I Have an Elf!

That's right! I have an Elf. It all started on December 1st...we received a box and in it was a gift card. It also said we would receive one box a day for 25 days. Our "Elf" would bring it. My kids were more than excited and I was definitely humbled.
Jordan asked "Why us? Why did they choose us?"
Justin says "They (the elves) just like us"
I said "Well.. they must think we are pretty special"
The kids have been so excited each night in anticipation of the box arrival. They can't wait to see what the Elf has brought. The question is a good one...why us? Whatever the reason maybe someone must think we are special. To go out of their way to do this.
We are very grateful. We are humbled and lucky. Maybe one day we can do the same for someone else. So,here are our first 8 boxes. May God bless you our "Elf"

My 10 Favorite Things During the Holidays

Here are a few of my 10 favorite things during the holidays:
1.Listening to Christmas music...I just love it!
2.Watching my two favorite Xmas movies...It's a Wonderful Life and Elf.
3.Baking goodies with my kids.
4.Seeing family you don't get to see often throughout the year.
5.Decorating the house with my kids.
6.Peppermint flavored hot chocolate.
7.Wearing scarves and gloves.
8.Seeing the temple Xmas lights.
9.Taking our yearly Xmas card pictures.
10.And the final thing is watching the hope and belief my kids have in the Xmas spirit. Seeing their innocence. And realizing that even though the hustle and bustle of the season is there..they remember what the true meaning of Xmas is.
And those are my 10 favorite things!!

Gettting it together

So, I haven't written in awhile. It feels like my life was turned upside down in September. The roller coaster that went up seemed to be coming down real hard and real fast. I just really was at a stand still and it took this long to feel like myself again. I went through a hard time with Prop 8 because of my sister, Landon will probably end up not seeing his Dad anymore, and I learned that at some point you have to let go of your kids and let them fly; hoping you have taught them enough to make good choices.
Way too overwhelming! But, after many headaches, fasting, prayers, and crying, I think I am back to "normal" whatever that is. So, tomorrow I will list a few of my favorite things as the holiday season is in full affect.
And by the way I am very very grateful for all my special "peeps" in my life!

Simple Inspirations

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."-Eleanor Roosevelt

"I honestly think it is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate"-George Burns

"Don't compromise yourself. YOU are all you've got."-Janis Joplin

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow them."
-Louisa May Alcott

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."-Anne Frank

"Happiness is the reward we get for living to the highest right we know."
-Richard Bach

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."-Martin Luther King Jr.

Almost 16

So, Vivi is waiting to be 16. I think others are waiting for her to be 16 too. I never imagined myself being my own mother. You know the one that always tells you what you don't want to hear. Well, that's me now. I say the same things my mom used to say. "make good choices", "God knows the truth", "be a good example", "you will get butterflies in your tummy"..alot of good that did me!! I just don't want Viv to struggle as I did and do. And I also know even when you do everything right, it doesn't mean happily ever after. But you have a better shot at it.
Hey, being the mom of a teenager is NOT easy.I feel like I should kiss my mothers feet for putting up with 4 girls!I am however blessed with a sweet daughter. One who listens to me chatter away even when she does not want to. One who still likes to snuggle and give me kisses (as she text's of course). And most importantly one who comes to me for advice and "pinky promise" secrets.
I love her so much and I am very proud of the young woman that she is. I just hope her fingers don't go numb from so much texting!

My 3 year old!

Can you believe it's been three years?! Happy Birthday Landon! You are even more special than you know. You truly changed my life.

Preschool...BYE MOMMY

That's exactly what he said...BYE MOMMY! He woke up saying he was going to big, big, boy school. He couldn't wait to get dressed, eat breakfast, and get out of the house. Wow! I can't believe my baby will actually be somewhere else 3 days a week. He's has only been without me for 4 months out of his life and he was a baby when that happened. I know, I know, many of you might say " Get a grip he's your 4th kid, you should be an expert at this!". Well maybe, but I wasn't home with the others. I did not take care of them full time like I do Landon. This is my 1st time experiencing this.

I was fine when I took him. I did not cry. I remained strong. I guess it was the fact that I was leaving him with one of my best friends. The fact that he was so excited and happy. And the fact that he waved at me and said BYE MOMMY...just like that.

Have a great year with Ms.Alison ,Landon! I am proud of my big boy!