Thanksgiving Weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with the Clark Clan. Brian's parents and brothers came. It was so great to spend time together and just enjoy one another. The kids love their uncles and can't get enough while they are here. We enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving day. Then on Friday we all went shooting. It was so much fun, even the kids liked it. I know that we all made memories that will last forever. Having family is truly a blessing that we all take for granted and I am grateful for our trials because I know that is what brings us closer together.

The girls just relaxing watching a movie with Grandma in bed.

And yes I hit the target the FIRST time. Despite Brian's reaction that I might miss. I think it turned him on that I know how to shoot a gun. He owes that thanks to my Grandpa. ha ha ha

Rob teaching Hunter how to aim and shoot.

Brianna and Grandpa watching on the sidelines.

Then Grandpa took his turn and he had quite a shot. I dare say that he enjoyed it too. Go Dad!

Look at those CUTE boys, lucky for me one of them is mine!!!!

Rob and Brianna watching the Price is Right....who has time for that anymore. It was great to lounge around.

I am so blessed. There are sooo many things to be thankful for. I am truly a blessed woman. I know that the grand life I live is all owed to my Heavenly Father but that I couldn't do it alone here on earth and that is why He gave me Brian. I know that through thick and thin we can get through it all together. Happy Thanksgiving!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy Brianna

Brianna turned two this last week. Wow has two years really gone by. She is such a joy in our home and life would just not be the same without her. She truly keeps us on our toes and never stops. She is as curious as ever and willing to do whatever it takes to figure out that curiosity inside. She is into everything and loves to be the center of attention. She is even been potty training herself and tells me on a regular basis that she has to go potty and she does. What a bright little cookie. And such a great future ahead. She has so much inner beauty that keeps coming out the more her communication expands. Brianna, we love you and can't wait to see what your future beholds. Happy Birthday!

Elmo has seemed to catch Brianna's eye. She loves him and can always find him in stores and books. However she will not watch him. So an Elmo cake it had to be. Thirty-seven cupcakes in all. What a cake for a two year old, huh.

I just can't believe how much she has grown. Just look at that little snitcher. Trying to get some cake before the guest arrive.

Even Grandpa came and sure enough as soon as he sat down she resumed her position on his lap.

Lots of presents and fun with all of our friends.

Let it Wave!

I am so proud of our country and all that we have because of our freedom. I have tried really hard to instill that same pride in my children and today was a great reward. Hunter saw the flag flying and said "Mom, there is the Am-miracle Flag." After he said that he repeated the Pledge of Allegiance to which I credit his great teachers at pre-school for teaching him. His statement really made me think and it truly is a miracle flag and all that it stands for. We are so lucky and so blessed to have such liberty. I am truly grateful to all the men and women who go through so much to give me all my freedom and liberty. They too truly are miracle souls who fight in my behalf and to that I am forever indebted.

President Woodrow Wilson, 1917
This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us — speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it.

BUSTED

I am so grateful for my love for my children because if I did not love them as much as I do there are days I might strangle one of them...ok not really. And today I went from one diaster to another. I could not turn my head for one second as long as I wanted things to stay in place. Sometimes I wish that I worked instead of cleaning up kid messes all day long. Mostly from my beautiful terrorist 2 year old. I love you Brianna but you sure know how to make mommy mad.

This was when she got into my lipstick before naptime and smeared it all over the counter and every piece of make-up I had in my make-up bag. Remind yourself that lipstick has a grease base and is not easy to clean-up and she went through 3 lipsticks...AAAAAHHHH!!!

Then after her nap she chose to use her body as a canvas and she used my sliding window in my bedroom as one too.

Oh she keeps me on my toes. I love her and don't plan to have anymore kids until she is 10.

HaPpY BirThDaY BRiAn

This weekend was Brian's B-day. We spent it up North with family and friends. Brian did a lot of golfing and then we had a great party with everyone. Thanks everybody for coming and helping us make Birthday memories that last forever.


This is the most perfect man for me. I could not be more grateful for a more understanding, patient and loving husband. He is perfect for me in every way and there is no other that could ever take that place. He is so intuitive to my needs and never fails to meet them. I am so blessed to have spent 9 blissful birthdays with you honey and I hope that there are many more to come. HApPy BiRThDaY!

Late Nights at the Temple

I feel so blessed to have this amazing opportunity. I have had my application in for over a year now and the Church has been on a hiring freeze due to the economy. They needed to hire an on-call person and my application was the lucky one selected. I work from 10pm-2am. I get to help with the cleaning. It is really different to go to the Temple as everyone is leaving and not wear a dress too. I wear white scrubs and white tennis shoes. Everyone I work with is amazing and so nice. It can be a little weird and scary to be in the temple all alone. There are only 10 of us and we are spread out on different routes. They asked me if it was scary for me my first night. I told them no but that I was more scared I would get lost with all the different places you go that you never see unless you work there. They told me that if I get lost to just yell and someone will find me. ha ha ha I feel like I am getting a little better at my bearings but it will take time to learn all that there is to know. There are very specific ways to do things, even vacuum and leave NO lines so you have to go from right to left and leave no footprints either and work your way out of each room to do such. It is a great place to be. There are going to be adjustments, like nap time is IMPERITIVE for me now!! And it will just take time for my body to get used to this but it will just require patience on my part. I could not feel more blessed to be able to help out iwth our financial situation a little and not sacrifice my time with my kids. I have never wanted to work out of the home since I have had kids but this allows us to have the best of both worlds. I couldn't be more grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this great opportunity.

Finally....time away!

Brian and I finally got a weekend away together....with NO kids. Don't get me wrong I love my kids but it is so refreshing to just focus on your spouse with no interuptions. The dinner conversations are quiet and enjoyable, sitting by the pool without making sure someone is not drwoning, and the naps can be endless. We had a couple free nights in Vegas and since it is Brian's b-day this week his parents offered to watch the kids while we took off. We went Friday, Saturday and came home Sunday. It was great and so relaxing. Just what we needed. I love time with my hubby ALONE. It allows me to absorb myself in his needs and what we lack with each other when we are focussed on the kids. I love him so much and sometimes get wrapped up in all the things we are involved in with the kids and don't have much time to just sit and talk. When we have the time to sit and talk we are so tired that we can't stay awake to finish the conversation. It was a wonderful weekend to spend time with one another and just relax for the first time in 3 years, we were way overdue for a weekend alone. Thanks honey for a great weekend. I loved every minute with just YOU!!! I was reminded how much I appreciate all you do to make me happy. You are the ONLY one for me!!

This is a picture of JoJo who impersonates Elvis in a Magic show. Yes he is real!! He was so fun to watch in the show!