S.W.A.K.

One of Brigham's many pictures of himself.


5 days and counting. I'm hoping Todd will be home Wednesday.

Today . . . was a long one. But I did it. 6 of us cleaned, clothed, combed, fed, and at church by 8:55. I'm not bragging, just documenting. (Now that I think about it, that is pretty bragworthy.)I don't know how single mothers do it. You ROCK!

So last night we were driving home from Pizza Hut (5 free personal pan pizzas with reading certificates . . . and yes, you can still use them if they are from last year!) and my kids were daring each other to touch tongues. Now come on, we all did it when we were little. Brigham and Quin stuck there tongues out as far as they would go. Slowly they inched closer, closer, closer...touch. Scream...giggle, giggle. "Ewwww! I'd rather do it with Mallory." Says Brig. Once again with Mally. Stick out, giggle, closer, giggle giggle, closer, Mallory puckers up and sneaks in a kiss. "Ewww! I knew she would try to do something ROMANCY!" Ahhh I love it.

Buzz - can't wait until you get home. XOXOX

Already?!

My sweet little lady is 18 months old. How did this happen? I'm absolutely certain 18 months has never gone by so quickly. She is doing so many cute things I don't want to forget so I felt I needed to write them down.

*LOVES crayons, pencils, markers (you get the picture). Haydyn is my first child to start writing on walls at 18 months.

*Busts a move to any type of music at any time.

*Has everyone in our family wrapped around her little finger.

*Pulls out all the plastic cups at least 3 times a day. Stacks them this way, and that way, spreads them around the kitchen, stacks them again.

*Loves playing light sabers with the boys. She even makes the same sound effects.

*Gets crackers out of the pantry CONSTANTLY and carries them around the house making a nice trail for Emma the dog to follow.

*Goes from room to room kissing the kids goodnight as they go to bed.

*Throws a mean tantrum.

*Belly laughs and wrinkles her nose.

*All girl... Loves her shoes, necklaces, babies, anything soft (doggy, feather boa, fleece blankies), and of course lip gloss.

This past year was full of trials. Haydyn was our sunshine. She brings so much joy, and gives me something happy to focus on each day. We love you Haydyn! Thanks for making us smile!

SPAtacular!

Mallory turned 7 last week. We threw a SPAtacular birthday party! Of course my camera decided to poop out on me AGAIN! So all of the best pictures didn't take. Not happy.

Kristen, Lindsay, and Kori came to help out with the spa treatments. Mallory and her 7 friends rotated between 4 stations; manicures, pedicures, hair, and make-up. Kudos to Lindsay and Kori for the dang cute hair-dos and sparkly make-up. The girls looked fabulous! I would show you the before and afters but as you know...camera issues!

Then they broke a pinata filled with candy lipsticks, necklaces, and other cute accessories. We had so much fun. What a great girly party. I can't wait to do it again.

Mallory you are so much fun to have in our home. I feel so blessed to be your Mom. You are a great leader and come up with such fun games to play with the boys. You know just how to take care of Haydyn. She is very lucky to have a big sister like you! You are a terrific student and a wonderful example for others. I love how you make friends so easily and care about others.

Happy Birthday... and I love you!

Welcome 2009!

I have never been happier to start a new year. 2008 was our biggest trial thus far. I realize we are still young and Father in Heaven has many things in store for us, but I hope we don't have another one like this for a loooooong time. I do however, feel I have become a better person because of everything and have learned many things that I hope to never forget. But overall as the sun rises on 2009 I feel blessed. Blessed to start this year with my husband and children and blessed to have hope that this year will be better. Thanks to everyone who has blessed our lives with your thoughtfulness, generosity, and love.

Wonderful Christmastime Moments

1. Haydyn, Haydyn, Haydyn. I LOVE the sound of her sweet voice. She gets so excited driving past Christmas lights. "Wow!" she yells over and over as her finger points to all the lights.

2. It was like a Normal Rockwell painting. One by one we unwraped pieces of our Christmas village. "Ohhh, look at that one" someone would whisper. After the three small trees and village were all set up together I plugged in the lights. It was like magic to my kids. They were mesmerized by the tiny winter wonderland. It was a perfect Christmas moment.

3. Secret Santas (one in particular) finding ways to provide service for eachother. They do this to earn money to buy the gift they will be giving.

4. The kiddos singing "The Very Best Part of Christmastime."

5. Joyschoolers Caroling at my door. Of course mine was the cutest.

6. Brigham recieving an answer to his letter from Santa in the mail. A surprise to ALL of us. (I Believe!)

7. Feeling so completley overwhelmed by the generosity and love of family, friends, neighbors, and strangers.

Ahhhhh...alone at last.

Thanksgiving was great. We hung out at K & J's with Mom and Dad and T & M. It's so nice hanging with the fam. Especially when there is no drama. Buzz and I used to watch Christmas Vacation every year on Thanksgiving. We have now replaced that with The Polar Express (a little more family worthy). I love this tradition. Nana, Grandad, Aunts, Uncles, cousins. It reaches all of us and everyone likes it.

On Friday Todd was DYING to go camping. Me, not so much. We haven't been able to really go anywhere this year and it's taking it's tole. Anyway, he ended up taking the four older kids to Honeyville in Tom's Motor home. They went swimming in the hot springs pool, ate ramen, and watched movies. In the morning he took them to the aerospace museum. They had a great time (when Todd didn't want to bonk some heads together.)

So that means I was ALONE for 24 hours. Well, Haydyn was here of course. But she doesn't talk back or whine or fight with other kids. Yet. Also K&J and kids came over to do a service project. The project? Cleaning MY house. Oh how I love them. And felt a bit guilty for letting them come. But do you know how nice it is to have the whole main floor perfectly clean all at the same time? It just doesn't happen any more. And the best thing about it? NO ONE to mess it up until the next day. Ahhhhhhh.

What to say...

I haven't had much to say lately. Life is life and nothing noteworthy has happened. So here are some random day to day happenings:

*Watched with horror as Max Hall came down with sudden color blindness. Is that a thing?

*Made it through church without Todd, with all 5 kids, and without going out ONCE during sacrament meeting. (Someone please tell Todd how awesome I am!)

*Saw Twilight...LOVED it. Can't wait to see it again.

*Vacuumed my unfinished basement. (What the?)

*Put up my pre-lit Christmas tree with only 1/3 of the lights actually working. Todd searched high and low to fix this problem. We're stumped. Any suggestions?

*Cleaned out more poopy underwear.

*Hit Todd's truck while backing out of the garage.

*Todd hit the same corner of the other car with the trailer (don't ask.)

*Saw this note Mallory wrote to herself to help her remember her morning prayers. What a sweet sweet girl and an amazing example to me!

*Laughed as Cole showed me his awesome new dance move.

*Smiled when Quin said something so Quinlike.

*Went to the new Smith's along with everyone else.

*Bought some Christmas gifts.

*Went from a blond to a brown. I really do think blonds have more fun.

*Had a tasty lunch at Flour Girls & Dough Boys with my mom and sis. Yum.

*Fell in love with Haydyn again, and again, and again. I looooove 1 year olds.

*Smooched with my hubby after he FINALLY shaved.

*Had our fourth annual Thankful Feathers FHE.

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!