Christmas 2010

I can't believe that it has been almost an entire year since I have given my blog any attention! It is kind of like when I was in High School and I would do great with my journal and then there would be missing chunks of time. I am disappointed in myself, but I am not going to dwell on the should haves but focus on doing better and moving forward. We have had quite the year. It is amazing to me how much time has gone by when it really seems to feel like no time at all. This year has led us down an amazing spiritual path that we never saw coming. Never in a million years would I have guessed that we would double our children and through adoption/ foster care no less! We were very content with the size of our family, and enjoyed the fact that we were able to do such fun things because we only had to pay for two children. Funny how the Lord can turn our lives upside down in the blink of an eye! It has taken us 8 months of following Divine direction, even when it made zero logical sense, to bring Onika and Drake into our family. It has been the hardest thing we have ever done, and some days I am not sure that I will make it to the next day. However, when one small child climbs into my lap at the end of a day full of tantrums and I hate yous, and strokes the side of my face and says, "I love you mommy," I get the strength to continue on. It has been a great learning experience and an eye opening experience for Kaity and Brayden as well, and I am so proud of them! They are patient and kind when I know they are as frustrated as me. I have had my eyes opened to many new situations, and I have gained a deeper gratitude of all that I have been blessed with my whole life. I have taken safety, and shelter and loving parents for granted, but no more! I am thankful for my life and my challenges and my blessings. Through tribulation comes great triumph!

Kaitlynn is 10!

Dear Kaitlynn!
I can't believe that today you are ten years old! Where has the time gone!? It seems like just yesterday you came into this world screaming your head off! :) I want you to know how special you are. You are a beautiful young lady with a sweetness that touches everyone you meet. I have been so proud of you this year as I have watched you grow and blossom here in Idaho. You have so much confidence in yourself. I hope that you always do and that you always remember that you are a daughter of God. I am so grateful that you take such good care of your little brother. I have never seen anyone look out for a brother the way that you do- even when he is being a pain in the butt! :) You are the sunshine in our lives, the joy in our hearts! We are so privliged to be your parents. We love you sweet girl!
Love,
mommy
XOXOXO

This morning the first grade put on a LOVE program. The kids learned old time love songs and dressed up in "dress-up" clothes. We are so proud of Brayden. This was the first time we have seen him sing along with others. During the primary programs he has always just stood there and waved while the other children sang. Singing is hard for him because of his speech issues, so we are so pleased to see the progress he has made in the past few months. He sang his little heart out, and did the actions right along with all the other kids. We are so proud of our little buddy!

valentines day

What a fun Valentine's day we had this year. It has been so much fun to live near cousins. We had a valentine party with yummy treats, jumprope in the kitchen and a sleepover. We also had homemade valentines this year that were so much fun to make. We "heart attacked" the house, made homemade hershey kisses out of Oreo's, and red velvet cake balls. So, so YUMMY! We had a love filled weekend full of fun and family!

Christmas 2009

Another Christmas has come and gone. It is hard to believe that it is over already. This was my first Christmas ever without my parents and brother so it didn't really feel quite like it should. We did have a good Christmas eve dinner with grandma Christal across the street, and the Hill family. I am so grateful for these friendships that made the evening special. After we had dinner we went to the botanical garden in Boise to see all the Christmas lights- it was beautiful, but not as beautiful as temple square. Next year hopefully we will be able to take a trip to Salt Lake. Christmas eve we got the call that mom and dad accepted an offer on their house and they will need to be out in a month. We are praying all goes well with the closing, but the news was the BEST Christmas gift ever. My kids are so excited they can hardly stand it. Hopefully this news is the beginning of good things for our family. It has been quite a year- not one I want to relive , but I am thankful for the lessons I have learned and hopefully have grown from. I hope you all had a very merry Christmas!

sledding for the first time!

Sledding!

Today was the first time that the kids had ever experienced that magical feeling of flying, as they glided over the hard packed snowy hill. What fun we had once we finally got the hang of it. We searched garage sales all summer in search of snow sleds until we each had one of our own. Turns out only Travis has a really good sled, so next time I am taking the tubes we used to use in Kelly springs. I knew they would come in handy again some day! All was going well until I collided head first -going backwards- into Brayden. Turns out a made a HUGE mistake by not going over rules before we started sledding. Brayden got tired climbing back up the hill and decided to just sit down and take a rest in the middle of the track. Once I came too, it was time to go home. Next time we take helmets, NO MATTER WHAT! Even with a splitting headache, the day was magical. Can't wait until Saturday...