Birthday Girl!

Jordan turned 9 today! I still can't believe how fast my little baby is growing up. It seriously does not seem that long ago that she was a tiny baby in my arms. As much as I miss those days, I love watching Jordan become her own person. I love you Jordan...Happy Birthday!!

This year for her birthday we got Jordan something she's wanted for a LONG time...

I just have to drive through it

I am not one to give money to strangers begging on the street, but the other day I was seriously touched to do just that (although I couldn't stop on the busy street, so I couldn't). I saw a man sitting at a bus stop. He was reading a really beaten' up copy of the Bible and was obviously homeless. I don't know what it was about that man, but he inspired me. As I drove home (I take a short cut home from Costco through a pretty rough neighborhood) I looked around at the run down homes, the bars on the windows, the garbage lining the street. I thought to myself "nobody should have to live here!" Something inside me changed. Somehow I need to find a way to help....not just give money, but really help. So that is what has been on my mind lately. How can I help? How does the world get so out of control and what can "I" do to make a difference?

Wise Words...oh, and more Mischief

Pleasant and Patient

These are the two words that I gleaned from Stake Conference last week. When I heard Elder Holland say that these words should describe us EVERY day, I thought..."that is so not me". So this is going to be my new motto...especially when dealing with my children:)


On another note: Any guesses who took these pictures?? Here's a hint: it's the same person who BROKE my camera...grrr! Luckily we got these fabulous pictures as evidence!

January Smanuary

I have been a little gloomy this month. Mike informs me that I am always a bit "blue" after all the Christmas excitement is over...which is probably true, but I don't like it. The kids are back at school, I am finally over my sinus infection and life is just moving forward without too much excitement. It's been raining buckets (which makes me homesick), I'm trying to accept the fact that we are done having kids, and I can't quite seem to get rid of those few pounds I gained over Christmas. So, I am ready for the sun to come out, my family and friends to visit, and January to be over!

That's right, I did it:)

About 8 years ago I had three earings in my right ear. After MUCH consideration, I took two of them out leaving only one hole in each ear. In the past 8 years, I have never even once thought about putting an earing back into those holes...until today.

I looked in the mirror and thought "how come I can still see those earing holes SO well, it's been almost 9 years"...that thought was followed by an idea...the idea led to action...and the result...only one of those holes was still an actual hole. Now I just can't take that earing out. I know, I'm a rebel:)

Got just what I needed today...

...a little chat with the BFF...

...a little reading time...

...and a little of this...

...and this...

Ahhh...life is good.

This is the cold that never ends!!!

I think I am on week 4 or 5 of this nasty cold. First a sore throat, then no voice, then sinus headaches, then a stuffed up nose, then a sore throat again and now back to completely stuffed up nose. When will it ever end? I'm off to the doctor this afternoon...

2009

We really did have a great year. Here's some of what happened in 2009:

1) Tyson learned to swim

2) Jordan got baptized

3) All 3 kids started new schools (Jordan started 2 new schools)

4) Mike and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary

5) Tyson started Pre-K

6) We spend many days at Dinsneyland

7) We took a quick trip to Monterey

8) We had some visitors...but we want MORE!

9) We got to spend July in Canada:)

10) Mike travelled the world

11) I lost 17 lbs...more to come in 2010

12) I got roped into teaching music at church...jk I love it

13) Kya started ballet/tap

14) Jordan started piano lessons

15) Tyson got potty trained...well kind of:)

16) Kya & Jordan learned to ride with no training wheels

17) I joined the Y

18) We took a trip to Utah

Looking back on a whole year makes me curious...what's in store for THIS year?!