2012

 Wow. I am having flashbacks from this past year run through my mind and I have to say, 2012 was a really good year. My kids were all healthy other than the occasional cold or bug, Mitch had a job, we had a home, we had our needs met in so many ways, I cant help but feel such gratitude for this past year. We were blessed. That in turn makes me feel like it was a good year. The really good high points for me personally was that I lost 50 pounds. I had set a goal getting 60 down but have only been able to accomplish 50. I will take it. I am hoping to continue on this journey and get to my goal weight and I have 25 more to go. It might take me all year but I do intend on getting there. Another goal I had wanted to accomplish was to get licensed as a Zumba instructor, check. Did that. I recently filled out paperwork to get permission to teach at Northeast Elementary school. I will hopefully get that request. I am looking forward to teaching Zumba and sharing my love for it. Last year I had hoped to also continue on with my education, check. Finished Human Anatomy 1 and am signed up for part 2 that starts next week. I am honestly dreading another long semester of studying hard but I am really needing to just suck it up and get it done. I am still undecided about what program I am going to apply for but I have faith that it will all work out for me. As for goals for 2013, I am keeping it simple.  I feel overwhelmed as a mother and student and homemaker that just being more happy and more loving to those around me would be the best resolution I could make. Being more spiritual and  to act on the promptings of the spirit are also at the top of my list. There are so many things I WANT for 2013 but I hope to continue to just be blessed with the things that God sees fit that I NEED.  Happy New Year to you all! May it be a blessed new year for you.

 I wanted to share my favorite picture of 2012....

Brynley and Carly eating churros together and watching other kids play in the water fountains at Disneyland in October. Their cute little tongues just make me smile.

And then it was over...

Does anyone else feel like they got ran over by a bulldozer or is it just me? I am so completely wiped out from as I refer to this month "the craziest month of my life" that all I want to do is rest and eat frosted pretzels from Disneyland...thanks dad I am hooked. I hope everyone had a really great memorable Christmas. I know we did. Mitch was home and has the week off. The kids were all so fun to watch and be around, they are full of the christmas spirit. I am glad they all liked the presents they got and was happy that none of them even expected or even wanted more. We go pretty simple for our kids.  Mitch and I both dont want our kids to think that Christmas is about the gifts we get but its about the ultimate gift we have alrady recieved and that is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

It was really sweet, Brynley came up to me a few nights ago when I was cooking in the kitchen and hugged my leg, looked up at me and said "Mom, I dont need any christmas presents, I already have you. You are the bestest mom in the world." My heart melted. I have been so blessed beyond what I deserve. I love my sweet kids and I love my wonderful husband. I didnt need any christmas presents either, I have 5 of the best gifts ever. 

 

I am so grateful that I have been able to stay at home with our kids. I get to go to their class parties and field trips. We went to the girls' christmas parties and helped out. I love being able to do that.

Caleb played a lead role in his school drama play last week. It was called the Comic book artist. Caleb played Star guy, an arogant, charismatic, charmer super hero. I loved it! He did so good and has been talking about pursuing more into acting. I hope he takes drama next year in high school. I loved it and even graduated as an Honor Thespian. Maybe we should just pack up our kids and move to Hollywood? Ha!

Singing, Spelling, Sleeping and Snow

What a super busy week we have had! Between my class final and all the activities in the month of December, I have had barely enough time to sleep. I just started my shopping yesterday for the kids. Mitch has been off since Thursday and wont go back to work until next Saturday. He will work the weekend and then be off for the whole week of Christmas! So happy about that. He has saved up his time off to spend with us during this special time of year. This past week Aubrie had her school Christmas music program and sang a few solo lines. She also had her piano recital and played Hark! The Herald Angels sing on the piano and then sang the song she sang in church today. She sounded so pretty and angelic up there in sacrament. I think its so awesome that she isnt even afraid to get up there and do that. Our bishop said it brought tears to his eyes and that he really enjoys having her sing for the ward. I tried to record it yesterday when she practiced but my phone is out of memory space- Its so time for a new one. Aubrie has been so busy sharing her talents and doing what she enjoys. I am so blessed to be her mom. She brings so much joy to our lives.

 

 Aubrie had won her class spelling bee and was able to represent her class in the school spelling bee. That was held on Thursday. It was for grades 3-5 and there was 36 kids that participated. Out of the 36 kids, Aubrie was the last 3rd grader and finished 8th overall. Her word she couldnt spell right was covetous. I dont think I could have spelt that right either Aubs. You did amazing and I am super proud!

I love this little girl. Brynley fell asleep in the ottoman watching TV the other night. I love how tiny she is. Such a tiny girl but such big personality and sweetness about her.

Monkey #3, Carly keeps me on my toes. She has actually been fighting a yucky cold but since it snowed a ton here the past few days, I bundled her up and she went outside to play in the snow and sled down the hill with the older kids. She toughed it out a long time and when she came in she said "Snow is crazy." I love this crazy girl!

These Three...

I am still trying to play catch up on my blog and have really been slacking on it for awhile now. I finished my class yesterday, took my final and ended up with a high B in the class. I needed to put "high" B because I was so freakin close to an A and my teacher didnt bump me up. I felt a little robbed but it was truly such a hard class. After not being in school for almost 3 years and jumping back in and taking a class like Human Anatomy & Physiology and having 4 kids not to mention the countless other obligations I have, the B was well earned. I pretty much cruised through it always having an A or B in the class. I am proud of myself for trying and for coming through as well as I did. I owe so much to my sweet husband for always supporting me and cheering me on the whole way. And also my kids for understanding when I was stressed out and needed time to study. I am taking A&P 2 next semester. Hopefully I can do just as good. Ok, now I am getting sidetracked....on to what this post really is about.

Two weeks ago, Caleb, Aubrie and Brynley all got up and bore their testimony's in church. Caleb went first and was such a stud. He talked about how we had gone to look at the luminarias at the college the night before and how he noticed among all the thousands of lit ones, there were a few that were burned out. He used this as an analogy that among us that are lit there are those that have lost the light of Christ and that it is our job and the missionaries job to find those that need re-lit and to help bring the light of Christ back to them. And also that we need to make sure we never go dim with our light. I was really impressed with the depth of his thoughts and testimony.

Aubrie and Brynley both went up there for the first time ever. Aubrie talked about the importance of the scriptures and how we can find the answers to our prayers and gain more knowledge from them. She also said she loved her family and loves Jesus Christ. Brynley ended up tricking me and asking me to take her since Mitch had also gone up and bore his testimony. So I took her and got up there, ready to help her and she didnt even need my help. She knew what she wanted to say and said she loved her family and Heavenly Father and that she was happy when she goes to church and she knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. After she was done, I was up there and ended up having to bear my testimony. Trickster Bryn. So each one of us except Carly bore our testimony's and I couldnt be more prouder of our kids and Mitch. I see the light of the gospel in their eyes and I feel their love for our Savior. I know that the things I am teaching them will make them better people and will in turn bless them and those around them.

Santa like me

 I took the girls to see Santa last week and even though Carly doesnt seem to excited in the picture, she loved getting to see him. After she got off his lap, she said "Candy please." She has a radar for candy and had pointed it out while we were standing in line to see Santa. I knew that was the only reason she wanted to see him.  After we left, she said "I like Santa. Santa like me too."

Yesterday, while we were getting ready for church, Caleb came into my room and asked if we could go shopping this week for some clothes because most of his church clothes and jeans are no longer fitting him. Which is funny since I just bought him new church pants in September. Sheesh, that kid is growing like a weed. Anyways, I told him to make a list and we would go later this week. Here is the list...

 

Okay, Caleb, sure I will buy you an AK-47. Ha! He sure knows how to be such a funny dude:)

The Nutcracker 2012

This past weekend Mann Dance had their 4th Annual Nutcracker recital. Aubrie had auditioned for a lead role  this year and got the role of Flower Fairy and also a party child role. Her ballet class also had a dance in it and they were Mother Ginger's Polichenelle's. Aubrie had such a great time and worked so hard for months learning all the dances. She looked so poise and beautiful up there on the stage. Aunt Judy refers to her as their next star! I am excited to see where dance will take Aubrie she has such a deep passion and love for it. The one thing that is different for her than maybe some, is that she truly has fun doing it. She definately got it all from Mitch's family, they are all so talented in dance. She has decided to go to competition this year and will be performing a jazz dance there in April. So exciting for her and for us. Aubs, you are our shining star!

Family Pictures 2012

My friend Rachel Tucker came to town over Thanksgiving break and so I jumped on the chance for her to take a few shot of us for our Christmas card. I cant believe how big all of our kids are getting. Seriously I.am.so.blessed.

Important

Brynley: "Hey mom, you know what? When I grow up I am going to be something important. You know why? Because when I grow up I am going to go out on the streets and find homeless people to help and I am going to build a homeless shelter like Grandma Jo."

One of the best, cutest things to ever come out of one of my kids' mouths. Her sweet spirit is so pure.