Getting so big...

I wanted to take a minute and put on some recent pictures of the kids. I keep getting comments on how 'grown up' they are looking, 'how their look is changing' or how fast they are growing. I think it is happening WAY too fast- I swear Sarah was just a fat, happy baby in my arms yesterday. I miss my little babies. I am enjoying the little people that they are and don't want them to change. I am so grateful for my children for the joy and meaning they bring to my days and to my life. I am grateful for the lessons they teach me and for the laughter that surrounds them. I am so grateful that they are better people than I- and that they try so hard to make good decisions and help others. I am so lucky to be a mom! I am SO LUCKY to be THEIR mom!!!

CHRISTMAS 2009!!!!

When I was a little girl every Christmas my mother would pull out a nativity scene. We LOVED it and played with it every chance we got. My children used to play with it when we would go to my mothers for the holidays in years past. This year I received the BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER- my mother made me one!!! I LOVE IT!!! My children love it and I am so excited to be continuing the tradition of finding ways to bring the Savior into our home for the holidays.
Ammon wasn't very interested in the unwrapping of gifts but he sure thought watching the kids jump around in excitement was funny!!!

Gabriel thought his pile of presents was AWESOME until he realized that he was most of the way through them. Then it was all about posing in his new SCOOBY DOO pajamas.

Rachel was excited to be home from Utah and was more excited at all of the candy in her stocking. Most of all I think she was thrilled with her 2lb. box of chocolate covered pretzels- which is still over half way full!!!

Sarah was not as thrilled as Rachel to be home from Utah but she was very excited to show us the beautiful oriental robe that he Uncle Elbert gave her for Christmas. As you can see she cheered up as the candy and gifts started coming.

Our family has been so blessed this past year and we are so grateful to our family, friends, church family and most of all to our loving Savior for the gift of his grace, his light and his love!!!!!

My boy is 4 years old!!!!

I can't believe my boy is 4 years old- but he is and has been for a few weeks now. He is smart and funny and such a good brother! I am so proud of the little man that he is and that he is becoming. He has had so many fun adventures this past year- a 2 week trip full of family and fun out in Utah with his father, new cousins (Anthony, Talon, Judah and Ian) moving into town close by and a new baby brother to play with! He has been taking Karate classes for the past few months and although he was super tired tonight and wanted to go home he has been doing really well. He got his uniform tonight and looked so darling- all of the ladies thought so- not just his Mommy! Gabriel loves to play with friends and his cousins, he loves string cheese and apples, he loves to play outside and is a little afraid of riding the 4- wheeler that his daddy bought him. Gabriel is a fun brother and is always racing around after or snuggling with his sisters. He loves his baby brother Ammon and tries very hard to make him laugh and give him kisses without getting slobbered. Gabriel does not like to have sticky hands and loves to snuggle with his blankie. He says funny things all of the time and tells us we are 'FIRED' when we do not do what he wants fast enough. He is the light and laughter in our days and we are SO GLAD that he is ours!!!! Mommy loves you son!!!

*Note of Appreciation*

Thank You to everyone that has been praying for us and sending positive thoughts our way! We are all so grateful and KNOW WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that prayer is the reason Richard is alive and healing so quickly! Thank you to family and friends for the hours spent visiting with us at the hospital, taking care of children, bringing in meals, giving rides, cleaning my filthy disgusting house- carotes & car! Thank you for all of the phone calls and messages offering help and support. We had no idea that we were so loved and had so many looking out for us.The kids are doing well- the girls are back to school, Gabe is... well Gabe and Ammon is teething! Rick is walking more, eating more and on less pain medication. I miss my kids and am anxious to take my hubby home. Rick may very well be out of work until January or February so your prayers in our behalf are still very welcome and appreciated. THANK YOU! THANK YOU for all of the love and support! We truly have felt the Lord walking with us!

We've been busy...

Things always seem to get so busy at the beginning of the school year. I almost feel like I can't keep up! Ammon is coming to life- he has started reaching for things, cooing and even laughs every now and then. He still spends most of his time looking at us with a slightly shocked expression- like we are all crazy and out of our minds- but he is beginning to smile more.
The girls are LOVING school and Sarah has joined the Jr. High Volleyball team. She has practices before school every morning at 6am!!! She and Rachel got a cold/flu illness and she missed some practices so she won't be able to play in the first few games but she is excited and can't wait to ride the bus to and from the out of town games with the other girls. Getting up at 5am every morning has been hard but has turned into a good thing- we all get up and read scriptures and say prayers as a family. It is really nice to have some time together in the morning as a family and to not be as rushed. Then I take Sarah into town and I often get to go walking with friends- which I LOVE and doesn't feel like exercise... except for the heavy breathing... and red face.

















Gabriel is keeping busy with his usual things- playing ball, fighting, helping Mommy and playing with his cousins- who he is in love with and wants to see EVERY day!































Rick is busy working and helping out at home. He gets bombarded when he walks in the door with hugs from the girls and wife- a 3 year old who is always hiding wanting 'Daddy Richard' to find him and a new baby eager to 'coo' at him about his day. I seem to be getting over the whole Postpartum thing just in time to spill boiling water on my arms and hands and then catch a nasty cold/flu. Thankfully my arms and hands are fine- just itchy and peeling now and the cold/flu illness is gone. Back to life!

SO GRATEFUL...

I just wanted to take a moment and express gratitude for my wonderful family and friends. It is embarrassing to admit but I have been struggling with Postpartum Depression. I wasn't expecting it and it came on strong and quickly. It has been tough and I have had to drop my pride to call friends and family for help. They have responded without judgment, quickly and with full support. I am so grateful for the days that they have spent tending my children and for the many hours spent babysitting me. I am grateful for friends that have taken kids to sleep over and to activities. I am so thankful for friends who listened as I cried and who made me call the doctor and get some help. I am SO grateful for a mother- sister & brother in law that dive in to help & get things done when even I don't want to and who are willing to help with the 'yucky' stuff! I am grateful for the hours spent at the laundromat keeping me company and teaching me how to work everything. I am SO thankful for a mother who comes running every time that I call, who cleans up my kitchen, watches my kids and that drags me off of the floor- into pants and kicks me out of my own house to go for a walk & get some fresh air...when I don't want to... then walks with me to make sure that I don't find another place to go and hide. Most of all I am grateful for patient and helpful children and a husband who tries so hard to be understanding and loving- even after working 12 hour days in the heat. Thank you everyone for being there and I am working on it- really I am!!!!!

Ammon

Here are a few pictures of our latest addition. He is getting big too fast!!!