Merry Christmas Eve Eve

The girls went to our friends Rob and Tara's house last weekend for a babysitting party while Tim and I hosted my work's Christmas party. Tara posted pictures on her blog. They were so sweet to come and pick up the kids and just take the van. It was so wierd after they left to be home... without the kids... unfortunately, my co-workers did show up and we ended up having a good time. I am glad we could share our kids for a night. So, did you ever wonder if a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound? We discovered when the house is empty (of children) it echoes their voices, but literally it echoes our voices. So as to the tree theory, still up in the air, but I prefer to have the kiddos makin' noises. I love being a mommy.

'Twas...

I just love this poem, as much as the memoriesand feelings of childhood I have when I read it.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
By Clement Moore

Ticking down to Christmas

I love Christmas, when I'm on schedule. I wasn't so much earlier this week, then I got thrown a curve ball by getting sick with icky throat (lost my voice). I think my schedule for my Christmas preparation has been more realistic this year than ever before, maybe it's the realization of what is really important, what really isn't and where to spend my time accordingly. I am a type of person that has to self actualize. I think that means that when I want to do something, I have to piece it out to the point that it is baby steps to get to the end result, then getting there in my mind so I can actually validate whether my plan is worth carrying out. I don't know if that makes sense, but to those of you with more kids than adults in your house, and capital A type personalities, it probably does.
I was fortunate early on this season to have a clarity moment. I guess to avoid the specifics, I was in a situation where I witnessed some friends of mine have... grumpy (the best word I can think of) attitudes about the whole family aspect of Christmas. I decided I didn't want to waste my energy being that way, and I didn't know I needed to make that choice (self-actualization again) and it has been so great. I filled my Christmas "to-do" list with activities with my kiddos and my hubby and it has been great. We went to a Christmas boutique and it was so fun to be with my girls looking at all the little homemade trinkets and crafts I remember wanting to buy or make when I was a kid. We got the Christmas tree up together, I was able to get my Christmas cards out (haven't done that since 2004) and due to budget cuts in the...well budget, worked right through the shopping/gift making list. I had a patient today at work tell me she is totally ready for Christmas, and has been for a week. I was amazed, and also a little disappointed in her attitude. She said all her decor is up, presents wrapped, nothing left to do at all. I thought to myself, Heck, if I were on that schedule (mind you her 2 children are adults and have teenage kids themselves) I would spend my time with friends, baking, serving others, making up things to do to help others, baking, and eating my baked goods. I wasn't feeling jealous of her "readiness" for Christmas, but sort of bothered by her "I've done what I need to now I'll sit on my laurels" attitude. I am having such a great December, and now we start the "12 days of Christmas" tomorrow, and Emma is so excited for activities. She definitely keeps us on our toes to stay ahead of her. That is enough for my cyberwandering, I must sleep now, tomorrow is our 7th annual Candy making day with my in-laws and It is always super sweet.

Best Christmas Ever! -Emma

So Emma has said on multiple occasions, "Mom, this is gonna be the BEST Christmas EVER!!" I love her enthusiasm, and her sweet spirit. I remember growing up and being so excited for Christmas that I'm sure my sisters wanted to throw me in a snow drift, and maybe they did. I do remember one Christmas my Dad wasn't excited to put up twinkle lights on all of the forest of trees on our huge yard, and I wasn't going to let the season go by without lights, so after what seemed like hours untangling about a hundred strings of lights and changing bulbs to get full circuits, I braved the cold (in Rexburg that's brave) and used the "aim 'n' throw" method to strng up the lights on all the trees in our front yard. It probably looked like a 10 year old did it, because I coudn't have been older than that, but I did it, and it was important to me. So, now Emma asked and asked "Can we put up the tree?" for 3 days before we finally had some time to do it, I plugged in the pre-lit tree and of course, half of the light strings are burned out or shorted. To appease her, we let her and Audrey put all the shatterproof ornaments on all by themselves. They were so proud!!
Here they are with the ornaments all on the tree and the lights off.And the lights on, or most of them.And then two days later after 100 feet more of lights and a few hours of re-stringing and re-distributing the ornaments on the tree. I love Christmas!

Family life

I love this time of year. A couple of fun things have happened this week. On Sunday morning at about 7 am we were lazy in bed when we heard this weird sound, like an airplane taking off, but not as loud. After we heard it a few times it got louder each time, Tim looked out the window and there was a hot air balloon outside our house! The sound was the whoosh of the gas igniting as the balloon lifted. It must have launched from the common area in our neighborhood. By the time we got a chance to go outside and see it the girls were all awake. The pictures I took are a little blurry because I zoomed in, but it was a fun way to wake up.
Audrey has been dressing herself, and due to the rain this morning, she felt it appropriate to wear this, only I didn't get the picture before she took her pink lace socks and shiny "ballerina" shoes off.It is raining now, but a half hour ago the sun was doing it's best at screaming through the clouds for a brief shining moment. Luckily, we caught it and were able to capture some of it's colorful glory. I learned from my Dad in his photography that the lighting is called "alpenglow" where the sun is shining, but there are no shadows and it is orangish light. What a great view. It isn't very often that you get to see a full arch rainbow, and even less often that it ends at your house!! Man oh man are we blessed this Thanksgiving!!!

"Thanksgiving comin' up!"- Audrey

Audrey is always letting us know what holiday is next. She had some difficult transition from "Halloween coming up" to Thanksgiving coming up" but she understands it is a cousin playdate and she is telling everyone now. So in case you forget... THANKSGIVING COMING UP!

We went to the Gilbert Days parade on Saturday with my good friend Tara and she is super. I would not have enjoyed the parade or being by myself with the 3 kiddos were it not for her. We had a great time, and thanks for Tara!! We sat in front of the barber shop just south of Page St. in our usual spot in the shade to enjoy all the glitter on the horses as they walked in the sun. That was Audrey's favorite part, Emma loved the handouts, she collected them and stored them in her baggie (which was also a handout) and collected as much candy as she could. Parades are not what they used to be when I was growing up, but my idea of a good parade is lots of butterscotch candies and caramel candies all broken up and smashed in the wrapper because they were thrown from a far distance, fought over and enjoyed as a great reward for the fight. This parade we were lucky if we could get candy sprinkled on the ground in front of us. We were between two groups of very quick kids, so the girls didn't get much, but enough I guess. The weather was absolutely beautiful and I am so grateful for cooler weather and blue skies I can really enjoy because I'm not hiding from the sun.

Tim attempted the annual garage clean-out and had about 10 people drive by like they were scouting the yard sale, and one guy actually get out and ask, "How much?" It was great, yet we still don't have enough space to put the van in there yet. (that is the end goal, well my end goal, probably not Tim's. )

Tara attempting to get Emma to look at the camera. Kennedy is hiding in the stroller, she was happy as a clam just sitting there and watching the parade go by.

Success with Emma, although I'm not sure who the dude is on the left ?

Say What?

Emma: "Ew... she bless-you'd on me!" (Kennedy sneezed on her)
Audrey: after pulling Tim's hand open says " I'd love to... DANCE WITH ME!" and proceeds to twirl 'round and 'round under Tim's hand.
Kennedy: "Heh...Heh...aaaawwwwa...pbthpbthpbth"

The spoon finally fit with Kennedy last week! She figured out how to keep the food in and she liked it...Sweet Potatoes. Now, bring on Thanksgiving!
I was finishing up the dishes when I heard, well not a lot, and I glanced over into the family room and Emma was organizing a game for all the girls. This was Kennedy's first actual play time with the "big girls" and she was squealing with delight!
Here are the girls on Halloween. They hoofed it with Dad and friend Chloe Sherwood down our street, came back with a stash of sweets and then we all had candy and "spooky juice" (hawaiian punch on dry ice).
Also, my birthday, Tim and Tara and Rob got me Guitar Hero World Tour and we rocked out. Em and Aud loved it! They of course fought over the microphone, but Audrey totally took to the drums like a fish in water. THEY ROCK!

44th President

President Obama... What more can I say?

WAY TO VOTE!
PROTECT MARRIAGE IN ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA! MISSION COMPLETE!

Shuga, Shuga, Shuga!!

Whoa, what a sugar spike yesterday was! We had a great Halloween, the girls went trick-or-treating with Dad and came back with buckets full and ready for play. We all had a great halloween, and of course, WAY too much candy!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I have had a wonderful birthday. I was having a "rememberie" (my word for happy memory) about my best birthdays. When I turned 5, Mom was expecting Holly and was 8 months pregnant and had all the neighborhood kids in Rexburg up to the house for a costume party. I remember getting a baby cabbage patch doll named Wilma Josephina.

• Next was when I turned 16 and it was my first birthday in AZ. All siblings living in Logan had signed a "birthday gourd" for me. It was a giant butternut squash (my favorite).
  
• When I turned 18 I decided I should live up being a kid and I got cheesy birthday invitations and sent them out to my friends for my dress up costume party pretending I was turning 6 yrs old. We played pin the nose on the pumpkin, had a cake walk, how many marshmallows can fit in your mouth contests, and of course spooky stories. My friend (boyfriend at the time) Rob gave me a Tickle-me-Elmo doll just as they were getting huge. I still have it and my girls are a little freaked out by it.
  
• At 19 I was living in Rexburg again, my first year at Ricks College, missing my family, and it was the first birthday I got a card from every one of my siblings. I don't remember anything else I got, but that was most special to me. It hasn't happened since, and it was just when I really needed it; It was awesome.
• 21 I was married for 2 weeks to the day. Good stuff.
• 24 we had just gotten back from Hawaii and found out we were expecting Emma.
• 25 I was scheduled in clinic in Hygiene school and my case doc patient no-showed his appoiontment. It was a crummy day.
• 29 I was awakened by my awesome sister Allison at 6 am from Minnesota wishing me happy birthday and sharing with me how she remembered when I was born, she was 10 years old and she was so excited to have a new sister. That made my whole day awesome, and so many of my other siblings and friends calling and emailing me their birthday wishes.
• Now here we are today. I don't know if I am just a "Pollyanna optimist" or just don't expect much, but I really am happy just to have happy kiddos and happy husband and anything beyond that is icing on the cake.

Home videos

Kennedy's first bath sitting up by herself. Yeah! out with the bulky baby bath and in with the sisters!!


Baby was quiet, and I checked on her and she was nodding, nodding, off to sleep.




We went to a fall festival last Saturday and here is a glimpse of costumes for Halloween. The 3 faerie princesses, they are cute as buttons! I'm so lucky!

29 on the 29th

I thought I'd post today, it being the last day I'll be 29, and it's the 29th. I love October. It is fall, and even though it doesn't show here in AZ like it does in many other places, I love the nip in the air (okay, 60 degrees is nippy, it's all relative, right?) and the possibility of comfortable family walks, and the kick-off of the best time of year--- the next 3 months! I am an optimist, and I'm okay with that, but even more so is the twitter of excitement in my bosom when I think of Halloween (and Halloween-eve, A.K.A my birthday) and then the month of gratitude with Thanksgiving and then Advent and the Spirit of Christmas. Tim tells me I'm too sentimental and "girly" but I mentioned to him today that I have been asked over the last few weeks what I want for my birthday. I know it is really corny, but I really want what I already posess. I tried one year to want it all, or even just this or that, but in actuality, I am really happy with all that I have, and if I could be given anything, it is the peace of mind to let go the piddly little things that pull me away from the objects of my true happiness:

• My family and friends
• My good health and my healthy kiddos,
• My testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  

Nuts and bolts, the things that hold us together, and keep us grounded. I feel like I'm gonna start spouting some odd cliche's because it's late and my eyes are all fuzzy, but for the record, I'm grateful for being here and for each of the people that enrich my life and make it more beautiful.

Isn't this picture beautiful?

Got out the Vote

So, We finally finished filling out our early ballots, and are sending them in before the Oct 24 deadline. I usually do early ballots, but don't get them in the mail on time, so I end up dropping them at the polling place anyway. I feel like it is such a little thing, my vote, but cumulatively I hope it can make a difference. 14 days left for the count, I hope people don't just vote, but get educated and vote wisely. It doesn't take much to screw up big time, but it does take big time to fix it. Good luck, and good night.

Cookin' with Gas.... FINALLY!

So, I'll be the first to admit, we (mostly Tim) are undeniable Craigslist junkies. We are always looking for a great deal/steal/story. So last week Tim saw 3 awesome gas stove/ranges on c-list he thought were good deals, so he quickly posted our stove (GE profile ceramic cooktop oven shown) just to see if he'd get any hits. He priced it high, and we got a call, some guys came and bought it in 3 minutes (I timed it 'cause I was home on my lunch break) and suddenly we were without stove. Tim called one of the ranges he'd been eyeing... no response, 2nd one... no response... 3rd one (you guessed) no response. Yet the ads were still on c-list for 2 days, there was no email or call to say they'd been sold. Bottom line, we were without oven/range. Mostly I find this ironic because there have always been range/stoves on c-list at any given time. This week was famine! Nothing even posted! So we have been really creative with cooking. We have learned how to make Mac-n-cheese in the microwave, we've used our electric frying pan daily, and even broke out our camp stove and hooked it up outside. It wasn't so much that we didn't know how to use alternate forms of cooking, but the irony of the situation. Tim has actually been inspired to be more of a minimalist, he is curious to see what else he can do without (should I be afraid?) or find alternate uses for things, multitaskers, etc. Anywhoo, it has been a funny lesson in well, creativity, patience, fun, food storage/ preparedness, and cooking. I am grateful today for my stove. I am also grateful to know that it isn't the end of the world to not have it (just leaves a gaping hole in the kitchen). Here is a short list off the top of my head of things I am grateful for (and wonder if we could or how we would do without...( in no particular order))
*Microwave
*Toaster
*cable tv (television altogether)
*diapers
*dishwasher
*extra freezer
*sippee cups
*high speed internet
*diapers
*paper plates
*mini-van w/ dvd player
*trampoline
you get the idea.

Here are pics of our new stove, newly installed, actually new in box from previous owner, so never been used before. I haven't cooked on it yet, but I'm excited for eggs in the morning!!

Family Pictures... for real

I am super excited, I saw my friend Aften posted our pics on her photo website, and you can check them out too. She is awesome!! Aften has a talent for seeing personality and capturing it. It is amazing. Thank you so much Aften!!

Happy October!!

I love October. Candy on all the store shelves, orange is everywhere for Halloween, which I have always associated with my birthday. So this will be my month to shine. I am turning 30 on the 30th. Isn't there a name for that birthday? Like ultimate, or something. I have had 30 years to plan what to do, and well, I'm still planning. I will also be celebrating 9 wonderful years of wedded bliss to my Prince Tim. No stress on the gifts, I'm easy to please. ( a high five and a clean floor would make me giddy). I went into costco the other day, meaning in SEPTEMBER and Emma runs like a bullet down the aisle to where she can see.... a CHRISTMAS tree..... in SEPTEMBER! Take it how you may, but I remember growing up and seeing Halloween until by Birthday (or actually Halloween) then THANKSGIVING decor (the long forgotten holiday in retail because it is not a highly shopped for event) then comes BLACK FRIDAY which I don't believe in, but that's probably because I've never been on the ball enough to actually have a gift list before December. Maybe someday. Anyway, I love October because it is at least 6 months before we see raging summer heat again and we trade comfy swim temps for sleep-with-the-window-open temperatures. I'm sad to see the days get short, but I love the cozy feeling of fall. Okay, I'm officially rambling. Here are some of my latest pics of the kiddos. Emma and Audrey wanted to wash the car, so we let them sponge it off, about 30 min before a dust storm blew through. Now it's "speckled" instead of "sparkled." Audrey feels the world is her canvas, literally. She took the markers to the wall, and she had to clean it all off. Down side to that punishment is tonight after dinner she ran up to me with a colored pencil and said with all the gravity she could muster, "Audrey draw on wall" and pointed to the wall. I told her she has to clean it up, and she shouts, "Yeah!! I get clean up!!" while dancing around. I think she missed the point; or maybe I did. Next is lil' Kennedy, not so little anymore. She is sitting up almost fully unassisted. She also won't roll over to save her life, but hey who wants to look at the dirty floor anyway, I'd rather sit up too. That's the latest from this side of the keyboard.

new tooth, save the pennies!

Kennedy cut her first tooth on Thursday. That might explain part of why she's been trying to keep both of her fists in her mouth all the time. Given the fact that Audrey is only about a year ahead of Kennedy dentally, and that I wore braces twice, Tim has been through them once (and needs another round) Kennedy and Audrey will be in braces at the same time. Yeah!

Time goes by...

I really don't know what happens somewhere between 7:30 am and 8:30 pm. I guess I feed kids, do some chores, change diapers, feed kids, settle arguments, feed kids, change diapers, bathe kids, put kids down for sleep, feed kids, feed myself, then sit for a few minutes and think about all the things I need to be doing while I sit there trying to gain strength to tackle the stinkin' list in my "AA type" brain. And all that is just on the days I'm not working; I lovingly deligate all that without the self inflicted standard and guilt trip to Tim until I come home in the afternoons. I have classified myself as "AA" type which is highly uptight about the way it is done, to the point it's not worth doing. I think I get that from my folks, "anything worth doing is doing well (a.k.a. perfect)." So, I managed to clear off the computer desk of my to-do pile and had a few minutes to post.
SO, I had a working interview for a DH position p/t 2 saturdays a month last Saturday. How does it make me feel when I leave the interview at 1:30 and the doctor says, "I'd like to hire you, I need to get to my next patient, bye" then 3 short hours later the job I supposedly was hired for was posted on C-list, again. Um... your opinions? I'm not sure what to think.
Audrey is going through a phase right now. I think she's teething, but she isn't due for more teeth for a while, so lame excuse. She can't be pms-ing because she's not there yet (like i said someone keeps speeding up the clock), so hopefully she'll come out of it soon. Last night as I was changing her diaper for bed, she exclaimed, "We're going to Disneyland tomorrow!" I asked her who told her that, she said "Daddy!" and I heard Tim call from the other room, "No I didn't!" Apparently Audrey is also going through her "inconceptual truth stage" (Lying through her teeth) and if it weren't so stinkin' funny how blatantly she fibs, I'd be upset. For example, I sent her in to ask Tim if he wanted to go on a walk after dinner tonight; she runs to the bedroom and asks him and he says, "I have to do homework." Audrey runs back with enthusiasm and says, "Daddy says YES!" (Tim calls, NO I DIDN'T!).
Emma must be eating fertilizer, because she's growing like a weed. Her shoes are all "pinchy" and her shirts show her "button" and her shorts are all super short. Any hints or tips on fall sales (or summer end of season) let me know.
Kennedy is almost rolling over. If she wouldn't get so screamy about being on her back, she could do it, but she has no patience for the view straight up from the floor and screams the minute she lays down. Thanks to a friend who lent me her "Bumbo" it's a lifesaver.
Tim is taking an English class. I am no help to him. Look at my grammer, puntctuation, and thank heavens we don't get checked on blogs for plagarism or works cited references. He just trucks through it, luckily he has smart friends. That is a tip I picked up along the way, hang around smart people, they.... I don't know make me smarter? Or the... Something. Well, I want to invite all who have actually read through this terrible long post to comment, let me know you came along, I love this blogging thing, even more so when I have time to do it.
Peace out.

Childhood

Kennedy. What more can I say.


I enjoy the words that come out of my kids mouths so much. Audrey never ceases to crack me up. She is always the first to say "Naaaaoooot" meaning "not me, I didn't do it" and she sings it like a disney princess. She'll even do this when I have seen her do what she says she didn't. It's great. Emma likes to just tease and be teased. Honestly, if they didn't tease each other, I'd be worried. We came up with aliases for the girls tonight over dinner. We decided Emma is "Screech" for her alienesque screem, Audrey is "Twister" for her ability to twirl like a princess and recover in record time, and Kennedy is "Bubbles" due to her amazing ability to blow spit bubbles, which Emma and Audrey never actually did. Tim made killer chili and I made rolls to boot and we had lots of fun after Church tonight. Once I can get the kids to get it through their brains that we are NOT WATCHING A "KID CHANNEL" then they go and play great. Pictures of our newly renovated play room to come, stay tuned.


As for the amazing process of "de-junking" our house, we rediscovered this amazing piece of furniture my parents gave to us, well as a filler for our house, to get it out of their garage, then never really took it back, then said, it officially belongs to us. I don't have a before picture, but if I come across one, I'll post the before with the after (in your mind's eye picture yellowed oak stained with wood grain and lots of water spots). We had it painted and moved it to our front entry way. It looks AMAZING. Thanks Mom and Dad.


Here is a picture of how we sometimes pass the time, Rob and Tim playing some "shoot-em-up" game on X-Box 360 with Kennedy chillin' out in the middle.



I live for the brief moments where everyone is happy, relatively sweet smelling and dry and on my lap. They are brief moments. I love my family so dang much it hurts, and I often feel like I don't make the most of them. Well, good thing we have new beginnings, like Anne Shirley said, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it." Good ol' Anne.

Make up time...

Kennedy keeps us laughing, she is getting really good at hers...(laugh, that is). This is what our house looks like when it's clean (HA)



Emma and Audrey goy their hair cut last night. It was so much fun. The gal who cuts our hair does it out of har mom's house and they had 2 week old yellow lab puppies. The girls loved that.

Audrey in the process of her hair cut (notice the pink wash sink, she was thrilled about that!)

After the cut of 4 inches and BANGS! She said she was ready for the BALL!!

Emma with her long pre-cut hair. It was down to her elbows!
Emma after her cut. She cut off 6 inches and added layers again. It was a long time coming. She has amazing hair!

Audrey tucked herself in, or under the bed, er... Emma's bed. Audrey's bed is on the left side of the video. Emma reported the next morning that she was singing the whole time (scroll down to hear her song).





Audrey likes to hang out, well "nakey" so if she's not wearing her dress ups she's wearing her birthday suit. I never cease to be amazed at what she comes up with. I caught rockin' out the other day, and I had to capture it. A few explanations, though she usually beyond explaning; she wanted to try panties that day, emphasis on the word try, they haven't been back on since. She has a bandaid over a spot on her leg where she was the vicitim of a moster mosquito. She came up with the song (ABC's/Twinkle, Twinkle) on her own as well as the jig. Nothing is out of her realm.



Another nakey video. I don't realize she's without chothes until I upload the video on my computer and the moment has passed. Oh well, its hot outside. The story behind the cheer leader dance is we went to a basketball game where cousin Kelsie was cheering. We were a little late, and Jr. High basketball games aren't long, so in the literally last 2 minutes of the game Audrey saw Kelsie cheer and saw the basketball players make one basket and she talked about cheer for weeks on end. Now when she's asked to do her cheerleader dance, she throws her arms up and shouts, "GO TEAM, GO TEAM!!"

Sent from Heaven

Okay, 2 super sweet confirmations that we (Tim and I) are doing something right here. On Saturday evening we went swimming and came home and Emma was passed out asleep before bedtime rolled around. Audrey was still awake and demanded we follow through with our night routine ( scriptures, prayers, hugs and kisses, brush teeth, and tuck-tuck- tight). A new element I've added to this routine just recently is personal prayers. My girls are too short to reach the top of the bed when they kneel by it, so they just sit by the bedside. Emma was already zonked in bed when I was done helping Audrey brush teeth so I was just going to tuck her in and walk out. No, she wouldn't have it. I almost tripped over her in the dark because she was sitting by her bed saying, "Fada...day...Emma...Kendy...Wobby (Rob)...Tah (Tara)...Gaga... Gacob(Jacob) ...Ali... Mommy... Daddy... Happy...Jesus AMEN!" I could barely get her into bed before the tears started falling. She is so sweet, and that was her first prayer all by herself.

Then this morning Emma was on her way to school and for some reason Audrey was throwing a huge fit. I couldn't understand what she was saying "PED!!" and finally after Emma was gone and Audrey calmed down enough I said "Show me" and she knelt down and started her prayer. She wanted to say family prayer. She is so sweet, and a good reminder of what's important. I hope you all remember your prayers too!

School Days

Getting pictures for the record, Emma's so cute, and Audrey's a Hoot!

That backpack is huge on her!

Getting in the car (it's already nearly 90 degrees at 8 a.m.)

Tim walks Emma into the school and her classroom for her first day.

It's a big day for the Harpers, today was the first day of Kindergarten for Emma. She was so excited to go, she chose her favorte breakfast, M&M pancakes. She had her hair braided without complaining once, Audrey got dressed and hairstyled and we were out the door. It was a quiet day at home with just 2 kids again. Tim picked Emma up and when they got home she burst through the front door and said so exitedly, "I LOVED IT!!" Tim walked her into her class this morning and picked her up after school. Audrey was excited too, she knows Emma's teacher's name is Mrs. Dean. She had a fun day at home making messes with mom. Wow, life comes at you fast, and Emma is so excited for tomorrow. I love her enthusiasm for it all. I love being a mom. She is so nonchalant about it all. Here are some of her first day of school comments:
"We ate in the cafeteria, it was good, they had food there."
"There are two playgrounds in case one gets full, we can fill up the other one."
"I found 3 cousins in my class, I wasn't shy at all!" (she knew 3 kids in her class)
"I wore my shoes and socks ALL DAY!"
"There's even a nurse in my class, if I get sick, I'll be okay!"
Good luck to all those who get started or back to school in the next few weeks.