Texas Blueblonnets 2012

We finally went out to see the bluebonnets before it was too late! I was so thrilled. Each year, it seems like I wait too long. Conference weekend was the perfect time for it. There were hundreds and hundreds in the fields. Ella and Dylan loved running through the mazes of flowers. They dragged May along too!

And Little Swiss Miss running through the Texas bluebonnets. The hills are alive!

Ella's Singing Solo

This post is a little late, but didn't want to forget to save this video!

Before Christmas break, Ella had the opening and closing solo in her first grade play. She sang with perfect pitch!

Grandma Liz Runs a Triathalon!

We went to Austin to cheer Grandma Liz on in her triathalon. She did a great job. The kids loved seeing her race and especially staying in the hotel with the pool.So grateful for all of my parents working so hard on fitness and nutrition. It makes our lives easier to learn from and teach our kids. What a great example Grandma Liz is to them!

Ella's Softball Experience

Ella had a short-lived softball career. She started in the heat of summer, 108 degrees, for practices. She HATED the heat and really didn't want to continue the season. We told her we were going to finish what we started. When she forgot about hating it, she actually got better for awhile. And she'd never admit it, but she did have some fun. While their games ended in the cool Fall weather, it had a rough start. Ella did get someone out and liked the competitive side of it. Other than that, she made it very clear that softball is NOT for her.

Magical Christmas

For some reason, Christmas had all the right balance for me this year. We were focused on family and the Savior. I don't know why, but we kept it more in perspective. We had to open gifts early as we went to Utah with Eric's family. So, maybe because we had more focus on family and less on gifts, it just felt right. First, Elf on the Shelf flew in as soon as Thanksgiving was over. He watched over the kids each day and reported back to Santa that night. Boy, were they good for Elf! I sure love this little guy as a mom!




The kids made their traditional Gingerbread houses with grandma this year (who started the tradition long ago!)


We got to have Christmas with the Lewis family in Northern Utah this year. The kids were REALLY hoping for snow, but there wasn't much on the ground. We did drive up the canyon and find enough for sledding, whew!

The REASON for the Season

Today we had some beautiful sunny weather in Texas and decided to take down all the Christmas decorations. It felt good to clean and organize, but I found myself feeling pretty sad. Even my daughter said "I wish Christmas never had to leave!" I started seeing all the things in my house that I want to change and organize. I saw project after project in front of me. And I saw limitations to my wanting to redo the whole house. Little by little as I took the decorations down and saw my bare house, I began to feel sorry for myself.
When everyone had fallen asleep, I took a moment to open the rest of my Christmas cards and read letters. I read about friends who had found hope again after divorce. I read about joy in a family despite losing a child. I read about travels and adventures. I am so grateful for every single person who has touched my life for good. My mood completely changed when I read a quote from one friend "I choose to focus on the abundance, not the absence." And another letter from a cousin who lost a baby and said "from Him who there was no room in the inn, his Christmas gifts are endless." Christmas in our hearts doesn't have to end.
I feel so much more hope and joy as I think of the many blessings I've experienced in 2011. Countless prayers have been answered. Holes in my life have been filled with love and joy. Hearts have been healed and paths have crossed just as Heavenly Father willed it. I do have so much abundance to focus on and hope to do more of that in this journal (my blog). With Christ, all things are fulfilled and nothing is left wanting. If we sincerely look to Him, we have all we ever want or need.

Ella's 7th Birthday Party

Ella wanted to have a Barbie and the Fairy Tale Princess party after her favorite movie. We had a lot of fun with this theme. We let the girls dress up in fairy wings, Barbie hair and take pictures.
They all got Barbie hanger buckets filled with their dress up goodies!The cake pops were a big hit!See the fairys jumping!Who doesn't love a pillow pet?
Each birthday, I try to write a letter to my kids. Here it goes! Dear Ella,
You truly sparkle from the inside out. Your 1st grade teacher says that kids are drawn to you. You are uniquely YOU. When I try to sign you up for things, you like to tell me "that's just not me!" You came with a strong sense of who you are and who you want to be. I love your big brown eyes and how they shine. I love that you want to snuggle with your mom. You are always begging me to come snuggle up to a movie or at bedtime. You must have every episode of Phineas and Ferb memorized, but I know why you like that show. You are inquisitive and curious like the characters on it. You asked for a microscope and science kits for your birthday. Barbies and science kits, that's quite a mix. You love a good story and especially love to act it out. You were born to shine, don't ever forget it. Ella, I love how you have such a good balance in your life. Once I've slowed down and truly appreciated YOU, I didn't need to run as fast. You are just content being YOU, not trying to race to be everybody else. Keep that quality! As a sister, you show compassion often to Dylan when he's upset or overreacting to a situation. I cry as I watch you hold his hand coming in our out of school, giving him a calm reassurance of your love. Heavenly Father blessed you with abilities to make others feel calm and happy. We are blessed by the sparkle you are to our lives. I love you snuggle bunny! Love, mom