Merry Christmas

It has been a very special Christmas this year. We were able to spend almost 4 days at Ross' parents house in Cascade this week.  There was snow enough to have the kids go sledding, but was too hard to make a snowman.  Ross learned how to make divinity with the help of his Mom.  We enjoyed playing with his parent's anniversary gift BlendTec, and enjoyed fresh smoothies and homemade icecream.  Even though I was down half the time up there, I thouroughly enjoyed spending time with family.  Corrine and Matt surprised everyone with a visit from Tennessee, and we had a wonderful time with them and finally meeting their new little one, Levi, who is so adorable!!  Christine and Larry were up there and get to stay thru the New Year.  She gave me the most wonderful Massage I have ever had.  She is such a natural!!  It was such a joy to spend time with their family!!  We loved to see everyone up there that were there and miss those who were coming up after we left.

I have not been well and will leave it at that.  We were invited to a Christmas Eve Dinner at his Sister's Tammy in Emmett and was so nice to see them and their family.  The dinner was so nice and the company was even better. We were also able to see Sondra and their family there which was wonderful.  His brother in law gave me a Blessing which was such a comfort to me.  We enjoyed the reinactment of the Christmas Story by the nieces and nephews and that was so fun and memorable!  Then we all shared our favorite Christmas Memories and was wonderful to hear them reminisce.

As tradition for our little family, we got up this morning, got dressed, ate a wonderful meal of Sourdough pancakes and bacon, read Scriptures, had Prayer and then proceeded to open gifts.  It was a smaller Christmas than years past but we both agree that we prefer it this way.  With Ross' work being less than usual at this time of year, things have been tight, but it made for a special Christmas and will be one of our favorites to remember for sure.  I am just thankful that I am able to be with our loved ones and share precious memories with them and that I am getting alittle better in ways.

We will be headed off to my family's this afternoon for Christmas there and enjoy a special Dinner and company with them.

I pray that this Christmas season brings hearts together, loved ones closer and feelings of joy and happiness.  Know that we love and miss all and that you are in our Prayers.

The Stevens

Dear Santa,

Disclaimer: I want to make a disclaimer by saying that you might find out that I am actually imperfect, and have many faults after reading this letter.  But I hope that I will not be thought of any less because I have openly admitted them.

Dear Santa,

I am not the same little girl that used to write you a letter, wishing for a barbie doll with a pink car to match.  In fact, time has worked on me over the years of growing up.

I used to think that in order to have a wonderful Christmas, I needed to have my stocking filled to the brim with things that were purchased.  I used to feel that in order to feel loved, I needed everything on my list to come true.  In fact, in some ways this would fill a big hole that I didn't realize was there until lately. 

I hate to admit it, but I came from a family where you were given equal ammounts as gifts.  If one daughter had a certain ammount spent on them, then the other needed the same amount in the eyes of the parents.  This was not a good practice.  Even more disheartening was I carried this same thinking into my own family.  With the love and patience of a loving husband, I have overcome this philosophy.

I remember a certain year, after I had turned 9, that I wasn't sure there was going to be a Christmas that year.  You see, my parents had just recently separated(a couple of months before) and my Grandmother, of whom I was very close to, passed away in the early morning hours just after Christmas night.  But as I have come to understand over the years that I truly had a blessed Christmas because I had the love of my family more drawn near than I realized.

Something has changed in me.  Something that I had hoped for for many many years.  Instead of wishing for barbie dolls or cabbage patch dolls,

 I wish for peace in my home.  Where there once was a longing for that ever so popular thingamajig.. now there is longing for good health and good deeds to others. 

My Christmas list would now be consisted of : Forgiveness, Christ-like love for one another, Peace in my home and amongst my children, Serving Heavenly Father's children on a daily basis, Charity, Good Health, re kindling of old friendships, Not taking anything for granted, Happiness, Kindness, Giving of one's self.   Spending Time building memories with loved ones.  Enjoying the Moment. 

I have always loved to give.  But now I think I give with more purpose and intent. 

I ask that I continue to wish for these things and to do my part in making them come true.  May all my loved ones, friends and neighbors know just how special they are to me and how much I love them, not only thru this Christmas Season but through out each and every day.

Thank you Santa, for believing in me.  And I believe in you, which is the Spirit of Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Love,

Amber

Preparing for Christmas

Things have been going well for our family.  Nothing out of the ordinary but fun nonetheless.  Last week we got a call the day before our Ward Christmas party and was asked to participate in a small program.  We were asked to sing and chime Away in a Manger along with 2 other families.  Being the person who hasn't learned how to say no, I was thrilled(ok..willing) to accept.  We had a great time at the party.  It was different than years past.  Instead of dinner they had a dessert bar.  It was wonderful, but still prefer the dinner.  With only a few minutes of practice, we did pretty well considering.  I would have opted to just have the children up there but it was a good experience.  At the close of the party, they handed out handmade mangers with straw and a poem to everyone there.  This way we can celebrate the True meaning of Christmas by serving our Saviour by serving His children.  I still have a hard time feeling ok with putting straw in it but am getting better.  I think it is a wonderful idea to keep Christ in Christmas.  I enjoy doing things for others and teaching my children to do the same.

We placed it right next to our Nativity Scene and we hope to have a soft bed of straw for Jesus to lay in on Christmas morning because we chose to think of others.  I have had so many people do such wonderful, small (yet big to me) things for our family and I want to give back... so I try to look for something everyday that I can help someone, even if it be so simple, to make their day a little brighter, better, easier or feel loved.

I know that some would say that our house is very simply decorated.  I don't have these cute things that I have made or want to make, but someday I will and I will enjoy what I have so far.

I am not stressed over Christmas, I haven't too much planned, yet there are things that I would love to do for my family and others.  I know that God takes care of our needs when we take care of the needs of others.  I am so grateful for this special season.  When hearts are soften and turn to those we care about.  When forgiveness seems more easy to do.  When we turn to others needs instead of our own.  I only wish to carry this feeling into the New Year.

We don't have our tree up yet.  That is the only thing about having a wood stove that I don't care for.  It dries out the tree quickly. But I am most grateful for the wonderful heat it puts out!  And to me it just doesn't seem like Christmas until I have our tree up.  We will get to do that this week. 

I pray that each of us will remember why we celebrate Christmas and go the extra mile in preparing a soft bed for Him to lay in.

Wonderful Week

This past week was such a wonderful one for us.  We have so many things to be thankful for.  First of all I am so thankful that my husband has a job!  He was laid off for 9 days and it was so nice to have him home!  He was able to help friends in need when their female had puppies (our dog was the Stud dog).  He went hunting (not as much as he would have liked), cleaned out the storage shed (wahoo!!, that was a huge task!), mowed the lawn, cleaned out the kennels, played games with us and so forth.

We had the opportunity of seeing a great movie The Blind Side, Wednesday my family came over for Thanksgiving Dinner and we had a delicious meal then played games.  It was so nice to have them over.  Thursday we enjoyed a wonderful meal with his sister Sondra and their family in Middleton.  We were able to bring our neighbor Patty with us who is going thru some really hard times with us and Sondra had a friend there as well.  Jerry and I took a couple of plates of food over to my Dad that afternoon.  It was so nice to do that for him.  Then that evening we  were invited to friends in our Ward for dinner and games and had such a good time there!  Ross and I stayed up until 2:30 am watching The Great Escape one that I have not seen before.

Friday was a good day, lazy but good.  That evening we took Jerry and Raelene to their first BSU Football game.  A guy that Ross had trained his dog for got us 4 tickets to the Nevada game at BSU.  IT was SOOO cold and wet but we had a good time.

Saturday night we went to the Gold and Green Ball at the Stake Center.  We had a good time there.  Raelene took our picture for us just before we left.  I think she did a pretty good job.

That about sums it up.  We have so much to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my family and friends.  For my freedoms and to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Now I can retire?!

My sweet husband has been asking me to teach our daughter who is 11 years old, how to make bread.  Yesterday I finally did just that.  I shaped the first loaf while she watched me and then she did the rest.  This is how they turned out.  I thought she did such a wonderful job, especially for her first time!  Better than my first time that is for sure!  So now she can make bread whenever we need it.  How grateful I am for such wonderful children who love to learn and love to serve.

The First Thanksgiving

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING



Children do you know the story
Of the first Thanksgiving Day,
Founded by our Pilgrim fathers
In that time so far away?

They had given for religion
Wealth and comfort - yes, and more -
Left their homes and friends and kindred,
For a bleak and barren shore.

On New England's rugged headlands,
Now where peaceful Plymouth lies;
There they built their rough log cabins,
'Neath the cold forbidding skies.

And too often e'en the bravest
Felt his blood run cold with dread,
Lest the wild and savage red man
Burn the roof over his head.

Want and sickness, death and sorrow,
Met their eyes on every had;
And before the spring had reached them
They had buried half their band.

But their noble, brave endurance
Was not exercised in vain
Summer brought themn brighter prospects,
Ripening seed and waving grain.

And the patient Pilgrim mothers,
As the harvest time drew near,
Looked with happy thankful faces,
At the full corn in the ear.

So the governor, William Bradford,
In the gladness of his hear,
To praise God for all his mercies,
Set a special day apart.

That was in the autumn, children,
Sixteen hundred twenty-one;
Scarce a year from when they landed,
And the colony begun.

And now, when in late November,
Our Thanksgiving feast is spread,
'Tis the same time-honored custom
Of those Pilgrims long since dead.

We shall never know the terrors,
That they braved years, years ago;
But for all their struggles gave us,
We our gratitude can show.

And the children of New England,
If they feast or praise or pray,
Should bless God for those brave Pilgrims,
And their first Thanksgiving Day.

Can I please wash the dishes?

So over a week ago our dishwasher decided to go to appliance heaven.  It was great.. ok not really.  It is amazing how blessed we are and what we take for granted.  I have been doing dishes by hand, which I know others have done that for years.. but let's face it, it is so much nicer to do them in under an hour and have energy and physical strength to play with kids.  I am not complaining.  It has made me more appreciative of how easy we have it.  I am grateful for the food that we have to eat that causes dirty dishes.  It is also a great way to sanitize your dishes.

But I do look forward to the day when we can get a new one.  So I have struggled with getting the kids motivated about helping with that ever so mundane but necessary chore!  Well if I would have known that all it would take to get excited about washing dishes by hand would be to buy a dish brush that holds soap, I would have done it years ago!!  I love the simplemindedness of kids.  Raelene asked me tonight if she could wash dishes tonight and tomorrow night and even friday night!  I said sure, what I really wanted to say was "No, I don't want you washing dishes, you are not supposed to be that excited to do so!"  I am so grateful for such wonderful children.  I feel so blessed!  If only I would have been half that way growing up!

What's for lunch?? Am I the only one who has a hard time with this one?

Everyday I ask myself the same question... what is for LUNCH???  I struggle and struggle with this very same thing day in and day out!  When we have leftovers it is sooo nice!! I love good leftovers... hated them as a kid.. but now it is different.

It is hard to fix a lunch for just you and your little guy!  I would love to fix a lunch for several people! The more the merrier!

So am I the only one that struggles with this or am I just weird??  Ok.. don't answer that last one.

My first pumpkin patch adventure!

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to Perdum's Pumpkin Patch with some pre schoolers.  Brayden had a great time.  I am thankful for the invite.

Today's message

It is said that our tongue is like a rudder on a huge ship.  Although the rudder is small, it controls the direction of the entire ship, and in a similar manner, your tongue will control the direction of your life.

Just something to ponder on!

Quote for the day

"We don't have emotional problems, we have thinking problems."  Joel Osteen

Our emotions come in direct correlation to what are thoughts are.

Unwanted guest

For over two months now I have been losing weight.  And no I have not tried to (smile).  I have tried everything I can think of.  It has now reached 12 lbs.  That is a lot for me.  I have tried increasing my calories, the healthy way, exercise..

I finally have an answer, I have an unwanted guest that is sharing my food.  Yep, that is right, a parasite.  It makes total sense.  How else can you eat more than you can possibly imagine and still lose weight each week?  I decided not to put pictures of them on here because quite frankly they are gross!  I didn't realize that we can have 100 different species that can live in our bodies... I would prefer not to share in this case!  So here goes, I have a plan and something to do to eliminate it.  I have faith.  I can't afford to lose much more.  Ross asked me today if he could have it...I said no, don't really want to share it with anyone!  I am proud of him though, he is taking good care of himself.. and will leave it at that!  He is amazing to me, and he looks awesome!! Always has, always will!  Now I want to get myself in better shape so I can keep up with him!!

Close call

On saturday my sweet husband and his close friend were able to get their first elk on the Butte here in Emmett.  It was a blessing from Heavenly Father no doubt.  I know that He knows that we need the meat this year and it was a prayer answered by His love.

Ross called me that afternoon to let me know that they had both good news and bad news.  Good news was that they both shot their elk.  Bad news was Joe almost died out there.  Ross had to finish taking care of 2 elk by himself.  Joe was cutting into the elk when his knife slipped and severed his left arm.  It was bad enough that Ross was actually scared.  He is never scared.  He said that he bled like a stuck pig.  Thankfully Joe had a piece of bailing twine in his back pocket and Ross was able to use that as a turnicate.

If Ross hadn't have been there with him, he would have literally bled to death.  Ross came home and told me that he really thought he was going to lose his friend right then and there.  I know that he was watched over that day. 

I know that Ross has had many close calls himself and has scared me nearly half to death!  I am so grateful for our guardian angels.  I know that Ross was there for a reason.  I am grateful that Joe is doing alright considering the circumstances.  I am thankful for good friends in our life.. for all of them.  Now hopefully we won't have any more close calls for a long time!

Don't wish your life away...

I remember being just a little girl when my grandmother told me one day not to wish my life away. Being the smart little girl that I was, I said"what do you mean?" She told me that I always wished I were older, wishing that I could go do this or that. I thought it was just silly what she was saying until one day I realized that she was right!

Now I find myself saying the same things to my children as my grandmother said to me..."Don't wish your life away!" Live in the now, not in the future. True, we need to hope for the future but live for the moments we have this very day.

I am now in my thirties (shh.. don't tell anyone.. I am still 21!) and I find myself with some changes coming up on me pretty quickly. My oldest will be a TEENAGER in less than 6 months... my daughter will be leaving Primary in 4 months, and my youngest will be leaving Nursery and venturing off to the big Primary in 2 months!!
WHERE OH WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE.. OH WHERE OH WHERE COULD IT BE??! I find myself singing that almost every day!!

Wasn't I just a kid in the 4th grade, enjoying my time with my friends and my grandparents, getting spoiled with licorice and ice cream, not worrying about anything else than the scrapes on my knees from falling down being clumsy?

Or spending countless hours sitting on my Grandpa's lap just enjoying the day knowing that I was special in his eyes. Or making Popcorn every friday night at my grandparents home and then watching some fun show on tv that night. Remembering my grandpa telling me that I needed to eat something for lunch before my dad came and picked me up to go fishing along the Snake River, for if I didn't the fish wouldn't bite because they would know that I would be hungry!

I am so thankful for all my wonderful memories growing up.. now I get to create new ones with my very own family and watch them go thru the things that I was able to experience. May I always live for the now and look forward to a fun filled, special future that is awaiting me!

The eyes tell all.. well, at least mine do

They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul.  That the eyes tell everything...and it definately rings true with myself.

Yes, I am telling on myself.  I cannot hide anything.  Cannot tell a lie, fib, am not good at keeping a secret (be it good or bad:))..even if it is just for birthdays or holidays.

If I am hurt it shows, am excited about something it shows, frustrated, disappointed, sorrowful or just any way that I am feeling I cannot hide it.  It sometimes feels like it is a burden to me.  But I have been told that it is a blessing.  I am still trying to figure that one out.

So now it is known that I cannot tell a lie, but I am comfortable with letting people in my heart.  Be it good or bad it is what it is.

So what do your eyes say about you?  Just a thought...don't need to answer.  Maybe I am learning to be grateful for this "gift".

Fun Fall Pics

I just can't get over how quickly time goes by. One minute you are holding your baby in your arms thinking to yourself" I can't wait until the day..." and then you find yourself smack dab in the middle of that"day". I love each of my children so very much and feel so blessed that they chose us as their parents. They are blessed with both inner and outer beauty. Just look at their dad and his family and you know why! (ok.. you would say their mom isn't too bad either.. but will leave it just as that.)

Lucky Shot

Ross had taken our puppy and a couple of other dogs out training at a friends Swamp in Notus the other day. While he was in the midst of his training, he happened to come up on some ducks. Thinking this would be perfect to train with he went ahead and shot them. He got 2 ducks with one shot and this was Kreitn's first retreive(he is almost 10 months old) and also happened to be the first time Ross had shot a banded duck! Talk about some luck there...

He has such a talent with the dogs and we are so thankful for this gift. He has a full kennel lined up from Feb-June next year. I can't wait to see what he can do then!

Not much going on

We are pretty boring around here lately.. not much going on. Just a few quick bugs we share but we are all good. Ross' dog training is coming to an end this month. I am so proud of what he has been able to do with them. He has been given such wonderful talents.

I haven't done much. Just the usual. Need to do better at a lot of things though. There are some things that I have decided I really don't need in my life anymore and I just hope I can stick with them.

Kids are great, I enjoy them very much.

Hope all is well.

Love is...

I know many people in my life who emmulate these words.. to name them I cannot do, for I do not want to leave anyone out, but you know who you are. You are such great examples to me and I can only hope to one day achieve this the way I know I should. Thank you.

Simple Minded

To be simple minded is one of the greatest things we can do for ourselves I believe.

I love the simpleness of children and how they are so happy with the little things

in life.

For instance:

Your little guy is motivated to go potty so he can have some crushed ice, watch a cartoon,

or eat certain food.

Your children want to listen so they can please you..

(although I think you and I would agree that they do it for other reasons)

such as: tv, movies, games, food etc.. at least that is what I remember doing myself

at their age!

I understand why it says we are to become as little children...

To have that naive belief that you can do anything,

To become anyone you want to become,

To go to the moon and back,

To be the first person to...

To trust your parents and those around you,

that YOU CAN make a difference.

Oh the simple mindedness of little children!

To not take things for granted and appreciate all that is around us.

Happiness is:

Buddha:
Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others

Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.

The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

ODE TO BEING HAPPY

Happiness is a state of mind

Not a state of being

It isn’t wealth you’ll find

Nor of things you’re seeing

It’s not a search eternal

With all life’s ups and downs

It’s a condition quite abnormal

With humanity’s worried frowns.

It’s a rare and precious smile

A warm hug from a friend

Those who stay a while

With warm time you gladly spend.

A warm and cosy fire

Inside from winter’s wind.

Of love you never tire

From those who are so kind.

Take time to think about it

Those times you’ve felt so good

Happiness just seemed to fit

The way it always should.

By Luke

Consider Yourself Hugged today and may we always pay attention to those "little" things in life that make the biggest differences!!

First Doe!

After only his second night of deer hunting, Jerry was able to get his first doe! Him, his dad and cousin went out by Murphy and thanks to a friend of the family, Jerry was able to shoot his first doe ever. We are most grateful for the meat and the memories that we will share.




As you can tell, he was just a little excited about it! What sweet blessings.

The rewards of being a Mom

There are days that you experience as being a mother that sometimes you ask yourself..."Am I really making a difference in my children's lives? And is what I am doing as a mother sinking into their overactive brains? Also, do they really pick up on anything when you are trying to have a pleasant and somewhat Spiritual FHE, when they are busy thinking of other things or your are trying with all your might to keep their attention?"

Or, when you say, in desperation to keep the Sibel rivalry to a minimum.."Now it says in the Scriptures that the Children are not to fight and quarrel among one another...(paraphrasing of course..)"

But then come those moments.. those sweet moments that make all of your efforts and your quiet desperations ever so worth it. I am sure that you know what I am talking about.

Your oldest comes up to you at a store that you are at with your other two and your Mom and says that he wants to buy you the thing that you were looking at. You tell him no, save your money, but he insists he does this for you. Awe.. their goes your heart for you know that your little boy is no longer that "little boy" any more and that he is growing in to a fine young man whom the girls will be chasing soon. One whose voice is no longer high pitched but deepening by the day.

Or he comes up to you and says how much he loves you and is thankful that you are his mother. He insists on getting the door for you because that is what was taught to him by his father and his father was taught by his father and so forth.

He has a heart of gold and loves to give others hugs and help them to feel better and serve them.
I am grateful that he is our first born son and that we have the privilage of being his parents. I love him dearly.



Then you are blessed to have a beautiful daughter who tells you that she wishes she could be as beautiful as you. Of course you tell her that you wish the opposite were true. She has as much inner beauty as she does outer. She loves to serve without being asked, and then goes the extra mile.

She writes beautiful notes expressing her love and gratitude for her family. She is constantly working on developing her talent of music.

She offers to take care of her younger brother by giving him a bath or changing his diaper or taking the ever so fun task of getting him to bed.

She loves her family and her Savior and we are so blessed to be her Earthly parents and love her dearly.


Then having your last always leaves you with mixed feelings. You are thrilled to see them grow up and progress the way they should but sad because you know just how fast they grow up!

This little guy loves to make you smile. He has a huge heart. He is constantly telling you that he loves you, is very polite with always saying please and thank you.

He loves to give hugs and kisses. Is always into something but knows how to quit when asked.

He loves his family so much and we are so blessed to have him in our home and be his parents here on earth. We love him dearly!

We feel extremely blessed to be their parents and I hope to do better each day. We love them dearly!!

Why Mom's come close to heart attacks!

The other day I went out to help clean out our garden for the winter. I was out there for a few minutes and I realized I was missing a child.. about 3 ft tall, brown hair, and pretty stinkin cute and full of mischief. I looked all around and had this gut feeling that I wasn't going to like where I was going to find him. Sure enough, there was my little daredevil on top of the house!!

My sweet husband had left the ladder leaning up against the house and didn't think that our little boy would just zoom right on up to explore the roof of the house!

I quickly sent Jerry up to get him down, then once I knew he was in good hands I of course had to take a picture because I knew it wouldn't happen again, at least with out my knowing!


Thankfully he has a responsible brother and sister to look up to.. in this case literally.

This should be the last time this is seen...

But, kids will be kids I guess. I love them and glad that no one got hurt!

Making Cookies

I just love the way my children love to get in the kitchen and make things. We had some left over cookie dough in the fridge and both Raelene and Brayden said they want to bake them. Honey Peanut Butter cookies.. yum!

I love this age where they still want to help and do everything they can to please you. I have been so blessed to have such great helpers as my children. It is fun to watch them work together and have fun together and then enjoy eating the cookies as they are done. I love my kids!

Happy Birthday Sondra!

Just want to wish our dear Sondra a very special birthday! We love you so much and want you to know just how special you are. You have such a big heart and are always giving of yourself, time, love and sacrifice for everyone and we ask that you be blessed beyond measure!

Thank you for all you do and hope you have a wonderful day and get better soon. Also know that Jared is in our prayers as well.

Thank you and maybe a little too negative?

I just want to say thank you for all who replied on my previous post about challenges. That is not what I expected at all. Everyone was so kind and caring and I haven't been worthy enough to deserve it.

I feel that I should have been more positive and not so focused on what is going wrong in my life, but I am thankful that I can share that with my family and close friends, each of you have been a blessing in my life and I love you all very much and know you are special. Thank you for helping to bear my burdens even though you are carrying your own.

And they all came tumbling down...

This is what happens when you are on the computer talking to your friends and also on some really good pain medications... your other two are in the other room playing the wii and all of a sudden you realize that your 3 year old is very quiet. You here a "Oh no.. dadgumit.." come from your 3 year old and you know that that means something that cannot be good!
So, you turn and see your little guy almost to the top shelf of the book case and it is falling down with him on it. All the books go flying every direction they possibly can and you go rescue your little daredevil from his high climbing, dare diving adventure!


So naturally he is the first one to jump in and try to clean up his mess. So what do you do as a mother in this situation?
A. run and spank him for climbing up there
B. just ignore what happened
C. hurry and get the camera because it is just too funny not to
D. try not to laugh while helping him clean it up and tell him we don't do that and scold him in a Christ-like way.

I opted for C and D.. as you can plainly see. What would you have done in my place?


As soon as I get the results from the above poll, I will post them and see if I was on the right track...LOL

Our challenges strengthen us...

For a person who likes to consider herself as pretty healthy, nothing could be further from the truth...at least lately.

I know that our challenges are supposed to make us stronger..if that were in physical terms I will end up being pretty buffed! I guess we can't have perfect health all the time but that sure would be nice!

It all started with a check-up at the dentist office to get an exam. I had a big cavity under a big filling. I had the cavity drilled out and he said that it was right on top of my nerve. We were in hopes that I wouldn't need a root canal, however, after a week and a half of intense pain we went ahead and started the process. We uncovered an infection which had spread down to my jaw line. He couldn't finish it because it was too painful. He put me on antibiotics to help clear up the infection. OF course I get the all time favorite yeast infection, then sinus infection, the next week was in a lot of pain due to a kidney infection and then a bacterial infection in my lungs which I was hacking up bloody mucus. I was unable to go visiting teaching last month because I was quite sick and now this month am quite sick again... I am sure my sisters wonder if I want to come! Now I am enduring a very, very painful gall bladder infection that sent me to a place that I don't like to go.. but they needed to make sure it wasn't filled with stones. They think it might not be emptying correctly. Pain meds have been my best friend the past two days and I detest being on them! I have only slept 4 -5 hours in 2 days so I am very tired. Haven't been able to eat or drink anything without it causing severe pain and making me sick.. have already lost 10 pounds in a month from not knowing how or changing anything...

I will get through this..always do! I will come out the better person from this. I very rarely talk about how I am feeling...most people are consumed with their own challenges, they don't need mine to add to theirs!

So maybe the next time you see me I might be emotionally, spiritually and physically toned.. ok maybe not the physical part..LOL!

I want to say a special thank you to my sweet friends who have been there with me through all of this. And to those family members I have shared this with... You just don't know what you have done for me... I love you all dearly! You know I don't like to talk about the negative in my life, but like a family member once told me.. if Idon't share some of my struggles and write them down, my descendants won't be able to relate with me.. so I said it and now on to positive things in my life!

Read me a story Daddy...

I couldn't help but smile when I watched Ross read to Brayden. Things like this definately does a Mother's heart good!


I thought that this was cute they way they were both reading a book.


I am so grateful to have a husband that loves to be involved with his children and takes the time to build relationships and create memories with them. I love them dearly.

An organized freezer makes life easier

I had read this in a magazine a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a try. I absolutely love it! Although I had to make some minor alterations and take out the containers on the top shelf to fit the roasts, it is still neat and you know right where everything is. No more digging thru your meat to find that long wanted pork roast!

I hope this helps some and those that are already organized in their freezer...well you are ahead of me! At least I can now feel like I have something in my life that is in its place...

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Happy Birthday my sweet little boy! Today you are 3!! Just 3 short years ago you came into this world such a little guy, 5 lbs 10 oz. You spent 8 days in the NICU in Boise, but you took yourself off of everything! You have always been a fighter! We are so blessed to have you in our home!

This was a kiss from your Grandma Stevens... I just love this one!

And now here you are, our big boy who brings so much joy to our family. We love you so much and are blessed to be your parents!! Everyone loves you and you bring a smile to all who are blessed to know you!!