Adopted-ish

We have two new friends staying with us for a few days. I'd like to say that Charlie has been more obedient in the last 36 hours than he ever has in his whole life. So here is my sound advice.

Adopt already trained sweet older kids!

It really works.

Apparently when you have obedient children and you ask them to do something simple like put on their shoes and socks,

THEY DO IT.

The first time!

Without complaining!

Then what is even better is that Charlie copies them and Jane copies Charlie.

Voila, it's magic.

I only wish that someone would have told me about this sooner.

Bernice

Mike went to visit a new family in the area and they had just purchased an adorable puppy. Bad news here because he came home and began his research on the Bernese Mountain Dog. He was quite certain that he would be purchasing one of these beautiful dogs within the week.

Then the voice of reason spoke (that's me). Now really isn't the best time. I am a dog lover, always have been, but I have one child who is being potty trained and the other in diapers. I'm not really in the mood to train something else right now. So we came up with a good compromise.

Here it is. Our savings jar. Charlie and Jane will be helping to save for our new puppy. Her name is Bernice. We are going to call her Bernie. She isn't alive yet but someday she will be born and look like this. Then she will grow up and look like this.

Mike is pretty excited. He's been asked not to go to the bank and take out a lot of coins to fill the jar. We'll see how well he can keep up his end of the bargain. Charlie has already opted to save for the puppy than put some of his coins in a candy machine. This will be good for all of us. We'll keep you posted on our progress.

Birthday Boy

Mike
great husband
caring father
son - friend - uncle - nephew- brother - brother in law
sometimes quiet, often times loud mouth
makes me laugh... a lot
getting really old for having a wife so young and hip
reads stories to the kids
rubs my feet
loyal
I love you honey, Happy Birthday Big Boy

Hope for the New Year

I’ve been thinking a lot about the different ways that I wanted to improve myself this next year. This has been a couple of months in the making and still it has been hard for me to nail something down. Most of you fellow bloggers have provided me with good examples. So many of you have had a "higher focus" that I felt that this year I should make a real effort to be a better me. So it’s simple. I am going to follow the wise words of Dieter F. Uchtdorf and "Lift Where You Stand". My life is at a place where I often feel that I am consumed with being a mother of little children. That is just where I am now. So I will not try to do something big and miraculous that I cannot achieve. Instead, I’m capable of doing small things in many areas...so here is a bit of what I believe I can focus on this year;

supporting my husband
being a more compassionate wife
having more patience with my children
listening to the spirit and my intuition
being a better neighbor
helping other mothers who feel overwhelmed

I’m just trying to do and be a little better this year. I am hoping that I’ll be able to keep my focus and really just do what I can where I am. Right here in this town and in this stage of my life.

First Snowfall

We were so excited to look out the window today and see big snowflakes. Sadly, the snow stopped falling before we even got outside. Here are some pathetic pictures of our exciting day.

Yes, that was really it. I'd call it a skiff of snow but the kids were sure excited. Don't you like their snow angels? The sun is now shining and the skiff is gone.

I've got two!

Two little bottom teeth so I can start taking advantage of all of the good food my brother and sister eat.

A Big Sneaky Lion

There is a Lion in our home. He makes messes. He sneaks things. He chases Jane. He bites Jane. He is always watching. I haven't personally seen him but I hear about him several times a day. He's been around for over a month now. Jane sees him all of the time. I don't know how he got in. I've tried to get him to leave but he doesn't listen to me. Aren't children supposed to have imaginary friends? This Lion isn't her friend. Any suggestions?

We're Back.....

Christmas morning was pretty great. The kids slept until 7:00 and we enjoyed watching them get excited over the gifts that were received. Our day stayed low key and enjoyable as we had another family over to relax with. We've had a wonderful Christmas and holiday break. It is rough getting back to real life and putting the kids back on schedule.

We were able to go to Kauai with my sister (Debi) and her family over our break. All of my fears and worries were unfounded. The kids were safe, loved, played with and we all had a great time. Here are some pictures of our adventure.Mike and I were both pleasantly surprised with how well the kids traveled. Our flight from Atlanta to Oahu was over 10 hours. Yikes!This was Charlie first time on the beach. He had us all laughing as he did "log rolls" in with the waves.Sweet Janey CakesI hope that I am forgiven for showing others in their swimsuits but this picture is one of my favorites. Aunt Debi with Charlie and Jane as they sink while each wave comes in.This is the Hansen Clan that we love hanging with... Dave and Debi (center) Cody, Aubry and Baby Mya (left), Kim (baby boy in belly) and Glenn, Adam top left (minus his fiance Camarie), Mallory is missing as she is serving a mission in Italy, McKenzie (top right). This fantastic tree was found in the back yard of our Rental.

Nepali Coast
Beach Fort

Mike and Moe

I am the lover of a good wave, the kind that sends a little fear your way as it approaches and your mind says....over? under? over? under? You make one wrong move and you end up pummeled and sanded on the shore as you say "shoot, I should have gone under". That's the kind of thrill seeking we go after on these vacations. Aubry purchased all of the boys these "Tap Out" shorts for when they just can't take the beatings of the waves any longer.

Being buried is just part of going to the beach.

Why are these two beauties crying? Because their mothers put them in the sand for a photo opportunity. We were hoping for more pleasant faces.

A great vacation, now it's time for me to get back to real life, responsibility and eventually I will have worked out a good new years resolution to blog about.