The Whitings in Disneyland

Our family went to Disneyland last week! Despite the looks on some of their faces, they actually did really enjoy it. :)

Sticky Fingers

We've been dealing with a problem for quite some time, and it seems to be escalating now that our twins are realizing the value of money... stealing.  We have tried a variety of rewards and consequences.  I thought that teaching them the value of working to earn money would help, but they are smart enough to figure out that stealing money (or other cool-looking items) is much faster and easier than earning it.  What creative solutions do you guys have for a Sticky Finger problem?
 -- Camille

The Whiting Family

James and I have eight children -- Cameron, Micah, Ethan, Ian, Jamey, Teancum, Rebecca, and Elizabeth, ranging in age from 14 to 2.  Two of our children are adopted foster children -- I am thrilled if you can't guess which 2 they are! 

James is an attorney and I am mostly a stay-at-home mom, although I am also his secretary at his private law office.  We were foster parents for 9 years until James' job as an attorney began to conflict with our foster childrens' cases.  With Lander being such a small town, James often ends up representing birth parents, representing foster children as a Guardian ad Litem, or representing foster parents; so we are no longer foster parents.

This will be my third year coordinating the food program for WFAPA.  In what is left of my spare time, I enjoy running, music, and playing with my kids.  I play the piano in the primary at our church.  I also teach 7 of my children piano lessons.  Our family is very involved in the Boy Scout program (1 cub scout and 4 boy scouts), and I am the advancement chairman for our scout troop, crew, team, and pack.  James is an assistant scout master in our troop.  My oldest son, Cameron, is an Eagle Scout, and my second son, Micah, is just waiting for his Board of Review to become an Eagle Scout.  My twins turn 11 tomorrow and officially become boy scouts.  My youngest son will become a cub scout in April.

My kids are involved in a variety of activities, so it seems that almost every night we are attending a band concert, basketball game, violin recital, pack meeting, etc. etc. etc.  But we love being busy.  It is wonderful to see the variety of talents and personalities that our children are developing -- each of them are definitely an individual!

I have enjoyed getting to know the WFAPA families from throughout the state.  It is amazing how much we have in common once we get to know each other!