Snow sing...

Bode had is first little performance at school this past week. It was the cutest thing. He was so excited. He brought us an invitation and invited Grandma Rena, Heather, and Aunt Lee. He wanted everyone he knew to come but we talked about how that wouldn't work out. He was a bit disappointed. He was almost jumping up and down when he saw us all sitting in there. He waved and smiled, waved and smiled. 

He sang his little heart out. In one song they threw little cotton "snow" balls. He told me in the morning to be careful because he didn't want Piper to get hit by one.

Oh dear. This picture makes him looks to old. Makes me happy and sad at the same time. 

I know I am his mother so my opinion is a bit bias but he is such a handsome guy. I want him to stay little forever but at the same time I am excited to see where his life takes him.

I love you Bode James.

December...

December has just flown by! We have been doing the traditional holiday activities of trimming the tree, reading Christmas stories, listening to Christmas music and sitting on Santa's lap.

We put up our tree the first week in December. The kids were to excited to decorate it. I normally do it all myself but this year I let them have at it. They went to town decorating the bottom half of the tree.  I did however even things out after they went to bed. In the morning Bode told me it looked much better.

Jeremiah make hot cocoa and toast. The kids had so much fun.

Later in the month we went to our ward Christmas party. They did an awesome job. It was decorated beautiful, the food was yummy, and the program was perfect.

Bode and Laine got sit on Santa's lap. Bode asked for Beyblades. Laine asked for a big dolly.

We also went to the Polar Express at Bode's school with our new neighbors/friends. The kids got a bell and a ticket. They got to do a few crafts, drink hot cocoa, eat cookies, get a new book, and got their faces painted. There were a ton of people there and it was a bit stressful. When I tucked the kids in that night they were both still talking about it, so it was worth it.

Thank goodness for my iPhone or everything we have done would have been undocumented. That being said I wish I had used my real camera the pictures would have been so much better, Oh well.

This girl...

She is really something else. I love her so, so much. She is sweet, stubborn and very kind. She has a scream that will break glass and the best laugh. She loves shoes and will try them on in a store all day if you let her. She is a helpful big sister, sometimes too helpful. Most of all she is just growing up way to fast. She is almost 3. Three years old! Why did that have to go by so fast? Next thing I know she will be starting school. So for now I will just love this little girl as much as she will let me, and more.

Her latest thing to do for a laugh. Gets me every time.

You should come look at this...

um, it's pretty big.

Not exactly the words you want to hear from your son after he visited the bathroom.

He was really quite proud of the size of the....errr....well.... rather large dump he took.

He wanted me to take a picture of it and send it to Dad.

I said no that was gross, he settled for this picture instead.

Boys.

Laine heard mine and Bode's whole conversation. The next day she was proud to show me her poo too.

Girls.

Right now...

watching:  Modern Family. I just started watching this show this year. Along with the Middle. They are both very funny and best of all they are clean and family friendly. Bode can even sit down and watch the Middle with me. We are planning on getting rid of cable altogether when our contract is up. Then getting netfix and keep the local news channels.  The shows that are on these days are just getting worst and worst. Who really needs them?

eating: Just had a tuna salad sandwich for lunch. This week I have been trying to watch what I eat and count calories. I can't really diet because I am breastfeeding. So for now I think my best bet is to watch my calories and eat healthy. I am just itching to do South Beach Diet and get some of this weight off of me. I keep reminding myself it has only been 6 1/2 weeks. I got cleared to start working out this week. Monday I went running. Tuesday I did a 45 min boot camp video, played volleyball Wednesday night and am planning on doing the video again tonight and then run in the morning. It feels good to be moving!

drinking:  Water. I really don't drink soda or anything like that. I would so much rather save those calories for food rather than drink it. That being said, I found Sierra Mist with cranberry over Thanksgiving and I love it. It is seasonal so I better get some more before the holidays are over.

wearing: A t-shirt, jeans and my good old pair of converse shoes. I have had these shoes for 7 years. I love them. They are comfy but falling apart. I am really wanting a pair of grey converse. I think I may have to treat myself after Christmas.

avoiding: Housework. My house is a mess and the laundry need to be done. I just don't want to do it. I think I will avoid it all day and then hit it hard all day tomorrow. Oh wait I want to go shopping tomorrow... I guess I will be cleaning up the house tonight.

feeling: Tired and a tiny bit stressed. Tired because I started working out this week. I played volleyball from 8:30-10:30 last night and got to bed later than normal. Then I got up early to get ready to do  preschool today. A tiny bit stressed because it is the holiday season. I always stress out about money this time of year, who doesn't? We have done good so far. We pay cash for everything and have did well so save some money to buy our kids gifts with. I really can't complain though. My husband works very hard and we always have everything we need and want. There just always seems to be one more present to buy for someone you forgot.

missing: My sister Jill. She lives to far away and probably won't be moving back to Arizona anytime soon, is ever. I really hope I can make it out there this upcoming year. 

thankful: For a roof over our head, clothes on our backs, food in the fridge, a car to drive and a healthy family. 

weather: It has been cold here this week. In the 30's at night and mid 60's during the day. I love it. I love getting to wear long sleeve shirts and jackets. It is a nice break from the horrible heat.

praying: For my sister in law to get feeling better. For a friend to hear good news at her next doctors appointment. For me to be more patience with my children. And as always for my husband to come home safe from work.

needing: A cleaning fairy. Again, my house is a mess and I could use a maid or fairy to work a little magic around here.

thinking: A lot about my new life as a mother of 3. The transition has not been as hard as I thought it would be. Piper is such a good baby. She so far has been a great sleeper, eater and pooper. At nearly 7 weeks old what more could I ask for? The only thing she really hates is a messy diaper. Bode has been a great help to me. I figure that though. He is such a good kid. Laine is my big surprise. She has been great! I really thought she would be so jealous and act out. But other than a few incidents here and there she has been an excellent big sister. I do have to be really careful to not leave then together alone in the same room. Laine loves to hold Piper and has no problem picking her up and hauling her where she figures she should be. For example I ran upstairs to get a load of laundry and when I came back Laine have moved Piper from her bouncer to the couch. When I came down she was sitting very proudly holding her little sister in her lap on the couch. Yikes!! 

As for me and my mental state, I feel like I can do this. There isn't time for me to sit around, sleep in or mosey through my day. I actually like it. I always wondered how other women could keep it together with even more kids than me. They are always ready, kids ready and seem to have it together. Maybe they don't and feel the same as me. But I know that if I want to be happy I have to make it so. I can't be envious of women who are all dressed an ready to go at 8:00. I have to get out of bed and get ready. Not that I am anywhere near having everything put together but I am taking baby steps.

Blessing day...

Sweet Piper Jane was blessed by her Dad today.

He always does such a good job. I am so glad to have him as the priesthood holder in our home.

Our children are so very lucky to have him.

Here is my family that was able to come. 

I am grateful that all these people are willing to drive from so far to support our family.

Then there is us. I particularly love Bode and Laine's faces in this picture.

Handsome Jeremiah and one of his beautiful daughters. 

All the men, minus Doug Nelson, who stood in the circle.

The spirit was so strong during her blessing. 

Again I am grateful that my husband is a worthy priesthood holder. 

I am also grateful to have friends and family who are were worthy to stand in the circle on this special day.

And here is my pieced together family. I love all these people and feel very lucky to be part of the family.

All in all it was a good day. I love having people gather in my home. We ended our day with hot cocoa and toast listening to the Christmas Devotional. Which turned into a big wrestle fight on the floor. Good memories were made today.