The Christmas card

I am so excited for my Christmas card this year. It is a little silly, but fun. I am having a crazy week, so I am shooting to have it "done" and sent this weekend. (It may be sent from California the rate I am going, but it will be sent.) I love Christmas cards, especially receiving them. I also, in a strange way, love writing them. It gives me a moment to recap the year. (Although this year has been a challenging one).
We are trying to remember all the blessings of the year. Like, Derek found a great job. We sold our home quickly, and without a realtor. We had a beautiful baby girl (Miss Kiley -dimples- Ann) join our family. And her little foot is doing awesome!! We found a beautiful home in Idaho, and the kids are doing well in school. And although we miss our family and friends, like crazy, we've started to make some great "new" friends. Life is wonderful. We are blessed. Challenges make you grow, even though I am still so short (according to Zach.) I love receiving your cards. Your families are beautiful, and your messages inspiring. Merry Christmas everyone!! I love this time of year! Keep those card coming!! love to all of you!

Christmas!

So we only have 14 more days! For my family, I say, we only have 8 more days! We are keeping it simple this year - atleast that is my claim. It has to be somewhat simple, since we will be "away" for the holidays = Christmas week in California, and New Years Week in Utah! Fun!

I am missing all of you, my dear friends and family, right now. This weekend we are going to "attempt" to throw our annual Christmas party. I am sad, as I am missing those who yearly attend. I know I am going to miss: funny comments from Dustin and Nat, Sarah and Chris entertaining the crowd, Brian Millers "nice" white elephants, My brother or sister (I don't kow who brought them) dirty little mexican white elephants, Krista Barker being embarassed by some of the white elephants, Derek "wowing" everyone with his LATEST game, (Erin was always impressed - hee hee, this year we are just using an old one) , I could go on and on.. I am now kicking myself that I didn't just grin and bare it and have the party last year! If I could go back, my funny friends, I'd be all over it! You are all invited to come this weekend. We have found a nice family to do the Sub-for-Santa. That is always such a highlight of the holiday season.

When I start to hear my kids (and myself) say I want.... then I am reminded of those who really want, really need things. Even with all the chaos and changes over this last year I am reminded that our family has been blessed so much! I hope that I get our Christmas card out this year. I am trying to - it may be a happy new year card instead.... Hope your 2008 ends great! We love you! And I hope to get cards from ALL OF YOU!! loves... me

Thanksgiving

Here are my 6 greatest blessings that I am MOST thankful for!!

I am also VERY thankful for:

T - Testimony

H - Health

A - All my blessings

N- New Home, New beginnings

K - Kiley - that she joined our family this year

F - Family

U- Unanswered prayers

L - Laughter - it is the best medicine!

We stayed in Boise for Turkey day. It has been nice ( yes and a little lonely) but nice. We have been counting our blessings: Some include: Family, friends, gospel, health, home, star wars and light sabers, babies, toys, ... It's been our year to remember to stop and count our blessings: amidst the hardships we have been VERY blessed this year! Thank you to all of you who bless our lives, we are so thankful for you! Happy Turkey Day!!

Things that make you go HMMMMMMM

You know that great song (ha ha) from the 80s "things that make you go hmmm" Well, we are living it right now... Here's the story:

We needed to be in Utah last Friday for Kiley to go to Primary Childrens. (Kiley had her foot looked at, and all is well. We are now only required to wear her shoes at night! Hooray!) Back to the story.... The kids didn't have school Thurs/Fri, so I decided to leave Wed. That morning, I exercised ... but was feeling rushed so I only did it 30 minutes. Anyway, this is important because when I came downstairs I heard water running, not a good sound, and as I followed the rushing water sound I was greeted by a flowing waterfall out of the toilet!! (Our toilets have had issues - ALL 4 of them! UG!!)

Anyway, after FREEKING OUT, I had to find the plunger! The first bathroom had a plunger, unfortunately the door is locked (thanks Zach), and little Emily-is on the toilet waiting for me to wipe her, she is locked in and screaming, thanks again Zach. The next bathroom has no plunger. Finally in the last bathroom I find our other plunger and sprint downstairs to the waterfall. With plunger in hand, I stop the water and then mop up the floor using almost every towel I can find. (I think I counted 10) After I finally got the floor dry, no more "running" water sound, I hear the "screaming sound" yes, it was Emily I forgot to save her from her toilet prison!OOPS!

Unfortunately -all of the floor is wood..... Fast forward to Sunday evening. We arrived home from Utah (gone5 days) to find the floor BUCKLED! The entire bathroom, into the hallway and even into the kitchen! Two board in the kitchen are the most damaged - weird.

Fast forward - Monday called the insurance co. they sent over a restoration company. Tues. they ripped up my floor, made a plastic room and started the engines (FANS).. So, since Tues. we have been living in an air terminal!! A CONSTANT hmmmmmmmm fills our house, not a quiet hmmm but a LOUD hmmmm, so loud that we now all yell at each other. Luckily, the floor guy came by tonight, and said that we will be done tomorrow! HOORAY!!

Next step, new floors... which will require us to leave for 3 days, while they refinish and stain... FUN FUN FUN! So these are the .... Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm!!! I am ready for the Hmmm to stop. I went to the library today and just sat there enjoying the "quietness." So tonight, as you tuck those kiddos in bed, and listen to the "silence of sleeping" I will cuddle up and listen to the hmmmmmmmm...thankfully for just one more night! I have taken pics....I'll post them tomorrow!

Happy Hauntings and Happy Home

Here's our home... come and see us anytime..

Here's little Kiley clown, she's having a great time!

Here are the little spooks... they are so Cute! (I am biased!)

The kids didn't have school Friday (Halloween) so we had our own party! It was a HOOT!!

(Just in case you didn't realize it... I was rhyming! hee hee)

We played games, went on a scavenger hunt, and ate "mummy dogs, witch fingers, and mud dessert complete with worms!"

So much fun!! Wish you could've come! Happy Harvest to all of you! Wow I can't believe October is over!