The Ten Things I Love about You

Today is Alex's 15th Birthday. I really can't believe it. When my mom used to say time goes by so fast she was right. I decided to post 10 things I love about Alex.

10. I love when I can't text very fast you help me out and text for me.

9. I love that when you are fighting with your brother it is not only loud but sometimes turned into a sport.

8. I love that you think you are above crying and other "girly" emotions and think that they are not part of your life.

7. I love that you can shoot your Glock at a moving target and hit it dead on.

6. I love that you think you will marry Alex Wolff from the Naked Brothers Band when you grow up.

5. I love that you believe the Kiefer Sutherland is really a CTU agent in real life, and that when he went to jail it was just a cover up for his job.

4. I love that when you argue with someone, you always think you are right.

3. I love that when you say you will keep a secret, you do.

2. I love that you are a good and loyal friend.

1. I love that you are reading the Book of Mormon and have chosen to follow the Savior and try to do what is right.

I love you Alex. Life would not be this wonderful if it were not for you.

Love Mom

I love the D.I.

Its no secret that both Mary and I LOVE the D.I. We go as often as we can (and as our budgets allows us). This year I decide to look for some Valentines' decorations.




I found this first. What the heck is it? Oh well for 50 cents I will figure something out.

Ahhh picture frame. We look good.

Another cute frame , 50 cents.

Love these heart wreaths for $2.00. They still had the Target price tag for $14.99.

Another heart wreath. Target price $12.99, D.I. price $2.00!

50 cent heart.

Love these candle holders for 50 cents each!

Ok not from the D.I. but I made it myself for $2.00. Not professional but cheap and cute. I even had enough left over to help Mary make one.

Side note: I'm on the look out for 2 wooden shelves. I'm determined to find a screaming deal at the D.I. I will just have to go more to keep checking for some. Wish me luck.

Teddy's Birthday party

Andrew has a teddy bear that he loves very much. Somehow Faith and Andrew got it into their heads , about giving Teddy a birthday party. They would not forget about it, so I decided the next time we did the babysitting swap , then we would have one.

So everyone brought their teddy bears (or any stuffed animal)

And we played some games like Pin the Tail on the Teddy.

Teddy got an outfit from the dollar store.

We decorated cupcakes

We played games like musical chairs and the limbo. The kids seem to have a good time and made the time go fast. I only spent $6.00 on the party. I wish my kids parties were that cheap.

Weird pictures

Here a few pictures of the family that are a little weird.

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Time and Seasons

I have been thinking lately about when my kids were younger . (Having the drama of teenagers is not easy, and I think that remembering when they were little helps remind us that we do love them and can't kill them). These teen years, albeit the very beginning have not been easy. When there is hard times happening now, I nostalgically think back on only good times when they were babies, toddlers and little kids. Alex and Frankie are only 14 months apart so most of their stages in life have come together.

I like to think that I tried to enjoy my kids when they were little, but there were times that I would want to pull my hair out because of my utter frustration too. I wondered if they would ever grow up. When would they sleep though the night,feed themselves, tie their own shoes, take a shower by themselves, not cry as much and wipe their own backsides.

All this thinking led me to one the thought, Am I enjoying my time with my kids now?

Last year I listed my New Years resolutions on our blog. I did accomplish some and others I am still working on. This year I have one major resolution that is too be happy at the stage of life I am in right now.

Alex and Frankie are now 14 and 13 yrs old. Needless to say my kids can now do all of the above, but to what end? They are growing up to attempt to be independent responsible young adults. But before I know it they will be driving, dating, going to college (we hope), moving out, going on a mission, getting a career, marring and starting a family of their own.

Time goes by so fast. We all need to (pardon the expression) but take time to "smell the roses"of own life. Whether that be in regards to enjoying our kids more, appreciating our husbands, fulfilling church callings or having a good attitude at our job. I love the scripture that says "Men are that they might have joy." I think we all want joy. This is not to say that all will be joyous all the time, but if we can take the time to really appreciate the time and season of our lives right now, I think we will be working towards that joy.

Happy New Year to you all

40 years and counting

December 27th 1969

Our parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary recently. Because of our Dads condition they did not do anything big. But we want to tell them that, We love them and appreciate that they stuck together all these years. Thanks for being our parents and raising us right. We love you guys.

Christmas time.

For many reasons this was best Christmas I have had in a long time. We did not get the kids tons of presents (although our relatives were very generous) but they loved all they got.

Hungry hungry hippo games is so fun.

My mom came and stayed with us for awhile.

We went to Ethel M. chocolate factory. I loved this sign. If you cant read it , it says " Exercise is a dirty word. Everytime I hear it I wash my mouth out with Chocolate!"

P.S. We had our 1 year Blog anniversary. Yeah us!!!