Happy New Year

Wow! We have had a very fun Christmas Vacation! We have spent most of the holiday entertaining but we love it. We had Dave's little sister here for a short visit, his brother and his girlfriend and some of her family.
Today we have Dave's cousin, her husband and 5 kids coming for New Year's Eve. We are planning to go to the Hot Springs in Fairmont, Montana. Then tonight we are going to Fondue. We love to fondue, it is a great way to entertain and it takes forever to eat!!! :-)

The kids (and all of us) we had a Great Christmas. The kids loved their gifts and entertaining too!
Here are a few pics of the Holiday.

Have a fun, happy and SAFE New Years.
Hope you are thinking of all the things you want to accomplish in the New Year and/or even in the New decade. Can't believe it is a new decade already, where did the 00's go?

Merry Christmas....Another Christmas Story

Old Tradition Based on Good Example Debra Oaks Coe (c) all rights reserved Most people are aware that the origin of Santa Claus is Saint Nicholas, but many aren't completely aware of who he was and what he represents. Saint Nicholas was a very real person who was born as the only child to wealthy parents around 270 A.D. in what is now Turkey. Upon the death of his parents while he was yet relatively young, he inherited a rather large sum of money. It is said that he was already a religious boy and that soon after the death of his parents, he dedicated his life to serving Jesus Christ. He became very well known for his love of children and generosity to the poor. His method of giving was generally more in the form of throwing a bag of money into a window, or putting gold coins in the stockings of the needy as they hung out to dry. There are many legends that go with the type of person St. Nicholas was. One of the better-documented accounts of his generosity tells of a family who was starving with no money for food much less money for a dowry so the father could marry off his three daughters. The father was considering sending at least the oldest out to earn money as a prostitute. When the young Nicholas heard of this, he went during the night to a window of the home and threw in a bag of gold coins. In the morning they found the gold; they now had money for food and a dowry as well. The daughter kept her honor. Because there were two other sisters, the young Nicholas threw in two more bags of coins on two other occasions. By the third time, the father wanted to know whom the benefactor was and watched until finally he caught the lad after he threw the third bag of money. It is reported that Nicholas was very upset that someone knew of his acts of charity and made the father promise not to tell anyone who had helped his family. Eventually he became the bishop of the church in Myra where he was known for more great acts of charity. One legend said that some children were captured by a group of pirates that threatened to take the children to be sold as slaves if some large amount of money was not given to them. This bishop is said to have gotten the money himself and given it to the pirates to save the children. During this period of history, the Romans were still persecuting Christians with their infamous cruelties including throwing them to the lions, etc. Although the worst persecution of the Christians had just taken place about 250 A.D. under the reign of Decius Trajan, there had been relative peace in the later part of the century. But in 303 A.D., the last of the great Roman persecutions began. The Roman Emperor Diocletian was persuaded again to suppress the Christian religion. Those who would not give up following the Lord, Jesus Christ, and turn over their sacred books would be either killed or put in prison. Those who went to prison were cruelly tortured. According to Elder B.H. Roberts in Outlines of Ecclesiastical History, page 128: "The constancy of all the Christians, no, not even that of all the their bishops and clergy, was equal to this trial, and many voluntarily surrendered the sacred writings in their possession to save themselves from punishment and death." During this period, charges were made up that allowed the government to throw all Bishops and ministers in prison. An edict authorized the officials to use severe torture to force these church leaders to make sacrifices to the pagan gods. The hope was that if the leaders could be defeated, and forced to give worship to other gods, their people would follow. Many great men suffered and died in defense of their faith in Christ. St. Nicholas was among these bishops. This part of Saint Nicholas is not legend, it is part of history. While he lived in a world where apostasy from Christianity was all around him, he stood for what he believed. Saint Nicholas was one of the few who survived Diocletian's torture chambers. This is where he gained his title Saint; for those who did survive were called "saints" by the people in honor of their great devotion to Jesus Christ. Saint Nicholas was freed when the new Emperor Constantine came to power. It is said that as he reentered Myra, the people flocked around him in his honor. He may have been beaten and tortured, but he was not broken. He went on to serve the people for many more years giving service and adding to the legends of his great goodness. To me this is a story of a man who did his best to serve his God and apply the principles taught by Jesus Christ. It is one that is worthy of being pasted down to our children. How we went from stories of this ancient priest to our present day Santa Claus, is yet another entire story. However, I found it interesting to learn that many of these changes began in New York in 1822 just as the true gospel was about to be restored. We had the good fortune of spending over seven years in Germany as a family. In this country, Saint Nicholas is still called by that name, not Santa Claus. He is a priest with a normal sized body who wears a plain robe, without fur, that is not necessarily red. He has no magical powers or magical reindeer and elves -- he rides a donkey that he must coax along. Our children attended German school for several years. In these schools they still tell the legends of this good man and his love and concern for children and the poor. Saint Nicholas day is December 6th, the day that the real Saint Nicholas died. On the night of the December 5th is when he leaves his presents and the children put their shoes by the door for him. Because this Saint Nicholas is more human, he doesn't come down the chimney nor can he put his finger to the side of his nose and go back up to the roof top. December 25th and 26th (they have two days for Christmas) is a time only for the celebration of the birth of Christ. We have adopted many of these German customs. We tell our children about Saint Nicholas rather than Santa Claus and we celebrate his example on the 6th. I explain that it is the example and spirit of generosity that lives on. We try to give our children opportunities to play this secret role of giving to other families so that they too can feel of this spirit. I believe that as Christians ourselves we should be promoting a Christian emphasis for the holiday. Statistics show that only 21% consider this a time to think about the birth of the Savior. For most people in America, Santa Claus is the only level celebrated. But even Santa Claus is a thread for these people back to Christianity. Perhaps we can spread the word of who this man was and help them understand that if the real Saint Nicholas were here to celebrate with us, he would tell us to look to the Son of God. I believe he would also be reminding us that we are celebrating a Holy Day and that this is the original meaning of the word Holiday. As Christmas draws nearer I hope we can all keep the true Spirit of Christ in our celebrations. Merry Christmas to you ALL!

Charlie Brown

Well, we finally got our tree up! After realizing time is running out and that we weren't getting anymore of it....no matter how much I wished. Reality set in and I went to the local hardware store and bought a Christmas. It is the Charlie Brown-"iest" tree you have EVER seen! But after a little bit of love it actually is pretty darn cute. I haven't taken a picture of it yet, so stay tuned for pics. Many to follow. :-)

It is really beginning to LOOK and feel alot like CHRISTmas!

I am so ready for Christmas Vacation, days off and just hanging out with the family. I hope we have lots of snow, so we can play outside.

Here is a Christmas Story for you today:

True Christmas Spirit

Author Unknown

It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles. Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head.

My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't buy them anything. Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun. Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines.

I picked the shortest line but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait. In front of me were two small children - a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face. She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers.

As the Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key
but happily. When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said. The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back, " he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow." With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus would have loved these shoes, " she cried. "Well, we'll go home and work some more.

Don't cry. We'll come back," he said. Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came
around me and a small voice said, "Thank you, lady." "What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked. The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus." The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?" My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes" I answered, "I am sure she will."

Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving.

Long Live Cowboys

This past weekend Dave and I, along with another couple friend went to Vegas. We left very early Thursday morning and got to Vegas around noon! Perfect time to hit Vegas! Nothing happens in Vegas much before evening time. That city never sleeps, it is so true.

Thursday we tooddled around the BIG city. I had my first Hooters restaurant experience, actually, gotta admit the food wasn't that bad. The waitresses were awful but the food.....not too bad!

Then we went out the South Pointe and checked all that out.

Friday we took in Cowboy Christmas at Vegas Convention Center......needless to say it was awesome and we got some great autographs. Went to Flint's Outside the Barrel show. It was a riot! Bill Engvall even showed up. I was star-struck. Need I say more?
Friday night rodeo and then Downtown Vegas.

Saturday we took in Cowboy Marketplace, more Cowboy Celebrities and shopping. I made some sweet purchases on Saturday (I am spoiled)! Saturday night rodeo and then it was the stripe and our last night there!

The weekend went way too fast....I wasn't ready to go home.
Home greeted us with freezing temps oh and that thing called REALITY.

Vegas was great and I hope we can do it again, in about 5 years. Dave and I went about 5 years ago to the NFR and had such a blast I was glad we had the opportunity to go again.

Needless to say, I am completely star-struck by all the Cowboy Celebrities that we got to meet, greet and have autograph pictures for our children! :-)

Here are a few pics from the weekend.
Enjoy! I know I will.

Vegas BaBy!

We are going to Las Vegas tomorrow morning, flight leaves at 7:30am......yikes! That is going to be an early morning. But it will be well worth it right?

Earlier this fall our friends won the bid on some tickets to the NFR and they invited us to go along! How could we pass that up? We really have NO business going to Vegas right know but sometimes you just gotta Do IT!!!

It will be a fun little trip, will be fast but weekend get-aways are always worth it!

I'll post pictures of our trip when we return.

Until then, stay warm.
And enjoy the beginnings of your holidays season!
Just in case you were wondering 23 days until Christmas.....................YIKES!

Some Random Pics I found on google images

first day.....

64 oz. of water = check
5 fruits and/or veggies = check
multivitamin = check
35 mins of exercise = check
not eating after 8pm = check
NO sweets = check (yah! for me)

Today I started a new fitness challenge. It is called Fit For February.
Everyday you get points for drinking water, eating fruits, veggies, not eating after 8pm, exercising 1/2 hour/day (at least), having a multi-vitamin, and no sweets. You get 1 free day (for sweets and no exercise)....yahoo! :-0

So far today, I've gotten all the points possible. I'm hoping to lose inches from my hips and waist. I would love to lose a few lbs too....but I'm more concerned about inches at this point!

Wish me luck and here's to being Fit for February!

If I was at all brave...I would take a picture of my stomach.....but I'm not but it's NoT at toned as I would like it, so we'll just leave it at that! :-)

I can hardly.......

Contain myself, I am so excited. For what?

Two-day work week!

Thanksgiving on Thursday

No School/Work, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday!

I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself!

I want to start decorating for Christmas right now! But I keep telling myself I should wait until after Thanksgiving. I might just have to start busting out a few decorations on Wednesday!

And to top off all of my excitement my mom and max are coming for a visit this week! Yahoo, should be a great week......I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

A few things I'm lovin' for the holidays!

Marth Stewart Christmas - I wish my front door looked like this! I love it!

Marth Stewart Christmas Tree - I wish my tree looked like this! I love this!

Just some fun image in found on Google - Marth Stewart Christmas. I love it!


Here is a Christmas Poem I found:
It's Christmas Time Again
(by Bob Lazzar-Atwood)

Put your problems on probation
Run your troubles off the track,
Throw your worries out the window
Get the monkeys off your back.
Silence all your inner critics
With your conscience make amends,
And allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Call a truce with those who bother you
Let all the fighting cease,
Give your differences a breather
And declare a time of peace,
Don't let angry feelings taint
The precious time you have to spend,
And allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Like some cool refreshing water
Or a gentle summer breeze,
Like a fresh bouquet of flowers
Or the smell of autumn leaves,
It's a banquet for the spirit
Filled with family, food and friends,
So allow yourself some happiness
It's Christmas time again!

Tag - your it!

So, I have been having the blogging blah's this week.......and wouldn't you know it, I read sweet little Lindsay's blog today and she has been having the blogging blah's!
She got the idea from another blog, so I'm stealing it (well really she tagged those that read it)...so really I'm not stealing it right? And really who cares about creativity at this point.

The Tag:

Your Hair:
Really needs a trim, i got it trimmed (on my birthday last month) and i'm loving it and am even thinking about going a little shorter on the do...next time. I even called for an appointment and am getting a trim the end of the month. I think I think about my hair alot....is that vain or what? I like being so blonde these days, helps cover up my grey....can you believe I'm grey! I am WAY too young for that!!!

Where is your cell phone:
right beside me on my desk at school/work.

Your mother:

A wonderful woman! Great, Grande, Wonderful...the older I get and the more miles apart...the more I miss her and want her to live near. But I am so glad she is relatively close, 5 hours....that's NOT that far...right? She taught me many things growing up.....I'm thankful that she taught me to be such a hard worker, to be honest, and the importance of eduation....she supported us (all by herself) for many many years! I love that she sews and makes homemade things....and gives them to me and my kids. It truly is such a treat...my kids love it!

Your father:
I miss him everyday.

Your favorite food:
I love food but my favorite (I think) is Italian!

Your dream from last night:
I dream everynight (I know I do) and lately I have been having some really doosies but I don't remember my dream from last night.

Your favorite drink:
I love drinks......the more the merrier.. I always have a water bottle with me! I love GBread Latte's from Starbucks. I bought some mint hotchocolate for the house....so tasty. I love a good hot drink in the morning and sometimes before I go to bed, just depends. I am total pop drinker, I sometimes wish I wasn't but I do love a good diet pop! I love me daquiri's....especially strawberry ones!

Your dream/goal:
I have many dreams/goals. I want my kids to grow-up and be happy successful adults that love who they are, where the came from and what the future has to hold for them. I dream of someday having my own classroom, decorating it in Mary Engelbreit decorations! I dream of someday having a big ranch...so that Dave, his dad and Tenny can all ranch together! I dream of being a dancer (a ballerina), I dream of playing the violin!
Right now, I just dream of getting done with my student teaching, surviving it all, and getting a real teaching job!

What room are you in:
Room 17 at Granville Stuart Elementary.

What is your hobby:
I have many hobbies. I am becoming a runner, I like to garden, I love to travel (is that a hobby), I like to read, and I love to ride horses.

What is your fear:
Right now my fear is making it through student teaching and not working for 5 months! Fears evolve, right?

Where were you last night:
E's volleyball game and home.

Something you are not:
Tall, crafty, creative or naturally smart. (I really have to work on getting good grades.....smarts don't come natural for this girl).
Muffins:
I love me a good blueberry bran muffin! YUM YUM YUM!

Where did you grow up:
Good ole' Ray-town Alberta Canada.......is there anywhere else?

The last thing you did:
I'm at work....so should I say work. I'm doing many things right know, besides blogging. Ate lunch, saw some kids, working (you know) and making labels....too!

What are you wearing:
Brown cords, orange turtle neck sweater, and a brown vest.

Your TV:
DVR is all I have to say!!! I watch Biggest Loser (religiously), Grey's Anatomy....what else is there? Sunday Football....and anything on TLC!

Your pet:
Horses, dog, cat and few cows! I love having PETS!

Your friends:
I love my friends...it is funny how you go through life and each stage of life brings you new friends. I have Dusty and Becky Jo whom will be my dearest friends for life! I have friends from my school days that I adore and thanks to facebook and blogging have reconnected with...it is so fun, I love it! I have new friends from D.L. that I love and can't imagine life without. My bestest friend Cassi has been a rock for me lately. Love ya girl!

Your life:
I have to say it is pretty darn good right know. I love life and I especially love mine. My kids are healthy and happy. Dave and I are in a good place.....we just kind of live life day by day. We have a crazy/busy life but I wouldn't have it any other way. WE are involved, probably, in way too many things from church, to 4-H to jobs to other committees but that is just who we are.....active and involved!

Your mood:
Anxious and pretty happy today....T has a game and i get to leave early today! I'll throw a little content in there too!

Missing someone:
Always! I miss my dad everyday, I miss being right down the street from my family and old-time friends!

Vehicle:
My old reliable white dodge intrepid...bit the dust a while back and we aren't going to get it fixed....not right know....anyways. So I'm drivin' the sweet sweet dodge pick-up! What can I complain about! I'm a truck kind-a girl. :-)

Your favorite store:
I love stores and I love to shop! I love Target right know!

Your favorite color:
I love RED and GREEN!

When's the last time you laughed:
I would have to think I haven't laughed yet today, I try to laugh everyday! E had a volleyball game last night, I'm sure I laughed at that! My kids always make me laugh, we all got into a big wrestling match last night...T, E & Me.....we laughed and laughed and laughed and then it was bed-time! Oh sweet bed-time!

Your best friend:
Cassi and my wonderful husband!

NOT the best pic, the wind was blowing and I look FAT!

One place you go over and over:
The bathroom, work, the store, the gym, church......many places.....my life is a never ending cycle of running here and there!

One person who e-mails your regularly:
Cassi and Dave probably send me the most messages.

Favorite place to eat:
I love to eat out! Ferraro's in Bozeman

Where do you want to be in six years:
In six years I will be 41....T will be in college, E will be in 9th grade. I wanna be right where I am at......with a few minor changes. Hopefully I'll have a full-time teaching job, we'll be out of debt and just livin' the 40 something life!

TAG You're IT!

Thanks Lindsay, this was so much fun. (I copied and put pics in too....so much funner with pics).
I loved doing it. Come on, if you read it...you have to do it too!

W.F.D....

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. ~Elizabeth Stone

You might be asking....WFD? It stands for Whats For Dinner! Tennyson said to me yesterday afternoon, "WFD Mom?" I was like what?! "Mom, is stands for, Whats for dinner?"
Kids are so funny!

I am dedicating this post to being a mom and to the kids we mother!

One of my bestest friends from grade school/high school is 3 months pregnant. This might not seem like that big of news but they have been trying to get pregnant for 5 YEARS! I am so excited for her and her husband! This is a life lesson, in hope! Hope is never wasted. She is so excited and I am so excited for her. Can you imagine waiting and hoping for 5 years....wondering if it will ever come to be! I can't, I'm sure I would have given up long ago! But maybe that is easy for me to say because I have two healthy, happy children.

You've gotta have hope. Without hope life is meaningless. Without hope life is meaning less and less. ~Author Unknown

So here it is for all you mothers - enjoy your children, you are lucky to have them. Some people wait years to get pregnant and I'm sure the 9 month wait is pure agony. I always figured God gave us 9 months to prepare ourselves but maybe that was just me that needed the 9 months to prepare emotionally and physically for motherhood.

I love being a mom and am so excited for my friend to enter the world of motherhood. I think I love motherhood so much, especially right now, because my children are 12 and 8. They don't require diaper changes, they can feed and clothe themselves, they can talk (and back-talk). I have loved all of the stages along the way but if any of you have children that are as old as mine are.....this is just simply a fun age. They are getting to be so independent and I do long for the days when I could cuddle, rock them to sleep and hold them without them wanting to escape my every move but I do still get my hugs and kisses!

Hugs your kids today and be thankful for parenthood and children!

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum

Canada Trip, Family Photo's and my smartest boy!

This past weekend, while we were in Canada I had my cousins new little wife take some family pictures. It has been a few years since we had actual family pictures taken! It was cold and windy but we managed to get a few good shots. It was so fun and this kids (and Dave) were such good sports. We even managed to trespass into the Old Sugar Factory, which I think we got some of the most amazing shots........I decided I love shade....when it is photo time. :-)
I have attached some of the photo's from our shoot with Kinsey T. Photograph. She did an amazing job and I can't wait to get them done again. I already have ideas for next time!

On another note, can I just talk about my amazing son T for just a moment. I am so proud of him, he was #1 in the 7th Grade Honor Roll. #1...smartest kid (for 1st quarter) in 7th GRADE! Needless to say the newspaper announcement (the honor roll is announced in the local paper) has been cut out and will be kept for memorabilia.

The tree (or something like that)

My little baby doll!

T - what can brown do for you?

Here are pictures from our trip to Canada - I didn't take alot but did get some of Judy & Lee coming out of the temple and some of the sisters and I at the family dinner. Finally some updated pics of the sissies! We had such a fun time in Canada, my long-time childhood friend moved back to our hometown and we stayed with them (in their beautiful) new home on Friday night. It was a quick sleepover but so fun to visit with them and spend a little bit of time with them! D & R - I'm SSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad you live in Ray-town! Now we will see you everytime we visit the family!
While we were in Canada my mom had a Scentsy party.......my first party, although I have been buying on-line from Jana C. for the past year. It was GREAT to finally go to a party and I'm pretty sure I want to start selling this stuff. It was selling like hot-cakes! (do people still say that?)

On our trip to Canada we enjoyed fun visits with family and friends, chinese food, and of course coke slurpees!
Here are a few pics from our recent trip up North.

L&J - just coming out of the temple. Look at her dress!

L&J - looking so cute (but a little windy)

Look at that DRESS! Gorg-e-ous!

The Holt Sister (J, C & H)

Another shot of the sissies plus one aunt- Kathleen!

AND YES, they are all wearing REALLY high heels!

Remembrance Day

In Flanders Field

By: Lieutenant Colonel
John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
that mark our place; and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below

We are the dead. short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
In Flanders field

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The Torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
we shall not sleep, though poppies grow
in Flanders fields.

Growing up in Canada, Remembrance Day was always a big deal. It is actually a holiday up there and the kids have NO school. Get a clue MONTANA! I would love a day off today.....what better way to remember those that have served our countries then a now than a day off. On a serious note, I am so thankful to live in a country that allows me the freedoms to travel from country to country, to worship what I want to worship, to wear what I want to wear, drive what I want to drive, buy groceries and believe what I want to believe. I am so thankful for the soldiers that have fought and are fighting right know for our freedom.

God Bless the USA and GOD Love the Queen and Canada!

So much on my mind.......

I have so much on my mind lately, alot of controversy going on with Dave and the SD#1 school board. I would love to write more on my thoughts and feelings...but realizing this is an open blog, I will reserve my judgement and keep my thoughts to myself! This is a time, when I seriously consider going PRIVATE! But I'm NOT going to...too much of a hassle really. I just want to say this, Dave is amazing and in the midst of controversy he has remained so positive, so professional....far more so than others in the middle of all of this too! He just continues to amaze me. Really and truly he is one of my HERO's. I just love him more and more everyday. I know this has been tough on him and I just keep telling him to fight the big fight and that it is worth it. I just hope that while others are busy talking and he remains quiet, professional and optimistic that will be remembered far more than those that feel compelled to TALK!
Enough of that.

I have had some anger problems for quite sometime......I would just rather say, I'm passionate! :-) But that is one of the reasons that I like to exercise so much. It gives me an outlet for my emotions (because I would rather call it emotion than "anger"). :-)
Well, tonight I had the BEST run. I just ran all over town while the kids were at youth group at church tonight. However, tonight was just not the same ole' run........I was jogging along when all of a sudden I see 3 deer jump right out in front of me! Scared the CRAP out of me!!! You just never think that you are going to literally run right into some DEER! I literally "kind of yelped" when I saw them. I had to laugh at myself.

And really if you can't laugh at yourself, even in the midst of controversy all around you.....what can you laugh AT? :-)

On Monday E had her very first volleyball game. They did so great, it was so fun to watch them. But when isn't it fun to watch your kids participate in activities? here are a few pics that I snapped at the inaugaral event!

E and a friend - pre-game.

E - moving spots

E - getting ready for a bump

E = hittin' the ball

We are heading the GREAT White North tomorrow night and I am sooo excited. It is always fun to head home. Some of my favorite things about going home. Going to the temple, getting slurpees, hanging with the family and seeing old school time friends. Plus with everything going on, it is just NICE to get away! One of the things we are going to do while we are home, one of my cousins wife is a photographer...so I am getting some updated family pictures. I cannot wait, I'm so excited. I hope the weather is bright and sunny! :-)

I posted this quote on facebook and added it to my blog...favorite quote but I have to end this blog with it. It is so true.
Here's to life, living and families!

Life may change us, but we start and end with family. (Dove PROMISES Message)