Happy Birthday Elena

Yesterday Elena celebrated her 16th birthday.  It was kinda hard to know what to do for her because she kept saying she didn't want anyone knowing it was her birthday, but then in the same breath said she would be kinda sad if no one said happy birthday to her.  So, we celebrated her day the way we celebrate the kids birthdays here in our house.  I waited until she went to bed, and then left several Happy Birthday signs about the house.  We let her open up her gifts before she left for school, and then had a nice dinner for her at the house and then had birthday cake for dessert.

It was fun having another person in the house to celebrate, and we enjoyed spending her special day with her.  I hope she enjoyed her day as well.   Happy Birthday Elena-  We Love You!!!

Fun with Grandparents

Grandma loving on some awfully cute kids!



If your wondering where Ellie is, she chose to stay home and watch TV instead of come have fun with us.

They sure are cute together.

My dad and step mom Anna May came for a visit this last weekend.  They came on Friday evening, and left Sunday afternoon.  We had lots of fun hanging out with them, creating memories.   Anna May taught me how to make a yummy white bean soup, and we enjoyed some shopping.  It was nice having them come up to our house, and the kids enjoyed getting to know a new grandma a little bit better.  Before they left Sunday afternoon I took them out to one of my favorite picture spots and took some pictures of them.  They turned out great, and I can't wait to enlarge one and hang it on our family wall.  The kids are looking forward to going to Southern Utah at the end of this month to see Grandpa and Grandma again.  I am glad my kids have a new grandma that they can make memories with.  They have both been pretty sad lately missing Grandma Oliphant and Grandma Westfall.  Thanks For the visit dad and Anna May, we sure love you guys!

Christmas Lights on the House

A few weeks ago Ray hung the lights on the house but ended up getting really sick, and was not able to climb back up on the house to plug them all in.  Sunday after my dad left Ray decided he was feeling good enough to get up on the house and get the lights all working.  Elena, Ellie, and Jake were as happy as could be when daddy told them they could get on the house with him and check out the view.  Jake acted like he won the lottery, it was so cute watching him strut his stuff up on the roof top. 

Ellie was too scared to move so she crawled to where she is in the pictures and stayed in the same spot the whole time the kids were on the roof.

Elena thought she was pretty cool climbing the latter.

Jake was so excited to climb the latter that he was giggling and squealing the whole time he was climbing up the latter!  :)

Withouth the flash in my camera

With flash

Thanks babe for puting up the lights, and for fixing them so they can be turned on this Christmas, even though you were not feeling well.  We sure love you and all you do for us!!! 

Sometimes

I sometimes find myself wishing that I were braver.  I sometimes wish I weren't so shy.  I sometimes wish I were more outgoing.  I sometimes wish I didn't feel the need to hide while in crowds.  I sometimes wish I had more confidence.  I sometimes wish I could talk to strangers.
I sometimes wish.......

Black Friday

So today was Black Friday, and I contemplated going and doing some of my Christmas shopping.  Then I remembered last year, and what a crazy ridiculous experience it was, and I decided that saving a couple bucks on gifts was not worth me loosing the Christmas spirit.

Last year I went with my nephew in law Craig to WalMart in Twin Falls in hopes of getting a laptop for Ray for Christmas.  Well after witnessing fist fights (over $2 movies) and people just taking things out of  other peoples carts (ridiculous), I missed out on the laptop and was a bit annoyed.  Craig was able to get the gaming system he went shopping for but me, I was still annoyed.  Well as we were leaving a guy asked me if I was interested in purchasing a 52 inch flat screen TV,  it was half the cost and I decided that Ray would love it for Christmas and I jumped at the chance. 
I hated every minute of the Black Friday experience, and in a way it ruined the whole Christmas fuzzies for me.  So this year I decided that enjoying the warm fuzzies the whole Holiday Season was far better than a few bucks I may be able to save.

I ordered Ellie a gift online and it arrived today.  I got a Black Friday price on it, and it arrived on Black Friday!  I didn't have to fight the crowds.  I didn't have to loose my fuzzies, and I still got a good deal.  For all the crazies who chose to face the horrid crowds I hope that you fared well, and that your fuzzies are in tact.  May you enjoy this Holiday Season as much as I plan too.  <3

Day 24 of Thanks! MEMORIES

I am so thankful for Memories.  Everything we do in life, everywhere we go, who we are day to day creates a memory that stays with us our entire lifetime.  I love the memories I have of my childhood, the memories I have of loved ones who have long since passed.  I love the memories I have of a different time, of the people we used to be.  I came across a quote that read, "don't judge me by my past, I don't live there anymore!"  I love that we can change from the people we used to be.  We can become better, but will always have those memories to remind us of who we used to be. 

I love the memories I was able to make with my mom, with Rays mom, with my grandpa,  with siblings.  The memories I am able to make with my own children, with Ray.  I love that one day I can sit down with my children, with their children and tell the memories that I have, and maybe they will be able to cherish them as much as I cherish them.  

I Love The Memories I Have Been Able To Make!!!

Day 23 of Thanks! Almost done!

Today I am thankful that I ordered my Christmas cards early this year, and that they are almost all addressed and ready to send out.  It seems that every year I fall way behind when it comes to sending out cards, and they usually end up being sent the day after Christmas.  It is such a nice feeling to know that our Christmas Cards will be addressed, stamped, and ready to send out in the mail when we are ready to send them.  I love this time of year when we can send out cards and letters, but I love it more when we receive letters, photos and cards from those we love most.  It helps us to be able to get a glimpse of our loved ones lives, and makes us feel a little closer to them.  :)

Day 22 of Thanks! Vinegar and Water

Vinegar and Water, I know that it is an odd thing to be thankful for today, but really when you have a van with windows that are completely iced over from the cold and wind and fog from the night before, you find that this type of thing is a great thing to be thankful for.  This morning when I went running out to my van to get it warming up and realized that the amount of thick ice on the windows was going to take me decades to scrape off, I remembered something I had read on Pinterest (awe pinterest my newly discovered bff )  some brilliant person had wrote that vinegar and water in a spray bottle will make the ice go away.  Well as I was filling up my bottle with these two ingredients, I was possibly saying a little prayer that it would work, and that my hands would get to stay dry and warm.  I went back outside and started spraying my windows, and sure enough the ice started sloshing up and dripping down the window.  Love it, love that this winter is going to be a tiny bit easier getting my kids to school.  Love that some genius was generous enough to share this idea with others, and love that I tried it. 

Day 21 of Thanks! Smiles

I am thankful for the gift of being able to smile.  I think  sometimes people go through life in such a fast forward, holier than everyone else mode, that they forget to just stop and smile.  I love to smile, I love to smile at others, I love when I am in my van and passing others on the street, that the first thing that I do is smile and wave at others.  You never know what a smile can do for someone else.  I know for me there have been days when I have felt down, and someones' smile has made me feel better.  It makes me sad sometimes when I pass people that I know from church, or the kids school, and they are sitting so high on their soap boxes that they can't wave or smile, or anything.  I think that it is their loss, and someday maybe they will regret being this way(probably not).  I am thankful that I have taught my kids that smiling at others is a good thing, and that they are able to show that kind of kindness to others now as well. Have you smiled at someone today?  :)

Smiles are contagious, pass them on!!! 

Day 20 of Thanks! Maddi

I am thankful for our dog Maddi!  She is such a smart pup, and is definately part of our family.  I was a bit hesitant at first to get a dog, and wasnt sure that I wanted a full time indoor dog.  I told myself that if we were going to have an indoor dog she was going to have to be fully house trained, and smart as well.  After we brought her home from my parents house (they had the parents)  I got online to find out everything I could on Shih-Tzu dogs, and what it took to train them.  I spent a lot of time training her, and teaching her lots of tricks.
 Here is a list of her tricks. 
1. She can sit
2. She can speak
3. She can high five
4. She can shake
5. She can lay down
6. She can stay
7. She dances
8. She comes
9. She boxes
10. She goes to bed on command

 Some of the things she really hates are to be stared at (she starts to wine if you stare at her for too long). And if you blow on her face she will cover her face with her paws and cry.  It is both funny and a bit heart breaking.  Some of the funny things she does are when she knows Ray should be walking in the door from work she will start to pace back and forth, and then when you say where is daddy she will start running in circles and then belines for the back door.  I guess I am glad we have her in our family, and that she is such a joy to have.  I don't know what we would do without her!

Day 19 of Thanks! Jake

Jake received an award at school for being a Cougar Scholar.  His dad and I are very proud of him!

I am so thankful for this boy who works so hard in school! He struggles everyday with the things he needs to learn, but still everyday he gives it his all. I am so proud of Jake and how far he has come in his life. I think Ray and I push him sometimes a little to hard, but we know the potential this kid has, and we want the very best for him. He is such a good, kind, loving boy who tries to be a friend to all. He has so much love in him to share with any and everyone. I can't imagine our family and home without him in it. Good job buddy boy on your award, you really deserve it!!! Love Mom

Day 18 of Thanks! First Snow!

I am thankful for the First Snow of the  Season.  There is just something about the first "real" snow of the season that makes everything feel fresh and new.  I am always so excited for the first snow, but unfortunately it does not last for very long.  Come the middle of December I will be cursing the snow that continues to fall making it necessary to shovel driveways, and sidewalks over and over again.  But until that dreadful time comes I think I am going to try and be thankful for the snow for as long as I can.  It is so peaceful and beautiful, and it makes me think about my mom.





 So for now LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!

This is with the flash on so that you can see that it is actually snowing!



 

A picture of the house and snow with the flash off

Jake and Elena braving the snow for a picture together.  I just love these two so much.  I love Ellie to of course, but she would not come out for the picture!

Day 17 of Thanks! Sleep

Sleep!
I went to bed last night sick, and woke up still feeling a bit yucky.  So once my kids were off to school I went back to bed and slept for most of the day.  I am feeling much better this evening, and was even able to make it to Pack Meeting where we had about 90% of our boys show up with their families (that is a great turn out, last month we had one boy come with his dad). 
I am so thankful that I was able to go back to sleep and wake up feeling better.  Now lets just hope I can sleep tonight. 



(on a side note)
Braidon got his mission call tonight!  he will be serving in the Omaha Nebraska Mission, and enters the MTC in January.  He will make an awesome missionary...

Day 16 of Thanks! My Computer

As I sit down to write what I am most thankful for tonight, I find myself feeling pretty thankful for my computer.  A few months ago I sat down to my computer and tried to turn it on only to find that it would not respond at all.  I think in this day and age it is pretty sad that we can let ourselves become so reliant on computers.  I love that I can sit down to my computer and do so many things.  I can edit pictures, write e-mails, Skype with loved ones, face book stalk, and browse stores without actually leaving my home.  There are so many more things I use my computer for, and I was pretty stressed to say the least.  Well a week or so after our computer crashed Ray and I headed out to find ourselves a replacement.   After shopping several stores, and looking at several different types, we settled on the HP Dandelion Breeze Laptop.  It is quite a nice little computer, and the color keeps me smiling.  I really miss my big old computer, but until it is replaced this one will work just fine. I just hope that the guy who said he can save everything on it to my external hard drive doesn't run into any problems, and that my last 10 years of pictures and memories wont be lost.   

Day 15 of Thanks! No Power

Tonight I am thankful for the opportunity my family had to sit in the dark while the power was out and enjoy time as a family without lots of interruptions from TV, Internet, video games, and phone.  It was so nice to tell stories, and jokes, and make shadow figures by candle light and with flashlights.  I loved every minute of the power outage, and might just have to fake an outage sometime in the near future just so we can enjoy time like this again soon.  It was also nice that my kids went to bed earlier than normal, and there was no fighting which was really very nice.  But now as it is getting a bit colder, I am glad that power has come back on so my heater can turn on and heat my house so the kids can sleep warm and cozy tonight.  :)

Day 14 of Thanks! Braidon (kenz,shay,kort,shaun)

I am thankful for a nephew who is willing to be put through the wringer to prove his desire to want to serve the Lord.  I love you Braidon, and I am so proud of you for doing everything that has been asked of you to get your call.  I bet it's going to be worth the wait.  Love you so much, and can't wait to hear where you will be goin'. 

(l to r) Kenzi, Shayli, Braidon, Kortney and Shauni
I am also thankful for those 4 girls in the picture.  They are so dang beautiful (all of them) and I love them so much.  I am proud of the young woman they have become, and the choices they have made in their lives that have made them who they are today.

Day 13 of Thanks! My Camera

 The thing I am most thankful for today is my camera!  I have always had a love for photography, and truly enjoy capturing memories that will last a lifetime.   I am so thankful for a husband who keeps me provided with a good camera, and for a computer that keeps my pictures safe until I get around to putting them onto a CD for safe keeping.  I have some fun pictures, sad pictures, happy pictures, and really silly pictures and I would not trade any of them for the world.

Elena jumped right in the middle of the hand as I went to take a picture of the kids, but she looks cute so guess I can't complain!

We tickled Jake until he was sure he was going to pee his pants.  Then as he walked away he said gosh mom, you could have made me studder!  I started laughing and said you wont studder and he said ya remember my grandma said if you tickle Jake he will studder.  LOL

More park fun!  We love parks, and the fun we have making memories.

Ellie found this wheel at the fair and asked me to take a picture of her so it would look like she was spinning.  (did I do a good job?)

Day 12 of Thanks! Church Callings

I am thankful for my church callings.  I currently have two church callings, and I am thankful for both of them.  I am the Visiting Teaching Coordinator.  I am over 5 district supervisors.  I receive reports for the ward on Visiting Teaching, and then report it to the Relief Society President.  I have had this calling for a few years, and enjoy it very much. 

My second calling is the Bears Leader in Cub Scouts.  I had mixed emotions about this calling at first because I really knew nothing about the scouting program, and all that it entailed.  But over the past year I have learned to love scouts, love my boys, and love the potential I have seen each boy reach.  I am thankful for the opportunity to serve, and thankful for the opportunity I have to help each of these boys do their best!

I love being a Momma Bear to my Cubs!

Day 11 of Thanks! Our Home

I am thankful for my home!  I am thankful for the warmth it provides on a cold day.  I am thankful for the protection it gives us during storms, and for the safety I feel within it's walls.  Ray and I looked for a long time for the perfect home for our little family, and when we found this little home we worked hard to make it ours.  We saw the potential this home had, and could imagine the happiness that could be created inside, and I am so glad that it is ours.  There is a lot of work that still has to be done on our home, and we have a lot of plans for both the inside and the outside (if only we had a money tree and could do it all now) but our home knows we love it, and it is willing to still protect us even though it is not completely finished yet. 

I love my little home, and I love all the memories we have made here, and I can't wait to make more memories behind it's closed doors.  :)

Day 10 of Thanks! Ray

Today I am thankful for my Husband.  He is an amazing man, and I love that he loves me so unconditionally.  He works hard for our family, and tries his best not to complain.  He is the smartest person I know, and has such a thirst for knowledge.  If he could be in college the rest of his life he would gladly do it if it meant he was able to learn.  He has a Bachelors Degree in History, Chemistry, Biology (Zoology), and Clinical Science.  He is currently working hard to become a Specialist in Chemistry and Microbiology.  He is such a good dad.  Ellie and Jake look forward to spending one on one time with him when they can, and love to just snuggle with their daddy.  I am so blessed to have Ray as my Eternal Companion, and wouldn't trade him for anything.  Thanks babe for being who you are and loving me for who I am.

Day 9 of Thanks! Friends!

Today I am thankful for good friends.  Old and New you know who you are!  And most of all I am thankful for sisters who are some of my best friends, thanks for your friendships.  Love you all!!!

Day 8 of Thanks! Wii

Today I am thankful for our Wii gaming system.  Jake has been sick the last few days, and this has kept him quiet and not real restless which I think has helped him to get better a bit quicker. 

My sick little guy concentrating hard on taking first place for the umpteenth time!

He informed me today that maybe the reason I can't play this game very well is because I'm not young and cool like him and so my brain is not so fast like his.  (I was wondering what my problem is and now I know)  :)

Day 7 of Thanks! Melatonin

Today I find myself feeling a bit thankful for a little white pill called Melatonin.  I have several family members who give it to their kids to help them fall asleep easier at night and stay asleep, but for my kids I have never given them anything.  Jake has always had a hard time falling asleep at night, and is probably the lightest sleeper you will ever find.  I think a pin drop could wake him up.  So the other day while I was shopping I had a friend ask me if I had tried it yet and I told her no.  She gave me a coupon for some and said I should give it a chance.  So I purchased a bottle of kid safe Melatonin and waited for bed time.   Thirty minutes before bedtime I gave each of the kids a pill and let them watch cartoons again.  About 30 minutes later I walked into the living room to both kids sound asleep.  Now, I thought to myself this is just a coincidence and put them in bed.  But then the next night I gave them pills again and they fell asleep quicker.  Then last night I gave it to them and both kids fell asleep within 10 or so minutes of me tucking them in bed.  I think the nicest part for Jake is that it seems to be helping him stay asleep all night which is good.  He can go to bed at 8:30 and be wide awake at 3 and not go back to sleep all because a stupid neighborhood dog barked or someone honked a horn, or the train rolled through town.  Jake needs his sleep, and this is helping him get a bit more of it and for that I am very Thankful.  :)

Do you LIKE me?

Thursday morning when I was doing Ellie's hair, she told me that this boy in her class had walked up to her and told her he liked her, and then when they went to computers he sent her a note that said do you like me?   Check yes or no.    I got a big smile on my face and said oh really, well young lady what did you do?  She quickly said I made a big black X on the no and passed it back to him.   I said what, don't you like this nice young man?  She said well ya I do like him but I didn't know if you would want me to mark yes.  I told her she could have a crush on him, but don't go be falling in love with this handsome young man.  She looked at me, cocked her head to the side and with a bit of discust and sarcasm sound in her voice said MOM.   LOL  

 So then Friday when she came home from school she said guess what mom, he gave me another note today that said do you like me check yes or no. I said ok, (as i'm chuckling) what did you put? And she said I wrote MAYBE and gave it back, then he gave me a new note that said do you like me, check yes or no. I said wow so what did you put on that note she looked at me and smiled and said I wrote KINDA and gave it back. Then you know what he said mom, I said nope Ellie I don't and she said he told me that his mom lets him get on her facebook so that he can look at pictures of me on my facebook! So, now i'm guessin' it's time to load the shot gun, and lock her in her room until she's 30! Good thing this kid is a good kid, and that he comes from a good family. :)

Day 6 of Thanks! Elena

Today I am thankful for my dear sweet exchange student Elena.  She keeps me laughing almost all the time.  She is such a funny girl!  Some of the things she says are so dang funny.  She calls pimples- pickles, she says wideo when she means video, she will say parrott when she mean period.  When she gets excited she starts talking in this really high squeaky voice which is a little funny cause Ray can be asleep and know if she is telling a "good" story or a "bad" one all from the tone of her woice (voice). 

She is a really good girl, and I am so glad we decided to give this exchange program a try.  I don't think our lives would be the same without her.  I do know that when it is time for her to go home we are going to be extremely sad to have to say goodbye to her.  She has been a good role model for my kids and they love her to pieces, and think of her as a big sister.  Yes, I am thankful for my daughter from Germany!  <3

Love you Laney!  :)

Day 5 of Thanks! Cough Medicine

 Today I find that I am thankful for cough drops, and cold medicine.  Jake is sick, and his cough is so yucky.  I always feel so bad when my kids are sick.  It is OK for me to be sick I can handle that, but when my kids are sick it breaks my heart. 

Yesterday while I was shopping I bought some extra cough Syrup, and am glad I did today.  I am thankful that there is something that can help quiet down his angry cough.

I am also thankful for cough drops that sooth his sore throat.  While shopping today I let him choose a flavor that would not be too hot and he chose cherry, and they seem to be helping him.  Now If I could only get him to try some Chicken Noodle Soup I think he would feel much better.   But until then I will be thankful for the time he wants to just snuggle with his mommy!  <3

Day 4 of Thanks! Family

Family, thats what it's all about!

Top Row L-R:  Mike, Debbie, Karri, Chad, Tracey, Mickie, Kellie, Troy, Melanie, Stephanie

Front Row L-R:  Caline, Lance, Dad, Anna May, Jackie, Ty

Last month my dad got remarried. He married a wonderful lady by the name of Anna May. Even though I don't know her very well I can already say that I love her so much. I think one of the reasons I have been able to fall in love with her so quickly is because she was able to make my dad smile again. It broke my heart to see my dad so sad after my mom passed away. I had told him that I would like him to remarry if the opportunity presented itself, and that the sooner the better. This wasn't because I was not sad about my moms passing, but that I wanted to keep my dad around for a long time, and I was afraid that if he was alone for long he would die from a broken heart. Needless to say when he introduced me to Anna May and I seen how happy he was I was completely thrilled for him and any decision he would make in his life. When Anna May joined our family she brought with her 6 children their spouses, and countless grand and great grand kids. I am so excited to get to know each one of her family members personally. I come from a family of 8 kids counting myself, and I love the time we spend together laughing and making wonderful memories together. I went from being the second to youngest of 8 to the second to youngest of 14 and that is so exciting to me. I have new brothers I can laugh with, and new sisters I can cry with. I don't look at them as step but just as my brothers and sisters, and their children as my nieces and nephews. I look forward to the many family get together's we will have in the future, and can't wait for the memories we will make. :)

Day 3 of Thanks! NO!!!

Today I find that I am most thankful for the ability to say NO.  I am not one to be able to say this to many people, but I am finding that in my aging years, I must say it and not feel bad when doing so.  Too many times in my life I have found that I will just say yes because I fear that if I say no I will hurt someones feelings, or make them mad.  I say yes and then I am left feeling taken advantage of, or used.  So I decided it is time to start saying NO and not feel bad doing so. 

Here's to a new word, and a new bravery I have not really ever experienced before!

Day 2 of Thanks! MY KIDS!

I am so thankful for my kids! My life has been blessed tremendesly because of these two. Never in a million years would I think two people could make me experience so many emotions all in the same moment. I thank my Heavenly Father daily for my children, and I would not trade them for all the riches in the world. I must have done something right in Heaven to have these two sent to me.  

Ellie has such a sweet smile!

I love when Jake shows me how big and strong he is (he can be found flexing in the mirror on a regular basis).

Day 1 of Thanks! My Mom

I am thankful for the knowlegde I have that I will see my mom again.  I have missed her so much, and think about her everyday.  There has been several times when I have wished I could call her and ask her a question I have had, or get her advice on something.  If I could I would thank her for helping me be who I am today.  The good, the crazy, and the inbetween!  ;)


I Love You Mom,
and I miss you more than I knew I could.

Happy Halloween

Detention Girl and a Police Officer

Cowgirl Sheriff  Elena

Stick-em up WAY UP!!!  ;)

You are under arrest, for being so cute!