Answers to prayers....

For us this past year has been rough. We signed papers on our house last April and as much as it felt right...man things really seemed to go wrong! It was just one thing after another...moving had it's issues, carpet, broken bones, surgery, bad insurance, bad jobs, car problems...the list goes on. But we've tried to do what we've felt is right and somehow we got through it. We love our ward, house and neighbors...it really felt like this is where we should be, so we said our prayers and tried to do the right things, hoping it would work out. Well... everything is not perfect...but it feels like things are starting to fall into place. So I'll start with my job- I saw a listing online at Mountain View Hospital for a Full time night LPN. I have NO desire to work full time and it seriously stressed me out. I prayed about it and felt like I should apply...even if I could just get an interview and maybe get to know the supervisor for possible future jobs. but when I got the call for an interview I cried. seriously...I was so stressed! Full time=bad mother. I can't handle it. I knew I couldn't. But I tried to stay positive. The morning of the interview...I cried again, me and Adam were bickering. I was so stressed. I almost didn't go but I still felt like I should. So I go in and sit down and the first thing she says is, "I have to apologize and if you don't want to continue with the interview I would understand, but the position was listed wrong...it's only for Regular Part Time, 2 days a week." I felt like crying again. I was so relieved. And when they offered me a job...I just knew that someone else had a hand in it. So I'm very excited. It's full benefits, so in 90 days we will have better insurance! Adams is so bad, SO SO SO bad. It's a huge relief. Plus at Madison where I work now...I've worked maybe 4 days in the last month...that doesn't really help us pay our bills so well. So it will take us awhile to catch up for sure...but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm excited, scared, relieved, and nervous! but more then anything I feel so blessed. we finally have some stability! So that's what's going on with me!
-Adam is doing great! Just working and keeping busy. Not a whole lot new with him...I am starting my spring to-do list for him. :) I can't believe the amount of work we have to do on the yard...it gives me a headache thinking about it. It sort of got neglected last year! So if it would ever quit snowing and get above 40 degrees...maybe we could get something done!

Mady is doing good! She's been really emotional lately...she goes in spurts with it I guess. But she's doing good in school. I was kind of nervous because lady that has been working with Mady in the school district told me she felt like she'd probably met all her goals and wouldn't qualify for next year and that we should consider putting her in kindergarten. I felt like this was another answer to a prayer... but I really felt like she wasn't ready. I truly feel like keeping her back this extra year will be good for her, if we can get her in a good program. So they did some testing with her and told me this week they will keep her in through next year. I think it's great! she needs it. So she had another dance performance last week and did great. Dance is coming to an end and she will start gymnastics in June. We're signing her up for T-ball and swim lessons...so it will be a busy summer. Noah is going to do a boys tumbling class I think and we have him in pre-school for Fall. I can't believe it. He is going to be 3! He's still our little monster! love that kid! It's so funny how my fears for my kids are so similar in some ways and so different in others. Mady is so sensitive...I worry about kids being mean to her and her not even realizing it. She is so naive. She thinks the world revolves around her which is great...she's got good confidence...but she's so tender hearted. I feel like she is going to be that girl that will have to learn the hard way that not everyone is nice. And as a mommy...i want to protect her from it. She is so sweet and her feelings get hurt so easy. Noah on the other hand...I know he can hold his own. i worry more about him being the bully. He says exactly what's on his mind. It's crazy how even as young as they are you can see glimpses of their personalities. I think he will pick good friends...he's very outgoing and outspoken. I worry about Mady being a follower...she's just wants everyone to like her. She's too nice to tell mean girls where to go, unlike my son or myself. :) And I worry about the world affecting both of them too much! I just pray that we can keep the spirit in our home and that it will be a place they love to be; and most importantly that they will always know they are children of God. I just want them to always feel loved and know who they are. My friend JaLayn told me that kids are like cups...we spend so many years just filling their cup with water. Making them believe in and love themselves. then they go to school and someone is mean to them. It's like pricking a hole in the cup. they get a bad grade...another hole and so on. Before you know it, their cup is leaking out and it's our job every day it patch it up and refill it. I think that is so true. It is so important to keep their confidence up and make sure they know how much they are loved! I know they are young...but am I the only one that has these crazy fears? Kids bring out so many worries...
Anyhow...some pictures of Aubrey's b-day...I can't believe she is 16! She was 5 yrs old when me and Adam started dating. She has turned into such an amazing girl! These are some pics of her surprise party.
We took some flowers to her at school.




Anyhow...I know this post was long so I won't drag it out. But tomorrow is also our Anniversary! 8 years ago I married my best friend and joined an amazing family! I feel so grateful and love him so much!!! I know that with him we can get through anything...sometimes we have to fight a little to get there...:) but we always do! I love you Adam!!!

Life goes on...

So it seems that time is passing so quickly! I can't believe I haven't posted since January. I have to ask myself if I'm enjoying every day as much as I can. I think sometimes I get too consumed with worrying or thinking ahead, or stressing about the "future"...I need to stop and slow down. I think that's one of my biggest faults, and I'm going to regret it if I don't STOP IT! lol. It's just hard some days... I have lots of dreams and worries...and most of you know that patience was never one of my best qualities. :) Anyhow...we've been doing good; continuing on with life. I think an update with pictures is the best way to go! :)

So my b-day was on Feb 3rd and I'd worked the night before...when I got up I woke up to this:


My sweet hubby and kids decorated for me. The kids were SO excited for me to wake up. :) I turned 27 and I feel so old! ha ha. I'm way too close to 30. I thought I'd have all my kids by the time I was 30! But I don't think that's happening. It's funny how we had all these dreams and goals set...but life has a way of changing them for you. But overall I am happy with where we are at. I wish I had a better job and insurance, I wish I didn't have to work at all! I wish My kids didn't fight... etc... I have a lot of wishes, but I'm happy with the "essentials", or the things that matter. I have a good marriage and amazing kids and we all have a lot of fun together. We have the gospel and there's not much more we can ask for!
Noah got a hair cut!

My Boys! (Noah with his hair all cute):)

Super Bowl Sunday always falls on the weekend of my b-day...so we had Adam's sisters and their families over. It was a lot of fun...we spread lots of germs! ha ha. Or well...our germy kids did. Mady got croup...again. for what, the 4th time this year? ugh. So did Jamie's little boy, and her new baby was in the hospital with RSV! Where is SPRING?!! I can't wait for my kids to be outside playing instead of inside FIGHTING!
We had a good Valentine's day. I decorated for the kids, which they loved.

Then we made some treats and took them to Grandma Kelli & Adam at work with balloons.

Then we came home and Mady helped me make Daddy a double layer german chocolate cake; his favorite. And we dipped strawberries; MY favorite! :)

We did steak, shrimp and veggies for dinner! it was really yummy!

Daddy brought us home treats and the kids balloons. It was a good day. :)
the kids got their little presents and we just had a fun night!


Mady has started riding the bus to school. Not that she really needs too, we live really close and I've always taken her. but she has asked every day...never fail, to ride the bus. So I finally let her. It just seemed dumb for her to take a 1/2 hr bus ride when I can take her up there. But she loves it...:) That's all that matters.

Other then that...we've mixed in another couple dance performances. Mady loves it, of course. we've got 2 more in March and a recital in February. She always does so good, and looks completely adorable. :)



I just had to add in this picture of Adam with the icicles on our house!

ha ha. Some days they were so huge! But I'm happy! cuz that means it's melting. The kids have had lots of fun in the snow...but we're ready for it to be gone. The snow is so deep in our yard we've had to shovel paths for the kids or they get stuck. They've lost boots and we have to go dig them out! ha ha. Some spots in our yard are as deep as Noah is tall! So it will take awhile for all this to melt...but like I said...we are SO ready. Anyhow....on goes life right? Me and Adam are getting away for a night this week...just to Montana for his work stuff. But it will be nice. :) It's been a long time since we've done that. I feel like we are in a need of a break! Well hope that someone, somewhere is enjoying sunshine and seeing their grass!!!

Our little dancer and an update!

So this year Mady has just done awesome in dance. She caught on right away and actually listened! It's crazy to see her be on the 'experienced' side of things instead of running around and sitting in time-out. lol. They had their dress-rehearsal last Saturday and from the minute we got in the gym she was jumping around all excited. She couldn't wait...yes. This from the girl who stood in the middle of the gym un-moving for like 5/6 performances last year. She was so excited to put her "tutu" on and looked adorable.


When she was done, she ran over to me and my mom and said, "I danced so good! I'm awesome huh?" It brought tears to my eyes because she was just so proud of herself. She gave me a big hug and I just had to say, "yep. your pretty awesome." Things like this are just so good for kids and their confidence.

She also starts pre-school this week which will be great for her. She really needs it. She's just too bored being home all day. She's such a fun and independent little girl lately. she loves to just sit in her room and play with her toys or her new Leapster. That was the best present and has been so good for her. Teaching her numbers and letters. We've re-placed the batterries like 3 times since Christmas already! I've said it before...but she is my good eater. She had 2 HUGE helpings of steamed broccoli the other night and hardly ate her pork chops. she loves veggies and requests ice water over pop. It's funny, but great. she eats way better then Noah and is still always more sick then him. She's had croup twice since November; but is good now.

Mady also went to her friend Sienna's b-day party the other day. She loved it. She met this little girl at pre-school and has done nothing but talk about her! they always run up and hug each other. It's very cute.

I did have to include this picture of Mady with her blanket. I made this before she was born, it was the 1st one I ever made. we can not get rid of it. Look at the huge rip in it; It's been mended so many times. I even made her a new one, we've bought a barbie one...but NOPE; nothing else works. At least she doesn't take it everywhere anymore, but dang...she's 4 1/2 and is still so attached to that ugly thing. :) oh well. It's so comforting to her I guess.

This is how my kids were dressed the entire afternoon after church. Literally. I just peeled Mady's off of her to get her jammies on. It was funny. We could only call them Buzz or Jessie too. :)
Oh Adam's sister Jamie had her baby and when we got home from seeing him, Mady had a lot of questions. she asked if I had a baby in my belly too and I said no. She said, "I do." I said, "you have a baby in your belly?" she said, "No. I have a bunny rabbit." :-) She's a fun little girl, but still has her dramatic days. lol. I think that will be her for years to come, but we will love her for every minute of it. I've thought a lot lately about how grateful I am for my kids...they are amazing. We are so lucky to have her. She was my first baby...and it just doesn't seem like that it was that long ago. I still remember the first time I held her, it just seemed like such a miracle. And she is. I'm so grateful that my Heavenly Father has trusted us with this amazing little person. I love her more then she will ever know.



Noah is great. That kid is hilarious and just has a personality all his own. We can't figure out how he comes up with half the things he says and does. He's potty trained now. But it was a little more difficult then Mady. Bribing just didn't work the way it did for Mady. It's funny how different kids are. He responded better to a consequence, like having to clean his own poop out of his underwear. ha ha. It was sad but it worked. He also has decided that he doesn't sit down to pee. He has to "pee like daddy", so he will only stand up now. And the other day when I gave him toilet paper to 'dab' his pee pee, he told me "No. Daddy says I just shake my weiner" :) He's a funny kid. he pretty much wears his snow boots around the house all day. And he only travels by scooter. (the one Santa got him for Christmas) There's even designated parking spots for it. He has become a HUGE daddy's boy. To the point where he will flat out tell me, "I don't want you! I just want my dad!" This kid says exactly what's on his mind; no filter. I'm sometimes afraid when he opens his mouth in public. I never know what will come out of it. He still uses his favorite swear word so freely..."Mom, where's my d*** juice?" It just flows...we've had lots of talks about what Heavenly Father doesn't like us to say. He just gives us dirty looks. lots...of...attitude.
-One funny thing he said, for those of you who aren't on facebook...Noah came out from his nap one day. He had huge sleepy eyes and was still staggering a bit, but he looked right at me and asked, "Mom. do all kids have pee pee's and butts?" :) I just don't expect anything less from him. I'm just glad this one wasn't in public.
-He's really into calling people "freaks" lately. He and Adam were wrestling around the other night and he yells after him, "get back here ya little FREAK!"..let me assure you...we have NEVER called him that.
-He was picking out a new movie to take in the car the other night and he was taking forever, so Adam told him to hurry up. He slammed his hand down on the floor and with an angry face said, "I just don't have TIME for this Dad!" He's going to be an interesting child I think.
He is such a goof ball, but such a cuddle bug. He would sit and cuddle at any time of the day. His favorite show is Transformers right now; to watch with his daddy of course. He's definitely a fun little guy and we feel very grateful to have him in our family. Just like with Mady...he has no idea how much he's loved. He keeps us on our toes every day; but he is so extremely loving and sensitive. I was in the bath tub one night and forgot to lock the door...in came Noah. I guess he thought I was sad...but he said, "It's ok mommy. don't cry. Daddy will come get you. I will stay here with you." then he went and got a cup to pour water over me (like I do to them in the tub) then he patted my back and gave me a kiss. :) He's my little man, and holds such a special place in my heart. My kids are the reason I wake up every day and do everthing I can to make them happy and teach them right. We feel so blessed to have these amazing little people!

Belated Christmas Post

Wow. I can't believe how behind I am on posting. We've just been so busy and sick in this stinkin house, but we had a great Christmas. We had lots of activities and Christmas parties. I'll start with pictures and then update what every one's been up to. On the first Monday in December our street has a 'K Street Christmas Party'. It was a lot of fun and we feel so blessed to live where we do. We have amazing neighbors and love the ward we're in. While we were at the party...Santa showed up:) Mady was super excited because when we saw him at Wal-Mart she was scared, so she really wanted to tell him that she wanted Jessie and Rapunzel dolls. :) Noah on the other hand...wouldn't even look at him. ha ha.



We also kept up with our tradition of making Christmas goodies and taking them to family and friends. Mady was quite the helper this year. She loved it. She was great at making sure everything tasted good and was ok to be given away!


On Christmas Eve morning Mady woke up kind of early, so I got up with her and let Daddy and Noah sleep in. We painted our nails in Christmas colors and watched the Flintstones Christmas. Then we made breakfast and woke Daddy and Noah up. It was fun to have that girl time with her.


Later on we kept with tradition and made our cookies for Santa.

It was so sweet to see the excitement Mady had this year for Christmas. I remember that feeling as a kid and it just makes the spirit of the season so much fun. We did have lot of talks about the real reason for Christmas and it was neat to see that Mady was actually understanding it some of it. :)
Our House all Decorated!

Our Christmas trees...all ready with presents to be opened! the kids were super excited!


Christmas is always busy for us! All our family is here so we have activities from Christmas Eve all the way until Christmas night. We get our breaks in between but we have a lot of fun. It's so nice to spend time with family. So Christmas Eve we went to Adam's Dad's house. Terri had lots of goodies and of course we had shrimp. YUM! then we all opened presents. it was a good night!



When we left we drove around looking at Christmas lights, then went home and saw that the Christmas Elves left the kids jammies again. :) Adams mom and Rick came up that night to stay with us. It was so fun to have them! So we left cookies and celery (yes...celery. because Adam forgot to get the reindeer food at Broulims, so Mady decided that would work. ha ha) We put our excited kids to bed and then watched 4 Christmas's.



Christmas morning! Santa came! :) (don't you love the commercial on the t.v. in the background? it's like a phone-dating thing! ha ha) Noah kept telling us that he didn't like Santa and didn't want him in our house! but Christmas morning he told us that he liked him again. :)



We had a good morning. lots of mess, but lots of fun! Does anyone else think it's crazy how they like zip tie EVERY arm and leg of every toy to the box! AAHHH. took us forever. Mady was very excited to see Jessie and Rapunzel and Noah loved his Buzz Lightyear. Mady also got a Dollhouse and pet shop stuff of course; and Noah got a Batman Cave and tool bench. And lots of others, but those were the favorites. We had a good brunch with Adam's mom and Rick and all of his sisters. Then we opened presents again. Mady loved that we got to open presents so many times!


That afternoon was a well-earned nap time! Then we woke up and went to Brigitte's to have Christmas with my mom and John and Craig and Brigitte. LOTS more food...are you seeing a theme here? way too much food!!! ha ha. but it was good. We ate and played the wii and opened presents again. it was a good day and filled with lots of family. the kids were totally pooped out by the end of the night and went to bed right away! ha ha.



However they were up bright and early and excited to play with all their new toys the next day! :)

I love Christmas. We are huge Christmas people. I think the season just puts an amazing spirit in your home. There's something very sad to me when we take our tree down and put all the decorations away. Mady had a break down last year when we did it, but this year she just asked if it could be Halloween again? :) Noah cried though. "We have to put the tree back so Santa can come!!!" :( that's kind of how I feel too. lol. But it will come again! I just feel like you don't have very many years that your kids have this excitement for Santa and it makes it so much fun! I love seeing the joy on their faces. I feel so lucky and grateful for my children and family! Hope everyone had as good of a Christmas as we did!
(Well this has gotten long...so an up-date will have to wait!)