Snow Again

I have to admit, when I heard it was going to snow again, I was very frustrated. I have been "hibernating" in my house for weeks. It is so cold outside and the snow is dirty, and brown, and looks terrible. I have been feeling a little down, well I can say it, DEPRESSED, and the weather outside has not been helping my spirits! Then, as I looked out the window this morning, I saw a beautiful thing. The white snow had covered up all of the dirty snow, and the trees were gorgeous. I had to grab a shot before the snow fell off all of the branches. Thank you mother nature, for lifting my spirits!!

BAD hair day..

I know we have all had them at some time in our lives, but this was seriously the topper of them all. This was 'bad hair day' extreme. Not one hair on my entire head was going where it should have been going, and of course, it was a Sunday!

Although, at the end of the day, I was pondering on what to be grateful for...I have a dear neighbor who has been suffering with breast cancer. Her hair is finally growing back, after losing every single strand. Good or bad, and I mean very bad at times, I am grateful that I have my hair!!

Chuck 'e' Cheeses

We decided to take the kids on a family night activity...I know, this place is not one of my personal favorites. It is a germ factory! They had a blast, and I was comforted knowing I had my bottle of hand sanitizer in the diaper bag. Which brings me to my grateful thought for today...I am grateful for hand sanitizer. The fact that I can disinfect my kiddos hands in the convenience of a bottle, anywhere, anytime, not demanding a sink with soap and water is a beautiful thing. Whoever invented the stuff, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

In remembrance of the Good Times..

Today was a good day. I got to see two old friends after about 10 years. My really good friends father past away, and another friend and I were able to go to the veiwing. We had so many good times together. This picture is just for you Wendy! I Love Ya!!

When I came home from the veiwing, my mom called to tell me that another good friend had just past away. She has a little boy that is the same age as Jordan, they played baseball and soccer together. It made me realize, how fragile life really is. In accordance with my new years resolution- today, I am grateful for life. I am so glad I have my health and look forward to each day, good and bad with my family.

The "Accident"

So last night while I was at work I was trying to think of something that day to be grateful for. I remembered an incident that occured earlier in the afternoon. It was 1:00pm, and I had just put Ava down for a nap. The phone rang, and the caller ID showed public schools. When I answered the conversation went something like this:

"Mom, it's Lexi. While I was at recess I had an accident."

"Ok, I'll be right there. I just put Ava down for a nap, but I will hurry..are you ok?"

My first thought was that she had fallen and broke something, or needed stitches somewhere, or maybe just a little scrape or something.....Then she said,

"Yeah, I am ok, but I need some new pants"

"You need new pants?"

"Yeah, I peed in my pants in the snow!"

I admit, I was frustrated at the timing, and the fact that she even did this, but tonight, while looking back, this incident is what I am grateful for. It could have been something serious, but it wasn't. It was simple. I will be grateful tonight for the soaked pants, and not the cast or stitches!

A definate maybe...

So, better late than never, I am thinking of my new years resolutions...I hate them. I always put lose weight at the top of the list, and never do anything about it. This year, I have come to the conclusion to keep that one off the list. I am only putting down one thing that will hopefully make me a better person. I decided that at the end of each day before I go to bed, I would think of at least one thing to be grateful for that day. At least one way that I was blessed that day. Sounds easy right? We'll see. I got this idea after opening my journal (another resolution from the past that never comes true) and looking at a conference talk that I had photo copied and put inside. It was from Henry B. Eyring in 2007, titled "O Remember, Remember". At the time I first read it, I decided to listen to his counsel and find ways each day to recognize the kindness of God and remember it. So...I will try to be more grateful each day by recognizing great things that happened that day, instead of all of the trouble my kids are in, or cause. Hey, it may even help me to be a better wife and mother. Here's to noticing all of the great...I'll keep you posted:)

Christmas Craft 2008

As many of our friends and family are aware, we have a Christmas craft that we do every year. We complete over 100 of the pre-decided craft. This years craft was our "charlie brown" tree. I chose this craft because of the simplicity (as though I thought) there was no wood for Mike to have to cut out, and sand, and paint. Just simply putting bells on wire...yeah right!!! Turns out, we had to rust the wire with a lethal mixture of bleach and vinegar. Then, to my surprise, I looked all over on-line and could not find colored bells. We then got to spray paint barn red, pine green, mustard yellow, and a rustic orange color. Only 1000 bells, come on family, what are you complaining about. Then as my nails pulled away from my fingers and began to bleed, I would have to take a break from wrapping the wire around the bells to get them to stay on. The stars...that was another problem. They would not stay on. We tried saudering, super glue, and hot glue. The end result was a cute tree which we couldn't stand to look at, but our friends and neighbors loved and enjoyed. Next year, when we pull them out, I am sure they will look much cuter!!

Happy New Year!!

We had a party at our house new years eve, with again, lots of yummy food. We played games, and air hockey, and of course the new wii. The best thing about the whole night, was Ava and my sisters new little baby, Sawyer, that was born the day after Christmas. She would not let him out of her sight!

Jordan playing guitar hero

..against uncle Jared. (yes, he looks familiar because he was the dude in the apron on Christmas Morning!!)

Ava with baby Sawyer

Sledding

One last fun, and cost effective activity with the kids before they go back to school. They love sledding, and would go every day if we let them!

Only if the walk back up was as fast, or as fun as the way down!!

Thankfully, they have plowed the snow up at the end of the hill. On the other side...the hobble creek river, which I am sure would be no fun to slide into!

Christmas morning breakfast

Every year Christmas morning we go to my moms house for breakfast. This is something we all look forward to. It is the best breakfast ever with homeade (not from a box) buttermilk pancakes, waffles, eggs (two different ways to please my father), bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, and orange juice. Ava found this bear in my moms family room and would not leave it alone. She hugged and talked to it for a while. It's as tall as she is!

I am publishing this photo before asking for permission. I was pretty sure permission would not be granted, so I will ask for forgiveness later! This is my sisters husband, Jared. He got the unwanted job of cooking the bacon and sausage. As the grease "splatted" it was getting on to his new B.Y.U. shirt. He asked my mom for an apron. He must really like his shirt. I do think that the criss cross in the back really shows of his back, and the colors are definately growing on me!

Another veiw of the apron!

The LONG awaited Christmas Morning

Ava looks about how we all felt Christmas morning after staying up until the odd hours of the morning. She loved this little dog. Sounds crazy, but when you open up the velcro in her stomach, there are three little puppies, which she really loved.

Jordan and Lexi liked to help Ava with her gifts, being the kind brother and sister that they are...as if they didn't have enough to unwrap themselves!

Lexi, opening way too many gifts..

Jordan, still opening gifts...

Christmas Eve in our new PJ's..next year I am asking for a photo shop program, so when times like these come around, and I am forced to pose in PJ's, I can make some minor adjustments!

Christmas Eve

Jordan is sporting his "I can't wait until Christmas" pose.

We had all of Mike's family to our house this year for dinner. The food was great and the dessert was greater!! (I don't really think thats a word :) We opened gifts from grandma and grandpa that night too!

Lexi was so happy to get the magic of pegases head that you can comb her hair, do her make-up, and my personal favorite, sing her songs right along with her in a microphone!!!

Jordan loved his star wars ship, and needless to say, it was put together, over 1000 pieces of mini legos, within a couple of days.

Ava enjoyed the gifts this year as much as the paper!! She got books and potatoe heads, and loves to read with mommy in the corner of her room.

This is Lexi's "I can't wait until Christmas" pose!! (Where did they come from?? --don't answer that please)

Lexi's Dance Recital

Lexi had her dance recital and did a fabulous job. She performed to a part of the Nutcraker. She loves ballet, and loves to perform for people!

...and loves to pose for pictures. There were many more taken per her request, but I am saving you the time in looking at all 27 of them!!

"Mommy Moment"

Sometimes I feel as though I am constantly mad at my three children who are never doing what they are supposed to be doing. It is moments like this, when I have to take time and sit back and realize what great kids they really are. I came into the family room, and Lexi had Ava on her lap reading to her. What a great big sister she truly is, and always has been. I realized tonight, that my kids are great kids, and I love them more than anything.

Sunday Morning

It doesn't happen very often, that we are all dressed, hair combed, and ready for church before it has started!! It must have been a miracle..so I decided I better take a piture since it may never happen again (at least not on the 9am schedule)

Lexi, always like to throw in a pose!

Ava, always smiley and cute,

...and Jordan, not liking the sunday morning photo shoot so much! I do think his lips are slightly curved in an upward fashion.

School's Out...Let the fighting, I mean Fun begin!

The first day out of school, I was pretty sure the kids were going to drive me into the looney bin! Ava found this baby stroller in the basement, and felt the need to have it be hers!! Lexi spent countless minutes pushing her around the house to avoid the screaming that would occur when she stopped pushing!!

When not fighting with each other, which accounted for about 75% of the Christmas Break, they were able to come up with other activities to do with there friends. This one, in particular, I was able to be involved in. I was the judge of this fabulaous fashion show..

All said and done, it did go by fast, and without any injury to my beautiful children!!!
(I didn't say without some yelling, screaming, and grounding to there rooms)

Halloween 2008

Halloween was a blast...yes, I am talking in the so far past tense- as in 2 months ago!! I have just been a little busy!! (and yes, by elimination, I am in the picture as the vamp!)

Jordan was something scary from the "Goosebumps series" that he likes to read. I belive in was the Haunted Mask.

Ava...the adorable ladybug!

Jordan, too scary...I am waiting for a year that he doesn't want to be something scary!!

Lexi...very pretty!

Lexi's first school play

Lexi was Johnny Appleseed in her school play this fall. She did a great job. Even with the pot on her head!!