Savannah's B-day and Party

Savannah turned 10 on Sunday (Dec. 14th). She has a pj party on Friday night with three of her friends. They watched part of a movie while eating pizza, decorated cookies, and played balloon games. She was happy with the way it turned out. To see pictures click on over to our cyber photo book.

She is too Cute!

This will be used as her official "I am 1" picture. The picture was taken by Joe's sister Teddie at Karena and Steve's Wedding Reception. This picture is just too cute not to share.

She is walking, trying to talk, and in to everything. Like all kids, she can be so cute and sweet or tantrum city. If Joe or I are getting after one of the other kids she will put in her two cents as well. Many times I am not sure who she is tell off. If only we could understand what she was saying.

Family Holiday Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

Since I seem to be struggling with getting things done and Savannah was willing to help, I put her in charge of writing a letter to include in our Christmas cards. The following is her letter as she typed it. I did not change/fix anything.

This year has gone by very fast it seems like every year just goes the same boring way and everyone is growing so fast. It seems like one day someone’s one age and the next day there another age then happens another and then another happens. What I’m trying to say is the year has gone so fast. I feel like I haven’t done anything with anyone very special this year except spending Christmas with you all my friends and family.

It feels so good to celebrate Christmas with you all. What is the true meaning of Christmas? It is spending time with the ones that you love so very dearly and celebrating the wonderful birth of our savior Jesus Christ our big brother and our example. I know that everyone will have a good Christmas and love one another. And be careful with the words they say and the actions they do and the way they care for one another in the home.

The recap on what the family wants for Christmas: first up is Kiley can’t tell you what she wants yet. Next up: Savannah I want a MAGIC BULLET. Next up: Joe wants a Nintendo DS. Next up is: Rebecca she wants a littlest pet shop VIP to go online with. Next up is: Dad He wants a new Ipod. Next up is: Mom she wants a new blender and food saver and all the other stuff that goes with food storage. So there’s what the family wants for Christmas.

The real recap on what’s up with the McKnight’s: Savannah’s birthdays next Sunday and she is really excited because she’s having a birthday party on Friday. Kiley is starting to walk and say words and my mom is trying to teach Kiley to use the bathroom toilet when she says Poo-Poo. (I have done this only once!) Joe he thinks he is 6 1/2 but his birthday is not till next February 24, 2009. Rebecca has lots of school work and she tries. Mom she is still working cleaning and shopping. Dad is at work most of the day and he only gets about 5minutes to say hello and then he has to say goodnight only after 6 minutes of being home. It’s good and all for one and one for all for the family and friends.

We wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. You can catch up with us all year long on our Family Blog at http://emilymcknight.blogspot.com. You can see pictures of us in our Cyber Photo Book at http://mightymcknights.spaces.live.com.

Love,

The Entire McKnight Family
Joe and Emily, Rebecca,
Savannah, Joe, and Kiley

Happy Holidays!

Let me begin by wishing you all a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had a very nice time eating dinner with Joe's family. This year the dinner was at Bruce and Lorene's house and it seemed a lot less stressful this year and way more enjoyable. The dinner was very nice- Everyone brought a part of the dinner and something for desert. There wasn't too much food but just enough for the dinner and everyone to have some leftovers to take home. After we ate and visited with Joe's family for a few hours we went to my parents house. We arrived just in time to look at Karena and Steve's honeymoon and wedding pictures and play games. We had a lot of fun playing and visiting with my family as well.

Today we pulled out the Christmas decorations and have been working on getting them up. Everyone worked together pretty well to get it done quickly. The tree is up and decorated and most of the random decorations are scattered throughout the family room and kitchen. Dad is in charge of putting up the lights outside.

The kids have been working hard the last few days doing chores around the house to earn the money they need to buy gifts for each other. Little Joe and I have even been shopping together and he picked out presents for Dad, Rebecca, and Savannah. We even picked up Savannah's birthday present. He is very proud of his choices.

I on the other hand have not even started Christmas shopping yet. I am not sure what I am going to get for any of my kids this year. I hope something comes to me before it is too late.

Again, I hope you all have a Wonderful Holiday Season and We Love You!

I VOTED, DID YOU?

Ok, to have a little bit of fun let me know how your voting experience was.

Voting took me 1 hour and 40 mins. I have hoping for an hour, but it was not too bad. I wish I had something funny to share for the time I spent in line, but nothing. It was the typicall stand in line and talk or text on your phone. I exchanged a few words a couple of times with the people right in front or behind me but not much was said.

Let me know how it went for you.

Kiley Walks!

Today Kiley finally took some real steps on her own. Granted she was motivated by m&ms, but she did take several good steps and we were able to get her to repeat it until the candy was gone. She stills struggles with her balance a little but I have a feeling that it won't be long now before she crawls no more.

Halloween

Where had a pretty good Halloween this year. The kids got TONS of candy. Thursday Night was our Ward's Trunk-or-Treating. They had a little costume parade and played the Charlie Brown Halloween movie using Joe's LCD Projector. Then last night I took them to Kim's for the McKnight's Annual Halloween dinner. They make up crazy Halloween names for the dinner food and the kids order food without knowing what they are getting. It doesn't take them long to figure out what they really want and what the new name of it is. It think all of the kids really like this. It went really fast last night because there were more teenagers and adults then there are little kids. Then we join Teddie in going around the block for more candy. We drove by Grandma McKnight's house and then went to Teddie's neighborhood for a trip around her block. It was more than enough candy and Kiley was clearly done. We hope you all had a great holiday and watch out because the Turkey is on the way.

Twelve Years later!

On Saturday, October 11th, Joe and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. It seems strange at times to think that we have been married for so long. It is also amazing at the same time to look at pictures and video for that day and to see how much everyone has grown. We have four of own children with the oldest at 11 and the youngest at 1. They keep us busy and on our toes.

On Joe's side of the family there are nieces and nephews who have served missions or are close to mission age, one is engaged, and one is even married (with two kids or her own). It doesn't seem possible but it is.

Next Friday, my youngest sister is getting married. That means that all eight of my siblings will be married. It is the end of one chapter and the continuation of the next for my family. And even then a third chapter is not too far off in the future. I have two nephews that are within years of being able to serve missions.

On top of all of this I will be celebrating my 32 birthday later this month. I don't feel old but I am reminded by loved one that I am. It all blows my mind. Time is flying by.

Kiley turned the big 1

Monday, September 15 , Kiley turned one. I have found it much easier to post pictures on our windows live space so click on the link to our cyber photobook to see pictures of her first cake. I am going to try and take my own pictures of my children from now on so here is Kiley at one. If you would like me to print off a picture of her for you let me know what size you would like.

Just for you Amber!

Yesterday I threw a Bridal Shower for Karena at Mom's house and Amber (my cousin seen below) was there. Savannah was helping to take pictures and she really likes Amber so she took the picture below. Amber told me that I could not post it anywhere unless I posted some pictures of Savannah (some less cute ones). So in all fairness to Amber, here are the pictures of I promised. We love you tons!




Also if you would like to see more pictures from the shower click on the link to Our Cyber Photobook (aka our windows live space).

Deep thought

I subscribe to Daily Gems through LDS. org and this is the thought that I received today.

Never Feel Unworthy to Pray
"Should you ever feel distanced from our Father, it could be for many reasons. Whatever the cause, as you continue to plead for help, He will guide you to do that which will restore your confidence that He is near. Pray even when you have no desire to pray. Sometimes, like a child, you may misbehave and feel you cannot approach your Father with a problem. That is when you most need to pray. Never feel you are too unworthy to pray."
Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, 8

What a wake up call this thought is for me. Just thought I would share it with anyone who looks at this sight.

Savannah in School

Hi everyone it is Savannah. Its been a lot of time since I've posted something on the blog. And the purpose of this is so I can tell you what has benn happening at school.

We had our first party of the school year and it was a popcorn party. Everyone in my whole class got a small bag of popcorn and we got to watch a movie on bees & flowers. And by then it was my time to go home so I was exited to go home with NO HOME WORK.

Another cool thing is that I got a HOMEWORK LATE PASS because I got no marks on my one of my pieces of homework. My art teacher is new to the school this year {every single year there is a new art teacher}. I wish there was one art teacher that would at least stay for two years or more but my sister thinks he is a baby teacher because he makes us copy him sometimes and here's the cue for when you copy him "Today in art Bla bla bla so and so ". On Wednesdays officer Mabee comes to teach us about thing we should not do and the program he is working on with us is G.R.E.A.T Gang Resistance Education and Training. I got a bracelet from him and when he gave it to me he made me laugh so hard I cried. He says if a girl passes out one of the boys would have to kiss the girl and if a boy passes out the girls know what they have to do. In math I get to go into the pod and get to make a board game. And my teacher shes been sick and shes been at school and I think I caught her cold. My nose has been stuffy non-stop all day long. My mom wanted to give me a something that would help me with my nose but I never took it because it was a swallow medicine and I have trouble with swallowing medicine.

I've been tagged!

Four Places I've Lived:
1. Phoenix, Arizona
2. Glendale, Arizona
3. El Mirage, Arizona
4. Surprise, Arizona

Four Favorite Books:
1. B of M
2. Standing for something
3. The Power of Positive Parenting
4. Inside my Heart

Four Favorite Movies:
1. Beauty and the Beast
2. While you were sleeping
3. Serendipity
4. The American President

Four Embarrassing Facts About Me:
1. Bikes and I don't get along well. Look at my face!
2. Dogs and I don't mix well either. I am scared of them all. (Again look at my face. A bike and a dog together what a bad mix.)
3. When I was little, while watching Wallace and Ladmo (spelling? but I don't really care) I learned that running into the corner of a wall really hurts.
4. I don't remember!

Four Dreams Of Mine:
1. I want to a good wife.
2. I want to a good mother.
3. I want to make a few good friends before I die.
4. I want to get a good nights sleep.

Four Pet Peeves:
1. Having an answering machine and not. Right along with that is call waiting.
2. Kids that don't listen while you are clearly talking to them.
3. Stupid people- You've all heard the song.
4. When someone asks me how I am and leaves before I get the chance to answer.

Four Things That Make Me Really Happy:
1. Chocolate
2. Kids that mind
3. Spending time with family when we are all getting along.
4. I clean house.

Emergency Preparedness Idea

In case you didn't know a couple of months ago I was called to be the food storage coordinator (or specialist?, I don't know) for my ward. I have been spending a lot of time thinking about my calling and looking for helpful information to pass on to the sisters in my ward.

I have quickly been reminded that emergency preparedness is so much more than just having extra food on hand. While looking for information to share I came across this idea. (I am sorry but I didn't include the source of this idea, but I still think it is worth sharing.)

Tip for storing most important documents:
Scan them all and burn to CD/DVD. Keep one in the 72 hour evacuation bag and mail at least one to an out of state relative. Things you should include are: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, maybe a backup of your family history and all your photos. (I thought about including copies of SSN cards, children's shot records, and bank account information. Include whatever you determine to be important to you.)

The idea here is that a copy of your important files is stored somewhere besides in your house. Nobody's house is fire proof, damage proof (look at the damage here in Phoenix from last night's storm), or even theft proof. Without some of this information it would hard to rebuild after any unexpected disaster.

Savannah in School

Hi everyone it Sav. It's been while since I have written something and today I thought I would. The subject of the day is Back To School. I know it's late to be doing this but I'm doing it now.

My teacher's name is Mrs.Gjelhug. I'm not sure if I spelled it right but it is said Gel-how-g {with the second g sounding like good. It is also said as two syllables not three.} The first day she told us the rules and showed us that we could get a party if we filled up this jar {I think it is a gallon jar}. We are working on a pizza party.

I hope all you know the first week of school you have butterflies, either on the first day of school or the day you meet your teacher, and you don't want to talk to your teacher for the first day or two. But there's this guy named Johnny and he didn't show up at all for the first week of school then on Monday he finally showed up to school and has had lots and lots of stuff to fix and a lot of stuff to learn about and how to use the tools such as a planner, bellwork, and desks. I found out this year that I have three new students in my class, their names are Micah, Jade, and Crastly. And my teacher is new to the school also and she made jobs for the classroom and you can tell her if you want a job or not and if you do you can tell her what job you want. And so far that was the first week of school.

What a great day!

What a day yesterday was. I get in the car to take my kids to school and it wont start. I have Joe bring me the phone and I call my neighbor and ask if I can get a jump and she tells me I have to wait for her husband to get back from the Gym. So we wait unitl he gets home. After hooking up the jumper cables my car starts right up. I quickly tell him thank you and pile the kids in the car again and rush to get them to school on time. (School is about 40 mins away.) Luckly traffic was unusually light and they were there with time to spare. The car worked fine the rest of the day, but I decided I better stop to have the battery tested. So after I picked Joe up from school I drove to a checkers where the man told me I would have to get a new battery. He was nice enough to even put it in for me. However, the battery that the computer said was in my car was not the right one. So have two trys and 30 mins later, he had the right battery in my car and I was on my way back to school to pick up the girls.

About 10 mins from home I was hit while sitting at a stop light. The interestion where I was stopped has one through lane, right turn lane, and a left turn lane. I was stopped when the through lane branches off into the left turn lane. The driver behind me thought that she could squeeze past me but she didn't make it. She claims that she was in a hurry to get to a gas station because her car was over heating. When needless to say she didn't get to a gas station very quickly. It just so happened that an officer from Surprise was traveling that same road in the same direction so he stopped to help with the switching of information. I think we were stopped for at least 30 mins and it was HOT and I had all four kids in the car. We are all fine, but now I will have to play the waiting game with her insurance company to get my car fixed.

Back to school!

Yesterday was the first day of school for my three kids. I believe they were all ready to get back to school. There were a few first day nerves but they all survived just fine. I forgot to take pictures yesterday so I took them today. Rebecca (almost 11- August 25th) is in sixth grade this year and she will be singing in Choir again. Savannah (not 10 until December) is in fourth grade this year. Joe (six until February) is in First grade. He is excited because he access to the entire school and not just a "small baby section". I hope that this school year with not only be a good one for my children but for all of yours as well.

School is just around the corner!

Yeah! It is that time of year again. School starts Monday Aug. 11. I think my kids are ready for school to start. They have been so bored for the last few weeks and every day gets harder and harder. (Not just on them, they are hard on me too!) Yesterday we took them shopping for their back to school clothes. It was so fun. I am gald that is over. Friday I will take them by the school to see who their teachers are and where their classrooms are. Yeah for school!

To My Family

Today I am going to step away from my usual posts and share my thoughts of the last few weeks. Recent events that have happened with Joe's siblings and their families have caused me to think a lot about family.

I am so grateful to my parents for teaching me the gospel and the importance of going to church each week. Along with this they taught me the importance of reading scriptures, praying, and holding family home evening. I am grateful that they taught me how to work (through doing household chores) . I am grateful that my mom taught me to love music (through learning to play the piano), how to cook, sew, to serve others, and to be unselfish. I am grateful that my dad taught me basic car care (it has come in handy).

I am grateful to each one of my siblings for the examples they are to me and to my children. Although we are not as close as I would like, I still look up to each one of them (older and younger). I am grateful to have lived so close to my parents and younger sisters because many of them have reached out to my children and taught them important lessons through example. As my family (the Lofgreens) prepares to finish one chapter of life and continue with the next, I am grateful that my children have been able to see many of my siblings get married and learn the importance of temples and temple marriages.

I am grateful to my Uncle Leon and Aunt Pat and their children that live in state. Although we might not to able to get together as much as we would like your love and support mean so much to me. Thank you for not only loving me and showing it but for loving my little family. We all truly enjoy the times we have spent together.

I am grateful for each member of the McKnight family. Each one of you are been a huge example to me. To those that have left this life I too am grateful for the examples they left me and my family. Julie was a huge help to my family when my grandma was ill and her selfless service meant so much to me. I see the relationships/closeness his sisters have with each other and hope to one day have that with my own sisters or even one of them. (I am trying.) I am grateful for the examples of your children. Many of them have been examples not only to my children but also to me. Many of your sons have allowed us the privilege of helping them achieve their Eagle Scouts. This have been a huge example of service to my children and because of these opportunities I believe that my children have come to truly enjoy serving and helping others.

Thanks again to each of you and know that I love each one of you very much.

Flagstaff Lava Cave Day Trip

Hi everyone this is Savannah!

Our family and 4 cousins (three visiting from New Jersey and one from here) went to the Lava Cave in Flagstaff yesterday. This cave was huge and cold inside. At one point we came a fork in the cave and chose a path that's ceiling was so low in one spot that dad said there was no way he could get through so we had to turn around and go down the other path. After the two paths met up again the ceiling got pretty low in a few spots but dad made it through OK. While in the cave dad had everyone turn off their flashlights to show just how dark it was in the cave. Finally after about two hours dad reached a point where he decided that when the next person falls we would call it quits. Shortly after that Joe fell down and that was the end of the hike into the cave now we just had to hike back out.

In the end all is well with the...HIKERS OF THE LAVA CAVE!!! Nobody was hurt too bad, but there are a few bumps and bruises. Mom took a small chunk of skin off her shin and bumped her head. Dad tripped and hurt his knee and hand a bit. Rebecca's hand were so cold that they were swollen and she was crying because they hurt. Cameron and Carter both hit their heads a couple of time each. Zach fell down and do a good number on his knee. I got a bruise on my bottom. Joe tripped a couple of times. Olivia is the only one that didn't get hurt at all.

When we got out of the cave...IT WAS RAINING!!!! It continued to rain most of the way home.
We stopped at a gas station and mom made sandwiches for lunch and Zach bought all the kids a treat from the gas station. Thanks Zach!

I think it was a good experience for everyone that went and I think we all had a great time. Mom took some picture and posted them at http://mightymcknights.spaces.live.com/so you can take a look.

PS. Mom did a little bit of revision to my posting.

Looking for some help

In a slightly more positive post- I need some help.

1. A few months ago I was called to be our wards food storage contact person. I have no idea where to start to help my ward. We have many people with nothing and who are nervous when you say food storage. Then we have people who's food storage is well established. Any ideas how to start with those that have nothing?

2. Budgeting- I have been trying to create and use a budget for years but I have not had any success. I have a spreadsheet that I think I like. I got it from Lori, but trying to live within a budget just doesn't really work. It is more of a tracking system for what has been paid and what hasn't. I get so down because I see just how much over we spend every month. The thing is I am not even sure where the extra money is comming from or why it is there. Again any suggestions?

Here is the best part of this posting:

Our first attempt at a ponytail and she loves boxes.

Auto Bill Pay

Love it or hate it?
Some people set it up through their bank account, but others (like me whose bank want to charge me for it) set it up with the individual billing companies. Today I HATE it again! While it saves me about a min, a check, and a stamp it causes big headaches.

I just discovered that my car insurance, which was canceled in the middle of June, went ahead and pulled a payment from my checking account. For those of you like me, living paycheck to paycheck, every unexpected expense really hurts. Granted Joe gets paid tomorrow or at least I hope so. But the problem is that others planned on bills have not been taken out and now I run the risk of not having enough money in the account to cover them.

When I called the company they said that while a charge was posted on Monday a refund check for the same amount was issued that same day. Since a refund check has already been issued there is nothing they can do to help. I am so upset because when I canceled my policy I specifically asked what I needed to do to make sure this exact thing did happen. The lady I spoke with assured me everything would be just fine. Well it is not fine- Augh!

Another complaint of my is when they give you a scheduled pull out day and then don't use it. Last month I had a company that was suppose to pull out on a Friday and they waited until Tuesday or Wednesday on the following week to take out the money. I guess I shouldn't be mad, but the problem I have here is it makes it look like we have more money then we really do.

What to do? I wish I knew!

Thought worth sharing!

I subscribe to Daily Gems from ldschurch.org and this was the thought I received today. I know this is true and I am so grateful to know that. Things don't always happen the way we would like them to or when we would like them to, but I know the Lord know it all.

The Lord Knows Your Struggles
"Wherever you live on this earth and whatever your life's situation may be, I testify to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the divine power to lift you to great heights from what appears at times to be an unbearable burden or weakness. The Lord knows your circumstances and your challenges. He said to Paul and to all of us, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' And like Paul we can answer: 'My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me' (2 Corinthians 12:9)."As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we may claim the blessings promised in the covenants and the ordinances we received when we accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?" Ensign, Nov. 2007, 19

Our Happy 4th!

We had a great holiday week! We were able to spend time with both families. We saw most of Joe's family on Tuesday (see previous posts) and some again on Friday morning at the movies. We watched Kung Fu Panda and the kids thought it was good. After the movies we stopped by Arby's for lunch and then headed over to my parent's house. After hanging out for a little while we were joined by Erin and her family and Scott and his kids. We were all able to visit and then most of us went swimming. After swimming we returned for dinner.
We saw two firework shows on our way home. The first show was at the Peoria Sports Complex. We watched it from one of the gas stations on Bell. It was good but the second one was way better. The second show was out here is Surprise at the ballpark. As we were driving past the show we got to see exactly where the fireworks were being launched from. It was so cool! We then pulled over on a side street to watch the rest. We could hear every bang and boom and feel the ground rumble.
I would say it was a great day!

Kid Pictures

isn't she so cute!

Swim Pictures From Eisenhauer's 7/1/08

Joe's brother Mark is in town for a quick trip to drop his three kids off here for a few weeks. The family decided to get together for a BBQ and swim at Bruce and Lorene's. Here are some of the pictures we took. You can see from the rainbow picture that it was pretty overcast and it spit a couple of time but not enough to keep us from swimming. It was nice.

Joe and Olivia

Can you see the double rainbow?

Kiley is 9 months!

Where has time gone? I can't believe that she is already 9 months old! While she can be such a little cutie, she has been my challenge baby. She has been mobile (GI Joe or the worm crawling) for a little over a month now and boy is she fast! She is just now starting to crawl on her hands and knees. She is everywhere and into everything she can get into and more. I forget that the floor must be swept and vacuumed everyday or she will take care of that for me. She is also pulling herself up to standing against anything she can. So we had to lower the crib. She love phones and wants to talk and play with them all the time. She is not really enjoying baby food. She eats some but throws a fit because it is not what everyone else is eating. She loves "otter pops"! I don't think she really says mama or dada and knows what it means but she says "hi". She really tries hard sometimes to talk and she loves to be talked to or read to. Oh yeah, finally she is starting to smile and laugh a little (very little). I one thing she is not doing that I wish she would is sleeping through the night. I am now in the stage where I will not go into her room unless she has cried for 30 minutes. I first night was great because after about 20 she started to calm down and by 30 she was asleep again. But that only worked once. I don't know what else to do to get her to sleep all night. I let her do the 30 minute cry for nap time and she is always out before time is up, but not at night. I don't have any more recent pictures then thoses posted from our little trips so far this summer so I will have to post updated pictures later. I think that is all for an update on the royal princess.

From Savannah

Hi everyone. I wanted to tell you how my week is going. Wednesday I was at the park in the morning at like 10 something. It was fun but I got a big sun burn on my back. Then sometime in the afternoon we went swimming at a mom's friend's house from church. Along time ago Grandma Lofgreen got Rebecca and I Disney fairy stickers. We put them up on our wall and it looks really cool. And today I'm going to a party with one of my friends are from school.

Love you all,
Savannah

Morning hike

We decided to take one last outing before Joe started his new job (today was his first day!). We took the kids and went on a one mile trail hike at the White Tank Mountains just west of your house. It was a nice little hike. Not too much for the kids or Joe and I. Along this trail are rocks with Indian writing carved into them and it ends at a little water fall. Of course there was no running water to see, but I have heard from people that have really seen the waterfall running that it is beautiful. I will still just have to imagine for now.

With a recommendation from Debra I am typing this blog in a different program then I usually do, so I am going to try and add a couple of pictures here. I will place the rest of the photos in an album as usual at http://mightymcknights.spaces.live.com/.

Another Day Trip

Yesterday we took the kids to the AZ Natural History Museum in Mesa and then to Arizona Mills Mall. Savannah had been to the Museum with her school class so she served as our tour guide. She did a great job. We stopped by the mall because our kids all got a certificate for a free kids meal at the Rainforest Cafe from the Library. I have posted some pictures again on our live space at http://mightymcknights.spaces.live.com/. Enjoy!

School is out!

School is over and summer is just around the corner. The weather has been a little bit crazy around here. These pictures were taken May 23.

We took a trip to the AZ Capital Museum on Tuesday of this week with our kids. We took some pictures. If you would like to see them there are at http://mightymcknights.spaces.live.com/. It was the first time I have ever been down there. I think the kids had a good time and the best part was that besides the gas it was free.

Joe has a Job!!

I would like to begin by thanking everyone for your prayers on our behalf. I know it is because of the countless prayers you have offered along with our family that we were able to make it to this point. We have been sitting on pins and needles for the last month waiting for them to complete a background check and make him a firm offer. It finally happened today- they officially offered him a job!

He begins his new job on Monday, June 9. He will be working for a company called USAA. It offers a wide range of services to members of the military and their families. His official title is financial advisor and he will be doing the same thing he was for Edward Jones. The biggest difference is that it will all be incoming calls (people seeking him out for help not him trying to find people with money). Another big difference is that it will provide a salary instead of straight commission.

We are very excited about this position as we have talked to many people who work for the company and they have nothing bad to say. There is room for Joe to move up within the company. This also opens the door for us to be able to take advantage of a lot of great products/services they offer. This is a very good thing.

School is running out!

Well it is that time of year again- the countdown to the end of the school year. There are exactly three weeks of school left. I find myself like most parents not ready at all. I have no plans for what to do with my children and how to keep them from fighting with each other and being bored. I have been thinking about how to tack the daily household chores but have not settled on anything yet. I will have my kids sign up for the summer reading program with the library. That worked out nicely last year because Rebecca was drawn for one of the grand prizes at the end. That might help to motivate her to read again this summer. Last summer they had to keep up with school work and I will do that again this summer but it might be a little bit different. Also last year I bought a family pool pass to the community pool, but I did not get my monies worth out of it so I don't think I will do that again. I don't know but I will have to figure it out quick.

As for life outside of the kid's school it is pretty much the same. Joe still hasn't secured a job yet and even worse is things don't look promising anywhere. I think I am going to have to go back to work because he will not be able to make enough on his own. Anywhere he goes it will be starting at he bottom and working his way up from there. I think that really SUCKS because he has 7 years of call center experience with some of that time as a manager and then 3 years teaching experience and almost two years with EJ. I am really worried I don't know what we are going to do and time and money have run out.

Kiley is almost eight months and growing like a weed. She is finally smiling and laughing a little bit more. No signs of crawling yet. She still only has her two bottom teeth. She is starting to vry so I will have to end for now.

Videos of Kiley

I realize the quality is not all that great as they were taken on Joe's cell phone, but you get the idea.

Spring Break 2008

The kids were on Spring Break last week and everyone wanted to take a vacation so we took a quick trip to Las Vegas. This was the second time Rebecca and I have been to the Strip (the first time was ten years ago). I am not sure if this was a hit with the kids or not. I am almost postive that it was not a lot like Big Joe thought it was going to be. We will have to post more about it later but I wanted to let you know that you can see a few pictures we took on my window's live space at http://mightymcknights.spaces.live.com

Happy Easter!

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter.

6 Months Already!

Today was sort of a big day for us- Kiley is official 6 months old today. The weather is so nice here that we decided to go to the park for a picnic lunch today and I took the camera along. I don't really have any pictures of important dates in my kids lives so I have vowed to try and change that. So today Kiley was the main focus of the picture taken. A few months ago a lady gave us some pointers for taking good pictures and I have been wanting to give them a try. However, I was not the one taking the pictures today and he wouldn't really listen to me so I will have to take her out on my own and take some more. Here are what I think are the best from today. Please take a look and let me know what you think. Thanks
Photo 1 Photo 2

Photo 3 Photo 4


Photo 5

Nothing very exciting

Here I am siting at my computer looking at my blog and I see that it has been a little while since I have written anything again. For days I have been trying to come up with something to write about and I have gotten nothing. With the exception of Big Joe everyone is doing their usual thing.

Joe quit his job after maybe three weeks. It was a bad job from the very beginning and this just got to where neither one of us could handle it anymore. So we agreed that he should just quit. So what is he doing for a job these days? He is a substitute teacher. Yes, you are reading that correctly! It pays a little bit of money and allows him to be in the classroom and we hope it will help to open the door for him to get a teaching job for next school year.

The kids are all doing ok. They are looking forward to Spring Break in a couple of weeks and then summer just around the corner. Kiley will be 6 months on the 15th of this month. She is almost sitting all by herself. She loves to rock and so we really have to watch her because she will fall over and smack her head on the floor. She is eating like a little horse and the only thing she hasn't liked yet is peaches. I wish I could say that she is sleeping through the night but she has not mastered that as well as I would like. She is still getting up twice a night for maybe 10 mins each time. I decided that it is really time to break her of these habits so dad is having to get up and put her back to sleep. We will see how it all goes.

I will try to get together some new pictures and post them here soon.

Saturday eye examines

Hi everyone yes its Savannah. Now about my title I put that because I went to Sam's Club for an eye exam on Saturday. I told the doctor I have trouble seeing words. It was crazy and scary too, but after my mom did it it did not seem so scary. The doctor said it would be good to get me and my sister (not Kiley but Rebecca) glasses. So we are both getting glasses. My parents said if we break them they will be gone and we will have to deal with the problem for the rest of our life {life as a kid. Is what I ment}. But there were two tests you had to do one was kind of cool because one had a pic. of an air balloon and you had to stare at it. Another test my mom only had to do was there was a machine that blow air at you. And the last one was this clicker thing and in the machine that had a dot in it and these light blocks and you had to click when you saw it move. Then the doctor handed me a card and asked, "What is the lowest line you can read?". Then he had me cover one eye and look through this things like binoculars and he would say "Which is best? One here or two here." I think it was a cool Saturday.

Nothing to say

I realize it has been a few weeks since I have written anything here, but I have hit writer's block. I can't think of anything exciting to write about or even anything worth whining about. We are all alive and kicking. I guess I will give a run down of each person.

Joe- (dad) hates his new job. He is so over qualified for it. He is so bored that he spends much of this time at work texting me. He has done a few very simple things for this company which has really helped them out. To many at his job he walks on water. It sounds to me like he is doing his own thing and work and nobody bothers him because he is so good at what he has done for them. He has been called as the Ward Employment Specialist for our new ward.

Me- (mom) I do my usual motherly duties day in and day out- cooking, cleaning, diapering, feeding, taxi driver, etc. I have no ward calling at this time but I am an assistant to our Stake Preparedness Specialist. I have had this calling since about Aug and I still dont really know what that means. I have not been asked to do anything but help set up chairs for a meeting back in August.

Rebecca- just played the piano last week in a school talent show and she did a good ok. We have beening trying to convince her to buckle down on school work and that homework must come before play. That has finally paid off now that she is half way through the third quarter. Parent Teacher Conferences were last week and she has great grades.

Savannah- is so excited for tomorrow. She is going to donate her hair to "Locks of Love" at school. She did this two years ago and has been growing her hair out since then so she could do it again. I am excited because she has long, think hair which she cant/doesn't comb and I have to beg her to let me comb it for her everyday.

Little Joe- is starting to read. He is into trying to sound everything out, stretching out words, and rhyming words. He is looking forward to Sunday (and has been for almost a year), his 6th birthday. (I can't beleive that he is 6 already. Where has the time gone?)

Kiley- the little weed. At five months now, I think she is finally settleing into a schedule. She is sleeping longer at night and that is very nice. I started feeding her solids off and on about a month ago. I have just decided to give them to her on a more regular schedule. Look for more pictures of her posted here soon.

Well, I think that does it and I am being paged. Someone is trying to tell me I can ignore her no longer.

PS- You will have to forgive me for all the spelling mistakes. I have never been good at spelling and this program will not let me spellcheck what I write. Sorry!

Rebecca's update

I am so excited I actully made the talentshow this year. But there is a catch I have to play for kindergarten through 4th grade on Friday . I am a little scared but I guess I just haveto, and I am a little mad because I dont get to "Nick Nack PadyWack" in front of everybody eles. So thats all I wanted to say......so bye bye.


P.S. I kind of want to do it. So if you want to hear about it I will let you know. It is on this Friday at 9:00 because it is early realease on that day at 11:40.

Pictures taken by Savannah

These are pictures that Savannah has taken. Can't tell who her favorite subject is can you? Kiley is the only one who will sit still long enough for her to take pictures. She even edits them by herself. Now if I could just figure out the best way to post them. Karri maybe you could share some tips with us.