Kylee's First Talk

Kylee was asked to give a talk in Primary today.  She is so darn shy that I was worried she wouldn't speak into the mic and had visions of her throwing a fit and refusing to speak.  We wrote the talk together and practised it many times.  When the time came, she got right up and spoke like a champ.  I was so very proud of her.  She spoke about how the scriptures are the word of God. 

Here is her talk she gave:

Picture 1: (The Brass Plates)
When Lehi and his family left Jerusalem, the Lord commanded Nephi to return for the brass plates of Laban. Lehi and his family were not to travel to a new land without them. Nephi knew the scriptures were the word of God.

Picture 2: (Joseph Smith reading the Bible)
Many years later, Joseph Smith searched the scriptures to find out which church was true. The scriptures guided him to ask of God to know the truth. Joseph knew the scriptures were the word of God.

Picture 3: (Girl reading the scriptures)
If we read the scriptures and pray to our Heavenly Father he will help us know with the power of the Holy Ghost that the scriptures are true and that they are the word of God.

What an awesome moment as a parent. 
I love you KYLEE and am SO PROUD of YOU!

Birthday Hockey

For Em's birthday we had a Girl's Night at a HOCKEY game.

I had a few friends who played in the Guns and Hoses game before the Grizzlies Game (way to kick some butt GUNS!) and was able to get some amazing tickets right on the 3rd row (thanks to an amazing friend). 

The game was an absolute blast. 

I love hockey. 

Man I wish I got to watch it more!

Happy Birthday Emilee

Today is the birthday of one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world!  My little sister Emilee is truly my best friend.  I really can't put into words how much I love her or how much she means to me.  Kylee loves her just as much as I do and has also been her best friend since the day she was born.  If I was to post all the pictures I have of Em and Ky together it would take forever to upload them all.  :)  Emilee is beautiful, funny, caring, and the greatest little sister a girl could ask for.  I love her so very much. 

THANKS SIS FOR BEING MY BEST FRIEND!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILEE!!!

One of Those Days

I don't like to complain on my blog but today I need to vent.  I  am beginning to HATE Tuesdays and Thursdays.   Today is the perfect example of why.  I woke up late and barely made my van pool (but at least I made it!).  Work is hard right now.  I've changed jobs and feel totally out of my league and lost and dumb all the time.   I feel like an Atari in a room full of XBOX's.  It's getting depressing and stressful.  The people are great and I'm trying my best.  I know that it's going to take some time, experience, and learning and I'm trying to be patient.  I feel so uncomfortable asking for help and I pretty much have to ask for help with every thing that I do.  :(  It's hard not to get discouraged and to find joy in feeling like a failure all the time.  School is just as hard.  I am 85% done with my degree and just have all the hard classes left and it's demanding.  And in the back of my mind all day I feel guilty because really I just want to be home with my kids.  I feel like I'm failing in every aspect of my life.  So I get home from work around 4:30 and when I get in my car I realize my cell phone is not in my side pocket like it usually is.  It fell out in the van and of course the van has already taken off.  So straight to school I go and am there until 9:30 PM.  I usually get to call my kids on a break which always cheers me up and today I really missed that.  I get to my mom's and see my kids already in their pj's and ready for bed.  I am so blessed to have such a great family to take my kids for me so often.  (Another guilt trip I take daily).  My kids usually both fall asleep on the way home and so we don't get to read scriptures or say prayers and then I just feel even more guilt.   Tonight as I carried my kids up to bed I just cried.  They are both so big.  I can barely carry Kylee up the stairs.  Her feet go down to my knees.  She's getting so tall and grown up.  And Cannon is right behind her.  A whole day is gone and I saw my kids for a total of about 15 minutes.  I feel like I'm missing it all and like I am the worst mom in the world.

And like usual my kids come to my rescue.  As I laid Cannon down in his bed he looked at me and said "sing me a song mom."  I sang him his usual favorites and just looked at his sweet face.  When I was done I kissed his forehead and whispered "I love you" and he whispered back "I love you more."  It made the whole rest of the day just go away.  It's all worth it!!!  It's going to get better.  I can make it another day.  :) 

I laugh every time I check on Kylee before I go to bed.  She INSISTS on sleeping with her lamp on in her room yet every time I check on her she is asleep UNDER her covers.  It makes me claustrophobic but she loves it. 

I'm thankful for my sleeping babes and for the love and joy they bring me in my life. 

Working It Already

Kylee: "Mom, can we get a dog?"

Me: "No sweet heart."

Kylee: "We can name him Sidney.  Like Sidney Crosby!"

This girl is too dang smart! 

I fear for the future. 

She is already figuring out just how to work it.  

Happy Birthday Darla

My Aunt Darla is one of my most favorite people in the world.  (I think I start every birthday post like that, but I really do mean it!) I got to attend the same elementary school that she did and we even shared a few teachers.  Both of those teachers called me "Little Darla" and I loved it. 

 She is beautiful and so talented

 and incredibly fun and hilarious. 

We have had so many fun times together and many sad too.  She is one of my best friends and definitely one of my heroes.  She has been through so much these past few years and is such an amazing example to me. 

I love her with all my heart. 

Happy Birthday You Beautiful Young Lady!

I hope this year is the best one yet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011?!?

SERIOUSLY???

Does that sound weird to anyone else?

2010 was definitely not my best year but man did i learn a lot about myself, people, and life in general. I am extremely thankful for it and even more thankful it is all over. :)

We had a great party at Spence and Shannon's to ring in the New Year. I didn't take nearly as many great pictures as I should but it was a great time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hope 2011 is the best yet!