Merry Christmas!!

What a great year!! We had so many wonderful things happen but the highlight for sure was our trip to Disney followed by a visit to Chicago to see our family. We are missing all of you during this holiday and hope your dreams and wishes come true. I'm still wishing I lived near the beach:) Maybe in 4 more years!!

Jack

"I'm going to run away fast and you will not catch my little bootie butt"

I worry for this one's teen-age years!!

Ramblings...

I hate being sick!! It seems to take me forever to recover- just another perk of getting older:(

Jack is obsessed with motorcyles and keeps talking about how he's going to ride one FAST when he "grows up"....I'm having images of a teen-age boy living up to his toddler dreams.

Marah wants to stay little forever so she can have training wheels on her bike. I told her I think they make tricycles for adults... she got a good laugh out of that.

Autumn is so amazingly talented in anything she does- sports, gymnastics, school, crafty stuff... she's going to be very handy to have around:)

Ryker has a job and has even gotten a promotion and raise!

Hayden has been spending lots of time with his girlfriend- who we love by the way - we just keep warning him how people in our family find their spouses in high school so watch out!

I can't wait to go away for the week-end with Ken. I miss spending time with him!!

Turning forty has been a time of lots of reflection for me... much better than freaking out about my age!

While I've been sick I've watched P.S. I Love You three times in the space of two days and cried like a baby each time... and now I want to move to Ireland or at least visit!!!

I'm growing increasingly disturbed by the state of our country... luckily I have a friend who reminds me of the eternal perspective.

For those of you wondering my perfume has still NOT arrived:(((

Akuna Matata!!! I went to see The Lion King with a wonderful friend and we loved it... we also had a great lunch and time to talk which has been sparse lately- oh the joys of family responsibilities:)

I love the changing of the leaves- although it can never compare to the beautiful fall colors we grew up with it is still pretty-...I'm just not looking forward to the season that comes after fall... I need a vacation just thinking about it!

Why oh why am I always teaching the young women lessons that make me feel so hypocritical... seriously self-control and caring for our physical bodies are not exactly my strong suits!!

I'm continually amazed at the direction my life takes and the blessings that I have... really too many to count!

My Sister

I love my sister in a way that only sisters can. I always feel my most comfortable and at my best when I'm with her. Too bad we only see each other once a year- if we lived closer I may have more of my issues worked out:) My sister rivals me in organization and humor. I once told someone she is like me times 100 and that person freaked out saying that is not possible- but it's true!! Why the sudden need to declare my sisterly love on my blog- you see for some unknown reason my sister is holding my perfume- perfume that only qvc sells and won't ship to Alaska- hostage!! That is correct- hostage! I don't know maybe she secretly loves my perfume because she misses me-I like that thought- it makes me happy thinking of her using my perfume daily just to remind herself of me- yes I'm sure that must be why after weeks of patiently waiting my paid for perfume has not made it to my door- she just misses me!!! I will only remind her that this perfume is part of my mental sanity and because she knows our family like only sisters can she will now be rushing to the post office to send my sanity in a bottle ASAP!!!

Master Sergeant!!

Ken was recently promoted to Master Sergeant and our family was able to go to the ceremony which was held in the OPS room at his work. I was so happy that all our kids were there- you just never know sometimes with teen-agers- especially those belonging to us. It has been a long time coming for reasons which I refuse to focus on- but we could not have been any happier and it's been so nice to see the confidence that has been restored in my husband!



Strawberry filled- YUMMY!!




This bear has been moved temporarily into the ops room while they are remodeling his previous home.




The kids thought this bizarre let me punch you in the arm as hard as I can to make sure your stripes stay on ritual was hilarious!

We are so grateful for this promotion not for the monetary gains- which let's be honest are very nice- but for the recognition of many years of hard work. It was a real treat to hear about the things that Ken does at work and how indispensable he is. We have been given lots of blessings lately which we are soooo grateful for!!

Finally!!

After months of begging, pleading, almost crying, here are some pictures of the last few months!! Why are computer things so stressful for me- it took way too long to make this little slideshow!

Holy Stress People!!

Where shall I begin- Monday my sweet little Jack had a trampoline incident which left him with a small hematoma in his head! At about 10pm we headed to the er- I knew he was going to throw up and as soon as we put him in the car he did-not a good sign after a head trauma. That led to a record breaking 80mph, red light running (in the safest way possible), pulled over by base police ride to the hospital. I scooped up my little boy full of vomit and ran into the er while Ken dealt with the police- thankfully no ticket issued! I, of course, could not find my ID which was in my purse- but it was not a problem as the desk clerk must have seen my mama bear instincts coming out and brought us to the back almost immediately without my ID- a true miracle in military life! After a ct scan it was determined he would need to go downtown to our local hospital where they have a wonderful pediatric unit.

After putting an iv in my now freaked out little boy, they strapped us both into the stretcher and we headed out to the ambulance. It is not very comforting when the driver is getting directions to the hospital- seriously!! They also apparently do not load people into the ambulance very often as I was sure we were going to tip over- sadly it was a huge reality check to me as I'm sure if I were at a normal weight it would not have been such an ordeal but that humongous issue is for another time. When we arrived at the hospital our lovely escorts had a map and really no idea where they were going. We found the correct elevator- however, the button to the third floor did not work- there was a little contraption that looked like possibly a code should be put in it and I was met with odd looks when I suggested that aloud. After another trip down the same hallway we encountered a hospital worker who indeed had the code needed for said elevator- we arrived to the picu and I said good-bye to our lovely escorts reminding them how lucky they were that I have a good sense of humor.

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the wonderful nurses and doctors who work in the picu. They were comforting to Jack and his very worried parents. After a night of waking Jack up every hour we headed off for another ct scan which showed his hematoma was possibly getting smaller and we were given the all clear to go home with strict instructions- two weeks of calm, restful activities, no running, no jumping, no bike riding, no swinging, watch for signs of personality changes, excessive sleepiness, and wake him up during the night for a week. We took him to the doctor the next day and she informed us if we had lived further away from a hospital we would have had to stay for the week! Scary times people!!

I am so very grateful that our baby is okay- this could have been so much worse. I'm thankful that Ken was able to take off of work to help entertain our boy. We were very blessed to have had many offers for priesthood blessings. Thank you Bobbi, Jill, and Brother Johnson!! I am so grateful for a friend who just knows and brings her husband to give us blessings when we need them. The last few days have been filled with delayed stress reactions such as headaches and eating totally crappy food but also filled with such a love for our friends and family- it is a blessing to have my mom here- she is great in a crisis!!

Father's Day Thoughts

I'm so grateful to have married a man who is a good dad to our kids. Neither of us had a father who set a good example. My dad was totally uninvolved- so much so that I haven't seen him since I was a little girl and Ken's dad had lots of drug and alcohol issues- how we've come this far is a true miracle and although we are far from perfect we are always trying to be better.

Here are some things I'm so grateful that my kids have from their dad:
He will never leave
He does silly things with them that I would never dream of
He learns from his mistakes
He listens
He accepts them for who they are
He teaches them how to ride their bikes
He always thinks of gifts that are perfect for them and that I would never have thought of
He sings loudly even though he is terrible- so am I so I can say that
He will protect them at all costs
They jump for joy when dad comes home
He can discipline Jack in a way I cannot- he melts my heart and Ken only has to give the look
He loves our girls and I love watching them with him- they adore him
He always takes at least one of them with on errands when I would just want to go alone
He taught me and now teaches our children how to drive
He had the courage to tell me that he needs to be first in my life and then the children
He laughs with them and sometimes at them but only in a good way
He will never leave- this is so important coming from families with father's who did leave

I love him more and more every year and it's been almost 26 years together 19 of those married- that is more than half of my life!! Did I mention I am one lucky girl!

Five for Friday

I'm totally copying this idea from other bloggers. Five random thoughts on a Friday- here goes

1. I'm officially freaked out about school and the two chapters and assignments I have every week. I usually just read for fun- now I'm actually expected to remember things-YIKES
2. I went up to a level 10 on the elliptical with a speed of 7.2- I did not know I could do that
3. Just when I was feeling all energized and organized I have had two very funky days that have left me not wanting to do anything (&%$#)
4. I'm bummed out that Ken is working this week-end- no date night for me:(
5. I've been staying up too late all week- I find it difficult to go to bed when the house is quiet and everyone else is asleep. I now need a bedtime just like the children!! We are all much happier and organized when I have been fully rested- oh the joys of getting older- I remember when I used to survive on just 5 or 6 hours a night now it's more like 8 or 9! This may explain why I am ready for bed at 7:30 on a Friday night:)

Happy Saturday to all!!

Recent happenings

1. My class starts next week
2. The military has started a new program which has given me $6000 to pay for tuition- Yeah!
3. Made it through commissary with little drama
4. We are having Marah's b-day tonight
5. I'm feeling stronger after some great workouts- thanks Bobbi!!
6. Hayden is kicking butt in summer school
7. Youth Conference was a wonderful experience
8. Jack has lost his little baby face and looks like a little boy now:(
9. Ken is going before yet another board to see if he will get a promotion
10. My computer has been upgraded and is still not set to post pictures #$@%!!

I always feel I should post only when I have pictures- what's up with that? I've been feeling pretty good lately and like I finally have some kind of handle on my life- in recent years I was not able to say that. I cancelled my facebook page for many reasons but mostly I just ended up spending so much time looking at people pages and peaking into their lives I was ignoring my own so back to the blog it is. I'm a bit freaked out about school- I know it's only one class but seriously when I was filling out the online form for the military program for tuition the lady couldn't find my info - she finally found it only to tell me I had spelled my last name incorrectly and then asked if I was sure I am ready for this college thing! Well, no I'm not sure but I'm doing it anyway:) We had a lesson this Sunday about how we are here on earth to have joy and be happy- it made me think about our recent past and how unhappy I was during those trials. I don't know how people remain happy during those hard times maybe it is just that they have a sense of peace. I do know that although we still have some issues going on with our oldest son I am happy so maybe I'm learning something!

Breaking up is hard to do...

Dear scale-
After too many years of a love hate relationship I have decided to kick you to the curb!! No longer will I be held hostage to your daily fluctuations- the roller coaster ride is over buddy! My worth is not defined by a number- whether it is high or low is no longer my concern. Instead I will focus on other definitions of good health. Eating fruits and veggies, continuing to push myself working out, and eating consciously are my new guidelines for healthy living. It's been many years of co-dependence as I have let you determine my feeling for the day- well I'm so over it!! Goodbye my little friend- our dysfunctional relationship is now over!!

A Magic Kingdom Indeed!

Holy Bibbidy Bobbidy people!! If ever you get to go to Disney with your little girls the Biddidy Bobbidy Boutique it a must followed by lunch with the princesses. The faces on our little girls were truly priceless as they watched the princesses come out one by one to greet them.

This was our last night at Disney and I love that we all look so happy!! It was the first vacation we've ever taken just for fun in nineteen years and I will never wait that long again. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Ryker and Hayden were with us- although it was nice just to focus on one age group!

I was totally having the grass is always greener syndrome and dreaming of moving to nice sunny Florida and spending all my days at the beach. I forgot how peaceful and relaxing the beach is to me- the smells and the sound of the waves and I am automatically relaxed which is generally not an easy thing for me.

I also realized how much of a deficit I have of sunlight. I really felt like a different person with all this energy and with such clarity in my thinking it was weird!

A few good things that have come from a month of rest:

1. I am now motivated in an organizational way- like I used to be

2. Getting out of the house before 9am doesn't seem like such a difficult task

3. I have way more energy

4. It was so nice to spend time with just my husband and kids

5. I realized how much time computers and tv suck out of my life

6. It was great to see our big kids and how responsible they can be when we are not around

7. Our big kids missed us

8. We had such a great time in Chicago seeing our family and my new little niece Ally

9. I love my husband more than ever

10. The biggest thing of all for me is that I realized that I want to go to school and have found a school online that will meet all my needs and my class starts in May!!

I must go and enjoy the rest of this sunshiney day!!

Summers in Alaska are the best!

Valentine's Day

We really don't ever celebrated Valentine's Day as a couple. I think over the years I have become either used to the fact that Ken doesn't have a romantic bone in his body or I have just learned to appreciate the daily simple things that let me know how much he loves me. I prefer to think it's the latter! This year we went to dinner and a movie- our usual date night that just happened to fall on Valentine's Day. I was waiting in the car while Ken was in the store getting some gum when I saw a man walk out with a bunch of flowers. I had a brief thought that maybe Ken wanted me to wait in the car because he was getting me flowers. Alas, it was not to be and he came out very excited for me to try this new gum he had discovered. I just chuckled to myself and was so grateful for a husband who knows how to show me he loves me everyday through the small and simple things in life!!

As I side note we have been having computer issues that I don't understand but in some way means I am not able to post photos until it is fixed!!

25 Things about me

My cousin Debbie tagged me on facebook to post 25 things about myself. I'm not exactly sure how to do that on facebook so on the blog it goes-

1. I love to read and attribute that to my grandma being a librarian
2. I am sarcastic
3. Pizza is my all time favorite food
4. I've always wanted to be in the peace corps
5. I can't wait to start taking piano lessons again
6. Humor is my best coping mechanism- besides eating!!
7. I hate cooking
8. I love to decorate but fear I've lost my mojo in the last few years
9. Yoga is quickly becoming my new favorite activity
10. I am disturbed by how long it is taking me to think of 25 random things
11. I like working with teens in some capacity as long as they don't live with me
12. I am a homebody
13. I watch too much television
14. My toes are always painted
15. Tulips are my favorite flower
16. I sing in the car with the radio too loud
17. I like a clean house but have accepted that it may not happen for years
18. I hate flying and think every spot of turbulence means we're going down
19. I care too much about what others think
20. I internalize everything
21. White popcorn with butter is my favorite
22. I struggle more than people think
23. My life is so different that what I thought it would be in only good ways
24. When I read books it's like a movie in my head
25. I dream every night and sometimes it's exhausting

Whew- that was much harder than I thought. I'm a little disturbed by that shouldn't I know myself better? Try it and see!! Easy or hard?

Words from our Priesthood Leaders

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was represented at inaugural events for President Barack Obama by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
“Elder M. Russell Ballard and I were very pleased to have been able to attend today’s historic inauguration of the 44th president of the United States of America. In doing so, we represented President Thomas S. Monson and the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” President Uchtdorf said.
“It was inspiring to be an eyewitness to this peaceful, impressive, transfer of power and the swearing-in of the first African American president. We pray for President Barack Obama’s success in these challenging times and join in his expressions of hope and optimism,” he said.
President Uchtdorf and Elder Ballard attended the swearing-in ceremony on January 20 and will attend the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral on January 21.
“It is always an honor for the Church to be represented at the inauguration of a new president,” said President Thomas S. Monson. “We send our best wishes to President Obama and pray for the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven to be upon him and his administration.”



I love that our priesthood leaders thought it was "inspiring" to witness the inauguration on Tuesday!!

Inauguration Day

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath." President Barack Obama

It gave me a sense of hope yesterday as I watched from my living room couch the two million people standing- many with tears in their eyes listening to our new president. I loved his call to all Americans for personal responsibility and service. How excited I am to be alive to witness this moment!!

2009- My word for the year

Okay, I'm totally copying this idea from other blogs I've seen. You choose a word that you hope will define your year and help you to stay focused. After some serious thought I've chosen the word...BELIEVE. Why you ask- well there are several reasons:

I believe in myself and that I can accomplish the one goal that I hope to reach before I turn 40 in October- and yes of course it is weight related

I believe that focusing on what could happen instead of what is happening at the moment is a waste of time

I believe that I do not have control over everything and that is okay

I believe that I will be challenged by the adversary more and more as I chose to make Christ the center of my life and that it will be okay

I believe I need to and will start celebrating life more

I believe in trying new things and will actually do it:)

Finally, I believe in gratitude because I've seen that whenever I take the time to give thanks for my many blessings in life my outlook on everything changes!!

So, for the three people who read this blog- what's your word?