Fun at phoenix children museum

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To the Women who read my blog

"Sisters, I testify that when you stand in front of your heavenly parents in those royal courts on
high and look into Her eyes and behold Her countenance, any question you ever had about the
role of women in the kingdom will evaporate into the rich celestial air, because at that moment
you will see standing directly in front of you, your divine nature and destiny."
 
Elder Pace, BYU talk

3 weeks gone

Well, Somehow weeks have passed since our last post, and not much really has happened.  What we have been doing is finding our ancestors, E'lans to be exact.  These are pictures of his great grandparents.  Eduard Sunderman is from Poland and immigrated to Mexico, and Aurelia Castillo has records in Mexico, not sure if she was a transplant too.  We were able to go to Kearny AZ, and see the other great grandparents mining town.  These, are all E'lan's mothers grandparents.  I think you can see E'lan in the man, he has the same arched nose.  It has been quite a journey learning about all that was done to come here, to America.  His ancestors all brought here...  We were able to do the work for them in the temple, and it was a special day for all of us!  Jesus Christ truly is the light of our life and God is great and makes all things possible and right when all is said and done.  So, Thank you to our ancestors for paying the price, forging the way, and sacrificing. 

Life afterschool....

This is the kids trying to cool off in the afternoon - It was hilarious becuase we have two (one large and one small kiddie pools) and they chose to dump their toys and get into this thing....it was hilarious.  They just ripped off their clothes (ofcourse undies are still on) and got wet....I was too sick to care plus they are only little once, then they chased each other around the yard giggling hysterically and then they jumped on the trampoline soaking wet.  It was a good way to end a very hot intolerable afternoon here in the desert. 

Next, we went on a field trip to the SeaLife Aquarium - a one time deal only!  Joshua was convinced that this shark lovced him, probably because I told him so.  He kept circling around his hand for about 15 minutes.  It was fascinating for Joshua.  He decided that he wants to swim with the animals when he grows up.  I let him watch Bindi The jungle girl, the daughter of the crocodile hunter, and he loves loves loves the nature shows.  I can def. see him becoming a marine biologist .... ofcourse only after he is a missionary - according to Josh.

Joshua with his dogs, Lexi and Toby. 

Making snickerdoodles for a "snack" or prego mommy's way to blow and hour and a half....and eat something yummy and surprise the hubby with his fav cookie after work.  The kids loved it.  Joshua would eat the dough as he "rolled" them in the sugar, and Naomi would just lick the sugarbowl.  It was fun.  we had a good time, The kids are becoming best friends fast.  We have a lot of fun together.  Tonight, they are sleeping in the same room as is par for the course and E'lan is at the temple.  I sit and thank God for the peace in my life and the beauty of my little family.  I was up very early this morning and read for a while, WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!   That is all I can say. 

Wings and things

Naomi made her first pair of wings.  It was really cute.  She wears them with her tinkerbell outfit nearly everyday now.  While Joshua is gone at school, we play and do girly things and not so girly things.  She is so much fun to be around.  She cried and cried the first couple of days Joshua left the house...then she caught on that she gets time alone with mommy to do fun stuff, and now when he leaves, she says "mommy, what we gonna do today, hmm?"  So, it will be nice to have a little time with her before the baby comes. 

Joshua's First Day of School

Joshua missed the bus the first day of school, so we got to take him...it was pretty funny.  He was awake at 5:00am saying, mom wake up, I am going to be late for school!  He was so excited.  He loves his teacher and class.  He rides the bus to and from school, and that makes him feel cool...it has been such an easy transition for him ... and me.  Kindergarden is going to be a great year for him.  He is already memorizing a poem and learning his phonograms.  I love this school!

Expecting and passing

I have been looking at the blog - and the years that have passed, and I realized that I am not writing enough.  So today, you get a journal entry.  Perhaps because it is all I feel like doing...since I don't feel like doing very much lately, due to the fact that  I cannot get well...Yes, I am expecting, and no it is not the reason for my illness suprisingly.  We are due to have another baby March 9th 2010.  Seeing as how the other two came early, we are hoping end of Feb, or beginning of March.  I am only 7-8 weeks along, but we are excited about it.  A month ago, we gave all the baby stuff away, and I mean everything!  Ha ha, too bad I will have to go shopping!  I am not sure what this baby is and that is weird for me, since sex and name are usually picked at this stage in the game for me in the past.  So, I don't know if we will "find out" on this one....I have been reading a couple of books lately, of a spiritual nature.  One is called "Queit heart" by Patricia Holland, and the other "Men and Women of Christ" by Maxwell.  I have had a lot of time in bed this week, so I have had the chance to read just for the sake of reading, imagine that!  I am deeply impressed with the need to simplify and dedicate myself to God.  Along with reading Les Mis, it has been kind of nice amongst the bodily pain, I have had time to think about my life, social injunstice, things that really matter. 
     Among all these thoughts,  I was also able to pass with flying colors my anatomy and physiology class, the last precursor to Nursing School.  I am very excited to be on my way down this road.  I am sure that this is a work that the Lord has called me to do (medical training), and that E'lan and I will be able to serve missions in other countries and help many people there, both spiritually and physically.  I hope to become a Nurse Practiioner over the years....before we retire...here a little, there a little.  Having children is such a marvel.  I adore both of my kids - Anyway, just some of my thoughts.  I guess you might be looking for pictures or more, but not today. 
     E'lan is trying to get on board with the blog thing and add some of his personal thoughts and insights - particularly regarding things of a political nature....I am eagerly anticipating that involvement.   He is a gift to me and my children, and I thank God for him daily.

One year older and wiser too, Happy Birthday to you!

aaah, guess it's time for another baby!

Joshua turned 5!

Joshua's Aunt Ruth made him a bucket of dirt, and it was hilarious, because he thought it was real - full of rocks, worms, mud and such.  Many of you might not know that Joshua has been trying to fly a kite in El Paso for a couple of years now, and on the morning of his birthday he was able to fly a kite for the first time.  IT was awesome!

We proceeded to give him gifts after gifts, have the whole family over of course and play games.  Juliette set up some great stuff for him.  Upon going outside to get ready to play, Joshua was blasted with TONS of silly string!  Then, we played pin the tail on the donkey, all adults included....then an all out WAR of the Waters...it began with a simple squirt from Joshua to his Aunt Ruby, then Uncle Eli decides to get the hose out...Joshua was on his team ofcourse.  Everyone got soaked.  And by everyone I mean everyone all mothers, grandmothers, pregnant women, and so forth!  It was fun.  Joshua ended the night with his fav thing to do, bowling.  Oh, and his cake was a fam effort....I thought it turned out pretty cute.  I cannot believe he is five and starting school.  Each year, his birthday gets bigger and crazier.  The house was all decked out when he woke up...he had presents all day long and was wasted at 11pm when he hit the sack.  You would think the little stinker would sleep in, but NO!  Happy Birthday Joshua.  It is so great to have such a fun family that dotes on my kids.  oh, and here is a little pic of Naomi with Grandpop and Nana just for fun.  I am going to put a slide show up later with more pics for the Sundermann and Vallender clans to laugh at!