Christmas time is here

Well Christmas has come and gone once again. We did our new Christmas Eve tradition (2nd year) with the Liston's of sledding and treats. Then home to get ready for our Christmas Eve festivities with Jordan's family. Then to Christmas Day.....The kids had a wonderful day, waking up at 7 am to see if Santa had come to our house. Well thankfully he did and brought the kids each a bird house to build, Kaas got a new tool box and Kora got two more Cheetah Girl's Dolls. But the biggest surprise for the kids didn't come from Santa but came from their grandparents. For Kora the two big things this year for her were new golf clubs so she can start junior golf this summer and a Nintendo DS. Kaas' big things this year were a drum set and the new Geotrax Airport. It was a great day spending it together but it was even better putting the kids to bed that night! Man I was exhausted however Jordan and I did manage to stay up past midnight playing Shaun White Snowboarding on new Wii Fit (Thanks Mom and Dad!) I will post pictures later of the drum set, it is awesome! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and were able to enjoy the day with your families.

Thanks

So the other night I was sitting at the table with the kids doing a little art project. I started talking about things I was thankful for and asked Kora and Kaas what they were thankful for. Kora started and said she was thankful for her grandmas and grandpas and her friends and her uncles and aunts. Kaas just said what ever Kora said which cracked me up. Anyways as the kids were winding down their lists I thought to myself..... What! They haven't said they are thankful for Jordan and I. So I started to ask are you sure you aren't thankful for anybody else and Kora looked at me and said Nope that is it! Man being a parent is soooo overrated! Just kidding, I know they are thankful for us but my goodness sometimes it hurts to be a parent.


On a different note..... Kora had the opportunity to go to Disney on Ice with her Aunt Carla. Carla and her husband are missionaries in a Spanish ward downtown anyways one of the families they have grown to love has recently lost their house and is currently living out of the homeless shelter. Well back to my story.... Carla brought two of the little girls with her along with Kora. After the preshow party Carla took the kids to they were handing out Disney coloring books. Carla took the book and played a game to choose which girl would get it. Kora was chosen and saw the look in the other girls eyes and turned around and gave the coloring book to one of the girls. When Kora got home that night and was telling me about her fun time she mentioned that to me and I just teared up. I can't believe my little girl thougth to do that. I am so proud of her for knowing the right thing to do.

Ten Things

Ten things I am thankful for and why......

1. My husband, I am thankful for the unconditional love he has for me. I am thankful for the way he kisses me good night, good morning and just plain hello. I am thankful that he knows me, not just the "hey nice to know you" but the deep down thoughts that I have. I am thankful he makes me laugh and I am thankful that he encourages me to have a career and a life.
   
2. My daughter, I am thankful for the unconditional love she has for me. I am thankful that when people see her they say she is exactly like me when I was little, I am thankful for the cuddles and the loves she gives me. I am thankful for the "MOMMYYYYY" screamed a the top of her lungs when I come home from work. I am thankful she loves her brother soo much and loves to help out. I am thankful she is independent yet still looks to us for help. I am thankful she enjoys going to church.
3. My son, I am thankful for the unconditional love he has for me. I am thankful that he is such a rough and tumble little guy (2 years old and almost 38 pounds, I guess that is not little!) I am thankful the Dr. tells us he is not fat just strictly solid!!! I am thankful for the hugs and loves he gives me. I am thankful for the "Mommy, I love you" that I get at night.
   
4. My Parents and My In-Laws, I am thankful for the continuing love and support they give us. This also includes my brother and sister (in laws and my brother.) I am especially thankful that when I was a Senior in High School my parents told me I had no choice that I was going to college. When I told my dad I wanted to go to Cosmetology school he said only after you have completed a college degree and are ready to open a Salon as your own business. That hasn't happened and I don't know if it ever will but Thank you!
   
5. My home, I am thankful we are able to live in our own home. I am thankful for the dirt and dust that I clean up and for the toys and clothes and dishes I put away (although I don't always act like I am thankful for it.) It means that we are able to provide for our family and have a place to keep us warm or cool.
6. My friends, I am soo thankful for the friendships that I have whether they be old friends, old friends that I lost touch with and am know reconnecting or my new friends that I have met since we have lived in our home. Julie, Annie, Katie, Ashley, MaryLynn, Jen, and every one else. I am especially thankful for Julie and Annie, man I wouldn't be sane if I didn't have them!!! I feel as though we have known each other for years.
   
7. My religion, I am thankful for the time that I struggled with my religion and I am thankful Jordan was not a member when we met. I feel this has all brought me to where I am today and I am thankful for that. I am thankful for the growth that I still have to accomplish. I am thankful for the power of prayer and the power of the priesthood with the blessings that can be given.
   
8. This goes along on the same lines as religion.... but I am thankful for all the mistakes I have made in my life, the mistakes in school the mistakes at work the mistakes in my everyday life; for without those I wouldn't be in the position I am today.
9. I am thankful that I am able to provide for my family while Jordan is going to school and trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up!
   
10. I am thankful for my health, although I know I need to work on things! This past spring there were some health issues that thankfully have cleared up but it has definitely made me thankful for the health and body I have.
    

Thank you to all!!!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Red Riding Hood Jacket GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!