Our Disneyland Trip

More Pics of Nathan

These are some pictures of Nathan over the last few months.

Nathan at 1 Year

Homeschooling

So, I've been thinking alot about homeschool lately. I really want to homeschool my kids. Being trained as a teacher and working in the schools, I have seen the pros and cons of public school. My reasons for wanting to homeschool are mostly social but also I really feel like I can give them an as good or better education. I have the education and skills to do so and since their my children I know them the best and can give them the challenges and support that they individually might need. I really wish my friends that are considering this too could all live in the same city as me so we could hookup and teach together. It would be so fun and would allow our kids to socialize together and also learn values and things that public schools would never allow to be taught in the classroom. I'm curious to know what you think, leave a comment or two.

Sauls Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Geneology - Family albums

Sauls Family Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas

We hope this letter finds you in good health and good cheer. This year has been a busy one for our family. We have graduated from college, moved to Modesto, CA, gone to two family reunions, as well as welcomed a son, Nathan Michael, into our family.

Michael- Graduated from BYU-Idaho in April with a B.A. in Political Science. He completed an internship with Congressman Cardoza here in Modesto and re-established his balloon business, I.E. Twisters, here as well. He loves being “The Balloon Man” and his own boss while looking for a job in politics. Michael serves as a Primary Nursery Leader at church.

Alene- Also graduated from BYU-Idaho in April with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She is currently staying home with Nathan and absolutely enjoys being a mom. When not attending to Nathan’s needs she loves to play games, read, and keep in touch with friends through blogging (www.aleneandmichael.blogspot.com). She works along side Michael as the Nursery Leader at church.

Nathan- Joined the family December 29, 2007. He has progressed so quickly (he is walking now) it is hard to believe he will be celebrating his first birthday in a few days. Nathan loves to play with anything electronic- if it has buttons, cords, or a plug he will find it, play with it and chew on it. He also loves to go up and down steps, play in the dog’s water, pull anything and everything out of cupboards, off shelves, and you name it. Nathan is such a character; he keeps us laughing as well as amazed as to how smart he is. He can find a way around any barrier. The other day I had the kitchen blocked off so he couldn’t get to the pet food. He looked at me, smiled that mischievous smile and the next thing I knew he had gone around through the family room and living room to the other entrance and was getting into the dog water. Another funny thing, he has learned how to pull open doors that are not completely shut. One day he had pulled open the front door (the screen was shut) and pushed it to open all the way. The door lightly hit the wall and bounced back a little. Nathan kept pushing it and the door kept bouncing back. This went on for about a minute until he got frustrated and started screaming at it. Nathan is a joy to us and we could brag about him forever.

Our year has been busy but full of good memories. We hope you have a wonderful Holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and remember the blessings that have come to us through him. We love you and are glad to have you in our lives. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,
Michael, Alene, and Nathan Sauls

Where have all the jobs gone?

I'm starting to feel like we're going to be doomed to live with my mother-in-law and have just enough money to pay the bills with Michael's balloon business. I am so confused with various feelings about what we should be doing, looking, etc. that now I don't know what to do except live each day like nothing was wrong and keep hoping and praying that things start looking up. At this point, I don't care where or what it is as long as it provides for our needs and gets us into our own place and back to having our own lives! I feel depressed alot because of this among other things,but mostly this and the fact that I am absolutely helpless and dependent on the economy. Does anybody else feel this way? Life sure is trying.