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!!!