* april 2013 - alpine, utah

Hello my blogging world. This has been months since I have published a post. Our lives are busy but at the same time some days feel mundane. Sometimes mundane feels nice. We are so very looking forward for the school season to leave. School has been a challenge for us this year. We have found it difficult at times we have loved it at times and we have out right hated it at times. The next few months I will be spending time looking into some other options for school. I am hoping there is something that might fit into our lives a little better.

Bear is growing like a weed - a skinny one at that but the height is coming. She has raced bike with her dad and brother and loved it every time. We are hoping to complete some more during the summer. We will be racing the midweek series. Kindergarten is almost over and she has loved making many new friends. Her teacher tells me that she gets along well with everyone in class. I was pleased to hear that. Bear still loves her movies and continues to have a wonderful imagination.

Beau will soon surpass my height. He is getting strong, smart and fast. He continues to race BMX and just completed his third state qualifier taking a 2nd place. WOO WOO. 4th grade has been packed with science and math. Grades are wonderful but had a bit of a problem with talking to others. (a family problem with all) Beau mows lawn with Mr. Frank twice a week and is saving his earnings for a new bike this August. Which is wonderful seeing that his bikes tend to be a bit pricy (a bit being an understatement)

Peanut is the happiest person in the world. Sweet fun and silly.  Loves the outdoors and had a hard time being inside this long and cold winter. She has been my little shadow for the past year and I have enjoyed each and every day with her. I can not even express the joy that this little person has brought into our household. I thank my Heavenly Father nightly for sending her to me.

*april 2013 - alpine utah

Christmas is getting close....

Bear helped me this year. She was pretty worried she would come home from school to find I had done all of the Christmas Decorations. Beau is like Frank and they have little to now interest in putting the decorations out.

This year we decided to decorate the top of the piano as usual but to only put up a half tree. We thought Peanut would only undecorate the tree if she could reach the ornaments.

I am still looking for a new count down calendar. I am drawn to Playmobile's so we will see what I can find this week.

sooo cute even with powder donuts all over you face.

My tree is loaded with everything. I do not have theme as most people do. We fill it with everything. Every homemade ornament we have along with ornaments we find though out the year.

We brought some outside in. I used some tree branches to give the tree some fullness.

I am having a hard time this year with gift buying. My children have not voiced anything - other then as seen items on TV. Such as cuddleupits, dreamlights, the slushee maker, and apparently I need the shake weight. - awesome. Usually I have my entire Christmas purchased and stored away by now but not this year and I am feeling a little nervous about it. One I HATE crowds I do not like shopping with large groups of people and do not like waiting in lines. But thankfully there is Internet shopping.

I plan on trying to visit a christmas event each week until Christmas. This week we went to our church live nativity so wonderful! and tonight we see Santa....

p.s. our stake does a nativity each year and if you have not had a chance to see it -- wow make a point to visit it. Just amazing.

We are to the End....

It is here or almost here. The end of 2012. I have blogged about nothing. I have journaled nothing. I often wonder if it is worth blogging. I became part of blogging before facebook, when blogging was the new and great way to keep people in touch.  I don't really know who reads my posts. I publish the blog for my children, who have little interest in it. I would dare say I would not publish facebook posts even thought it can be done. I think my children would little intrest in my daily ramblings. But I am sure as time moves forward as they are in their adult years they might find the blog posts interesting they might find it touching to see how I felt about certain aspects of our little family events and be reminded just how proud and how much I love them.

(Peanut as a chicken - Halloween 2012)

(a chicken, fairy and fin - Halloween night 2012)

With Bear and Beau both in school. I find my house quiet, Peanut is so simple and moves about the house freely exploring all corners of each room. I have definitely come to the conclusion that I am a loner. I like it quiet I like being by myself. I do like visiting with other and I can strike a conversation with anyone. But I definitely being by myself very comfortable and simple. I have lots of time to think, think and think. In this thinking time. I have come to the great conclusion

I AM BLESSED. 

(Peanut - September 2012 - 16 months)

Don't get me wrong. I do mummer and complain. I often do not take my trials at first gracefully and I do cry. But I know in my heart... (is that an LDS phrase or what). My Heavenly Father hears and answers each and everyone of my prayers. Though the answers my not be what I wanted to hear at that time. In given time I do see the blessing they provide. I live in a small but WONDERFUL home. I have the greatest children living with me. I have a husband that works very hard to provide for us. My Heavenly Father has such faith in me he gave me a angle. Though brief she serve her greatest purpose on earth and for that I am eternally grateful.



Christmas Came and Went -- Part 3

Festival of Trees -- Christmas 2011

I donated a Christmas Tree this year to Festival of Trees. This was my 4th year doing them.

Each year I donate and dedicate them in Maebelle's name.

This years tree was titled " A Very Monkey Christmas"

I made four monkeys for the tree and used traditional Christmas Colors. I was very pleased how the tree turned out and more pleased that it sold.

I often have mixed feeling on doing a tree in Mae's name. I sometime think people who have lost children worry their child will be forgotten, I watch them plan events and face book endless and I often wonder if they are finding ways each year to make sure they are remembered. I have come to realize people do forget, people continue to move forward in their t

life and endvors. Although I am moving forward most important to me is I will never forget. I don't make a large event in Mae's name each year. I don't speak of Mae at any chance. I share my story in small pieces and only once in awhile. I never want to belittle her special story. I do not want her death to define me. I don't want people to see me and think "she had a stillbirth".

I do find it special that I am able to help contribute to Primary Children by donating a tree, and I do think I will donate each year. When Christmas comes each year,  it is hard to decide where to donate and what charity to help. We often do not have lots to helps others with so this little tree makes me feel like I am hopefully helping.

Christmas came and Went -- Part 2

You all are so Yummy :)

Peanut trying to eat her lips....

Oh Mr. & Mrs. Frank

We Wish you all A Very Merry Christmas...

Christmas Cards -- I Love You. I absolutely love doing Christmas cards each year. I love coming up with new ideas and really enjoy the photo cards the best. This year we used photo props and took our own pictures. The kids had an absolute blast!  It was super easy and really fun. After we finished them the kids continued to play with the props for days until peanut eventually got a hold of most them, they didn't make it past her.

Christmas Came and Went -- Part 1

I spent a good part of the October and November working on various projects. I know I have mentioned this is the past but I still find it amazing how much time as a mom is spent in waiting. Waiting for dance lessons, scouts, school, bike track. While waiting I tend to spend my time crocheting. (I do plan on learning to knit this next year). I like making hats they are easy, simple and require not much thought. I have the pattern memorized so I can just sit and crochet without pattern checking or counting. Baby hats also require little yarn and flowers can be made out of left over scraps.

This was a new hat for a little boy. I really enjoyed this pattern and this yarn was a natural fiber in blue. It slide through my hook like butter. I loved using this yarn and wish I had more, I don't even remember where I bought it. I tend to buy yarn and save it until I have a project for it.

I tried Headbands for the first time this winter. I really enjoyed these. I made a handful of them but when it came time for the girls to wear them. I had given them all way as gifts, we ended up with none of them.  I will be working on them again for the girls this winter.

Peanut with one on!

I made coat pins for some friends this Christmas. I used my sister's vintage Type Set Blocks. They worked great. I used a baking clay to set the pins. I made myself one and lost it. I don't know what happened to it.

These little sippers were for a friends new baby girl along with the hat below. I used a baby weight yarn in soft pink. The slippers worked fast about an hour for each. I just loved how they turned out, and I love the Large Red Rose on the hat below. I am thinking Peanut will be getting a set next Christmas.

Beau and I worked on weaving hot pads again this year. Beau was pretty good and getting these done and only needed help on the last few rows and weaving the ends in. We gave these to a few neighborhood friends along with a cake mix.

I don't know if people really like recieving homemade christmas gifts but I really do enjoy making them. I love finding new ideas to use each year and I love wrapping them and delivering them also.

6 Months and Growing

Peanut you are 6 months old. And always a Happy Delight!

You LOVE LOVE LOVE your pink blanket that Aunt Net gave you. You sleep with it for every nap and bedtime. We take it everywhere with us.

You Sleep 12 hours straight through the night. Just like a little Angel.

You have to be the absolute Happiest Baby in the World. You make our house so happy, and I just love you so much.

stats:

14 lbs. 4 ozs.

Lenght - 50%

Head - 90%