Recent Tidbits, Updates and Food for Thought.

Another Holiday season is on ( or is it off?) the books and a new year is around the corner. I am always amazed at how fast time goes by.

So far 2009 has been a calm, quiet year. I guess you could call it a "Sleeper Year". With that being said, we still faced a few challenges, and were also blessed immensely. Because of the rather, subtle year that it was, we were able to concentrate on some very important things.

The biggest being settling back in to our home here in Utah. Along with that we have been able to get emotional help from a great therapist. I am so very blessed to be fortunate enough to have insurance that covers that kind of thing. We have all made progress mentally and emotional. I never knew how important mental health is to your day to day life and activity, until each person in my little family were walloped by an emotional illness called Post Traumatic Stress. I can't imagine what could have happened without the emotional support we have had from our therapist,family friends and of course Heavenly Father.

Moving forward and turning what I have learned into a positive, I am going back to school. I have carefully considered what I will study and have decided, given my experience and knowledge of my own healing process, I am going to major in Psychology with a minor in Family and Human Development. I plan to go straight into the master program to get my Master of Social Work. My End goal is to help people, and give back some of what I have been given. Also, hopefully be able to help my own family cope with long term affects of our experience.

Now for some tidbits....

Recently Wes was complaining that he was a little bit more pudgy than he used to be... Hayden immediately jumped in and said "Dad your not fat it just depends on what shirt you are wearing"

Sophie has been named the "Little Dipper" she has to have something to dip her food in with every meal or she throws a fit... it can be ranch, bbq sauce, sweet and sour, salsa or ketchup as long as there is something.

Wes and I went to the movie today and left Hayden and Gracie in charge of watching Sophie. Gracie decided to make a treat for Sophie. A nice cup of chocolate milk. When we got home I saw a mess on the counter and Gracie told me what she had done. She added that Sophie didn't even like the chocolate milk. Later as I was looking at the mess I noticed...she used chocolate powder for baking. NO WONDER sophie spit it out at her and said KAH KAH! LOL, to cute.

Lastly my heart is breaking for a friend and I feel so helpless. Here is a little back ground about her.

The day of the tornado, as we were being rescued I got in the van that was taking us to saftey and I looked down at my 8 month pregnant belly. And was horrified to realize that I had NO maternity clothes or underware to but on. I was so muddy and just wanted to be clean and warm. I am not just a person you can go out and buy for because I required plus size clothing. Everything I had owned was special ordered. My stomach lurched and in my heart I wispered "Heavenly Father....PLEASE HELP me. It was kind of an subconscious prayer, a plea because I had no clue what I was going to do. When we arrived to safety, there waiting for me were maternity clothes, my exact size and underwear I might add. A woman who I had never met donated them for me. Another friend had brought them to the house for me. These 2 woman will never know how thankful I am and how I truley believe they were instruments in the Lords Hands and an answer to the desperate plea of my heart.

On December 23, Stacey the women who donated the clothes to me found out that her 8 year old son has an inoperable brain tumor. I am so heartbroken for this sweet little family. I feel so helpless because I want to be able to help them the way they helped me. As of now all I have been able to do is pray, but hopefully my prayers for them will be answered just as quickly as they were the day of the Tornado for me. I have put their names on many prayer lists, and I am asking my readers to please offer a prayer up for them. They need all the strength they can get. I do believe in miracles and in the power of prayer and I have a testimony of it. I may not physically be in Iowa, but they are in my thoughts and prayer none the less. I believe there is a Website being set up at the present time for way of donations to help this family. I plan on adding it to my links so please watch for it.

With a humble heart and a great feeling of gratitude for all of my blessings I close for now ~E

Christmas Day 2009

Was a very relaxing Lazy, Lazy Day! The kids loved their gifts, especially Sophie! She caught on to unwrapping presents very quickly!

Here is a list of what Santa brought.

Hayden: Bow and Arrow, Muse tickets, Video Game, 2 movies, Books, and Scriptures.

Gracie: Outfit, Phone for her room, Electric Scooter, Book, Movies, WII game and Scriptures.

Sophie: Barn and little people, some other toy that makes noise, a shopping cart, 4 books, a movie, stuffed lion and some bath toys.

The kids were very gracious and thankful for all they got.

After opening all the gifts we had a great breakfast. Wes and I took turns taking naps. I worked on my puzzle and we watched several movies. It was a great day at our house. We are Blessed.

Chistmas Eve

Christmas Eve 2009

It was a wonderful day spent at home. I ran around like a crazy lady most the day. I had cleaning and cooking to do. Wes had to work and also did some last minute shoppping. The kids were so excited all day long they could barely control themselves.

For dinner we had BBQ Meatballs, Cracker and Cheeseball, au gratin potatoes, tossed green salad, and shrimp. Oh and of course I can't forget the sparkling cider!

We all stayed up late watching a Christmas Story. Finally when the kids were asleep Wes and I went to work. Something we have always done is wrap the presents Christmas Eve. I have decided that is going to change! By the time we were all done it was 1:30 AM. We were so ready to sleep, I don't even remember my head hitting the pillow! By 2:30 all 3 kids were awake....ahhhh. They came in every half hour until 8 begging to open presents. Let's just say we were a bit groggy Christmas day!

This is the 3rd Christmas Eve we have spent just as our little family, and I have to say I LOVE it!

Forming New Habits.

I have always heard that to make something a habit you must do it consecutively for an extended amount of time. Being that it is the Holiday season, there are 2 things I typically worry about. First, OVER-LOAD of too much fabulously good food and the damage it does to my trunk;) Second, time. There just isn't enough of it to go around.

My solution? Hayden and I have made a pact to get up every morning at 4:30 (he is a stickler on the time) to exercise together. While one does the treadmill the other will do weights. Today is day 2, and I have to say Hayden is really taking this serious! Something we are also doing is saying a prayer before we start, I know that sounds so silly, but we ask Heavenly Father to please help our bodies to be receptive of our workouts and also we ask for help making good choices throughout the day with what goes into our mouths.

Hayden is growing and maturing and has started feeling self conscious of himself. Last week at the family party some of the cousins his age (boys) were talking about how they were trying to put on weight. Haydens comment was so funny, everyone laughed. But on the inside I wanted to cry. he said "Guys, believe me, I have been down that road, and let me tell ya, once you gain the weight it is a lot harder to dig your self out."

I am so grateful for him, and that he has been so responsive to this pact that we have made. The other cool thing is that we talk, and he tells me things about school and friends and whatever else. It is wonderful bonding time for us. I so needed a workout partner! I have been so sad ever since my trainer moved away. It is so fabulous to be a Mom! ~E

Christmas Decorations .... UP!

Between the Dog and Sophie, I am shocked that the decorating is done! Not only are we done on the inside, but Wes also did the outside with Gracie's help. Now I just need to do the baking and shopping and we can have Christmas.