Birthday Visit

I know my birthday was awhile ago, but I want to be sure and write down this happy memory. My sister Christy called and asked what I wanted for my birthday. True to me, I answered what I always answer. For her to come and visit me. She said, "I knew you were going to say that. I can't be there on your birthday but what if I come the week after" WAHOO!!!!! I was so excited. She had some airline vouchers that needed to be used and I got to benefit from it. My camera was broken so I didn't get any pictures of her while she was here darn-it. But I found some of my favorites from good times past.

This picture captures perfectly how Becca is with her Auntie. This visit was no different. She thought Christy was there soley for her. She had her playing board games, toys and she did Christy's hair who knows how many different times. Christy was adorable with her and very patient. The boys also loved having her here and talked her ear off. She was craving some good az green salsa so a trip to Tia Rosas did not disappoint. Mmmm...that sounds so good right now. We were also able to get a lot of shopping and talking in. It was the perfect birthday gift.

One of the things I LOVE about Christy is the relationship she has always been able to maintain with her kids. In every stage of life. She was the cutest hands on mom of toddlers always doing cute craft projects and and activities with them. I did not have kids at the time, but I was watching closely and mentally taking notes of things I wanted to do for my kids some day.
Then as her kids have grown into teens I am sooo impressed with the adorable relationship she shares with her kids. She has been a good example to me of how to lighten up and listen. Not to over react, yet how to still disapline when needed. It is so fun to watch her with her boys. They laugh and joke and just have fun together. I asked her this year what she did for new years and she said the boys had a couple of different invites with friends but they said they would rather just stay home and play games as a family. I thought WOW...how cool is that. I know that is what I would rather do too, but what teenager picks chillin with mom and dad on New Years?! Kids with such fun kind parents. Now that is awesome!!!!

I am so glad Christy was able to come and I missed her before she was even gone. Thank you Christy dear for the awesome visit and amazing example. I hope you know how truely amazing you really are!!!!!

Cutest thing EVER!!!

So...since the second she was born, I have dolled over my adorable girly girl. I waited a looooong time to finally have a girl and I just LOVE dressing her up. Well the other day I left kind of early and was gone for quite a while. Ryan took Becca with him to run some errands. He knows how important it is to me to have her hair done with a matching bow and coordinated outfits. I was very impressed to see how he did her hair.

Isn't this totally the cutest thing you have ever seen?! He didn't just do a pony tail, he went all out and braided it too. I absolutely LOVE the position of the bow. :)

I LOVE being married to such a tuff, strong, hard working, manly man who at the same time is the most gentle, sweet, giving, kind hearted little Daddy. It's funny to see how wrapped around her little finger he is.

New Vacuum

One of the things Becca really REALLY wanted for Christmas was her very own PINK vacuum. Well...Santa did not disappoint. She squealed when she found it and said "I got what I wished for" :) It turns on with a little heart shaped button and has little balls that spin around. Cutest vacuum ever! After all of the presents were opened and we had moved on to other things I walked down the hall and found this.

hahaha, her cute pink little vacuum neatly put away next to the family vac. Vacuuming is Becca's very favorite chore to do, and she's quite good at it too!

Lessons learned in 2011

I was on facebook New Years Eve and I kept reading comment after comment about what a horrible year 2011 was and how so many people were glad it is over. I LOVE New Years and the fresh start feeling I always have. Although nothing grand happened in 2011, it wasn’t horrible either. For me 2011 was a year full of learning and personal growth.

I learned a lot about myself this year. I experienced things that I NEVER thought would be issues, especially at this age in life. I made it thru and it all is due to the wonderful man I married. He LOVES being a police officer and it just fits him so well. I can’t imagine him doing anything else, but after the last few months I am convinced he should have been a therapist. He is an amazing listener. Although he is a man of few words, typically. I have learned, especially this year that when he speaks, you had better listen. His advice is always dead on and he is so good at seeing the intentions of others. He taught and encouraged me to focus on those who mean the most to me. Seems so simple huh, but I needed him to help me let go. Let go of guilt, hurt and those who cause me pain. That I can’t and don’t have to do everything. It is in fact ok to say no!

This year brought a lot of emotional challenges for me. I was letting the unkind words and actions (or lack there of) of others affect me, even change me. Where as before I could always just shake it off. It really helped to have Ryan there to validate that it wasn’t all in my head, but to also point out that overall, what does it matter. You can’t make people treat you kindly, you only have control on how you will react to them. I faced a lot of anxiety. I learned a LOT about friendship and that your true friends will ALWAYS lift you up and never ever hurt or use you. That it is ok to let go of harmful relationships and to never regret the memories made. These all seem like such basic lesson that I learned way back in highschool, but for some reason, I got to re-learn them this year. With Ryan’s help I was able to finally Thank my Heavenly Father for the challenges and experiences that were causing so much pain. I’ve believe that they have helped mold me into a better woman. Do I still feel hurt when I think about things, sure. but now....I just don’t think about it.

The last few years I did the word of the year at new years, that everybody in blogland is doing. Where you pick a word that is your theme for the year. I think it is interesting that my word for last year was LEARN. I thought…it was going to be more like learning more about photography and editing, making bread (which I did do thanks to my awesome friend Becky), and sewing. I’d definitely say I LEARNED a lot this year. Little did I know it would be learning about myself, my friendships, relationships with family and how strong I really am. I already knew I was married to the perfect man for me, but I have learned to love, trust and respect him more as he has pulled me through some really tuff lonely times. I am a planner. I like to have a list and have everything on that list accomplished. EVERY goal met. I learned that my list does not always match up with Heavenly Fathers list. That I need to trust in his plan. Sunday the speaker was talking about the Plan of Happiness. She pointed out it is a “PLAN” not an expeiriment or per chance, but that our Heavenly Father has an actual plan for us. I knew this, but the way she worded it was just what I needed to hear. It is my job to find out what the Lords plan is for me, to accept it and then to go and trust in his plan. I learned the the Atonement is not only for sin but it has the ability and power to take away EVERY kind of hurt. Although it was dark and painful there for a few months, I feel that due to all of the challenges I experienced growth. We wouldn't be strong without facing challenges, and I can honestly say I am glad I went through it and I am even more grateful I can put it behind me and move on.

I can already tell 2012 is going to be amazing! Happy New Year!!!!!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy, KYLE!!!!!

How can it be??? My three month premie is 11 years old. Kyle had such a tuff beginning but has always had one of those nothing will keep me down type attitudes. He really is a great example to me.

We started the day off with some Krispy Kreme.
Then he got to open some presents and cards from my family, cowley's and us.

When he thought it was all done and over with, we sent him outside. Boy was he surprized.

He is so tall and was due for a bigger bike. We hid it in our friends garage and he had NO clue it was coming.

it was a fun surpize. After getting dressed everybody went for a bike ride.

One of the stages Kyle is in right now that I love is, he no longer "Plays" with his friends. They always call and see if they can hang out. Hahaha. So grown up sounding. We had some friends over to "hang out". I got the big projector that I wanted for Christmas so we put it up outside and the kids watched Captain America, Kyle's favorite movie. Where else can you have an outdoor night party the end of December. haha. It was a beautiful night. I just LOVE Arizona!

I made a Captain America cake. Of course I forgot to get a picture of the inside, but it was a red and white ring inside like the shield. They boys LOVED it. Make'in awish, and.....

BLOW!!!!!

It was a good busy fun-filled day. I love you Kyle!

Christmas Day!

Christmas Morning ready to go in. Ohhhh the anticipation...

We had a great Christmas together as a family. Ryan took Christmas Eve off and didn't have to go in until 2:00 on Christmas day. It was fun to spend some time together.

Becca was very hesitant to open up her package from Grandma Mitchell because she LOVED the Dora wrapping paper. Boy does Grandma know her or what.

I LOVED the boys reaction to the gifts they got for each other. They definately are best buds and know what each other is into. It was fun to watch them say why they picked what they did for each other and see that they got it dead on. We had soooo many wonderful gifts but in an effort to keep this post about the feelings I won't go thru everything we got, but we are very very blessed. I was very impressed with how thoughtful the kids were with picking out gifts. Especially with Ryan and I's. They really had some great ideas and were the perfect fit. I just love this sweet little family of mine and am so grateful for each one of them and what they add to our family. We truly are blessed!

Christmas Count down.

This year to count down the days til Christmas we used the December Friend. They did the ABC's of Christmas. Each day had a scripture with a word in it that started with the letter of the day. It was a great way to bring in the real meaning of why we celebrate. Each day I would ask them what each letter was that we had done so far and my little smartie pants could name them all. A for Angel, B for Bethlehem, C for Christ, D for Deed, E for Everlasting. Ect.....it was really great and we they heard more than the tradition scripture stories like H for Herrod. They had heard that story before, but that night we went more in depth and talked about what that must have been like and why he would do what he did. I LOVED this.

After we read and discussed the scripture for the night the kids would get to open the little door to their chocolate countdown. The boys had Mickey and friends

Becca had princess of course. I remember thinking these were the coolest things as a kid so when I found them at the dollar store I snagged them up.

It was a fun, special way to end each night. I kept meaning to get a picture of us reading or getting the chocolate, but I never did, but here they are all empty.

I just love the simple yet effectiveness of the Friend magazine. It makes a mothers job SO much easier. :)