my heart was craving the sweet presence of almighty God to sweep over me. It was a blessing that I have needed for such a long time. I JUST NEED TO TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT! I finally came to the conclusion that there was no way to stop the inevitable. The tears came so freely and my heart had been touched by the hand of God. Suddenly the air became easy to inhale and exhale . . . Breathing such sweet air. I was comforted by the comforter; I was at peace; I was now in a much better place. . .in the hands of God. As the song says, "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sins upon that cross." When God died for a sinner like me. It hit me that no matter how awful I feel, God suffered more pain on the cross. Realizing it, I was not going to hold anything back and instead give God my all. This night God came looking for me and I opened the door to his loving arms.

This was suppose to be a normal Sunday night service and ended up being one of the best church services I have been to. When the hairs on the back of your neck and arms stand up on end and you get the chills . . . . . God will be looking for you. Trust his heart. God is to wise to be mistaken.

To all my friends and family that do not go to church, you are missing out on one of the GREATEST FEELINGS in the world. The world can't give it to you and the world can't take it away. You can't drink it, smoke it, or dance to feel it, nor can you buy it at a store. I promise you one thing, there are no problems too big that God cannot fix. God can do anything.

Back to NORMAL

It has been a crazy 3 weeks. I love the holidays, but I'm glad it's January! Did anyone else feel Ba humbug this year?? Having 6 kids is not cheap when it comes to gift giving. They all want gadgets, computers, phones, and the list just keeps going.

Kids start back to school this coming week . . . YEAH!! They did very well last quarter. Courtney got all A's (GPA 4.0) and Devyn got 4 A's and 1 B. This is the first time that Courtney out performed Devyn academically. Devyn was not happy.

All the kids are doing great.

TTFN

The MomSense Song . . .for all you moms out there!