Perfect parent, where are you?

When I think about Moms and Dads and childhoods, It reminds me of the "Is your glass half empty, or half full" analogy. There was a time before I became a parent, that I wondered why my parents did things the way they did. But through the recent years of raising children, I have learned to cherish my parents more and understand why and how it is truly impossible to parent perfectly. I also worry too much, and therefore think to myself that today could be my last day talking to them, or saying "I love you." My parents made mistakes, as all parents do but they taught me values. They taught me hard work. They taught me to love myself and others. They did little things too. My siblings and I always laugh because one of our "traditions" as children was that my mom would take us every single day to the convenient store and buy us a candy bar. And even though it wasn't the most healthy tradition in the world, it is one I will forever cherish. I will always cherish my dad making up his own goofy words to familiar tunes. Or hugging us. He always hugged us and told us he loved us. He was very affectionate. And my mom...she showed us she loved us by being with us. Staying up late and watching movies with us...scary ones! She too told us she loved us despite the fact that she was raised in a home where these words were rare. She picked up the slack all those years when my dad traveled and couldn't be around as much as he wanted to be. I have had those times where I'm angry and frustrated that my parents did things differently than I thought they should have, but I have come to the conclusion that life is too hard and too short to do anything but tell the ones we love that we love them, completely, unequivocally and unconditionally.

Okay, enough of the sappy babbling. I love the pic of my mom below trying on the gift from my dad. This picture is so cute and illustrates her funny cute personality. She reminds me so much of a little girl in a woman's body. :)

1908

One thing I have learned about living in a historic home is that I could never put a price on the sentimental value I have received since moving here. I like to imagine who lived here and what their life stories were. How they dressed, what they cooked, how they celebrated the Holidays. I think about this so much. Scarlett loves the old key locks that are original from 1908. She'll try to get a key in these for 20 minutes at a time, and I am not exaggerating. The kids also like to peek through to see what's on the other side. And in case you're wondering, the bedrooms and bathrooms are taped off with a piece of black tape. I hope that occurred to them way back then too. I would love to know everything they did way back when. For now I'll continue to wonder.

Devoted Dad...

One of Chris' favorite things to do with the kids, is lay there and let them climb all over him. This has a payoff for him, he doesn't have to wrestle on the floor. He doesn't have to run after them in chase. He doesn't have to stand or do much of anything at all. He literally just lays there and they pounce on him and he just laughs and takes it. This is a game I see absolutely no point in, and I personally would never in a million years want to be jumped on, but they love it, and he loves it, so guess I love it for them.

Grace is funny...

When I said "smile for the camera!" I just assumed we both were. I guess I should have known. Funny faces are much more fun.

Drowning...

We've all been asked the age old question "If you could be any animal, what would you be?" Well, I never thought I'd say it, but I think I would be rat. A drowned rat that is. I officially received the title Saturday when I went for an 8 1/2 mile run with my two running partners. It wasn't raining too much when we left but 5 minutes into the run, it was pouring and continued to do so for the entire run. All I was wearing was a thin white shirt for a top. I was literally shivering from head to toe. Boy did I learn a lesson. Thankfully 6 miles into the run, we passed a friends house who graciously let me borrow her sweatshirt, which helped immensely. Being sick with a horrid cold didn't help matters. Okay, so then I ran again by myself today, and what happened? Yep, drowned rat...again. And then I'm going to be running again tonight, and what do I see out my window as I type this? Pouring rain. I have never been so angry at rain in my life. Why do I live in Oregon?

Christmas Game Night

I feel so lucky to have so many awesome friends. Each month we get together and have "Game Night" where we just eat, play games and most importantly, leave kids at home. It's a time where I always end up feeling like a teenager again. It's also a time where I laugh so hard my cheeks hurt. Never fails. Christmas game night was at our home Saturday night. We had a couple come that are non LDS and we played a game where they had to guess which spouse belonged with who. After they visited with everyone for about 15 minutes they got to guess, and guess how many they got right?? ONE. One and only one. The 2ND time they did much better and within a short time they figured everyone out. We laughed so hard at who got put with who. Below are a few pics of who was wrongfully placed together. I guess if you didn't know them, you might think they belong together, but since I know them, it's just plain weird.

We also did a sweater exchange, and whichever sweater you got stuck with, you had to wear to church the next day. I actually lucked out big time this year, but poor Chris became a care bear. And what a cute care bear he made.

It was a blast and I look forward to many more years of good times with these awesome friends of ours.

Turning 33

I have to say that Chris did well this time. He got me a whole family of Willow figurines to represent he and I and our 6 children. He did a remarkable job picking ones that actually reminded me of each of my children. I only posted the one he chose for he and I because I'm just too lazy to post all of them right now. But, I am so grateful for this gift. I am not really all that sentimental, and I probably would have told him to not buy me something like this, but once I saw them, I just felt so warm looking at them and mostly pondering what they represent to me.

I'm actually okay with turning 33. I had more crows feet creep up on me this past year. This runs in my family, and I told my mom today that I'm happy about my crows feet because it reminds me of where I came from. We'll see if I like them as much in 10 more years. But for now, I'm just thankful to be alive and to have so many blessings pouring out on me daily. I couldn't be a happier girl.