~Sunday Photo

The girls wore their Christmas dresses to church today,  they looked so beautiful.  Raychel looked so grown up.  Raychel wanted a dress that was more mature, and I think so found it.  Jolene looked so beautiful too, she made sure I understood she didn't want anything to girly but just really pretty.  She picked this dress out and I think she did a wonderful job. 

This is the Sunday before Raychel goes in for her knee surgery, she was in pretty good pain today if you look closely you can see it on her face.  She has endured so much, we are all excited for her surgery and get her on the mend.

~Fall

What a great evening.  

We started by raking the leaves in the backyard, then moved to the front yard.  We started raking and then Raychel ended up covering Jolene with all the leaves.  They had to much fun. We not only raked our yard but the girls were having so much fun we did the front yards of two of  our neighbors.  After we were done we headed inside for hot cocoa and cookies to end the night. 

~Together~

I came upstairs after church thinking these two would already have changed and be doing something besides this. It cracked me up to see them hanging out in the bathroom. Jolene was making a list on her white board and Raychel was visiting with her. I love how they enjoy each others company and find so much to do or say together. They stayed in there for a few more minutes finishing their list, changed their clothes then came downstairs to present their ideas they listed out on the white board.

~Crafts~

Today is not only April Fools Day, but it is also the last Friday of Spring Break. We have had so much fun this week. We have done crafts, sewed, baked, cooked, played games, went to the library, watched movies and had friends over and went to friends. I have loved every day with our girls. I love hearing their stories, having them retell me what they are reading, seeing how creative they are and hearing their laughter. Having them home for the week makes us all excited for Summer vacation. So much to do! We made lots of really cute hair clips and even clips for their clothes, bags or jackets. The are called yo-yos. They were so easy! The girls had so much fun picking out the materials they wanted and then hand sewing them. They got to be pretty quick and were making them while we watched movies. Another great Spring Break!

~Sunday Photo~

                                What a really great day!! 

 We have spent lots of time outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.  Spring is teasing us with all the sunshine and warm weather this weekend, if only it were here to stay.   Today after church the girls made a fort under the swing set and had a little picnic.  Watching the girls play together and listening to them tell each other their secrets made me so happy they have each other.  It made me feel so much joy for their relationship and the years and secrets ahead of them to share.  Don't get me wrong, I know they will have their disagreements, but I really believe they will be the very best of friends.  

~Birthday Traditions~

Let the birthday fun begin!!
For the past several years Jolene has request to

get a little manicure for her birthday. Usually both

girls invite a friend but this year Raychel wanted me to be

her friend. Ward was able to have the day off and went

hunting in the morning and finished in time to have lunch with

us and the Manera girls at KFC. He was pretty excited from his

hunt because one of his birds had two bands around its feet. He

loved telling us the story over lunch. Jolene has picked to eat

at KFC the past couple of years because she loves the drumsticks,

every year she says one of her birthday wishes is to have Pop Pop

here with her to eat at their favorite place. All the girls

seemed to have a good time eating and enjoying themselves, then

after lunch all the girls ended up at our home to play and enjoy the snow!!

.

Helping hands

With the weather changing it was time to go through

the closets and put the summer clothes away and pull out

the warmer clothes. I had helped Jolene most of the morning

which allowed Raychel to work much slower and get lost

in her room. While I was taking loads to the basement

and making piles of clothes to give to a great friend Jolene

thought she would help Raychel. It melts my

heart to see these two take care of each other. They worked

hard, laughed, sang along to the CD that

was playing of danced along to the music,

but in the end after a very long day the work was

done and it was time to go out and play as a family.

A note from my sister

The other day I had a really great talk with my older sister Carey. We talked out kids, family, life, we joked about my walking, my early mornings and all I get done in a day. It was just a normal fun conversation, I didn't think anything more of it until today when she called to tell me I had inspired her! I said "how"? She then told me she was getting up and she was walking!! She was so excited, she had walk 1/2 a mile!! I was proud of her!! It really made me feel good that someone was inspired by me and not put off by me! I checked her blog later and this is what I found:
"I have decide that there are a few women that when I grow up I want to be like...one of them is my sister Heather. She is very simple, but complex at the same time. She is very goal orientated and very disciplined with her self. She has always been that way, and I admire her. When she has decided that she wants to accomplish something or do something she does. Like serving a mission, she never said if I do or can...it was when I serve a mission. She always had in her mind the man she would marry and she did marry that type of man. I have set out to do things and see myself doing them or start something, but than I stop...she doesn't. She is a very easy person to get to know, friendly and encouraging to those that need it. I love her for this. Some people might find this trait to be overwhelming, or acting better than others and to seem over bearing at times....I do not! Thank you for being a wonderful sister and example to those around you.
The other evening I was chatting with my sisters and was Inspired. I have been trying to get in the habit of walking again or doing something. So I set a goal for myself. My sister walks just about every day, mind you I will not walk 4 or 6 miles a day starting off. I decided that I will start off slow and work up, it might take me a while. Today I started my new habit, I walked 2 times around the track...that equals half a mile. At the school track the maintenance guy was mowing the lawn, kids chatting while running, and me breathing heavier than normal. When I got home I mowed the lawn and put some water on. I am very proud of myself and hope to keep this up. All this by 8:30 in the morning just think what I can accomplish if I put my mind to it."

So as I write I sit here worried to publish my post, afraid of what people will think of me. But at the same time I am who I am, you either like me or you don't, so what does it matter if I publish this or not? If you are one of the people who think I am crazy for my habit I hope by sharing this you will have a little insight as to who I am. I am me. I don't judge others by how I live my life, I judge me 0n how I am living my life.

Outdoor fun!

December 20, the girls had a great

time playing outside,

even Cammie got in on the fun!