Another Anniversary

6 years ago today, my little family became an eternal one. I was sealed to Ben and then Stryder was sealed to us. It was a day I will never forget and will treasure always. I will always remember seeing Stryder brought into us all dressed in white and the overwhelming Spirit of love and acceptance that surrounded us. We had lots of family and friends there supporting us and it was just a great day for our family. I am so grateful that I will be able to be with my family for forever through the blessings of the temple. I hope my amazing husband knows just how much I love and appreciate him and how lucky I am to get to spend eternity with him.

7 years...lucky or unlucky anniversary!

Yesterday was our 7th wedding anniversary. We were lucky enough to have family in town willing to watch our recovering crew, so that we could go out to dinner Friday night. But unlucky come Saturday when both of us were sick and the rest of our weekend was not very fun. Not the best way to spend an anniversary. I do want Ben to know how much I love him and have loved these last 7 years. It's not always been sunshine and rainbows but together we can conquer anything. I'm excited to see where the next 7 years takes us. I love you Benny boo!

Thankful

I'm know I'm a little late but I had to be sure and share what I am most thankful for this year.

Him, him, her, and him too...My family! Nothing else matters to me these days, just them. I am especially grateful for Ben and what he has done for me and our family. I will be indebted to him for a really long time, for all the hard work and time he spends making sure we are taken care of. I am grateful beyond words that he took care of three very sick kids and went on very little sleep so that I could Christmas shop. I'm so excited for the kids presents and would not have been able to get what I wanted at such good sales if not for his willingness to deal with the yuckies by himself. Thank you Ben for taking such good care of us. I really am just so grateful I have this fun little family, that all love me no matter what.

Shelby's Birthday Weekend

This past weekend was Miss Shelby's 5th birthday. She had a birthday weekend with presents and cake both days. Saturday, my mom took me and her to get pedicures and Shelby got her nails painted too. She is such a spoiled princess. The people working there were so fun and totally made her nails beyond cute.

Later Saturday, we had cousins over and I made star shaped cupcakes with marshmallow fondant on top. It was quite the project but with help from my mother-in-law, turned out great and Shelby loved them.

Sunday was Shelby's actual birthday. She woke up early and stumbled out of her room half asleep to then ask her Grandma "is today my birthday?". I think she had a pretty great day. We went over to my mom's for our traditional Sunday dinner with family and celebrated the birthday girl. The bakery gals at my dad's store made her amazing cake and she loved it. She was spoiled with many presents and lots of love by all that were there.

I really can't believe my little girl is 5 now. It seems like yesterday we were bringing this little dark haired baby home. She is such a wonderful addition to our home and a great sister to her wild brothers. Here's 5 things about Shelby...

1. She loves animals, when asked what she wanted for her birthday and Christmas she told me a white mouse and a white cat.

2. Shelby sings all the time, ALL THE TIME. Sitting at the table coloring, in the shower, playing with her toys by herself in her room. She sings anything from "Hey there Delilah" to "Summertime" from High School Musical to the "ABC's". She even makes up her own.

3. She loves any and all princess things and she sure gets treated like one all the time too.

4. She loves to sleep on the floor in the boys room. She loves her brothers and will gladly join in rough housing with them as well as make them play Barbie with her.

5. She is so full of love. She remembers to say thank you on her own alot of the time and is just the best hugger. She loves life really.

I am so grateful for this little girl in my life. Happy Birthday Shelby Rae!

You are my I love you

I am your parent, you are my child

I am your quiet place, you are my wild

I am your calm face, you are my giggle

I am your wait, you are my wiggle

I am your audience, you are my clown

I am your London Bridge, you are my falling down

I am your Carrot Sticks, you are my licorice

I am your dandelion, you are my first wish

I am your water wings, you are my deep

I am your open arms, you are my running leap

I am your way home, you are my new path

I am your dry towel, you are my wet bath

I am your dinner, you are my chocolate cake

I am your bedtime, you are my wide awake

I am your finish line, you are my race

I am your praying hands, you are my saving grace

I am your favourite book, you are my new lines

I am your nightlight, you are my sunshine

I am your lullaby, you are my peek-a-boo

I am your kiss goodnight, you are my I love you

Halloween 2009

Halloween was so fun for us this year. Costumes were easy and no stress this year since my mom bought Shelby's and my sister let us borrow some from a couple years ago. The boys both wore hand-me-downs and all of us had a great time dressing up. We went to the tri-ward Trunk or Treat and left with just the right amount of candy for each of my little trick or treaters. Thanks goes to all the family that helped make the day so fun.

Princess Dance Class

Today was Shelby's first Princess Dance class. She was so anxious for it to start ever since I told her I signed her up. She is my little Princess and I was so excited for her to start dancing. Growing up I was on the swim team and played basketball in school, but deep down, secretly wished to be a dancer. I loved the sports I played and think I excelled in those better than I would of in dance but I still longed for the chance. Now I have Shelby to live through. It was great. The teacher is this cute little thing so full of patience and talent. She played Disney music for their dancing time and I sat in the corner taking it all in with a huge grin on my face. We will definitely be continuing more dance in the future.

Stryder's Feet

I had to make sure this conversation got written down. This was between my Mom and Stryder about a year ago.
My Mom had gone outside to take the garbage out and the conversation went something like this...


Grandma Day: "Stryder why are you out here in your bare feet, it's cold"

Stryder: "I don't have bear feet, I have human feet!"

Today

Life seems to have gotten a little crazy lately. Between pre-school and first grade we are swamped in spelling tests and alphabet songs. Personally, I've been swamped and bogged down with stress and worry. Times are tough right now and the belt has been pinched in pretty tight, and we can't be sure what the future holds. Ben's job feels pretty safe til the first of the year and then we just don't know what may happen. With the Holidays approaching, I become so overwhelmed and stressed out. I want the perfect Christmas for my kids and worry and worry over it. Lately I've been trying real hard to live in the moment. This simple concept is so incredibly hard for me and I don't know why. Maybe because I'm such a planner and control-freak. Due to this I am constantly worrying about tomorrow or next week or next month. I need to enjoy the NOW!! My kids are getting so big and I don't want to forget this time with them. My goal is to live in the moment, cherish today. This blog may become full of mundane events and stories but they are important parts of our family story that I want to include. Life has so many ups and downs and I seem to get caught in the downs. I need to remember to seek out the ups and enjoy them more. Hopefully as all my kids get over this cold bug they've shared we can have a good up for Halloween. And I mean really, how could I not love right now, when I get this every single day.

Pumpkin Patch

On Monday, we were able to go to the local pumpkin "patch", or parking lot in front of Sunset Station, and had a great time. As part of our playgroup deal, the kids rode each ride once, visited the petting zoo, and left with a goodie bag, including a little pumpkin. The kids had no school that day so I had Stryder and Trevor with me too and fun was had by all. Just another one of those memorable days I'm grateful to have with my kids.