Our first snowman...

Gracie is my little snow bird. She has always loved the snow. She is the first one to want to build a snowman, make snow angels, go for sled rides. She and I are kindred souls in this.

Last week we had our first snowfall. Gracie could not wait to get outside and play. We borrowed Grandma's sled (yes, I still have it). Loaded it up with Christmas goodies, and took a starlit ride around the neighborhood delivering treats. We didn't get our snowman made, we are waiting for the next big snowfall to do so. We did stop and plop down in the middle of a neighbors untouched driveway to make snow angels. I don't often get to have one on one time with any of my children, so this felt especially sweet to me. I felt young and free. In case you're wonderng, my back is still hurting and the blister on my ankle is taking forever to heal. It was worth it!!!

quirks

Rules: Link to the person that tagged you; Amy
Share 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.Let each person know that they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog or email.Let your tagged peeps know once your entry is up.Okay, here are my 6 non-important quirks:

1. I do a paper route, and I love it. Weird I know, but I love the time alone. I spend the time praying, listening to church tapes, talk radio, etc. I feel empowered, and blessed to be able to help my family financially.

2. I don't like being told I have to do something. If I feel pressured to be anywhere, I suddenly don't want to go. I am like a little child, "don't make me"!! If you want me to show up somewhere, act like you don't care if I am there or not.

3. I get the chills when I hear fire trucks, ambulances, police cars. I always have to say a quick prayer that everyone I love will be safe and protected and is not hurt.

4. Secretly I love when Gracie wants to listen to the chipmunks Christmas songs over and over and over. First, I like the chipmunks. Second, Gracie tries to sing like a chipmunk and it cracks me up every time.

5. My husband still gives me the shivers. Enough said

6. I love diet vanilla coke. My husband has a love hate relationship with caffeine, so I try not to drink it out of deference to him and the fact that he shouldn't drink it. I sneak it. I love it and crave it.

1. Brandon
2. Kim
3. Nakel
4. Amanda
5. Mom

Droolie bug

When I think of this year what will I remember? Will I remember this as a hard year? Will 2008 be remembered for those we have loved and lost? Grandma great, Flora? Will Chris lose his job this year, will the election change so significantly our lives?

So many things have happened.I hope I remember this year for what is truly important. The biggest and best thing that happened is our little Sammers. I love this picture of him. It makes me want to pick him up, wipe the ever present drool from his mouth (of course), and squeeze him tightly.

We are blessed.

5 year olds can do anything...

This is Gracie's new Mantra. When asked to do something she replies, "Of course, five year olds can do anything." She finds her shoes herself, zips her own coat, ties...things.

Clearly she feels that 5 years old is very much grown up. On her birthday I asked her to do something and she replied, "Well, am I five yet?"

When I affirmed that she was, she immediately replied that she could do it. Wow, Why couldn't she have turned 5 a few years ago?

We love you Gracie girl.

I took the little kids hiking at Camels Back Park. They loved it Gracie wanted to keep hiking rather than play on the swings. She kept asking if we could go up and around all day. We need to take Dad & Brittt back to share

it with them.

Home

I love my home. I'm grateful that my home is beginning to fill with children and the sounds of laughter, crying, singing, running, praying and endless questioning. There was a time when I thought that we would never have this and I am so blessed to have the wonderful family that I do.

Home, home...there is something magical about that word. It instantly evokes feelings, smells, memories. I remember when I was little and I would walk home from Summerwind school I would repeat my address in my head. 3321 Spiceland Dr, 3321 Spiceland Dr. I felt so lucky to be going home. Each home I have lived in has felt special, but this year I truly feel overwhelmingly blessed. Blessed with children, with a cozy, safe place to retreat to, a warm fire, food to eat and a soft, warm, increasingly crowded bed.

Home...I am home.

Halloween

Some of my favorite people dressed up for one of my favorite holidays. Gracie insisted that she be Silvermist (one of Tinkerbell's friends). Unfortunately they don't sell that costume in the store, so Mom made her costume this year. It took forever and had some definite issues, but it was all worth it when Gracie put her costume on and told me how beautiful she felt and said "I look just like a real fairy"!

Britt didn't dress up this year, instead she participated in a spook alley at the Dillon's home. We went through it and loved it. What a fun, creative idea.

NKOTB

Just a few pictures from my sister Nakels recent NKOTB birthday party. I love you Nakel. You still owe me $50.00 because, ahem, you did not marry Joey McIntyre.

For those of you who don't know, Nakel is a New kids fanatic. The picture on the cake is from an article the Statesman ran on her when we were kids. I'd like to point out what a good sister I was to pose in New kids attire and poofy hair for the picture. It took years to live down. Adam and Amy were secret fans and much to cool to be in the picture. Although if you notice, those missing from the picture are the ones that no longer live close to us. HHMMM.Maybe there is a connection, a secret NKOTB bond...

"Mr. Robinson, Mr.Robinson...

...what a horrible mess, I broke your window with my ball and I've come to confess" This was a song I used to like to listen to when I was a young girl. Last week we had our own Mr. Robinson moment. Gracie has a new friend named Nic. He is angelic looking and too polite. That should have been my first clue. Last weekend while listening to conference, Nic came over to play. I checked on them frequently, but it is amazing how quickly little ones can get into trouble.

On Monday, our neighbor Bruce came over to let us know that his newly painted home had been tomatoed by our little one. Yes, the whole side of his house that faces ours had been pelted with ripe cherry tomatoes. The painter had just finished on Friday. Luckily we had previously cultivated a good relationship with Bruce so this wasn't the conflict it could have been. I'm so thankful for kind neighbors. Needless to say, Gracie is headed to his house today with an apology and a loaf of banana bread.

How my sweet ones listened to conference!! :)

Firsts

Sam's first sugar cookie

There is significance in firsts. This week has been full of them. Some good, some bad, all a symbol that time does not stand still, but that life continues moving forward whether we are ready or not. I sometimes want to stop the progress of time, just for a while. I want to tell my little ones, who are so anxious to move on to the next step in life, to slow down, quit growing up, quit growing away. I know that this will go by so quickly. I don't see them changing, I only see the end result; The girl grown into a teenager (Boy is she a teenager), the little girl grown into the big girl and the baby...oh I want to keep him my baby for as long as I can. Is it possible that time keeps moving faster and faster?

Brittany has picked this week to officially morph into teenagerhood (it's a word right). She is moody, sullen, silent. She does not speak to us, she simply looks at us. Truthfully it has been happening for a while. Chris and I have become them, THE PARENTS. How did this happen? My solution...I signed her up for art lessons? Chris thinks I am rewarding bad behavior...perhaps I am. What else can I do?

Gracie has taught herself to do math. MATH. "Mom 1+2 is 3". I know it's basic, but she picked it up on her own. Why? I have no idea, but she continues to enthrall me.

And my Samma Samma got his first tooth. He is miserable. Screaming, loud, demanding. My poor little man has such a low frustration tolerance.

The shop around the corner

I have added a playlist for your listening and viewing enjoyment. Chris and I have a family anthem (it changes). See if you can figure out which one it is!!!

Chris has been swamped with side work lately (thank goodness). We feel so blessed to have all of this additional work come at a time when we really need it, but the little ones have lost their best playmate to the shop.So, they have started visiting Daddy in the shop. Sam was very interested in all the "boy toys" and Gracie just wanted to hang out with Daddy and help. Brittany...well, lets just say she stays as far away from the shop as possible. Smart girl!

It's Autumn time, it's Autumn time...

Samuel in the Sink

First day of dance class
Britt's favorite spot...anywhere there is food!
First day of pre school

I love everything about this time of year. The sweet, clean smell of the earth, the vivid colors, the crisp, cool air. It makes me feel like a child again, but also makes me so thankful for my own children. Gracie will shout at me "Mom, look out the window, that tree is all orange."

In these times of tumult and fear for the future it seems that fall is the perfect time to prepare. I feel an instinctive need to ready my home for the hard winter ahead. What a great analogy it is for life. Here are some of my best reasons to be prepared and grateful.

• Christian - Has such a kind heart. Gruff on the outside, soft and mushy in the middle
• Britt-What a beautiful, sweet, girl you are.
• Gracie-Our sweetheart, so kind and loving
• Samuel-Little Samma-Samma. What did we do before you?

This is our Story!!!