Anyone else totally tired and not feeling like blogging even though a million things have happened!? I have so much I should blog about for journal purposes....but I got a new book for Christmas (okay...I bought it for Brandon and I) and it's a good one. It's the kind of book that makes the laundry wait and eating seem unimportant...but what else would you expect from Gerald Lund?

I have 190 out of 802 pages read.Seriously...if you haven't started this book...DO...don't let the number of pages scare ya!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve! Already!? Then Christmas...then New Years...then the little feelings of disappointment that the holidays are over.

I LOVE this time of year! I love every little thing about it...I love the traditions that Brandon and I carry on from our childhoods for our kids and I love the new ones we have started for our little family! I love shopping, I love decorating, and even though I sometimes dread it, I love baking and taking goodies to our family and friends. I love watching my kids get more and more excited as Christmas day draws nearer. I love talking to them about the birth of our Saviour and even more, I love hearing them talk about Him. I love the songs, the food, Christmas Eve at Brandon's parents house, watching the kids act out the night of Christ's birth and all the family singing together! I love Christmas morning...the enthusiasum from the kids... and wishing there were just one more gift to open. I love eating taquitos and tamales with guacamole on Christmas day. There's so much to love about this time of year. Mostly I just love being with my family and feeling so much love for and from them!

I hope you are all loving this time of the year too!

Merry Christmas to you all!

(yes...this is your Christmas greeting from our family this year...you know you love it!)

WOOHOO! I am 20 weeks! Half way there!...but, I don't know how I am going to manage being bigger than I am! (yikes)

Okay...I have to tell you something funny that Adelin said. We were baking homemade oreos last night...the kids were helping...and you moms know how "fun" that can be. I was getting a bit frazzeled by the kids being on the counter and sticking their fingers in the mixing bowl and I let out a, "Geez Louise!" Addie's calm reply was,

"Geez Louise? That's a new one."

LOL ;)

...bitter with the sweet...

What an exciting day today is! I recieved a text at about 7:30 a.m. from my best friend Kristin. Her little guy finally decided to make his grand entry into this world! I am so excited for her and her family and I can't WAIT to see pictures of little (9lb) Makai and to talk to Kristin and see how things went!

Then, about an hour later...I got a text from my brother in law. It was a picture...but my phone doesn't recieve pictures. Anyhow...My sister in law Teresa gave birth (via c-section) to a little boy this morning too! I don't know any stats on my new nephew....but hopefully I'll get to see him soon and find out all that fun stuff!

Two babies in one day! How fun is that!

There's also another little baby to tell you about. My sweet cousin Carrine who lives in Utah just recently found out that her baby (who is due around the same time as ours) has a congenital heart defect. (Those three words make my heart sink to my toes and a lump come to my throat.) The preliminary diagnosis is tetralogy of fallot...click HERE for a simple explaination of what that is. She will be having a fetal echocardiogram  and meet with a genetic counsler on Jan. 5th...she will get some more definate answers then, I hope. I know that this is going to be a long journey for them and hope that you all will remember her and her family (hubby and 2 little kiddos) in your prayers. I also know that prayer, along with fasting is a wonderful tool our Heavenly Father has given us and if you are able to fast, they are a family that could really use that extra strength from above that it would provide them.

Oh...just got another text (Brandon's not gonna be happy...we don't get free text...but what can you do? Get a texting plan maybe?) My little nephew is 9 pounds 5 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long! Definately a Flake baby! (bet she's glad she didn't have to push that guy out!) Don't sure on the name yet though. They all (mom, dad and 6 other kiddos) have names that start with "T"....so I am interested to see what they name him! I vote for Tarzan! ....hey why not!?

The Real Meaning of Christmas...

If you have little kids, gather them around the computer to watch THIS. Addie snuggled up next to me and we watched it together. It is the Christmas story, narrated by a child. I loved it.

Click here

"What all of us long for in our hearts, at Christmastime and always, is to feel bound together in love with the sweet assurance that it can last forever.....It is through the Savior’s life and mission that we have the assurance that we can be together in love and live forever in families."  (Henry B. Eyring)

To read the whole article go HERE.

I think about Mary, the mother of Christ...as she peered down at her perfect newborn baby boy...I am certain she knew that He was not just hers....but did she know what He would go through....for us....for her? I imagine that "Silent Night" was filled with silent tears streaming down a mother's face as she cradled her child in her arms and wondered..... 

Adelin Dee...the 4 year old!

4 years ago?! That was a busy time in our lives....lots of change going on! New job, new (to me) town, new (to us) house, new ward, and then...a new BABY!... Addie took us by surprise being born 2 1/2 weeks early. Her mama was not prepared! But...Addie was so ready to come, she blessed me with a 2 1/2 hour labor and delivery! She was such a pretty baby! One thing that I remember about her being born is that she licked the nurses hand as she was wrapping her in a blanket.

Why does 4 years seem like so many!?

Now, Adelin is a fun, energetic, loving, sometimes crazy, always sincere, never unforgiving, compassionate, playful, helpful, self assured, beautiful little girl who can leave me in awe! She loves to help me cook. She loves to play Barbie's and she is the best little mommy to her baby doll "Sally". I've loved seeing her grow and become a best friend to her sister....and now that her sister is at school most of the day, she's become a best friend to her brother. I admire how easily she makes a friend and consider myself one of the luckiest people alive because I am her mommy!

We sure love ya Ada-girl!