Thoughts!

You know it's not to often I feel like being "thoughful" in my blog. But with the holiday season and recent events I thought I would be a little mushy.
I haven't been in the Christmas spirit this year. Maybe it was the fact that it snuck up on me so stinkin' fast, or the fact that I haven't had time to do anything. Including blog.
This past Tuesday my cousins 4 year old daughter past away. Her intestine twisted and she bled to death. The Dr. told my cousin and his wife that she should have been in tremendous pain. She was not. I believe our Heavenly Father needed her to come home and helped her to do so with as little pain as possible. When I heard the news my heart just broke. In no way should a parent have to go through something like that. My cousin and his wife are troupers though. We traveled to Mountain Home Idaho on Thursday night and went to the funeral on Friday, which would have been her 5th birthday. Her parents did a beautiful job on the Life History. I am so very grateful that my kids are healthy and here where I can hold them and tell them I love them.
This this was the start of me getting the Christmas spirit. Not the death of a child, but the realization that it doesn't matter what is under the tree, or how many presents we need to buy, but what matters is family. Whether it's immediate or extended. When they hurt so do you. When they lose you lose. And when they love, so do you. It made me realize how important it is to tell the ones you love how much they mean to you.
Saturday morning I went with Jeff to Cops, Kids and Christmas. Lehi Police take about 35 kids to see the lights at Thanksgiving point, with lights and sirens blairing, and this year Texas Rhodehouse provided us with our breakfast. After breakfast we take the kids to Smith's Marketplace where each child gets a $100 gift certificate to spend on whatever they want. It was so fun to watch all these kids shopping for things they would normaly never get.
During our shopping trip one gentleman came to Jeff and donated $50, while another lady came to Chief and asked if she could donate a Guitar Hero game for the Xbox. This my friends is what finally clinched it for me. The generosity of some people astounds me. This is another aspect of what Christmas is about. Giving. Not for the glory, or the pat on the back, but because it makes someone else smile. Or in my case, cry. So with this all being said, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and make sure you tell your family members how much you love them.

Yes, We are still alive...

We have been very busy. I don't know where the time goes. One day it's Kinzie's birthday, then it's Thanksgiving, and before you know it your tree is up and Christmas is right around the corner. We haven't even been doing very much, just everyday things. Gymnastics 4 times a week, piano, acheivement days, Young Womens, Young Mens, piano, orthodontist, dentist, and gymnastics meets.
Jaycie just finished competing Level 4 and did very well. Just as Jaycie finished Kinzie started her first season of Level 7. Kinz had her first meet on the 5th and did very well. We are proud of all our kids, and in case you don't hear from me before Christmas, we hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KINZIE!

Holy Cow, how the time flies. It seems like yesterday I was holing this cute little baby in my arms and now she is 12 and growing up so fast.
There are so many reasons we love Kinzie but these are our favorite :

She loves her family a lot.
She is quick to help out when it is needed.
She loves her Heavenly Father.
She is very quick witted
She is a smart aleck. Sometimes it gets her in trouble, but mostly we just laugh.
She is a great gymnast.
Inside her tough exterior, and smart mouth lies a very soft, mushy girl with a big heart.
We found out at parent teacher conference that she includes kids who normally don't get included. That made us proud.
She is funny, loud, and boisterous.
We are so glad she a part of our family.
WE LOVE YOU CHINZ. HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dear Winter,

I hate you!

October, Where did you go...

Holy Cow! I can't believe how fast October flew by. We really haven't been doing much, but have been extremely busy. Everyday is work, and the kids have school, and after it is run kids to gym, or piano. Then home to fix dinner, do homework, and then shower and bed. Then the same thing again the next day. It doesn't seem like much, but I am having a hard time fitting in house cleaning, grocery shopping, and blogging.
Jen and Doug came out to visit for a week. We spent almost every night with them and we had a really fun time. (pics to come later) We sure do love when they come to visit and we miss them tons when they leave.
Here are just a few things we have done this month:

Jaycie is now competing level 4 gymnastics. She is doing very well for her first season. Every Saturday is spent at one gym or another. Here she is waiting for her turn.

Doing her bar routine.


I have been bugging Jeff for years to take the kids out shooting. We really didn't think they would enjoy it to much, but we loaded up one Saturday and took the kids out west. We supplied them with guns and ammo thinking they would be bored in about a half hour. Well they surprised us. We spent four hours killing bottles, blowing up targets and using all the ammo. The minute we loaded up to come home, they asked if we could go next Saturday. Looks like we all have a new hobby.


The little "sharpshooters".


We didn't forget Halloween, I just haven't uploaded my pics yet. That will be the next blog. Hopefully before Christmas :)

Ode to Natilie......

She is sweet, smart, sassy and flirty,
Today she is turning thirty......three.

She loves the church, her family and fun,
in our book she is number 1.

She does canning, and sewing, and crafts galore,
I don't think I can rhyme anymore.

It is obvious a rhymer I am not
In this picture she looks smokin' HOT:








Happy birhday to the girl who loves:
Crafts
Campfires,
and Willy Wonka
We hope you have a great day. Happy Birthday we love you.

Mid-life crisis....

With my birthday coming up here soon I am struggling with getting old. I think I am having a mid-life crisis. I need something to make me feel young again. Notice I didn't say look younger. Since I can't get a boyfriend, for obvious reasons, I am thinking a nose piercing, a tattoo (just a small one on the top of my foot, thinking maybe a palm tree) or a new truck. Maybe if I'm feeling really bad, I will get all three. Yep I'm getting all three. I feel that old.