Merry Christmas Everybody!

Gosh, this Christmas sure snuck up on me! With all that we have been going through to get the house the whole season almost passed us by. We had the fore thought to go shopping for gifts the first week of December, but after that it was all kinda about getting closed on the house and moved in. We moved our big stuff in on Saturday 17th but Jacob was still in school until Wednesday the 21st. I picked Jacob up from school that day and we moved in that night. It was so nice to be in our home, but then I realized I had so much to do and a Christmas to celebrate. Although we did not get to do much for the season we did get to go see Christmas lights and walk around Temple Square. I loved it, but wish we could have done more. Next year we will be sure to do it all! We did manage to get a sweetish Christmas (Shumway tradition) on Christmas Eve and had a fun evening watching A Christmas Story. Jacob loved it and Ricky laughed at Ralph and Randy each time they were chased by the Farkas kid. "Mommy's little piggy" was quite a hit as well. That night I wrapped presents, set up the stockings and headed off to bed excited to see the kids sweet excited faces just hours away.

We all woke up at 6:30am and the kids were so fun to watch. Ricky and Jacob both stood in amazement as they took in the bounty that Santa had left them. Ricky wanted to open everything and Jacob just bounced around the room in excitement.  Presents did not disappoint and we all got a wonderful Christmas haul.  I have felt so blessed to have so much this year.  It is good to be with family and enjoy the moments with them.  I miss my family very much when the holiday hits but I am thrilled we did not have to do it all alone.  The morning was fun and when it was all over we headed we had breakfast and headed for showers because we had church today.  I generally hate having to go after the presents but I really enjoyed this one.  There was mostly speakers and chorus songs.  It really made me feel like it was a special day and a sacred day.

We got home and did naps and did the traditional drive up to Centerville to visit with Jerry & Kathy & the Jensen clan. I love going up to see them. They are such an easy family to be around and there is never a lack of conversation. The kids had a ball playing with cousins & ate until sick. It was really nice to see everyone and after hours of relaxing it was time to go. We said our goodbyes and headed home. I wish we could have ended the night on that high note but no such luck. We got about 20 minutes down the freeway on the way home and Jake said his stomach was hurting. We figured it was just too much pop or candy but when he turned green we realized he was serious. We had just enough time to get pulled off of the freeway with a bag tucked under Jakie's mouth when he blew! It was horrible but we managed to contain the whole thing. We took a 20 minute break to clean up the car and headed home. We thought that night would be the worst of it but we found the next day that it was not pop or candy. Within 24 hours we were all horribly sick with an unbelievable flu! I have never been that sick in my life. We laid in bed with both kids on the floors around our bed for 48 hours until we could get up the strength to go get some drinks and light food. It was truly unbelievable. It was a great day until that though. We will focus on that.

 Here are a few of our winter picture efforts followed by our Christmas morning & afternoon photos.  (IT WAS FREEZING when we did the photos in the mountains with the boys so I am amazed that we got the ones that we got with Katie's help!)

We Bought A House!!

YAY!! We finally closed on a house today. It records tomorrow and then the keys (and responsability) is all ours:)...:( We are so excited about our lovely new place. We searched from SLC to Utah county and this was THE ONE! We bought in South Jordan and just love it. Our comunity is called Daybreak. The house is a row home meaning it is attached to other homes and ours is in a row of 4. I thought we might hear our neighbors but nope, have not heard a peep. It has taken a bit to get this place ready to show but I am about 50% there. Cant wait to add built in shelves all over the place and finish putting up more drapes I have made for each room. I will update as I get those done. Hope you like the preview of what is to come:)

Happy Birthday Jakie....

I just cant believe that you are 7 now!! Amazing how the time is flying! What a big boy you are. Only one year until your baptism?? How can it be? Well, I have to say that every year with you and your sweet smile has been such a pleasure.  Your special day was marked with a surprise party in your 1st grade class right before lunch.  I showed up with Balloons with toys tied to each one (7 total) and cupcakes for each kid in your class.  You squealed with delight and jumped out of your seat.  Another little boy had his birthday on the same day but did not have anything done for him so you gave him one of your balloons and let him pick out a toy from your bag.  I was so proud of you for sharing.  It made me think of what a sweet and wonderful boy you are.  You did not try to be selfish.  You genuinely wanted to make sure he felt special too.    Aunt Kaite came to school to take you to lunch today so that you could have a special day.  You went for happy meals and just loved it.  After school you got to watch a movie and I made you chocolate chip cookies & a snack.  You smiled the whole day and I wished I had my camera with me as you laughed and talked excitedly about your birthday wishes and all that had happened to you today.  You finished off your special day with presents from Mom & Dad & Ricky (and of course everyone else in the family).  We all told our special things about you as you opened your presents and finished the day off with cake and ice cream.  I think it was a perfect day for a sweet little 7 year old.  You hugged me and kissed me and thanked me for your day and I put you to bed with many kisses and hugs.  I just loved watching you today and I just love watching you grow each day.  I love you so much son.  You are everything I ever wanted in a child and more.  Dad and I laugh each day at your funny personality and we know that our lives are so much better because you are ours.    Here are just 7 sweet reasons we love you though there are soooooo many more. 

1.  You have the most tender heart.  You want to share with everyone and you are very sensitive to others sadness and needs. 
2. Your enthusiasm.  I love seeing you get excited!  Your smile fills your whole face and you just beam with excitement.  It is infectious!
3.Your wonder.  You cant wait to learn and discover things.  Nothing is boring with you around.  You always say "whoa" when you hear something cool and it makes me appreciate the newness of things you learn.  I hope that never leaves you.
4.Your energy.  Jake, I could not sustain your energy level for 20 minutes if I tried.  I marvel at your strong legs and quick little body and you zip all around.  Dad and I love to see you dance and run and play and use it all up.  We can always count on you to be willing to play ball, ride a bike, race any kid around and do flips during commercials when you watch a show.   NEVER A DULL  MOMENT!
5. You are my kissy boy.  I always get sweet kisses and hugs from you every day.  I always know that you will come climb into bed in the morning and snuggle for whatever time you have before school.  You always say I love you mom and nothing feels better than your cheek against mine as you hug me with all of our might. Never change that!
6.You are such a good brother.  There are  4 & 1/2 years between you two and you have always loved and adored him.  I don't ever remember you being jealous of him.  You have felt secure that we love you both with all of our hearts and you have tried to show him your love too.  Sure you are a stinker at times but for the most part you have been nothing but loving and helpful.  How dad and I appreciate that about you!
7.You are so smart. You tested out of first grade on your first day!  You talked early, you walked early, you laughed right away.  You were more than we expected at every turn. I will never forget when you learned all of the Thomas trains in a few hours right before you turned 2.  I was convinced you had a photographic memory!  Every parent thinks their kid is a genius and some are.. Some are not.  We just know that we are so proud of you and your sweet mind.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPECIAL BOY!  YOU ARE SUCH A WONDERFUL BOY & WE LOVE YOU!

Welcome 33, Ready or Not!

Today is my birthday! I am always excited to have a day that celebrates my place in this world. Many people have a hard time with getting older, but I never really do. I figure, it is coming whether I like it or not so might as well just enjoy the ride. Rick woke me up and called me all morning with Happy Birthday wishes, while the kids were all kisses and hugs. Most of the family called or texted notes of love and my friends were great with facebook and text messages letting me know that they were thinking of me on my day. I was touched each time my phone chirped a warning that a new message arrived and was amazed when my e mail was full of people that remembered me. There was everything from great friends to acquaintances that wished me well and made me miss each one. I feel lucky to have people like them in my life in whatever capacity that they serve.

Well, I don't feel much older. I feel tired though....I wonder if that is what older feels like, just tired? I don't feel much smarter, but I guess I would not be smart really if I thought I was smarter right? Mostly, I just feel happy. I am happy with my life, I am happy with my kids, my husband, and mostly happy my efforts over the year. There are a few good areas for improvement (as always) and so, those will be my areas of attack for this next great year headed my way.

We have had some really great changes over the last year with moving to UT that have brought fun realities. We close on a home in Daybreak Communities (South Jordan) in just days ad we cant wait to have a place that we own! I look forward to the many fun amenities offered by the community associations like a lake, boat rentals, hiking & biking trails, parks, the Ochre mountain Temple, etc. We know that we will be happy there for a long time. I of course cant wait to decorate it and feel right at "home". Everyone is invited to come and visit and stay with us anytime!

I was most grateful this birthday to see how the Lord has blessed me. I cant believe that a person can be so lucky. I have people that I love so much that love me back, we have a wonderful job that provides us our lives and we have the gospel in our lives that guides us and helps us to focus on others and gives us perspective. We are not above trial (trust me! We have been in a basement for 4 months living out of boxes), but I am so grateful for all that I have.

Thanks to all that wished me a Happy Birthday, and to anyone that forgot it, no worries. I felt you love too:)

I promise to catch this thing up soon. I have missed sharing our lives with pictures and thoughts at each step. That will be priority one when we get really settled.

Happy Halloween 2011

Here they are!!  Presenting the cuteie pies of 2011.  Super Wario & Our Little Red Devil:
Ricky and I went to Jacobs school (Westridge Elementary) for the Halloween Parade to see the kids parade down the parent lined halls in their costumes.  It was funny to see what each one had come up with.  One little girl was in a Troy Palomalu costume that cracked me up.  She really looked like the Steelers player.  Her hair was huge and frowed just like his is.  Jacob proudly walked down the hall in his Wario costume with mustache and all.  Ricky toddled around me in his devil costume and yelled proudly when he saw his brother on his way towards us.  The moster mash and every other halloween classic played on the speakers as the parade went by and it was fun to see Jacob so happy. Here are a few of the highlight pics. Dont they just look adorable: 

Later that night Rick & Katie & I took the kids trick or treating in the Grandview neighborhoods and got more than the kids could possibly eat.   We headed home and watched a Hary Potter movie as we ate the kids haul.  Both kids had a blast and it was a great family evening.  We just loved it!