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.