Tia and Temple Lights

First off- Merry Christmas Eve! I can't believe the day has come so quickly. December was more of a blur than it usually is this year. Next year I REALLY want to try and start doing things earlier to relieve some of the last minute stress.

However, as luck would have it, my sister Sally decided to come out and help me get things done for Christmas this year. She wanted to come since I usually get so sick in pregnancy, but as you know, this time really hasn't been too bad. And as I'm headed out of the first trimester now, I'm feeling even better than I was. So she may have felt not as needed as she expected, but we sure enjoyed having her here anyway! And of course, there's tons to do this time of year so she basically bounced back and forth between my house and Amy's where ever she was needed.

This is one loved tia. We went to see the temple lights one night.

Sally Marie and Holly Marie :)
I wish I would've tried to get more of the temple in this picture, but the lights are pretty anyway.



Campbell and Holly had so much fun scampering around. We are loving listening to their "conversations" lately. Here's one I caught yesterday- "You name Hambel" "I Ham?" "Yeah" {laughter}

Miss you already Sal! Luckily, not for too long. Thank you for giving of yourself. We love you!

And Now For an Update...

Things are moving along in my pregnancy and I find myself caught somewhere between feeling sooooo extremely grateful I'm not near as sick as I have been in the past (especially the first 2) and being plain sick and tired (literally) of feeling BLAH all the time. I've been able to steer clear of the toilet so far, which is so wonderful, but I'm constantly eating to try and combat the nausea. So I'm starting to "show" but in a bad way and not a cute baby way. I think I'm almost 10 weeks so we're getting there- slowly but surely.
So now that you know how my baby times are going- on to the smaller and cuter people in the house.

Here's a question for you...why oh why do teachers give the kids projects due in December? Like there's not enough going on every minute of the day this month? I can barely muster the willpower to get up out of my cozy bed to make their lunches before school in the morning. I think I'm more ready for Christmas Break than they are.

Emma and I did this together at the beginning of the month. It's a Navajo dwelling in case you couldn't tell from the photo.
Holly had her winter dance recital on Monday night. She loves dance class and did a great job. Sadie is so excited for her turn. Every Monday as Holly gets ready for class she also has to put on a leotard and ballet slippers. Then as Holly gets out of the car Sadie says "Bye mom?"...Then I try to let her down easy with a smile and a "not this time punkin." I can't wait to watch her excitement when it's her turn next fall.
A friend a few streets away in my neighborhood converted her garage into a dance studio.

It was a casual performance- they'll do a bigger one on a stage in May.

The girls all looked like they were having a lot of fun.

The class picture.

Little sweet-pea :)

On Tuesday I got to go on a field trip to see "Frosty the Snowman" with this sweet little boy. I feel blessed everytime I get some one-on-one time with the kids. While we were on the bus getting ready to drive to the theater Eli asked me if it was reminding me of "going on a date a with dad." (I had told him earlier Dana took me to the place we were going a couple years ago). I thought that was the sweetest thing ever as I sat there on that loud, crazy, and fairly smelly bus. I looked at those sweet, brown eyes and said it definitely did. We were dressed up, we were going to see a play, and I was with someone I loved. He was happy with my answer and I saw a satisfied smile in his reflection in the window.

After the play the kids got to meet, and get autographs from, the cast. Of course we had to get a picture with Frosty himself. I would describe the play as "VERY kid-friendly".

Nightime Turmoil

I have so much I should be doing right now but for some strange reason I'm finding myself starting a new post. It might be the fact that I just feel much more comfortable sitting down than walking around and feeling more nauseous and tired. I need to get kids lunch and Holly ready for preschool asap and plan a Scout activity, rotate the laundry, get milk, make brownies...etc.

But to cut to the chase- we are having some trouble at night. As I previously posted we recently promoted Sadie to a "big girl bed". This is where the trouble began. She gets up every stinkin' night and climbs into our bed at some point. Being extra tired lately and her being light as a feather, I never wake up. This has caused the other kids to become jealous and want to come to our bed even more than they already did.

Why? Is what I always ask them. Basically, if they wake up for any reason- because they're cold, if they have to go to the bathroom, if they have a bad dream, if they sneeze too hard- they automatically rush to our bedsides and want to get in. Then if we give them our stand by "no, go back to your bed" they cry or are sad and ask us to lay by them in their beds, which I usually give-in to just to not have to listen to them having a tantrum at 3:13 in the morning. And I think I'm pretty understanding. I remember the feeling of needing comfort after a scary dream and I am happy to offer that when needed, but they are taking advantage a bit I'd say.

A couple nights ago Dana implemented a new plan which could solve our problem. He told the kids that we will be putting a blanket and pillow next to our bed for whomever was having whatever issue to sleep in and not have to wake us up. I noted the kids listening to the plan with eagerness when explained. That night it was like a competition who would get to it and they all fought over who was in that "bed." The next night Dana added another blanket and pillow to my side so there would be less fighting. Then in the pitch black night as my bladder urged me awake, I stepped on/tripped over Holly (I think). With Eli on the other side and Sadie in our bed, Emma was the only one asleep in HER bed. Hello? I mean, why do they have bedrooms?

Sorry- there's my little rant. If anyone has more experience with this than I do and something that worked, or a great idea- I would love it. I think the floor-beds are definitely gone tonight though.

Haul Out the Holly

Saturday we spent most of the day putting up the tree and decorating for Christmas. Dana and I love how bright and pretty the house looks this time of year. And we love our fake tree even though it's well....fake because it saves us time and money every year. And both are a little scarce around here in December. With all those pretty lights already there for you to just plug-in, you gotta love it. I do miss that tree smell though.

I love watching the kids find their favorite ornaments- the ones that belong to them, and hang them up. I love the way they each have special memories attached.

I loved watching Sadie concentrating so hard and putting those small motor skills to use.

And I love listening to Christmas music as we go.

Dana's mom has a tradition of giving the kids a new ornament each year. She started this when her own kids were little and when we got married we inherited all of Dana's childhood picks. They give our tree extra character. Here's a couple, then a few of the kids' favorites.

The almost finished product.Our pretty lit up house Sadie ready for church yesterday- just because. I love the way her hair goes Cindy Brady all on it's own.

And also- it's raining today. I have come to truly love and appreciate the rain because it's so infrequent here. This is from our driveway today. Which is about the extent of how far I feel like traveling from home these days. Though- I am not complaining. I truly know how good I have it right now. Still have yet to throw up. Quite amazing for me.

Enjoy the season!

A Timeline

December 1994-
Dan and my big sister Amy get married. Here's our little family then: July 1997
a couple weeks after we got married (I need to scan my wedding pictures in)

12 and a half years later......................................................................................

Our family has grown alot. But soon to grow alot more! This is seriously so exciting :)

December 30, 2009

Miranda and Bubba (a childhood nickname that stuck:) are getting married Yea!

February 2010

Jeff and Carrie
March 2010
Sally and Eter
Does it seriously get any better than seeing people you love so much and have prayed for their happiness so many times find themselves other people that are just as awesome as they are? People that you just know make them happy and complete. It's almost enough to bring on the pregnancy tears.
Ahhhh....don't mind if I do.....

A Thankful Heart

I'm a little slow on the gratitude post but I have been a busy girl. We just had lots of Dana's family here and I thought I'd post some of my favorite family time pictures. I am certainly grateful for all the good people in my life. Sadie loves grandpa.

Know many other 73 year olds that will get out and play with kids for an hour?

Sadie and Holly were so lucky to have their cousin Keena always playing with them and helping them do whatever they asked.

I love our backyard.

Reading books.

Snuggling with grandma.

Naptime with Dakota.

Happy kids.

Playing with grandpa.

A week ago I got a couple of our new baby's first pictures. They don't look like much I know, but what you can't see is that little teeny heart fluttering. This gave me an ear to ear smile...along with a couple watery eyes.

Pretty much I am one blessed girl.