I've talked of resolutions before...I've given them before, I've failed most and accomplished a few. SO this year, we decided we would just have 5 simple "resolutions". Mine were simple....
1) Relearn to crochet so I can make cute hats, mittens, etc.
2) Get a "bachelor's" degree in my picture taking and Photoshop working
3) Really lose those 5-10 pesky pre-pregnancy pounds from 6 years ago
4) Vacation alone with my sweetie
5) Finish the kids rooms, and finally paint that terrible PINK guest room
These are attainable! These I can DEFINATELY accompish! I have a year to do it so I better get started :)
We also madea separate list for places we want to go this year. We even had Reagan get into the goal making/adventure going and asked her...
"Name FIVE places you want to go this year".
Hers are:
1) Disney
2) Utah
3) Yellowstone
4) Bear World
5) Blackfoot (Whaaaattt???)
Mine are:
1) Disney
2) Hawaii
3) Jackson Hole
4) Utah :O)
5) Palisades for longer than a hike
And Mike's
1) Disney
2) Hawaii
3) Camping (anywhere)
4) Lake Cleveland (Burley Idaho)
5) City of Rocks
And last but not least, Little Man K's are
1) Ow-side (when it's warmer of course)
2) Baf baf baf (the tub)
3) Chuck (truck or doubles for car)
4) Papa's (both, anytime)
5) Sissy's room (sneaky little snake)
Do you see a pattern:) Here's to your resolutions and accomplishing something!
12/31/11
Christmas, Randoms, and a Happy 2012!!!
What a month! December was crazy and passed all too soon. We spent a quiet but memorable Christmas at our home and were lucky enough to have Mike's parents join us. There is so much busy-ness, rush, anticipation, and excitement that accompanies the Christmas holiday. We were SO ready for the shopping rush to be over (although it is what we rely on, it's also nice for it to be over!) and enjoy some relaxed family time. Scrappy and Scruffy (Santa's elves) didn't disappoint all month, leaving little tokens of appreciation if the kids were good, or nothing under the tree if they were naughty. They delivered Christmas jammies on time....and even remembered Grandma and Grandpa.
Breakfast for dinner, some last minute preparations and feeding of the appropriate individuals, and the kids were snug in their bed. I would have gotten pictures of the appropriate preparation on our part, but Reagan is already smart enough and trying to put things together to figure certain things out! Her mind is entirely too mature for her age.
Sprinkling out the food
Anxiously awaiting their receivers
Christmas morning was met with excitement and anticipation to see what the jolly man had left. It gets more fun every year as the kids get older and their excitement and joy can be felt in the entire house. Let's say it was a fantastic day and everyone was happy hearted and refreshed!
Kade wasn't really into opening the actual present but if there was one opened for him he would say "Oh Wow!" and check it out. Anything Mickey, Elmo or Toy Story was always a big hit. These Toy Story Potato Heads have gone pretty much everywhere, car, bath, bed, etc.
Grandpa spent a lot of time putting things together
That's her excited face as everything is getting put together!
I love this picture for a few reasons, but mostly because of his cheek profile. Obviously not as big or bouncy as Rea's, but still soft and squishy
Writing his list for next year while what he didn't get is fresh on his mind :) And yes, he's mostly a lefty, although he's pretty much capable of writing/scribbling with both.
The awesome aftermath
Here are a few random pictures I wanted to include just for memory sake!
This dog isn't dumb...he knows he will most likely get fed, sitting below our messy eater...who is enjoying Christmas Fondue
Ok, I know, I could get arrested for this picture right?! But who doesn't love a little bum decorated in nothing other than cowboy boots!
Invest in Mr. Potato Head! It's been a great source of entertainment for our kids! (And the water is green only due to "special" pellets)
And here's to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
2010 was a really hard, challenging, and insane year. 2011 was filled with recovering from 2010, adjusting to surroundings, learning how to be a family again, loving, new beginnings, new challenges, and growing tons.
We are SO excited for what 2012 has in store for our family. It's going to be the year of spending lots and lots of time together! Traveling to new places, old places, learning new things, relearning old things, hopefully more memories with family near and far, laughing, loving, and growing some more. My heart is so full. Honestly, there is not a thing I desire more than being with my sweet, forgiving, adorable and charismatic children; my unconditionally loving, funny, handsome better half. God has blessed my life insanely. Constant reminders that life is so fragile and time is of the essence, and this year, we will grasp that full force and move forward with that in mind!
We are spending the first day of the year staycationing at a local hotel, enjoying some take out, some excitement, jumping on the beds, swimming, and celebrating. Here's to YOU AND YOURS!!
Breakfast for dinner, some last minute preparations and feeding of the appropriate individuals, and the kids were snug in their bed. I would have gotten pictures of the appropriate preparation on our part, but Reagan is already smart enough and trying to put things together to figure certain things out! Her mind is entirely too mature for her age.
Sprinkling out the food
Anxiously awaiting their receivers
Christmas morning was met with excitement and anticipation to see what the jolly man had left. It gets more fun every year as the kids get older and their excitement and joy can be felt in the entire house. Let's say it was a fantastic day and everyone was happy hearted and refreshed!
Kade wasn't really into opening the actual present but if there was one opened for him he would say "Oh Wow!" and check it out. Anything Mickey, Elmo or Toy Story was always a big hit. These Toy Story Potato Heads have gone pretty much everywhere, car, bath, bed, etc.
Grandpa spent a lot of time putting things together
That's her excited face as everything is getting put together!
I love this picture for a few reasons, but mostly because of his cheek profile. Obviously not as big or bouncy as Rea's, but still soft and squishy
Writing his list for next year while what he didn't get is fresh on his mind :) And yes, he's mostly a lefty, although he's pretty much capable of writing/scribbling with both.
The awesome aftermath
Here are a few random pictures I wanted to include just for memory sake!
This dog isn't dumb...he knows he will most likely get fed, sitting below our messy eater...who is enjoying Christmas Fondue
Ok, I know, I could get arrested for this picture right?! But who doesn't love a little bum decorated in nothing other than cowboy boots!
Invest in Mr. Potato Head! It's been a great source of entertainment for our kids! (And the water is green only due to "special" pellets)
And here's to a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
2010 was a really hard, challenging, and insane year. 2011 was filled with recovering from 2010, adjusting to surroundings, learning how to be a family again, loving, new beginnings, new challenges, and growing tons.
We are SO excited for what 2012 has in store for our family. It's going to be the year of spending lots and lots of time together! Traveling to new places, old places, learning new things, relearning old things, hopefully more memories with family near and far, laughing, loving, and growing some more. My heart is so full. Honestly, there is not a thing I desire more than being with my sweet, forgiving, adorable and charismatic children; my unconditionally loving, funny, handsome better half. God has blessed my life insanely. Constant reminders that life is so fragile and time is of the essence, and this year, we will grasp that full force and move forward with that in mind!
We are spending the first day of the year staycationing at a local hotel, enjoying some take out, some excitement, jumping on the beds, swimming, and celebrating. Here's to YOU AND YOURS!!
12/21/11
December Thus Far
So what has your December consisted of?? Parties, parties, recitals, rehearsals, school programs, shopping and such? The month has flown and here it is just shy of the most anticipated day of the year!
Reagan had her first recital. Beautiful, tiny dancer
Kade had his first trip to the ER! Colliding with his cousin Emmett who was on his bike. All in the throws of being thrilled to see Papa!
We've had busy days and colder weather. Anticipating a few days of rest in the upcoming week!
Reagan had her first recital. Beautiful, tiny dancer
Kade had his first trip to the ER! Colliding with his cousin Emmett who was on his bike. All in the throws of being thrilled to see Papa!
We've had busy days and colder weather. Anticipating a few days of rest in the upcoming week!
12/9/11
The Perfect Tree
It's been a lifelong goal of mine to be able to trapse around the mountainside looking for the perfect tree. Every year we talk about how much fun that would be and that is what you always imagine:) Growing up, we had fake trees. Albeit wonderful fake trees (which I honestly sometimes long for), they were just that...fake. No aroma, no mess, no watering the tree every day and cursing all the needles falling off. Mikes a firm believer in real, authentic trees. However, our "tree finding experience" has never been the romantic idea of finding one and this one held true to that!! It's been on average anywhere from 0-10 degrees most days here. Occasionally we will break into the 20's. We decided to get our tree from the YMCA this year for good samaritan reasons :) Off we went all bundled up and decked out in our winter gear. To make a long story short, Kade lasted all of 3 minutes before he was hysterically crying from being cold, so after 10 minutes of listening and being embarrassed, he and I went back to the car, and Rea and Daddy got to find the perfect tree!
His eyes are BEGGING you to take him to warmth
The cute old tree man
Putting the final touches on the decked out tree
Let it be said, that we will almost likely be hiring sitters this winter if we want to go out and about! While Kade is an avid outdoorsman during all other seasons, he absolutely HATES the cold. He'll stand at the back door and say "brrrrr, outside, brrrr, house, house". Which I take to mean, "It's too bloody cold outside so please let me stay in the house!". I took him out a few weeks ago when it was snowing and the second a snowflake hit his face it was all over and all sorts of fits. Can't blame him...I hate being cold as well!
His eyes are BEGGING you to take him to warmth
The cute old tree man
Putting the final touches on the decked out tree
Let it be said, that we will almost likely be hiring sitters this winter if we want to go out and about! While Kade is an avid outdoorsman during all other seasons, he absolutely HATES the cold. He'll stand at the back door and say "brrrrr, outside, brrrr, house, house". Which I take to mean, "It's too bloody cold outside so please let me stay in the house!". I took him out a few weeks ago when it was snowing and the second a snowflake hit his face it was all over and all sorts of fits. Can't blame him...I hate being cold as well!
11/28/11
Reflecting on the meaning of Thankful!
Another post with yet any pictures! I'll try to edit or see if I have any pictures from the holiday week, but wanted to post something while my mind was still fresh with "Thanks". On Friday, November 18th, we lost dear Grandma Leila. She struggled long and hard to stay with us and told the Doctor to do all he could so she could see her Great Grandbabies grow. But her body was weak, and tired, and longing for some peace and healing I'm sure. I'm Thankful that when the kids and I saw her a month ago, she was healthy and getting stronger in the Care Center. She was always so happy to see the kids. She couldn't have been more proud of our kids that day, showing them off and telling everyone "these are my great grandbabies"! Oh how she loved them. I'm Thankful for the memory of her waving from the cafeteria that last time. Mike was also able to see her just a few days before her passing and even though she lay in pain, mostly sedated, and very weak, she was able to open her eyes for him. To see pictures he showed of her grandbabies, and that all she wanted in those finally moments, was to see their faces and feel the love. SHe was a wonderful lady and her service was perfect. Reflecting on her life as a truly wonderful, kind and loving lady who could hunt, fish, start a fire, bake, joke, and most importantly love. I find it very endearing that my husband and his cousins were able to grow up with such loving and involved grandparents on both sides. I never knew that and it's why it's so important that we are closer to our parents and that they are involved in our kids lives and they make memories with them. His Grandma and Grandpa were married for 62 years. A very close and loving couple, it is so hard to see Grandpa alone, but he is surrounded by his loving family and I'm sure that has made this easier.
The evening before Thanksgiving, Mike's dad was driving home from Boise and was invovled in a car accident. THANKFULLY, he was bruised, banged up, a few staples in his head, but he was alive. Until I saw the pictures of his truck, it didn't really hit me how amazing it was that he is still with us, and escaped with so little injuries!! Someone was truly watching over him that night! We are so grateful he was ok, and Thanksgiving the next day gave us a real reason to be Thankful.
In the madness that ensues the holiday and all us retail employees know, it's hard to go from feeling so blessed and watched over, to feeling so rushed and onto the next emotion of the year.
I was also so Thankful for the week I spent at my parents and the help that they all gave me along with my sisters in taking the kids and allowing me to lay around, get some rest, and start to feel better.
We head into a crazy time in our lives, but I think this month I will continue to reflect on the week we had of being truly shown what life, family, and being Thankful is about.
The evening before Thanksgiving, Mike's dad was driving home from Boise and was invovled in a car accident. THANKFULLY, he was bruised, banged up, a few staples in his head, but he was alive. Until I saw the pictures of his truck, it didn't really hit me how amazing it was that he is still with us, and escaped with so little injuries!! Someone was truly watching over him that night! We are so grateful he was ok, and Thanksgiving the next day gave us a real reason to be Thankful.
In the madness that ensues the holiday and all us retail employees know, it's hard to go from feeling so blessed and watched over, to feeling so rushed and onto the next emotion of the year.
I was also so Thankful for the week I spent at my parents and the help that they all gave me along with my sisters in taking the kids and allowing me to lay around, get some rest, and start to feel better.
We head into a crazy time in our lives, but I think this month I will continue to reflect on the week we had of being truly shown what life, family, and being Thankful is about.
11/13/11
A Grateful, Humble, and Hopeful Heart
The past several weeks I've been struggling with some unknown health issues. Although not debilitating, it's been physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. It's not been diagnosed, discovered or treated accordingly. I'm a worrier by nature. That hasn't helped in alleviating anything, nor making me feel better. We are hoping that we are closing in on whatever it is that is causing these problems, and hoping to get some answers.
Through the past several weeks, I have found myself struggling with why I couldn't cope well with what was going on. I can't even imagine suffering from a painful, debilitating life illness. I thought I was a little tougher, or stronger, but I fully surrender to the fact that I've not handled it well. One of the most difficult things has been my ability to feel like I am providing my kids with the best of attention and care, or being able to be the wife I fully expect of myself. I pride myself in not allowing my kids to be entertained by television or alternative sources. To being able to give them fun things to experience, trips to the library, outings to enjoy nature, etc. I enjoy being with and spending time with my kids. Giving them the best of me and my time, and they are the best of me. I've also struggled emotionally with knowing that I wasn't able to keep the house clean, dishes done, and meals made. It's been a huge effort. ALthough it's not what Mike expects, my kids expect, or outside influences expect. It's just me. It's my personality, it's in my blood. It's been an emotional rollercoaster.
But through all of this, and although I've been a little of a mess, my heart is so full, humbled and grateful for all the love, prayers and well wishes I have felt. It's the month of "Thanks". It's a time to reflect on blessings, good health, a steady job, roof over the head, warm meals to eat, and family abound. Even if it wasn't the month to publically remember all of this, I would do so anyway. I have felt so humbled and grateful to my family for all of their prayers, calls of concerns, and special blessings sent our/my way. For their faith in medicine and faith that things will work out for the best. It's encouraging, it's humbling, and it's a reminder as to how much my life is so blessed. How not to take little things for granted, and sometimes, it's ok to allow yourself to ask for help and support both physically and mentally. I'm grateful to my brother for providing me with comfort when I needed it, and for my parents taking time out of their lives to attend to my families needs. I am grateful. I am humble. I am hopeful.
Through the past several weeks, I have found myself struggling with why I couldn't cope well with what was going on. I can't even imagine suffering from a painful, debilitating life illness. I thought I was a little tougher, or stronger, but I fully surrender to the fact that I've not handled it well. One of the most difficult things has been my ability to feel like I am providing my kids with the best of attention and care, or being able to be the wife I fully expect of myself. I pride myself in not allowing my kids to be entertained by television or alternative sources. To being able to give them fun things to experience, trips to the library, outings to enjoy nature, etc. I enjoy being with and spending time with my kids. Giving them the best of me and my time, and they are the best of me. I've also struggled emotionally with knowing that I wasn't able to keep the house clean, dishes done, and meals made. It's been a huge effort. ALthough it's not what Mike expects, my kids expect, or outside influences expect. It's just me. It's my personality, it's in my blood. It's been an emotional rollercoaster.
But through all of this, and although I've been a little of a mess, my heart is so full, humbled and grateful for all the love, prayers and well wishes I have felt. It's the month of "Thanks". It's a time to reflect on blessings, good health, a steady job, roof over the head, warm meals to eat, and family abound. Even if it wasn't the month to publically remember all of this, I would do so anyway. I have felt so humbled and grateful to my family for all of their prayers, calls of concerns, and special blessings sent our/my way. For their faith in medicine and faith that things will work out for the best. It's encouraging, it's humbling, and it's a reminder as to how much my life is so blessed. How not to take little things for granted, and sometimes, it's ok to allow yourself to ask for help and support both physically and mentally. I'm grateful to my brother for providing me with comfort when I needed it, and for my parents taking time out of their lives to attend to my families needs. I am grateful. I am humble. I am hopeful.
10/30/11
Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, and Island Park
Finding the perfect pumpkin is always fun!
Carving is definately not my forte, nor my favorite. Dad is such a great sport!
Halloween was FREEZING cold!! The kids were Pirates, per Princess Pirate Reagan, the Dictator of the household :) Kade learned a new word "CAANNNDDDYYY", which he has perfected every day since then. We decided to brave the wind and cold and just participate in our neighborhood trunk or treat. Short, sweet, and to the point. HIt a few houses on the walk back home, but home and in the tub by 7. It was just too dang cold otherwise. Kade remembered to say "Hewwow", "candy", and "thank you" ;) I apparently was stinkin' at taking pictures this night. They aren't the best!
Scenes from Island Park this time around. Very cold, but still had a nice trip.
Mike and Reagan's "Playdough Pumpkins"
Carving is definately not my forte, nor my favorite. Dad is such a great sport!
Halloween was FREEZING cold!! The kids were Pirates, per Princess Pirate Reagan, the Dictator of the household :) Kade learned a new word "CAANNNDDDYYY", which he has perfected every day since then. We decided to brave the wind and cold and just participate in our neighborhood trunk or treat. Short, sweet, and to the point. HIt a few houses on the walk back home, but home and in the tub by 7. It was just too dang cold otherwise. Kade remembered to say "Hewwow", "candy", and "thank you" ;) I apparently was stinkin' at taking pictures this night. They aren't the best!
Scenes from Island Park this time around. Very cold, but still had a nice trip.
Mike and Reagan's "Playdough Pumpkins"
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