Funny talk

I love the way that my kids think. I've made it a goal since Hunter was born to write in my journal the funny day to day things my kids say and do, and I am so glad I've done that because I have theee worst memory in the world.

Jaina is a smart little cookie. We were looking at some Christmas pictures from this past year the other day when I accidentally stumbled across a picture I took of Jon putting fake reindeer tracks in the snow next to the reindeer food that Jaina put out for Santa's reindeer Christmas Eve. 

And Jaina was like, "what was that?"  

"oh nothing sweetie, heh, heh, heh!"

And then she told me that that was a picture of Dad trying to trick us. DOH! 

Then Grey, who was standing near us said he was sad because he thought Dad would get eaten by the reindeer. 

Hopefully not Grey, that would be pretty freaky!

Speaking of freaky, that is a word that has become a part of our kids vocabulary. 

Grey likes to dress up in his Spiderman costume and mask, and go 'freak out' Jaina and her friends when they come over. 

And today Jaina told me she no longer wanted her Raggedy Ann doll, that I hesitantly got her from an antique store (which was way over priced, but I convinced myself that every girl needs a pair of these freakish dolls) for Christmas, because when she wakes up in the middle of the night and looks at her, she 'freaks her out'. 

And yesterday, we were driving in the car and Jaina made the comment that I am her mom and when she has kids she will be there mom, and that started a whole conversation of figuring out how we would all be related to there kids when we get older. Hunter would be Grey and Jaina's kids' uncle and Jaina would be Grey and Hunter's kids' aunt, etc.

I then asked them when they have kids, would they bring them over to my house often? And Hunter then asked, "what is the fastest car in the world?"

I said," a Lamborghini?"

and then he told me he would drive his family in a Lamborghini to my house.

Awww, I hope they still like me when I'm old and senile:)

and start saving your pennies, Hunter! 

snowy day

This has been the best winter I've seen in a long time! And although I really dislike being in the cold, yesterday felt like I was a kid again tromping through that white fluffy stuff. I think my kids wondered where their mother ran off to and who this fun girl was that was throwing snow balls at them:)

Jaina also invented snow chairs and we made snow tunnels that would have been totally awesome if I had more patience (and snow pants on).

One of my goals for this year is to discover some new hobbies that can enrich mine and my family's life. So, this past Christmas, I got my first DSLR camera to capture those family moments. I didn't dare touch it for a couple of weeks, but after talking to some family members who are pretty much pros when it comes to photography, I felt a little more confident with it. My mom suggested I take all my picture on manual mode, so that's what I've been doing. MOM! I need you by my side:) Luckily I was able to brighten these pictures with photoshop.

Last week Jon and I met with Bott and Sons monument, to order Scarlett's headstone. I am really excited about all the personal detail we'll get to put on it.

Lately, I've felt more peace with not having Scarlett here anymore. Maybe it's because that's the way we were designed, to have those memories fade a touch- because it is so heartbreaking to think about it too much. But that's not to say I don't still think of her everyday, because I do. I guess I am just okay with waiting a while to see her again. 

 Life still has to go on when you lose your loved ones. That's what is the hardest. Although they are coming less frequently now, there were days in the past few month when I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning, and if you know me, that means something is really wrong. But I had to keep going, even if my heart wasn't really into it. The kids had to get to school and my family needed me to care for them. 

But when all is said and done, I'm grateful for this trial in my life. Our trials were designed for us. Heavenly Father knows what we need to grow so we can become what he knows will bring us the most joy. 

And for that I am grateful.