Note to Self...

So I really don't know how to start this particular entry...just that I need to start it.
I will sit here with my laptop and just let my fingers type whatever comes to my mind.

My mind...for some reason that makes me laugh, like really out loud laughing.  My mind has been so full of EVERYTHING lately. It never sleeps.  I have thought after thought after thought...and those thoughts have become progressively sad and negative.  I usually have a pretty good grasp on those pesky thoughts and I push them away fairly easy...until recently.  It seems my positive and negative thoughts are battling for control.  I'm not going to lie, those negative thoughts sure win a lot lately.  For now, however, I feel the real Beck still has control and is being the fighter I have always been.

About ten years ago this all too familiar battle of my mind got extremely bad and the negative almost won.  The kind of winning where everyone I love loses.  I was severely depressed!  But why?  I had a 6 month old baby who was now healthy and thriving, an amazing marriage full of love and passion and understanding, and a seemingly great life.  But why was I so unhappy...no, it was deeper than just unhappy...I was devastated, both mind and body.  I had convinced myself that everyone in my life would be so much better off without having "imperfect Becky" around.  I know how silly it sounds now, but you need to understand that I was truly not in my right mind at times.  Not a single soul knew I felt this way. I never divulged these "inadequacies" to anyone I knew...not even my closest loved ones.

One morning, while my sweet baby boy slept, I sat in the bathroom thinking of the best way to end my life.  I couldn't stop crying as I had this last inner battle of positive and negative self-talk. Just as all positive thinking was about to lose for good, my baby began to coo in the next room.  That piece of me that was born to nourish and protect came to life and I put off my own internal battle for a moment.  I dried my tears and listened to my sweet baby try to communicate...to whom, I don't know.  But I am grateful for that ultimate tender mercy that slapped me back into reality...if only for a moment.

A few hours later, I had done all the housework, fed my family of 3 lunch and watched Elmo with my boy until he fell asleep.  I put him to bed and went to lay on my own bed.  I lay there staring at the ceiling and trying not to think when my husband walked in.  He sat on the bed to put on his shoes when I said to him, "I am depressed."  I didn't move my gaze at all from a tiny spot on the ceiling.  I didn't want to make eye contact or sense any type of disappointment at my lack of perfection...don't misunderstand, Corey has never made me feel like I have to be perfect; that all came from my own mind and genetics.

My amazing husband grabbed my hand and said, "What's going on?"  Tears poured from my eyes as I confessed all my feelings to him and never moving my gaze from that spot on the ceiling.  Finally, I turned to face him and saw nothing but love in his eyes as I said, "I need help."  A couple of days later I was sitting with my husband and a trained and trusted psychologist uncomfortably bearing my soul.  A huge burden was lifted as I realized I did not have to carry this awful burden of depression alone.  Corey was very protective of me for the next couple of weeks as I struggled to change my thinking and self-talk.  Eventually it was decided that I should be taking some form of anti-depressant to balance the chemistry in my brain.

Because of the stigma associated with mental illness, I was almost ashamed to start taking any pills.  But that little pill in the right dosage changed my life...in fact, it saved my life!  Once I could think clearly and feel like myself again, I determined to change the mental illness stigma in my own sphere of influence.  I did not hide the fact that I took an antidepressant or that I struggle with mental illness.  This was certainly not easy at first. I was embarrassed at "my inability to cope with life" but soon I began to notice that people trusted me with their own secrets of mental illness.  I was blown away at how many people I knew that have dealt with depression or anxiety in one form or another. It was empowering to be able to stand up for a cause and admit openly, "I am not perfect."  Sounds kind of silly, right? Here's the deal - it's only silly if you haven't been through it...and if you haven't fought such extreme sadness or fear, count it as a great blessing.

Now, please don't think I am saying you have to shout from the roof tops your weaknesses in order to overcome them, but for me being open about my bout with mental illness was a huge help.  I felt encircled about with love and no longer felt I was battling something so devastating all by myself.

I began to understand more fully the atonement of Jesus Christ like I never had before.  Alma 7:11 (in the Book of Mormon) was my life line to the Savior and what the Atonement really meant.  How I came to know that is a deeply meaningful experience to me....one that is between me and the Lord. {So, I guess I don't shout everything from the roof tops, huh?}

Why am I writing this 10 year later?  That's a great question...one that I have just now realized the answer to.  I sat down to right this bit of my life without knowing why, but knowing I had to get it on paper...so to speak.  In all honesty, I am dealing with some pretty deep sadness and anxiety again.  To be completely transparent, it's pretty bad! If the first battle with depression was a 10, this 2nd battle is a 6.  It's hard, debilitating, overwhelming, sad, miserable...and whatever other negative word you can think of.  See! That's the problem; the negative thinking gets so overpowering!

I guess I wrote this post to remind myself that I beat it once, so I can beat it again.  Or maybe it's to remind myself that I didn't beat this by myself last time so why should I expect to beat it alone this time.  There are many things I can learn from my past experience...I just needed a gentle reminder.

Here's to overcoming and coming off conqueror...again!  

My Raggedy Boy

I love this Raggedy Boy!  

This little guy isn't such a little guy anymore.  He is a tween...almost teen! Time truly flies...even though it doesn't feel like it when these kiddos are smaller.
Ethan hates getting his haircut so it gets SUPER long in between hair appointments.  This is a particularly long time and he has crazy long hair, but he likes it.  Weirdo!
Just to embarrass him (or embrace his childhood a little longer) I brought my camera and snapped a before and after shot!

My little raggedy boy cleans up nice huh?  

He is a dang cute kid, with an outstanding personality and love of life!  Ethan is growing so quickly and has a great grasp of the spirit and his emotions.  He is my tough guy who isn't afraid to cry...and I like that.  He likes having his momma around, even when she is nagging about homework.

I read a chapter book to Ethan every night. It's our thing.  We are currently reading the Percy Jackson Series that Aunt Kari got him for Christmas.  I love the one on one time I get to spend with him cuddled up to me every night.  My 11 year old will still cuddle me!  I think of when Ethan goes on a mission and I start to miss him already...is that normal?  I can barely let him go to an overnight scouting event without a break down.  I want to burst when I think of how much I love Ethan.  He is my first born. He taught me how to be a mom and he is still teaching me.  He MADE me a mom!  I am so blessed!


{If you don't know the television reference to Raggedy Boy (Raggedy Man), I just lost respect for you, but because you are reading these I still like you!}

Ethan and the Science Fair of 2014

Ethan has a great love of science!  I do everything I can to make sure he gets to use that love and talent whenever possible.  The Science Fair at his school is not a required event, but he always volunteers to participate.  Last year he didn't get the chance to participate and was crushed.  The year before that he participated as a 4th grader and had fun, but didn't place...and he was crushed.  I guess that participation ribbon wasn't enough. This year he wanted to try again.

Ethan decided to pick 5 fabrics (felt, flannel, cotton, knit, and corduroy) and figure out which one would burn the fastest.  He researched the composition of each fabric and decided that the felt fabric would burn faster because the composition was not cotton or wool...it's synthetic. Then we (yes, I helped with this part) lit each one on fire for one minute.  We did a little math and figured out the perimeter of the burnt section.  Genius, right?!  We had a lot of fun play Mythbusters.

After he did his presentation and talked with the judges, he was so excited and anxious to tell me and Corey how it went.  He said it went awesome and he was so excited for the assembly the next day. Corey and I (and Ellie) went to the assembly with Ethan and saw him accept an award for 3rd PLACE!!!  Then we learned that E gets to go and compete at the District Level!  To say Ethan was excited is a serious understatement!  He had the biggest smile on his face...and so did I!  I was beaming with pride!

When we finally got to hug him, he broke down and cried.  He was so excited that he just couldn't contain it!  Ethan works harder than most because he learns differently.  Sadly, he doesn't get this kind of confidence boost much at school so when he does he is overjoyed!  My sweet, sensitive boy! He cried openly without a care of who saw him...then I cried. It was such a great day!

I was so impressed with his teacher from last year; that she would come up to me and say, "Look at that smile!"  She knows how hard he has to work and she recognized his huge smile of confidence!  I love her for that!

Ethan came home this afternoon and said that the attention at school was getting old.  He just wanted everyone to "be quiet about it" after a while.  Not one for the spotlight, huh? He must get that part from his dad!

Asthma and the Utah Winter

Ellie has some nasty asthma!  Usually it's triggered by animal hair and pollen, but it gets really nasty in the smoggy Winter air.  Some news guy said it's like breathing mud for these little ones with breathing issues.  Ellie is pretty used to her nebulizer/steriod treatment, but it still makes me sad that she has to endure this daily (or more).

When she starts to cough and wheeze a lot, Ellie will grab the iPad and say, "Treatment, mom?" We start the machine (which is obnoxiously loud) and she plays Minecraft while breathing her medicated air.  This is a way of life for my baby right now.  Bring on spring...or we could move to Jamaica!  

Having a sister…

has truly been one of my greatest blessings.  My sister is my best friend.  We talk on the phone at least once a day...sometimes more.  Perhaps the closeness in our relationship is due in part to the fact that we are only 11 months apart.  We have always been in the same life stage together.  From teenage angst to the uncharted waters of marriage and motherhood, we have done it together. 

I look at my daughters and although having them close in age can be a challenge at times, they are so blessed to have each other.  Right now the moments of bliss and togetherness are fleeting, but as they grow older together and enjoy the same life stages like me and Kari they will form an unbreakable bond of love and friendship. 

Their husbands won’t understand their constant need to talk with one another about NOTHING.  Their friends (and in-laws) will scratch their heads at the random inside jokes they share.  These girls will always be surprised when they finish each other sentences or have the same thought at the exact same time.  They will show up at an event wearing the exact same thing…having not planned their wardrobes!  They will forever cherish the best friend that God gave them right in their own family!

There is this couple…

in my ward who always sits together.  That may not seem odd or out of place, but this sweet couple does not sit on a designated pew every week like most Mormon families.  She is our ward chorister and sits on the stand behind the organ and he joins her up there EVERY week.  I LOVE IT.  I notice it and admire their devotion.  That is a love like that cannot be faked, in my opinion.  A love like that is grown over years of trial and error and fierce devotion to one another.  Luckily I have a love like that!  It’s in the baby stages still, but I feel I am loved.  Not only am I loved, but I feel I have Corey’s whole heart!  I NEVER doubt his loyalty to me.  I am blessed!

Corey and I are not the mushy lovey-dovey type and neither of us would say our lives would be meaningless without the other, but our lives are definitely more complete with the other!  We don’t believe in a ONE true love, but we do believe in the deep and passionate love we feel for each other.  We don’t need to spend every waking moment with each other, but we love the waking moments we have together…and the quiet sleepy moments.  We don’t feel like we are like our married peers although we deeply respect others marriages and choices.  We don’t need to call each other every lunch hour.  We don’t say “I love you” every time we hang up the phone.  We don’t always kiss when we greet each other at the end of the day.  But our love burns deep and strong and we are happy.  We have the perfect marriage.  We have our own interests and dreams to achieve independent of the other.  We are both eagerly trying to make sure the others life dreams are realized.  That is TRUE love! 

With us there are no games or guessing.  We are honest and blunt with each other.  There are no secrets or sugar coating.  I am blessed to be part of a marriage with open honest communication and absolutely NO FEAR!  Truly I married my perfect match.  Corey compliments my life in EVERY way.  He makes me want to be better.  He is my biggest cheerleader.  He truly believes I can do anything…even when I doubt myself. Corey never lets me settle for less than I am.  In his eyes I am the perfect mother, most beautiful woman, brilliant artist and best friend!  He sees what I struggle to see and his love is pure and true.  I feel it everyday…and not with words.  I feel it when I enter a room and he smiles and his eyes literally sparkle.  I feel it when he squeezes my hand in a moment he knows I am uneasy.  I feel it with actions. I feel it when he looks at me from across our pew in church…with three restless kids separating us.

It’s safe to say that neither Corey nor I will ever have to worry about being a ward chorister and sitting together on the stand, but seeing this sweet couple in my ward has made be sit back and ponder the beauty of my marriage. 

I am BLESSED!

A bunch of crazy kids…

in their 30’s!  Some things never change…and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I love these days…

 

Sunday morning before Church and the kids are playing so cute in the front room.  Everything seems completely perfect at this moment! I love days like this!

Add “Model” to her resume…

 

This little one is constantly being asked to model for the things I make for Ucreate or Riley Blake Designs.  And she does it happily!  Ellie puts her hands on her hips and shows her sass whenever a camera is one her cute little face.  She is my willing little model…for now.  She might not like it so much when she is older.  {Izzy hates it.}  Who are we kidding?  She has a ham for her mamma.  :)

Bad Moments…

Man, this has been a rough day.  I can’t really pinpoint anything that made it rough, but I was just on edge.  My girls seem to fight ALL the time and sometimes Ethan likes to egg them on.  But that is typical everday stuff in our home.  At dinner time, Corey called to say he would be working late and I was trying to spearhead homework (which is challenging in itself) and make dinner while at the same time refereeing the girls.  Finally I just lost it and begged the girls (rather loudly) to just stop fighting!  Then I threw a juice glass across the kitchen.  All the kids stopped in their tracks and looked at each other.  Ethan whispered timidly, “Mom, are you okay?”  I went over and picked up the juice glass and began doing the dishes.  I told Ethan that it is so hard to deal with all the fighting and then have everything to handle as well.  The children were very quiet after that moment and I cleaned the ENTIRE kitchen trying to calm down.  During this cleaning binge I remembered seeing this quote on Pinterest:

So after a rough evening, I am still a good mama…just one that had a bad moment.  Let’s face it, we ALL have them!  Here’s to a new day tomorrow.

Angels round about…

Yesterday, I was sitting in the kitchen at about 7 pm trying to get some work done when I heard the blinds in the girls room bang against the window.  This is not an unusual sound as they are constantly lifting the blinds to look out the window for Ethan or Baylee.  Then I heard Ellie crying…HARD, but it was muffled like she was outside or downstairs.  I yelled Ellie, “Where are you?” To my surprise, my neighbor yelled back, “She’s out here.”  My first thought was what is she doing outside without me.

I ran outside to the front yard.  Ellie was laying on the grass below her bedroom window trying to get away from my neighbor. Seeing her mouth a bit bloody and hearing her obvious “hurt” cry, I ran to her.  The neighbor lady, Patty, said that she saw Ellie fall out the window.  I screamed, “What?!”

Between talking to the lady and Ellie, I have deducted that Ellie was standing on the window sill in an attempt to show Izzy how she can balance.  She got on the window sill and called Izzy’s name and then fell through the screen of the open window right onto the coiled hose and flower bed landing on her back.

I immediately inspected her for injury.  She bit her tongue in two spots, she has a quarter size goose egg on the side of her head, her left thigh is deeply bruised, her lower back hurts “a widdle bit,” and she lost a lock of her hair {not sure what it got caught on but it came right out}.

Oh my heck, this could have been so much worse!

I called Corey. No answer.  I called my mom. No answer.  I called Kari. I was so grateful to hear her voice.  I started to cry and explained what happened and that I couldn’t get a hold of anyone.  She calmed me down and took action to get my mom or Corey to answer their phones while I kept staring at my baby hoping everything was okay with her internally.

My instincts told me everything would be okay. 

My mom finally called back and rushed over to do her own inspection of Ellie and offer her shaken daughter some support.  While she was taking us for ice cream, Corey called.  I had texted him saying that Ellie fell from her window, but that everything seemed fine.  He was naturally concerned and rushed home from his meeting in Kaysville.  {I am sure more than a few traffic laws were broken.}

I am grateful that my little story has a happy, miraculous ending!  Ellie is safe, healthy and happy with no major injury.  My mind keeps going back to the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants: “I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up.” D&C 84:88

After a sleepless night watching Ellie, I was sitting on the floor in the front room reading a text on my phone when Ellie said, “Mom, you should have catched me.”  Oh, my heart broke!  I know accidents happen, but my heart hurt for a moment.  I sat thinking about her comment and I put my hand on her  leg and said, “I wish I could have caught you, but I am glad I was there to pick you up.”

I have been thoughtfully considering that conversation all day in a more heavenly light. 

Miracles happen and angels are real!

I am a Photographer!

 

I have found another new hobby.  Yes, I have many!  I consider it developing my talents.  I think you can learn how to do ALMOST anything.  Ya know that movie Ratatouille when the fat French Chef says, “Anyone can cook.”  I believe that is true with almost any subject. 

So I took the mantra “Anyone can be a photographer” and went with it.  I constantly study photos.  Photos of people, landscaping, art projects, tutorials, etc.  I analyze and over-analyze photography.  So, I think I have somewhat of a grasp on how to pose people and the best lighting and such.  So here is a sample of some of my recent endeavors.  No judging…at least not where I can hear you.

Lessons Learned this Month: September

Yeah, I know the month is only half way over, but I have learned so much these last couple of weeks!  I have been having some seriously painful back pain.  It has been so hard to take care of the most menial day-to-day things, but I have learned…err, relearned how extremely blessed I am.

People genuinely care!

I am not the most optimistic person {shocker, I know}.  It’s not that I am pessimistic, but I guess the best word is cynical.  When someone says, “Let me know if there is anything I can do to help” I think they are just saying that in order to relieve themselves of some duty.  I know how bad that sounds!  When I tell people to let me know if I can help, I really mean it, but somehow think others don’t.  Pretty messed up, right?

Anyway, my mom’s boyfriend, JayDee has called everyday to check on me.  Sometimes two or three times a day and he GENUINELY wants to know how I am doing.  He doesn’t talk about anything else or have any other motive for calling.  I have learned I want make sure I am like this.  When I call to check on someone (which I need to do more often), I want that person to feel the real concern I have. Lesson Learned!

Do not ask permission to serve!

My Visiting Teacher didn’t ask if she could bring dinner over…she just did it!  We, as women, tend to be too prideful to say, “would you please bring dinner over. That would help.” But when this kind sister just did it, I was so grateful I cried!  I have learned to heed the NIKE slogan of JUST DO IT!  No more asking permission to serve! Lesson Learned!

Another example to me about not asking permission to serve is when I came home from the Dr. office and my mother-in-law was cleaning my floors and picking up around my house.  At that same time my sister came and got my girls so I could sleep and get some much needed rest.  Again: JUST DO IT!

Ask for help!

My mom is so busy and has a pretty packed schedule, but sometimes you just need your mommy…especially when you are in pain…and the hubby is out of town.  So I called her in uncontrollable sobs and asked her to help.  I didn’t even tell her how to help, I just knew if she knew I needed help she would answer the call.  She came and got my kids at the Dr. office, fed them, did my laundry and got the kids ready for bed.  It was a HUGE burden lifted!  I have learned to ASK for help and others will answer the call.  Don’t beat around the bush dropping hints, just ask!  Lesson Learned!

I am surrounded by worthy men and encircled about by the love of God.

I am not one to ask for a blessing.  Not sure why, but I just have never been in the habit of doing that.  Corey and I walked out of the Dr. office (one of the many appointments last week) and I cried.  I grabbed his hand and said, “I need a blessing.”  He agreed and that night Corey called our good friend, Mike who happened to not be available.  So I grabbed the phone and called my baby brother, Danny.  Luckily he only lives about 10 minutes away…although he would come if he lived an hour away.  He agreed to help give me a blessing and drove right over.  When Danny got to my house I asked that he administer the blessing and Corey anoint with oil.

Danny gave me the most wonderful blessing.  I am ever amazed when I am receiving and I can tell it is the Spirit speaking.  This time Danny’s voice and speech patterns actually changed.  It was an amazing experience. There are other great experiences that accompanied this special blessing that should not be divulged here…as a great man once told me, God does not reveal himself to blabber mouths (thank you President Clark).  From this blessing I learned to seek out the Lord always and he will answer!  Not just when pain is strong or the heart is weak, but always!  I am surrounded by worthy willing men and a Heavenly Father who loves me!  Lesson Learned!

So you can see it has been a very eventful, thoughtful couple of weeks.  I am glad they are over, however.  Hopefully, I won’t have to relearn this most wonderful lessons anytime soon.  Or maybe it is better to say, hopefully I remember these lessons on my own without needing to be retaught them.

I have a passion…

I absolutely love to create, but my serious passion lies in sewing.  I love to take some fabric and see it come together to make something amazing…that I created!

Here are a few things I have created this past year…except the last two.  {Those are just to fill space in the collage.}

I cringe every time I even think about using a pattern though.  Please just let me create as I go.  I know it is the hard way though.  I have learned a lot of techniques through trial and error. Like ruffling, elastics, zippers.  I still can’t do sleeves or baby bloomers, but that will change soon.  I actually bought a pattern…GASP.  My mom is going to help me through it this week and then I will know how to create something with sleeves. :)

Despite not knowing all the ins and outs of sewing, I have been able to make some money with my love of sewing.  I have the best job in the world working for my sister at Ucreate Crafts and I am a member of the Riley Blake Project Design Team this year.  I am telling you, it doesn’t get much better than making your passion a money maker. 

Great-Grandma Rond would be so proud!

I said, “Yes!”

 

Ethan came up to me tonight (past his bedtime) and said, “Hey, Mom, will you play foosball with me?”  I could tell he was expecting me to say no or not right now...like I have been doing a lot lately. So I closed the book I was reading and said, “Yes!”  I didn’t even take my time.  I instantly put on my flip flops and we went downstairs {with the girls under foot} and played foosball.  He won!  I didn’t even let him win; I cannot believe how big he is getting.

Ethan the Foosball Champ!

I am so proud of myself for saying yes.  I have been so busy with things that don’t matter that I have seriously put off just having fun with my kids.  The turning point that opened my eyes?  I have been reading Heaven is Here by Stephanie Nielsen from Nie Nie Dialogues and I have been reminded about things that matter most.

Stephanie finds such joy in being a mom and having been injured so badly in an airplane accident she didn’t get to enjoy motherhood to its fullest for a long time.  Reading her story, I begin to realize I wasn’t putting first things first in recent months.  Yesterday, I resolved to fix that on the spot.  No more putting off playing.  I am grateful that I am able to say yes and have the capacity to walk down the stairs and play a rousing game of foosball. Thank you, Stephanie, for helping me to remember my most important of roles.

I will say YES!

4th of July

 

Let’s try this again, shall we.

 

So for about a year now I have actually been journaling in a journal {gasp} instead of a blog.  I have seriously enjoyed the creativity that flows when I hold a pen to paper.  But I am noticing that lately I only journal and draw on Sundays…at church.  Although I enjoy the artsy part of it, I can type faster than I write so I started this blog up again…for journaling purposes.

*****

That being said, let’s get on with it.

E (9), Iz (5), Elle (3)

Look at these cute munchkins!  When I look at this picture I see three amazing little miracles…with mustaches.  I am so blessed to be able to be their mother.  Mothering is so much easier as the kids get older.  I know it’s crucial to be a fabulous mother from day one, but MAN, those babies are so hard.  Or maybe it was just my babies that were so hard.  COLIC. ALLERGIES. ECZEMA. FORMULA.  They are so much more enjoyable now and I say that with  no shame.  I have made a great effort to enjoy every stage of childhood with my children and I think just have that mind set has made me a better mother.  I really enjoy playing with my kids now.

I love that I can have a sarcastic conversation with E and he gets it.  I love that he can watch his sisters if I have to run to a neighbors house.  I love that Iz and Elle can play with each other and entertain each other without needing constant help from me.  Although, half the time I am saying, “Don’t fight!” or “Please get along.”  {Add referee to my many hats.}  They are amazingly fabulous children who teach me everyday how to be a better person.

Ethan recently reminded me of a talk at the last LDS General Conference: “Mom, do you remember that talk that said there should be no yelling in the home…just a family?”  That little comment brought me back to reality.  That these little humans listen and watch everything I do.  I impact them more than I know…and I want that impact to always be for good.

Family Night at Boondock’s

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Sadly, we haven’t ever had a family vacation…just my little family.  That little fact has been getting on my nerves quite a bit last year. Knowing that Ethan would be off-track until January 18th I really wanted to plan something fun in Salt Lake City and have a mini-“stay”cation.  Well, finances and a smart husband wouldn’t allow it so we decided to just have a memorable night at Boondock’s in Kaysville.  We had never been there, but Ethan has always wanted to go so we just did it! 

What a fun place!!  As you can tell from the pictures we all had a blast!  Ellie was content to wander around and see all the lights and hit the buttons on the games.  Izzy was so over stimulated she couldn’t stay in one spot for too long.  Corey and I split up and he was in charge of following her around while I guided Ellie’s interests to do what Ethan wanted.  Ethan had the time of his life.  I think he played 10 games of Skee-Ball and every other game in the place at least once. 

As we were leaving (3 hours later) he hugged me and said, “This was way better than any vacation, Mom.”  What a sweet kid right?  Well, he has also never been on a vacation, but now I am not so sure how we are ever going to top Boondock’s.

My Kidlets

Christmas 2010

There is nothing like Christmas with children.  It’s just magical!  I am always up before my children making as much noise as I can to wake them up.  I love seeing their eyes get wide and excited to see that Santa has come.  It’s a feeling like no other to see my kids open a present they have “asked Santa” for all year long.  I just love Christmas with children.

   

After the morning excitement, we went to the Vandenberg’s for breakfast.  They always make so much yummy food when we come over.  We had scones, eggs, biscuts and gravy, etc.  Pam & Rich had just bought a new tv and go this little remote control car with their purchase; the kids each had a turn going for a ride.  Except Izzy; she wanted nothing to do with the thing. 

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Then it was off the Kari and Michael’s house to see my Mom and enjoy a ham dinner.  It’s so much fun to get my siblings together and our children.  We laugh and laugh.  I usually leave our family functions with a headache from laughing so hard.  Today was no exception.  We decided to do the 12 days of Christmas to my Mom this year as she is enduring some hard times right now.  She absolutely loved it!  Then as she gave each of us a present she told us each of a special memory she has of us.  Yeah, it was a pretty emotional thing.  I love my mom!

 

Perfect ending to a great day!