Happy 4th Birthday Jacob William

Today my boy turned 4. He is all boy and I love it. Jacob William keeps me on my toes and he constantly keeps me on my feet. He is a blessing to our family. He has rascal moments and moments of pure mischief. He is a sneaky little boy and depending on if he is in trouble or not goes by Jake or Will, if you get on to him by Will, he tells you he is not Will but Jake and vice versa. Some of his favorite things are transformers and cars right now. He also loves pizza, mac and cheese, and anything with meat. He loves to eat! We would not trade him.

Wise Men still seek him

Christmas, oh Christmas, is my absolute favorite time of the year with the fourth a July a close second. This year, we traveled to Odessa Texas to spend Christmas with Jake's side of the family. We have not been with his side of the family for five years for Christmas due to my work schedule or being pregnant with Jacob William. We left in the early a.m. hours of Christmas Eve when I got off work and arrived Christmas Eve evening. We allowed our kids to open gifts from us early and they were each happy. As a family we received a few movies, a game, and gift cards from my siblings. Our family received an abundance of gifts this year.
Ginny's top gift was Twilight barbies that her Nana got her...she had thought they were boots and was super excited when she discovered it was Bella and Edward. Ginny also had her DSi repaired, 2 DS games, mini pillow pet, an outfit, new purse, and perfume. Santa left her boots, gold chain, and other miscellaneous stocking stuffers (toothbrush, DS game...).
Aubree received fun things from us as well. She is currently into Monster High dolls. She received a monster high doll and monster karaoke from Nana. We also had Monster High dolls, for her, new purse, 4 DS games, an ice cream maker winter crocs, and a few other items. Santa left her the Barbie she wanted and several stocking stuffers.Jacob William received a DS with 3 games, Sunday shoes, winter crocs, Cars 2 movie, Cars 2 cars, mini Pillow pet, and a few other items. Santa left him transformers. He also received a transformer car and mask from Nana. He loves the mask.Christoper was not left out. He received new pajamas, new winter crocs, and lots of legos. Nana bought him a play cell phone and his own pillow pet. Santa left Christopher building blocks.Oddly, it was a white Christmas, very strange for West Texas. Christmas Eve the kids bid Zang, our elf good bye. Santa picks him up at Christmas Eve night. Zang is now a fun family tradition that we hope to keep established. Christmas morning, the kids awoke to see that Santa had arrived and left goodies. They also received gifts from Grammy and Papa. Ginny received a Kindle Fire, Aubree a Razor motor scooter, Jacob William received a car track, and Christopher a train table. I love that Christmas was on a Sunday and we were able to attend church on Christmas day to worship our Savior. The only meeting was sacrament and it was perfect because you still had the rest of the day being with family. I called my family Christmas day and was a little sad that I was not with them. In my perfect world, we would wake up with our kids Christmas morning, open gifts, and spend the rest of the day visiting both sides of the family but with one in Tennessee and one in Texas, that is not the case. But in the end as long as we are with family, life is wonderful and thank you for modern technology that allows us to communicate with each other so easily. I am hoping that this Christmas spirit remains with me throughout the year. May my eyes be more open to the needs of others and my heart full of compassion for my fellow men and may I remember that Wise men still seek him!

The holiday season is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love how people are a little nicer this time of year. I love the decorations and I love that families come a little closer too. We started a new little activity in our family called the ELF on the Shelf. Here is the story that goes along with it: "Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy."

So each night the Elf takes a new home before the kids awaken. Earlier this week, when I got off work, it was snowing, so I thought it would be appropriate for the Elf to build a snow man out of marshmallows and a snow angel from powder sugar. Aubree was the first one awake and speedily cleaned it up without noticing Zang, our elf. She was discouraged that someone had made a mess and did not clean it up. The next day, I came home from work and discovered Zang had baked a few cookies for himself and a glass of milk. I am not sure who likes Zang more, Jake or the kids....We have taken the opportunity to go to a couple Christmas parades and participate in Christmas activities. We took the kids to a live nativity as well but we were not too impressed, however, it provided a good opportunity for us to tell the story of the birth of our Savior.

My greatest blessing and gift.....here is what I am most thankful for...

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect the things we are thankful for. Rebekah, my sister, wrote a little piece about thankful for peace and hope, causing me to contemplate a little more on that. In the past, when I have counted my blessings, I usually reflect on the basics like life, my home, family, gospel, etc. but this Thanksgiving, after reading her comments, I have turned to the values and virtues that I am thankful for. So, today, I am especially grateful for hope, charity, service, and love. I am not saying that I am not thankful for everything else because the gospel, my Savior, and my family top the list but the other virtues are needed to complete the circle of Thanksgiving and happiness. The other night I came home from work and there was no room for me in the bed but my heart was full joy at the sight....all four of my babies nestled in the bed with their daddy. Thank goodness for king size beds!

This week I finish my second official class since I started back to school a couple months ago and begin my third. As much as I do not want to rush time because that means my babies are growing up, I am hoping school passes quickly for me and I still find time to manage everything.
We had some family photos taken by Kara and they look good. I will post a few when she edits them, if I can restrain myself. I've already used a few to order cards....I just get so excited. The holidays are coming upon us and I have asked the kids for lists. Ginny no longer believes in Santa and was very conservative with her list, Aubree still believes in Santa but has a relatively inexpensive list as well. It makes me smile because I feel my girls are making wise decisions and not getting too caught up in the name brand of things. Now, I know they are only 9 and 7 but I feel we are on the right track.
Here is a cute story, one of our neighbors homes had a small fire this past week. So, we took the opportunity to review our little emergency plan. As we were talking about it and encouraging the kids to get out the window if needed and shove the boys (only if they are in they same room), Ginny says "I will go last because I have had the longest life and if someone has to die, I'd rather it be me.". How sweet is that? I am bet you are guessing that yes, I teared up. She id pure.
This past week has brought pleasant things. I went for Aubree's neuro-psychology report and she does not show active signs of autism. I was overjoyed. Her IQ was in the "highly superior" level and they psychiatrist recommended that I try to get her in a gifted program. I am very blessed with smart kids. That same day, we received an offer on the rental home. I feel that I had two big, great things occur that day. I know my Heavenly Father blesses me tremendously and I have felt His love very strong this week.

This week has been a good week for our little family. Report cards came home this week and both girls had perfect report cards--all A's. They are both such smart girls. I like to claim that it comes from me. My family stepped up again this week. Jake had youth conference and I was unable to get off work for Friday night, so Sandra and Charity took the kids to Jackson for the ward fall fest and had them home in time for Primary practice Saturday morning. Jake has almost completed replacing the fence. We are replacing the the entire back panel because it is so weak and storms can blow it over rather easily. Today was the kids Primary program practice and I was one proud Mama. Naturally, I think my kids are just the cutest kids ever but it was cute. The girls did their speaking parts perfectly. Aubree sang a part of "Praise to the Man" with another little boy and sounded excellent. Ginny played "He is Risen" on the piano and nailed it. Jacob William, had the congregation chuckling. He had one of the first parts, approached the microphone, grabbed it close to his mouth, and whispered lightly into it. During the first couple songs, he would stand but place his elbows on the pew in front of him and prop his head on his hands. I am amazed how quickly my babies are growing up! Ginny is losing the little girl look and looking more like a little lady, it makes me a tad sad.

Happy Halloween

Fall happens to be one of my favorite seasons. I love the wind, the leaves changing colors, warm days and cool nights. Yesterday was our ward Halloween party and the kids looked great and we had a fun time. There were games, a chili cook off, and of course, a trunk or treat.

Ginny chose to be a "dark angel", Aubree an "ice princess", Jacob William "Bumble bee the Transformer", and Christopher wore "Winnie the Pooh". I think my kids are the cream of the crop.