The West Family 5

The "Literal" Difference Between 43 and 12

2009-09-07T21:12:00.001-07:00

After reading to the boys, Jonny proceeded to tell me something that happened to him at church yesterday. He began by saying, "I ran into someone yesterday.." I interrupted him (I know, I should not do that!) But I asked, "What do you mean you ran into them?" Why did I ask this and why did I interrupt? I don't know! Jonny looked confused and asked, "What?"
I then explained that "ran into" could mean that you saw someone that you had not seen in awhile and talked to them.
Jonny replied, "Mom, I'm 12, I don't say things like "ran into". I meant I really physically bumped into someone!"
....Had I not interrupted, I would have understood the first time!

Oh, The Depths of Wishing

2009-09-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

A few days ago Jonny asked me if I could have any wish what would I wish for. I had just read one of Kyle's sad short stories about a man whose wish came true but only by the death of his only son! So, as I thought I knew what would be a perfect wish. I told him I wished that he and his siblings would walk with the Lord all the days of their lives and I wished for salvation for both sets of grandparents. (I know, it is technically two, but it was my wish!) Jonny sat there for a moment and said, "Wow" mom, that's deep. I laughed and said, "Well what were you thinking about?" He replied, "I just wish I could break dance." Another funny and treasured memory on the way home from school!

Thoughts from a 5th Grade Sunday School

2009-06-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

I have always thought the Sunday School kids we teach are pretty thoughtful and insightful but today they seemed to be in rare form. Maybe it was the donuts we gave them for snack. :-) As Steve was building the lesson for our Sunday school class, he began by asking the kids a few questions and the kids answered here and there but today two answers were just classic.
Steve asked them what a pagan was and one boy raised his hand and said, "A disgusting person!" We tried not to laugh but we both cracked up. Then Steve asked about the symbolism of the lamb in the Old Testament and asked the kids what the Israelites did with the lamb. Again, one boy(diiferent boy) raised his hand and said, "They lit it on fire!" Again, we couldn't contain ourselves. They were so funny and these were serious answers! We love our Sunday School kids!!!!

The Joy of not being German

2009-03-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

Jenna went over to her friend Emma Tracy's house last Friday. As we were driving in the car, I gave her some last minute instructions, you know the kind on being polite, following instructions, being other's minded and so on. Jenna was going to eat dinner at the Tracys so I told her not to tell Mrs. Tracy "I don't like that!" but just to eat what was given to her and say thank you. I then told her a story of when I was little and I went to a new friends house. (I can't remember her name so we must have not been that good of friends.) I told Jenna that my new friend's parents were German and I had lunch over their house. My friend's mom made us lunch and served me a tuna sandwich with butter! I looked at it and almost died but did not say anything. I told Jenna I just ate the sandwich. Jenna was quiet for a moment and then responded "I'm glad the Tracys aren't German!" :-)

The Love List

2009-03-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

Jenna always carries a bag to church with her. It usually has her bible some toys, notebook, pen, or picture. Today in church she was writing in her notebook. Here is her "Love List". This is her list in the order she wrote. Notice I am before dad. :-)

Love List
1. God
2. Mom
3. Dad
4. Bella and Roxy....sad, the dogs before the brothers. And Roxy isn't even our dog! We will need to talk about this later. :-)
5. Jonny
6. Kyle
7. Grama
8. Grump-pa
9. Grama Betty
10. Grampa
11. Dani
12. Anty Tracy
13. Uncle Robert
14. My too cousins (she technically has one, my brother has one child and my husband is an only child) Not sure who the other one is.
15. Uncle Michael
16. Bria
17. Emma T.
18. Price
19. Emma S.
20. Jenna from Nebraska

To Move or Not to Move....

2009-03-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Since Kyle started high school this past year in Murrieta, my husband has wanted to move. He hates to drive and driving daily to Murrieta is pain to him. The men in the West household would like to move and the women (Jenna and I) want to stay in Canyon Lake. Jenna is constantly writing in notebooks and this note she wrote explains perfectly her thoughts about the situation. :-) Spelling and Punctuation errors are intentional. :-)

........"To Dani" (Her dear friend who lives in Canyon Lake)

"Dani, I mite move by Kyle's school. And it is not close. It is by J.T.'s house and you no it is not close. So can you help me by E. mailing my mom and talk her into not moveing. Rite me back."

Love, Jenna in Tears

Dreaming in the 21st Century

2009-01-19T20:26:00.000-08:00

When Steve is home, he puts Jenna to bed and lays down with her for awhile. I can hear them talking and laughing and it is so sweet. He tells her to dream of sugar plums, he makes her stuff animals talk, and tells her all sorts of funny things. When he gets home from work, Jenna tells him about the sugar plums she has tasted in her dreams and sometimes she is so excited about her dream, she calls him at work. She told me she has tried a cherry sugar plum, Dr. Pepper sugar plum, and all kinds of sugar plums. I asked how she dreams about sugar plums all the time. She told me she uses a "user name" and two "passwords" to get into sugar plum dream land! Ahhh, you gotta love her 21st century response!

Young Author Writing Contest 2008

2008-04-05T18:45:00.001-07:00

Every year my kids participate in the Young Author Writing Contest....not always by their choice. :-) We now have a great collection of books authored by the West kids. This year Kyle wrote a few short allegorical stories. These were assignments he had to do anyway. :-) Jonny wrote two books, one a tall tale and one a chapter book after he read an abridged version of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Jenna wrote a tall tale and wanted to write more but we didn't get a chance to do it. I will have to start earlier next year. Here are just a few pictures from the Young Author Tea and one picture of the Imagination Machine. The Imagination Machine turned one of Kyle's short stories into a play. His original story was called, A Man Name Complainer.

An American Girl Birthday 2008 More Pictures

2008-03-30T17:24:00.001-07:00

After a long day we stopped by Nordstrom's and I let the girls play with make-up. Here they are with a ton of make-up and silly faces.
Dani posing with one of the statues. We were entertaining the people who walked by.

Wrestling in the hotel room. Here Jenna is showing Dani a few "Friday Night Smackdown" moves she learned from her brother Jonny.

An American Girl Birthday 2008

2008-03-30T17:09:00.000-07:00

This year was Jenna's 7th birthday and we had decided to make a girls' trip to the American Girl Place in Los Angeles. I booked a hotel and Jenna brought her good friend Dani Dodson with her. We had a great time just the three of us. We would have loved to have Steve and the boys along but felt the American Girl Place would be too much torture for boys. :-) We drove up on Friday, March 21, 2008 and after a full day at American Girl Place, we went to our hotel, the Marriott in Los Angeles about 20 minutes away normally! But I got lost! The girls had a blast. They even had their doll's hair done! It was a fun trip. Happy Birthday 7th Jenna! Dad and I love you so much!

Jenna's Prayer Request

2008-01-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Since Jenna has been attending "big church" with us (now as a 1st grader) she likes to try and take notes and sometimes follow our pastor's powerpoint. At church, we have these response cards for new visitors and for the congregation to fill out in the weekly bulletin. Jenna decided she would like to fill on out and ask for prayer. Here is her sweet response card.

Sweet Memories

2007-11-17T22:05:00.000-08:00

Jonny's last sleepover was when he was seven. I thought I would put these pictures in to see the difference a few years makes. Some of his friends at age seven were at his party at age 11. Wow! They all look so big!

Jonny's Sleepover Birthday Party Age 11

2007-11-17T22:01:00.001-08:00

Disneyland Oct. 07

2007-10-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

We went to Disneyland on Wednesday, October 24th. We met my friend Claire who I use to work with. We had a good time and it was fun to see Claire and her kids. Check out Jonny and his daredevil antics. He's a maniac on Dumbo and Toon Town!

Pumpkin Carving

2007-10-28T16:47:00.001-07:00

Jenna and Steve carved a pumpkin together. I am not sure who had more fun, Steve or Jenna. It was fun to watch them and take pictures. Below, Steve and Jenna pose like their creation. I call it Triplets!

Pantry Makeover

2007-10-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

What a Mess!

I use to be able to see the floor!

WOW!

THE FLOOR!

My parents came and redid my pantry for me. It was such a blessing. I loved it! I told them when it was all done that the entire family could now sleep in there!!!

Jonny's 11th Birthday!

2007-10-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

Birthday Wishes!
Grandma is talking and not smiling.
My favorite Game!...Heroscape!

Birthday Boy, Age 11, October 15, 2007

Dad just can't help himself!
High School Musical Wrapping paper! My Favorite!....Steve thought it would be funny to wrap in this paper, since we tease the boys that this is their favorite movie! :-)

Smackdown's #1 Fan....Jonny West!!!
Jonny loves his Rockstar!

Rockstars make me crazy

Jonny had a week long birthday w/ presents, a family party, and a sleepover with friends. We had a great time and it is such a joy to watch him grow! We love you Jonny B!!!!! Steve bought Jonny a Rockstar as part of his birthday present! Jonny loves those monster energy drinks!

Christian Quote of the Day!

2007-09-17T14:04:00.000-07:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christian Quote of the Day
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Topic for Today: Grace

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the
reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that
you are beyond the need of God's grace.

Bridges, Jerry

A Dad and his Weetie Weets!

2007-08-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Steve and Jenna.
He nicknamed her "Weetie Weets". She will have that name forever! :-)

Grandparents visit July 2007

2007-08-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

Steve's parents came out for a visit in July. One day we went on the boat. Jenna was in a winter theme. She wore her snow cap!

A New Addition to the West Family!

2007-08-02T12:37:00.000-07:00

Well, we finally got a pet! It has been a long time since we had any animals in the West home. My friend Gina told me her sister-in-law was selling Boston Terriers and we loved the personality of the dogs so needless to say we bought one! It has been fun and work. We are kennel training her and she is waking up like a newborn! Wow! We are tired but love her. Look at poor Jonny, he's exhausted! Our puppy didn't have a name for about a week and a half because we all couldn't agree. Finally Jenna, Jonny, and I agreed so the majority won out! :-) Her name is "Bella". Her real formal name is "Queen Isabella". Had to get a history name in there, since this was the time period we studied. Our friends the Dodsons and the Maitlands have her sisters. We all have girls, so I nicknamed them the "Supremes". The Dodson's named their dog "Roxy", so Kyle nicknamed our dog, "Bellabong" after the clothingline "Billabong and Roxy". He doesn't like her name very much. :-) She is a blast and has a great personality and is pretty smart, however, she does run into the furniture sometimes.

More Kindergarten graduation

2007-08-02T12:30:00.001-07:00

Jenna graduated this year from Kindergarten. She really enjoyed the ceremony and had a good time. Our kids have grown so fast that I am treasuring every moment and trying not to let the cares of this world overwhelm me with the joy the Lord brings to me.

Kindergarten Graduation

2007-08-02T12:19:00.000-07:00

The West Kids

2007-01-21T20:03:00.000-08:00

This year I asked my neighbor Cheryl to take our family picture. She is a great photographer. Kyle is 13, Jonny is 10 and Jenna is 5 years old. This was fun to do.

2007-01-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

I am going to try and post every once and awhile about some things that go on in the West home. Just to keep family and friends posted of the new happenings in the West home.
Jenna started dance this year at Good News dance. This was her first recital. This is backstage with her good friend Dani.