Farewell to 2009

Well, as everyone knows it was a rough year for us. Financially, medically, mentally, it was a rough year. Through all of our trials though I am so grateful.
It all could have been so much worse. I am grateful I still have a husband to sleep beside everynight. He could very easily have died or been paralyzed or something so much worse.I am grateful that Kris still gets up each morning and goes to work to provide for us even though he is in pain and his knee hurts among other things since his accident. I am grateful I haven't lost my house and I still have a place to call home. I am grateful for my kids for teaching me patience. I am grateful that I still have a car to drive and it wasn't totaled. I am grateful that my kids are learning so much in school and teach me too. I am grateful that Kylie has been able to do gymnastics and will be starting piano as well. I am grateful for my parents and their unconditional love and support I dont know where I would be without them. I am grateful to everyone who has put up with me even on my darkest days. Lets face it, I know I wasn't a peach this year. The saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is true!
I hope that 2010 will bring a year of Peace and Joy to everyone.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Grandma

I have been thinking alot about my grandma. my dad's mom. We went down there for omelets like we do every Christmas morning and I had a good talk with her.
We talked about pets, and things from her childhood. Then I asked to go see her jewelry. Grandma has promised each of her granddaughters a ring that is their birthstone. For as long as I can remember we have tried on grandma's jewelry and sat and talked about where she got each piece whether it was from grandpa at Christmas as a gift or from somewhere she vacationed.
While we were sitting there talking grandma said she would be happy to only live another 4 years. My heart broke..I have had a special bond with my grandma. I loved going down to my grandma's as a little girl. I loved to stay up late and watch Mash with her and grandpa. Play cards, make candy,puzzle, tie quilts, borrow books. Even now I call my grandma and tell her about my crazy life and I know she is only a phone call away. I dont always agree with her, and I dont always like her advice because she doesnt sugar coat anything. I love her dearly and I will have a void in my heart when she is gone and it made me so sad to hear her say she had bought her last couch and that she would be glad to get 4 more years. I hope she has more than that alot more than that!!

Gingerbread Houses

This year we decided to start a new tradition...gingerbread houses. This year we made it easy on ourselves and did a premade kit. It was actually really easy and I think next year we may venture out a little bit more. Wish I would have thought to take pictures while we are actually making it. Oh well, there is next year.

The Stockings Were Hung

Love these stockings! My aunt handmade them and I have one for each member of our family. Behind the handmade ones are the cheap ones from Target that Santa will fill for the kids.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

My sweet mom brought me up this darling arangement the other day and it inspired me to pull out the christmas decor and get started. I love my mom and am so grateful for her and my dad in my life. They have been so supportive and helpful to me with my crazy life. I am so glad that I know I can count on their support and they are only ever a phone call away.

Pheonix, Phillidelphia, New Jersey, and Denver

This was the fastest and longest trip I have ever been on. If that makes any sense.
We flew to philidelphia then got in a rental car and drove to new jersey to go see Kris's brother Jason graduate the coastguard. I will post more pictures when I get the disk from my mother in law but it was crazy! We were in the remnants of hurricane Ida. The pictures of the ocean dont really show just how big the waves were, but it was an amazing experience and one I will never forget.
I HAVE TOUCHED THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS!! So exciting for someone like me who hasn't traveled much. More to come on this trip

Halloween

For Halloween this year we did trunk or treating on Friday with the neighborhood and then went door to door trick or treating with Grandma. I thought it worked out pretty well. The trunk or treat was alot of fun and they had face painting and donuts inside the church afterwards.
I have to say though I like the door to door for one because the kids dont aquire as much candy and they get worn out.

Halloween Party

We had our annual Halloween Party with our cousins this year and once again it was so much fun.
We had lunch,ate donuts from a string, had a hayride, carved pumpkins and made a mess with silly string. So much fun to visit with my cousins and aunt and uncle. I am so glad that they still continue to the Halloween and Easter parties since its really the only time we all get together.

Mom's Birthday Gift

This is the birthday gift basket that I made for my mom. She does so much for us and I love her dearly. I decided that since she has everything to give her stuff that I had canned and a few other trinkets. I hope she enjoyed it I loved the basket.

Challenge

I am doing the read the book of mormon in 90 days challenge. I am on day 6. Not going to lie I am pretty darn proud of myself. This will be the first time I have read since 9th grade! Holy crap. Any way thought I would put it out there so I feel more accountable to keep up with my challenge.

Poetic Garden

I am starting on a new adventure. I am teaming up with a very talented person to make scrapbooks, cards, tags, gardening etc.. We are getting a blog going and its pggardens.blogspot.com please visit and add it to yours also. We are going to do a christmas paperbag class. PLEASE yes I am begging PLEASE come to my house to make one. I will put up pictures and you can also refer to the blogspot too. I hope you enjoy.

NELLIE

As if the month has not been bad enough to top it all off my cat got hit by a car. We had to put her down because it paralyzed her back end :( I have been sobbing non stop and so have my kids.

I am grateful that someone told me because I was busy canning applesauce and my poor cat would have been out there suffering all day without me knowing.

My neighbor brought me these flowers she feels so terrible about it too. I know it was just an accident and that is a risk you take when you let cats outside.

I hope that I will have the strength to get through the next few weeks. I am so wiped out.

I am so grateful for the neighbor who helped me with this because I dont know what I would have done.

Primary Childrens

Here is Mason in the ER at Primary children's before they admitted him over night. Can I just say SCARY! It felt like deja vu, we have done this all with Braxton. The hospital was amazing. I love how they cater just to kids.
Mason went in because he was wheezing and his chest was retracting very bad! Meaning he couldn't breathe. It was explained to me like drinking out of a regular straw versus a coffee straw. The poor boy just was not able to get any air into his lungs. I am grateful we were able to get it under control and only had to stay for one night.
I am so grateful for all of the wonderful family I have that stepped up to the plate and helped out with the kids while we were in the hospital.

FIVE

Braxton's birthday treats for the class. There was a punch balloon, pencil, m&m's, and a coupon for a free pace bar.

Braxton opening gifts.

Braxton turned 5!! I can't believe it. I just took a few pictures of him opening his gifts from Kris and I. I'm still waiting for Kris's mom to give me the disc of the pictures from dinner and golfing and his bday party with the family. Kris and I gave him the cars mega blocks. Huge hit! They are so much easier to put together than the lego toys. ( sorry about the vacum in the background)

Acorns for Sale

My Braxton is the sweetest little man. He is also a very hard worker. A few weeks ago, Braxton helped my dad out in his yard by picking up bags of acorns from the oak tree. Well, my dad paid Braxton for picking them up and this gave Braxton an idea. He said " Mom, I'm going to sell all of these acorns so dad doesn't have to work anymore." ( This was after Kris's accident of course)
I told him " I don't think anyone will buy the acorns Braxton, but we will try." Well, a missonary stopped and gave Braxton a dollar but other than that he didn't sell any. What a sweetheart! I hope his attitude about hard work never changes.

Sleepyheads

My kids have been falling asleep in the strangest places. I sure do love them, especially when they are asleep.

Family Pictures by Anniemations

I am so glad we were able to get the family portraits done before Kris fell and broke his collarbone and his brother Jason left for the coastguard.

I love the way they turned out!!

I am so grateful for all of the amazing people we know!! There have been so many people that have called, written and just dropped by to see how Kris was doing. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!! We are so lucky and blessed. Thank you thank you to everyone that has brought us meals soooooo nice!!

Kris is doing better (driving me nuts at home) thanks to all of you who put his name in the temple and said prayers on his behalf I really appreciate it.

Fun with the camara

Here is the boys and I goofing around with the camara on my phone. Loving Mason's mohawk

Boys first day of Preschool

Love these two munchkins! Boy, was I ready for them to get to school though. They have an endless amount of energy. They were so excited to go and they had so much fun. Unfortunately I didn't get to pick them up from their first day because I was at the hospital with their dad. Braxton is so funny, he will not wear anything but his long sleeved shirts to school because they are new. Braxton's teachers were really excited to see him again he has them wrapped around his little finger is that a good or bad thing? I hope Mason enjoys it as much as his big brother.

Kylie's first day of SECOND grade

I can not believe I have a second grader!! I sure love this girl. She was so excited to get back to school and she even got the teacher she wanted. She cracks me up she came home and told me that her teacher told her she was the smartest in the whole class.. She is a smartie pants but I would be surprised if a teacher would say that.

A trip down memory lane

That is where the bone was sticking out!!

I recieved a call from Kris's co-worker saying that he had been hurt. I thought he was joking!! I had just talked to him 5 minutes before the call telling him all about our boys first drop off for preschool. I can not believe that this is happening to us again! Kris fell 10 feet off of a roof and broke his collarbone. I am very grateful that he did not get hurt worse. Kris will be out of work for 4-6 weeks and we are self-employed can you say SCARY?!?!?

They had to put him on oxygen because he had such a bad reaction to the pain medication that they gave him.

Case Lot Sale

Just in case anyone cares that reads my blog ( it has been very lame lately) Case lot sales start this week and I am STOCKING UP. So you should too :)

Wishing I was here

Love this picture of powell. Its a possibility that we may be going for one last hoorah in a few weeks! The boat motor is in the shop as I type this. Unfortunately it probably wont be before Jason leaves for the coastguard. Things just aren't going to be the same.

FINALLY

Remember clear back when I decided to start donating plasma? Well, I have stuck with it and paid off my Gap and Nordstrom like I set out to do!!! So excited. Now on to the next card. Why is it that getting into debt takes no time at all, but getting out takes months and years? I guess this is the result of being self-employed, employees, stupid choices and some bad luck. Can't wait to have financial freedom!

What do you do when life gives you lemons, and you are tired of LEMONADE???

BUSY BUSY

We have been going non stop this summer!!
I haven't updated because I dont like posts without pictures. I myself am I very visual person.
We have been to the airshow, dinosaur park, art classes, classes at the Kaysville botanical center, the zoo, lagoon, cherry hill, the cheese factory in logan, a drive in, swimming lessons, classes at a store called the three little monkeys, and the bees game.
Sad I dont have pictures for any of it!! We also celebrated 6 birthdays within a few weeks of each other just in my family! I can't wait for school to start I am running out of steam.
I can't believe that all of our kids will be in school this year. What will I do with my spare time?
I hope everyone else is having a great summer.

I am missing my camara! Good news though, I found a Nikon for 200 so hopefully in the next week or so I can purchase it. I refuse to go all summer long without one.
I signed the kids up for some classes at the Kaysville Botanical center, I can't wait they sound like so much fun. Swim lessons are on my to do list and getting a zoo pass. I thought I could make a trip out to the candy factory in Salt Lake too.
Does anyone know of any other fun places nearby?

Growing up, I remember countless visits to the family business " Pace's." I used to go with my mom for whatever reason. I loved to go and sit in the back and watch my Grandpa make the ever famous Astro's. I have never been a fan of this popsicle, but I loved to watch the process. I would count all of the 10lb bags of sugar that were stored back there and sit on one while I watched. My Grandpa would pick up a bag of sugar and dump an amount in and then taste and repeat until he had just the right amount.
The molds would be filled and put into two huge tanks and frozen to make popsicles. When the popsicles were done they would pull them out and bag them by hand with a contraption my Grandpa had made. It was a blow dryer and metal welded together. Grandpa would turn on the blowdryer and it would make the bag open and then you could drop in the popsicle.
I remember running through the trees at my Great Grandpa's next door before they added on the side addition. Playing all sorts of games in there with my siblings and cousins. I loved all that there was to do there as a child.
I loved the cat that lived there and adopted us as a family. It would sleep in the old ice cream trucks and Grandpa would feed it raw meat patties and buy food especially for it. It was white and fluffy, I can't remember what we called it, but I was devastated when a customer ran him over.
I loved to go over and see my Great Grandpa's hunting dogs that he had for hunting mountain lions.
I can't believe how much can change so fast. I am so grateful for the carefree childhood I was given. I have so many good memories.

Today has been a hard one!!! I thought I was doing ok with our situation... Crappy economy = crappy pay for those of us in construction. ( If there is any pay at all !!! ) I get to the mailbox and there is a huge unexpected bill :( Then comes a panic attack, then anger, then frustration. Why does it have to be so hard? Why do we have to have all of these hurdles when the lesson has been learned? Seriously?
I know that there are others out there with different struggles and worse ones. But I am worn out! Really, really, worn out.

Braxton

This is the newest picture of my handsome little man. The preschool that Braxton goes to had Little Angels Photoghraphy take all of the pictures. He was so excited to have the pictures taken! I told him how handsome he looked in his new shirt and now he wants to wear it everyday.
I love this boy so much! He is such a good little worker and can always make me laugh. I cant beleive he is almost 5 ! My kids are getting so big. Where does the time go?
I love you buddy.

BROKEN CAMARA

Well, it looks like all picture updates are going to have to be put one hold!
I went to upload some of the pictures I had taken recently, and my camara was broken !!!!! This is the second one Braxton has broken now. Not going to lie, I am more than a little bit upset especially since I have told him about a million times he is not to touch it!
Now I get to save and rebuy something I have already owned twice.
Does anyone have good suggestions on a decent camara?

Gratitude

I am so grateful for my healthy children and family.
My sister's daughter was hit by a car yesterday on her way to school. Life can change in a blink of an eye and it is so easy to take for granted what we have. I have been struggling with motherhood and some of the tough things that go along with it. Having this happen to my niece has really put things into perspective for me and it is not something that I want to experience first hand.
This morning I was talking to my sister and trying to make crepes that my son had demanded for breakfast. I was getting frustrated because I was trying to listen to the update on my niece and my son was yelling at me in the background making it hard to hear. I made the comment to my sister that my son was driving me nuts! Rachelle replied " be grateful you have him" I know that this lesson was not just intended for my sister I needed it as well.
One of my new years resolutions was to have more patience, and I think I have had less. I am going to worry less about bills and more about the kids. I can't take my nice home, jewelry, or the sofa I would love to have with me when I die. I will however be able to take the memories of my children. It is so easy to get caught up in everything that really isn't that important.
I am so grateful that Bri wasn't hurt worse and that she will heal. I am sorry that she has to go through this. I am so grateful for my family and the support that they are to me. I want them all to know how much I love them.

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary!



Just wanted to tell my hubby how much I love and appreciate him. We celebrated our 7 anniversary today. I can't believe how fast the time has flown and everything that we have accomplished together. Here is to the next 7.

Gardening

I am so Excited to start my Garden!
Kris has built a few of the things on my wishlist out of extra lumber. One is a huge tomato cage and the other is something I want to grow beans up.
I have already been outside weeding, and bought most of my seeds. (How can you pass them up when they are only 20 cents? )
I love this time of year when the tulips start coming up, which mine are and things start budding and blooming. Spring is on the way, finally.

Birthday Gifts

Kris got me these beautiful flowers for my birthday along with a giftcard to my favorite bakery! The spring mix is my favorite! Iwish they had put a hydrangea in there too. My sweet mother in law had the kids make these cute cards with their handprints on them. And to top it all off Kris wrote me an amazing card. Thanks for making my day so special ! { It started at 6:15 in the morning to be exact.} I love you all very much.

Temple

We couldn't take pictures of the inside of the temple so this is really the only picture we were able to get. I love this picture of christ, not the best picture but I thought I would put it up anyway. I think I would have enjoyed it more without all of the kids ( hard to keep track of all the kids with the crowd )but the temple was beautiful. I loved the celestial room the best. The kids really liked the sealing room with the mirrors. Hopefully we will be able to go again soon.

Temple

Tomorrow I am taking the kids to the Draper Temple. I am excited . This will be the first time I have been to a temple since I was 12! That is 14 years. Kylie is so excited about going. I am praying that my boys will behave themselves. My mom and dad are going to come with us too. { I am sure they never thought they would see the day when I stepped foot in a temple}
Hopefully we can take pictures and I will add those tomorrow. January was soooo boring for us, hopefully we have more to post about in Feb.

The Nutcracker

Kylie and Grandma Soroya at the nutcracker.

Kylie and I went to the nutcracker with some of Kris's family the day after christmas. It was so much fun! I haven't been to the capitol theatre in a very long time. Kris doesn't like the arts as much as I do so we dont go. Grandma Soroya was very excited to take Kylie and bought her an adorable Christmas dress for it. Sorry it is covered up with the coat. Grandma also bought Kylie her own nutcracker while we were there. Talk about spoiled! We decided to make this a tradition and we are going to start going before christmas from now on. Hopefully Kris and Braxton will go next year I dont think Mason would sit through it.

New Years Resolutions

1. To be a better mother... more patience

2. To be a better wife

3. To loose 20 pounds and keep it off!

4. To get out of debt...aside from my house.

5. To have more gratitude and be happier

6. To be more creative in the kitchen { tomorrow we are making homemade pizza instead of papa murphys or little ceasers.}

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL