Oh Christmas Tree!

Our Christmas tree has been up for a couple of weeks now. The kids were so excited to have a Christmas tree in our house. For the last two years we have spent Christmas away from home so we didn't bother to put a tree up in our house. It will be nice to spend Christmas at home this year.

The stockings are hung and ready for Santa to fill!

Linda In Her Element

Linda went to a spa birthday party for her school friend. It was set up so cute and Linda had so much fun. This is definitely Linda in her element. Her friends mom emailed me these pictures. Love them.

Six Year Stats

Linda went in for her 6 year check up this afternoon. She asked me all week if she was going to have to get shots. I didn't think she would, but told her I didn't know, just in case. Well, turns out with our move last year somehow there were shots she never got that she was supposed to have for school. So, she had to get 2 shots and a TB test.
The second I broke the news to her she went in to a total panic attack. I've never seen anything like it. She wouldn't move and she just started crying her eyes out. I had all four of my kids with me and I was at a loss. Before the nurse came in to the room I tried to calm her down. I sat by her and hugged her and tried talking to her about it. She was still screaming. So then I get upset thinking I need to really get her attention so that she'll calm down. That didn't work either. When the nurse walked in the room it went from bad to worse. She wouldn't let the nurse anywhere in her. Linda is really strong and it was all I could do to keep her on the table. Even worse, the nurse starts chiming in telling Linda that if she doesn't calm down that she will go get other adults to come hold her down. Uhh, hello! Is this supposed to calm a scared girl down? Finally, I get the nurse to leave the room and being on the verge of tears myself at this point I finally get Linda to agree to calm down enough to get the shots. Luckily, the other kids were really good. I think they were afraid if they made a peep they'd be next up on the table. :)
Also, they gave Linda a hearing test 3 times and each time she missed a certain tone. So, we go back in 3weeks to retest just to be on the safe side.
Her eyesight was 20/20 so that is great.
Long day at the Dr.'s office with the kids. Here are Linda's stats:

weight: 45lbs. (52nd percentile)

height: 45 3/4" (59th percentile)

BMI - 50th percentile

Life As I Know It

For the last 7 years or so, life as I've known it has been primary and babies. I've had all of my kids really close together so I've been pregnant or taking care of a newborn/infant for the majority of my married life. It has been a blessing.  I have also, for almost as many years, been serving in the Primary organization of the church as president(twice), counselor, secretary, and briefly a teacher. This has also been a blessing. I've learned so much.

Now, all of these years later, things have changed. We feel, for now, that our family is complete. This has been an adjustment for me. My body is not used to NOT being pregnant. :) But, I am enjoying this new stage of life. With my youngest being 2yrs. old, life has actually gotten a little easier.
Also, this past Sunday I was released from Primary and called to serve as the 2nd Counselor in Young Womens organization. I have felt for a little while now that it was time for me to move on from primary for the time being. I guess the Lord agreed. :) I am excited for the change of pace. On Sunday I realized that when you serve in Young Womens you get to attend Sunday School with your husband!! It's been years! I enjoyed it, but felt a little unproductive just sitting there learning. :) I think I will learn a lot from this calling. One day I will have 4 teenagers at the same time in my house. I'm hoping this will help me learn about what I can expect.

So, here's to all I have to learn this next year with life as I know it changing a bit.

We Believe in Santa!

We had a ward Christmas brunch this morning. Santa Clause came for a visit!

Bruce played it cool.
He told Santa what he wanted but avoided eye contact.

Bruce's top 2 Christmas wishes: telescope, Lego Space Police

Linda was sweet. She hopped right on Santa's lap.

Linda's top 2 Christmas wishes: Barbie dollhouse, snow cone maker

Jane had asked me weeks before if I would go up with her when she saw Santa.

But, when the time came she was just fine on her own.

Jane's top 2 Christmas wishes: bike w/training wheels, train set

Claire was petrified of Santa. Robert kept reassuring her in the line. She cried but as soon as Robert sat her on his lap she just froze, long enough for me to get a picture.

Claire would be happy with anything that is just for her on Christmas.

Merry Christmas Everyone!
More Christmas posts to come.

Thankful

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. The kids and I went down to Palm Desert to visit my mom and also my sister. I went the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Robert met us out there Wednesday afternoon. We went and saw Tangled, shopped, hung out and visited, and swam in my mom's heated pool. It was FREEZING when we got out but the kids loved it...okay all of the kids except for Claire. The kids got to play at Aunt Suzanne's gymnastics school and the girls each took a class. They also took turns staying over at Aunt Sue and Uncle Andy's house. We had great food at Thanksgiving. I ate so much I was up all night feeling really sick.
This Thanksgiving I am very thankful that we live close to so much family. Both Robert and I have family very close and it has been a blessing to us and our kids. I'm also thankful that Robert has a good job and that we are able to provide our children with the things they need. This hasn't always been the case and we are very aware of the great blessing this is. I am thankful for my good kids and the opportunity I have to be able to stay home and raise them. They are my friends and I love watching them grown and learn and develop in to such unique individuals. I am grateful for a husband that loves me unconditionally and who works so hard to take care of us.
There is so much to be thankful for. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to my Saviour for the life he has allowed me to live and for the great people I have always been surrounded with.