Things I am grateful for....

There are so many things that I am grateful for, we really do have such a blessed life.  These are in no particular order.

1.  Brothers - These two fight like cats and dogs and drive me crazy somedays but I know they share an amazing bond that I will never fully understand.  They can mess with each other all day long but someone else starts and it is not ok.  I am not sure there is any bond quite like brothers!

2.  Mothers and Sons - I always wanted a daughter, until I had my boys.  I know I would love a little girl but there is nothing quite like the relationship a mother has with her son.  Little boys are tough on the exterior but nothing can make them feel better than their moms, there is just something about boys and the love they feel for their mamas.  Just ask my husband,  I am very happy he has such a wonderful love for his own mother.

3.  Fathers and Sons - When I see my oldest son look at his father and believe that he is the most perfect human being on the planet and strive to be exactly like him, it melts my heart.  My boys believe that their father does no wrong and that is how it should be.  I know one day my husband and his sons will be best friends!

4.  Pets -Our pets are a huge part of our family.  I cannot imagine my life without my dogs.  Both my boys came home from the hospital to my oldest dog, Kasey.  It will be a very hard day when she is gone.  They are our fur children and we love them just as much as the rest of our family members!

5.  Husbands - I love this man so much!  I knew I loved from the time I was 15.  He is really such a wonderful, caring husband and father and I am so lucky to have him.  Not to mention he is a great handi-man to have!  His hands on skills when it comes to motors and welding amaze me everyday.  He is what one may consider a "man's man" and it not in the least bit romantic, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

6.  Extended Family - Without the support of my family and my in-laws, I am not sure I could do most of the things I do.  I love all these people so much and cannot imagine my life without a single one of them.  We may not always see eye to eye on situations and we may battle at times, but they are our family and we love all of them.  I have a huge appreciation for each one of them and all that they do.

 7.  Cousins - I love that my kids are so close and such good friends with all of their cousins.  I wasn't real close to my cousins growing up and I wish I had been.  In fact, I barely know any of them to this day.  I know my boys will carry on a special relationship with their cousins forever.

8.  My home - It is small and old, but I love my little home!  I keep wanting to get a bigger one and I am sure we will someday but man there is alot of memories in this house.  It is my home and it has provided us many good times over the years.

9.  Friends - I have some really, really great friends!  I didn't post a picture because I don't have one that includes them all and I feel like it should.  My friends help me cope with the stress of everyday life and I have cried on their shoulders more than once.  Sometimes it is just because I am mad at my husband and sometimes it is just because I am mad at my kids and sometimes it is just because I am mad at myself for being mad at my husband and kids. For whatever the reason is, they help me get through that moment and I am so grateful for all of them!!

When Rylan made out his thankful list at church he included books, bugs, flowers, school and water.  I love how simple those things are yet how much they fill the lives of children.  When I think about all the things I am thankful for I try and remember the simple things too.

Hope you have a happy and blessed 2012.  Happy New Year!!

Christmas 2011

We had such a good Christmas this year!  Jace has really been going back and forth on what he believes with Santa Claus.  I finally sat him down this year and explained to him that although there isn't any one Santa Claus, as parents we are all Santas helpers and that Santa is hope, joy and belief in something you can't see.  He seemed even more confused about it than ever so I just told him that around here, we like to believe!  He seems to go back and forth on believing.  One minute he says he knows Santa isn't real and the next he says he is pretty sure he heard Santa on the rooftop.  His grandma caught him cuddled up in a bed hugging a Santa Claus, crying.  I think he is really struggling with wanting to believe and knowing the truth.

Rylan of course still believes but he is such a logical thinker he told me that he knows for a fact the reindeer are not real because, "deer don't fly."  I think by next year he will have it all figured out, it is just the type of personality he has.

Jace finally came in and woke us up at 5:30 AM, I wasn't happy but agreed to get up.  Once up, we realized someone had messed with our alarm clock and it was actually only 4:30 AM.  Once the boys saw what Santa brought them, we all crashed until Uncle Tyrel and Aunt Julie came to open presents with us at 7 AM.  It was nice to get to fall back to sleep.

We had Josh's family Christmas on Saturday and then my parent's and our own on Sunday.  It was so nice to not have to run all day on Christmas this year!

Christmas programs

We had a couple of Christmas programs this year that the boys got to be in.  The first one was at Rylan's school and it was so cute.  Rylan's music teacher use to be a professional musician and the man is the most passionate person about music I have ever seen.  And man does he love those kids!  He and another professional musician friend of his wrote a song and designed a dance to it, it was called the Reindeer Dance.  I have tried to post it on here but the video is just to long.  Rumor is... they are going to be professionally recording the song and music video and will use the 1st and 2nd graders of Homedale Elementary.  We are so excited for Mr. Savell!!

The second program was the boys program through the church.  The boys both got to be Shepherds and were really, really cute!  My favorite was the little one and two year old farm animals, they made the whole program!!

Two VIP's in one day

I got a letter from the school that both my boys were going to get to be VIP's on the same Friday.  How lucky is that?!  Josh was able to only have to take one lunch off to come and eat with the boys.  I was so proud of both of them. 

Jace really started out struggling this year in math and after a few meetings with his teacher and many nights of endless math problems, he has improved immensly.  In fact, he has passed many of the kids in his class.  Once it clicked for him, it was all over from there :)  He is such a good kid with an energy most kids don't have :)

Rylan is doing very well, he always scores very high on his reading and math.  School comes very easy for him and I hope he continues to love it so much!

2 year anniversary!!

Two years ago this month I quit smoking!  I believe that although it was one of the hardest things I have ever done, it was the best decision I have ever made (besides my children :)).  I know that not only was it the best decision for me but also the best decision for anyone who cares about me (which I like to believe is a lot :)).  Watching someone you care about die from lung cancer or Emphysema is not fun for anyone, especially the one dying.  Most importantly though,  I hope that this decision affects my boys the most and they will choose to not smoke because neither Josh or I do.

One fun fact is that I have saved $3285.00 by not smoking these past two years, I have also added 3 years back on to my life.  This is by far my greatest accomplishment!

A new endeavor...

I am both super duper excited about this and sick to my stomach nervous!

 In a couple of weeks I get to start volunteering at West Valley Medical Center in Caldwell.  I will be there every Monday from 8:30-12:30 and I get to work in Labor and Delivery, ICU and Women's Unit.  I will be running things for the nurses and checking to see if patients need blankets, snacks, water, etc.  AND after I have been there a few months they will put me in ER as well.

I am so excited to get to be around what I am going to college to do and I am also excited to get my foot in the door with West Valley.  I really want to work there when I get my RN and I have been told this not only looks really good for my application to the Nursing program but also really good for employment with them. 

One thing I learned is you do not just walk in and start volunteering... there are background checks, blood tests, interviews and a 4 hour orientation you have to go through and that is all before you even start.  I will have to train for a couple of weeks and then will be on my own to volunteer away. 

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to volunteer my time and this seems like the perfect fit!

Searching for our Christmas tree

There was lots of sledding!

 There was a friendly game of see if Josh can throw the cheetos into his sister's mouth.

 There was snowman building.

There were self-portraits.

There was the search for the perfect tree.

Someone was seriously tired on the way home, obviously not the dog!

And someone is never tired.

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of our trees.  I will take one of ours here at the house and put it on here.