Christmas Card 2012

I was so proud of myself for getting the majority of our Christmas cards out by December 2nd this year. It's amazing the things you can accomplish when you aren't puking your guts out like I was last year at this time. This week though, I've had 3 friends text me and ask why they hadn't received a card.. The thing is I KNOW for a fact they were sent in that December 2nd batch.

Grrrrrr.....so annoying!

So, if you didn't receive a card and I usually send you one AND you still really want one...please let me know.

Otherwise...just enjoy it here:

Dear Parker

Dear second born,

8 years ago I was trying to sleep. I knew that the morning of the 16th I would be headed to the hospital for an induction. My due date was Christmas Day. Doctor Maughn asked me if I wanted to have you early and I was quick to tell him Y.E.S! (Nowadays having a baby a full 2 weeks early for no medical reason is not allowed!) The timing was absolutely perfect. Daddy could finish up his law finals and have a full 3 weeks off to help me and spend plenty of time to love and dote on us both. I was so anxious and nervous and uncomfortable all night. I tossed and turned for what felt like an eternity. I couldn't wait to see what you looked like, if you resembled Dallin, had hair or not, and I was anxious to see that you were strong and healthy. Our tiny apartment was ready for your arrival. We didn't have a room for you because Dallin was in the second bedroom and we didn't want the both of you to share. Dallin was such a horrible sleeper and we were worried that you would keep him up all night. We had a little pack and play set up in our room and some baskets of diapers and clothes lined up against the wall. We didn't need much. We were so over the moon about you joining our family.

After a very easy and comfortable 8 hour labor you came into this world kicking and screaming. A BIG 8.6 pounds, 21 inches and lots of hair with the cord wrapped around your neck a couple of times. Luckily your screaming quickly assured me that you were just fine. I kept thinking about how HUGE you would have been had we waited until Christmas Day!  I was absolutely in love the moment I laid my eyes on you. I kept saying over and over, "He is SO CUTE!" "Did you see how CUTE he is?"

Dallin wasn't so sure about you at first. He wouldn't touch you with his hand for a good 2 weeks. ☺
We brought you home to our little apartment, with our little Christmas tree up, our 4 little stockings hanging above the window and Swedish candles glowing. We stayed home in Spokane that Christmas. It was our first Christmas by ourselves. Mommy made Daddy a blanket. Daddy wrote Mommy a letter. Dallin got a tricycle. And we had you. As I would hold you and rock you I felt so close to the spirit. You reminded me what the true meaning of Christmas was. It wasn't about gifts and cards and all of the hustle and bustle. It was about a tiny baby.....our Savior Lord and King. It was a magical and sacred Christmas that I will treasure forever.

 To quote a line from a favorite Amy Grant song. (Yes....I am dating myself I guess.) "Oh, how the years go by....Oh, how the love brings tears to my eyes." Seeing you as a tiny baby and thinking about your life and how much joy and love I have for you brings me to tears. You are such an incredible individual. You are stubborn, strong, a leader and a dedicated friend. You can be the sweetest boy on the planet one minute and the biggest stinker the next. You try my patience, press my buttons, and know how to schmooze me like no other. You are talented. School, sports, music.... you excel at whatever you put your mind to.

I can hardly believe that you are 8 years old now. This is a big birthday for you. You are going to be baptized in January. You are so excited and so prepared. I know that your Heavenly Father is proud of you and proud of your decision. I'm so excited to sit back and watch you take flight in this life. You continue to teach me things each and every day. It is an absolute privilege and honor to be your Mom. (Or Momma...as you used to call me a few years back.)

I love and adore you son. Happy Birthday.

Enjoying each moment.....

Holy Moly! This month is just zipping by. I feel like I'm running around going 90 mph trying to get everything done! It has been one exhausting week....physically and emotionally. Hearing about the horrific events that took place in Connecticut really hit me hard. I have had a hard time sleeping, I can't stop thinking about if something like that happened to my kindergartner...or any of my children for that matter.

Events like this make me thankful for the gospel in my life. I'm scared about the world that my kids will grow up in. As much as I want to shelter them and protect them I know that these are the things that we have been warned about. I know that I can do all I can do and create a Christ centered home...a refuge from the world. My heart goes out to those sweet innocent children and those heroic teachers. I'm reminded yet again that each day should be a treasured gift with the ones we love.

This week was a crazy one. We got our neighbor gifts out. We wrapped up some chocolate and put a cute tag on them. I made the boys wear Santa hats and Landon wore some Rudolf ears. They looked SO cute! Dallin was NOT liking it at all. Hehe. I'm just the meanest mom in the world. The boys delivered the gifts and wished everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Wednesday the kids had their Christmas sing-a-long. I was very proud of my boys. We also decorated tree boughs which was really neat. The gym smelled of fresh pine trees....such a wonderful smell. One of these years we'll get a real tree again...brings back so many memories!

There were SO many people in the gym....a little sister wasn't liking all of the noise so she snuggled up to her daddy.

 Parker had his last game of the fall season. His team has played SO well....we've decided to have the team play up a grade level starting in January. These 2md graders are pretty incredible! We're excited to see them actually face some decent teams. Parker made a buzzer beater 3 pointer at the end of his game on Saturday. I was screaming like a crazy lady! SO much fun!

Landon loves to play with his twin friends Brigham and Brighton on the sidelines during the games.

 I simply adore watching these 2 coach our kids. They take the role very seriously. They sure love these kids and it will be fun to watch them continue next season. Or I guess the next 2 seasons! This is some serious commitment I tell ya!

 EE came up this weekend. She came to the game and wanted to be here for Parker's birthday!

Parker's birthday party was on Saturday. He wanted to be just like Dallin and go bowling.

Can't believe that my boy is 8. A post for him tomorrow.......

Sleeping in heavenly peace

Here is my sweet naked baby, (well, with a diaper on), wrapped in the softest blanket ever, made with love from her Great Grandma EE.

My sweet girl is growing so quickly. Her beauty amazes me on a daily basis. Her sweet pouty lips, soft skin, and long eyelashes just captivate me. I could stare at her forever.

There have been so many times where I just watch her sleep, dance with her in my arms and breathe in her sweet smells. I wish I could stop time.

People always told me there there was something special about little girls. I never believed them. I always thought that babies were babies. They are all sweet but now I know. It is a sweetness that can't even be put into words.

This little girl has changed me. She has changed this family. She is my miracle.

UGLY SWEATER time!!!

We've lived in Idaho Falls now for 2 and a half years now. It is hard to believe sometimes. This year we wanted to throw an ugly sweater party like we used to do back in the Boise days. We decided to invite some of our favorite people that we have met since moving here. We had friends from church, friends from sports, Nate's family, friends that used to be in our ward and have now moved and even some friends that USED to be our neighbors back in Boise who have since moved here! Unfortunately a few couples couldn't make it but we still had almost 20 people come! It was a sweet meshing of people and we all had a fabulous evening. 

We had a chocolate fountain, yummy treats, crazy music, HIDEOUS sweaters, ridiculous white elephant gifts, and OVER THE TOP games! It was one of my all time favorite moments since we moved here...I haven't laughed this hard in a VERY. LONG. TIME.

 

I'm so grateful for great friends which have become the family that we have needed over here. 

Throwing a crazy party....that's how I say thanks for all they do for me. 

☺