It has come to an End

Well, soccer is over. Emma and Cooper had their last game on Saturday. For those of you who followed the last story, the miraculous winning streak came to an end. They both lost their last games, but, they had Grandma and Grandpa Ross there watching and taking pictures, (they both love the camera) so they didn't care. It was a fun season, Emma had fun making new friends and Cooper gained lots of confidence. Here are some pics from their last games.

Prayer and Soccer

We have officially become soccer parents. Both Emma and Cooper are playing in a little AYSO city league. They are loving it. Well, Cooper is. After the first practice Emma gets into the car and asks if she has to do soccer forever. But, after finding out that the boy she likes is on her team, she hasn't asked about doing anything else again. Not sure if thats funny or if we should be worried.

Going into their first games, they both were really talking it up. Saying things like, "Our teams are going to win" and "I'm going to score a goal". Well, they both were humbled in their first games. They both lost badly. The car ride home was pretty funny. They couldn't believe that they lost, trying to figure out how when they knew they were so good. So, the next week rolls around and we were saying family prayers the night before their games and it was Emma's turn to say the prayer. In her prayer she asks Heavenly Father to bless them both to win their games. Rod and I give each other the we need to explain that Heavenly Father probably doesn't care about who wins the soccer game eye during the prayer. (yes, we did open our eyes) So, after she finishes, we start talking about how we should pray for things that are really needed and Heavenly Father probably doesn't care who wins. . . etc. . . .. The next day comes and Emma's team was first to play. Keep in mind that her team stunk the week before. They amazingly pull off a victory in the last moments. The score was 3-2. We then go over to Cooper's game and watch his team pull off a 12-2 victory. On the way home the prayer came up in the conversation, and as parents we were humbled. Emma explains to us that maybe Heavenly Father does care who wins the soccer game and He answered her prayer. Well, since then Rod and I have been humbled even more. Emma continues to pray every Friday night for victory the next day and since then, both her and Cooper haven't lost a game. So, the lesson to be learned - kids have a direct line to Heavenly Father, and He does care about soccer games. Rod is debating asking Emma to pray for the Phoenix Suns this season. If they win the championship, you'll all know why. =)

I've been Tagged, so here it goes. . . . . . .

Ok, so I was "tagged" to do this. But, I must admit, I had no clue what being "tagged" really meant and I had to ask the person who did it, to explain it to me. It was a little embarrassing! (thanks Alli!)


Four Places I've Lived:
1. In Mesa, AZ
2. In Sedan, KS ( Go BLUE DEVILS) =)
3. In England. Still the most beautiful place to me.
4. In Holbrook.

Four Favorite Books: (This one is hard for me - I love to read)
1. Anything Jane Austen (Can I have the author and all her book count as one?) I guess its my blog, so I can do what I want.
2. The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
3. John Adams - I've learned so much about our nation's history from that book!
4. Oh the Places You'll Go - Dr. Seuess

Four Favorite Movies:
1. Pride and Prejudice (All Versions - I think there are about 50)
2. North and South (BBC)
3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding. (The story of Rod and I)
4. Italian Job (Action, and the music)

Four Embarrassing Facts About Me:
1. Tripping on my way down from the pulpit after doing a musical number. (Oh, what grace I lack!)
2. Making one of my companions be a page turner for me as I played the violin. The thing was, at the time the page needed to be turned, it was a rest period for me playing. So, we looked pretty stupid up there with her standing by me with basically nothing to do! (maybe you had to be there but, every time I think of it, I have to laugh outloud!)
3. Walking down the isles at stores, and having Cooper blurt out all the things he notices about the other people in the store. Not very nice things. He doesn't understand being quiet. I feel lucky to have made it out of the store with my life.
4. There are soooo many others, I usually try to block them out of my memory so I don't make myself feel terrible about them.

Four Dreams of Mine:
1. Finish a degree in something!
2. Run without feeling old.
3. Serving a mission with Rod.
4. Being on a postage stamp.

Four Pet Peeves:
1. When I have an odd number of emails. ( I know, its silly, but it drives me crazy)
2. Biscuits smashed to a thousand little pieces and strategically thrown around the kitchen by my kids when I'm not looking of course!
3. Touching FEET!!! ( It grosses me out!!!)
4. When teenagers walk in the middle of the road because they're cool while you're driving right at them!

Four things that make me Really Happy:
1. Watching my kids sleep - they're beautiful.
2. A clean house
3. Going on dates with my hunky husband
4. Having "real" talks with friends and family

Dogs

Well, Rod and I have both told each other that we wouldn't have a dog in the house. Today, we have a dog in the house. He is asleep now so we're both fine with him right now. I wasn't so fine when he had a little accident a little while ago. But, we thought that maybe we should just put Preston in big boy pants at the same time- we'd have two messes (one human and one canine) to clean up but we'd be done with potty training the rest of our lives!!! The thought brings a smile to my face. Not having to buy diapers anymore brings a smile to my face. Then I think of the few weeks till completion and wonder if it'll be worth it. Maybe Preston wouldn't mind diapers till he is 15 and maybe the dog really will be happier outside. If we do go ahead with the plan, I give fair warning to anyone considering coming over to our home . . . . . . it won't be pretty!

Branson Jack Call

I just returned from the funeral of little Branson Jack Call. I just wanted to post Robert and Natalie's website they created to his memory.

www.bransonjackcall.com

Okay, so Birthday week has passed. We are all a year older. (Except Rod) We have all eaten lots of whole wheat chocolate cake (Jespersen family recipe) and homemade ice cream. We had 2 parties and opened lots of presents. Of course we have the fairness police in our home, so everyone was on alert to see if someone got more presents than anyone else. Preston is still at that wonderful age where he just doesn't care about how many and what he got, just happy to get anything. He tends to be pretty easy going about most things- food being the exception.
I will be going up to Richfield, UT this next week. My nephew and his wife lost their baby the day before it was to be delivered. They live in Kentucky but are coming back to Utah to bury their baby. Rod and I had a really hard time with this one. I think it brought back all the too close times of almost loosing our babies. We struggled with the "why". We listened to a talk by Elder Maxwell that really helped us put it into perspective. As we listened, I was overwhelmed by the spirit. I had a wonderful feeling that the Lord is in charge and he knows what he is doing- He will give us the comfort we need to get through our trials if we allow Him to. Its the whole faith thing. We need to trust that the plan He has for us is better than the one we have for ourselves. I have forgotten that lately. I've been trying to work out my own plan and trying to avoid the one He has for me. (I'm not a big fan of trials!) As I listened, I was overcome with the feelings that I need to trust in the one He has for me because the one I have for myself is lonely! I love the gospel and most of all I love my Savior!

I've forgotten how exciting it is to have a birthday when you are a kid. Our kid's birthday week is fast approaching and every morning we have to go through the calendar thing - getting it out and counting how far away their birthdays are. Not just in the morning do we go through the routine. Everyone seems to forget that we talked about it at breakfast so, at every lull in the day, the conversation revives again and we have to get the calendar out again because nobody will believe that mom has already told them when their birthday was earlier in the day. Then, after we've gone through counting the days, we have to go through the lists they have of things they want for their birthdays. I'm always amazed at how the list changes according to the mood. Anyway. . .. . mom and kids are excited for the birthday week!

Most of you haven't been to our house yet. Rod decided to take a picture of the moon off of our back deck. As you can see, we don't exactly have a back yard yet. That will be the project of the summer! We are going to build a fence and plant some grass and bushes. We hopefully won't find too many rattlesnakes in the process!

The Ross gang paid a visit to one of our favorite places. The Natural Bridge. Rod had meetings in Payson on a Saturday so I decided to be brave and take the kids on the hike by myself. It isn't too bad of a hike until you have to carry a 40lb two year old up and down because he refuses to walk. We had a great time anyway.

This is Rod and I at Arlington Cemetery. Rod had work meetings in Washington D.C. and Steph got to play all around the city while he was working. What amazing history! It sure wasn't Arizona!

We decided to go to one of our favorite places before we moved to the White Mountains. The kids love walking around the Mesa Temple. They sat down long enough to pose for this picture. It captures all their personalities well.