My thoughts

As I type this my thoughts are all over the place. I am one who doesn't like the whole commercial side of Christmas. Some days I wish we could hibernate through the holiday, oh well it still exists. William was talking to Henry the other day about Christmas and he thought it was all about getting presents, Ugh exactly what I don't want my kids to think.. So William told him the real reason is to celebrate the birth of Christ. Our family truly has been blessed during this past year. Despite our circumstances, there have been tender mercies all around us. Ones that we see and ones that we don't see. I am truly grateful for all of them. I was contemplating the things I am learning from our experiences. I am learning that the Lord doesn't give us trials to turn away from him, but he gives them to us so we can turn to him for help, guidance, and comfort, peace, you name it.. I am learning to take each day as a day not to focus too far ahead in life, because that tends to stress me out. We listened to a Mormon add by Elder Christofferson one night and it made William and I reevaluate how we looked at the day. Here is the link http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2649255347001 . I am learning to give more than we have, we were asked to give more to fast offerings, at first I was annoyed because I felt like we were already giving more than we had, but I was willing to listen to our Branch Presidents council and try and give more. I am amazed at the kindness of those around us, I am amazed I am still functioning, at times I feel like I am a shaken pop and I am about to burst, but then I am given peace and comfort. I have found an outlet in running, it is a safe haven for me, when it snowed the other day I kind of freaked out because I felt like I wasn't going to be able to run outside anymore. I feel like that is one of the things right now that is keeping me sane.  Needless to say a warm hat, pants and coat is all you need. I am learning to be grateful the trails we are facing. These trials have brought William and I closer to each other, instead of away from each other. It has grounded me more I feel. I don't care as much about monetary things, yeah they are nice, and I desire some things, but I am happy with my family, and the things we are blessed with each day.Yesterday and today were kind of hard days. Yesterday was the three month mark of losing the pregnancy, but I don't expect anyone to remember, heck I don't even think my husband remembered, but I did, and it was hard. I don't know why.. I have been helping a friend who owns a pottery store in town during the holiday rush, it is really nice to get out of the house a couple times a week and be someone other than a mom and wife. I feel like I have more to give when I get home even if I am tired. My kids are excited to see me and I am excited to see them, and I am pretty sure William is relieved I am home. Today while I was working a young couple brought in their three week old little boy to do some foot prints on pottery.They had to change his diaper in back on the counter because they don't have a changing table in the restroom. Anyway the baby was so perfect, sweet, flailing arms, and it made me realize what a  tender mercy it was for me to see such a perfect little baby who literally weeks ago was still in Heavenly Fathers presence. It was almost like a little piece of heaven was there. There is some doubt in my mind about our future, but luckily it is replaced by peace, faith, comfort, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the tender mercies of others, they truly bless my life and my families life as well!

Random pictures

Here are some pictures of who I spend my days with...

 Sweet baby E, he is one busy boy, he keeps me on my toes. He is always climbing on things, dumping out flour, loves to cuddle while he drinks his bub, loves being outside. I don't know what he thinks of the snow. I know he doesn't like getting his hands in the snow without gloves. He is a happy boy and lately he has learned to yell in his baby language, it really is cute...

This is picture of sweet Henry before his preschool program. He is one tender boy. He is known for signing I love you with his hands and also saying I love you at random times. He really likes Power Rangers and could play for hours with his action figures. I baby sit 2 times a week and the kid I baby sit is the same age as Henry and I have to say they are the best of friends. They get along so well! It is nice for both of them. It will be hard when I no longer watch him, he has almost become like my other kid.

 Our attempt at a family photo. I have no idea what Henry and Brick are doing.. Still all of us!

Londyn has been begging me to make gingerbread cookies so they could decorate them, so I broke down and made them and I loved the recipe. Here is the link to it, http://allrecipes.com/recipe/eileens-spicy-gingerbread-men/  I didn't add the whole amount of some of the spices. The dough was like pie crust texture until you rolled it out then it was really good texture! Definitely a keeper..I guess if you read this consider this your Christmas letter because we all know I stopped doing those when Jonah was about 3, too much work!

Londyn turns 9

Lulu turned 9 in November.. I can't believe this her last year in the single digits. She wanted to have a birthday party this year. The last couple of years I have been able to do other things instead of a party, because parties tend to stress me out. I don't know why?? So she invited 8 friends over for a pajama birthday party. The weather was so nice so they were able to jump on the trampoline before we started the games. We had pancakes, bacon, and sausage. She requested a cheesecake for her cake so I attempted to make one and it turned out pretty good.  We played games from the show Minute to Win it show, it was a lot of fun. We brought out the projector and watched some of The Croods on the wall.

 Her Room, she requested that she be able to break through the streamers, she woke up at 5:30 am the day of her birthday!

 She requested her usual crab legs for dinner, we also had tortilla crusted tilapia, and red lobster cheddar biscuits..

 She has always wanted to eat hanging donuts in the air so we did it..

Happy birthday to our sassy, feisty, determined little girl. This past week she got her first pair of glasses, she is far sighted. She is doing well in the third grade, she got all A's except for one B on her report card. She and Brick are pretty close or they could be the worst of enemies at times. She loves to read, play mindcraft, and have friends over. I told the kids they can have a need and a want for Christmas. She said she wants a certain toy and she needs a little sister. She keeps wondering why we can't just adopt a little sister for her... We sure do love Londyn, she makes our life interesting to say the least!

Halloween in December

The title says it all, I am just getting around to writing and posting Halloween pictures. Every year I feel like once October hits I can't really relax until after the new year. Which I think is pretty sad, but it seems like life just picks up during that time. This year Jonah went as a runner, Londyn went as a witch, Brick was butchy from teen beach movie, Henry was a power ranger again this year, and E was a 3 eyed monster. This year we did the uptown festivites that our town offers and then we trick or treated to a few houses at Oma and Opa's. It was a nice and relaxing Halloween. Enjoy the pictures..