Love

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk."

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God", Ensign, Nov 2009, 21–24

Ian's Birthday...

...Was a pretty crazy day. First of all it was a Monday; that could say it all right there. But, this just happened to be the Monday after Christmas break and the day he started his new school. From the get go we were running behind that day trying to track down backpacks and notepads and figuring out what was for lunch. I dropped a very confused Ian off at school at 9:00 (More on that in another post) and started my day. Owen had a goopy eye so I decided to get him into the Dr. that day. At 10:20, just as we were walking out the door to the Dr. Ian's teacher called. He had decided to tear a hole in his brand new pants and he needed another pair.

While at the school they informed me that he was never registered at the new school and sent me home with a stack of papers. I had to track down his immunizations and copy his birth certificate and head back to the school. After, I headed to Target to get the birthday present. Buying stuff for Ian is no easy task. It has to be sturdy, uncomplicated, and something he doesn't already have. I wondered the isle forever before settling on this

I had bought one for my niece for Christmas and he wouldn't leave it alone. Besides, it was on clearance. I headed home to make the cake before everyone would be home from school; it was early out day after all. I chose to do nothing fancy with the cake mostly because Ian didn't want anything specific so I made a round cake and 10 cupcakes. I put the round cake in the middle and the cupcakes surrounded it, each with a candle. It ended up looking like a flower but you'll have to take my word for it because I never did get a picture of it before it ended up on the floor. That's right, the floor. I put it on the fridge to keep little fingers out if it while I took Millie to dance only to find it had fallen off the fridge while Matthais was getting a snack. Not only that, he didn't bother cleaning it up. AND, not only THAT but while I was gone and Matthais was in charge, Ian shredded his peed on pull-up all over the house. It was so fun I cried. Luckily my mom came by and did my dishes and I didn't feel so helpless. When Adam came home the house was partially clean and he suggested Chuck E Cheese. I wasn't going to argue.





Happy Birthday Ian! Congratulations on living for a whole decade!

Fear Not

"No matter how difficult the trail, and regardless of how heavy our load, we can take comfort in knowing that others before us have borne life’s most grievous trials and tragedies by looking to heaven for peace, comfort, and hopeful assurance. We can know as they knew that God is our Father, that He cares about us individually and collectively, and that as long as we continue to exercise our faith and trust in Him there is nothing to fear in the journey."

--M. Russell Ballard, "You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey", Ensign, May 1997, 59

Snow fun

On New Years day we took the kids up to Tibble Fork for some good old fashioned fun in the snow.

Out with the old and in with the new

That is the theme for 2010 for me. 2009 was absolutely the worst year of my life. I am not being dramatic when I say this. I had so many crappy things I had to deal with. I felt every negative emotion imaginable. I suffered depression. I gained all my lost weight back. Even the highlights like finishing a marathon felt like nothing. That's how bad it was. I felt like there was a big, dark cloud hanging over me all of the time. Now, I know that just because the year changed doesn't me my life magically will. But, I have hope and faith that this year will be better. I have a better attitude and things are starting to look up. I am healing and can look back on certain events without the sting that it once held. Ian is recovering and we are seeing glimpses of the boy he can be. He's starting a new school and he has a new chance to learn and grow. I have the tools I need to be healthy again and I might even run another marathon. I just feel like the future looks bright...a new year, a new chance. I am just thankful to have another chance. Come on 2010, bring it on!

Christmas

I don't really know why but I had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I did all the typical things that usually work but for some reason I was still in quite a slump. Finally on Christmas Eve I started getting excited. Matthais had asked for an ipod touch and I told him there was absolutely NO way he was getting one. He was very disappointed but I told him I would make sure he got something he'd like. Santa overrided us and gave him an ipod touch. The smile on his face took away and of the "bah humbug" feelings I had. Millie was thrilled with her new doll Sydney who is a dancer just like her. Ian loves his cd player and listens to it every day and Owen played with his "Thomas fixing train" over and over. Adam totally spoiled me with a remote starter for my car AND a Bosche! All I could do was cry. I love it and have used it everyday since Christmas. And...look who we caught in our house...(I know...the picture quality is horrible!)

That's right, it's Santa in our living room! He loved the cookies the kids left out for him and told us to thank our kids for being so good this year.

Christmas Eve

Yesterday Matthais told me "tomorrow is the longest day of the year". Being the smart kid that he is I thought he was talking about the winter solstice. I was excited know something he didn't and proudly said "Sorry Matthais, the winter solstice was a few days ago." He replied " I know mom! I'm not talking about that! For kids Christmas Eve is the longest day of the year! Every minute seems like an hour!" Ahh, the joys of being a kid! I remember feeling that same way. Little did I know then that listening to your kids ask you over and over if it's Christmas yet makes it the longest day of the year for parents too! Merry Christmas!