Black Friday...

Yup. That is me. 4:00 a.m. in front of Kohls. We were one of the first "crazy women" in the door and were in and out in less than an hour. My shopping is so done. I even managed to pick up a few things for myself. I figured Santa would be happier if I just picked out my own gifts. I talked my mother-in-law and 2 sister-in-laws into braving the crowds with me. They had never been and were amazed at how many people actually got up that early for a good deal. It was well worth getting up early and I even got a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from McDonalds out of it. Christmas time is officially here!

Perspective...

It is amazing how out of focus I get at this time of year. Starting mid-November I am already making lists and picking up things for the kids to put away for Christmas. It seems to consume me! I spend hours googling the latest fad in toys for kids and get excited when I see something that I know they will love. For me, that is part of the fun of this time of year.

Last night we put up our tree. It was such a JOY for me to watch the kids work together to place to ornaments in "just the right spot". Yes, it is in serious need of some adjusting, but I couldn't bring myself to move a single ornament last night. They seemed so out of place yet so perfectly placed because they were put there by my sweet childrens hands.

Tyler just forwarded me the link to this story about an 11 year old boys dying wish. Feed the homeless. Stories like this are what this season is all about. Giving. I am grateful for examples, like this one, that truly help give me perspective! Enjoy.

*** Sorry, you will have to cut and paste the link. I am not sure how to do anything other than that! It is worth your time, I promise!!! ***

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=10831031

Dolly Parton on my Playlist????

Wondering why I have added Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers to my music playlist? Simply for old times sake. My fondest memories of this time of year as a child are Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers...singing us to sleep or loudly waking us up. My mom thought that it was funny to blast that music when we were kids. Looking back, it actually was kind of funny! I love this time of year and the music that fills my home! We are into Amy Grant Christmas - my favorite!

What are your favorite Christmas CD's? We are looking to add a few to our selection and would appreciate any suggestions.

Happy listening!

DANG IT ALL!!!

Well, it is over and we lost. Too bad. Maybe next year we will turn the ball over less and pull off the upset. Heather S., I want no comments from you at church tomorrow! :)

Happy Birthday Little Buddy!

Today my Austin turned 2. He has the nickname "monster" at our house and for good reason. He woke up this morning with a big smile on his face before heading to the top of the stairs to throw toys and add dents to the already dented walls! It was like he knew that today was his day. We celebrated this morning with TRIX cereal before the kids were off to school. From there Austin and I headed to Target for a mid-morning snack of popcorn and a drink as we went to find him some new shoes. With success in the shoe department we headed home to make cupcakes. We had lunch with Nick and Daddy before taking a good 3 hour nap to ready ourselves for the rest of the celebration! Grandpa and Grandma Holland drove down from Logan and Grandma Jo came with Aria and Laila to join us for some germ filled fun at McDonalds. The night was completed with presents and cupcakes and ice cream. A wonderful day for my sweet 2 year old!

Austin is so full of love and life. He loves Kylee and Nick but is certainly attached to Tyler and I which we love most of the time. He makes me laugh and smile all of the time. I love this age as kids learn to verbalize their thoughts and it is so funny to hear! He jabbers non-stop and I am beginning to understand some things. I cannot image my life without him. His toothy grin always makes me smile and we are so grateful that he is one of ours! Happy Birthday Buddy!

Note to Self:

Dear Self,

You are an idiot. Take the Zofran, every 4 hours, and be grateful that it helps you not puke. The baby is fine. You have seen it twice in the last two weeks. Tell that brain of yours to CHILL OUT. Your kids need you to be somewhat healthy so please, take the medication.

Love,

Self

Sick, Sick, Sick....

So, I am going to use my blog for a little venting today. I woke up at 4 o'clock this morning puking and it hasn't stopped. For some reason the little thing growing inside of me is really giving me a run for my money this time around. The saltine crackers and Sprite are getting old and the Zofran doesn't seem to be working. My kids are glued to the T.V. because I don't feel well enough to entertain them any other way. I am counting down the weeks until I USUALLY feel better but this pregnancy has been very unusual for me so far! Yikes! I have laundry scattered all over my family room floor that will hopefully be put away before bedtime. My sweet husband scrubbed toilets with the kids this weekend so at least my bathrooms are clean. As I write I can hear laughter in the other room as the kids are playing with their friends...I am grateful for the distraction for a minute!

It is funny how I forgot how miserable pregnancy can be. With all that said I consider myself so blessed to be carrying another child. The nausea, vomitting, and weight gain are all incredibly worth it though that is hard to admit right now! So, I am off to order pizza...that is as good as it gets tonight!

I think I am crazy...

So, I had my first doctors appointment yesterday and all is well. For me, that is a HUGE sigh of relief. I am a bit psycho and constantly worry that something might go wrong...any of you who know me well are not suprised a bit! I have been really sick with this pregnancy and finally gave in and asked for medication to help with the nausea. The doctor gave me Zofran (thank goodness we have great prescription coverage) and I took it last night. I think it helped and made me feel great. I woke up this morning and wasn't feeling nauseated at all. So, I cried and called Tyler to tell him that I couldn't take the medicine anymore. Why? Because if I am not puking and feeling like crap there is no reassurance that I am actually prego - at least that is what I tell myself. Make sense? Probably not. The moral of the story is that I am truly crazy because I would rather walk around feeling like I am going to puke than take the medication that actually makes me feel normal. Oh the joys of an anxiety stricken pregnant woman! Becky J., you and I should seriously be admitted to the same mental hospital! :)

It's a good thing I drive a minivan!!!!

Why, you might ask? Because come this June our minivan will be quite full. Yes, that is right, we are expecting baby #4 in early June. I cannot bring myself to put a count down on the blog quite yet, it makes the process feel way too long! We have our first doctors appointment tomorrow so we will cross our fingers that all is well. The kids are way excited and are already having the boy vs. girl fight - I am secretly hoping for a girl but will take what I can get! Here's to nausea, vomitting, and weight gain...yippee!!!

Oh to be 18 again...

TODAY is Kelsey's 18th Birthday! She is the baby of the family and we love her! For her birthday we wanted to put together a book of advice. So, I am asking all of my blogging friends and stalkers to give me your thoughts. Think back to when you were 18 years old, graduating from High School, dating the school football star, moving onto college, leaving home, etc.

What advice do you have for my little sister???

Leave your comments below and we will type them and put them in a book to give to her. We thought it would be fun for her to read. Thanks for your help!

Good times...

It is moments like these that make me smile as a mother. My son has an absoulte obsession with Utah State athletics. He inherited the love of the AGGIES from his dad which has lead to basketball and football season tickets. We were at the basketball ticket office making a ticket exchange (so Nick can spend the season sitting at the tunnel where the players come out) and we ran into Tai Wesley. He saw Nick's face light up when he recognized him and immediately approached him. He gave Nick his autograph and asked if he wanted to sit on his shoulders for a picture. Nick was in heaven! I loved watching him smile and be so thrilled! It was one of the "I am glad I am a mother" moments! I think we have a new favorite player! The JC Carrol jersey might have to be traded in for a Tai Wesley jersey.

My kids are truly blessed to have two fantastic sets of grandparents who love them dearly! Before the football game on Saturday the kids helped Grandpa and Grandma Holland rake the leaves! The finished product was a whole truck load that they jumped and played in forever. It is always fun to see them interact with their grandparents! I am grateful for those relationships and for the memories that are made. It was another moment that made me smile.

Halloween

We had a fun filled Halloween full of parties, parades, and trick or treating! The kids didn't even fight me on this year's costumes...total cost...$7.00!!! Thank goodness for Grandma's dress up closet and a borrowed monkey that was a tad bit to small. The kids loved their candy for about the first 2 hours - it is now hidden and there have been very few requests. I am thinking it needs to head to the garabage before I eat it all!

Nick the NINJA

Austin the MONKEY

Kylee the COWGIRL