Let them be little

I have found that in the process of raising my kids that there are multiple opinions on how to do it the "correct" way. I have always been aware of these and have found myself trying to try out different ways. I found that I was always way to concerned about how everyone else was doing it and if I was doing it right or not. I finally came to the realization last night as I was trying to get my 2 year to stay in bed that it doesn't matter how you go about parenting as long as you feel good about it. I am grateful to have the gospel of Jesus Christ that gives me all I need to know about the fundamentals of a loving and functioning family. When I tuck my kids into their beds at night I know that as soon as I leave they are going to "secretly" climb into my bed and fall asleep there. My husband and I will then have to carry them back to their beds and out ours back together. I used to think that I needed to teach them to stay in their beds. I thought that it was some sort of big deal that they fall asleep in their beds. While carrying them into their rooms and kissing them goodnight I remembered the country song titled "Let Them Be Little." It was then that I realized they are only this age once. I need to soak up every little thing I can about them at this age because it will never come again. I get one chance to raise these kids and I need to remember every little detail about them at their ages. I love when it's 6 in the morning and my 5 year old climbs into bed and grabs my hand to help him fall back asleep. I would never trade that for anything. I have found that sleep, a clean house, folded laundry, gourmet dinners, and nice clothes are very overrated. Who has time for any of that when you have growing kids in the house. I would trade anything to have the moments with my kids. I'm so thankful that I have be given this opportunity to have these amazing little spirits enter my life. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who helps me understand the true meaning of Motherhood.

Blessings

Since the first of January our family has their fair share of sickness. There were days when I didn't even want to get out of bed because I knew what the day was going to entail and I didn't know that I could face it. The winter's here in Cache Valley are very cold and miserable. The inversion is what gets me the most. Going for a month without seeing the sun is enough to put anyone in a really bad mood. Then when you add all the sickness on top of that it is just a recipe for disaster. I keep thinking how unfair it was that we kept getting sick week after week with something new each week. I was starting to feel bad for myself and family when I heard about a good friends family and what they are going through. They have 3 kids and all have a heart condition. Their oldest daughter has already recieved a heart transplant. Their next daughter has been waiting the last 13 months for a new heart, while their youngest boy has a pacemaker and is eventually going to have to have a transplant. A week ago the family found out that there was a heart ready for their daughter. They were so excited to finally have one and have their daughter be able to start living her life again. The days of the transplant was one of great relief and excitment for this family. During the transplant surgery the parents recieved a call that their oldest daughter was being rushed to the hospital because her heart (the one that she has had for 6 years now) was being rejected by her body. This family is now dealing with both daughters in the hospital one with good news and the other not. I don't know how I could handle news like that on the same day! When I was hearing all of this I realized how blessed I really am. My kids may have been sick but at least it is not something life threatening. I was SO thankful for my friend in telling me about her family. I realized how small my trials are now and how blessed me and my family really are. I now pray for this family everyday and hope that things look up for them. I am thankul for this opportunity to count my blessing and be reminded of how precious this life is and how to make the best of your situation. I would challenge anyone who is feeling sorry for themselves to find someone else in need and find an opportunity to get to know them and try to serve them in some small way. I promise it will make your life so much better!

Holiday's

We were lucky enough to have a wonderful holiday. My parents cam into town on the 12 of Dec to see my little brother graduate from college. When they left to go home the kids and I got to go with them. We drove back to Truckee where we were able to spend 2 weeks! It was so much fun! The first week all the kids did were Christmas things with my parents. They made a ginger bread houes, hot chocolate mugs, and cookies. They had fun going with Grandpa on daily errands. When Greg finally got there we were being hit by a MAJOR storm! I mean we got 4 feet in a few hours. That is the kind if snow I was used to growing up there. Caiden absolutley loved it! He played in it for hours! Maci on the other hand wasn't a huge fan of it. She liked to get in her snow clothes, eat a couple handfuls of snow, and then go back into the house. Caiden made a snowman and was able to dig a tunnel in his fort that he could crawl through. I had to drag him inside when he was finally soaking wet! Christmas was so much fun with my parents. The kids loved all their presents and had a good time showing/playing them with Grandpa and Grandma! We were able to see some of my best friends from high school. I loved seeing them and letting them get to know my kids. We are so blessed to have the family that we have. I love them so much and will always be grateful to them! Here's to the New Year and all that it may bring!

Miss Maci

Our baby girl turned 2 on Dec. 13th. I have such mixed emotions when my kids have their birthdays. I love them growing up and experiencing life but I also am sad that I am slowly losing my babies! Maci is so full of life! She is still as independent as ever. I wish I could bottle up her energy and love of life and take some for myself! She has taught me more patience, long suffering, and love in the last 2 years then I have learned in a life time. I am reminded often by my parents that she is just like me! I have learned to embrace that and love her for who she is. I can't imagine our lives without her. She is a special little girl that has everyone wrapped around her finger. She is way to smart for her age and that is why she is always in trouble. She can talk so well that that also can get her in trouble. Anything that is child proof does not apply to her. I have not found one child proof thing that she can not get past. Our days consist of just following her around. Nothing holds her attention for longer that 2 minutes and we can't just let her roam around! A good thing about her independence is that she potty trained herself. I love having a 2 year old that not in diapers. She weighs in at 24LBS and is 38 inchs tall. She is a tiny little thing that packs a punch! For her birthday My mom, me, and her all went to the salon and got our nais done. She really likes the girly girl things as long as she can get dirty and play with the boys. She loves puppies right now and wants to get a real one. We love her so much and are eternally grateful for her being a part of our family! We love you Maci Moo!!

Family, Friends, and Traditions

Time has gone by so fast lately! I love this time of year for all of the colors, smells, and cool weather. I especially love being able to hang out with family. We are so lucky to have so many friends and family members close by. Our friends Natalie and Tyler came down from Boise to visit us for a couple of days. We had so much fun chatting and catching up. Our kids had a BLAST playing together and it left us all wishing that we lived closer to each other. My favorite part was being able to meet baby Noel. She is beautiful and she made me want another baby! Thanksgiving was delicious and fun. We were able to have it with my siter and her family and two of my brothers and their wives. I love being able to just sit back and relax while eating delicious food! Don't worry Greg had a workout planned for that morning so I was able to burn calories prior to consuming A TON! On Friday I was able to head to SLC with my Sister-in-laws and Mother-in-law. We had a little get together at Jalaines house that consisted of a fun run, eating pizza, getting nails done, and watching movies. Saturday morning we all went out for breakfast for Jalaine's birthday and headed back home. We are all very excited for Christmas! The house is already decorated and the shopping is done! We are especially excited because we get to go to Grandpa and Grandma Lewis's house in Truckee! We are loving the Holiday season and hope everyone else is too!

Updates!

I am So happy to say that my last brother got married last weekend! It was so much fun and we all had a blast dancing the night away. Caiden and Maci literally danced the entire reception. I loved it! We are sad to see an end to all the wedding fun for now but there is another one on its way. Jalaine (Greg's sister) is engaged! YAY! I'm not sure when excatly their wedding is going to be but we are SO excited for it! It has been the year of weddings for our families. Cadien is having so much fun in school and is learning a lot. I am so glad that we are able to send him to this pre-school. He was in much need of some time outside the home with kids his age. He enjoyed Halloween and was able to dress up as a power ranger. He continues to be an awesome brother to Maci. Maci continues to keep me busy! We have some sort of "incident" every day! She really keeps me on my toes! She recently has got into my make-up and made herself "pretty", somehow opened a child proof bleach container and spilt it everywhere, climbed into the kitchen sink and sat in there with the dishes, emptied her potty chair all by herself, and used dry eraser markers to color on Grandma and Grandpas stairs! I swear I watch her but you honestly can not give that girl a second. As soon as I start cleaning up one mess she starts on the next. She has such a fiery personality and is so independent. My Mom laughs every time I tell her about these things because she says it sounds just like me! Lucky me! I guess its true what they say about getting your punishment when you have kids just like yourself! I am very grateful for both of my kids and the blessing they bring to our family. Greg is in BUSY season st the gym. He is going to start teaching Rip 60 classes at the gym. It is an awesome class and you don't have to be a member to take them. If anyone is interested check out Rip 60 on youtube. Greg has also been busy talking to a Gold's Gym in Texas. They are really interested in him coming out there and working at their facility. We are still waiting to hear all the details but if it's the right thing for us we could be moving anytime now...well we do have a house to sell first. Our life is always an adventure and we like that! Check out pictures of these stories on my facebook. It takes to long to load them all on here! Here's to our life! Come what may!

A day in the life with Maci

I know I mentioned before what a delight my little Maci is but I think yesterday has topped the list. The day started off normal and I was in the mood to clean my house and get Halloween up. It was nice outside so I had the kids go out and play while I cleaned. As Maci was headed out the door she got to close to the water heater and burned herslef! It is a huge burn mark! The part she touched isn't normally hot but I had the dishwasher and washer going so I think that is why. Well the burn mard was right on her leg under her bum so she didn't want to wear and pants or underwear because it would rub on her and hurt. No big deal. She had a skirt on and you couldn't tell she wasn't wearing her panties. Just after all that I get a call saying that there is someone that wants to come look at our house. Good thing I had already started cleaning. I was doing good until Maci wanted to be inside. She was undoing everything I had been doing. I literally had to lock her outside to finsish. When I was done I packed the kids up in the car and headed to my sisters house while our house was being shown. I had some boxes in the back of my car for my sister so when we got there I threw my keys in the consoule and took the kids inside. My Nephew being the awesome kid that he is offered to unload the boxes for me. He even took Maci with him to help. About 10 minute later Logan comes in and askes for my keys. I told him they were in the car. He got this horrified look on his face and said that Maci had just locked the doors in the car and he had closed the back up. I told not to worry that she knows how to unlock the doors. She does it all the time. She loves to just sit and push the button to lock and unlock the doors. I go out there and try to get her to push the button. To make a long story short after 30 min she would not push the button. We ended up calling the police. They came (3 of them) and spent another 30 min trying to unlock the doors with their tools. She was sweating so much all her hair was wet and her face was bright red. The police finally had to break open a window to unlock the doors! Thankfully she was ok! We took her in and cooled her while in the meantime my sisters amazing neighbors cleaned all the glass out of my car! When Greg and I were talking about it later we decided that this is one of many times to come with our sweet little Maci! She is probably going to cause me SO stress that I will be very grey within the next few year! We love you Maci!!