Home 4 Christmas

 Our little Family

 gingerbread house!

 lookin good lilly

 Hey it's just like 7th grade again!

 hoopla twister

 daddy making pie...yum.

 dont let them fool you, they planed this.

 Gavin and Danton snitching the last of the muddy buddies behind Grandmas' rocking chair.

 making food.

sister pajamers!

Home 4 Christmas

 Sister PJ's

 Bat boys!

 The bunker in the Kitchen.

 We had about 4 vacuum cleaners on the floor. Danton was especially effective.

 totally LOVE marshalls face. hahahaha!

 Owen is 9 months!

Compton cousin first christmas.

Time

Sitting up...taking time to myself. It's difficult when living in someone else's house. I'm used to sitting up with Mike and just doing nothing. Now I feel like I need the company...but I don't really want to be around people...I just want my hubby. And then after everyone is asleep. I spend time with my siblings...and then I go to bed. But when I get in my room it still doesn't feel like I've had chill time. When I spend time with just me and mike. It's always chill time and I always feel better afterwards. This time, being away from him isnt bad. When he was overseas, it was heart breaking. The first time we video chatted over the internet while he was in Afghanistan I wanted to hug and kiss the screen. Now I just know I need to wait a few weeks. I get to see him. I hope it's not bad on me to have to let him leave though. (I apologise for this probably not making since....it's past midnight) Mostly I just really miss my husband. And he'll be back for christmas....I just hope I'm ok with sharing my time with him with everyone else.

On the bright side...my siblings are almost ALL going to be at mom and dads house. That is a big deal. Garry and Sheri couldnt come this year.....but all my slibings in college are coming home. And Marshall is STAYING. I cant wait to see all of them. YAY!

Expect the Unexpected

I've heard this saying a lot, but never realized how hard it is. Going through life I thought I'd learn to roll with the punches and take whatever chance life can give me. But the unexpected happens mostly when you don't expect it. I guess thats why it's unexpected. I had a dream last night that some Nerf gun people came to town and they had a skydiving adventure you could go on, and as you were skydiving they'd shoot nerf darts at you. (yes I know strange) Anyhow I decided to jump on the chance because it was only a limited offer. The dream ended before I actually went skydiving so I don't know if I actually took the plunge. I've often wondered what it'd be like to sky dive, and I'd like to do it, but the opportunity hasn't presented its self. But I think if it did I'd like to say I'd jump at the chance to make a dream come true (well not the nerf dart part).

This morning and opportunity presented its self that was a limited time offer. Actually it was a timed offer and they needed to know by 10:30am. And without (much) hesitation we decided to do it. Because it will help us acomplish some of our dreams. Like the dream of being debt free. And I know I can handle it. I've got family. And we are going to get out of debt. And chances are, I'll get a Van this time. So here's to the next two months. Here's to being debt free, and a husband who is willing to go the distance (but not to far this time).

Adventures from Missouri: Brandon

So while we were in Missouri the boys gained another uncle, Brandon. I guess he started coming around my parents house about the time Mike left for Afghanistan. So we had the pleasure of getting to know one of the nicest boys I have ever met. He seemed pretty quiet at first and kind of kept to himself, but my boys didn't care. They were climbing all over him the moment they met. I guess kids can usually tell when they're around someone who is genuine. I think Xander and Brandon are kindred spirits. Most of the pictures we have of him are of him and Xander. The day after we met Brandon, Xander woke up and said, "hey, wheres that Brandon guy?" The boys were always having him do something for them. He happened to have a birthday while we were there too. My boys found out and they had to wrap up pennies for him. It was pretty cute. They even blew out all the candles on his cake for him. :D Brandon was always very kind to my boys. And every time I saw him he was typically holding one of my children. He helped make our time in MO a little easier because when Joseph and Hyrum went to school, if he spent the night, he was there in the mornings to say hi to the boys. Even if he wasn't coherent enough to do anything but let them crawl all over him.

As I came to know him better I found out that he has a sick heart, and it makes him weak. But he still found time to make my children happy. He was always very generous with his time while he was with my boys. And he never once got irritated with them. Every action he showed towards my boys was very loving. He helped me learn I could be easier on my children when they got into trouble. And kindness goes a lot further than harsh words. Someday, he's going to make an awesome father. But until then he makes a pretty darn good uncle.

The Begining

So, let me sum up. I had a blog, mike had a gmail account. We put the blogger in his gmail. Mike went to  afghanistan, we wanted to video chat, so I got a gmail. Now my blog is under the wrong gmail. Hence the new one.

Daddy has been home for almost 2 weeks now. And it has been wonderful to have him home, and to be home. We were in MO for two months. I loved being so close to family...but I'd rather have MY family be home together and close. Mike going on this trip I think was a good thing for all of us. We've all learned to appreciate each other a little more. I was able to strengthen some bonds with my siblings and parents. And the boys got to play with uncles EVERY day.

Things have been going SO good since we got home. Mike is on.....yardwork? Don't remember what it's called, but basically his hanger doesn't have a contract yet so he's working on fixing roofs and replacing tiles and things. That has been a bit of a bummer, but hes on DAYS! Mike works NORMAL HOURS! Its SO wonderful. He gets to come home and have family prayer with us, and help me put kids in bed. Then we get to just be together.

This house is still a mess, but I'm now in the frame of mind where I can get rid of STUFF, things, JUNK. Any clothes I haven't worn in a year, are gone (yes I'm still holding on to some pants I'll never fit into again...but, a girl has to hope for something!). I am finding it easier to let go of things. And Thanks to my wonderful father in law, I now have a pressure cooker, so before I go to bed, I can now spend some time working on my food-storage. Life is good. And we couldn't be happier to have Mike home.