Thankful

There are so many things that my family and I are Thankful for this year. The biggest one we are Thankful for would have to be that Matt is here with us this year. Last Thanksgiving was absolutely one of the worst Thanksgivings in my memory. Matt was half way across the world, and I was in Texas by myself with no family nearby with an extremely painful, sprained back. Yet, despite those trying times, I will never forget that Thanksgiving. I learned so much about the meaning of family, humility, and blessings. My family was blessed with Guardian angels while Matt was away...and I first came to realize that, during that hard Thanksgiving day. So this year I am Thankful for Matt being home, Guardian angels that are watching over my friends homes while their dear husbands are far away serving, having a safe shelter over my head, and most importantly I am Thankful for the Lord's plan. Without his grace and Atonement we would not have any of these wonderful blessings. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope it is a ...if not joyful, then reflective Holiday for you all.

Haircut...and Make-up??

This posting is for all you TLC's "What not to Wear" watchers and fans.

Cora got her haircut the other day. It was in dire need of being trimmed, and had started to look stringy at the ends...you know what I mean, right? So I decided to give her a trim. She is still young enough so I can get away with trimming it myself. We got her all set up outside, and I started cutting. She is so funny, because she thinks it is going to hurt when I cut her "hairs" off. So she is tensing and bracing herself against that first cut. Snip, "mom, that doesn't hurt, see, I not crying". Later, that day she started saying "mom my hairs are cut, it's time for make-up", or "mom, where's my make-up". It took my awhile to connect the dots. Why is she constantly asking for make-up...I had said nothing about putting make-up on today. So we are sitting around the dinner table and Cora is talking to Matt. She says "dad, my hairs got cut today, but I didn't get make-up yet. I supposed get make-up after hairs cuts". Then it clicked! The great revelation happened, she was talking about what happens in "What Not to Wear" make-overs. I have occasionally flipped TLC on in the afternoons as the girls come home after school and that show is on at that time. I guess I have done it often enough that Cora now associates haircuts with a complete make-over. She wants the whole package: hair, make-up and everything! That is how it is supposed to be done.

Go girls Go, a bragging moment

The girls have been doing remarkably well this year...so far. Matt and I have been really relieved, especially since we weren't sure how the stress of moving and getting settled again as a family would impact them. The girls never cease to amaze us, they have taken everything in stride. They transitioned really well to their new schools, and are succeeding in their classrooms.

Hannah's first grade picture.

She really loves her teacher this year. Last year she had Ms. Hensley for Kindergarten, and this year she has Ms. Hamblet...she frequently gets the two names confused. We like to tease her about that. She is doing really well, and is finally picking up reading. She can pretty much sound out anything now, although she really doesn't like to work that hard! She is almost always on the "good" color at school, and has only brought home one bad report since the beginning of school! Since she is on the good color so often, she earns prizes like sitting in the teachers chair during class, or eating lunch in the class room. Both she enjoys completely! She has an awesome teacher this year. I made a surprise visit to her class the other day, and walked in to a room full of fun! The stereo is blasting Cindy Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", and all the kids are deeply involved in their projects. No one even noticed me for the first couple of minutes. A super fun classroom!

Anya's third grade picture.

She is doing really well in class too! Her Teacher is wonderful, and is constantly looking for ways to challenge Anya. She has recently had her reading level retested, and is now not allowed to read anything below a 6th grade level in the Accelerated Reading Program. She can read as high as the 7.5 grade level in the AR program. Yes, soon my 3rd grader will be smarter then her mama...probably before she hits 5th grade! She has recently participated in a Spelling Bee. She has moved up, and is now one of two kids representing third grade at the school wide spelling bee. She is very excited about that!

Anya recently entered a creative poster project in the fire prevention awareness contest. She won second place out of the whole school. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of her poster! She did a cartoon strip style, and each character was doing something that would cause a fire. It was very comical and creative. Besides her ribbon, she won a free pass to the movie theatre, a free sandwich at Burger King, and a free meal at Chili's. Sign me up!


Hannah was recently recognized at her school for having perfect attendance. She was very proud of this, and insisted that we display her certificate on the refrigerator for almost a month. She loves anything that puts her in the spot light, and will frequently remind us of past good deeds. "mom", she will say, " remember when I did....". Yes, Hannah, we remember and we are very proud of you!



So the older Jeppson girls are doing better then we had dared hope for. It is fun to see them settled, with new friends and hobbies. They are each progressing well with their piano lessons, and will be performing in a Christmas program next month. Next project...teach these girls how to ride a bike!

Buying a Car...Boring

So we recently bought Matt a new car. It is a Scion TC coupe, very fun and slightly sporty...which is what Matt wanted. Leading up to the actual buying of said car was completely excruciating. Especially if you ask the girls. "Is buying a car fun?", you ask. They respond "NO...BORING!". Above is a picture of the girls at the dealership...waiting for the long transaction to be completed. Next is Matt with his new car, whom the girls have named "Junior". Don't ask!

We finally got a Jumpoline

Ever since Matt came home the kids have been begging to get a Trampoline. Matt decided that we would get the girls one after finished our move to California. Well, three months later we finally got our Jumpoline (what Cora was first calling it, the kids have since corrected her...I wish they hadn't, it was so cute!). Last week we received notice from Walmart that our tramp had arrived. So, last Friday we drove the 30 miles to the nearest Walmart ( yes, our nearest Walmart is 30 miles away...can you believe it! At least I don't shop there very often, or I would be hurting!), and picked up our Tramp, had a delicious dinner and drove home. The next day, Saturday, was spent setting up the thing. It took Matt and I almost all afternoon. Matt was very put out that it caused him to miss most of the BYU game...cheers to DVR, at least the game was recorded for later! After being patient all afternoon, the girls were finally able to give the tramp a test run. Below is the video of the "inaugural jump". There was even time left over in the afternoon for Matt and Anya to get in a quick round of golf at the little course here. Since then, we have barely been able to keep the girls off, the LOVE it! Which we knew they would. Matt and I are all for an activity that gets them away from the TV and Nintendo DS, and outside exercising!

Jumpoline

Here is some footage of the kids on their new "jumpoline" as Cora calls it. They will jump all day if we let them...in all kinds of weather!

Nine Names

This was a TAG on my dearest sister's blog.
This was pretty fun, so if anyone want to do it feel free to consider yourself tagged.
NINE NAMES
1. YOUR REAL NAME: Amber Lee Jeppson
2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus'izzle') Ambizzle
3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color and favoriteanimal) Barn Red Horse
4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and street youlive on/or neighborhood )
Lee Rhineland
5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your lastname,first 2 letters of your first name) Jepam
6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color,and favorite drink) Sage Dr. Pepper
7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rdletter of your last name, 1st letter of your last name, 2ndletter of your mom's maiden name, 3rd letter of yourdad's name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, andlast letter of your mom's first name) Mpjafta
8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (parents middle names) Earl Gale

Knott's Berry Rebels

Matt had a four day weekend ( Sat., Sun., Mon., and Tues.) this weekend in honor of Veteran's Day. So we decided that a fun family outing was a must, to do a long weekend justice. The kids were supposed to be in school Monday, but then had Tuesday off for Veteran's Day. We thought this was so strange...send the kids to school for one day, and then stay home. In our hearts, Matt and I are rebels, and we rebelled against the California school system and took the kids out of school on Monday. Instead of going to school, we went to Knott's Berry Farm! It was a blast! It is a little under two hours away, so we left at 8am, and got there right at opening. We stayed until closing and drove home. A very do-able Day trip. We got an awesome deal, being in the military. Knott's was offering a huge discount for Veterans/military during the month of November. We all got in for less then a normal adult full fare. The thing we found comical was, we paid more for lunch then we did to get in the actual park! Typical amusement park scenario!Here are some pictures capturing our day.

Hannah, Amber and Matt

(something funky going on with my hair...but it was the only one I had of us on the old steam train)
Anya and Cora sitting opposite of the rest of us on the old steam train.

Matt and his girls on the Mexican Hat Dance ride

Amber going on a kid coaster ride with Anya. You can't see Anya, she is on the other side. This was a pretty fun coaster, bigger then most kid coasters. We tried and tried to get Anya to go on some of the other Coasters in the park, now that she is tall enough. She wouldn't do it. Oh well, maybe next year.

More Shots of Our Fun Day!

Here are some pictures of our fun daytrip to Knott's Berry Farm. We had so much fun that when Cora woke up this morning she asked if we were going again today! Sorry Cora, maybe another day.

Anya and Cora on the Red Baron ride.

Sisters...Sisters...

What a long, fun day looks like when it ends.

Even though it was warm out, we had Hannah bring her hat and gloves because she is fighting a pretty vicious cold. I thought this picture was funny...Hannah all bundled up drinking a yard long Icee! How ironic!

Hannah and Cora on the Mine Cart

Matt Says Farewell to Naps and Nachos

We have three Sunday traditions we hold religiously...besides going to church. First we have Sunday Nachos for lunch, then a family nap, and finally we have Sunday Ice Cream for dessert. Matt will be saying farewell to the first two for the forseeable future. Let me back up...we have been in Fort Irwin for almost three months now. We attend the Fort Irwin Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For those of you not members, we call our church community a ward, wards make up a region called a Stake...when there are smaller amounts of members in the community we make a branch instead of a ward. Although, our branch is very large...and could be a small ward (maybe that will happen next...?). All members try to serve in their ward...or in our case branch. I recieved my calling almost right after we got here. I am back in the primary teaching the CTR 8 class, as well as the acitvity days leader for the girls 8-11 years old.
We were wondering why Matt hadn't gotten a calling yet, when many in our ward have two or three callings. I kept teasing him that the leadership thought he had gone in active. Looking back we saw a pattern develop, Matt had been asked to say the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting quite often, then we noticed it was always when a member of the Stake Presidency was present. This last prayer that Matt gave, I felt a burning sensation pierce my heart. It was like I was being prepared and the spirit was confirming a yes answer...but to what? After the meeting President Spencer from the Stake walks over to us and says, Brother Jeppson...I would like to speak to you and your wife. Matt has been called as the 2nd counselor in the Branch Presidency. He will no longer be present Sunday afternoons to partake of Nachos and Naps, he will be in meetings. So with much relief, the leadership does not think Matt is going in active! President Anderson, our Branch President, disclosed to us that they have been without a 2nd couselor since last spring. He said that he was waiting for us to arrive (no they did not know we were coming), and when he met us our first Sunday at church he knew Matt was his new counselor. The rest was just ligistics, trying to coordinate a member of the stake to be here when Matt was here.

So I will end this terribly long blog, by saying we are now fully settled into our new home...with callings and everything!

Where is Amber?

I have had several comments that there aren't many pictures of me on this blog. This is true. There are a couple of reasons for that.

1. I think the kids are much cuter and fun to look at, so most of my pictures are of them

2. I am usually the photographer. If I give the camera to Matt, then there usually aren't many pcitures taken.

So, In honor of some requests, I have posted some pictures of Amber. Enjoy, becuase this may be all you see for a long, long while! hee hee!

Matt's the Greatest

You have heard from me lots today...but I have one other development to add. Today is grocery day...oh how I dread grocery shopping. Hate it, never have liked it...I dread this day. So Matt comes home for lunch, like he usually does, and sees my list. His response is "hey honey, I'll do the grocery shopping after work, and then we can go get mexican for dinner". !!!!!!!

Love of my life...your the greatest! As Anya would say "Dad's a rockstar!"!!!

Tiny Tim...the Roast

Mom J. makes the most amazing Sunday Roast. I learned how to make roast from her, almost immiedietly after Matt and I were married. This was a neccessity since we have barely lived in Utah at all during our marriage. We just couldn't live without Sunday Roast. Back to my story...we have learned that cooking a whole roast is much to much for my little family to eat. Us girls are not big meat eaters, so the left overs would just go to waist. A few years ago, I started cutting the roast up into three sections. This gives us just enough for us all to have our fill, with enough left over for Matt to make a roast sandwich later on in the week. We found our little roasts so comical we have named them Tiny Tim Roasts...they just shrink up after they are cooked. So, Cheers to our little roast, and Cheers to making a $7 roast stretch for three meals! This post is dedicated to Mom J. !

Operation Towel Replacement

My wonderful mom-in-law has visited us many times in Texas. Each and every time she has come, she tells me I need new towels. I never really had thought about it before. Sure our towels were a little ratty on the sides and ends, but there were no major holes. We have this habit of using things up until the are for sure, competely dead and done for. All of our towels...every single one of them, were wedding gifts. So our towels are over 11 years old!! Ok, Ok, it is time to replace the towels! Mom you would be so proud of me, my new goal is that whenever we are in a store with a linen department I pick up two new towels. Once I get home, two new towels get put in the linen closet, and two old towels are taken out and turned into rags. Of course, this is me and I am being compulsive about it...I am buying Navy blue and cream towels for the kids bathroom...and sage green and tan towels for the master bath. Silly, silly Amber...but if I am going to buy new towels, I am going to get the colors I want!

Porcupines!

Since we have moved to California, whenever we go to town, I have noticed a common occurence. A sea of Porcupine heads. It seems to be the new, hip hairstyle here in California. The hair is shaved evenly maybe 2 or 3 inches from the head...and then spiked out. It looks like the back of a porcupine all over the subjects head. They are everywhere....a sea of porcupines!

What a Day!

Election day was a huge day here in California. Unfortunately we are still registered in Texas, so we could not participate in voting on all the issues on California's ballot. It all seemed to pass well anyway...without Matt and I voting. Having voted early, it was interesting to see Electorial day unfold...listening to all the discussions going on in grocery aisles and such. I, personally, did not vote for Obama. He and I have many personal and political differences that could not be overcome enough for me to vote for him. However, I still feel that it was a remarkable moment in history. Knowing our countries past so well ( the Civil War era is where I have concentrated most of my History studies), and believing that slavery is one of our countries worst sins, What a moment it was to have an African-American elected President. His acceptance speech brought tears to my eyes, and hope that finally our country can begin to forgive itself and heal from so many wounds. My prayer is that God will continue to bless this country, and that our new President will seek God out during his service to us.

Your my Prince?

It was a Success!

It's chocolate mama, a chocolate eye!

Hannah loves, loves, loves sugar!

Can't wait to dig into this!

Hey, where's mine?

The kids enjoyed the Halloween aftermath. Going through there loot and giving mom and dad their castoffs. Still, you know they are growing older when you can't talk them out of that mini candy bar. Now they know what the "good" candy is! They are also old enough to remember what was in their candy bucket...so no snitching for parents! Darn!

We rounded off our Halloween celebration with our traditional halloween movie. This year was perfect, because Halloween was on a Friday. Normally we are in a rush, because the next day is a school day, and the kids are getting to bed late. This year we really partied! We broke out the picnic blanket and we sat down in front of a showing of Tim Burton's "A Corpse Bride". It was great. Can't get much better then pigging out on candy, in pajamas, watching a movie!

Jeppson Halloween Hauntings

Dad all punked out

Jeppson girls Halloween 2008

Cora is a Cinderella Princess

Hannah is a vampire bat

Anya is a Dragon


We had a fun Halloween this year. Dad took the girls around trick-or-treating, while mom stayed home and passed out candy. We lost track of the older girls for a little while. Without permission they ran ahead with some friends and just kept going. Eventually Dad found them again...which is not hard to do in our neighborhood. I love our neighborhood. It is the perfect set-up. In the center is a huge common area with a field, community center and large playground. Then all the houses in our neighborhood are built around the common area in a huge rectangle. It is all very central, so luckily the kids really couldn't go anywhere far. Still we had a long talk afterwards, which was torture for the kids because it delayed candy eating. I went through 7 bags of candy, and still ran out before the kids stopped coming. Someday I will get the ratio right! All in all, I think it was a success. We had a great time, and especially enjoyed having dad home with us this year!