How do you spell......

James is learning to read. He is really making a lot of progress and is starting to sound out words. However, the English language is really messed up. First of all, James is now just getting the "r" sound down. Any word that has an "r" in it he really enunciates. For example, grrrreen....rrrrrrred....etc...(Andrew has also started to do this. It's helped him learn his "r" sound, plus it's pretty cute!). Before James learned the "r" sound, he pronounced it with the the typical "w" sound. For example, gween, wed. So, he has dropped the "w" sound to some words that are supposed to have a "w" in them. Yesterday he was telling Andrew he was going the wrong way. He pronounced it, wrong ray. So I had to remind him of the "w" sound, and that "way" is spelled with a "w." Then he asked me how to spell "wrong way." I thought about this for a minute and thought, oh no, they both start with a "w". I then proceeded to tell him (very badly I might add) about silent letters. Sheesh, who ever thought that up was messed up! James is always asking me how to spell words, and more and more I am realizing how much of it is memorization, because just when you think you have a letter sound down, it changes. He asked me how to spell "one." I asked him, "do you mean the number 1, or like, I won a race." He meant the number. So I told him, O-N-E. He replied, "shouldn't it start with a "w"? I said, "well, if you are talking about if you won a race, then yes, it starts with a "w," but the number 1 starts with a "o." Why????? Who knows????? I think I am doing more harm in trying to "teach" him to read. I think I am doing it wrong. And yes, that is WRRRRong, with a "w!"

UEA weekend in St. George and James' Birthday

Another St. George trip! We had a great time. The weather was beautiful, the company was wonderful, a lizard was caught, and the kids were good (mostly!!).

James also turned 6 years old! I'm so proud of him. He is a great kid. He loves school and is getting better at reading every day. He is an amazing big brother and his brothers and Mark and I just love him to pieces! Happy Birthday, James!

Steve and Wendy's Wedding

I love America

It is a brutal election year, our country is facing an economic crisis, and it seems as though many of us are forgetting what an amazing country we live in. Times are tough, but there is still so much that is right with our country. Much of the bad has been thrown at all of us, and I don't know about anyone else, but I'm sick of it. (Mostly sick of the presidential candidates bickering and telling each other how the other one is a liar. Oh, who to believe?!?!) I came across this great quote by Pres. Harold B. Lee and I knew I wanted it on my blog. Thank you Robert, from BabyCenter!!!!

“We are living in a time of great crisis. The country is torn with scandal and with criticism, with faultfinding and condemnation. It is an easy thing to climb on the bandwagon and join the hotheads in condemnation, little realizing that when they do, they are not just tearing down a man, they are tearing down a nation, and they are striking at the underpinnings of one of the greatest of all nations of the world – a nation that was founded upon an inspired declaration we call the Constitution of the United States. The lord said it was written by men whom he raised up for that very purpose, and that Constitution stands today as a model to all nations to pattern their lives.”
“While it is true there are dangers and difficulties that lie ahead of us, we must not assume that we are going to lie down and watch the country go to ruin. We should not be heard to predict ills and calamities for the nation. You must remember, brethren, that this Church is one of the most powerful agencies for the progress of the world, and we should all bear our testimonies [so] that we … all sound with one voice. We must tell the world how we feel about this land and this nation and bear our testimonies about the great mission and destiny that it has.
“It is the negative, pessimistic comments about the nation that do as much harm as anything to the country today. Brethren, we must tell them in a positive way what they should be doing. We should not be so concerned about finding out what is wrong with America, but we should be finding what is right about America and should be speaking optimistically and enthusiastically about America.” –Harold B Lee, Ricks College 1973

I have the right to vote!
I can go to the grocery store where there is plenty of food and then some!
I can walk or drive down my street and I don't have to worry about being shot at or harmed in any way.
America is beautiful!
I have the right to practice my religion.
I have the opportunity to get an education.
There are many men and women who are fighting for us so we can maintain these freedoms.
The "American Dream" is still alive!!!
What do you love about America?