Just around the Corner

I have to say this season has not been the traditional this year...for starters, I didn't put up a single Christmas decoration this year-no tree, no lights, just a small fisher price nativity toy for the kids that they received as a family home evening gift from grandma. Don't worry, my kids still helped put up decorations and a Christmas tree with grandma and They are experiencing all the Christmas fun, but I chose not to do ours, for one because I have no room in my basement anymore. Penny's crib is now where we once put our Christmas Tree. Which is fine by me, it only makes me think of how grateful I am to have her sweet spirit here this Christmas... But 'Room' is not the main reason I didn't put mine up...to be honest, I've been a bit of a Christmas Scrooge. I can't believe I'm about to spill my guts here but since we're being honest...I don't like presents for Christmas-there I said it. I enjoy watching my kids and family open presents and I get way more enjoyment from that than from opening my own. Rick asked me what I wanted and my response to that is that he takes care of me every other day of the year. He provides for me and our family and makes it possible for me to buy the new socks for Lincoln, the children's allowance movie, the shirt I finally decided to splurge and buy for myself. I like to buy when I need something not when I'm being forced to spend a bunch of money BECAUSE everyone else is doing it. ....spending large amounts of money makes me sick to my stomach-quite literally. It hasn't always been this way for me. I remember a Christmas where I spent a lot of money on Rick's gifts, but I've also had the opportunity to have some Christmas' where there wasn't money to spend and it humbled me. I saw Christmas with my eyes wide open and I don't want to go back. I still made some Christmas presents this year as I did during our poorer Christmas'. I get more excited about giving them than I do about any that I buy. I was talking to my children the other day and I said to them, lets play a game (while we were waiting in the car), Let's think of our most favorite Christmas gift we've gotten. It  made me happy when Lizzie chose one that was made with love.
I hope I can teach my children the truest meaning of CHRISTMAS and that they may have their eyes opened early on. I am so grateful for my life, my family, all that we have and the blessing of seeing Christmas in the truest sense of the word. I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas! and I pray that we all take a moment or more to remember the Saviors part in all of it. I am so grateful for my Savior, I have come to rely on Him more than ever in the last few years and He has never disappointed. I have a Testimony, my most prized possession, A testimony of my Savior, His birth, His life and the Example He set for all of us.
And taken from the Lyrics of Halelujah
"..I know You came to rescue me.
This baby boy who'd grow to be
a man who'd one day die
for me and you.."
I have a testimony of the Savior's Atoning sacrifice and I Love Him.

Me

I'm posting this on my blog because I can be kind of a private person, and although I loved reading other facts on facebook, I can't bring myself to post this on there...so, for those that read my blog 8 things about me:
1-I'm 28 yrs old and I still don't know how to whistle. On several occasions, Rick has tried to teach me, which always end in chuckling and bursts of laughter. I'm sure I look ridiculous trying
2-I also can't make myself go cross-eyed to save my life. I've tried but it makes my eyes water and hurt
3-I may be the most ticklish person alive and in all the weirdest places
4-I am extremely hard on myself and I care what people think about me-I wish I didn't.
5-I'm not easily offended and therefore think others aren't either. This gets me into trouble. I end up sticking my foot in my mouth much too often.
6-when I was younger, I didn't like babies and obnoxious kids but pretended to like them in hopes it would change my mind because I always wanted a big family. I think my dislike stemmed from a traumatic babysitting incident
7-I used to work at the hospital and I loved it...my job now, I love even more!!!
8-I love learning about the body and the way it works-It's fascinating to me

Happy Halloween

Halloween 2013

 Penny's costume for the earlier Trunk-or-Treat at my sister's ward- A little ghost

 and Now for the real traditional Trick-or-Treating...

     this is the same costume Lizzie wore for her first Halloween but it seems Penny is our chunky baby and so we had to do some compromising with the costume

 Our Giraffe wearing bunny slippers...It worked for us, she looks cute in anything. In the background, You can kinda see how we decorated the front door-spiderwebs hanging above, carved pumpkins on either side of the pillars and a whole graveyard with our awesome grim reaper standing guard to the right. Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of those or our pumpkin this year-slacker mom!

Yea, I painted this and we made it's eyes out of wax and attached glowing lights to the back so they glowed through. It was Rick's idea to use wax for the eyes and he did a pretty awesome job making the robe and hood. We won first Prize for it! Awesome, right?!

Lizzie likes to challenge my talents each year by picking a character that requires my not-so-great sewing skills. But it turned out and she was the cutest Toadette of all time. Best costume in her class.

Rick put my artistic skills to use as well with the shirt I painted him in order to tie in his whole costume. It was fun and I was happy to do it especially since Rick doesn't usually dress up.
It was an excellent Halloween and Lizzie tells me to get ready for next Halloween already planning her next costume.
   I also came up with a new oatmeal raisin (or chocolate chip) cookie recipe that I'm particularly proud of. It requires no butter or shortening and has better more nutritious, healthy ingredients. They come out sweet, soft, chewy and delicious. I love feeding my kids healthy treats!!
Happy Halloween Everyone!

8 years going on Eternity

The 29th was my eight year mark of the best eight years of my life. Rick and I were married and sealed to each other 8 years ago in the Salt Lake Temple and I've never looked back since. He is my best friend and the best decision I have ever made. I'm not going to say that it's been easy every step of the way. We've had rough patches like any relationship but we've worked through them and focused on the positive and it's been totally worth it. Three beautiful children later and we are still happy and going strong. I love Rick more now than ever and I'm happy to be his wife.

Catching Up

Wow! I just realized it's the end of October and I haven't posted a single thing. Time is going by way too fast. I can't even remember the things that happen from week to week-it's all a blurr but I've made some memories this month that will mark time for me just a bit.
We got to be a part of my sister-in-laws surprise redneck themed 30th birthday party. My brother asked me to make signs for the party and a happy birthday banner. It turned out to be pretty fun. We dressed for the occasion and everything.

Lizzie in her daisy dukes and tank top

 Um...not sure about these

My mom played in the Senior Games again this year and her 50's team took gold in their bracket. It was a lot of fun to watch and cheer em' on.

 Grandmas best cheer squad!

I was playing in the fall finale that same day but was still able to make it to my moms final games.

Here's a shot from the fall finale

We made a quick trip to Salt Lake a couple of time this month. First, to attend a funeral of a close family friend. Judy Hansen passed away conference weekend from a battle with Cancer. She was loved and will be missed.

I went back up north with my kids and some Family, Angie Farr and three of her kids. Her mother and father, Becca, and Sherrell and grandma Beverly. We made a trip to see sites and hear stories from Grandma's life. It was a lot of fun. I only wish Rick could have gone.

Rick got his first deer! and I butchered his first deer...ok, not all of it, only half. Half was enough though...

I realize these are short explanations for the things that have happened most recently but I'm short on time. I hope to fill in more later.
Halloween post coming soon!...

September Happenings!

Lizzie has waited, for what seems like forever, to be Queen of the day at school. This was the over-joyed look on her face when it finally happened...

We have a thumb sucker ladies and gentlemen!!

It's hard for me to keep it away from her-it's just so cute

 Pretty Penny!

 Little Family Photo shoot-the kids loved it! Especially Lizzie

Penny's Blessing