Christmas Vacation/ New Years

It's been quite the week for us. One of the best parts of working for the College is that it closes for the holidays, completely. I have been off for a week and don't go back until Wednesday. It's a great chance to just be home with my kids. The boys were spoiled ROYALLY for Christmas and have been so busy each day playing with their new stuff. They have even been getting along for the most part, which is an extra bonus! I have been able to keep up on laundry... kind of... and watch football and color. :) It has snowed almost non-stop since last week. I'm a bit ready for a break in that action.

I have been thinking about New Years goals. I do have a few: 1. Exercise 30 minutes a day 2. Do a service project with my kids at least once a month 3. Finish my Associates Degree I think that's a good start! We hope that you each have a fun and safe New Years Eve!!

Our Christmas 2012

Merry, merry Christmas. Seriously the best Christmas E.V.E.R. We went to Josh's mom's house for Christmas Eve dinner and to open some gifts. The kids all love to get together with Dylan and Tayli (Josh's niece and nephew). We came home late, and in the snow, and opened pajamas and blankets. Then, it was nighty night for the kids and I. I'm pretty sure that Josh lives for this time. He LOVES to make Christmas the best possible day for the kids. He would be the happiest man on earth to not get a thing, seriously. Christmas morning began at 5:30 a.m. Santa went NUTS. There were so many things under the tree that I had no idea about. Josh just passed out gifts and cherished the looks on the kids faces. I cried. Shocker. Now, we are looking forward to the new year with: 1. Lots of camping and fishing 2. Lots of laser tag competitions 3. Lots of building forts 4. Lots of family time. We had Christmas tree-shaped scones for breakfast and then stayed in our jammies for the rest of the day... just watching the kids have a blast. I am immensely grateful. So thankful. Overcome with gratitude!

Caramel Corn Delivery

Last night I went straight home after work and made a double heaping of caramel corn. I bagged it and then loaded the quorum into the vehicle. I explained to them that we were going to deliver these bags to the widows and widowers in our neighborhood. I then told them that for the rest of the bags, we were going to follow the Spirit and deliver to them to those people in the neighborhood who we felt might need a pick-me-up. It was a success.

My boys have very sensitive souls. They are very sweet with people who seem to need an extra dose of love. They are sincerely kind to those who seem sad or hurt in any way. It was so sweet to listen to them wish these people a very merry Christmas.

It did my heart good to watch them do good for others. Isn't it funny how when we do things for other people, we are ALWAYS the ones who feel better afterwards?

Christmas with Nana and Ornaments

My mom will be in California for Christmas so we had our little gift opening with Nana last night. It was way fun. Nana spoiled everyone and we were able to find ONE picture of all of us where everyone is actually looking at the camera and half smiling to give to her in a cute little Kohls frame. We also did our annual ornament tradition. Each year the kids get an ornament. I hope that when they are all grown with their own families, they will be able to decorate a tree! This year everyone got a bear with the first initial of their name on it. They are ADORABLE!!!

Christmas with Uncle Brandon & Aunt Carrie

My brother and sister-in-law are going on a cruise this week, so we had an early Christmas with them. They have a dog. His name is Durbin. He really is what it's all about. The kids LOOOOOVE him. He really is the cutest dang dog ever. We opened gifts and played with Durbin. I'm grateful for my brother and sister-in-law. Brandon is much more like a big brother than a little brother to me. It's way more together than I am!

The Tragedy & Snow

The events of Friday in Connecticut affected all of us. As I watched the news unfold throughout the day on Friday, my heart broke... literally. I cannot imagine for one second what those parents and family members are experiencing. I send my children to school every day, praying that they will be safe, but also expecting that they will be safe. As parents, we shouldn't have to fear that a very sick person will enter our children's school and kill them. It was short day for my children, so I was sure to call as soon as I knew they would be home to tell them not to turn the television on. I didn't want them to see the horror that I had been watching. When I got home Friday night, I sat them down and we talked. I explained to them that a very sick man had gone into a school with guns and shot people, killing many children and teachers and the principal. Then, I let them ask questions. They asked many. I then turned on the television and, together, we watched the news. I pointed out all of the good people who were bringing meals, who were lighting candles, who were hugging sad people, who were leaving teddy bears. I explained to them that we needed to do good as well. I told them that we need to pray for those people and that if they would like to draw pictures or send cards, we would do that. I then listened as they prayed for those people for the remainder of the weekend.

Then, the weekend went on. It snowed a lot. The children played in the snow, building forts and throwing snow balls. They made a gingerbread house and sat with me on the couch while I colored and they played games. The snow was beautiful. The children love the snow and I am so grateful we live in a spot where they can experience it.

Thankful #30

Another Year. More Changes. More Successes. More Trials. More triumphs. More Learning. More Accomplishments. More Tears. More Laughter.

Change is inevitable. Trials are inevitable. We all have them. We all do our best to cope and to get through them. I am so grateful that I made it through another year. I made more mistakes. I made more good choices. I laughed and I cried. I said a few bad words. I prayed. I set goals and accomplished them. I set goals and completely failed. I am grateful to know that I am a daughter of God. I know I am. I am grateful to know that He knows who I am and who my children are. I am grateful for the Priesthood. I am grateful for Priesthood blessings. I am grateful for tithing, and the ability to pay it. I am grateful for family and that I have one. All families look different. Mine is just right the way it is right now. I am grateful for agency. I am grateful for health. I am grateful for music. I am grateful for those around me who are such good, good people. I am grateful for lessons learned, and lessons unlearned. I am grateful for all of it.

Thankful #29

New traditions.

We were able to go do the Polar Express Ride on the Heber Creeper with Josh's dad's family last Friday night. I have never been on the Heber Creeper. SO fun! We had an entire train car to ourselves, as a family, and we sang carols and drank hot chocolate. The kids were able to talk to Santa and see lights. It was so fun! I would LOVE to make this our new tradition!

Thankful #28

Tradition.

I am grateful for the traditions that my parents had, and their parents had. I am grateful for the yummy Thanksgiving food my mom makes every year and that we have Thanksgiving dinner as a family... whichever family it happens to be with each year. I am thankful for my family and that my children and I always have a place to go for the holidays.

Thankful #27

Adventures.

We took the three younger boys to Scheels last week. It was quite the adventure! The boys especially loved the giant ferris wheel and the fish tank. They all believe that the guys from "Tanked" built that fish tank. We might be slightly obsessed with that show! I am grateful for adventures. Josh is all about adventures and exposing the kids to different activities and places and foods and people. I love just watching the kids experience all of the new things in life.