My Word for 2015...

Looking back on my word for 2014 (Link). I can honestly say that this year was all about being real. I have been happy with the changes I have made in my life and the person I was able to become and show to others. It was a good year with all sorts of chances, opportunities to be real for me.

This year my word to focus on and work towards is Commitment!

I want to commit to continuing on changing our families lifestyle and being more healthy. I want to commit to getting into better shape and being a better example for my kids. Along with commitment, it is going to be about health a well!

I want to commit to my children to be a better mom. I want to commit to continue to find their best way of learning and their interests and make sure they are happy with school. I want to commit to making it a great year for them!

I want to commit to my faith, my calling and my testimony. Not only having it, but sharing it, showing others I have it and making it a main focus in my life! I want to strengthen my testimony, my knowledge and do better as a member of the church.

I want to commit to my marriage. It's already a fantastic one, but everything always can be improved. I know there are ways, as a wife, I can be better. I am going to be the best wife I can be!

And long after January has come and gone, I plan to still be committed and to work on this throughout the year!

2014 in Review

2014 has been quite the year! It has been full of new adventures and many changes!

 We started the new year in new Primary classes!

 Haden earned his Arrow of Light!

 The kids walked into Schorr Elementary for the LAST time. We are officially homeschooling!

 Haden had another fun baseball season on the Mets!

 We have found 2 fantastic homeschool groups! Love the friendships we have made and the support we have received. 

 Grant moved on from the Bears to the Webelos.

 Coleman turned 8 years old!
And got a new guitar :)

 Coleman Ray was Baptized!

 We moved into a new house AND new ward!

 Kahle turned 5 years old!

 Grant turned 10 years old!

 Haden went with Grammy and Papa to Michigan to visit the Mann's!

 We had lots of fun with cousins!
Boys sleepover at our house.

 Girls sleepover at Adri and Trent's house.

 More cousin time with Brier and Addison!!

 Jeff with 2 of his siblings, Kelly and Dave!

 We spent some time in Utah!!

 Delaney turned 7 years old!

 We surprised the kids with a trip to Sea World!!

 We also played at the beach while in California!

 Such an amazing weekend!!

 I celebrated my 32nd Birthday.

 Haden had his 2nd major surgery on his right ear. Hopefully it is fixed for good!

 We celebrated getting back into our Homeschool routine by having an un-back to school party!

Adri and I flew to Washington to visit Dana and her family for our sisters weekend!

 Jeff turned 35 this year!

 New family pictures!!

Oh how I love them!!

Delaney and I went and saw Wicked! We loved it!!

We had fun for Halloween!

Willie, Jace and Si from Duck Dynasty and Panellope Von Schweetz and Fix It Felix from Wreck it Ralph!

Haden had a staph infection in his ear, but luckily we got it cleared up quickly!

Delaney chopped her hair...we love it!!

 Haden had his interview with the Bishop, to prepare him to be ordained as a Deacon!

'I don't want to see over or under the frames' said by Grant while picking out his new specks!

Haden completed his Faith in God and passed off/memorizing all 13 Articles of Faith!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

New glasses and...CONTACTS! Big day for Haden!

Haden turned 12!!!!!

A celebration for his birthday and for being ordained to the office of a Deacon! Such an exciting weekend!

Herbie came back!!

Jeff and I celebrated 13 years of marriage!

Haden passed the Sacrament and went around to members homes collecting fast offerings!
He is LOVING Young Mens!

We had a FANTASTIC Christmas! And feel so blessed!!

The Trampoline has been a HUGE hit!

Haden has seen the ENT a lot, but I think we are finally on the mend and figuring out how to get it all under control!

It has been an amazing year! I am excited to see what 2015 brings our way.

Happy New Years Eve!!

A Merry Christmas it was!

Each year, I'm pretty sure I say the same thing, but I'm going to say it again anyway.

I am overwhelmed with how blessed I am in my life! It is shown every day, but is very apparent during the Christmas season. I am so grateful for these reminders!

The morning started earlier for some. Grant started waking up and dozing off from 1:00 AM on. I could hear kids coming in and out of our room, but was waiting for them to wake me up :) At about 6:30 am we woke up everyone and decided to head downstairs to see if Santa came.

**Warning...picture overload!**

This year instead of going oldest to youngest or youngest to oldest, we started in the middle. Cole was so happy!!

 Since Kahle's jammies were a bit to small, we improvised :)

I have NO clue how this tradition got started, but it carries on from my Mom's family. When you turn 12, you get to have a nylon instead of a stocking. Which means you get more stuff :)
Haden was so excited! It was a tradition I was excited to carry on!

 Delaney found a bag of (candy) coal in her stocking :)

 BatMIP (a MIP robot) Cole has named him.

 For our lover of singing, a karaoke machine was perfect for her!

 Zoomer Dino has been a wish of his for a while now!

 Behind the couch, the kids found one more surprise.....

 It's a......

 Trampoline!!!!!

 Cole sure loves his MIP (so does his siblings!)!

 Delaney serenaded us with lot of music!!

 Grant asked for Disney University.

He's loving it!! (so are his siblings)

 Haden out front in his one piece jammies playing with his street hawk...HAHA!!

After playing for a little while, the kids could hardly wait to open the gifts from under the tree.

 So excited to use our gift card to Steak and Shake and calendar from the Michigan Mann Family!! Miss them like crazy!

Drawing family names is always fun, because you get to buy a present for someone you love!

 Haden had Delaney....He got her some My Little Pony dolls.

 Coleman got Jeff a pocket knife!

 Kahle got Haden a car that follows a laser and can drive on the walls.

 Grant got Cole some army action figure guys and some accesories to dress up as an army guy.

 I got Kahle a How to Drain Your Dragon set.

 Jeff got Grant some power up things for the Disney Infinity and a lego set.

We moved on to lots more fun under the tree...

 Marshmallow shooters from Jim and Karen.

 Our Christmas mess!!

 Bed head, no make up, morning shot :)

 Table top ping pong....fun!!

 Helping their Dad put together the trampoline!

 Haden was a big helper!

Then I went out and helped as well. Jeff is awesome and we got it done!!

 The kids were SO excited!!!

They only got to play on it for just a little bit before we needed to get ready to head out to Jeff's Moms house.

These kiddos clean up well :)

 My heart is full!!!

 Love these two snuggling on the way

After visiting with family, eating yummy food, Shimisauna and Grandpa Bob gave us their gifts to us.

 The kids got these awesome activity books that we can use to incorporate into Homeschool!!

 And a game, they are dying to play!!

Afterwards, we headed home to get dinner ready. My parents joined us (I am so mad I didn't get pictures). We had steak, potatoes, carrots and rolls. It was SO delicious!!

Not long after my parents headed home, the kids were ready for bed.

Ended the night hanging out with this amazing hubby!!!

I am so grateful for our Savior! For this time of year to have so many focus on him and what he has done for us. I am humbled to be given the chance to teach our kiddos about the Savior and to strengthen and grow their testimonies. I feel proud to be their Mom and to do my best in raising them. Often times it is an overwhelming job, but I can see and feel the hand of the Lord as I lead, guide, teach and direct them. It is an honor to be their Mom. I am so grateful for a hubby who selflessly gives of his time and talents to support, provide and give us many amazing things!! He is my other half and puts up with so much from me! I feel like we balance each other out pretty well!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

We definitely did!!

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