My Little Man

Today my little man turns 7 years old. I can hardly believe it! Where has the time gone? He's growing up WAY too fast and I know all too soon he'll be headed out on a mission. But for now, I'm just going to love my little boy! Here are just a few things that I love about my Josh man:


1. He is a mama's boy! He LOVES to hug and kiss me and tells me about 100 times a day that he loves me! What a sweetie! I ask him if he will always be my little man and he assures me he will.

2. He is a BUNDLE of energy. Sometimes he has a little TOO much energy, but then I stop and think how grateful I am that he's healthy and able to run around.

3. He has a VERY tender heart! He loves everyone and treats them with kindness. His teacher this year (Miss Webster, who is AMAZING!) tells me all the time how he's nice to the "not so popular" kids. She even tears up when she talks about Josh. I am so proud of him.

4. He is GOOD! Now, by NO means is he perfect! He does love to tease his big sister and cause mischief. But he is a great little helper, is obedient most of the time and tries to do what's right.

5. I love the way he prays. The past few months Greg and I have noticed that his prayers have started to be more meaningful. For example, the past 2 weeks he has prayed that Grandpa Wally and the twin brothers will be safe with Heavenly Father. How cute is that?

I could go on and on for days about him, but suffice it to say ... I LOVE MY JOSHY! He (and his sisters) are such a miracle in my life! When I saw his amazing little face 7 years ago on Christmas Eve, my heart melted! He was THE best Christmas gift that I have ever received! I am eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for helping him to come to our family and I thank him every day for the blessing of being Josh's mom.

I love you buddy! Happy birthday!

Mom

A Man Who I Love With All of My Heart

Today we lost a man who I love with all of my heart ... my Grandpa Wally. I am sad beyond words, but know that he is in a much better place and his suffering has come to an end.

My grandpa meant, and will always mean, the world to me. He lovingly gave all of us nicknames and mine were "Jilly Bean" and "light of my life." I can still hear him say, "Hello sweetheart!" every time we saw each other.

To list the hundreds of memories that I have with him would take days, but here are a few of my favorites:

- Camping at Wasatch
- Getting him a diet coke and having him offer me a sip for a kiss
- Spending one on one time with them in St. George
- Watching the way that he adored my Grandma
- Listening to him sing "Happy Birthday"
- Having sleepovers at their house when I was younger
- Having him "crack the egg" on my knee

and many, many more! He and Grandma have been a HUGE part of my life ... always making an effort to be at the important events, sending cards or making phone calls, and above all else ... showing unconditional and unending love for all of us AND for each other.

I am so grateful to have had him in my life for all of these years. I'm grateful that my kids got to know and love him as I do. I'm thankful for his incredible example of devotion and faith.

I love you Grandpa!

Neighbor Gifts 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I'm shocked to realize that November has come and gone and here we are ... December 2nd already!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are grateful for all of the blessings that we have enjoyed in 2009! We were with my mom this year and she hosted 43 people for dinner! It was wild and crazy, but lots of fun and very delicious! Unfortunately I didn't really get any pictures, so the memories will just have to live on in my mind. Of course, what would Thanksgiving be without a little shopping on Friday. NO! We did NOT get up at the crack of dawn, but instead decided that we preferred sleep over sales this year! Then of course, the annual Family Christmas Party! It was a great weekend and fun to be in Salt Lake again.

Then it was back to reality - unpacking suitcases, 7 loads of laundry, dragging out the Christmas decor, school and homework, planning Josh's bday party, etc., etc. So, Monday night we let the kids have at the Christmas tree. (Shhh ... don't tell them, but I rearranged their work. I know, I know, I should have left it, but I couldn't sit and stare and 12 bells all clumped together in a 12 inch square. Children ... please forgive me if you are reading this someday!) It's so fun to have 3 stockings hanging from the mantle this year!



To really get us into the spirit of the holidays we had Greg's work party last night. I can't believe that he's already worked for SJ&R for almost 11 years! It's lots of fun to get together with everyone and see how their families have grown. The food was delish, the company great and the most exciting part ... SANTA made an appearance! Now ... some of you may not "believe" in Santa anymore, but I'm telling you what, this guy is the REAL deal! He comes every year, let's the kids AND adults answer questions and has THE most amazing costume and beard of any Santa around!

During Santa's question time, Josh raised his hand and humbly asked if he was on the good list or the bad list. (How cute is that?) Santa told him that he's mostly been on the good list and Josh's face lit up! Whew! Good news from the big man himself! Kate got to be Santa's helper and hand him the gifts. Everyone had a good chuckle when her gift was the 2nd one out of the bag! She was quick to point out that she didn't do it on purpose. Hmmm! And of course the highlight of the night was when Eme got to sit on Santa's lap for the first time. She immediately grabbed his beard and quickly found out that it was real AND attached! Sorry Santa!

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy your holiday season!

Halloween 2009

Pumpkin Waffles

SO ... I LOVE all things Pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin cookies and now ... Pumpkin Waffles. My cute friend and sister-in-law DeDee shared this recipe with me and we tried it last night. We didn't get to try the syrup yet because I didn't have cream, but the waffles were a HIT! I must admit ... we tossed in a few chocolate chips. Mmm, mmm, good! So, ENJOY!

Pumpkin Waffles

2 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
4 T. butter, melted
1/2 c. canned pumpkin

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, butter and pumpkin. Slowly add to dry mix. Cook in waffle iron.

Sinful White Syrup

1 c. heavy cream
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Stir over low heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Do not boil. Remove from heat and cool slightly. Place in blender and blend on low until blended. Serve over waffles or pancakes. Refrigerate any leftover syrup.

Pumpkin Carving 2009

Weekend Fun

It's been a busy, but fun weekend! It all started on Friday night with 7 kids under the age of 9. YIKES! Sounds scary, right? Believe it or not it wasn't too bad. In fact, it was quite fun. I had 3 of my nephews and 1 niece over for pizza, movies and a sleepover. My saving grace ... having Greg and Nana by my side. Thanks guys for a fun time!




This has been a week of firsts for Miss Eme Grace - first cold & cough, first time eating rice cereal (which she LOVES!) and BIG NEWS ... she rolled over!


Today was the kids' Primary program. It was so much fun to be in the audience this year and actually see the kids faces as they sang and gave their parts. Kudos to the kids and a special thanks to the AMAZING Primary Leaders.

One final thought - As I sat in church today and looked down into this precious face, I thought back to a year ago. We were losing hope that baby #3 would ever join our family. We prayed and hoped, and prayed some more. We thanked our Heavenly Father every day for Kate and Josh and felt truly blessed to be their parents. But something kept telling us that there was one more. That we shouldn't give up. That our prayers WOULD be answered.


Those days seem so long ago now and I am savoring each and every smile, cry, late night feeding and diaper change because I know how fast they go by. In just a few months Kate will be turning 10 and I can hardly believe it. So, when there are those days, and we ALL have them, I stop and think back to those days so many years ago when I didn't have a little one to love, let alone THE 3 cutest kids ever! I love you Kate, Josh and Eme!

Fall Break

Sorry for all of the posts today. That's what happens when it's fall break for the kids and I have a minute or two to breath.

Yesterday we decided to head to the park with the Jorgensens and Milnes. It was a GORGEOUS day and we had a LOT of fun! The kids played for a while and then decided to help "save the planet" by picking up garbage. This was completely their idea. They even named themselves the "Green Team." Then we headed to Jimmy Johns for lunch. We're pretty sure the rest of the patrons were glad when they saw us leaving the restaurant, but hey ... where can 3 moms and 10 kids go for lunch? Not many places that won't kick us out!

I am so grateful that my kids have such good friends and glad that I LOVE their moms, too. Thanks for a fun, fun day!

Annual Cousin Weekend

Every year, Greg's brother and his family spend their UEA with us in SG. It's a weekend that we all look forward to. The kids all get along really well, which makes for a nice relaxing weekend.

This year we hit the movie theater to see "Sunny With a Chance of Meatballs," ordered pizza, watched General Conference and just "hung out." As always, it was a LOT of fun! Thanks for coming down you guys! We love you!

Eme Grace - 4 months old

It's unbelievable but true ... Eme Grace is 4 months old! She now weighs a hefty 13 lbs. 13 oz. and is almost 24 inches long! She coos and giggles, loves to lay on her tummy and push up, will put ANYTHING in her mouth, and has recently discovered that she has toes. She loves to take a bath, be held and smiles at EVERYONE! She is a VERY good baby and we love her beyond imagination. What a blessing and a miracle! Here's a few recent pics of her.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

School Days

I'm incredibly grateful that this is how we spend most of our afternoons ... homework and snacks. Simple, but good.

Fall Soccer

It's that time of year again ... Soccer Season! And for the first time Kate is playing fall soccer, too! So most Saturdays we spend a few hours watching games, but we love it. Go White Panthers and Blue Lightning!

Raptor Romp

Last night was the annual "Raptor Romp" at the kids' school. The kids look forward to this every year. It's our biggest PTA fundraiser and each grade learns a dance. The whole family comes, has pizza and drinks and sits on the grass while we watch the dances. It's a lot of fun!

Kate is LOVING school this year and was pretty excited for her "performance." You'll notice that she reminds the other kids of what they should be doing. That's my girl ... helpful (and maybe just a tad bit bossy ... wonder where she gets that from!) Great job sis! We're proud of you!


I LOVE how happy she looks here.


Three cute girls ... Kate, Kenna and Kaylee

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Josh could hardly wait for his dance. All week he's been practicing for the big night. He kept saying, "Mom, I just LOVE my dance!" And anyone who knows my boy, knows that he's got some moves! Way to go buddy! You did GREAT!


Totally excited for the big show.


How handsome are they? Jake and Josh ... the dynamic duo

Make a Smilebox slideshow