2012

2012 is here and I don't feel ready! I am still trying to wrap up 2011 and January is almost over. I always start off the new year by making resolutions and for the most part they are broken before the year is half over.

This year I did not sit down and make resolutions. I just vowed to be better. I want to be better about getting my scriptures read every morning! I want to be better at attending the temple every month! I want to better at my Primary calling! I want to be better at taking care of and being more active in every aspect of my family's lives. I want to be a better person and I know that by making absolute demands of myself, it will all start to be put on the back burner throughout the year and I will slowly start feeling guilt creep in. I don't want that so I am going to just do a little better at these things one day at a time and I hope that by the end of this next year, I will be a better person because I took it slowly, little by little, and put what matters first!

Happy 2012! And here's to doing better!!!

A Special Baptism

On December 31st, 2011 Makay was baptized! It was such a special day. Makay was so precious as he nervously walked down the steps into the cool water of the font. He was holding his dad's hand so tightly that his dad's hand was white. He looked up at me with excitement in his eyes and then looked up at Mark with the silent plee to please not drop me dad being communicated. Makay has always been so super sensitive and he took his babtism very seriously. He knew what he was doing and he told me on many occasions to bring it on because he was ready for that step.

My parents were able to come up and celebrate that special day with us and Makay as well as myself, are so thankful that they were able to do that. We had a wonderful second Christmas with them afterward and had wonderful food. My mom stepped in an saved my back as the New Year of Primary was the next day and I was NOT ready. My parents are amazing people who I look up to more than they will probably ever know. They have secured a place of absolute adoration in the hearts of my children and my husband says that they are absolutely the best in-laws anyone could have. He has no idea how pleased that comment makes me when he says it.

I am so thankful for my Makay and his choice to be baptized! I am thankful for my other sweet children and their perfect personalities for me. I needed the personalities they came here to earth with, they keep me on my toes and balance out our home. I am so thankful for a terrific husband!!! He is AMAZING and so much more but above all, he loves me. I am thankful for my wonderful extended family and I know that families are such a wonderful blessing our Father in Heaven has given us to make it through this crazy life.

A Christmas Not Soon Forgotten

We had a crazy, fun Christmas!! There were so many events before our actual Christmas day, everything blurred into a giant to do list but our Christmas day was quiet, peaceful and so rewarding after such a busy month. We had the chance to go to many school Christmas programs. Makay and Mason celebrated very big birthdays! Makay turned 8 and Mason turned 12. It was quite a month and
I haved to say, although fun, I am not too sad that it has ended!

Our Christmas was made even more fun by getting a puppy! He is so stinkin' cute but I have to admit he did not win my heart immediately! Having a puppy that we have had to potty train and get used to for me, was very difficult. I found a spot for him in my heart and could not have let him go. Our landlord found out that we had gotten the puppy and he demanded, after we explained to him that the puppy was no bigger than a minute and wouldn't get much bigger than he already was, that we pay him an extra $50.00 a month with our rent. Mark and I were frustrated because seriously?? Fifty more a month? We could not do that every month and since our kids knew that this was going on, we knew we could not show them that being dishonest was okay so we listed him for sale for a ridiculous amount on the internet. We figured if he was sold for that than wow, we would have to do it and if not, we would work it out somehow. The puppy was sold within 4 days of being listed and our home has been so sad since. How could something so small and even obnoxious find its way so deeply into our hearts so fast? We learned something about ourselves through this experience: we can take care of a puppy and even potty train one too. We did not get to keep that special puppy but we will have one, just like it again very soon.

So our Christmas this year was bitter sweet but it was a wonderful one nonetheless and we are so grateful for our family and our Savior, and the wonderful time that we get to celebrate His birth. It will be a Christmas not soon forgotten and we will cherish those memories.