I 've realized I blog a lot more when my blog is set on private, so that's where it's going.  I think I have everyone's email I had before, now you will just need to sign in.   If not let me know.

Time got away from me and Christmas activity overwhelmed my blogging mind.

So instead of trying to catch up all at once, I will try to do it little by little.  

Here is malia on her first birthday.   If I had to define joy, I'd draw her face.  She fills my heart to the brim with happiness.  Thanks for coming to us Malia!

Nine Years

We celebrated our anniversary last weekend and went up to Park City. I admit I wanted diamonds but only got squares.  We went skiing at the canyons(not recommended, ever) because we had free passes. We arrived pretty late, ate lunch, then spent the remainder of the day skiing down the only two runs they had open.  I really enjoyed just getting away and having fun with Wes. After that we went to Grub Steak, soo good food, soo good entertainment.  

We picked the kids up the next day, (thanks jim and julie for watching the kiddos) and then headed to a christmas party at my Moms.  We also got to see the lights this weekend at Temple Square which the kids loved. We bundled them up in all their snow gear till they had a hard time walking.  Morgan loved the "space room" where the Christus stands, Carson enjoyed getting to walk around the temple and Malia just stared in awe at the lights, making soft little noises every once in a while.  It was definitely worth taking them.  I wish I had taken my camera, but got some pics on my phone-I will try to post those soon.

Malia is about 9 1/2 months now and is a fast little crawler. She loves crawling up the stairs and loves to get right in with whatever Morgan and Carson are playing. She and Morgan have such a sweet little bond.  I took Malia in for her well check and they had to prick her heal for a routine hemoglobin check. She cried and cried.  After calming her down a bit I looked over at Morgan who had his head buried in his coat.  He was quietly sobbing along with little Malia.   He looked up and simply said. "when she hurts, I hurt."  He has such a tender little heart. He treats her so sweetly, making sure she doesn't put anything in her mouth, telling her what a pretty little baby she is and he even makes a little heart shape with his hands to her when he leaves.  She in turn, loves to laugh at him and give him kisses.

 He noticed all her little bows and flowers and wanted to put them in her hair. All of them. So we did! then we put her in a pot.

It was also fun to see her stare in bewilderment at the lights we put up, so we let her examine them a little more closely.  For now, our tree is decorated, with all the ornaments on the top half of the tree.

Giving Thanks

I believe it's by no accident that Thanksgiving precedes Christmas. As if it were a preperatory holiday, filling my heart with gratitude for the many blessings that I have been given as we roll into the holidays.

I admit that Thanksgiving does bring some anxiety. Maybe it's just the fact that a good portion of  my Thanksgiving dinners were spent away from home at soccer tournaments in Las Vegas. Many a turkey dinner came from the buffet table at Excalibur where I was aptly entertained by the sound of slot machines the smell of cigarettes and waiters calling me honey.  Even though I was with some good friends, it made me realize how much I valued this holiday with my family.  Even more so, it made me realize that Thanksgiving more or less became a feeling in my heart, regardless of where I was or who I celebrated with.  

And I am thankful for that.

Around this time there also seems to come a better appreciation for religion in my life.  Of all things, this is one thing I am very grateful to have a knowledge of.  Without it, I would feel that accomplishment would have little value, morals would be a waste of time and hope would not exist.  I can't imagine a life in which the love and care of God was unknown to me, or had no real direction in which to steer my children and no incentive to progress spiritually.  It is the source of all my peace, love and confidence that there is great order and direction beyond this seemingly chaotic world.  Knowing this, and that all will be well in the end brings happiness to my soul. 

And I am most thankful for that.

 

(PICTURES: Thanksgiving Day and the annual family bare butsman 5k race.  Morgan was sooo excited for his first bike race and did the whole race on his bike.  Wes pushed carson and Malia in the stroller and I just tried to keep up. It was a very nice day.)

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So is it better to have a private blog or a public one? 

just another fine day at the spa.

Today went something like this. First, a new hair-do.I awoke to my fantastic three year old twisting my hair in knots, it is a habit and he does it while he's half awake, sneaking in my bed as not to wake me...needless to say I had 3 good knots to untangle. Next, the milk bath.  I was holding Malia above my head. need I say more.Following that, Morgan and Carson proceeded to play doctor, I, the patient. "At least I can lay down for a few minutes," I thought.  Morgan took the blood pressure toy and said he needed to do CTR on me.  So he took out his toy chainsaw and proceeded to cut my leg off.  Luckily he had to rush to the potty and left Carson in charge.  He yelled from the potty, "Carson!  I need you to giver her the electric shock while I'm gone!" So Carson did, and I pretended to cry out in pain.  Morgan came back and said, "did you give her the shock?"  Carson said,  "yes but it hurt."  Morgan said, "well you forgot to put it on the no pain level!" Then they were nice enough to give me a back massage.  This is where they walk up and down on my back (which actually feels pretty good). Then Morgan made lunch while I was nursing and was so proud of his PB and honey sandwich.  (Which also showed up on 18 different spots on the kitchen floor.) He had also managed to make chocolate milk using chocolate syrup and pouring it into the gallon of milk. Also, being the kind brother he is, poured a whole bowl of the syrup for Carson who, of course, had it all over his face.  How else do you eat chocolate syrup from a bowl? I even got to stay in my jammies the whole day. We are all getting over sickness. again. It is so physically draining esp. when I am lucky enough to get whatever bug they caught at school last week- which I did-But more so it is emotional draining- wondering if they are ok, and how I am going to get three kids to the doctor this week, and realizing getting myself to the doc isn't happening in the near future.  I am just glad the worst I felt was on Sunday, when Wes was home to help.  Otherwise it's enough just trying to keep my head out of the water for another day, (and I'm hoping that day brings us all feeling better.)