Grateful

My life has been crazy and stressful the last few weeks with the start of a new job (SO much to learn and working graves) and trying to "reorganize" my life and schedule as well as kid drama (friend issues, bullying issues, cheer tryouts, etc). I also have some friends going through some tough situations that are weighing heavily on my mind. The weather has been a bit wet, snowy, cold, and depressing, I am ready for spring! I have just been feeling a bit down until I was driving to work last night. I wasn't excited about leaving my family on a Sunday evening, would much rather have stayed at home just chillin'. As I headed south I realized the sky was clear and the fresh snow on the beautiful mountains with blue sky in the background was AWESOME!!! It made me start thinking about everything good in my life. No matter how awful things are, the good always outnumbers the bad. I am grateful to have an RN job, one I like, and I get to work with some pretty great people. I am grateful for a husband who works really hard and takes care of our babies when I am not there. I am grateful for my incredible kids, they each teach me something and bring laughter to my life. I am grateful for my parents and Mike's mom, I would not have survived the last few years without them. I am grateful for supportive, inspiring siblings (who I wish lived a bit closer). I am grateful for time with extended family this weekend and the chance to celebrate and reminisce. I am grateful for a home to live in. I am grateful for wonderful friends. I am grateful for my health and strength. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the Atonement of my Savior that allows me to feel of His love and inspires me to be a little better and try a little harder each day. I AM GRATEFUL!!!

2 Young Men

12 is an important age for boys, they are old enough to receive the Priesthood and take on those responsibilities. We have been trying to prepare them spiritually and emotionally. My boys have both grown into fine young men and are ready for the responsibilities and are excited for this next step in their life. Yesterday we got them prepared physically: haircuts and suits! Today they were ordained and it was an amazing experience. I loved seeing them on either side of the Bishop at the pulpit as they were presented to the congregation. Then the spirit that was there as they were ordained was so strong. We had a nice family dinner after at our house. It was a special day, one I will always treasure.

Mike helping Noah with his new tie.

Cole looking good!

Noah looking good!

My awesome kiddos!

To Cut or Not To Cut

My boys have both been growing their hair for quite some time now. I told them as long as they keep it cleaned and combed it was fine. As it got longer and longer, especially Cole's, it was starting to bug me. It was in his eyes all the time and he was getting called a girl too often. As their 12th birthday got closer and closer, Mike told them they needed to get their haircut. He said if they were going to be Deacons and pass the Sacrament, they needed to look like young men. I had mixed emotions about it. I know how much their hair means to them, especially Cole, and every time we brought it up they would get upset. I finally realized Mike was right and told the boys it was time to let it go, at least for now. So yesterday was the big day:

Noah: Before

Noah: After

Cole: Before

Cole: After

I think they both look really nice! I let Cole keep his a bit longer than Noah's since looking different is the reason he started growing his hair in the first place. It is going to take some getting use to for both them and all of us around them, but definitely think they are looking good!

12 Years Old

I cannot believe my boys are 12!!! Time really does fly when you are having fun!

I had to work ALL day on their birthday but Mike took them to dinner and I told them we would have a fun weekend celebrating!

Friday was their birthday party with their friends. We went to see the movie, Rango (they all loved it and so did I), then we picked up Little Caesars on the way home, had pizza and cake and ice cream, then they played hide and seek at the neighbors (they have a bigger yard), and then came back to our house to open gifts and play Wii. It was the easiest birthday party and so much fun! (and not too expensive either)

Here is a picture of the cake my talented friend, Aislinn, made. I told her some of the boys favorite things and what they enjoyed and she came up with this awesome cake! The bottom layer was for Noah whose favorite colors are purple and black. She had a music note, a skateboarder, and a guitar on the back part, which are all things he enjoys. The top layer was for Cole who loves cows and his favorite color is red. Then she topped it off with "spaghetti and meatballs" because both boys LOVE pasta. It was so fun and so yummy!!!



Here is a picture of the 6 boys together...they are a great bunch of boys, so nice and polite, and so much fun. I am glad my boys have good friends and that they were all able to come and have a great time.