Positive

I decided that this year I was going to try and be more positive. I used to be a pretty positive person- always looking at the glass half- full kinda lady. Things would go wrong and I would be its ok- things will work out. I’ve grown to miss that lady and really wanted to win her back. I want to be a happy positive influence in my kid’s lives. This year has gotten off on the wrong foot. It all started with me staying up all night New Year’s Eve with my sick Kobi. I litterly sat up all night since every time I tried to lie down he would cry. Luckily I was able to find a doctor that was open on New Year’s Day (why is it that there are more places closed on New Year’s Day then there is on Christmas- we need to get out priorities straight!) Poor baby had double ear infections. All 4 kids have been sick off and on- which usually means even less sleep for me. We aren’t even done with the first month of 2013 and this is what we have dealt with… both cars have broken down numerous times. And it’s not going to be a cheap fix. Luckily Skip’s older sister has a car we have been able to borrow- bless her heart. Evie has been waking up almost as often as Kobi does every night but of course it’s never at the same time- so sleep has become very rare. And when I’m tired it seems like nothing can go right. Yesterday I had it. The tire was a little low so I stopped at the gas station to fill it with air. It wouldn’t hold the air so I decided we better just go home, instead of to the IHop breakfast I had promised the kids. As I pulled out of the gas station I got a flat tire-like coming of the rim craziness. It was 15 degrees out and I had all four kids in the car. Don’t worry my Dad taught all us girls how to change a flat and I have done it numerous times- just never with a car full of crying/yelling kids. The spare ended up being flat. And I started to cry. Eric was out with me and he said Mom you don’t need to worry- I will pray and everything will be okay. Thank Heaven’s for the faith of a child. I was able to get some air in it but I was afraid to drive it to far so no IHop. The world pretty much ended for Lily and she made sure to make plenty of noise about it in the form of high pitched screams. It sucked big time- for majority of the day. Once Skip got home I grabbed Eric and we took off to Joann’s (my happy place) to get a zipper. Eric is the most wonderful little man in the world.

He knows when I am upset and tries his best to make me smile. He was telling me jokes and making me laugh. I looked over at him and said “Why was I lucky enough to get you for my son.” He looked at me with those big blue eyes and said “No Mom, I am the lucky one. Heavenly Father sent me to you because He knew that you would love me and take care of me the way I need to be.” My heart melted and again I cried. This time from the love of my 7 year old. My kids deserve the happy, positive lady I should be and can be. Things could be a lot worse than they are- so I’m going to count my blessings.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was as chill as it could be. The kids woke us up at 7:30. Evie was still sleeping and was not happy about being woken up. There was some crying on her part during the present opening.

Eric got his #1 gift request a NOOK

Lily got her Lalaloopsy doll

Evie got a dog trike

Kobi got something to chew on besides his fingers We spent the whole day in our pjs watching movies, playing with new toys and spending time together. What could be better than that!

Christmas

Things were a little busy this year. I was trying to get a 10 page research paper done between Christmas activities, nursing, and taking care of the kids, so I'm behind and we didn't get nearly as much Christmas stuff done. Didn't even make it to Temple Square for the lights! However we did go see the Christmas Village and Santa in Ogden.

Eric was in the winter chior at school this year. I was so proud of him. He had to be at school an hour early every tues and thurs to practice, and he stuck with it. He was AWESOME during the performace.

This is what we woke up to on Christmas Eve...

Silly Jake must've been really tired when he decided to wrap the tree with T.P. since he didn't realize it was the last roll in the house. Christmas Eve was wonderful spent with family, sugar cookies and rice krispy houses. We had a wonderful dinner and Dad told us the story of the Christmas Train.

Evie did one too but majority of the candy ended up in her mouth. Christmas Eve was wonderful- Skip and I eneded up staying up a little late, but it was worth it for the kids faces on Christmas morning!

Two Year Old

I love how big Evie's eyes are in the photo...yes the cake was a little huge- she had to stand up in her seat to reach the candles.

Evie loves to stand right in front of the TV or sit in Kobi's bouncer or carseat so we decided it was time she had her own seat.

Evie cracks me up with her clothing (or lack thereof) choices. For example the princess crown that doubles as a shirt

We love this little cute girl of ours! She is a blessing in everyway.

Disney On Ice

This year for Lily's birthday I got tickets for Lily, Eric, Ash and I to go see Disney on Ice. It was a first for all of us. Ash being the fun gal that she is said we all needed to dress up so we did! (The guy in the parking garage even commented on us going all out for it) While we were walking to our seats Lily told Ash that she felt like a real princess.

Ash, Lily and I had matching princess shirts and crowns. Eric was our knight in shining armour.

It was so much fun! I often feel sorry for my kids that we don't have the money to do a lot of fun stuff or go to fun places- which often makes me feel like a bad Mom. So watching Eric and Lily's faces during the performance made me feel like a million bucks! Lily was on the edge of her seat the whole time with a look of pure joy and awe on her face. Eric kept saying "that was amazing!" I know that material things aren't important in the grand scheme of things but it sure was great to be able to give my kids a fun night out. It did my heart good.

Disney On Ice we shall be seeing you again!

Sassy Pants Birthday

To me it seems crazy that Lily is only 5...she has always seemed so much older. She had a friend over to decorate sugar cookies and play. Lily's choice for dinner was "panda noodles" aka top raman. We had Grammy and Aunt Ash over for cake and ice cream. Lily got some awesome presents. One being a pair of rainboots that she wore to bed.

Some days she drives me crazy but I would be lost without my little helper. She is such a wonderful big sister to Evie and Kobi. Lily is a great kid and I'm lucky she was sent to me.

Love ya Little Miss Sassy Pants!

Salt Lake Temple

Sometimes I just have to get out of the house. I was feeling that way the other day, so the kids (minus Eric who was in school) and I headed to Temple Square.

Adorable I know

I think Lily would've stood there all day if I let her

October

October was a fun month- but for some reason it takes me forever to get the pictures out of my camera onto the computer. And what's a blog post without pictures...So I'm just going to picture this post up. Cornbelly's Corn Maze

Eric was the leader

Lily kicked Ashley's butt on the slide

Eric beat Skip and Evie

For Halloween we had a Thor

A Spooky Witch

A grumpy Little Red Riding Hood

And one cute baby! The houses where we live are a little spread out and the kids were the ones that called it quits- Skip and I were all for hitting up more houses but the kids begged us to take them home.

Love

I am in Love...

Blessing Day

We didn't wait too long before blessing Kobi. Skip's siblings were going to be in town so we went ahead and blessed Kobi on Sept 30th. It was bittersweet day- knowing that this is our last little baby, and the last baby blessing we would be doing. I think knowing that is what took me so long to get Kobi's blessing outfit made (I was putting on snaps the night before at 10:30)

Kobi's blessing was beautiful. I think the thing that stood out to me the most was that Kobi was blessed with the ability to love and see people for who they are-Children of God. The whole time Skip was giving the blessing all I could feel was how very special this little boy is and how much we are loved by Heavenly Father. Kobi is a great blessing in our lives and I feel very blessed to be his Mom. He makes me smile daily. He is the perfect addition to our family.

Self Shots

I think Lily is a teenager stuck in a 4 year old's body...anytime she gets ahold of my camera this is what I find...

My personal favorite...

Thank Goodness for Sprinklers

My kids LOVE water! They could spend all day at the pool and most summers they do. But this summer they had a big ol' preggo Mom who was too tired to do much and didn't have the energy to chase Evie around. Luckily there were sprinkler and the kids played in them from the moment they went on unill they turned off.

Hopefully next summer will be spent next to a pool