~Decorating The Tree~

I love this tradition, decorating the tree. It is always fun to get out the ornaments and visit the memories created from them. Last year the family allowed me to use white lights, and beautiful balls in wonderful warm colors and shapes. I loved the tree, but there seemed to be something missing, the family ornaments. This year as we were getting everything out, the girls asked if we could do it the old way. As we unwrapped all the old ornaments it was fun to see all the ones we have bought over the years just for the girls and talk about them together. Every year they get a new one, I try to find them one that goes along with what they have been into over the year. This year Raychel has been crazy for owls and Jolene loves squirrels. I think I went into every store and little shop and actually found them the perfect ornaments to represent their year. The owl and the squirrel.

~Thanksgiving 2011~

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a great day. We cooked the turkey then headed to Sterling's for dinner. What a great day. It was us, them and Brynn's in-laws. We had a wonderful dinner, lots to eat!!! Visited while the kids played games and visited some more. I love this time of year when we see family and have time to just visit, laugh and eat. It doesn't happen to often with all the kids schedules and work. Today was perfect.

~Primary Program~

Raychel was asked several months ago if she would play "If I Listen With My Heart" on her flute for the primary program. She had practice over and over for months. She walks around the house playing it without her music sheet does it perfectly. It is such a beautiful hymn. It has become one of our favorites. This morning as we got to church we set up a little practice with the pianist so she could practice just before the meeting started. She was so nervous. She had a really hard time hitting the notes or playing along. The more she tried the harder it got for her. After they were done the two of us went into another room where she just cried. She was so nervous. I told her how hard she had worked, how great she has sounded, that if she was to pray and ask for help, to remember the notes she has practice the Holy Ghost would help her. She looked so innocent as she asked, "Promise?" I said, "Promise!" After we said a prayr she played it again and did better. When it was her time to play her flute for the program she did perfect! She got every note perfectly! She looked so beautiful as she finished because she knew she had done it!!!

~Just A Day~

What a fun weekend. We did nothing! We spent the whole time together, and just enjoyed each other. Jolene had us laughing so hard when she found a new purpose for the left over balloons from my birthday. She had them up her shirt a little pillow down her pants to balance out her little body.
During the afternoon Raychel worked hard on her Young Women's personal progress book she is making for all of her goals. She is doing a great job on it. She is so creative.

After dinner the girls both voted on having mud cups for dessert tonight and don't forget the gummy worms.s!

~Friends~

Jolene had two of her good little friends over after school. They had a great time eating, playing, laughing, watching movies, eating and playing some more. When it was time to go home none of them wanted the play date to end. I love to listen to them talk, laugh, giggle and enjoy their friendships.

~3rd Grade Music Performance~

The third graders have been learning how to use the recorder. It has been fun hearing the girls play their instruments together. Jolene has loved learning the new songs and then performing them around the house and to her teacher. The have been earning colored ribbons like in karate, all the way up to the black belt which she and only a handful of students received before the performance. There was one song she was struggling with so she got on YouTube and learned from the demo. She is so hard on herself if she doesn't get something right away. She works hard to make it perfect before she is satisfied.

Whitney, Loralai, and Jolene

~Parent Night~

Jolene has been taking gymnastics for the last couple of years instead of dance. She is getting much better and really enjoys it. It is fun to watch her. She is so competitive! She gets very upset with herself if she can't do something. She was having a hard time with a round off so she came home watched a few examples on YouTube and then outside she went for over an hour practicing so she could return the following week and have it down. Her teacher was very impressed when she saw her do it for the first time! Jolene couldn't stop smiling, she was proud of herself.

~Another Birthday~

It is my birthday this time, I turned the big 4-0!! I still can't believe I am 40, but what is a number anyway? It is just a number. If I look back over my life at all I have done in 40 years I am pretty impressed!
I love to decorated the house on a birthday. It is a special day. It is the day the world was blessed with that very special person in my life. This morning when I came downstairs the girls had decorated the house for me! I was so touched. They love how the house feels on their birthday and they wanted me to feel just as special.
After breakfast we went out of town for the day to celebrate....Me! It was wonderful. Dinner, shopping and being with my family. I have the best life! Happy birthday to me!!

~Before & During

We got Jolene out of braces and now Raychel is in braces.  It is amazing how fast the transformation starts to work.  In a week there was a noticeable change in her mouth.  The best thing is she still smiles as big and beautiful as before braces.  Dr. Johnson is estimating she will be in them about 2 years.  

~The soul~

Imagine what life would be like if we could see each other's souls instead of what's on the outside? ♥

~Just Because~

Raychel was looking so pretty this morning I couldn't help but snap a photo of her while she was getting her bag ready for school. There are so many times I look at the girls and can't believe they are mine! I am so blessed to be their mother. She is really growing up into such a wonderful young woman!