January Update

Since this is our family journal I am going to end each month with an update. As for this month we all got the flu the first part of the month. In my 3 years of parenting I had to clean up vomit from one of children (poor little Layla) for the first time (multiple times). I had just told someone I had never had to clean up puke and just a few days later it was everywhere! It took a few days for it to go through everyone in the home but now we are healthy.
Layla is starting to talk more and more. It is so cute. She really is so bubbly and loves to laugh so hard. Like her brother she has a very unique laugh. She is in LOVE with Josh. I realized today she thinks he is in the toy closet all day while he is at work. She goes over there saying, "Da Da" and tries to open it. I will open it for her and she seems so confused. She loves to ride his "back back". She just laughs the whole time. She wants to do ANYTHING Liam is doing. And loves her Papa. She loved looking at a picture of him yesterday and kept saying his name. It was so cute. I am sooo happy she is a Daddy's girl.
Liam started another round of Gymnastics. I wish there were a little more boyish activities but there aren't any in the area. He has been saying some of the funniest things lately. The other day we were driving and he was very quiet and I asked him what he was thinking about and he said, "Mom, I don't even know who my parents are?!?!" I tried to explain that Josh and I were his parents. He told me he thinks he just wants Prama Holly to be his parent. Today while we were driving he said, "Mom, sometimes when we are in the car I pick bugers out of my nose." I think he saw nothing wrong or gross with this. He just wanted to share what he does. He loves to draw and be VERY active. He LOVES pirates and swords. A little too much actually. It is ALL he talks about or draws. I try to hide his swords and he will always find something and have that be a sword. A hanger, spoon, ANYTHING.
I started P90X this month and LOVE it. What a great work out. I am not totally right on schedule but I do it as often as possible. I would recommend it to anyone. I fill my spare time with my calling at our church and taking the kids to Library etc. I feel so blessed to be at home with our children. It isn't always easy but is worth every minute. I'm sure you stay at Mom's understand what I am saying. The other night I was wondering if I should considering doing a little something on the side for extra money during this time in the economy. I felt overwhelmed with a feeling that my kids need to know that I am always here for them 100%. I want them to know I will be here all the time. Then today while we were driving Liam said, "Mom you know what I love about you. When Daddy goes to work you stay at home with me!" It melted my heart. It made feel so lucky to be at home and a have hubby who works so hard to have me be able to do so. I know it is hard sometimes financially but also mentally. Being at home can take a lot out of you. But at the same time I can't think of anything more rewarding then watching my little ones at the library for story time, having the help me make lunch, cuddle time in the afternoon for quiet time, the things the say and do to make me laugh, the list could go on forever. I recognize it isn't an option for all the Moms out there to be at home full time especially at this time. Our family really is blessed.
Josh is working hard at providing during tough times. He has been studying church literature non-stop the last few months. He really loves it. I have such gratitude that he has picked up this hobby. I really can tell such a difference in his character and even the spirit in our home. He has changed so much for our little family and is always working on being better. His heart is in the right place. I feel so lucky to have a husband who has the foundation he does in a world full of pressure. There is so much evil out there. I know it isn't easy for anyone and we all may fall into temptation at different times throughout our life. It is in those times that true character shines through. It is when you see people cling to the gospel for help and guidance or go the other direction and stray away (the easier direction). I love Josh and his example. He amazes me.

My Golden Birthday

Liam loves the Birthday card he and Layla got me. It's every girls dream to have a card with this creepy pirate on it, right? It was so cute and I am sure Layla would of had more of a say if she could talk.

This year was my golden Birthday. I turned 27 on the 27th. It was a wonderful day thanks to my hubby. I woke up to 27 roses, 27 balloons, and a list of 27 things he loves about me. He later took me out to a super fancy dinner and we had mint chocolate chip ice cream cake when we got back with the family. Thanks Dad and Leslie for babysitting. Everything was perfect. To top it off I got a DARLING jacket Josh helped me choose. Thank you Josh for making this birthday so special. I love you and you are so thoughtful!

First Day of Primary!!!

Liam went to Primary for the first time this month. He did alright. It takes him a while to sit down with his class. This past sunday he was sure he needed to sit with CTR 6 class. I think he gets confused with me being in primary and I am constantly walking in and out. He either looks around the room to find me and will give me a thumbs up with a smile or a very sad face. I love that I am in there and am able to watch him. This sunday I was able to do sharing time. Liam managed to fall out of his chair and later burst into tears while I was sharing my testimony. To top it off it was the week the Stake Presidency was there. I have no idea what I said. I am pretty sure I made no sense. But, most of the time the kids in jr. primary make very little sense. A fair trade right? Senior Primary went much better. I love my calling and feel so lucky to watch my favorite little boy in Primary!

A Decade of Change

April returning from her mission in Spain

My Grandpa

My apartment in Greeley

Daisy

High school

I saw this on a friend’s blog and loved it. Here has been my life in the last decade. I tag you to do the same:
2000
My last year and half of high school. At the time I thought I was the coolest most important person alive. I now like to refer it to the worse most embarrassing time of my life. I always tell people they wouldn't believe the type of person I was. It is true. I did however love my job working at a Pre-School. Parents got divorced, my mom got remarried. I got caught throwing a Halloween Party, drove around in a silver jetta, and was super confused about life.
2001
Started my first year of college at UNC in Greeley, CO. Made some good friends. Took dating way to serious. But for the first time actually applied myself in school and enjoyed it.
2002
I got sweet Daisy (the dog) loved her. Moved in with 3 girls at UNC. Sister went on a mission.
2003
Moved in with 1 girl at UNC. Revolved my life around Daisy. Grew closer with my family.
2004
Felt like something was missing in my life. Broke down in a way (I needed to be humbled) realized even though many thought in a way had it all, I really had nothing. Got in contact with missionaries. I knew the gospel was true. I had a change of heart. Packed up the life I knew and moved to Utah for my forth year of college. Met Josh, loved my scriptures, got my patriarchal blessing. Changed as a person. Who I always was I just didn't know it.
2005
Attended UVSC Got engaged, temple, got married for time and all eternity to my wonderful husband. Went to Walt Disney World and Hawaii. Learned a ton that first year of marriage (still am).
2006
My Grandpa and Grandma both passed away. They were such an amazing people and such a wonderful part of my life. I think if them daily. I miss them the same (I thought it would get better with time). Liam was named after my Grandpa. He was hard working, funny, loving, and a cowboy. My Grandma was smart, beautiful, a wonderful artist, and they both were two of my dearest friends and hero's.
Moved to Missoula, MT. Had our son. Experienced a type of love, joy, responsibility I never knew possible. Our world was now our son Liam.
2007
Moved back to Utah. Bought our first place. Loved being a Mom. Josh started a new career path, which took a lot of courage and did wonderfully.
2008
Pregnant again with our wonderful daughter Experienced life with two. Workload tripled but was TOTALLY worth it. She is amazing.
2009
Gave away Daisy to a wonderful home. Moved to a different home. Cried when Daisy passed away but was grateful she was with such wonderful people. Didn't sleep AT ALL. Loved my kids and hubby with all my heart, Had little time for myself but loved being with the people I love most. I suppose that is my life for the next decade as well (little time for myself) which I am totally ok with. I do hope for more sleep however.
I can't get over how much my life has changed. I would of NEVER though my life would be where it is today in 2000. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who has watched over me and loved me unconditionally through my good and bad times. I will never forget when I went to the Temple for the first time the man who sat me down and said, "I can tell you have been through a lot to be here today." I started crying with my Mom and sister. I can't explain the gratitude I have to be where I am, it is a miracle. My life is truly blessed and it is all through the atonement, prayer, love, humility, and family.

Art at its BEST!

This is a very accurate picture of my sister April which Liam drew. I know she doesn't have hair or a torso. It is accurate because we can tell she has a head, eyes, ears, body, etc. Liam drew this with no help. He loves to draw pictures of people he loves. For instance the other night he was drawing with Josh. He offered to draw a picture of his Daddy. He said, "First I will draw an enormous head!". Yes, he did draw an enormous head the size of the pad.
Since my blog allows me to brag about my kids and I am sure annoys many of you, I would also like to throw in he also can write all his letters (upper case). My favorite is when he does the letter M or W. It just keeps going. More like MMMMMMM. Kids are so bright. I wish I had learned as much as Liam in the past year. His vocabulary increased by at least 90%, he has learned to write an entire alphabet, perfected drawing people, and much more. It really is amazing when you think about.

Sledding and Amber

Where we live is wonderful. Just 10 minutes from our house we are in the mountains seeing elk, rideing our sleds and enjoying being a family. Liam rode the fastest sled all by himself down the hill many times. He loved it. People were asking how old he was. You can imagine how proud his Dad was.
We also have had the privledge of our niece Amber visiting us. She is so sweet and made the mistake of offering a year and half ago for me to do her hair and make up. We didn't have time then but I was sure to remind her. It is one of my favorite things to do. She also let me choose the shirt she is wearing. Amber we love you!

Most Wonderful Time of The Year

This year we had the opportunity to go to Cheyenne for Christmas. It was so wonderful to go and see Josh's family, cousins, Auntie Phyllis and Uncle. Nothing beats family. It was so fun hanging with Cale and Suzette. One of my favorite parts of the trip was Old Chicago's with Suzette. It was all worth it evevn in NEGATIVE 10 degree weather with wind. What in the world?!?!? Every time I go to Cheyenne I love the size, I love the people, I love the way of life, but the weather... I'm sure it isn't bad once you live there and the pros totally out weigh the one con I have found! We are so happy we went and realized with our kids getting older and our own family traditions we most likely wont be traveling for Christmas any more. I am so happy we did it this year. We are for sure going for frontier days and 4th of July. Nothing beats Cheyenne in July!!!
We loved Christmas this year. The magic of Christmas really kicked in this year with Liam. He is really understanding the whole Santa thing. He loves it! Loves it so much he threw his BIGGEST tantrum yet this morning when we started putting away the Christmas decor. Liam's favorite part of Christmas was the presents. Wish I could say the gift of giving but he is 3 years old and really enjoys toys. We tried playing the whole Santa is watching you so be good card which he couldn't of cared less. Then we tried, "Do we need to call the Grinch?" it worked miracles. The truth is, Santa will come either way, but what if the Grinch really did show up. Scarey!!! Liam got a transformer which he asked for repeatedly. I am still waiting for him to play with it. He did really like the sword his sister got him however.
Layla, she loved sitting on the Christmas boxes and the baby banana's she got in her stocking. All Christmas morning she wanted to eat. She would find food in anyone's stocking and bring it right over. She ate, ate, and ate! To top it off she looked soooo cute in the Christmas dress Grandma Holly got her.
Christmas for me was a season of realization. I was so excited about finding toys, santa, a wish list and so on that one night in the middle of December I was sick to my stomach that I hadn't even really thought about the true meaning of CHRISTmas. It didn't help that read Christmas Jars (thanks Mom in Cheyenne, wonderful book with a wonderful message). I realized the gift of Christmas is that our Savior was born. The gift of Christmas is helping those who are need. I realized on Christmas morning Liam doesn't care if he gets 10 presents and is just excited to get 2. I realized no gift i can recieve compares to the feeling of giving. I realized how unneccessary my 'wish list' was and that I honestly didn't need anything. We are so blessed with all that we have. Next year I want to focus December on serving and giving. The story of Christ being born and the life that he lived. I was so proud of Liam when he spent his birthday money on Candy Canes for his friends in his Church Class I gave him the idea and he was totally ok with it. I was also proud of Liam and Daddy going out on a cold winter night to deliver presents to our wonderful neighbors and friends. I really want to do more of that stuff next year. Christmas really is wonderful for those reasons. A way to show love for those who mean so much to us.
Don't get me wrong Santa is wonderful and is always welcome down our chimney. But he is a part of Christmas not all of Christmas. He adds magic to season and smiles to children's faces. One of my fondest memories of Cheyenne was Uncle Cale reading, "The Night before Christmas" and the children hearing sleigh bells outside. You should of seen their faces. It was priceless. I love the anticipation of what Josh gets me (this year P90X) and a new pair of slippers each year. The neat thing about the gospel is we get to focus on Christ all year long. Every Sunday at church and throughout the week as we study our Scriptures. Christmas time is a time of giving, celebrating our Savior and "magic". Next year I want to focus not so much on getting but more on giving. Merry Christmas to all!!!