Canceled Church, Snow Forts, and Super Bowl...Great FUN

We woke this morning to this:) It had snowed all night and then just kept on going. I don't remember having this much snow since I was a kid. They canceled church (well, half of church) because cars were getting stuck in the parking lot! The Elders Quorum spent 40 mins just brushing off cars, digging out tires, and pushing cars that got stuck. It was crazy. We came home and Andy and the kids shoveled the driveway and part of the street and then they made a snow fort:) with the help of the picnic table. Andy piled snow all around the picnic table so the kids could sit under it! They had a great time. Even Avery couldn't get enough. After I took her in she kept looking at the door and saying mmmmmmmm which is usually what she says when she wants more while eating. She would get so excited when we would look out the window at everyone. Snow Forts and Super Bowls....we had a great day:)

Best Friends Share Everything!

Haylee woke up today and was feeling a lot better, although she was still running a low grade fever. Because it was Friday and I am always afraid we won't be able to see our pediatrician if we need to I made an appointment...just in case. It was a good thing we did too because....it was STREP! I didn't know that throwing-up can be a sign of strep, but it can. I always bribe my kids to get the penicillen shot instead of the prescription, because it works faster. I give them $5 to spend at the toy store, it is also cheaper then buying the prescription because my insurance pays 100% of the shot. Haylee was hoping just a little bit that she could get the shot because she has never gotten paid for a shot before (it's her 1st time with strep) and she really wanted a new toy. But, when she found out it was strep and she WAS going to get a shot she flipped out! It was a little difficult (ok really difficult) to get her to lay down and expose her bum:( I felt like a horrible mom forcing her to do that, but I really needed her to so she will feel better faster, and she can go play with her cousins on Sunday. It only hurt for a minute and then she was psyched (yes psyched) to go to Walmart's Toy Store. Haylee and her sore Bum....
But YEAH she got a new Barbie! Could being sick get any better?

After the toy store we headed to the Insta Care ( I know she's not the only one with a problem). I took 3 kids to the Insta Care so I could be seen. It wasn't as bad as I would have guessed although I was afraid someone was going to catch something much worse then what we already had. I had to go for a UTI (too much info?) It was hilarious to watch Ethan's face as I told the Dr. my symptons. After the Dr. left Ethan asked if boys could get "boy problems" like girls get "girl problems". I told him they can have "boy problems" but they are nothing like "girl problems" and he could ask his dad what those problems might be:) I think he was a little scared to think of what issues he could one day have to face. Now that we are medicated I hope tomorrow will be better:)

All is Calm (for now)

It has been one of "those" days...all you mothers out there know exactly what I'm talking about!! I was up at about 5:15am this morning feeding Avery, and she was almost back asleep, when Haylee starts calling for me. Of course, Avery hears her big sisters voice and her eyes POP open and I know right then she is not going back to sleep. So, I get up put on my robe and slippers and head to Haylee's room to see what she needs. She says she's hot and her tummy hurts. Her tummy usually "hurts" every morning because shes hungry, so I tell her to put on some jammies that aren't long sleeved and pants and go back to bed for another hour. She changes and gets a drink of water and climbs back into bed. I wish Avery would go back to sleep but I am out of luck on that one. We go into the other room and turn on The Little Mermaid, Avery loves to watch the part where Ariel sings Part of Your World. She gets all quiet and stares at the TV and kicks her legs. Anyways, about 15 min. later Haylee comes in says shes awake and her tummy really hurts:( We head downstairs,I get her a small cup of juice and a banana. She only takes a couple swallows of juice and a few bites of banana, and then casually gets up and heads toward the bathroom. A few minutes later she calls me and says, "I threw-up mom". I dash in there and she is sitting on the cold floor with her head on her knees. It broke my heart! I was a little excited that she made it to the bathroom though (its her first time not throwing up on the floor or her bed, you get the point). She only threw up twice so we were lucky for that but she is running a low grade fever and just wants to sit in bed all day ( thats how you know she feels really yucky). The worst part is that her elementary school is having a beach dance party tonight. You can bring extended family, neighbors, friends, whoever. They will have dinner and dancing and of course a BEACH theme! Haylee has been looking forward to this party for a month now. Last night she laid out all of her swim suits, and accessories all over her floor and was mixing and matching which items she was wearing to the party. She decided on her pink and brown swimsuit, with the matching skirt, pink snowboots (because she will have to walk in snow) and a flower Leis. After she threw-up she kept trying to convinse me she was fine because she knew she wouldn't be able to go tonight if she was sick (poor girl). I keep trying to take a nap, and/or shower all day and I haven't gotten to. So, when Ethan got home at 4:00 I bribed him to babysit Avery so I could shower. He did a great job espicially since he had her for almost a half an hour and she demanded to be held the whole time. He only came in twice to say his arms were tired from holding her. I did wash my hair, and shave my legs which needed to be done desperately. I did not however get to blowdry my hair or actually get dressed. So now at 5:00pm I am sitting here, not dressed, wet hair, lots of housework and laundry that are begging to get done, and I am just sitting here enjoying a quiet house (because the girls are asleep) and Ethan went to the neighbors. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, we will all be healthy, and the housework will all get done. Until then wish me luck, or invite me to lunch I need a girls outing:)

My girls look so sweet when they are sleeping.

This is Haylee's fav. blankie. It was her crib quilt when she was a baby. I kept telling her to go lay down with her blankie and she kept saying she couldn't. I finally asked her why and she said, "because I might get it dirty." I tolf her its ok I can wash it but she said, "I hate when you wash it, it makes it hot from the dryer, and I don't like waiting for it!" She has it all figured out. Her blankies looking pretty sad these days, its ripped and falling apart. It will be a sad day at our house when we have to retire her blankie.

"Too Blessed to be Stressed"

Anyone who knows me knows I can be a total stress-case over everything. I worry about dumb things that don't really matter, everything from housework to bills to my calling to...well, Andy's calling. I worry about other people's problems along with my own. Andy is always telling me to, "Calm down...relax". That usually frustrates me more then the actual problem. Well, the other day as I was blog stalking (sorry people I don't know) I came across someones blog who had this great idea. It was called "too blessed to be stressed". Every week she posts about a blessing in her life along with a picture. I think this will be my New Years Resolution...52 weeks of being blessed and not stressed! I really have been blessed in so many ways and I am hoping it will help me not to stress if I take a few minutes and think of how I am truly blessed! So, I am on week 4 out of 52 so here are my first 4 blessings, and the most important of them all!

Andy, Ethan, Haylee, and Avery

They really are my whole world! Everything I do in life centers around them and is for them. They are my GREATEST TREASURES. They have been wonderful blessings and have created so many more wonderful blessings in my life!

To Andy,

Thank you for all you have done for me and our children. I know we have had one crazy life together but it always works out for the best. I can't imagine my life without you in it. You have been my greatest supporter and friend, and I hope you know how much I love you! I am so grateful that we can be together for all eternity (for some reason that doesn't seem long enough). I am grateful for your priesthood and your testimony and the way you bring the spirit in our home. I am grateful for all your hard work to provide for our family so I may stay home with our children. You truly have blessed my life just by being apart of it. I love you Andy!!!

To Ethan,

Your smile lights up my day (no one can resist those dimples). You set a wonderful example to the rest of the family of what we should be doing. You always remember family prayer, and scripture study ( he is the only one at the moment reading scriptures with the family and on his own). I am so proud of how well you are doing in school. I appreciate all the help you give to your sisters. They are so lucky to have such a great big brother! I am proud of the choices you are making in your life, so that you can get baptized. I love how you won't go to bed until everyone has had a hug and a kiss (even if I do call them excuses to stay up). Heavenly Father has blessed my life greatly by sending you to me! I am a better person because of you:) I love you Ethan!!!

To Haylee,

Your laugh warms my heart. It is contagious. You are my greatest example of how to treat others. You are kind, loving, compassionate, accepting, and a friend to all. You are always worried about others feelings, and you have such tender feelings. Everyone who meets you can't help but love you. You are beautiful inside and out! You are such a great sister to Ethan and Avery (so much they get smothered with love). I love to listen to you sing! I am so proud with how well you are doing in school. I love to listen to you pray (she is great at personal prayer and letting Heavenly Father know what she is thankful for). I love that you love to talk...like mother like daughter (she is my gossip queen). I am so thankful that Heavenly Father trusted me to take care of such a choice spirit like yours! I love you Haylee Bug!!!

To Avery,

You have filled our home with so much love and happiness. I can't imagine life without you. Every time I look at you I am overwhelmed with gratitude for you. Your sweet little face can always make me smile:), whether you have a little lip, or a huge smile. Your little fingers wrapped around mine brings so much happiness to my heart. I wish I could protect you from all the bad things in this life and keep you as innocent as you are right now. I love to feed you, rock you, and sing to you. I love how you are such a "momma's girl". I love how you are "high maintenance" it gives me something to do (24/7). I love how you have made us closer as a family, and more importantly I love how I get to keep you forever! I am grateful that Heavenly Father saved you until now to help me and daddy through the rough patches, you have increased my testimony of motherhood and eternal families. I love you Avery loo!!!

Our Beloved Prophet

I was 13 years old when President Gordon B. Hinckley was ordained our prophet. He had a major impact on my life and testimony. I was able to attend the Mount Timpanogos dedication and sit in the Celestial Room on the front row with the 1st presidencies wives. That was only a short time after he was ordained (a year or two), and I was only a few feet away from him, and I can still picture him there. That was a special experience for me in so many ways.

I had a hard time telling my kids that the prophet has passed and we will soon have a new one. President Hinckley has a special place in my heart and I can only wish that my kids will remember him. I have a hard time remembering Pres. Hunter, and I was a lot older then my kids when he passed. I am thankful that he is now with his sweet wife. It was so sad to listen to him talk about her, you could really tell how much he missed her. I can't imagine living that much longer then Andy. Our prayers are with his family tonight.

We Love You, and will miss you Pres. Hinckley!

"Cinder-Bug"

Our kids are in charge of putting away all their own laundry, so the other day when they had tons of laundry to put away this is what I caught Haylee doing.

When I started laughing at her she said, "That's how Cinderella does it" I am pretty sure she took twice as long as normal because she was trying to balance multiple items on her head and they kept falling off, then they had to be refolded and she would attempt it again, At least she had fun and her chores got done!
I Love you my sweet Cinder-bug:)

May I have this dance?

Andy got a Michael Buble CD the other day and was listening to it while we got the kids ready for bed. Everyone was taking their turn helping with Avery and this is how Ethan entertained her! He was slow dancing with her...swaying, turning, and singing. She was loving it. She had big smiles the whole time until I got the camera and then she was to interested in what I was doing.

Still trying to figure out why mom is dancing around us blinding me with that flash?
Can I cut in? Haylee patiently waited her turn to dance with Ethan. Ethan always gets to be the prince, or knight in shining armor, etc. for Haylee. He is USUALLY pretty good at entertaining her and playing the part. It was like Cinderella at the ball.
They kept laughing and laughing together as they tried to figure out how this "partner-dancing" thing worked but I think they picked up on it fast. I tried to teach them how to waltz (because that is the only steps I know) but they thought their way was better...I agree! This is what the good things are made of !!!