Snow Day!!! 12/12/2009

In my next 30 years...12/11/2009

We started the birthday celebration last night by having a birthday dinner made by Jaclyn. It was delicious, relaxing, and a great way to start the celebration! We had spaghetti, bread, and my favorite, angel food cake!





After I dropped the kids off at school I had to run a few errands. I went to pick up some supplies for Bailia's class party next week. Then off to get treats for Jaden's Gymnastic party tonight. Then to Deseret Book to pick up a gift, then to Christensen's to exchange a gift. I had everything planned out, or so I thought. On the way out of Christensen's, at about 10:50, I received a call from Miss Cardon. Oh no, I thought, either Koda is hurt, or he has done something really bad! I answered and she cheerfully asked if I planned on picking Cooper up today. Oh good she's happy, I thought to myself, she must need me to bring something when I pick him up. Yes, I will be there I told her. Oh good she said, but do you realize today is Friday? As my heart skipped a beat, I started running. I quickly said, Oh my word, I feel SO stupid, I will be right there! Apparently turning thirty has a major affect on your brain! I thought it was Thursday! Cooper gets out of school an hour earlier on Friday's! Growing older also has a few benefits, if I had done this to Jaden when he was in Kindergarten, I would have been hysterical! I showed up at the school feeling rather sheepish, and walked into the office to get Koda. I apologized to him a thousand times over (which he quickly got sick of) he said it's OK Momma, but you owe me a hot cocoa! Well that was easy! After I apologized even more, he said mom it's fine, you know girls lose their mind sometimes too!









The thought of celebrating my birthday today is not something I have looked forward to. If you have talked to me in the past week, you might know why, if not, it's not something I want to keep reliving! It has been an emotional roller coaster of a ride the past couple of months, and my trust, that is not easily gained, has been shaken. I will say it is amazing how much our lives are affected, by the decisions of those around us! Obviously, I know the people that are involved in the situation at hand will read my blog-I am fine with that-and want them all to know that I believe ALL parties are at fault. There are always two (or more) sides to every story...but I feel there was a MUCH better way that this situation could have been handled! I came across these two quotes that I really liked that seemed to fit. Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching! And, Your true character is revealed by the clarity of your convictions, the choices you make, and the promises you keep.
That being said I am grateful that I have a husband that loves me, is there for me when I need him, especially just for a therapeutic HUG! I don't know how he does it, but one hug from A, calms me more than anything in the world! I am thankful for my children who bring me joy, headache, laughter, tears, and more love than imaginable!
I am inspired, uplifted, and strengthened by music. It is something I thrive on! When "My next thirty years" by Tim McGraw, came out more than TEN years ago I loved the song, but thought thirty for me was a long way off. Well, here I am turning THIRTY! So I thought it was fitting to post the lyrics...

I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done
Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears
And I'll do it better in my next thirty years

My next thirty years I'm gonna settle all the scores
Cry a little less, laugh a little more
Find a world of happiness without the hate and fear
Figure out just what I'm doing here
In my next thirty years

Oh my next thirty years, I'm gonna watch my weight
Eat a few more salads and not stay up so late
Drink a little lemonade and not so many beers
Maybe I'll remember my next thirty years

My next thirty years will be the best years of my life
Raise a little family and hang out with my wife
Spend precious moments with the ones that I hold dear
Make up for lost time here, in my next thirty years
In my next thirty years

Letter's From Santa...12/8/2009

Santa writes to the kids every year. I enjoy reading the letters as much as they do! They are always amazed that he knows SO much about them. Today Jaden said how would he know...and Koda instantly pipes up singing, He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake! They were all very excited about what he had written them, and have already read, reread, and REREAD their letters! It's the little things in life...

Whirlwind weekend!!! 12/6/2009

After battling traffic (I am SO glad we live in a smaller town) we finally made it to our hotel in Bountiful. After resting for a bit we headed out for some pizza at the Firehouse Pizzeria-the kids kids loved watching the chefs toss the dough!


The kids have been looking forward to this trip for many reasons, one of them being able to SWIM! We had the pool all to ourselves, it was perfect! They loved every second of it, and it was a great way to end the day!



Koda bear is such a crack up! After swimming we went back to the room and our key wouldn't work. So we headed back downstairs to get it reprogrammed. When we got back to the room Koda fell to his knees and said, Oh please work this time! I don't know where he comes up with this stuff! The key worked, the kids showered and Koda was out like a light!



The Gymnastics Competition season has officially begun-Jdog did a great job and we are excited to see what the season has in store!


Another reason we were excited for this trip was the Market Street Grill. Bailia and I LOVE their oysters-she is going to be one expensive date when the time comes!


The Polar Express was something we were all excited to go on. It was FREEZING outside when we arrived, and when we got on the train I am sure it wasn't toasty warm, but it sure felt like it! Within minutes of the train starting I felt sick. Crap. By the end of the train ride I was a mess, Bailia said her tummy hurt, Koda said he wanted to puke, Jaden's head was spinning, and Grandma didn't feel good! We had a good time (other than getting sick) but we check that experience off of the old bucket list, as something we will not do again! Thank heavens I live in this day in age, train rides might have put me in my grave!








I told the kids to sleep in until at LEAST 7:30 so I could get some much needed rest, we had fit everything we possibly could in this trip-except SHOPPING, maybe next time! But of course Jdog and Sis were up at 6:00 am SHARP! I figured why wait around, so we decided to pack up and head out. When we went to the front desk to check out the lady said you get to go out in the snow-I thought she was kidding. We were greeted with 3-4 inches of the white stuff. I LOVE the snow, when I am INSIDE, watching it softly fall from the window while wrapped in a warm blanket. I HATE driving in it! The roads hadn't been plowed. The smart people on the freeway were going 30 miles an hour, the big rigs were FLYING by us and making it even harder to see!
It was a LONG drive home, but we made it home safe and sound!

Piano Recital...12/3/2009

Having three kids in piano has been very tiring, but such a good experience for all of them! Jaden and Bailia have lessons on Tuesdays at 7:30 and 8:00am and Koda goes Wednesday afternoons. They had their recital last night, Cooper played Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, Bailia played Oh come all Ye Faithful and We wish you a Merry Christmas, and Jaden played Joy to the world and I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas! They all did a great job!

Dear Santa, 12/2/2009

I told the kids that I would be at school to pick them up to go to an important meeting during their lunch break. Jaden and Bailia couldn't stand not knowing what kind meeting they were going to. Is it the doctor? Did somebody win an award? Are we getting the swine flu shot? They asked question after question as I dropped them off for school. Have a good day at school, and see you at noon I hollered as they begged for the answer!
I picked them up and they couldn't stand not knowing where we were going. I kept quiet as I drove to the Dixie Center. As soon as I made the turn, almost in unison, Jaden, and Bailia, yelled the DICKENS FESTIVAL! This isn't a meeting they said.
You are going to meet with the big, jolly man I told them. Koda was SO excited-this is the place where the REAL Santa is, right mom?
For any of you out there that questions if there really is a Santa, or just want to feel the magic. Go to the Dickens Festival-he is there. It's Magical.


I am thankful to have children that keep the magic alive! In this cruel world I would like to keep my kids inside a little innocence bubble that would keep them safe, happy, and healthy. Obviously as much as I try to do so, I know it isn't possible. They are growing up, much too fast, but the innocence is still there, it is uplifting, powerful, and a wonderful feeling knowing it is there!

We then had lunch-the kids ordered the BIGGEST scones I have ever seen! Then it was back into the real world, and I took them back to school. On the way back Bailia said, Kyler (one of her best friends) doesn't believe in Santa. He thinks his parents do it all! Oh really, I said.
What kind of parents would spend all of that money, and stay up ALL night to do that?!? She asked in an astonished voice! I wouldn't I told her. Neither would I, all the kids agreed!
How sad it would be not to believe in the magic anymore...

Happy Birthday Harley Girl! 12/1/2009

My mom made a calendar like this when I was young. We waited anxiously for our turn to draw out of the calendar each day-with two brothers and one sister, it seemed to take FOREVER to get back to my turn. It was the highlight of our December every year. When my mom made the us our own advent calendar last year, I was beyond excited! I love that the tradition has continued onto my kids (they say it takes forever to get back to their turn too!) and with a little guilt I might get her to spend another 978 hours making two more calendars for me so that each of my kids will have one when they have kids! The drawing order this year is Bailia, Koda, then Jdog!



Wow, I can't believe it is the first day of December already! I forgot it was Harley's birthday until this evening when I flipped one of my calendars to December! Bailia had bought her a pack of jerky treats last week, and Jdog brought home a few pieces of cake from school that Mrs. P. had made! It was meant to be! Bailia stuck two jerky treats in the cake (since she is two today) and we made her sit in front of the cake while we sang to her. You can see from the picture that our singing meant NOTHING to her. She SWALLOWED the cake whole.
Having Harley in the family has been the biggest pain in my...well if you own a dog you know how it is. But we wouldn't trade her (most days) for anything! She is SO good with the kids, especially Koda. She love to wrestle with him, but refuses to do so without her toy in her mouth, so that she doesn't accidentally bite him! With Adam she doesn't get her toy, she knows he is a tough guy. She understands everything we say-we can't even spell run anymore without her getting all excited to go. I even count if she is in trouble (like I do with my kids) FIVE, FOUR, THREE-I rarely make it to two before she does what she is supposed to do. Happy Birthday H-digity! We hope you have a great day!

Their own tree...11/30/2009

It has been a tradition for many years now, that my mom gives my kids an ornament each year. They have quite a collection now, and we look forward to see the new ornament each year. This year my favorite of the ornaments was a snowman made out of soccer balls for Bailia-DARLING!
I usually get the kids their own itty bitty 18" tree each year, but this year I bought one that they could share. They decorated it tonight, and it turned out really cute!




Sometimes my kids are such goof balls! Last night they said mom come look Jaden has SIX arms! I went out to see and there stood Jaden with six arms! He also had a red head in white, and a little bear cub in a pink leotard standing behind him!