New Years!

Well just like every year there are resolutions to be made. What are some of yours? I try really hard to do a whole bunch and really better myself over the year, but that gets really hard when life gets in the way and pretty soon you weigh more than before and the house isn't any cleaner and the kids are still watching to much TV and then one night a stranger walks into your house and you introduce yourself to your husband! So this year I am taking the approach to work on three main goals and then the others will be a bonus if I can manage the first ones. So I want you to think of your top three and see if you can stick with it. Mine are as follows.

1. Read my Scriptures and Pray more often. I know this seems like two, but if I do them at the same time each day then it is really one. :)

2. Date my Husband. I know, I know, we have been married for nine years and, why date? Well because he is sexy, and handsome, sweet and gentle and I want to get to know that all over again!

3. Spend more time with the kids. Now this isn't, sit next to them while they watch TV or play Xbox, this is read with them, play with them, talk with them, take them with me when I run errands, camp, swim, chase, tickle, teach and learn with them, be more like a parent and less like a babysitter.

So there they are, my top three. Some of the others go something like this.

1. Get in better shape, so both two and three can be more fun. (Wink wink)
2. Go to the Temple more.
3. Finish another manuscript.
4. Make menus.
5. Stay on top of my laundry.
6. Enjoy life more.
7. Be more positive.
8. Take a trip.
9. Be more supportive.
10. Wright more thank you cards!


So put some thought into it, that's not the hard part, and make a list. Don't be to hard on yourself when next year rolls around and you are only a few pounds lighter and you house is only a bit cleaner...every little bit counts!

Merry Christmas Eve!

We are patently waiting for the kiddies to knock off into dream land then Santa's Elves will go to work! So much to do, a red wagon to put together, a doll house to furnish and populate, Lincoln Log houses to build, and stockings to fill. We have been so blessed this year and we are so thankful for all those who helped make our Christmas festive and bright! I hope that you can all enjoy your evening of setting up and snack eating (someones got to eat all those cookies!)

Also a grateful thanks to our Heavenly Father for sending the true meaning of Christmas into our lives. How very blessed we are to know of our Savor and his unending love for us! It may be about presents and stockings to the world, but in our hearts we should never stray far from the truest meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus to Mary in a stable lowly. Oh that blessed event, and how wonderful a gift was given to us that night, may we NEVER forget!

Sleepy Boy

The other night Casey had really had it with the day. He had gotten up early and no matter how hard I tried he would not take a nap. Well dinner time rolled around and he had been in a VERY bad mood but it would be bed time soon so we were just putting up with him. We got everyone around the table and Casey was upset about not having toast yet so I gave him a piece and we said prayer, three minutes later I look over and his head is bobbing back and forth and he can't keep his eyes open. Not long after that he put his head back on his chair and he was gone. We let him sleep tell we were done eating then woke him up so that he would go to sleep later that night. But I loved this picture because he looks so peaceful. Poor baby, but he was in a better mood after the quick nap and a yummy dinner.

Let it snow!

We woke up to a blanket of white this morning and it is still coming down. Johnathan and I spent forty-five minutes outside trying to dig our way out of the driveway and he was only an hour late for work driving on the bad roads, but look at all the snow! I think it has been a good two or three years sense I have seen snow like this, it is really crazy. Last night we were laying in bed and we heard some people talking out our window. The back of our house is against the church parking lot and there were four boys on sleds being pulled around by a mini van, I asked Johnathan if we should go out and play with them! They had a blast and we could hear them late into the night.

It makes me think of Christmases past and all the memories that were made as a child. I hope that we can make good memories for the kids so that they have thing to look back on, but also look forward to over the years. A couple of traditions that we have already set are that we hang the stockings Christmas Eve, we decorate the Christmas tree the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, we make treat plates for our friends and family, and spend time together making candy. This year we will add the tradition of the Christmas Elf and the story that I wrote to go with it, I think Johnathan is really excited about this one because it is so close to his family.

It is so easy to be to busy to do things, but hopefully the traditions that we are working on will help us slow down a bit so that we can spend the kind of time we should with our family. After Johnathan left this morning Andie and I made Christmas ornaments and we are listening to Christmas Music, the snow outside is really helping to set the mood. Merry Christmas and I hope that you guys can get find the traditions that you want for your families and can spend many Happy Holidays with each other.

Little Blessings

This morning as I sat eating my Cinnamon toast I looked out over my yard and marveled at how beautiful it was. Andie was waiting for the bus and I watched as she laid down in the snow and enjoyed the chilly winter morning. The yard looks like God sprinkled a generous amount of powdered sugar all over everything, and the tiny snowflakes glistened in the sun. God is truly magnificent to create such splendor and beauty. Full of the Christmas Spirit I hurried to finish Christmas presents and enjoy time home with my little ones. The Lord has given us so many blessings, from the smallest snowflake to the immense love that is in my family, and I am truly grateful. Merry Christmas and Truly a Happy New Year!

Ode to Johnathan

My Hubby had his 33 birthday yesterday, so he is getting really close to being old! I have to give him a hard time because he is four years older than me, so if he is old I can still be young. :) But because I have had the privilege of having him in my life for almost ten years I thought I would pay tribute to my favorite person in the whole world!

First off, Johnathan is one of the kindest people I know. Don't get me wrong, yes he still gets mad, and no he doesn't like everyone, but he is a great friend to have around when you need one.

Next as far as a husband and father goes, there is none better. Johnathan would work in the dirt under a house in the snow to make sure we are taken care of, I know this, because he did once. He loves each of his children and has made a special effort to let them know it. I think he has a wonderful relationship with each of them, and they know their daddy loves them. As for me, I am the luckiest person alive. Johnathan treats me like a queen, and he loves me ever thought I look nothing like I did when we first met. There is nothing better than a husband that makes you feel sexy after having four kids.

Overall I hope that everyone can see what a wonderful guy we have and I hope to have many more Happy Birthdays with him! Love you Baby!

Christmas Elves

When Johnathan was younger they had a Christmas tradition to put a hand made Christmas Elf on the tree. It was made by Grandma Duncan and every year one of the children got to put it on the tree however and wherever they would like. About two years ago Mom Duncan made one for all of her children and so we got one sent to our family. Johnathan has enjoyed the memories that he has of his childhood and the Elves so we decided this year that each of the children would get their own so that they can start making memories with it, then take it with them when they leave home.

These are the finished product, a little bit different than the original but hopefully it has the same meaning as Grandma wanted. I also came up with a little story about them so that the kids could have something to tell to their children. It is no completely factual, mostly because Grandma has passed away so we can never get the true story, but I thought it added a nice touch. Before I printed it out and was sure to run it past Johnathan, after all it is his tradition and his Grandmother that mad the first Christmas Elf. After his approval I printed it out to be read to the children Christmas Eve when we will present them with their very own Elf. Hopefully this will be a lasting tradition and that the children can find as much joy in it as Johnathan has. The story follows:

The Christmas Elf

One Christmas a very, long time ago Great-Grandma Duncan was struggling with what she should give to her children and their families that year. She had grown tired of the store bought gifts, and was perhaps a little low on money, but she longed to give something from the heart. For days she thought about all manner of gifts talking them all over with Grandpa, but nothing seemed right, and to her dismay the days crept onward towards Christmas.

Then one day as she sat watching the snow fall out her window she saw three tiny, lacy
Snowflakes land onto the window pane. Marveling at how unique every single one was, she sat for a long time examining every icy curve and corner. This made her think of her family, and how everyone of them was special to her, how everyone was different. Her heart swelled with love, and she knew what she needed to do. She needed something that would let them all know how much she loved them, someone to watch over them after she was gone, a reminder of sorts. Suddenly she knew what she needed to do!

Late into the night Grandpa watched her work. Her aged hands flew as she cut and sewed, pinned and glued. First one, then two, three, four, and five, they came from her heart, and each one was perfect for its intended family. Then, as the sun peeked its head over the horizon she was done. Grandma smiled as she sat back to admire her work, they were perfect. Five little Christmas Elves sat on the table looking back at her, they were just as she imagined.

Grandpa helped her wrap them up and send them out to their beloved children. The hope was that every year at Christmas time the elf would sit in the tree, looking over the family, reminding them of how much they are loved. Truly a gift of the heart, a lasting memory of the Grandparents that care so much for them, and their desire for peace and happiness in the homes of all of those they loved.

Now this year you receive your Christmas Elf. Let it be symbol of all that is good and right with the world. Let it remind you of the past, the present and the future. The Elf that sits on our tree was made for Daddy as a special gift from Grandma Duncan and now you get your very own from us to share with your future families. Set it with care every Christmas season to watch over you and your home, a constant reminder of those who love you!

Nine Months Old

Our little Jenna is nine months old today. Man how time flies, and she seems just as eager to grow up as time is to move forward. She continues to amaze me everyday. There is something about her that drives her to develop much faster than any of the other kids, I don't know if that is because she wants to be big, or she wants to give her mommy and ulcer. She is crawling like a demon, she will see what she wants then tuck her head down and go for broke, it is really cute to watch because she looks like a little bug. She can pull herself up to ANYTHING and now is experimenting with letting go and standing all by herself. The first time she dropped to her bum she was a bit surprised, but now she does it over and over again, trying to figure something out I am sure.

We have had to raise the rail on her bed and drop the matrice after she figured out how to climb out, she was lucky she didn't land on her head! Nothing is safe and she can go anywhere in the house in five minutes flat. She has moved into the "Helpful" stage when she wants her hands on everything even if it ISN'T helpful. She is a good eater and will eat anything, but she refuses to take a bottle, it doesn't matter what is in it. Her naps are GREAT, but we need to work on not getting up three times at night, mommy is getting really tired!

Over all she is a wonderful, happy, delightful baby and we love having her in our home! Her personality is one to cherish and we are so glad that God slipped her in, even though we weren't looking for her. Happy 9 month birthday Jenna!

Almost a Week.

So last Sat. Johnathan twisted his ankle jumping our of the back of the truck. Sunday I convinced him to stay home with his foot up, all with the bribe of lots of Football, and so he agreed that would be best. Monday, of course, he felt like he should go to work and so Monday night his leg hurt really bad and the swelling was really bad. Tuesday I talked him into staying home and then I went out to DI and found a walking boot cast and a crutch. Wednesday he wrapped his ankle and wore the boot and he said his foot felt a lot better. On top of that his boss gave him her reserved parking spot right next to the building so that he would not have to walk the 4 blocks he normally would. So last night we decided to take some more pictures and after wearing the boot, icing his ankle every night for several hours and taking it really easy this is the end result. Hopefully by this time next week he will be as good as new.

As you can see there is still a lot of bruising.

And the Ankle is still quite swollen and tender.

We are not sure why the toes are bruised, we wondered if maybe he dropped the slab on them at some point in the whole thing, but we don't know. (Oh and NO is toe is not broken, that is just the way it is...weird hu?)

Prayer of Thanks!

My friend posted a great idea on her blog so I wanted to challenge everyone who reads this to do the same.

Her Visiting Teachers came the last week and gave a message out of the Ensign about Thanks. Then they challenged her to say one Prayer of Thanks every day, when all you do is say the things you are thankful for, not ask for anything. She said that the first few prayers were difficult for her because she had to really think about the things she was saying. So I thought that during this Holiday Season this would be a good thing to try. Starting today I am going to say one Prayer of Thanks a day for a week and see how I feel when I am done. I challenge you all to do the same!

Goofing Around

Johnathan and I were goofing around last night wrapping Christmas presents and in a bag we got from Mom and Dad Duncan we found these hats and this woman's wig. It makes me laugh just thinking about it! The hat of course is WAY to small for Johnathan, but I couldn't help taking the picture, he looks SOOO funny. Then I put the wig on and was amazed at how stupid I look! We got a good laugh out of it, and sometimes you just need to do something silly!