Just some random thoughts..

It's been a while since I've updated our lives. We have decided to stay in Las Vegas. As much as I would move to Texas in a heartbeat, Vegas seems to be where we are planted, so we are determined to bloom here. What does that mean for us? It means Bryce will soon be a UNLV Rebel ( but he will NEVER admit it:) A big deciding factor for us to stay here (along with endless prayers and temple attendance) is Cade's football coaches and the Rams organization. We were very blessed to get him into this organization. They are the best in Southern Nevada, and his main coach is the football coach at Western High School. The Rams organization have 6 of their boys (men now) playing college football. These coaches are in it for the long haul, and have complete faith and dedication in Cade and his quarterback abilities and talent. This is such a great opportunity for him, and one we may not find anywhere else. So as long as Cade and the Rams both live up to their end of the deal, the one question we keep coming back to is *why change a good thing?*
Which brings me to my next thought (if I am boring you at all, feel free to skip this post, I am just putting some thoughts out there) What to do with our house. We have been working on a home modification loan for exactly one year. The bank finally came back to us with a somewhat reasonable offer. We have plenty of things that we love about our house, and plenty of things that drive us crazy. Now we have to make the decision to stay here or go and rent. There are plenty of pro's and con's to each. Some of the con's being: repair/maintenance - they both take time and money as a home owner. Neither of which we really have with Bryce in school full time, me working 3 days a week, and 4 kids all in different activities. We also have HOA dues, home owners insurance, pool maintenance, etc.. On the other hand, the kids love this house, the yard, the pool, the neighborhood, the space, etc.. but is it worth the extra money to stay? After praying hard about it, I'm leaning more toward renting, still within the same school boundaries. The kids love their school and teachers, so we really want to stay in this area. Of course being a homeowner is ideal, but at this point in our lives is it really the right/reasonable thing to do? We don't know for sure. I do know that whatever we do decide it will be our decision based on what we feel is best for our family, relying on the Lord for guidance in our decision.
Another aspect of *why change a good thing?* goes to the school portion. I have learned of a charter school nearby that does K-8th grade. Apparently it is pretty popular around here. I think there are definitely pro's and con's to this as well. I'm not one to jump on the "bandwagon" with the majority, but I can see why some do. Some of my thoughts on charter schools is that it would be nice for Junior High age, to give the kids more attention and focus on striving to improve their skills and encourage higher learning. Not throwing them into Middle school in Las Vegas - that is definitely a huge bonus. If I thought bad things were going on in middle school in Utah, I can only imagine what goes on here in Vegas. However, with that being said, the other thoughts in mine and Bryce's minds were - have some faith in our kids and their strengths. Can we truly have faith in them and their decisions if we put them in a "bubble" during elementary and Junior High? It is true that a lot of LDS kids go to this charter school, so what's going to happen when they get thrown into high school with the whole mix of kids and personalities, behaviors and choices that they have not had to deal with and stand strong against? So far Cade has made lots of friends at school, and football. Kids he would be going to Junior high with. Suddenly those kids would be gone, and he would be forced to start all over again. Haylee as well. She has some good friends at school. Although both would have some friends from chuch at the school, they still have plenty of friendships they have developed at school. Which brings us back to the question *why change a good thing?*
I know they are only in 1st and 4th grade, and a lot can change between now and Junior high years. I am not looking through rose colored glasses, I know they will have their struggles and trials. As a mom, my first instinct is to stick them into this charter school and save them from middle school in Las Vegas. But, after stepping back and looking at the big picture, I truly believe
that my kids are strong enough and have faith and core values needed to survive. I think we will at least give them a try. Bryce and I both agree that the more we talk openly and communicate with our kids, and not try to hide the evils of this world, they are better prepared to take it on, and stand strong. We have watched Cade with this and football. He is surrounded by not one single LDS kid on his team. He has seen how the kids talk and act. He realizes their choices are different than his, but he stands tall and is not afraid to be different and stand up for what he KNOWS is right. Haylee hasn't had to deal with this as much yet, but I feel we need to give her the chance to make her decisions and see what happens. We can take it one child at a time, one school year at a time. If things start to take a turn, then we can look at other alternatives, but at least we gave them a chance to make their own choices.
I think it is safe to say Bryce and I have been through it all. We have both made extremely bad and extremely good choices. We both grew up with the wrong crowds making all of the wrong choices. I now believe that as parents, it will help us as we raise our kids. We know what is out there, and we also know how accepted everything else is here in Vegas. That is why we know that every single day we give it our all to incorporate the gospel into all aspects of our kids lives. The kids are learning to pray just as hard as we do that we can make the right decision regarding our house, Bryce's schooling, me working and just our lives in general. We involve them in the good and the not so good in our lives, so they can learn how it feels when the blessings finally do come. It's a great testimony builder for them, and a great teaching tool for life in general for them to be involved.

So in my theme of *why change a good thing?* I guess I seemed to be answering some of my own questions. I do know that Bryce and I have great attitudes about this entire situation, considering everything going on. It seems to be contagious as our kids are pretty optimistic about whatever may happen. I believe we have already given them a firm foundation so that they already know that we will make the best of whatever may come our way.

I know some of you already do the charter schools and some do regular public school. So if you have made it through this entire post without falling asleep, I would love to hear your input on either side. The good and the bad of both sides. Hopefully I haven't offended anyone, just putting your thoughts in writing can sometimes help you realize what deep down you already knew:)

**It's THAT time of YEAR again**

I LOVE football season! Today was Cade's first game with the Rams. He was drafted as one of their two QB's. He is awesome in his position!

We have some serious team spirit:)

*The back of our shirts*

This was at 7am, prior to the game even starting.. I told them I wanted a picture and they totally posed on their own:)

Heading out to start the game. While Cade was in the game, they got 2 of their 3 touchdowns of the game. Way to go Cade!

Everyone back together after their victory against the #2 team in Pop Warner

The boys doing their victory dance!

It's no wonder the Rams are the 4 time champions for pop warner. This team and the team spirit is incredible. They had music in the stadium to get the team and fans all pumped up. By the end of the game, our side of the stands were nearly full with Rams fans (from Cade's age on up for the next division Rams team) Everyone was jumping, yelling and cheering so loud for the boys. This year is going to be a blast.