Double trouble...

I had an epiphany tonight as halee and I were bored out of our minds and so decided to do the girls' makeup. It hit me square in the face that I'm going to literally have to carry a shotgun around to keep these little beauties from all the boys when they get older. This means my hands will be full and not just with bullets. This equals worry...I have to go thru it with halee already, but these girls will be double trouble. Sheesh...why didn't I consider all these things before having kids???

Merry Christmas to you...

As always, Christmas was wonderful. What would I do without this bunch??? I love them each...they are their own individuals with such contrasting personalities, and yet so similar on certain levels.

I felt a deep gratitude for Chris this holiday. He's such a good husband. I know I wear this statement out on here, and fully realize that it probably gets old to those who read it...because let's face it, mushiness can be super annoying. But I cannot help it. I need my kids to read this one day and realize what a good father they have to their mother. Yes, I feel incredibly blessed this year, and for that I feel so very grateful for life.

The music man...

I'm so proud of Austin. Our boy who suddenly seems to have turned man. He was asked by his teachers at school to be the chimes leader over the 5th through 8th grade class. And let me tell you...that's no easy job when you're dealing with kids that are bored and sometimes unwilling to learn. He did it though and when I heard them perform at our Christmas school program I was very proud of all they accomplished.

Austin hadn't had piano lessons in several years and yet sits at our piano, takes his favorite songs and recomposes them in a matter of minutes. I love his music. I could listen all day.

That kind of feeling you get...

Do you ever see a picture of someone you love and your heart just swells up like is big balloon that is completely on the verge of popping? When I saw this picture that Chris took of our scarlett at the christmas school program, that's how I felt. A true love kind of feeling. My youngest sweet girl, in kindergarten. This time goes by so incredibly fast. I try to savor every bit of her littleness. A tangible love that is so real for all of my children. I am seeing every last one of them grow...some already into beautiful teenagers and our oldest nearing adulthood. Just yesterday our oldest was as young as our youngest. Life is THAT fast. But my joy is overwhelming. I have been able to do this six times. Six times I got to go to the hospital and bring a baby home. Six times I've been able to see them take a first step...see them get excited about seeing an airplane in the sky...see them go to their first day of school. The list goes on. For me, having six children has meant triple the blessings...triple the chaos, but mostly triple the swelling balloon feeling to where I'm a hair pin away from popping.

Seasons...

This week marks my very first week working with Chris at the denture clinic. I haven't worked out of the home since I was 20 years old. I've always devoted every second to being a mom. Thankfully I can still do that. My schedule allows for me to work while the kids are at school.

It's definitely going to be an up road climb...but with all the help from Chris, and our technicians, I'm up for this challenge....and super excited about this new chapter of life. My mom always said "there's a season for everything." Moms are so darn smart.

Looking forward....

It's good day to turn 37. I've always loved having a birthday two weeks before Christmas. As a kid it meant more presents. Now it means getting older. But when you have kids that relish getting you gifts, and a husband who works hard to make it a day that brings a smile to your face, it becomes a day of feeling cherished. I'll take that.

It's that time...

Bet you can't guess what we are doing today....goodness gracious I love christmas.

A real gift...

We've decided to try something different this year for Christmas. We are taking the kids on a trip early next year and decided that in light of this, we would not buy as many Christmas presents. When we presented our plan to the kids we expected some resistance but instead they all agreed happily. Wow we lucked out.

Halee gave a family home evening lesson Monday about remembering the true meaning of Christmas. That Jesus Christ is indeed the true gift to all of us. She passed out these little cards and the kids were all really excited. Connor told me today that he gave his to a friend at school. His friend set it out on his desk to look at. Connor could see it meant a lot to his friend. 

I've come to the conclusion that sometimes it's a gift NOT to give. Sometimes when we are willing to accept less... a wonderful lesson is learned. And a real gift is recognized. How grateful I am to Heavenly Father for giving the savior to our world. A gift I will forever cherish.

A new chapter...

Yes I know. I've been a terrible blogger. You see I have this thing called college that seriously puts a damper on free time. I embarked on the quest of going back to school back in June...and things have been interesting to say the least. Chris and I prayed and pondered whether it would be the right decision for our family and came to the conclusion that YES it would be. It's all online, and eventually the hope is that I can graduate and work along side my hottie husband as a Licensed Denturist. Like I said, that is the hope....now I have to make it a reality.

I've never seen my husband be more supportive. I always knew he was amazing but in June when I first started it was extremely overwhelming at times. Lots of tears and even more late nights that turned into early mornings and I pretty much lived on Mountain Dew just to stay awake. Thankfully the hardest terms are behind me and even though I still have a long way to go...I know I have the support to make it happen.

Now if I can just tell my brain to keep up, all will be well.