Happy Birthday Stockton: Arrr you ready for a party?

Stockton turned 5 years old this week. He wanted a Pirate party with his friends, so on Saturday he couldn't wait until 2:00 for his party to start. When the kids came we gave them all a pirate headband and eye patch. We then played a games like blowing up pirate's cannon balls (popping black balloons) and pinning the X on the pirate's map. We decorated our pirate swords (made of pool noodles and PVC) and hit the parrot pinata (we made of paper mache for family night on Monday). We then had ice cream and cake then opened presents. I love the amazingmoms.com website. There are so many party and fun ideas on there.

The party went mostly as I thought -a little crazy- but we all had fun. I was fun to have Sam there to help and sword fight with all the kids. They loved ganging up on him.

The main thing Stockton asked for was a fish. We we got a little tank and took him to choose the fish. In the end he liked the frogs better so now we have a little frog in our fish tank. I think fish will come shortly.

Stockton is such a good kid. He is quiet until you get to know hime and cares about others feelings trying to make them happy. He is a smart boy and very talented. He loves to color, draw and paint. He also loves anything outside including camping, hunting and sports (just like his dad).

Happy Easter!!

Well, yesterday we got 5 baby chicks. Stockton and Dawson have been so excited about them. They have named them Spot, George, Cloe, and Poop. They feed them from thier hands and hold them as much as I will let them. Stockton has asked if we can learn about chickens on the internet and has plans to set up his "Egg Shop." He plans to sell the eggs to his grandma for $1.00. Although, on the other hand Dawson says he will charge $4.00 for his eggs. I wasn't so sure about them but seeing all my boys (including Sam) be so excited about them it will be fun. I am also happy about the opportunity to teach my kids some resposibility in feeding them, collecting eggs and running thier egg shop.

Sam has wanted chickens for quite awhile but I have been holding him back. Finally after convincing me and much thought, planning, and discussions with a couple nieghbors, Sam designed his hen house and decided on the type of chicken he wanted. I just hope things go as planned and our dog doesn't enjoy them for lunch.

Paradise Cruise

We just got back from a cruise to Catalina Island and Baja Mexico. It was so fun. We went with my brother and his wife and my sister and her husband (we missed our parents - who couldn't go last minute). We went left our kids with Sam's parents and had a blast with just us. We enjoyed snorkeling, shopping and exploring Catalina Island in a golf cart. In Mexico kyaking was quite the experience with our local guide we found on the internet - so funny and just plain fun. We also got the full experience of barting in Mexico as we shopped the strip back to the ship. We ate ALOT of really good and different kinds of foods - I haven't dared get on the scale yet. The weather was beautiful mostly so it was hard to come back snow. I am so glad we went!

We are on our way!!!

Catalina Golf Cart Exploration.

Dinners were awsome!

Who knew the candy from Mexico were filled with Tequila? Brandi enjoyed them :)

Kyaking was beautiful. We saw tons of sea lions, seals, starfish, sea erchants and clams. We then were taken for authenic mexican tacos (none of us got sick although we worried).

I love Sam! We still have things incommon that do not involve our kids.

It was fun. I wish we could go again.

A Heart Like His

Our Stake Relief Society gave us a challenge in October to try to have a "Heart Like His." We were asked to be aware of our own heart - whether is was open and soft or closed and hard. We were asked to try to have an open heart toward others without making any special arrangments in our day. We just go about our normal day and try to face each situation with an open heart. The whole challenge was inspired by this book by Virginia Pearce.

I read the book and really took the challenge. I wasn't successful all the time - in fact I noticed how often I had a hard heart. But I also had experiences that I would not have had if I hadn't been aware of how my heart was. These were not huge experiences just sometimes I was nicer to people at the store and while driving. I took more time to listen and really be a friend to others at work - when I felt pressed for time. And most importantly I took a little more time to read and play with my kids. I did not get as angry as I could have with them or my husband. I recommend this book and this experience to everyone. It definately makes me happier when I have a heart more like his. I plan to re-read this book every so often to help me remember to try and have a softer heart more like my Saviors.

In His Hands

I want to share with others how much faith I have in my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I have been pretty anxious lately about life and all the unknown. I found out a few weeks ago that there is a good chance that I will be loosing my job. I only work twice a week and I really enjoy it. I have thought about quitting after we had made the life changes we had planned but we haven't sold our house or made any progress in our plans. So I planned to work till I was sure of our expenses. Now that I may not have a job and Sam's work is in construction, it is pretty stressful to think about. For days I was so anxious and almost in tears at any moment. I could not stop thinking about it and couldn't sleep. Needless to say I spent a lot of time praying. I finally was able to calm down and realize things would work out when I was praying. I looked and on my wall was the Mormon Ad above that says "You are in His hands." At that moment I realized that my life is in his hands and everything will work out. Imediately I was was able to calm down and have been ok since. I will know after the legislature sessions are over if I still have a job.

I Know that my Heavenly Father loves me and things will work out how they are supposed to!

8 Things Tag
Tagged. Thank Brandi... I decided to do this because I haven't posted anything since October so why not.
RULES
1. Post rules on your Blog.
2. Answer the six "8" items.
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

8 Favorite Shows:
I don't really watch TV much. It is usually whatever Sam or my kids want to watch. I am more a red box movie person.
1.The Office
2. The Nanny
3.Super Why - Dawson loves it
4. Untamed sports- Sam's hunting shows
6. Zonya - health tips
7. Curious George - Stockton and Dawson
8. Little House on the Parie (I know I know- but I feel like I am safe watching it- It always ends happy, no blood, vulgarity, etc.)

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Went to aerobics class
2. Took Stockton and neighbors to preschool
3. Srubbed my kitchen floor - on my hands and knees it looks so nice.
4. Met some friends at Artic Circle for my kids to play on the toys - it is freezing outside
5. Met with my visiting teachers
6. Went to a parenting class - I need help and I get to see my bff Melinda
7. Made Dinner
8. Practiced what I learned at the parenting class when I put my kids to bed (it went better than it has in weeks -yea!).

8 Things I Look Forward To:
1. Going on a cruise
2. Sam's Elk Hunting permit is over Jan. 31
3. Valentines Day
4. Loosing weight - I have looked forward to it for years but hasn't happened yet.
5. A sisters night out (not for a few months)
6. The snow melting- I am so ready to get outside
7. Coming home from my cruise (I will miss my kids).
8. Super Bowl family party

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Chilli's (I love the Quesadilla Salad)
2. Texas Roadhouse
3. Olive Garden
4. Applebees
5. My Moms or In-laws (Anywhere I don't have to cook)
7. Wendy's (one of the only places my kids will eat)
8. We don't eat out much(kind of boring)

8 Things on my wish list:
My life is really pretty good. All the important things are in place and I am grateful for that. I am so blessed to have darling boys, my wonderful husband, a job that I like, good friends and the true Gospel.

8 People to Tag: I am not much of a blogger so eight people to tag is more than my list. So a few would be...
1. Melinda
2. Kelli
3. Chalae
4. Heather S.
4. Chelsea

I love to hear my kids pray.

It is always interesting to hear what the boys are going to say when they pray. Somethings are predictable but others are just fun. Almost everytime Stockton will say "bless for the Gospel, bless for dad to be safe, bless Dawson to sleep good" no matter what prayer it is. Yesterday I took them hiking to explore Fall. I had told them the night before that we were going, so Stockton woke up extra excited. In the morning prayer he said "bless for we won't get lost when we go hiking." Well we went hiking, collected lots of leaves, acorns and rocks and made it back just fine. Thanks to Stockton's prayers.

Dawson's prayers are also fun. Usually Stockton will ask to say the prayer, but when he is done Dawson will be pretty upset and say "He didn't pray a Rose." (Rose is our dog). So Dawson has to say a prayer and bless Rose and everything he sees, "Bless a chair. Bless a beans. Bless a fork. Bless a that. (while he is squinting and pointing to something)." So when we try to wrap it up by saying "In the name." He will wisper that part then pause and yell "AMEN." This is how Dawson's prayers go except for in church when I say, "Fold your arms. We are going to say a prayer." He will reply in his not so quiet voice, "I don't wanna pray!" So I have to just let him play to keep him quite.