A Winter Wonderland

We got SO much snow yesterday and last night! We woke up to sunny clear skies and a beautiful blanket of fluffy white snow on the ground. It is gorgeous! I really love it when it looks like a winter wonderland outside. The kids went out and played in the snow for a bit but the snow was way too fluffy to build a snowman in or even a snowball. We played more games again and then went and got Tenley and Ryder ski rentals for the season! Before you know it our weekends will be busy with skiing, which we can’t wait for!

Decorating

Ryder and Tenley were begging to put up Christmas decorations today so that is what we did! We jammed out to Christmas music and had a lot of fun decorating. The house looks so festive now!

We spent the evening playing a new game with the kids. They really liked it and caught on well! It was great.

Thanksgiving, People

We may not have been exactly where we wanted to be today, but we still had a pretty good Thanksgiving. We ended up having some friends over to eat with us who also had no family in town. The kids were happy to have someone to play with! They brought a delicious smoked turkey which saved the day. Brad decided to try and fry a turkey and it took double the time we thought it would so it wasn’t ready in time. Luckily we had theirs!

If I had to choose one thing to be grateful for this year I would say that I’m grateful for people. People enrich my life. My family near and far, my friends near and far, old friends that I've lost touch with, teachers, and even people I've never met in person. People can be amazing, inspiring, supportive, helpful, kind, and giving. I feel like everyone I've ever met or been influenced by in some way has made me who I am. I love them all so much!

Fruit Cocktail

Brad went in to work this morning since we weren’t driving to Utah. I tried to take my mind off the fact that we weren’t driving to Utah but it didn’t work too well. The kids had a blast hanging out together. They made a forky, knifey, and spooney (thank you Toy Story 4). I had some baking to do and when Brad got home we got out turkey prepped. We also cut fruit for cocktail as is Brad’s family tradition. I also found out one of my friends here in town is alone for Thanksgiving as well so we invited them over tomorrow. That will be fun!

'Well' Moments

Thanksgiving is on Thursday and we had been planning to drive to Utah on Wednesday and spend the holiday and weekend with my family. We’ve all been looking forward to it. But then we learned today that a really big snowstorm will be coming and making traveling really difficult. We decided it was best to cancel our trip and just stay home. It was a hard decision and the kids and I have shed many tears over it, but it probably is the right decision.

I have to admit that I’ve been praying hard for weeks that a storm wouldn’t keep us from going to Utah, so then to have such a big storm keep us from going to Utah made me a bit angry that my prayers weren’t answered the way I wanted. I listened to several different arrangements of one of my favorite hymns, It Is Well With My Soul to push away the anger and it did help a bit. The background of how those words were written is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. This man had lost his fortune, his son, and then all of his daughters when a ship sunk. He had every reason to be angry and sad, and yet he wrote, “it is well with my soul.” That man had so much faith. I noticed later that the quote I had turned to this morning said, “Life is not merely to Be Alive, but to be well.” It got me thinking a lot about what it really means to be well. I think it means to be content, to trust in God and his plan, to be so sure about the eventual outcome of returning to God and being with your family again forever that no trial can break you. Since this morning I’ve still had a few moments of anger and sadness. I want so badly to be with my whole family. But I’ve also had a few moments where I’ve felt well. Hopefully as the days pass by I’ll have more and more well moments.

Kade stayed home from school again and did Ryder's reading lesson with him. He's a great teacher! He also had a basketball game tonight and played well! He has a really great team.

Smart Sons

Kade stayed home again from school. Tenley was definitely excited to go though because it was the 1st grade Thanksgiving feast. Basically they just all eat their lunch together in the classroom while they watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Unfortunately when we went to get in the car to go to school I realized I had locked my keys in the car yesterday. I called all the friends I knew in my neighborhood and one nice friend came back to get Tenley and take her to school even though she had already dropped off her daughter. She was so nice!
10 minutes later, Kade and Ryder watched as I tried to pry open my car door with a wedge and use a stick to push the unlock button. While I'm in the middle of doing this with no luck, Kade comes into the garage with a key and says, "Mom, I think this might work. It says Honda on it." Yes, my smart boy had checked our key ring for a spare and found it. I honestly had forgotten that we had a spare key for my car! I felt pretty dumb and pretty grateful for Kade all at the same time.

Our morning cuddle routine. Kade caught a picture since he was home.

Cuddles

Kade woke up not feeling well today and since we had Stake Conference all of the kids decided to stay home together and Brad and I went to church. It was nice to enjoy the meeting with Brad and to get to pay closer attention to the speakers. Brad had to stay late to help the Bishop with tithing settlement meetings so I got to come home and be lazy with the kids. I love hanging out and cuddling with my kids and I always feel so free to do that on Sunday!

Old Christmas PJs

Ryder was begging to wear his old Christmas reindeer pajamas for bed tonight. They definitely don’t fit him anymore, but I pulled them all out and Kade’s old one’s fit Tenley, Tenley’s old ones fit Ryder, and Ryder’s old one’s fit Luke. They look adorable and they were so excited to be twinning.

Robot Vacuum

Having a dog can be fun...at times. But all the hair Keena has been shedding has been not so much fun. Brad decided to buy a robot vacuum for us and it has been the best thing! It keeps the floor picked up and I don't have to sweep as much. It's also constant entertainment for Luke. I think Christmas came early for me this year!

Music

Seeing my kids sit down to play the piano for no other reason then their own personal enjoyment puts a huge smile on my face.

I found one of my favorite quotes in my kids piano teachers home. It says, “Music is life. That is why our hearts have beats.” I couldn’t agree more.

Preschool

Ryder had a blast at preschool today. They made turkey outfits and he loves his so much that he’s telling me that is what he’s going to be next Halloween. It is pretty cute!

Luke and I got some shopping done while Ryder was at preschool and Luke was so good for me! We’ve been trying to ween him of his binky and he was happy, content, and calm even without it. He’s a fun little buddy!

The Warped Wall

Ryder is always so excited when he gets to run up the warped wall at gymnastics. He really loves his class and his teacher and always has a great time. In fact when we pulled up and he got out of the car, he pinched his fingers in the door so I offered to just take him home. He shook it off and said he wanted to stay but he just wouldn’t do hand stands. He loves it that much. And he even ended up doing his handstands.

50 Degrees

It was such a beautiful and warm morning that we decided to go for a walk. It was so nice to get out. I’m so grateful that we’ve been having some nice days even in November!

Relaxing Sunday’s

I slept in this morning and it was amazing. No one in our house woke up before 8. We need to enjoy that these next few weeks before our church time switches to 9am.

I played the organ for my first time in this ward today. I’m excited to learn more and improve. Kade is also excited to learn to play.

Brad had to stay late at the church so the kids and I came home and watched scripture movies. When Brad did get home we were all able to watch the face to face event from the church to learn about the new children and youth program. It’s exciting and I’m excited for my kids to develop their gifts and talents.

Bike Rides in November

The sun was shining and it felt warm today! We decided to go on a family bike ride. It was so nice to get out on the trail. I feel like it’s been a while.

Kade had a fun birthday party this afternoon. They went skating and out for ice cream. And then Brad and I went out on a date tonight to dinner and a movie. We had fun! It’s been a good weekend.

Sweet Moments

Today was filled with lots of simple and sweet moments. Brad got Luke out of bed this morning and Luke cuddled with him for over twenty minutes! I was jealous. It was really sweet.

Kade had a basketball game tonight and our friend’s oldest daughter offered to watch our other three kids for us. It was nice going to the game without our cute distractions. I was actually able to pay attention to the game! Kade played great. He’s loving his team.

After the game, Kade was begging for homemade pizza. Brad helped me by grilling it and it turned out so delicious!

Jack

Ryder’s friend Jack came over today for a few hours. They played so well together! First they raced monster trucks, then played go fish while they ate goldfish, and more car playing after that. Ryder has great friends!

I have no idea when or why Ryder started throwing up hand signs for every picture. It is hilarious!

Best Buds

Ryder and Luke are the best of friends. They love to run around the house chasing each other, they splash in any puddle they can find, and somehow they get each other to laugh all the time. I love their friendship. It is so fun to see.

Bath Time

My boys LOVE playing in the back. It makes the morning so nice when they play and have fun together in the bathtub!

14 Years

In many ways today was a typical Monday. Meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry. But it was also a special day to Brad and me. We celebrated 14 years together! It wasn’t a fancy trip or date, but he did bring home dinner and flowers which I definitely appreciated. We watched a movie with the kids like we normally do and it was perfect. The family we have together is my favorite thing about us.

Fire

It was so cold today. The high was around 14 degrees! Being able to come home from church and relax by the fireplace was heaven. The falling snow if beautiful, but the bitter cold temperatures are not fun!

Hockey

Today was try hockey for free day and Ryder was SO excited. Brad took Kade and Ryder there while the rest of us went to a baptism for Tenley’s friend. The boys got there early to get geared up which takes a while. Then they headed out on the ice for their first time ever. Kade picked up on it pretty well since he knows how to rollerblade, but Ryder kept falling down for the first thirty minutes. But he kept smiling and he kept trying. He made a lot of improvement in just one hour. By the end he was staying on his feet and hitting the puck into the goal. He wants to play again tomorrow really bad. He keeps begging me. I might have to seriously look into putting him into hockey.

Popcorn

Tenley came with me to eat with the homeless in the family promise program. One of the ladies from the other church brought her son that’s Tenley’s age and they had so much fun playing together. It was a really great night there. Serving others always had a way of making you feel so good!

We came home to the boys eating popcorn. Little Luke ate a ton! Hopefully that means he’ll sleep well tonight!