I Believe In ANGELS

If you've ever wondered if angels exist-let me be the one to tell you, they do.

Elder Jeffrey Holland said in this past conference on the subject of angels "I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day. some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. some of them gave birth to us.......Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Our family during this Christmas season have felt the presence of angels, we may not know exactly who they are-but they have brought more happiness to our family than imagined, and let us know that God never leaves us alone in the challenges of life. I don't know what I have done to deserve this love but I feel it to the core of my being. In the Doctrine and Covenants 84: 88 It says I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left,.....my Spirit shall be in your heart, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." All I can say is I'm being held up by lots of angels known and unknown and I'm so grateful for each and every one. Elder Holland reminds us "that the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal."

I hope that I can try to be a little more angelic myself-and maybe one day be an angel to someone who needs one.............

Christmas-Is it over already?

Christmas Day

I promise I'm still here, I apologize for not updating more, every night I have good intentions to sit down and blog and every night I fall asleep. I can't believe Christmas is already over. It's come and gone in a blur for me this year. It seems like we were busier this year for some reason. We did have a great Christmas though and my kids described this year as the BEST CHRISTMAS EVER.

I didn't even get cards out this year so I thought, however impersonal I think it is -it's what I can do now-so here goes.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that this finds you and your family happy and healthy. 2008 has had it's ups and downs for us this year, but as I sit here reflecting- I realize how truly blessed our family is. So here's a recap of what our family is up to.

Trent: By mid year we were happy to have Trent back with us(he'd been commuting to Reno since last September 2007) we were glad not to have had to move to Reno. But this past October the economy hit us and Trent was laid off from his job. He's a big help around the house but is antsy(to say the least) to get back to work. We hope this upcoming year will bring some luck and hopefully a job will be found. (I hope you'll keep reading, I promise it all won't be so down sounding) I will say on a positive note- Trent totally disciplined himself with a strict diet and exercise and lost himself 50 lbs!(he looks fantastic! I'm so proud, I just wish it could rub off on me.)

Elizabeth: I thought I was busy when I had toddlers and babies. I find myself this year feeling busier and busier trying to keep up with the kids and their schedules. I finally know what all my sisters have told me about becoming a driver. Let me just say that I love my calendar, it's the only way I can keep it all straight. I'm working part time in retail, trying to help out(I don't know how working moms do it all). Trent is great helping out at home and the kids have been super supportive(what can I say-they're the best). My two book clubs are a welcome relief, and with great and wonderful friends (you know who you are) and a fantastic family I keep my bucket filled.

Isabel: She's 13 now and in her last year of middle school(I'm still trying to come to terms with the thought of her in high school) She's busy with student council, National Junior Honor Society(she has to do 25 hours of volunteer work), and she's taken and loved dance class. She's a busy girl. She has started babysitting and loves the extra money(for the trips to the mall with her friends, a totally teenage girl thing to do) How do I know where Isabel is-I listen for the giggles!

Oliver: This year is the year where I discovered Oliver no longer looks like a little boy. He seems to get taller every time I look at him. One day I'll be looking up to him before I know it. He's 9 and in the 4th grade. He's enjoyed swimming lessons and is dying to play lacrosse in the spring (hopefully we can make that happen) He's always full of energy and wants to be busy all the time. He's discovered a love of reading and zips through books, he loves scouts, friends, nerf guns, and all things adventure.

Miles: My thinker-Behind those beautiful blue eyes of his-is a little boy who is always thinking, worrying, wondering something. He is 7 and in the 2nd grade where he is the class joker and the little girls swoon(I volunteer in his class every week and little girls come up to me and tell me that they love Miles) He still loves all things Marvel (superheroes) I thought he would grow out this phase, but not yet at least. He's enjoyed trying out karate and swimming lessons(he can't wait to stop swimming lessons to go back to karate). Miles has a mouth full of empty spaces(it seems like he loses them left and right). Even with all the gaps his smile still stops me in my tracks.

Phoebe: I don't even know where to begin. Let me just say she keeps me on my toes. She's full of questions and wants answers. She's all girl but can hold her own playing with the boys. She's 4 and thinks she's a big girl. She has an opinion about everything and a facial expression to go with every one of them( I wish I could capture them in pictures). She decided she wanted to wait on dance (maybe later, she said) and wanted to take swimming lessons like the boys(she's a daredevil) With all of her energy, she has a very sweet side-she loves hugs, and giving compliments, every time I come home, she meets me in the garage so excited to see me. I love, love, love it!

Happy Holidays wherever you are and now it's looking forward to 2009!

Christmas Eve pajamas

Annual Santa Visit

So it was the day for the annual trip to visit Santa. As you can see most of the kids were happy to sit with Santa and take a picture. Phoebe is scared to death of Santa and would not cooperate at all. She didn't want to even be near him, hence the lack of a smile on her face. I have yet to have one really perfect picture of all the kids with Santa. One of them has always been leary at one time or another. Isn't Santa supposed to be a friendly, lovable, guy that everyone adores? Not for my kids-he has to grow on them. Phoebe wouldn't look at or talk to, let alone sit on his lap. Maybe after the presents he brings her she'll love him a "little" bit more. I can always hope for a great picture next year.

For Real....

Every night getting Phoebe to stay in her bedroom becomes an ordeal-she thinks something is going on that she is missing out on. Tonight was the kicker. She comes out like every other night (when I've already given her a drink, tucked her in, read stories, sung songs, given hugs and kisses) and tells me that she isn't tired. I tell her that that's okay and that she can just look at books in bed. Phoebe looks at me, with a roll of the eyes-and looks like she wants to say " hey crazy lady", but actually says "but that will make me tired." Is she for real? That is the point of bedtime isn't it? I didn't even know how to respond. I wanted to say "yes, that is why we lay down at night to go to sleep-now go do it." 4 year olds only negotiate and understand when they want to, otherwise it's a losing battle. I just told her to go into bed after a well covered up laugh and she stomped her feet as she marched back to her room to let me know that I hadn't won-she went to her bedroom where I guess she was working on her next scheme to get out of going to sleep............but finally, I guess she laid down and got tired.

Decking the Halls

I am finally done with all the decorating for Christmas. There's so many pretty things out in the stores that I pine over and wish for, but this year I decided(okay the decision really was made for me) I needed to decorate with what I had on hand. I had to dig a little into my brain to get a little more creative(not nearly as creative as some out there in blogland). So here is just a peek at what I did(I'm documenting mostly for me, so next year I can remember exactly what I did).

1. STAR-This is the only new thing I did-Very cheap,easy and so fun(just the way I like it). I did this project with my friend Melissa. Each of ours turned out very different but both so cute(if I do say so myself). I just have to find a place to put it, so I can show it off properly.

2.This is my twinkle jar. Just some lights and berry garland wrapped around each other in a jar-tucked away in a lonely corner to light it up.

3.My front door this year-using a metal stocking that I got last year. My version of saying Welcome, come on in.

4.My mantle-using stockings that Trent's mom has made each of us-and our collection of nutcrackers that we've collected over the years. The kids fight over which nutcracker stands watch over their stockings.

5.Remember my bargain lanterns that I filled with Fall things?-they now have been switched to being all Christmasy(I love those lanterns, what can I fill them with next?)

6.My corner window, where I can be reminded daily-the reason for the season.

7.My living room table( Trent recently painted it the happy blue, it looks so much better than the green it used to be).

8.This inspiration came from my trusty Souther Living Magazine-I filled the tray with split peas(bag for 67 cents, who knew that I liked those green peas after all?) put some little red fake berries in, wrapped some red string around the candles and voila-Christmas.

9.I think this might be my favorite-strung some garland I had around the light and hung some ornaments. It makes me happy to look at.

So there you go- Hope you liked the peek-I'm wishing I could peek into each of your windows and see what cute things you've done to bring Christmas to your house. Have you hauled out the holly yet and hung the stockings with care? If not-remember Christmas is only 16 days away!(eek! I'm not ready!)

It's A Pinkalicious Party

Soaking in the pink

Okay-I finally have time to post about Phoebe's party we had on Wednesday morning. Phoebe as most of you know is a very girly. A girl with certain color preferences that she doesn't stray from. It's purple and pink always but recently she's allowed "chocolate" and yellow into her color palette. I found this book called PINKALICIOUS a little while ago, which is about a little girl who eats too many pink cupcakes and turns pink. So that is what the theme of our party was-everything PINK(I do better with theme parties-it gives me a jumping off point). I made all the little girls pink and purple tutus(don't get excited I didn't sew one inch of it, luckily I have my friend Melissa who was willing to sew the elastic together).

Some of the girls waiting for the party to start. They were all smiling at the end.

We started off reading Pinkalicious and then I had all the little girls(all 9 of them) decorate hot pink foam crowns.

Working hard on the crowns

We did a pinata that was a hot pink princess crown(move out of the way, some of those girls have good arms), it was filled with necklaces,jeweled rings, and candy.

Phoebe taking the first wack

Opening the presents was quite a sight, I started with them all nicely in a circle, but as soon as Phoebe started opening them they were literally all on top trying to see, help, and touch. I tried moving Phoebe back, but they would just move along with her.

Just trying to help out

We then sang and had of course PINK cupcakes(I wish the picture could show really how pretty they looked, if I do say so myself).

Much prettier in person

By then the party was over and Phoebe sadly had to say goodbye to all her "girly" friends. She says she can't wait to have her next party(luckily I have a year to gear up for it). All in all, it was quite glorious and I think everyone had fun. Trent felt a little out of place with all the pinkaliciousness but he was a great sport. You only turn 4 once I say-it might as well be celebrated properly!

Are you surprised?

I just have to comment on the breaking news the media let us in on-That we are officially in a recession and have been since last December. Okay-for real- are any of you surprised? I'm sure not. Next time, lay it on the line I say-the sooner we know the sooner we can deal with it-don't make it seem better than it really is. We're smarter than that. We're all feeling it in some way already-aren't we?
Okay-my rant is over.....I've got to get back to making tutus for someones(Phoebe's) birthday party tomorrow.

Can You Believe She's 4?!

Phoebe 1 Day-old

All the children the day after Phoebe is born

The day has finally arrived, after patiently waiting through everyone's birthday, Phoebe's birthday is here! This is the most excited I think I've ever seen her. It snowed yesterday, and she told me "It snowed for my birthday"(I let her think that, I didn't want to burst her bubble). It's hard to remember a time before Phoebe-it seems like she has always been a part of the family. I waited so patiently to have her come (I had to get Trent on board for a 4th baby first). I was so excited to find out I was having another girl. You always think "how can I love another as much as I love the ones I have?", but somehow your heart expands and makes room for more. Having Phoebe has been sentimental for me, as I've said before since she is my last, and I try to hold onto everything she does knowing that every phase she goes through will be the last one I experience.

She still does this with her hands

Forget this posing stuff - lets get back to the fun!

Just being my cute self

Phoebe is such a joy. She is full of energy, spunk, sassiness, and sweetness. She is a little bit crazy, funny, girly, and she has a never ending supply of hugs and kisses. Demands her place in the family, not as the youngest but as an equal to anyone willing to take her on. She completes our family circle and I can't imagine our family without her. I can't wait to see what adventures are ahead for her and I have so many hopes and dreams for her. She's definitely not a baby anymore as she likes to tell me "I'm a big girl", but I will always think of her as my baby (Trent thinks I'm totally sappy, because as I sit here thinking of her, tears come to my eyes.) My heart is so full knowing that I got to be the lucky one that was chosen and be blessed to be Phoebe's mother.

Relaxing after a long walk (of course with the binky)

Looking sweet

Showing her silly-side

Phoebe enjoying the moment

Hamming it up

I hope that being 4 is a great year for Phoebe!

Finally 4 years old!!!! Ican't believe it.

1st Step-The Tree

Thanksgiving is over and it's time to move onto Christmas. The first step is decorating the Christmas tree. Our ornaments, we've collected over the years. Each year everyone gets a new ornament, so that when they leave home someday they will have a box of ornaments to take with them. It's a little eclectic, but it's always fun to open the box and the kids love to find "their" ornaments.

We totally let the kids decorate the tree by themselves-we just hand them the ornaments and let them go to town(I know, can you believe I let go of all my control issues?Maybe one day I will have the perfectly decorated tree-but not until the kids leave home-I figure it's their tree to enjoy).

The only thing I did to correct the decorating process is when Phoebe placed a bunch of ornaments on the same branch, which was also the lowest branch. Anyway we turned on the Christmas music, ate cookies, and for a few minutes at least, with no fighting everything was right with the world.

I love to hear the kids conversations, as they talk about all that they love about Christmas. Isabel said that decorating the tree is her favorite thing. There is something so peaceful about sitting around the tree with the lights off and just the twinkling of the lights on the tree. I totally love it!

Now tomorrow I tackle decorating the rest of the house..........(my way).

Because I Have Been Given Much.....

So at the end of this Thanksgiving night as I reflect on all the things I'm grateful for, I realize my blessings outweigh my whines and complaints. Even during hard times I know that I'm truly blessed in many ways. So here are a few of the many things I'm grateful for tonight....

I'm grateful for a wonderful husband who has stayed with me through thick and thin for 15 1/2 years. I'm grateful for 4 wonderful gifts that I have been privileged to be blessed with, their names are Isabel, Oliver, Miles, and Phoebe. In laughter, play, teaching moments, fighting, frustration, hugs and kisses, there is undeniable, unending love. I'm grateful for wonderful siblings and their families. I have always thought that the more the merrier-and even in our differences and how many there are of us(there is 34 of us in all) we stand together. I know that if I never needed anything, my family would be there-it's a comfort. I miss them especially during the holidays. I'm grateful for wonderful parents, who have given me a foundation and examples of which I try to live up to. I'm grateful for friends that even when I don't have blood family around they become my family here. We sat around the Thanksgiving table today with our friends the Howells and it felt like I was sitting with family. (not nearly as lonely as when we are by ourselves.) I'm grateful for the gospel in my life and the hope and strength that my faith gives me. I'm grateful for my Savior who I know eases my burdens willingly and gives me comfort when I need it the most. I could start getting really frivolous about things I'm grateful for (warm fuzzy socks, diet coke, magazines, books, chocolate, banana ice cream with walnuts, yummy smelling lotion,etc..) you get the idea, but I will stay with the things that truly sustain me. The song that says count your blessings name them one by one and you will see what God has done is very true. I truly feel blessed. I hope wherever you are tonight, you had a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and loved ones. I hope you are as full as I am(will I ever feel hungry again?).

Now it's onto the beginning of the Christmas season-I'm so excited! Let the Christmas music, the decorating, the Christmas movie watching, lighting of candles, Santa visiting, cookie making, the snow and cold, kids wish lists, begin!!!

They clean up good...

This picture was right before we left for church. Can you tell we are having wacky weather, with Oliver in a sweater, and Miles in a polo? (pay no attention to Oliver's chapped mouth, he can't stop licking it). Somethimes I feel the need to document one moment where they are still clean, put together; no dirt, stains, hair messed up, rumpled. You know what I'm talking about. Not that I don't like those moments too, I just feel sometimes it's nice to remember that they always start out put together.

Nothing Really Going On...

I noticed I hadn't posted since last Saturday, and I realized nothing of much importance has gone on. It's kind of hard to post when nothing out of the ordinary has happened. I try to keep in mind that in the ordinary, memories are created. But I thought I should post something, anything, a little something, so here's my attempt to make the ordinary seem somewhat exciting, interesting, bearable to read? Let's get started...

the boys on their way to school

1. IT'S ABOUT TIME-We finally woke up to snow. It's pretty late in the season for Colorado to just now get our first snow in the 2nd week of November. It's cold-but not for too long. Phoebe was desperate to get out and play in the snow. By midday the sun was out and the snow was melting,Phoebe said"It's not fair, the snow is just going to melt." It's supposed to be nice this weekend much to my kids dismay.Maybe some more snow is around the corner, or maybe it will come again in time Phoebe's birthday, that would be a good gift.

not much snow, but she'll take it

2.IT'S CONFERENCE TIME- Today Isabel had the day off from school because of parent teacher conferences. The boys conferences are on Monday. They only had good things to say-She got straight A's this quarter(I'm such a proud mom I can't help but share). It's sometimes nice to hear that I'm doing something right as a parent, when I doubt myself so often.

Isabel taking a self portrait

3.AM I A BEAR?- For some reason in the fall I start to feel the need to nest. Start organizing , clearing , and cleaning up neglected spaces. I like all the foods of autumn, cooking in autumn is much more enjoyable, making my house smell yummy and cozy. Am I ready to hibernate for the winter or what? Instead of spring cleaning, I like the idea of autumn cleaning(now if I can just get my kids on board).

4.ANGELS AROUND US-Last Sunday I went to a fireside, where Mariama Kallon spoke. She is a woman from Sierra Leone who lived through a civil war, and found the gospel. She was featured in an article in the November 2006 New Era. Read it here (http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=7d5a35c4ceeae010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1). Anyway she had such a warm smile, contagious laugh and her voice was filled with hope. She talked of her conversion, but over and over she spoke of the scripture found in D&C 84:88 "..there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." Still at the end of this week, she has stuck with me as well as her message. We do have the Spirit and we do have angels that come in all forms who are around us, lifting us up. Truly inspiring..She made me grateful for all that I have.

5. AGENDA FOR THE WEEKEND. So what's on my plate this weekend, let's see-Enrichment dinner tonight, temple with Trent in the morning. I've got to get a jump on two book club books,both of which are next week. We're reading Garden Spells, and Killer Angels(such contrasting titles don't you think?) and I've got to finish the book I'm reading right now, it's overdue at the library. I'm reading THE OTHER QUEEN. And of course more cleaning of my house. What's a weekend without it? With them all home all weekend, it gets messy really fast(I've got messy children who drop and leave anything, anywhere. Knowing that I can't stand it, I end up either yelling, begging or giving up and picking it up for them.)


So that wraps up all the "exciting" stuff going on in my neck of the woods(not really, I live on the plains,who am I kidding?). Hopefully next week I'll have something better to offer. But since it's finally cold, I think I'm ready for hot chocolate, whip cream, and cinnamon sprinkled on it, right about now. Have a happy weekend!

Am I Cursed?

I might be(if I actually believed in curses). Anyway on my way back from picking Isabel up from a sleepover we hear a noise. What else could it be but a flat tire? Why me? It only ever happens when I'm either alone or with children. In the past four years let me tell you how many times I have been stranded by the side of the road with a flat tire. here goes:

1. Pregnant with Phoebe, with the rest of my children in the middle of summer on the highway without a cell phone.

2.The day after Christmas on the way back from the dentist, on the highway.

3.Last year while Trent was in Reno, I ran over nails that had been placed in the middle of the road, and I ended up with 8 nails in my tire.

4.In the middle of winter taking Isabel to school, I slid into a curb while driving on ice, and popped a tire.

5.And then today (I need to learn not to be in my pajamas while driving, and I need to learn how to change a flat tire, you would think I already would have by now. Luckily,Trent is usually only a phone call away to come and rescue me.)

Flat tires seem to follow me around. Luckily, they replaced the tire today for free because the tire had a defect in it(also because they were freaking new tires that I had put on less than a year ago!) It never seems to happen to Trent, and really none of them were because of my fault. Is the streak never going to end? I'm tired of flat tires, can I just tell you? Ok, now I'm done venting...

Friday Five

Here are a few things that I find myself thinking about this Friday, some good, some bad.

We'll start with the bad:

1. I just keep telling myself I love her-My Phoebe, who was being a very naughty 3 year old, because she was mad at her dad, took scissors and cut my duvet cover on my bed. I don't even know what to do. I hope that in a few years I'll look back and chuckle and tell her stories of bad things she used to do, but for now I still have a little steam coming out my ears.

Now onto better things:

2.I'm trying to patiently wait for this new CD Gossip in the Grain to come in at the library for me. Unfortunately I can't run out to buy frivolous things that would make me happy or else it would've already been bought. Ray Lamontagne is someone I love, he could sing anything and I would listen. I have two of his songs below, so give it a listen if you want to. He's fantastic!

3. I find decorating for Thanksgiving very hard because the colors and things I use for decorations normally for my house look like Autumn already. I did find this picture of Tom Turkey on the Internet and printed it out, used a frame I already had and framed him up. He makes me very happy to look at on my living room table(I'm trying not to think about happily eating turkey in a few weeks).

4.This week history was made as we elected Barack Obama as our new Presidentt. Now that it's all over I can be a little more open-as I listened to his speech that night, I was so inspired and I am willing to hang on to the hope that he offers. My sister, Jenni and I sat on the phone taking in the moment. Now I know many of you don't like him but please don't leave disgruntled comments here, just let me be happy.

5. A little quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that I came across this week made me smile so here it is "Women are like tea bags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water." I find this to be a little true-I don't know what I can do until I'm stuck in the middle of it. Made me smile.

Have a great weekend! And don't you love November?(the crunchy leaves, the smell of fall, cold nights, remembering to be grateful, crisp apples, etc..)