SuMmEr!!

So this Blogging thing has been left by the wayside!! It is so simple but for some reason we forget to do it! It is just easier to log onto facebook and change your status than getting into all the details of life. But... I did have a goal of "journaling" our family life. So I will start with our summer... how long is this summer thing supposed to last anyway?? The kids have been great playing together. I guess since we have not been good about setting up playdates and activities for the kids they know how to play together well. I think it's good for them. I tell them all the time that they are each others best friends. Maybe the brainwashing is working! At least it works until other children come over. Then there is somehow always a problem. I don't get it!

Dalton and Ansleigh each were able to go to a Scout camp. They both had fun. For the Fourth of July we went to Grammy and Grampys for dinner and fireworks on the golf course. The kids loved that! We planned to go to the beach the following week but have postponed that to the week before school starts. I got my knee and wrist surgery done. I am over feeling crappy. And Jared is over me feeling crappy. I am looking forward to healing and being a person, mom, wife, daughter, sister,etc! All the things that I need to focus on...other than meds and naps!

We have had some sad and interesting family changes. I don't even want to expand on that one. It's a little too much right now and I don't want to start that emotional roller coaster. I do know that our family motto stands true... "Choosing the RIGHT in EVERY brings HAPPINESS to you EVERY day"!! Pleasure can be felt and temporary satisfaction can be experienced. But feeling the pure joy that comes only through doing what is right cannot be duplicated. It is just completely contrary to our Heavenly Fathers plan!! I have total faith in His plan!!!

So I have bumbled enough from one topic to another. I will see if Jared will write on here next...and soon.

Do I even need to add comments when I put these 2 pictures of the pink hat! I mean... look at this little face!! I swear she is pure sugar! Today we were at Grammy's house and we saw this fun hat. She didn't want to wear it very long but it was worth the cute photos. She is just a fun little baby! Ok... the picture below has multple things that I just love about it! I'm not sure which is my favorite. The fact that she has fallen asleep sitting up like that, her little rock star hair extension, the dirt under her finger nails because she had been outside playing, her little pinky finger tucked inside her lip, her wispy bangs hanging down in her face. Isn't this the perfecct little moment! I discovered this little "gem" of a picture (that Jared must have taken) when I downloaded the pictures that were on my camera.

These are the pictures that I need to look at regularly! If I start to feel frustrated with a certain someone. Or like I want to beat a little butt! Along with counting my blessings, I will look at these perfect little pictures!

CHRISTMAS CARD 2008

I am so lucky that I am the mom of the cutest kids in the whole world!! Christmas at the Kirkland House was "joyful" in the words of my children. We decorated the tree together, it was lots of fun. Each night we read stories about the life of our Savior. And we were sure to have our share of hot chocolate overflowing with marshmallows. One day I went to Whole Foods and bought these huge homemade marshmallows. They were outrageously priced but I thought the kids would love them in the hot chocolate. When I got home I unloaded the groceries. I told the kids they could each have 1 marshmallow. I went in my bedroom to feed the baby. About 20 minutes later Amelia had consumed the entire package of homemade marshmallows! She definitely has my sweet tooth. I don't think I have ever felt like there is any such thing as "too much sweets". Jared on the other hand is not the same way. I think you could probably even look at us and see the difference:)! Needless to say... marshmallows from Whole Foods are now hidden IF purchased at all!

I am glad that the holiday season is over. At least the busyness of it. I am glad for the new year and the desire it brings for increased effort in the different areas of my life. I just wish I could keep this desire for personal improvement throughout the whole year.