March Update

Life is busy and always changing for us (as always)... we are moving AGAIN next weekend! Not by our choice, but our landlord is moving back into this house, so we have to leave. We found a cute little place that's not too far away but it is in a different ward and a different school.... Ah! So starting anew AGAIN... I think we must be trying to create some sort of record for moving. This will be 4 moves in less than 18 months (sigh). Michael just applied to the UC Berkeley MBA program and has an interview this Friday! It is one of the top 10 schools in the country so it's very difficult to get in, but we are encouraged that he has an interview! If he gets into the program for this Fall we would be very excited. It will be a challenging 3 years and I will have to take on the role of "single mom status" because Michael will be working full time and going to school on the evenings and weekends, but we feel like it's the right thing to do. I'm still keeping busy as a ZUMBA Instructor and I really love it, I teach 7 times a week (crazy, I know) but it's really been something that I look forward to and really enjoy. I love teaching and have made so many great friends in the process. I teach for free 3 times a week at the Stake Center for anyone who wants to come (which is about 30-40 ladies each class), and I teach 4 times a week at a indoor-sports center here in Livermore and I am learning a lot about being a business woman and building my clientele through marketing, promotions, word of mouth...etc. It keeps me busy, but is well worth it. Lance is doing great in Kindergarten and LOVES it! I was worried that it would be challenging because he is one of the very youngest (if not the youngest) in his class, but he works hard and is doing really well! Afton is adorable, full of energy, and our little chatter-box. She loves to talk and tell pretend stories, regularly tries to talk herself out of getting in trouble, wrestle with Cosette, play with the "big kids", and be independent. She is still young enough to tell the truth, but smart enough to try and cover-up her mistakes. It is not uncommon to hear her say, "Oops Mommy! I spilled my water, but I didn't." or "My room is a BE-SASTER (disaster), but it's not... it's super clean!" Cosette is growing up so fast! She is running and playing with her big brother and sister and learning so much! She loves to play with Afton and have Mommy and Daddy sing her "3 Little Ducks". She likes to feed herself and sit up and the dining room table with the family. She loves playing Peek A Boo and will hide behind the couch and poke her little head out and say "Boo!" She is always excited to see Daddy when he gets home from work and greets him with out-stretched arms and running to meet him at the door while yelling "Da-da, Da-da!" We are all doing great and keeping very busy. We feel so blessed and really love our lives here in California.

Letter to Elder Covey

Oh Elder Covey! I read your letters and am so inspired by you! I feel the Spirit in your words and it helps me to keep more of an "eternal perspective" on my own life. The love you feel for those you are serving is incredible. You have always had such a loving heart and have been accepting and non-judgemental. I Lord definitely knew those strengths when He called you to your mission with your President and with the Elders that you have been companions with! What a BLESSING you have been to SO MANY people! They are truly lucky (not by "luck" but from blessings from heaven) to have you there. I am so glad that your President can see your Spiritual Gifts and that he has paired you with other young men who will be blessed because of them. Oh, I love you so much Jacob! I feel so lucky to be your sister. Being your oldest sister has been so amazing. I feel like I got to "mother" and love you since we have such a big age gap and I have loved every minute of it! Now, being a mother of my own children it's amazing the kind of love that I feel for them. I can totally relate to your feelings of love for your investigators, because that is the same kind of God-like love that I feel for my own children... it sure is amazing! Thank you for being such a great example to me and my kids. I can see so many similarities between you and my little Lance. He is loving, kind, sweet, and thoughtful - just like his Uncle Jacob. I know that he will always look up to you and want to follow your incredible example. Thank you for being such a great example to him. I hope he grows up to be just like you! We are praying for you, your companions and your investigators. We love you! ~ Camille and family

My Cute Kids!

I truly think that my children are just the greatest, smartest, cutest, best children in the entire WORLD! Good thing we all have mothers... everyone needs to feel that someone knows how amazing they are!

Here is out adorable Lance... he built this tower when Grandma was over. Impressive!



Lance is a very thoughtful boy. He asks lots of questions and loves to talk. He is especially interested in gospel-centered topics lately. Today while we were in the car he said,

"God can tell us stuff, right?"

"Yes Lance. He can. If you have faith He has the Holy Ghost help you."

"Yeah, I know. But I never hear the Holy Ghost's voice Mommy."

"The Holy Ghost isn't a voice you usually hear. The Holy Ghost gives you thoughts in your mind and feelings in your heart."

Thinking... "I have good faith Mommy."

"I know you do Lance."

Over the last few months he has also been asking a lot of questions about death, and heaven, and when people will die. This has been a bit surprising and hard to talk about, because one of my greatest fears is loosing a child... so to talk about it in a very casual, informative way is almost strange.

"Mommy, when will I die?"

"Not until you are a very old grandpa."

"Will we die together?"

"No Lance, I will die before you because I am older than you. But I'll be waiting in heaven for you."

"I am going to miss you when you die Mommy."

Even just remembering this conversation and writing it down makes me cry... Thinking about life without each of my children is unbearable... I am so grateful for the gospel and for the knowledge that we have of eternal families. I can not imagine what it would be like to not know that I would be with my husband and children after this life is over. It is so nice to be able to tell Lance and I KNOW we will be together again.


Sweet and Sassy Afton!

Afton pulled out a potato from the pantry and was reaching her hand into our sharp knife drawer when I said,

"Afton! What are you doing!!"
"I getting this for (Uncle) Kyle mommy!" she said. "See, I cut it!"



This little girl sure does have a mind of her own!



This morning I was in my bathroom and I could hear Afton yelling from the kitchen, "Sis'er Bennett! Sis'er Bennett!! 'ARE YOU?!?!?!" (she regularly calls me Sister Bennett, and she calls Daddy Michael... silly girl!)

Afton is very well spoken for her age, loves to feel like she is in charge, and always has something to say. Lately this often comes out through bossing and threatening... she is just so little and cute I seriously have a hard time not laughing!

Here are some recent statements from her:

Hands on hips, feet shoulder-width apart, sicking out that cute round tummy, lips pursed, chin down, and eyes looking through her too-long bangs, "Hey! What you doing? You come back here RIGHT NOW!" (yelling down the street at the big kids in our circle).

Every time we see a horse as we drive Lance to Joy School, "I want ride horsie Mommy!Look! (counting the horses) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8!"

"La, La, La, Mance." (trying to teach her the L sound in La, La, La, Lance!)

"You go in Time Out Mance! GO!" (while pointing her little finger and glaring through her bangs).

"I adult Mommy. I in charge, not you!"


Cutie Cosettie!

She is totally LAUGHING now! So fun! She is definitely ticklish and I just love to bite her tiny feet and tickle her!

She also thinks Lance and Afton are SO funny. I will regularly catch her watching them play/wrestle and she is just watching from a distance laughing and laughing! The big kids also love to play "Peek-A-Bo," make crazy faces, jump up and down, or do anything that will make her laugh!



Kids are so much fun... they sure make me happy!







SPACE SHIP ADVENTURE!

Lance and Afton found an empty box (that I haven't packed up yet) and decided that it was not just a box... it was a SPACESHIP! They put on their space-suits, boots, gloves, helmets, buckled in and 5...4...3...2...1...BLAST OFF! (or as Lance said, "3... 9...8...6...1...) and off they were to the moon! Lance caught a shooting star in his hand and said, "It feels like LIGHT!" They admired the "Artic Cirle", the way the earth looked from outer space, and finally they landed on the moon where they felt how "slide-y" and "bouncy" the moon was when they walked around! After their adventure they got back in the ship, buckled up, and back they flew to earth with a "1-2-3-4-5...8... BLAST OFF!" (I have a video of it too... and the kids just watch it over, and over, and laugh, and laugh!)

Joy School

Here are a few fun pictures of Lance throughout this fun Joy School year!


Packer Nettesheim, Sam Fuller, Lucie Wise, Lance Bennett


Halloween Parade Treats!


Halloween Parade Showcase!


Christmas Nativity - Lance was Joseph


Cute kids!


They LOVE Joy School!

My Special Mothers Day

A family portrait by Lance

Michael moved to California 2 weeks ago to start his new job with Johnson and Johnson in Milpitas and try to find a house for us!

I went down that first week with him and went house hunting every day to try to get a feel for the area and the neighborhoods, schools, wards... etc. So, Cosette and I spent every day driving Michael to work, house hunting, nursing every 3 hours, stopping at random shops to recharge my phone battery and call people to set appointments, getting Cosette out of her car seat, and then back in the car again until we picked Michael up from work in the evening. We then showed him the latest finds, and then drove 45 minutes back to Walnut Creek where we were staying with Uncle Dick and Aunt Bonnie.

Dick and Bonnie are SO generous and offered to let Michael live at their home with them for a full MONTH while we are in transition. While I was there they fed us dinner every night, and even took us out for a really nice dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and showed us around town. They are such sweet and loving people. We also got to spend time with their daughter Lisa. She knit a little hat a few months back, and gave it to Cosette! It is so adorable and fit her perfectly! Lisa is so thoughtful. It was so nice to be able to spend some quality time together.

Lance and Afton stayed home in Highland and were so SPOILED as they were watched by Aunt Collette, Grandma, and Nana the entire time I was gone. I don't know what I would have done without all of their help! I feel so lucky to have family that is so generous with their time and for them to help us out for an entire week... wow... that is A LOT of work! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!


Afton created this picture of her Daddy!

So this is Michael's second week living in California and the kids keep asking "when is Daddy coming home?" I tell them, "Daddy is in California working and looking for a place for us to live."

Yesterday Afton looked around the house and asked me again, "Where is Daddy?" I was about to answer with my typical response when Lance said, "Afton, Daddy lives in California now, remember? He is going to find a house for us." "Oh, okay." Afton said. They sure do miss their Daddy.

Today is Mothers Day and I have been sad to not be with Michael today. Michael knows how much I appreciate the "sentimental stuff" and sent me a thoughtful eCard today... My eyes filled with tears as I read it. It just feels so good to know that he appreciates me, and that he acknowledges the work it takes to be a Mother.

From my wonderful husband...

Dearest Camille,

I am so sad that I am not with you on this special mothers day,
So an eCard from your hubby I will use to say
You are my soul-mate, wife, mother, and friend,
So grateful I will have, with you, an eternity to spend.
You are so beautiful both inside and out,
I love you! I love you ! I love you I shout!!!!

Thank you for the meals, the cleaning, and shopping you do
The sleepless nights, the diapers, and bath times too.
I am so grateful you are responsible and kind,
But most of all being an amazing mom is at the front of my mind!

You bless us each day with your smile and your laugh,
You stretch each dollar so far, I'll show you the math.
I miss you so much, while I am here in the Bay,
Your protection and safety is what I pray for each day.

You mean everything to me, this you should already know,
For ever and ever my love for you will grow!

Happy Mother's Day honey. I love you so much!

Your lucky Husband,

Michael

I have the greatest husband! We have learned so much about each other over the last 6 years of marriage and our relationship continues to get stronger and stronger. I am so grateful to know that we will be an eternal family. I can not imagine an after-life without my precious family that I love so much.

I am the luckiest woman in the world. I have a loving husband, healthy children, and an understanding of my purpose in life. Motherhood is an experience that I learn from everyday. I can feel the Spirit trying to teach me how to become a better person as I deal with the day-to-day activities of raising 3 small children. It's no easy task, and I definitely am not able to change overnight, but it is such a blessing in my life to learn from the promptings I receive, to help me become more Christlike.

I am so grateful to be a mother. I truly can not express how fortunate and blessed I feel to have my children and to be entrusted with these precious little spirits that are straight from heaven. Being away from Lance and Afton for a week really reminded me how much I NEED them in my life! I love my children SO MUCH. I truly can't imagine my life without Lance, Afton, or Cosette.

For Mothers Day today, although Michael was gone, I was still definitely acknowledged and pampered! My mom was so thoughtful yesterday and brought a plate of scrambled eggs, a mango, a muffin, some orange juice, and a special note over to my house so Lance and Afton could surprise me today and give me a special breakfast. They couldn't wait to give me the note, but they "hid" the food in the fridge so they could give it to me in the morning.

This morning I was getting the kids ready for church and, as always, in a hurry to get out the door. The children had just gotten out of the bath, I had finished blow drying my hair, and putting my makeup on, and I was about the feed Cosette before I got on Lance and Afton's clothes and ran out the door.

Lance suddenly remembered about the "surprise" and said, "Mommy! Stay here! I have a special surprise for you, and you can't see it. Don't come out!" He ran out the bathroom door, closed it, ran out my bedroom, closed those doors, and went into the kitchen. At this point I knew I had to make a choice. I could either go tell Lance that we didn't have time for a big breakfast right now and put him off until after church, or I could let him continue on with his plan and be very late to church and take our time enjoying the special surprise. I decided that if there was any day to be a patient and loving mother, today was the day. I knew Lance would be heart broken if I didn't let him put together his sweet surprise and that rushing out the door would ruin the whole morning. So I waited patiently in the bathroom while he set everything up (which took quite a while). He put 3 place mats on the kitchen table, with a plastic bowl and spoon for he and Afton, an "adult" bowl and spoon for me. He got the plate of food out of the fridge and brought it into me while I was still in the bathroom. He was BEAMING! He was SO HAPPY to have a surprise for me and said, "Mommy! Mommy! Come in the kitchen!" He excitedly took my hand and lead me into the kitchen to show me how he had set the table special just for me.


This is a picture Lance drew of me!

I knelt down on the floor to be eye level with him, "Oh Lance! You are the best! Thank you SO MUCH!" He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the cheek, "Happy Mothers Day Mommy, I love you."

My eyes were filled with tears... even though I knew exactly what the "plan" was and I wasn't surprised, I was so touched at his thoughtfulness and what I sweet boy he is. Lance is a very loving little guy and even at the age of 4 he is melting my heart!

We all sat up at the table and I said a little blessing on the food and thanked Heavenly father for Mothers Day, that I am a mother, and for such sweet children. I got a little emotional during the prayer and after we said "Amen" Lance said, "Mommy, you are crying because you are happy for all the nice things I did for you, huh?" "Yes Lance," I said and kissed him on the forehead, "I just love you children so much. Thank you." He just smiled.

I am so blessed.

Cosette Beth Bennett

When thinking about names for this sweet little baby we knew we wanted her name to be meaningful. We wanted to carry on the tradition of naming our girls a French name, in honor of Michael serving his mission in France, so we decided on the first name of Cosette.

We chose the middle name of Beth, after Cosette's Great-Great Grandmother (Grammy) Beth Parrish.

Here is the story behind each of her names...

Cosette is the name of a main character in the book Les Miserables written by the Frech author Victor Hugo. I have been familiar with Les Miserables and the Broadway Musical my whole life. My parents loved the Broadway and would often play the music on Sunday evenings while we were cleaning up after dinner.

One of the reasons I love Les Mis so much is because of all the fond memories I have of my family while we listened to that CD! I still have a vivid memory of my Dad being a little silly while playing that CD... he was standing in the kitchen with his hand passionately raised in a fist, singing along in his best imitation-opera voice saying, "Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men? It is the music of the people Who will not be slaves again!" ... I just love my family!

Beth is the name of my 94 year old Great-Grandmother whom I love. While pregnant I would visit Grammy after each of my 15 check-up appointments and really grew close to her. She is such a sweet and loving woman and I truly love her dearly.

I always look forward to the Blessing of our children. I am so grateful for Michael. He is such a strong priesthood leader and an example of righteousness to our children.

Michael gave Cosette a beautiful blessing in our Highland Ward on Sunday March 6, 2011 surrounded in the circle by all of her uncles, grandfathers, great-grandfather, and many great-uncles and second cousins.

I wrote as much of it as I could... there was a beautiful spirit while it was given:

"Cosette Beth Bennett, as your father and by the power of the Melchezidic Priesthood which I hold, I give you a name and a blessing.

Cosette, at this time I bless your body to be stong and healthy... to allow you to accomplish your various activities. I bless you to have strength and energy... to have a happy personality.

I bless your mind to be clear and to have inteligence... in order to stay close to the Lord.

I bless you with leadership qualities... for your brothers, sisters, family, and friends. I bless you with the strength to be an example in this life.

When the time comes I bless you to be sealed for time and all eternity...

Cosette, you are a choice spirit. I give you this blessing, and all other things the Lord has is store for you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

From The Daddy...

Today is 11/22/10 and I am sitting here in St Marks Hospital, watching my perfect little angel Cosette sleep. She is finally here and both Camille and I are so happy she is here safe, healthy and a good baby.

Saturday 11/20/10 We arrived at the hospital at 9 am, checked in, went through all the paperwork, went to our room and waited. I studied for the GMAT and responded to lots of Text requests from updates, while Camille did all the hard work. Cosette was born at 4:10 on 11/20/10, weighing in at 7lbs 5 oz and 19 inches. She looks so much like Afton to me. She had lots of dark hair when she was born, and was such a good baby right from the start.

The doctor asked me if I wanted to cut the ambilical cord, and I said, "no way. If we were doing a car repair, I would be a good help, but this medical stuff, I am no help. Heck this is what we pay you for!" LOL Camille did so good, everything went perfect!

Sitting here in the hospital I think about uncertainty at work, the upcoming GMAT, our pending purchase on the Highland house, Thanksgiving in 4 days, my drive to AZ to sell the factory five Cobra...then I look at my perfect, little, adorable baby girl and all of the other thoughts melt away and I notice I have been sitting here smiling, just smiling and looking at my beautiful little girl. Nothing else matters.

Papa Covey Sr. was right, "do you have a wife, do you have children?...then nothing else matters." Its peaceful times like this that allow me to take a step back and count how blessed we are.

Lance and Afton came yesterday with my mom. When Lance walked in, is eyes were scanning the room looking, and he asked Camille, "Where's the baby?" I said, "She is here in the rolling crib", his eyes were huge, and he had a big smile on his face, and said, "I think we should call here E." (he said that about 5 times. We have no idea where that name came from but Lance really liked it for his baby sister). I then asked if he wanted to hold her, and with a huge smile and big eyes he shook his head. Lance was so cute with her, he kept stroking her cheek and would say, "Give a little kick baby" (just like he did during the pregnancy). Lance is so cute with her, such a good, loving big brother!

Next was Afton's turn. When asked if she wanted to hold the baby she said "ya". So on the bed with Camille Afton, held Cosette, for about 6 seconds, then said "all done" and made the sign for all done. She is not even 2 yet, so she does not get it yet, but gave the baby a kiss on the cheek and was bouncing all around the hospital room.

We really are so blessed. Our children are Healthy, Happy, Smart, Fun, Caring and so darn CUTE!