Welcome Back Carter's

Halloween 2010

2010-11-27T00:22:00.000-08:00

This year for Halloween Preston was Napoleon Dynamite and Ava was a Woodland Fairy. We went to their schools Fall Festival first. Ava loved the petting zoo. Then we had a church party on Saturday where we blanket trick or treated around the gym. It actually worked out really well. We also had a chili cookoff--where I happened to win 2nd place for best chili. How funny.... Then we all enjoyed being home on Halloween and handing out candy to trick or treaters that came to our house.

Ava turns 6!

2010-11-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

Ava turned 6 and we decided to have a big party! She choose Chuckee Cheese. She invited some of her most favorite people, and we had a blast. Happy Birthday Ava!

Mackenzie's Choir Concert

2010-11-26T23:53:00.001-08:00

Mackenzie had a choir concert where they paid tribute to some Motown artist, It was awesome and here are a few pics to show. It was dark....

Lots of FIRSTS for the CARTERS!

2010-11-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

First time to California for some of us, first time at an Ocean for some of us, first time to Disneyland as a family.... for all of us! SO many first and we had a BLAST! It only took us 16 years to get to Disneyland....but we did it :)

Just like any time I get a really good deal on something, I have to share! We got the whole family into to Disneyland & California Adventure for $330.00! I found someone on Craigslist selling their Hopper passes for $55/ea. Plus, Rob's work paid for the hotel rooms that we stayed in right across the street from Disney's main gates.

We had so much fun going to Hollywood and walking down the Blvd. Then Huntington and Venice beach we so beautiful. It was so fun to see Preston and Ava's reaction to the beach. They loved it and didn't want to leave. And then of course Disneyland! It really is an amazing place. Ava and I spent most of the day in Disneyland after the older kids and Rob headed to California Adventure. We had such a sweet time going to see Tinkerbell, ride the teacups, going through Mickeys house and seeing Minnie and doing all the fun little girly things. LOVED IT! Then we meet up with the others and rode some of the more daring rides with the older kids. That night we got to see the new water show (because Rob is awesome and went and got them for me :) "World of Color". It's in the park, but after the park is closed. It was really awesome too.

We also got to go see my dear friend Amy and her family. She cooked us a great dinner and we had a great time. Her little girls and Ava played make up and Ava still talks about them. Amy has always been a great friend to me and I am so glad that we are still able to get together with our families. She even meet up with us on Monday for a few hours at Disneyland. They live a few blocks away and have season passes.

Taking this trip made me realize that we need to go on family vacations more often. These were some amazing fun times we will remember forever! Where should we go next??

Arizona's newest Temple --Gila Valley

2010-06-10T21:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about my calling, is being able to go on Temple trips with the Youth. I was able to go with them to the Mesa Temple for Baptisms and also to the Christmas lights. Because of Robert's work schedule, Preston and Ava are lucky enough that they pretty much have to go with us wherever we go. We are super excited to have had 3 new Temple's announced for Arizona. The Gila Valley Temple-- which is in Safford/Pima area, the Gilbert and the Phoenix Temple. We have made it our goal to go to all of the open houses. The first completed Temple is a smaller sized Temple 3.5 hours east of us. We love the Safford/Pima area, because Rob spent a lot of time there with his work and we would come up and spend the weekend with him in his hotel room. We hiked the mountains, played in the streams, checked out the historical sites and went to the mine site that Rob worked on. It's also where President Spencer W. Kimball grew up. He prophesied that there would be a Temple there some day. It was neat that they included that information in the video that they play before visitors went inside the Temple. It had a lot of really unique and beautiful art work inside.

Mother's Day 2010

2010-06-06T22:26:00.001-07:00

I have not been on here for 7 months! That it so sad. There have been SO many fun things going on, but with work and kids I have slacked! I thought a good place to pick up would be a Mothers Day brag fest......I mean post, about what my perfect angels did for me for Mothers Day.
The super cool thing about this is that Mackenzie put this whole photo shoot together without me or Rob knowing about it. It was SO cool. The pictures turned out great and I really love them......<3 onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1E7l8ngaIzI1GoCKvQ0qt66VAJMBVIGlBGS_ZMz5e7AQsXKzVk45dZrH_RZ7ZyvUorY_qaLDodig5V3z_ydWDADhcJs_j4rVpmrNeiGE3VAMuf5kSJLY2IHvDpfiWURCD5SeUXMaWh8/s1600/familypics+378.jpg">Rob pinning on my Mother's Day corsage. This corsage was part of a fundraiser we did in Young Women's for the girls camp fund. You can see it better in the picture above.

This was such a sweet Mother's Day gift. I will have these forever and will always remember how happy it made me feel that my kids would think of something so amazing.......see I told you it was going to be a brag fest!

2009-11-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

So this year I asked Preston what he wanted to be for Halloween. His response " Well, since I am probably the most popular boy in my class and, well , really popular at school, I think it would be funny to show up as a nerd." I am finding out after having two teenage girls that are very modest and struggle like the some of us women/girls with insecurities , that boys don't suffer from low self esteems! They don't worry if they sound conceited. It's just a strong ego--and a male trait.

He's just wearing clothes from his closet and we got the tie & glasses at the dollar store! Everyone kept calling him Alfalfa--which he didn't like because he was NOT Alfalfa. I guess I got carried away with the hair.

Ava was really easy this year as well. She wanted to be a cheerleader. We already have pom, poms. I found this costume at Goodwill for $4.00! She loved it!

The Cheerleader and the Nerd!

End of the night! Preston had a long night of geeking it up!

Here's the closing shot-he is such a NERD!

Carter Family Update!

2009-10-01T21:19:00.000-07:00

Here's the update. Life has been crazy busy-and I don't have time to elaborate :) Here are some photo's to prove this. I love my kids, I love my husband, I love my friends and am feeling very fulfilled. Will write more when I get the chance!

This is Honeyville Farms, the food storage "mega superness store" where I am the assistant manager. (Julie & Kyle in picture)

For Memorial Day we took a short drive to Bartlett Lake. We didn't have a boat or fancy equipment, but we really had a great time! I love that it was only 30 minutes away from the Scottsdale Mall.

Mackenzie on her own private Island :) She is the best fisherperson in the family. Sorry Preston!

Taylor and her Mini Me. They are so cute together!

I would love to blow this picture up and hang it up to look at it everyday! I love seeing my family together enjoying simple things.

EW! Another Bluegill! They are pokey!

Preston is catching another one. He's not so bad at fishing either!

Then we lost Grandma Hinds and attended her funeral. She was Robert's Mom's, Mother. Super sweet lady that always remembered the kids names, ages and always sent them birthday cards. She lived and was buried in Cottonwood which is just outside of Sedona. I was a really beautiful service.

Another picture I should blow up. I love these girls-even though they're teenagers.

Robert and his Mom and Sisters Mindy and Christin.

All the Great and Great-Great Grandkids that were there at the funeral. The girls are Danielle and Lauren, Mindy's daughters and the cutie little man is Jordan, Danielle's son.

Preston's always happy when there's another boy around. Jordan's Dad is currently serving in the military. His Mom Danielle served also. We would have adopted Jordan in a second he was so fun!

Then---SCHOOL STARTED!! Ava started Kindergarten this year. She was only 4 1/2 when she started, but we think she is ready to get to school. She's attending a Charter School and is my first child that has ever had to wear a uniform. I'm loving it! It was so cheap to get her clothes and really easy daily to pick out what to wear. Not to mention she happens to look amazing in navy :)

Taylor (a Sophomore this year) finally got glasses! Man, she was blind! She also started early morning seminary this year.....this trooper get's up at 4:30 am!

Ava's birthday came next. ALL she wanted was a puppy, and specifically a small one. I looked all over for a free or really cheap puppy because knew I couldn't afford one. I looked everywhere, and felt so sad that I just wasn't going to be able to get her the only thing she wanted. Then, the day before her birthday on my way to work, I literally almost ran this dog over! I couldn't believe it! I laughed so hard, it was like she fell from the heavens :) right to us to make Ava's wish come true. She loves her, takes really good care of her and named her Bailey.

Ava told me the other day after cleaning up after Bailey, "It's really hard having a Chihuahua rat dog -huh Mom."

I took Ava a couple of friends to see the Circus. I had free tickets for the kids, and free help (Taylor and Kenzie :)

The PRESTON'S. This is Preston Salano, one of Ava's good friends. Our family loves him so much! We have known him since we lived in Ahwatukee. He absolutly loved the Circus.

Another really great friend of Ava's, Maggie. They love eachother (obviously :)

This is Morgan-another one of our favorite people! And Preston is obviously one of her :) She was cuddling up to him. Morgan's Mom (one of MY favorite people) used to babysit Preston and Ava when I first went back to work.

Taylor-LOVED helping me with the kids at the Circus! Thanks sweetie!!

After the Circus we invited the whole neighborhood over for games, facepainting and cupcakes. We have GREAT neighbors. Little Russell below with Mackenzie was also celebrating his Birthday on the 19th. He brought his Racecar cake over and shared it with us.

Well I don't know about you but I am exhausted :)

2009-07-12T17:54:00.001-07:00

Father's Day 2009

2009-07-01T22:38:00.000-07:00

My kids are SO lucky they have such a great Daddy!!

We had a great Father's Day. The kids picked out a great tie for Rob..(as seen in the 1st photo) and they all made really sweet cards for him. We grilled flank steak and had ceviche. Then Mackenzie made delicious brownies for Rob's fav dessert brownie sundae. Then after all that eating eeck!! we had mandatory Sunday naptime.....ahhhh

What's new with Ava Liz??

2009-07-01T20:17:00.000-07:00

So can you see anything new about AVA??? She is 4 and 1/2 (she insists on the 1/2) and sweet as can be, but what is she missing?

wait for it...

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wait for it...

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wait for it...
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She missing 2 teeth!!

Usually kids lose their teeth at age 6 or 7 so you can imagine how surprised I was went she started telling me her tooth was wiggling. Then Mackenzie and Preston talked her into letting them try to wiggle the tooth and it came right out! They then realized the one right next to it was loose also-and boom 2 teeth out!
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PRESTON ROCKS!

2009-05-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

So it was Preston's turn this year for the school musical program. This year it was all about bugs and they decorated shirts with flowers and bugs on them. He learned really cute songs about bugs and even a few dance moves. At one point in the program they had to freestyle dance moves and Preston busted out the robot moves. It was cute and he did a great job. Here's a few pics. I couldn't find my camera and so these are just stills from the video camera so they aren't great.

8 things tag............

2009-05-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the tag Kori. I have been wanting to blog, but every time I sit down I either get pulled away to do something else or all I can think to write about is negative or complaints :) So I'm glad I have a topic!

8 things I look forward to............
1) Last Day of School! Just because it's such a fun day. The kids are always so excited and it just feel like a great accomplishment to have completed another year in school. 2) Memorial Day Weekend- because it's a day off of work :) but also so we can take time to remember some of the amazing people that have passed. 3) Calling my Dad today. He's serving a mission in Mexico City and it's his birthday. Love you Dad! 4) Mothers Day. I love being a mother and it's so sweet to have your kids express their feelings of love and gratitude towards you. Especially from your teenage daughters who seem to be frustrated and mad at you most of the time. And the gifts from the younger ones that they have worked on themselves that mean so much . I always love being able to have a special day that I can let my mother know just how special she is to me too. 5) The economy improving. I know kind of an obvious one. I get to spend more time with my kids when the economy of my house is good :) 6) Finishing the landscaping of my backyard and improving on the front. 7) Being better at family prayer and scripture study. I look forward to the day this will be easier and that I will be more consistent at it. 8) Paying off debt and getting my food storage complete.

8 things I did yesterday................
1) Clean the church with my family.
2) Cleaned my house which included 10 loads of laundry-yuck!
3) Work on Scouting requirements with Preston.
4) Helped a new family in our ward move in. They are actually four housed down from us which is exciting for us to have new neighbors with kids.
5) Worked on Primary things-made new Talk, Scripture, Prayer reminders.
6) Took Preston and Ava to Pacana Park. Preston loves playing basketball and Ava makes a new friend every time we go-she's a little social butterfly.
7) Read a chapter in the book I'm reading "Pathways to Perfection" by Thomas S. Monson.
8) Made dinner and took it to Rob who was babysitting the cutest little kids for a friend so his wife could go watch him play hockey.

8 things I wish I could do....................
1) Be in a good mood all the time.
2) Talk in church or share my testimony without crying. I even cry when I visit teach. I have the ugliest cry face.
3) Remember everything with ease! I can't remember why I wish I could do this, but it seems like I think it would make things so much easier. But, I'm not sure. I can't remember.
4) Feel satisfied that I have done enough. Even after a long crazy day, I can still think of things I wish I would have done. I am sure this day will never come-
5) Sing.
6) Go on an amazing vacation with my family. We haven't even been to Disneyland!
7) Go on an amazing vacation with my man. No kids. Sorry guys! But this vacation would only happen after we first went on one with the whole fam :)
8) Make a decision by myself. What do you think?

8 people I tag..............................
I'm pretty sure there won't even be 8 people that read this tag :) but just in case........
1) Dorene
2) Diane
3) Jayna
4) Sarah
5) Corynn
6) Meagan
7) Cori
8) Amy

2009-03-22T16:19:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to start work tomorrow. I'm going to be the assistant manager for Honeyville Grains. It's a food storage/emergency preparedness store. We will be selling freeze dried fruits and veggies, specialty grains, premade mixes for baking and fruit smoothies & water storage and purification items. I'm not sure what the store will be like because this is a brand new company to the area. They have locations in Rancho Cucamonga, SLC and Brigham City. Their milling facility is located in Honeyville, Utah which is an hour north of SLC. You can check out their website by clicking onto this link Honeyville Grains.

With having to go back to work I have been worried about the fact that with retail, the job I have the most experience and oppurtunity to make the most money in, requires me to work on Sundays and late evenings. This job at Honeyville will allow me to help my family out during this time financially and I don't have to work Sundays and they close at 6pm!! And I can make close to the same amount! I really feel blessed and appreciate all the prayers for me & my families behalf. This job is going to be a huge blessing for our family. Plus-I will have an amazing food storage! I have put all your emails on the mailing list and you will receive a coupon. Let me know what you think and I can help you and answer any questions. The really great thing about this company (besides that they are LDS) is that they ship your entire order for $4.49! It doesn't matter if you order a can of freeze dried strawberries or 500 lbs of wheat it will still only cost $4.49.

Before I start sounding like an infomercial I will end this post. Hope everyone is doing well. I'm quessing everyone is staying very busy based on the non-existence of postings happening :) I know things get busy and blogging is sometimes too time consuming but I'd love just a quick no frills update on how everyone is doing.

2009-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

My life is so crazy right now.....so many things have changed and I am trying to get adjusted!! I have had no time at all to be on the computer for anything FUN. But I felt like taking a few minutes today and just blog about the last couple weeks. I try to find things to be thankful for everywhere I look.

1st the view from my bedroom window one afternoon. The Icecream Man!! My kids love it when this annoying music playing van pulls into the neighborhood. The yell MOM MOM!! The icecream man is here!! I usually answer with "Great-do you have any money?" and they knowing my sarcasm, know this means no, we aren't getting anything. But this never seems to squish their hope, they continue with the same enthusiasm everytime. Well, this day DAD was home! Ava was so excited! She yelled who hoo!! as she ran across the street.

Then the boys played for awhile outside....

2nd the view from my back porch. We are working on getting grass in the back yard. Brother Hedges had in inside scoop on free cow poop :) They brought in a couple of loads and now comes the fun of spreading it and tilling it.

It was so cute to see Ava insisting that she help with the "stinking cow poop." She worked so hard and loved it! We will work on the garden next. Hopefully she'll insist on helping with the gardening too.

3rd the view at Taylor's first High School Art show. She had three of her pieces on display! It was really great to hear Preston and Mackenzie brag about how Taylor's was the best. It was also a fun opportunity to meet some of Taylor's friends and their parents and teachers.

4th the view across the table at the dinner during the art show. Mackenzie always the comedian. She won't take a normal posed picture-it always has to be a funny pose. Even though she is in her 1st year of Jr High-the other High School kids thought she went to school there! Then there's Preston, never without a book to read, he doesn't care whats going on around him if he's into a good book. The one he is ready in this pic is the new 3rd book in the series "Diary of a Wimpy Kid."

5th the view of the temple as you walk towards it. I love being there! I was able to go twice in the last two weeks and am grateful for that. I love the quiet that I find in the temple. I love that there are no cell phones and chatter and no feelings of being rushed. I know my Savior loves me and I feel this when I'm at the temple more than any other time.

Preston's Baptism

2009-01-13T16:57:00.000-08:00

Rob getting approval from Preston on the programs we made. Man, I love these boys so much!!They both look a little nervous :) Did I mention how much I love these boys.This pose is for his baptism scrapbook that Grandma & Grandpa Brooks sent. (Thank you!) He almost has the whole thing filled out, he really has enjoys working on it. He even got to pass off a couple of his "Faith in God" goals because of it.It's hard to see on the picture but this towel has his name and the date of his baptism stitched into it. It's a sweet gift that the Primary gives to all children after they are baptized. Thanks Maricopa 6th ward primary & Jamilee for her sewing talents she donates.

Waiting in the hallway. Kenzie is wearing hills and only appears to be taller than Taylor. She made her take them off in some of the pictures. I guess even height is a competition with these two:)

This picture makes my heart happy! They are so important to me. I love how close they are and how this day just made that bond even stronger. I will always remember the smiles and tears they both had during the baptism. I'm so glad they are mine.

Preston's baptism day was so great, it's beyond words :) We were all so nervous. Preston, for obvious reasons, Rob, afraid he was going to forget or mess up what he needed to say, Me, nervous to give talk, Taylor, also nervous to give talk & Kenzie had to give the opening prayer. We all got thru it just fine-doesn't he look relieved and happy in this picture-oh and perfect!

I LOVE PRESTON

2009-01-08T10:04:00.000-08:00

The day that we've all be anticipating for so long is finally here! Preston is getting baptized this Saturday at 2pm. He wasn't able to last month because Rob got called away for work, so he's had to wait an entire month longer. I'm so proud of Preston and his desire to obey his Heavenly Father and get baptized. I'm also proud of him for being so diligent about praying and reading his scriptures. He will even remind me if I forget. He has chosen his songs for the program and also the kind of cookies he wants for refreshments. He is so excited to have his Dad there to baptize and confirm him. We wish family were closer so they could attend but we know you are all proud of him and are happy for him. Grandma & Grandpa Hyde are still on their Mission and will have to miss it also, but we are so glad they are serving their mission and know we are blessed because of it. Can wait to see his face tomorrow! He'll be grinning his big smile. I LOVE PRESTON!

Mackenzie's Sunday six

2009-01-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

1. Every few weeks or so I get bored at going into the same old boring bedroom, so I decided to rearrange my room so it's not boring.

2. I was babysitting 4 boys and they are good, but here's what they did. They went outside and started spraying water and getting water out of their pool and pouring it on each other. Then later on the day we were playing a game and I was a Dinosaur mom and my babie's ran away so I had to go get them and carry them to the nest and one of the little boys jumped out to get me away from the nest and I blocked him from hurting me and he fell flat on his back and bit his tongue to where it was bleeding on both sides. I felt so bad. But then then next day we had a church activity and he was there and telling everyone that I shoved him down flat on his back and that's how he hurt his tongue. Luckily his 10 & 8 year old brothers told everyone what had really happened.

3. When I got some money from babysitting my mom said it would be cool to get my hair cut, so I said why wait lets go. I found a picture of the haircut I was looking for then left to go get a haircut. When it was my turn my mom told the lady what I had wanted so shes doing my hair and shes just lets it curl like crazy and we leave when I got home I took a shower and styled it because she didn't and when I was done my mom looked at it and said it looked like she grabbed a couple pieces of hair and just chopped it off and said she was done. Then I got bangs and now they are in my eyes all the time.

4. I got to go to one of my friends birthday parties this weekend. It was pretty fun. We went to Amazing Jakes, we played lazer tag, rock climbling, air hockey, rode on the rides and had lots to eat. My Mom actually let me sleep over (wow!) I haven't sleep over at a friends how in forever since my Mom made it a rule. I have known this friend since forth grade. She liked the Webkin I gave her.

5. I finally get to be fully in young women's now and the first day there was fun. There used to only be two other girls my age, but now a new girl moved in and there's on moving up from primary in a couple of weeks. I am the Beehive president-so I'm glad I can now call some couslers.

6. We are planting grass in our back yard but my dad wanted some manure first and it smells so bad, and Maricopa smells enough without the help of it being right in our backyard and it smells!

New Background!!

2008-12-31T08:42:00.001-08:00

I couldn't wait to clean up all the decorations from Christmas around my house. I enjoyed Christmas but I am so glad it's over. The kids wanted to put out every single decoration we have collected over the years and though it looked good and was enjoyable I was feeling cluttered! So just as fast as it came-it's gone! Doesn't it always feel a little sad after all the work it's over just like that! So on with the clean-up, I didn't want a Christmas blog anymore. I have to say I'm sick of Christmas music also. So my new background! I think it is really cute and just wanted to share with you where it came from. Cori Carpenter is a sister in our ward and she is very creative and has her own website for backgrounds. She has a very cute blog also. Her website is

Scrap-e-blog.blogspot.com Also the music is all from the Twilight soundtrack which is Mackenzie's favorite right now. Sorry if you don't like it just pause the i-pod :)

Taylor's Sunday Sixx;;

2008-12-29T12:26:00.000-08:00

One. Finals are over.! I think I did pretty good.

Two. Winter Brake. No school for two weeks.! (no alarm at 4:30)

Three. Friends. Gotta love em.

Four. Got grounded :/ and then got ungrounded after mom saw things my way (:

Five. Going to the mall at Christmas time. lines 50 people long.

Sixx. Music. I love music.

My Sunday Six!

2008-12-14T14:36:00.001-08:00

(1) Cold weather. It's so nice to have a break from the sun. It's been gray and cold and in the morning Ava can see her breath. It's so true without the gray skies we wouldn't appreciate the clear ones. With out the cold air we wouldn't know how great the sun feels.

(2) Taylor and Mackenzie both had babysitting jobs this weekend and I realized how great it is for the girls to have this experience. We probably wouldn't have this oppurtunity somewhere else. We have alot of small kids and worn out parents in this Stake so the demand for babysitting is high:) Also they get to tend for really great families with super sweet kids-which makes it even better. It's so fun to see them being responsible and taking on their first jobs. Plus it's fun to hear their stories when they come home with of what they did with the kids they were tending. It's also fun to see these kids that they have tended get so excited to see the girls when we run into them somewhere or at church. They're going to be great mother's.

(3) Preston's dish week. Each week the kids rotate kitchen duties. It's their most favorite fun chore to do and look forward to their week. Ya RIGHT! They hate it and sometimes it's like pulling teeth. It was Preston's week this past week and he did such a great job. He didn't have to be constantly reminded and he did such a great job it looked as good as when I do it.

(4) Holiday Candy!! Orange Sticks from Sweets Co. out of SLC, Jolly Rancher Candy Canes, peppermint Hersey Kisses, chocolate covered nuts raisins, chocolate coin candy, See's chocolates etc....................................................

(5) My Sunday morning helpers. Sunday's mornings can be such a blur. We have to be there by 7:45 and it can be challenging. All the kids know their rolls on Sunday and they do all of it without complaining. From ironing to getting Ava's tights and shoes on to getting scriptures round up and all of my things I need to bring for Primary. Then when we get to church I have helpers saving seats and watching Ava and helpers putting up class signs and putting the rolls into the classrooms and helping to set up the things I need to for Primary. Then after church there is rounding up all the things that were set up. Getting Ava picked up & collecting all my Primary stuff. Thanks Taylor, Mackenzie, Preston & Ava.

(6) The Ensign. Every month I find an article or story that really touches me and I feel was just what I needed to hear. I love to hear of all the wonderful things that are happening with the saints all over the world. Yummy feast for the soul.

2008-12-10T13:31:00.000-08:00

"Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The Spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the 'spirit of Christmas' , we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the 'Spirit of Christ.'"

-President Thomas S. Monson

My Sunday SIx!

2008-12-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

As I was blog stalking a few months ago I came across Kori's sister's blog. She does a weekly blog called the "Sunday Six." I was really excited about doing this on my blog because it made me realize how great it would be to sit down and reflect on your past week and actually write down the things you are grateful for. Months went by and I kind of forgot about it, until now. Now I really need to focus on how blessed I am, and I'm going to start by posting my "Sunday Six." So here we go.

(1) Preston's getting baptized! It's finally here. Preston has been anxiously waiting for his eight birthday. He has been memorizing the Articles of Faith, praying in private daily, reading his scriptures and is ready to go! He always reminds us to have family prayer and knows that Monday night to get out his scriptures for FHE. He's such an obedient boy and I am so truly blessed to have him here to keep me on my toes.

(2) Preston's getting baptized---by his Dad! This is so amazing I can't even describe how much this means to me and to Preston. I am so blessed to have Rob as an eternal companion. He is adored by the kids and is a great parent. I'm truly thankful that Rob has accepted the gospel and blesses our home and family with the Priesthood.

(3) My extended Brooks family. They hosted and invited me and my family all to Thanksgiving this year in St. George. The made sure we all felt welcomed and feed us well! The food was really good, they're all great cooks. I was excited to finally meet Bennet, he was super nice. I've heard so much about him. His son was adorable testing out all the food and licking the gravy ladel clean. Doreen managed the food assignments and I'm sure much more, all very well. With 50+ people everyone had plenty and then some. Anyway's I just love them all and feel very blessed that they are a part of my life.

(4) Rob's job. It has taken him away from us for way to long, I can't stand how there is no real schedule and I can't ever count on ever knowing his days off, he has to work long days leaving Rob sore and tired when he does get home. But I am SO thankful that because of his job I have been able to always be home on Sunday's to go to church and keep the Sabbath day holy, I get to drop off the kids every morning and be there to pick them up in the afternoon. I have been able to be home with Ava, she is not fond of daycare:) to give her all she needs during the day. I am there every afternoon to help with homework and hear the stories of their day. I get to cook dinner every night and sometimes have an afterschool snack waiting for the kids-they love this. Because of Rob's job we have health and dental insurance. So we are all truly blessed because of his hard work and blessed that he has this job. Oh, and I forgot to mention that for the most part he actually really loves what he does. Happy husband is good.

(5) Maricopa!? I know it's shocking because I'm always quick to complain about it here. It's taken me awhile but I am loving Copa! It's great to be in a small town again. We have a comfy home and now that I have quit being such a brat, I have gone out and made friends with my neighbors and actually really like them. I love the friends I've made here and really feel blessed that they are in my life. It was hard at first to feel a part of the constantly growing and changing ward-but I really know that I have a great ward family that we are blessed because of that. The stinky cow smell is still not so charming but other than that I'm very pleased that I feel pleased with Copa :)

(6) Decorating the house for Christmas. I love to see the kids get so excited when we turn up the Christmas songs and pull out the decorations. This year we decorated 3 trees. One is the main tree that is a hand me down from Uncle David & Aunt Tiffani, when they lived here when we did for a month. (thanks again:) It has our cute new decor that we got at IKEA last year. Then we bought a 2 or 3 ft little tree at a garage sell and we put all the old sentimental ornaments. This one is our fav-there's all the little hand made from school ornaments and the special ones we've received from friends through the years. Then we have a little on top of the table size tree that we have put our 12 days of Christmas ornaments. When we lived in Las Vegas we had an amazing secret Santa and one of the gifts was a really pretty collection of twelve ball ornanments with painted pictures of each day from the song. We love these-they so cute. It was fun to pull out the nativties that we've collected over the years. The kids arranged and re arranged them all the time. It is such a great time of year when Christ is celebrated. I love it and I love the spirit it brings to my home.

CHRISTMAS TIME!

2008-11-24T11:36:00.001-08:00

So I know we haven't even celebrated Thanksgiving yet but everywhere I look it sure seems like it Christmas. Does it happen a little earlier every year or what! Some of my neighbors already have lights up and blow up Christmas yard ornaments. Oh well I guess I'll decorate my blog and on with the Christmas music even if it is early :) Now go Elf your family & post it on your blog.....I want to laugh :)

Go Elf Yourself!

2008-11-24T11:34:00.001-08:00

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