Happy Holidays

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Love this Jack

We sure do love this Jack.

He is a blessing and a miracle of goodness to me.

He is growing so much, so fast.

I just want to remember these first moments forever.

Updated pics to come. . .

Starting School 2012

First Day of 1st Grade
West Valley Elementary
Ms. Sharp

Grace's ride to the bus- Daddy and the Ripstick* 

I want to recommit to posting on this blog again- I know, I know, hopefully not an empty promise to myself. I just can't believe how the time goes and kids grow up, and if I don't document it the pictures and memories will slip through the cracks. Besides- a little journaling is good for me, for sure! So here we go. . . . 

Grace started 1st grade! Can't believe how super FAST summer went. It's hard to believe school is in when it's 97 degrees outside still- yuck. Anyway, Grace is doing fabulous! There have been so many little changes I've seen in her this summer that all point to her growing up more. The first day of school was one of these. Grace was excited, confident, and ready to roll on the first day. We met her teacher the previous Friday and I feel like it is such a good fit. Grace was pretty much dragging us out the door to the bus, and barely said goodbye (which is a big change from last year). A fully day later, she came home happy, excited and all went well. SO hard to believe that my first baby is a full time first grader, but it's good and she's happy which = a happy mom. Hope this keeps up! So far, so good.

A few things going on in our life right now as we start the school year:

*Adam just got done tiling our kitchen floor! Looks so much better than the dated 90s maroon diamond linoleum we've been threatening to change for the last 6 years. Grout is still coming and hopefully by the end of Labor Day weekend, we'll have our kitchen back and another project checked off the list. 

*I'm 34 weeks pregnant with baby boy #3. Feeling tired, hot, and ready for this boy to come- well in the right time. The kids and Adam call him Jack but I'm still not 100% sure on the name.

*Max starts preschool next week- new preschool and going 4 days a week.

*Grace and Max got bunk beds a few weeks ago (in preparation for the baby) and they have been a big hit!

*End of the summer BBQ with a few great friends and their families before school started. We are really enjoying time spent with the great people in our lives. 

*Boot Barn delivered again. . . Grandpa Higgins took the kids to get a new pair of boots for the school year and some school shopping at Herberger's. Of course this did not replace our annual school shopping trip with JoAnn and Quinn. We love doing that every August. We also hit Lagoon for the 2nd time this summer and it was great- thank heavens for Lagoon A Beach in high 90 degree weather.

Life is good. We've been really busy with lots more to do as we anticipate the arrival of Moonpie #3. First things first- start school. If the first week is any sign of things to come this year, it's going to be great!

P.S. It's been so long since I've blogged, I can barely remember how to do this- oops.

Into the Holidays 2011

Um yeah- a quick run down of the last few months:

(busy to say the least, but happy and that's always a good thing)

Our laptop has been having issues, so while the ipad is saving the day, I still haven't figured out transferring pictures and blogging yet on it. I wish I had Adam's brain, then it would all be solved! So this post is picture-less and boring to the average reader but I gotta get caught up! Anyway. . .

October:

*Grace turned 6 years old. We hit it off with a surprise party with some of her girlfriends. It was a Friday night, there were p.j.'s, paper crowns to decorate and frosted sugar cookies. She was way surprised and it was really. Hard to believe she is really growing up.

*Weekend in Blackfoot with Adam's parents & family. Everyone came to visit and we had tons of fun hanging out with Charity and her family (from Phoenix) and squeezing some Pocatello T.J. Maxx in. We had all intentions of having a cousin Halloween party, but everyone was just having so much fun and playing we lost track of time and it didn't happen. Oh well! Two sister in laws were pregnant which was fun sorting through baby stuff too :).

*Spent a weekend with Max and the croupe. He and I spent 2 separate nights up at PCMC in the emergency room, getting him back in shape. Poor guy- I really don't like croup.

*Halloween parade and party for Grace and Max. Grace was a bumblebee and Max Superman. I volunteered to do the classroom party and that was a good experience. Hunter tagged along too.

*Trick or Treating around our neighborhood and running into lots of people we love.

*Stressing and debating on putting an offer in on a home in Cottonwood Heights we liked. Seriously, 3 weeks of debating and doing a million drive byes. Finally we got brave and put in an offer (it was a short sale house).

November:

*Heard back really quickly on the home, which was a complete surprise. In the end decided something about the timing of it all felt weird so we turned it down.

*Five days after turning down the house, I was called as the Relief Society President in the Balmoral ward. What!?! Didn't see that one coming. Good thing I've had some amazing examples to teach me the last 5 1/2 years we have lived here. Adam is still in the High Council, so church is a busy and a big part of our lives . Thank heavens for a wonderful presidency!

*Grace and the Primary program "I Know the Scriptures are True." She was shining like a star along with my CTR 7 class.

*Went to Blackfoot for Thanksgiving and my sis in law ended up having her baby 5 weeks early and unexpectedly! Welcome baby Benjamin! Glad the hospital stay is over and you are healthy.

*Had our own Thanksgiving day at our house with just the 4 of us! It was unexpected and really a nice break. Adam, the kids, and I did our first batch of homemade rolls and they were delicious!!! Adam is a pro turkey and gravy maker, so we made a pretty good team getting dinner on the table. We really just enjoyed being together and not on a schedule.

*Black Friday shopping with Laurin- oh yeah and a 3am stop at the Belgian Waffle for some garbage hash.

*Lots of craziness in our neighborhood- unexpected hardships.

December:

*I feel turned upside down in my new calling as I'm thrown into the mix and holidays- but luckily there are tons of amazing people, friends, and support around. We're all in this together.

*Kids went and sang to Great Grandma Lewis (Higgins) for an evening, dressed in their Sunday best.

*Maybe a little too much Christmas shopping this year - oops :).

*Catching up with Michelle at lunch and seeing her new baby. Catching up over the phone with good friends that have known me forever.

*I added brown to my hair for the first time ever and got a new look. It's fun for the holidays but has taken some getting used to.

*Grace had a dance recital. We finished off at Leatherbys. Grace has really improved over the last year at her new studio.

*Getting ready for the holidays by making quilts for Christmas, treats, and about another zillion things. Felt strange having such warm temperatures and no snow this year.

*Christmas!!! Christmas Eve- dinner at my dad and Josie's. We opened presents with them also. Met Jessica's new 'step daughter' and we like her. Uh, the only bad thing might have been that my dad and Jos gave Chloe a living breathing bird for Christmas. Have I mentioned Henry doesn't love pets? Yikes. The looks on Jessica's and Henry's faces were priceless. Yeah, they are still working that one out.

Christmas morning was at our house- we opened presents, rushed to church, then came home to crash for a bit. We drove to Wanship to see Grandma Connie (Josie's mom) and have Christmas there too as well. Connie is crazy over Christmas and one of the most genuine and generous person I've met. My dad and Jos brought me some Coke in bottles too- which I was dying for.

*We all got snowshoes for Christmas but there was no snow to be found! We drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon and scouted some out for a few hours. Snowshoeing as a family may be my new favorite thing to do- ever. The kids were awesome and naturals. The best part? No whining, fighting, or nagging for 2 hours! Awesome.

*Back up to Idaho to visit family after Christmas. Adam and the kids staying together an extra day as I headed home with Alison and her kids to make it to Jess's pre wedding festivities.

*Crossed the 3 year mark of my mom being gone. I still feel an emptiness inside without her. At the same time, I feel like she's been right by my side during some of the difficult situations and problems I have faced these last few months.

*Fireside Dining at Deer Valley Lodge and getting nails done and Cafe Rio with Jessica and her 'to be' step daughters (niki and lindsay). It was nice getting to know them better. Everything in Park City was lit up and holiday magical except the lack of snow.

*New Years Eve Wedding- Jessica and Henry got married at 7:30pm then the party began. It was fancy and had the best flowers and heorsdeurves I've ever had. I loved getting dressed up and having a hot date with Adam. I REALLY wish I would have taken pics. Adam and I took all the kid (including Chloe and Floyd) to spend the night in a hotel with JoAnn and family. It was the first time in 3 years since I've seen all my aunts and uncles on my mom's side- it was great. If she couldn't be there, that was the next best thing.

January (yeah I know it's only the 4th):

*Something possessed me to sign up for the Utah Valley Marathon in June. I don't know if it's all the extra treats hanging around my mid section these last couple of years, or my dad's new found love for running and wanting to race but I signed us both up. Ready or not June is on it's way and I'm hoping running will be my ticket to getting back in shape and beating the winter blues. I really don't know what is possessing me.

Writing all this down feels great, but doesn't scratch the emotions I've felt particularly since being put in this new calling. All at the same time, I've felt a complete sense of: anxiety, being overwhelmed, clueless, loved, lifted, happy, grateful, bursting at the seams with concern and love for those around me, stretched, pulled, and everything in between. It's really hard to explain but one thing I do know is that the Lord has a plan for my life. Back in October I had different plans for my life which seemed like 'the next step' for me and my family. Well, I was wrong and we are being led down different paths which I know are the right thing. I don't have answers for things like moving, family drama, adding to our family, ect but I do feel peace and that I don't have to know right now. That is a good feeling for me.

More adventures to come. I have lots to learn but I'm grateful for the opportunities to do so. I'm especially grateful for the good people in my life that I know and are getting to know. It's amazing. People are amazing. Without the guidance of Heavenly Father in my life, always but particularly the past 3-4 years, I would not be where I am today and able to help and serve. He's given me healing, courage, hope, good friends, amazing family, and Adam- the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I have a good feeling- 2012 is going to be a great year!

I can't be held responsible for all the misspellings and grammar done wrong in this post. I just pumped this out during a slim window of opportunity as the kids were playing at friend's houses and Hunter was sleeping.

I heart Date Nights

This was a fun night out.

Late summer in the air.

Good music.

Great guy.

Rascal Flatts & Sara Evans concert @ Usana Amphitheater.

I personally loved Sara Evans.

She has an amazing voice.

The entertainment and show quality of Rascal Flatts was great.

They've definitely moved up since I saw them 8 years ago at the Idaho State Fair!

Glad to be with Adam, sitting and listening again 8 years later.

Preschool!

I love this Max so much.

Today was his first day of preschool.

I guess he is really growing up, I need to be taking this more seriously!

For so long, Max has just been the easy going one that tags along and now he's got a life of his own.

It's crazy.

He's going to preschool with 3 other kids from our neighborhood this year.

Did I mention that I love it here for reasons like this- friends.

Max was pretty excited all morning to go, but got nervous as I was walking him into the door.

Fingers crossed it went well.

With a teacher like Mrs. B, I'm sure it was awesome.

I was able to go help in Grace's class after I dropped Max off.

It was fun to be in the school and doing 'teacher stuff' for the first time since Grace entered the world almost 6 years ago.

It's funny how much 'schools' and teaching feels like a part of me.

I'm forever grateful for my parents push for education to get me through college complete with a teaching certificate.

Now I'm wondering how this house can be so quiet as I'm catching up on blogging and journal writing- oh yeah both my kids are at school.

I'm still adjusting to this new stage of life, it's both exciting and sad that time is slipping through my fingertips so quickly!

Crazy.

In other news, Grace started up dance again this year at a new studio.

Yesterday was her first class and it seems like all is going well.

She gets to do some tap this time and boy does she love those tap shoes.

The weeks since school has started have been full and busy.

Busier than I expected, but it's good for me.

Adam and I are looking forward to the Rascal Flatts concert with Sarah Evans Friday night at Usana Amphitheater.

We scored free tickets from Usana.

I'm liking date night, especially now that life is so much more structured and routine!

If you haven't noticed in my ramblings for this post- I'm a little scrambled and apparently it's been a while since we've been in a steady routine.

First Day of Kindergarten

Yesterday was a good day- the first day of Kindergarten
for Grace.

Grace was really excited and as soon as her friend Maycie showed up at the bus stop, all was right with the world and she was off!

Adam and I were at the bus stop- camera in hand, along with all the other parents sending their young ones off.

I love this neighborhood.

It's been nothing but good for us and it's full of really good people that we love.

It was fun to see so many kids at the bus stop that we know and families that we love. That definitely helped ease the nerves know there were plenty of older kids who Grace knows that were there 'just in case'.

We followed the bus to school.

We waited to see Grace off into the school when the bell rang.

Let me just say, Grace rocked those red boots and the first day of Kindergarten.

She came smiling and happy off of the bus after school.

We finished off the afternoon making zucchini bread and playing Curious George games on the computer.

Today Grace was up early and ready to roll it again.

I'm so grateful the day went well and she even made a new friend at recess, which I was so relieved that she found someone to play with and that she is stepping out of her comfort zone a little in social settings.
School is good and exciting.

This new stage of life is interesting- when did I become the parent and not the teacher!?!

I'm just so glad to be experiencing this and that Kindergarten was a hit the first day.

Fingers crossed for the days to come.

Great job GRACE!!!

We love you!!!