A special treat

We were so thrilled that my sister KariAnn's husband, Uncle Chad, came to visit. He came all the way from Washington State on business and it was such a treat to have him. Who knew that even a less than 24 hour visit could be so great?

I was reminded how great we think he is

and how lucky we are to have them in our family.

The kids flocked to him, and have been talking like a "chubby bunny" ever since.

Our winter looked a little something like this-

A Snowmobile Trip to Kokadjo with fun friends.

Family Snowshoeing through the trails in our back yard.

Brad and Gary Sled down the road on our way to camp. (Bridgette's and my run was foiled by the truck that came along to sand the road. We met it half way down, and our sledding came to a quick end.)

Pugga took us all for rides on the lake, pulling the sleds behind the snowmobiles. A little different than our usual rides behind his boat. The kids LOVED it!

We have been baking (and eating our results!)

Beckham's been learning lots of big boy things.

We've had lots of play dates.

And now we are thinking about Spring!

Random

• I have been hearing birds chirping lately.
• I've had the girls home from school this week, and loved every minute of it.
• BR and I had then best Valentines day we can remember. It was probably also one of the simplest Valentines days we've had. A date at home, simple presents and cards.
• Liv put on my makeup this morning and I actually wore it all day. I don't know what got into me. I must have been in a really good mood =0).
• I can't remember the last day it was gray and cloudy.
• I have the sweetest, chubby little angel man. He makes me laugh and smile all of the time.
• I have to cook a really intimidating meal this weekend, and I am well. . . intimidated and I can't think of anything to make.
• I was calling my sister-in-law and accidentally dialed the number of an old friend and was able to talk to her and catch up for a bit. We laughed about it. It was a happy accident.
• I was reminded how lucky I am to have my mom. She always leads me to believe that she thinks I am perfect. To the point that we laugh about it. She's the best cheer leader! Love her.
• I have decided that I want to be a better visiting teacher. That is a desire I haven't had for a long time. Here goes.
• I've decided that I want to start reading. I don't have high expectations. I don't plan on reading a ton, but I'd like to find a good book. Where to start?? Any ideas??
• I am grateful for little things, and a good mood.

Entry |February 20, 2011|

Today is Sunday. We have church at 9:00 now a days. Which means that we spend the morning at church and then enjoy what seems like an endless afternoon at home. Right now, as I type this, Beckham is strapped up to the counter eating a chopped apple and raisins, while the girls play barbies in the family room. Brad is home teaching. He should be home any minute.

Today was a fabulous Sunday. Having young children that sit with us during church makes it hard sometimes to hear what is being said over the pulpit. Let alone to process it. Some days it is easier than others. Today was one of those days when I was able to focus right in on the speakers, feel the spirit, and understand specific ways I could apply it to better my life. Wonderful. Then it was off to Sunday School. Only the second week Beckham has been in nursery. Which means I was able to listen, unabated. It was a great lesson. The topic was Matthew chapter 5. The sermon on the mount. Again, I felt the spirit, was drawn right into the teacher, and learned specific things I want to try to do in my life. One was this. Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." One of my friends commented- "When someone is pure in heart, they seem to see God in everyone and everything around them." This spoke to me. It made me think, "I want that! That is the definition of joy to me! How could you not be happy if that were you!" Something I will work on this week: Seeing God in everyone and everything around me. It feels good, just saying it. Thank you Kristi. Then off to Young Women's, where in the lesson we talked about Women's roles as teachers. I was taught ways that I can teach my children more like Christ taught. Three that stood out to me. Teach with LOVE (not frustration!). Teach whenever it is requested/needed, not when it is convenient. My example is the most effective method! I feel renewed and motivated and excited for a new week.

Home is Anywhere You Are

Happy Anniversary! 9 years is a long time, I can't wait for lots more!

Lost in the woods in Maine

This winter, I have become a true winter gal. Part of a true winter family. We have definitely made the most of the snowy weather, and I have had a lot of new adventures. Snowmobiling has become our new family sport, and all members seem to love it. Beckham gets excited every time he sees his snowmobile snowsuit. His little motor starts going, "vrrrmmmmm, vrrrmmmm." BR and I came up with a new idea, which is to get a babysitter in the morning so that we can have time for a winter activity then, and spend time with the kiddos in the afternoon and evening when we would usually have our date. We have been enjoying it! Some of my winter excitement:

• Snowmobiling with the kids through the Hampden woods.
• Sledding with friends.
• A weekend away, snowmobiling. One day just me and BR, and one day with friends.
• Snow shoeing with BR. Being gone for 4 hours, and reallizing we didn't know where we were about 3 hours into it, and then LUCK got us back to our car! When you get lost 3 hours into an exhausting snow shoeing hike, you reallize that you may have to turn around and follow your tracks. AND that means you may not be back until after dark. That becomes more exciting when you know you have no water or food, and you left your jacket along the side of the trail right next to your car =0). We weren't scared =0)... well maybe just a bit. I did find myself craving the snow. It was the best snow I've ever eaten =0). Luckily it was almost 40 degrees outside!
• Earlier in the week, I went to Brad's parent's house, a.k.a. "Camp", to learn how to make beef stew. It happened to be the same day as a predicted blizzard. I naively decided to go. On the way home, I was driving through 2 feet of snow trying to get up a big hill. I was following in someone else's tracks, which happened to be on the other side of the road. A plow came from behind me and passed me on the right. I slowed down a bit out of surprise, and it was just enough to stop my momentum and leave me unable to move ahead. I tried to back up to get going again, and slid into the snow bank on the side of the road, completely stuck. All the while, the plow just kept on going, not at all concerned about the fact that it ran me off of the road. Brad's dad was SO kind to come and pull me out, and up the hill, and lead me to the safety of the main road, which was plowed. I was pretty scared about what was going to happen to us while we were stuck there. It was all so unknown to me, but it turned out fine. . .Thanks to my father-in-law. And now, I chalk it up to a new adventure. Not so bad.
• We've been learning about India. Liv has a student in her class from India, and we've had a fun time studying the country. We are going to Boston this weekend to go to the temple, and we plan to eat LOTS of Indian food while we are there in order to finish out our study =0).
• Liv went out on the lake Ice fishing with Brad and some of his friends. She caught an 18 inch trout her first time out!

While eating lunch today

Gwen: "Mommy, I know what is inside this Lasagna. It's meat."

Me: Yep. You're right.

Gwen: Meat comes from animals. . .

Except for frogs and snakes. . . .

Frogs and snakes are just made from Goo.

Me: {Laughing}

Wings

This is my attempt to get a picture of Beckham's new "wings." Whenever his hair flips out like this on the sides it reminds me so much of my little brother. I love that. David was for sure the cutest baby I had ever seen, up until I had my own. On the other hand, Beckham has had the most perfect, soft, always in the right place hair since he was born, and the flippy fringes make me a tiny bit sad because they mean an impending hair cut. I had to laugh because my smiley pictures turned into crying ones as Beckham desperately wanted to push all of the buttons on my camera. Buttons are his new obsession, and he has a tender heart. Sweet, handsome boy. Here he is with his wings.

January 13, 1981

Is the day I was born. Which means today is my 30th birthday. Its a good feeling. Last year when I turned 29, I felt a mild panic in the back of my mind as I realized I would be turning 30 next. I guess over the last year, I have come to love the idea of turning 30. Why I am excited to be 30. 1. I look forward to the wisdom I see in women I know who are in their 30's. 2. Physically, I feel great. I love the place I am at with my kids, my marriage, my life. My 30's are my new prime =0). 3. I decided that I am going to spend the rest of my life thinking how young I used to be, so instead of wasting my youth, I'm going to enjoy how young I am and feel young right now =0). Also, I really love my birthday. I take it very seriously. This one has proven to be a GREAT one. I'm in a great mood. I was greeted with lots of great happy birthday hugs from my sweet girls, my cherub baby, and my wonderful husband. I took the kids over to play group, and then really enjoyed lunch with my girlfriends. I am looking forward to a night out with BR that was completely planned by him. I told him I don't care what we do, all I want is for him to plan it completely. I'm excited whatever it is. So here I am. 30 years old. Happy Birthday to me.

[This is where I should be inserting a picture of myself....I'm postponing that to a future date =0).]

Snow Shovel Baseball, Snow Painting and Other Snow Festivities

More pictures from New Years day at Nana and Puga's.

Also, not pictured

Snow forts on either side of the road. Built by Brad and Gary. Purpose- Ambushing cars with Snow balls as they drive past. We were in the house with the kids long before they tired out of playing =0).

Entry | January 7, 2011|

If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you have probably figured that it is my journal. As a warning, this is one of those posts.

I don't know if everyone is this way, but as I am going about my day, doing whatever it is that I am doing, my mind is constantly going. Planning this, planning that, figuring out if I do this, then what will happen down the road, replaying events, imagining projects I want to do. I am convinced that this is both a curse and a blessing. A few weeks ago, I was going about my day as I had a passing thought. One of a thousand. "There are times when I want to clear my mind of thoughts I don't want to dwell on. I have been taught my entire life that if you want to get rid of bad thoughts, learn the words to a hymn, and sing the hymn to replace the negative thoughts with uplifting ones. I don't have a specific hymn that I sing, I want to pick a hymn and use it as well as this method." Since it was a thought, it didn't come in exact sentence form. Because if it did, it would have taken up much more of my time. It came as more of a concept all at once. It was fleeting.

About a week later, I woke up with a hymn playing over and over in my head. I always wake up with a song in my head. Always a different song. I have concluded that the song I am singing when I wake up has a source- Whatever song is playing on Brad's alarm when it goes off about 45 minutes earlier. For years, it has always been a country song. This was the first time it had ever been a hymn. As I became cognisent of this hymn I was singing, I remembered my fleeting thought from the week before. Is it possible that this is an answer to a prayer that I never actually prayed. A conversation, I thought the original thought, and God commented back with the follow up thought. Yes. I am so grateful for the blessings I receive and the way they help me navigate through life. The hymn that I was singing- "Sweet hour of Prayer."

This is what made me think of this experience. Last week, as I told my mom, I was in a funk. Starting Monday, I woke up feeling weird. It wasn't my environment. The kids were home, and my life was organized to the point that I was able to enjoy having them. They were getting along great, and helping me out a ton. We were having lots of quality time together, but still, I felt weird. It was an internal, hormonal perhaps, weird funk. I couldn't quite shake it. I kept trying. Gradually, I felt better and better. Even this morning I could tell I wasn't quite myself. Then, I decided to say another prayer. I found myself talking to God, telling him about things and what I was thinking. I asked for a few specific helps. And when I got up, I felt better. Back to myself. Ready for my day. Then, I remembered that hymn.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!

That calls me from a world of care,

And bids me at my Father's throne

Make all my wants and wishes known.

In seasons of distress and grief,

My soul has often found relief,

And oft escaped the tempter's snare

By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

I have found recently that my prayers are answered so freely. My take home lesson is this. The Lord answers my prayers. I can pray for what I need, and then let it go. Not worry about it anymore, turn it over to the Lord and have faith it will be taken care of. (After I have done my part.) Also, Prayer is a form of relief. Use it!

SO, I'm off to enjoy being myself =0).

Looking forward to. . . | January 2011 |

• Getting our life back into a routine. Oh how I love a routine.
• Organizing closets, cupboards, kids clothes, toys, hopefully everything. Lots of organizing.
• Learning how to cook a few great meals. I don't really enjoy using my time to cook or think about cooking. Thus my cooking is mediocre. I'm feeling motivated to upgrade my cooking skills (a small upgrade).
• Brad and I using our evenings watching lots of Fringe.
• Turning 30!
• Finding time to finish some creative projects. And feeling excited about it!
• Spending more after school time focused on my kids.
• Playing in the snow!

They couldn't get enough

• New Years day at Nana and Puga's
• 40+ degrees and plenty of sledding/building/snowball making snow
• Wild and crazy sledding
• No crying, only giggling

Merry Christmas | 2010