Becoming a CASA

I took my third step towards becoming a CASA today. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. I took the first step last November when I called the Johnson County CASA office and requested an application to become a volunteer. The second step happened a couple of weeks ago when I interviewed with the director of CASA. And tonight I went to my first training class. I loved it and felt an overwhelming confirmation that I am doing the right thing even though life is busy and how could I possibly fit another thing into the schedule?

I first heard about the CASA program from a sister in my ward. She was the Relief Society president before I was called. She told me a little about what a CASA does and I knew then that I wanted to volunteer. That was about three or four years ago. There is a time and a season for everything.

If you are curious...go to www.nationalcasa.org to learn more. I copied this quote from the website:

Thoughts from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Anna Quindlen "You go into a courtroom and you will see lawyers who know the law and have dozens of kids' files, or you have social workers who know the regulations and have dozens of kids' files. But if a CASA volunteer is in the room, you will see they have just one file, and what they know is that one child. And that can make all the difference to a judge's decision regarding how the rest of that child's life is going to go."

I'm excited for this new journey to begin. I'm looking forward to meeting families and helping children. I am tired of crying when I hear and read stories of children who have been abused, neglected, killed...I want to do something.

Stay tuned...

Guess Who?

"Bill"



"Betty Jo"



"Shaner"

Yes, we have crazy fun kids and I wouldn't trade them for the world. The one not participating in this fun activity was probably off texting a certain someone. These guys decided to do this after our unique family home evening...photos below of "The Rocket"...I'm surprised no one came away with a broken bone!

Happy Birthday Sophi!

Sophi turned 15 on December 31st!

Her best friends helped her celebrate!

Katie Baker, Macey Mann, Aaran Bober, Sydney Sebastian & Morgan Grey!

Sophi requested that her room be painted for her birthday. She and I went to Lowe's on her b-day and chose the colors. Chloe helped with the design.

Rance and the girls took care of the base coat and my steady hand was called in for the dots.

It was fun!

The finished product...complete with our favorite vampire!

This is one of my favorite pics of Sophi...first grade "Apple Day".

My little doll!
I just want to rub my cheek against her cheek when I look at this! I've thoroughly loved having Sophi in our family. She is definitely her own person. Sophi knows what she wants and likes and there will be no persuading her otherwise! She is so helpful to us around the house. She is an organizer extraordinaire. And she is completely hilarious when she gets in "that mood". We love her and couldn't live without her!

Merry Christmas!

What a great Christmas 2008! Friends, family, good food...here are few of the highlights...

Stockings!

We were lucky to have LaMonte with us for Christmas!

The BIG SURPRISE...a Wii & Guitar Hero!

Sophi ROCKS!

Don't be fooled...Rey Mysterio wasn't with us on Christmas morning...(thanks Brandon & LaRae...you remain the "favorite Aunt & Uncle")

The best Christmas present ever...nothing to do but take a nap on the couch!

We are babysitting "Fred" for one of Rance & Jake's home teaching families
over the Christmas break.
Liv has taken full advantage of having a playmate!

We were blessed to be able to spend the afternoon at Mom & Don's.


Pa Jerry is always good for a laugh or two!

It's always fun when Wayne is around!

Granny Opal & Pa Jerry are popular! They got the kids Dance Dance Revolution! We spent the evening in competition! I've decided that is how I am going to get in shape for 2009!! That is how I like to exercise!


To LaDawn From Mom!
Mom was so pleased with this gift...she exclaimed, "It's digital!" It is huge! I can feed a crowd with this guy!

Chloe watches Granny open her gift.

I love Granny Opal! How blessed we are to have her! My Great-Granny Wilbur (Granny Opal's mom) passed away before I was in kindergarten...I barely remember her. My children will have fond memories of their great-granny!

Christmas Eve Eve...

Christmas Eve Eve was very eventful...

My Granny Opal is here from Tennessee so I got to go shopping with her. She pooped out on me after Wal-Mart though!! I got lots of last-minute shopping done and rushed home to make dinner for our Elders. It was Scott's night to cook, so he helped with the chopping of the steak & peppers for Fajitas. It was a priviledge to have the elders in our home. They taught the kids how to teach about the Restoration and then they practiced on me and Rance. They did a great job. I'm thankful for the Gospel in our family's life. And I'm thankful for the good example Elders Davenport & Savage are for our sons.

Rance loaded up the Elders and the twins for a ride in the ice. We had to convince the elders that they needed a ride home because they were having so much fun slipping around on the ice on their walk over to our house. Sophi and I worked on making more Christmas treats...chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz Bitz while Rance drove the twins to Franklin for a movie at the Baldridges. Since it was icy, Rance didn't want Chloe driving. He said the roads were excellent until they got into the Baldridges neighborhood...where they promptly slid off the road and down a 30 foot drainage ditch. Chloe bonked her head on the window and banged up her shoulder. Scott learned why it is important to have a seatbelt on...he didn't and slammed his head into the roof of the car. Luckily, no other injuries. I happened to call Rance's cell phone right as they landed. I realized I didn't have baking soda to make peanut brittle so I wanted him to pick some up on his way home. He answered by asking for a ride home, which I obliged. Now we're dealing with getting a car towed out of a ditch on Christmas Eve!! This is one that we'll not soon forget!

Scott & Chloe are Seventeen!

So, our first-born children continue to get older...which means we are getting older!! Scott and Chloe turned 17 on Saturday. I love them so much. It's hard to believe our time with them is so short here at home. They talk about college & missions a lot. They are such good people. They make good choices and I am excited for their future. But for now...I'll visit the past...

Time flies...weren't we just celebrating their first birthday at Joe & Melinda's in Provo, Utah?

They have a little more hair by their 2nd birthday in American Fork, UT.

They even smile the same! We've moved to Greenwood by this time!

I can't help but smile when I look at this one.


And just last year...the Sweet 16 Party! I thought they looked old in this photo but now compared to this year's they look so young!


This year, we had a party that included Chloe's best friend Taylor. Her birthday was last week. We had 10 teens over Saturday night. It was really fun...at least for them!

The rest of us had to spend the evening in our bedroom watching movies!

Lots of chocolate was served...chocolate cake, M&M's, a chocolate fountain with

all sorts of yummy things to dip and then hot chocolate for trips inside

between "Sardines" out on the golf course.

We had a fire going...toasty!!

Chloe with Ali.

Scott with pals from church.

Sophi & Jake were my spies!! I sent them out to check on everyone while they were playing Sardines. Sophi made Jake look taller so the teenagers wouldn't get suspicious!

Life's a Beach!

I had a chance to go to Jacksonville, Florida for the last fews days to visit my sister LaRae and her family! LaRae has been going through some health issues so I went down to help with my two cute nephews, Wilson & Tucker!

We did some shopping and also had time to go to the beach one evening.

It was 80 degrees that day!

I love my little sister!

Tucker will be two on Saturday and Wilson is four!