Happy 5th Birthday Blake!

Blake is 5 today! I can't believe it. 5 years ago, Blake first blessed my life, after a 21 hour labor. I was so happy to finally meet him face to face, but all I could do was give him a quick kiss before they wisked him off to the NICU. I am so grateful that Blake is healthy today.

Blake is such a blessing in my life. He is so funny and so tenderhearted. He always tells me that when he is a teenager he will take care of me. He thinks I will be an old granny by then. In the summer Blake would pick me flowers from my parents rose bush, and now that it is winter he draws flowers for me. One night a few months ago, when I was feeling very overwelmed, Blake saw me with tears in my eyes. Without me saying anything, Blake looked me square in the eyes and said,"Mommy, when I am married, I will never make my wife cry." I can't believe he was only 4 at the time.

Blake has such a fun personality. His comedic timing is perfect and he doesn't even know it, which makes it even better. Just this morning, Blake when he woke up said to me "Mom, how old am I? I replied, "You' re 5!" he answered, "Well, I am sure not any taller!" I think he was hoping he would be taller today. :)

I have always felt that Blake has an old soul. When he was a baby, he just looked like a little man. Blake does so well with all that he has gone through. He is the first to remind us to read scriptures and say prayers, and is so excited to serve a mission when he is older. Blake's pre school is going to be singing at a nursing home tomorrow, and for weeks in his prayers he has been saying " please help the old people to enjoy their Christmas lunch and like our singing." So cute.

Ever since Blake was born Christmas has always been emotional for me. Blake came home from the hospital two days before Christmas. I will never forget the first time I had to say bye to him while he stayed in the hospital, and I was discharged. It was so hard. Silent Night was playing in the NICU. Even now I have a hard time singing that song without wiping tears. They are tears of gratitude.

I think the Lord has taught me and is teaching me a great lesson. Some of the best and worst things in my life have happened just before Christmas. I am grateful for this. Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We can do everything and anything with His help. I am so grateful I have my Blakey baby. Happy Birthday my sweet baby boy!

Fun in the Snow!

Blake and my Dad getting ready to snowboard down the hill in the backyard.

Blake stands on the inside of my Dad's board between my Dad's feet. Blake LOVES it.

Blake absolutely loves the snow! I, on the other hand, am going to be a snow bird when I'm old.

This is what I saw when I checked on Ashley during her nap. She has a hammock full of stuffed animals above her bed and I guess she wanted to sleep with ALL of them!

Little Moments...

Blake and Ashley love to play together. They both have great imaginations. Well, I walked into their room and found Ashley in this...she says they are playing "toilet," and she is the toilet.

Okay.

My kids have loved watching "UP" lately. Anyway, Ashley came with me to Sunday School today because she has a cough. Some visitors were introducing themselves and one guy's name was Russell. Ashley was so excited and really loud said, "His name is Russell, he is Russell!" That just made her day!

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

Blake's cute indian hat he made in pre-school

Blake made pie and a pilgrim hat in pre-school today.

Blake and Ashley playing in the sprinkle of snow we got a few days ago.

My divorce was finalized last monday, I love the quote that says, "every ending is just a new beginning." That is how I feel. We have a lot to be grateful for. We are counting our blessings.

Perspective

I love people. I love talking with people and really listening to them. People are genuinely good, I think it's people's choices that can make or break their lives.

I have so much appreciated the kindness that I have been shown while going through the hardest trial of my life, thus far. I have seen how genuinely people care and how sweet they are. A few months ago I had a sweet widow sister in my ward come talk to me. She was a lifesaver. Her perspective and wisdom was so what I needed at the time. I love older people, they are so wise, warm and kind. I know the Lord puts people in our lives for a reason.

I think for a portion of my life I was nervous of people. Not to sound weird, but I cared more than I should have what people thought of me, now I realize it all doesn't matter. I know the deepest joy and the greatest sadness comes from our relationships, not what we have or don't have.

I have talked with women who have gone through heart wrenching experiences and they are SO amazing. I have learned that when people really open up they have so much to offer and I learn so much. In whatever trial we are going through, you can be certain that someone is going through the same thing. Reach out to them, they will bless your life.

Catching Up

This is the neighbor's wonderful dog, Chico. We get all the perks of having a dog without the poopy part and expenses!

I'm not really a dog person, but I love this dog. He barks all the time at people in the neighborhood, but if he is out when I come back from a run, he will run to me. It is too cute.

Blake and his buddy, Bryton wrestling. They absolutely love it and play so well together.

Ashley playing dress up.

Blake and Ashley home from the dentist with NO CAVITIES! Woot! Woot!

Our "Put on the Armor of God" FHE. My Dad has all his mountain biking gear on. The kids absolutely loved it.

Blake with Grandpa's helmet on.

The annual Soup and Scoop! We carved the pumpkins in my parents garage.

Ashley and her FAVORITE person, Jordan. Look how excited and nervous she looks! :)

Blake's pumpkin.

Ashley and Blake's pumpkins.

Go Cougars!

Blake getting ready to go to his pre-school Halloween Party. He was an indian.

Ashley using mascara for nail polish. Ugh!

Come to find out Blake did this! Ashley said she wanted to "fweak you out." I think I freaked the wrong way.

Ashley came to me the other day and said her baby was sick. I asked her what was wrong, and she said her piggy had kissed her baby and now her baby has swine flu! I really think my 2 year old is a genius.

Cooking

I am not a good cook. I don't like to cook and I don't think I am very good at it. Now that I don't have another adult to cook for I really am a short order cook.

Well, last night my family had our annual "Soup and Scoop". This is a halloween party where everyone brings soup and then we carve pumpkins. Well, I made potato soup. This was my first attempt at making home made soup. I thought it turned out pretty tasty and so did those that tried it. Anyway, for lunch I had some of the left overs and Blake walked over to me and said very worried, "Mom, why are you eating barf!"