Truman's Baptism

Here are some Pictures from Truman's Baptism Dec 19 2010 1:30 pm Eastern Time

Truman all dressed up before church.

Truman with his dad outside of the church.
Don gave a great talk on baptism.

This is Truman with his adopted Aunt Rebeca Serbin.

Truman with his new pal AJ.

Truman with Elder Jensen for Montana.

Truman, Elder Jensen and Taylor.
Elder Taylor is from Nebraska, and has traveled all over the world.  Elder Taylor family is living in India right now as he serves his mission in Tampa.  Truman has know Elder Jensen the longest. It was Elder Taylor idea to tell Truman the story of great archer (Nephi and Samual) in the Book of Mormon that lead to his baptism.

This is Truman best friends from church, the Hodges boys.
They are home schooled like Truman. 
They will have a play date soon!
Truman can't wait!

We were very lucky to have on of Truman's friends  Ethan (show here in a striped shirt)  play the piano for the baptism. He is only 9 and did a amazing job, filling in for Sister Bundtrock.
 This is Truman and Elder Jensen getting in the water for the Baptism.
Right before the Baptism.












After the Baptism.

Tampa Tree Lighting and Trumans Birthday!

Hi This is Truman, Today is my Birthday 2010 12/3/10 I am happy I went to Golden Corral.  I ate Ice Cream it was a twist it was good. This is a picture of me and my sister Meegan playing my favorite game beside chess, SCRABBLE!

This is us at the Tampa Tree light Celebration on 12/2/10.  We are getting ready to have some fun!!!

                  

This is Elvis Presley! He was singing music for us. Of course he was not the real Elvis but close enough, my mom had to get a picture. She was so funny!

This was the Christmas tree before the Tree Lighting. It was cool when the light came on, we all enjoyed the lights. Latter I will show you the picture of the tree with lights.
Next we went to one of many blow up game that Park and Recreation Department had for us to play on the main streets of  Tamps, by the Court House it was a lot of  fun. 

Then we all went Florida style sledding it was fun!  I went three times!!

Tree at nigh! After the Lighting Ceremony!

















Me after my last turn on the snowslide.

My sister Meegan after sledding.
















This is a Recycle Bot, it was so cool.  We had free cotton candy, popcorn, all beef hot dogs a free soda. It was great!  We go to this every year and it just gets better and better.  My sister Christina fell in love with a guitarist from one of the bands that played at the event. So she was not with us so much. Teenage sister are so funny, there was so much to do and see, and my sister just wanted to look at boys!!!

My latest adventures in life

This is my bunny Bob.  He was a rescue bunny. We got him from a thing at the flea market. He was not taken care off. So I got him! He had no fur and he was very ill and near death. I was able to get him back on track, so he wouldn't need to be put down.

  My Dad built this pantry, and a new laundry room for my mom.  I got to help him, and the missionary got to help him too. It was a lot of fun and we can put food in their. This is only one of several thing my dad need to do, he has got like a hundred things to do in our new house. 

This in my sister new bedroom.  So I finally got a room of my own!!!!

Withlacoochee State Forest

This is Truman!! I wanted to let you know how much fun I had with my dad on my first hunting trip. We didn't catch anything, but we found a great spot. There was a lot of deer and hog tracks. I am looking forward to catching something next time.  I was practicing in my backyard for weeks to get better at shooting my arrows. This is me at Withlacoochee  saturday.

Time FLYes

Boy it had been such along time, since we last posted.  Well summer when by so fast, and her we are in fall.  Meegan and Truman are both doing well in school.  Meegan may qualify for a special school for next year for children with disability's.  We are very happy about this and as much as we love virtual home school, Meegan she needs much more then the program will offer her.  Truman is doing great in his lesson and plan to continue in home school, we should be able to get him to jump a few grades this way he get bored so easily learning the same things over and over again.  Christina is going really well and is looking at IB programs for High School, she want to graduate at 16 and go to the community college and then on the the Air Force Academy.  She did great in basket ball this year, her team went to the championships. 

Don is doing well at work.  His hunting trips are the high lights of his week.  Laurie continues with Virtual Schooling the children, House work, and her own classes, as well as looking for employment. 

Truman is looking at showing his  Roster Gaylord at the state fair this year.  Christina may show her rabbit Bobby Flay.  Meegan is awaiting the return of her cat Gizmo, who has been staying at a friends house for the past few month do to illness. \

Christina turned 14 on Nov 14th, she had a three day birthday bash.  We didn't think we would survive. But it was a good time for all.  Next up Truman birthday Dec 3rd he will be 9, we want a camp out, or Robbin hood theme, he is really into archery and want to share it with all his friends.  Then in Jan Meegan will turn 10, she want to spend the day to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  So many thing to look forward too.

Truman wanted me to show  Lucky the Duck giving Truman loves.

Movement

Wow!!! Were has our month gone.

As it stands, SB 2262 did not pass both the House and the Senate and it so died on the last day of Session. Now we are left at the mercy of the Hillbillies School District and whatever school they contract with next year. The recommendation is K-12 the same school we used this years. However when I called the District office, Gloria would not confirm any set plans. Grumble!!

Moving on, on May 1st Laurie's and Don best friends Cathy and Hector tied the knot. It was a great Pagan and Atheist inspired wedding. A deep spirit of love and respect was carried all the way through the wedding. The groom even sang the bride a song with the band it was rock en. We had such a great time. We were honored to build May Poles for the even, they turned out so cute. Thanks Cathy and Hector Rodz..

May 8th Laurie, Truman and Meegan all took a day trip to MOSI. It was so much fun. Truman found a new place to play. We will visit again next month to see the DaVinci the Genius at dark exhibit with the family. The same day, Christina was at Natures classroom giving a lesson on the mechanics and engineering of sink holes. Don was selling his Art. We were really lucky all the events were with in one mile of each other.

May 15th Don, Meegan and Truman when to the feed store. Our chickens were in. Truman love to back and make molded eggs. Chicken would be a great teaching tool. However when they got home we had eight chickens, and 2 ducks. That was a lot more than we had order. The children had fallen in love with the ducks. Meegan and Truman has done a really great job taking care of their ducks. Meegan and Truman named the ducks Lucky, and Laurie. They hope to show their Peking Ducks at the State Fair next year. The eight chickens that Don brought home are doing very well. The feather started coming in last week. The chickens began to fly out of their cages. We have found them all over the house, in the last few days. Christina has named her two chickens Maria and Beatrix. Meegan and Laurie two chickens are Hawk and Owl. Don and Truman's four black chickens are named, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Maybe a Snack.
Christian and Meegan kitty live outside now. The birds were too much for the cats to handle and the two of them escaped late one night when we took Dixie out for a walk.

The house is still under reconstruction, the pantry is waiting for primer, paint and moldings. Don removed the deck on the back of the house, this last weekend. This week Don complete a new deck in the front yard for a gazebos under the Grandfather Oak tree.

Laurie, Meegan and Truman are all wrapping up for the school year. We will home school through out the summer. Cousin Jack will stay with us for the summer. Truman is very excited to share his room with a boy. Instead of his sister. So much has happened this month and I am sure I'm leaving things out, oh well. I hope you all love the pictures. Have a Great start to summer.

Thank you for keeping Scott Ennis in your hearts and prayer throughout the month. It has really made all the difference.

Our Big Win and More Fight to Come Senate Bill 2262,

This past Wednesday Florida parent favoring school choice options like Virtual Charter School visited the State Capitol in Tallahassee and scored a big win!!!!
The Senate Education Policy Committee approved overwhelmingly SB 2262 which authorizes Virtual Charter schools. This bill will give parents the power to choose a virtual school program that best serves their children's needs.
We went with two hundred other family that Public Virtual School and talked about why Senate Bill 2262 was so important to us. Right now we don't have a choice in the Public Virtual School our children attend or the curriculum. Our School District has changed the Virtual School and curriculum yearly. Which make it hard for Public Virtual School student to have any kind of consistency. It would be like you being told your son or daughter need to change school yearly and in the new school your child will have math or science taught in Spanish, or French and your child only know English. Also many school district change the rules of enrollment every year and turn down student that are eligible to be in the public virtual school. For most parent that public virtual school it is their last hope of helping their children education. Some school district only offer the curriculum till fifth grade, and middle and high school student are left with no or little choice to continue their virtual school. It is not fair and need to be changed. Please show your support, by contacting these representative, and sending the following letter out to them, it will only take five minutes of your time and it could change a lot for virtual school children and their family's. Thank you!!!!

If you don't live in Florida but want to show your support for School Choice options around the United States please join the National Coalition for Public School Options at http://publicschooloptions.org/home/.

Senator Stephen Wise
Wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5027

Senator Nancy Detert
Detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5081

Senator Rudy Garcia
Garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5106

Senator Garrett Richter
Richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5124

Senator Gary Siplin
Siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5190

Senator Larcenia Bullard
Bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov
850-487-5127

Please Email this Letter to the Above Senators:

Dear Senator ,
Wednesday was School Choice Day at the State Capitol. I urge you to support this legislation SB 2262 so these important reforms are adopted more Florida families will be able to realize the benefits of charter schools, virtual education and the opportunity to send their child to the school that best serves his or her learning needs.
Sincerely,

Your Full Name
Address
Phone

Projects, Projects and More Projects

Well this month Donald has done triple duties, work, handyman and wood worker.

Don runes and other art are starting to be noticed.

The shop that sell his rune work, order five time their normal order. Don was beaming with joy.

We received our tax return just in time for the septic tank to break and the roof to leak, yippy! Don spent days poring a new concrete lid for the Septic tank. Thank you for your help Curt. Now it works better then every before. Later that week Don got up on the roof and fixed a leak. It was a

good thing too, he found that parts of the roof need to be replaced. So that will have to be done before the heating and cooling are redone this year. Don work at New York Life has really taken off. He got a raise and a huge bonus this month. The VP is depending more and more on Don expertise. He is taking class right now for Medical Terminology. Today he is working on finishing up the pantry he started last week. The missionary are coming over for dinner and to help with the sheet rock. Don is making a smoked pork butt. My dad has sent him a dutch oven for Christmas that he will finally us today. He is so busy. Next month he plans on making his first cradle for a friend of our. Helen is expecting her first child, and came across Don father wed site with his cradle. She asked if that was his work, and he told her that's my dad. So Don want to surprise, Helen with a cradle at a baby shower.

Christina is doing very well. She has applied for the Stem program at her school for next year. Christina finished her portfolio for NJHS application process. We are waiting to here if she is one of the finalist. End of the term is coming on the 26Th, and her first school dance is on the 23rd of March. Christina is really excited. This weekend Christina is at a Birthday Party for her friend Tya. She is so excited for her first limo ride, DJ dance party, and sleepover. Christina continues to work with her foster cat Hollow, she has had a few set backs. We are hoping that she can find a new home. With everything else Christina has on her plate, Hollow kind of get lost in the day to day.

Meegan is progressing in her school. She sold many girl scout cookies, and had fun delivering all of them. Thank you all for ordering so many. With the money the girls will go to Mosi, Aquarium, and Cafe Kiln. Meegan's cat Gizmo lost her first tooth this week. Meegan was so worried about her poor baby.

Truman and his new puppy Dixie Rose are inseparable. He has taken over most of her training. With the help of mom and dad. Dixie learned to fetch in two days. Truman is very proud of himself. She has fit right in to our family very nicely.

Laurie lost 14 pounds this month. Can we say stress!!! She painted Meegan and Truman bedroom. Don put together all new furniture and beds for Meegan and Truman. It worked out really nice. Best part, both children have started to sleep in their own beds. Laurie and Don have started to take the puppy for walks in the evening. Hopefully having Dixie around will make it easier to get out of the house and walk. Laurie focused on the children educational needs. We have two month left, so it crunch time, all the hours we need to move up to the next grade are done. Now just getting the last lesson completed is going to be trick. Grandmas Book Club came in the mail today!! Both Meegan and Truman are excited. Grandma's are the best, couldn't have timed the delivery better ourselves.

Dogs, Doctors and Broken Coffee Cups

This month has been so full of blessings. Where do we start?


We had a chocolate lab, Truman called Buddy, find our house. He was well feed but flea infested. We cleaned him up and gave him a place to stay, thinking he was abandoned. To our delight while taking him for a walk on the third day of his visit a very kind Cuban grandmother came out and recognized him. We got the opportunity to meet the nicest family and return their puppy to them. Truman was told he could visit his Buddy, at anytime. We adopted our foster cats, despite all Christina’s work. Goldie Girl couldn’t find a home. Christina is so happy, she has renamed her Hallow, because she is the color of Halloween and say hello all the time for attention. Meegan’s kitten Gizzy is three pounds. The kitten will be taken to the vet this month to be fixed. While we await any new pet fosters, Truman is hoping of a new chocolate lab puppy.

Donald and Meegan had a birthday this month. Meegan turned 9 and Donald was lamenting that he will be 40 next year. We will have a big surprise party next year to usher the big 40.

Christina went to the temple for the first time, with her cousin Emily Hashy this last Saturday; both girls had a great time. Christina missed a month of school, due to the death of her great-grandfather Ray Willesen. She still managed to bring home two B’s and 5 A’s. Her Avid teacher Mrs. Forbes came to her and asked her to start tutoring other students. Christina has more Advanced Honors classes then any student at her school. Mrs. Forbes wants Christina to move up to the 8th grade in English and Geography to give her a challenge for the rest of this year. She is a little unhappy missing her chance to try out for the soccer team. We really need to find the community center and sign the children up for sports.

Meegan and Truman received their first K12 report card. The hard work has really paid off; both children are at grade level, and we are only half way through the school year. Both children are so excited and our Virtual teacher Mrs. Klayman is the best. Laurie is currently working to locate a virtual school program for summer vacation to keep the momentum on track.

Meegan and Laurie are still working on her doll house; so far they have the kitchen, bath and bedroom done. If we can just keep the cats from think the house is for them. We might get it completed. Meegan love’s to sew her own clothing and we plan on purchasing a sewing machine for her birthday. The Movie of the month was Julie and Julia. Truman is so fascinated with Julia Childs now that he watches her cooking show for his hour of television everyday and then wants to cook. So far we have made molded eggs, and a La Tarte Tatin. Our next attempted will be something called the spinach twins, creamy spinach turn over. Truman eggs are so great tasting the family eat then twice a week if not more. He wants Julia Child’s cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and Appetite For life by Noel Fitch to read in class. Laurie was so excited to find both in paperback for fewer than twenty dollars combined. Truman will be so surprised when the books are delivered.

In the beginning of February Don was having some problems with his memory and went in for an MRI. His doctor thinks Don just had a bad Tension headache. None of the pain relievers seemed to help. So I talked to my mom who is a nurse and she believes the headaches are directly related to Don Teeth. The dentist told Don it would take more than his insurance could pay to fix his teeth. So we are praying that something will change and we will have the money need to fix his teeth soon. He is excelling at work and loves his new career in claims. Don will get his second raise in six months and a bonus this next month. Don also stepped out and placed fifty set of his hand-crafted runes, for sale on eBay. He has had much success with this endeavor. Meegan even made him bags for the runes. Don workshop has really helped him with the stress of his new job. He is currently working on wooden boxes to hold runes.

Laurie has been so successful at, virtual school that she was asked to write a letter to the school board to help with funding the project. Thank goodness Don and Christina could edit her letter. Laurie has been working really hard to get into school for dentistry. She was setting a goal for graduation by 2016. However it may take longer than expected, the program is not available in our area. Laurie still needs to work on some class, for credit that didn't transfer over. In the mean time, she is working to find online class and some other career options. Don suggested she go to cooking school, because of how much she live to bake and cook new foods for the family and friends. This month Laurie began to read the Secret by Rhonda Bynne. She is really enjoying the process, of the book. Her month Doctor visit when great she lost three pounds. She is feeling and looks so much better. Doctor Jin is the best.

And last but not least we have managed to break every coffee cup in the house, which in and of itself are a great accomplishment. Know we need to go to IKEA and get some more cups, oh and a plate for the one we dropped last week. (Don says a shameless plug for IKEA.)

Quick Review of the Last Six Months

Don receives his promotion.
He is now a Advance Claims Agent and love his work for the first time.
(Since he left the Coast Guard.)
Our family become more financially stable for the first since we moved to Florida.

We use school choice, and Christina is enrolled at Young Middle Magnet for Science, Technology and Math. She begin to love learning again. Christina is so happy with her advanced classes.

Christina Young Woman's leader, get us involved with fostering cats.
It is a joy, our first cat is ready for adoption in two weeks. Don keeps one kitty we name her Gizmo or Gizzy for short, she is a long haired calico. Out next foster is a tortes shell cat named Goldie, she is older and need to be worked with a lot. Christina does an amazing with her in just the two week, Goldie is ready to find a home.

I and Don bring Meegan and Truman home, for school. Both children are struggling, and unhappy since we changed school district last year. After a summer of researching and trying out a few different home school curriculum. We enroll the children in Florida Virtual School. By the end of the first semester of school, every one is advancing.

Sending Positive Energy to the Universe

All right! Here we go! My goal with this Blogg is to show the joys in our family’s life. I will only share positive events and triumphs. Team work is the name of the game. Over the past few months there have been so many changes. I wanted to share with all our friend and family. I will just post once a month. Let see, ok the Third Sunday.