Way too fast........

They just grow up way too fast.  Today had me in tears.  In a very happy, baffled, wierd kind of way.  To most people this post will be no big deal, but to me it was HUGE.  We are hosting a houseful of 10 year old girls from China.  Today they went to church with us.  I sent them to Young Womens and they went, reluctant and confused.  I told them where I would meet them afterwards.  Well, Tame was sick today so he and Shalye stayed home.  The girls were taking way too long to get out of Young Womens and I found myself debating if I had enough time to get Tevita and Malia from their classes before the girls would get out of their class.  Once I saw all the primary kids running the halls I decided I better get Vita and Malia and hurry back.  Well, when I got to Malias class her teacher said that she went with Tevita.  Panic.  New building, new people, new parking spot.  Where would they be?  I went to Tevitas class, the room was empty.  Umm, panic again.  Have no idea where to look next so I walked quickly towards the car only to see Tevita pushing Malias bum into the car while telling her that "Mom will just be here really soon".  How sweet that instead of running the hallways screaming, or climbing the trees outside he would go straight to Malias class, pick her up, and take her to the car. 

New Years Resolutions

I have never been one to make new years resolutions, mainly because I know I am never one to keep them.  But I have been thinking an awful lot lately about what little things I can do to better myself, my family, our finances, our home etc.  I have decided this would be my year to CREATE!  I need to use my mind and my talents and not use money to create things.  Beautiful things, easy things, anything.  Things that usually I would spend money.  So imagine my surprise when I rolled upon a blog called
http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/.  hahaha.  Is this a sign from the universe or what??  So any good ideas, not too tacky, pretty modern, easy (I am a beginner!) things to create let me know!!  (And any gardening advice for a woman who has killed every plant she has ever had would be nice too.  Thats my other project)

Hug them a little tighter tonight!

Today has been such a blah, twilight zone kind of day.  And yet it has been so wonderful.  My heart has been aching since I learned this morning that baby Gavin passed away.  I have felt so numb, quite exhausted emotionally, and yet so grateful.  Gavins mom has a way of writing that is so deep, so real, and I have literally felt her pain from one mommy heart to another.  I cannot pretend that my faith would match hers and I have been so touched by her testimony of Christ and eternal families. 
It ended up being a day for me of reflection.  Not anything I planned or any time set aside for reflecting, but more of just a peace and comfort while doing homework, and during bathtime, and even when Shalye diarrhead all over the floor.  I just could not tell my kids enough how much I loved them.  I was smothering them I am sure!  I was just so happy to be able to have them, and hold them, and tell them I love them.  And then my heart would ache again.  Deeply.  For Natalie.  It pained me to know that she would not be able to do the same with Gavin.  For now.  I pray for peace to her broken soul.
I am so grateful for the blessings I have in my life, especially the little ones that cause me to lose my temper way too often.  Tonight I was just feeling blessed and soaking up every little minute.  So tonight everyone, slow down, hug your little ones and tell them you love them a million times.  And even your big ones too!

Pray for baby Gavin

As I am writing this I am bawling my eyes out.  I am not crying just cause I am desperately sad and scared.  I am crying because I cannot imagine as a mom watching your little baby go through so much pain.  But I believe more than that, I am also crying because of the testimony and faith of this beautiful family.  Nothing has touched my spirit so deeply in a while. Although I do not know them well, I have always admired them.  They are kind to everyone, they are humble, the are so funny, and they need a miracle......and lots and lots of prayers!  So please pray for this baby and this family.  http://www.natalienortonphoto.com/

Wheres Shalye??

I realized I have been writing much about the other two, and not so much on Shalye.  Until about the last few months she was the silent angel of us all.  She was so peaceful, happy, loving, and would sleep through the night.  Things have changed.  Aside from gaining fifty pounds the last two months, she has also got quite the fiesty personality.  She has this thing lately where she insists on being the most irritating that she possibly can.  For example Malia was sitting on the floor reading a book today in sacrament meeting while Shalye insisted on walking over the book like a bridge.  She stepped on Malias lap over and over and just laughed the entire time while Malia was screaming at her.  Another example is that if you are laying down, Shalye will just come and lay right on your head with all of her weight and wont budge.  Malia in particular freaks out and screams bloody murder when she does this. 

I know we say it all the time but Shalye is definately Tevitas mini-me in every way.  They look exactly the same and have that same boldness and determination.  The one thing that is different is that Shalye does slow down a bit and loves to cuddle at the end of the day.  She is so perfect and I love watching her just admire and adore her older siblings.  They love to play "Make me Laugh" with her and she always ends up laughing first.  Happy 18 month birthday baby girl.  I love you!

11.22.09 -- Jacquie and Peter's special day

These two are a match made in heaven.  I just love and adore them both.  I have been lucky to have known them over the last three years, but have been even more lucky to know what great friends they have been to my sister.  They have such a special place in my heart cause I know how much they have done for Sharon.  A few weeks ago they finally tied the knot.  The wedding was phenomenal!  Jacquie looked so stunning and Peter just stared at her with those adoring eyes all day long.  It was so sweet, and beautiful, and just so dang fun!  I was so honored that they asked little Malia to be their flower girl.  She took this job very seriously and practiced weeks before the big day.  Malia is just like me though, a little nervous and a bit uncoordinated too.  I was a bit worried how she would do at such  a task, but she was perfect.  Sharon walked with her down the aisle, just a few steps behind.  Malia could not walk and throw at the same time so she would take a few steps, stop and throw, then take a few more steps.  When she got to the feet of the bride and groom she stopped, waited for the photographer to get ready, flashed her huge grin and threw flowers at their feet.  My favorite part is that she continued throwing flowers all the way to her seat and then threw some at her chair before she sat down.  She is such a dollface. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I know this is so long overdue, but I really hope that every body had a great Thanksgiving.  I know I did.  It was a wonderful, relaxing, beautiful day.  Tevita and Tame woke up and rode bikes to the ward Turkey Bowl, while me and the girls stayed home and prepared food for the get together at Kalisis house.  We met at Kalisis around noon and enjoyed food, family, and football!  The weather was beautiful and the cousins always have such a great time getting together. 

After eating we came home and Sharon came up for the afternoon.  We just hung out, completely stuffed adn I think we all took naps.  That night I put up the christmas decorations since I was kindof bored and we got a new TV so we had to rearrange our living room anyways.

This year I even made a pumpkin pie from scratch!  I was not really feeling Halloween this year, so after we went to the pumpkin patch our pumpkins sat in our garage for over a month.  I have no idea why we still had them sitting in our garage the last week of November but we did.....and I was so glad.  The pumpkin pie was so good and so easy I ate the entire thing by myself in a day, and then made another one and ate that too!  I will never make pumpkin pie from a can again.  I swear!

I have to take the time and just write a few of the things I am grateful for.  I feel like I have been kind of negative lately, not for any particular reason, just negative.  So here goes for the many things I am so grateful for.  First is my family.  I have a wonderful husband who loves me and loves his children.  I have five step children who I love very much and am so proud of them.  I never tell them enough.  I am grateful to Tevita, Malia and Shalye, who on a daily basis teach me, love me and make me laugh so hard.  I have been blessed with such perfect family and friends.  Sharon has been my rock in so many ways, and I am so thankful to her for loving my kids as much as I do. 

I am grateful to have a house and a job, but more grateful to have my freedom and my health.  I am grateful for the gospel and the peace and guidance that it brings to my life.

I am so blessed!  I am so grateful!