Reality Check

Pretty sure I had a mental breakdown yesterday.  Being the first day of spring semester classes I was finally able to access my online Stats class that I will be taking.  Back when I registered for this class
I was thinking it would be easy peasy. Right.....

Queue breakdown- As I was reading the syllabus the stark reality hit me that I pretty much picked the opposite of easy.  This course is going to be rough.  5 assignments and 1 quiz in the first week alone. 
I am all for a challenge don't get me wrong, I just don't have to have this class yet, so I am kinda bummed that it is going to take more time away from my other class and my family. 
I will be happy in a few years when I am bridging to my BSN that I took it but it is hard to think so far ahead.

I try not to be a too stressed out person.  You know, roll with the punches, take everything with a grain of salt type of gal but I was out of control on the stress level yesterday,  I really let my concern about the class get to me.  Today however, I am feeling much better.  I realized that I am smarter that I originally though and powered through the first chapter pretty easily.  On to chapter two tonight! 

Now on to the fun stuff.  January was a fun/not so fun month.  We had a few icky weeks of being sick but managed to have some fun regardless. 

We went to KrispyKreme one morning, I love the cute hats.  Maile apparently is too cool for KrispyKreme hats.  A sign that she is growing up? 

Natalie and her treatments.  Dr. thinks it was RSV.  No official test done but girl had it bad.  It was no fun and lasted way too long. 

Feeling better obviously.  She is such a silly little lady.  She makes me laugh everyday. She has said some pretty funny things lately.  I need to record them in a journal separate from my blog so I don't forget them!

A few Tuesday's ago we helped out the Lichty Family while Mommy Chrissy was away in China.  My kids had a blast playing with them on a school night and I had fun pretending I had twin two year olds again.  Such a fun day for the kids!

Last week it was freezing!  One day it was only 29 degrees when I was getting the girls from school.  Way too cold but my girls were prepared!

Grandpa stopped by with dinner this night.  It is always nice to see my Dad.  Love having parents in town but sometimes it is hard to make time to get together.  Natalie can't help but make her funny face for most pictures now days!

Love having a night out with the hubby.  

New Years Tradition

Every year we try to take the kids sledding at Mt. Charleston for New Years Day.  This is one of my favorite family traditions. 

This year was downright cold.  It was a whopping 15 degrees when we got there and it was nothing like last year.  (we were all hot and shedding layers last year)  I was worried having Natalie out there since she wasn't feeling good but we had her bundled up pretty darn good.  

 Thank goodness for Grandma.  She held down the keep warm station by holding Natalie and providing hot chocolate and snacks.  

The only family picture we got this year.  We were too excited to play when we got there and by the time we were done the girls had already escaped to the car with Grandma.  

The day wouldn't be complete without a little love and a little throwing the hubby to the ground since I am so strong.  

New Years Eve

I love a good party and this was nothing short of that.  Games, friends, food, treats and 18 kids is a recipe for a fantastic time.  Chrissy and Chris were our hosts and they of course outdid themselves as usual.  We actually made it to midnight this year and that was exciting, even my sick baby Natalie helped ring in the new year!

I forgot my camera so all I have is some horrible iPhone pics but they will work in helping us remember such a fun night!

Every year I try to think of specific resolutions but there is always so much I want to fix or better from the previous year.  I think most of us have a lot of work to do to get to a certain point of happiness.  I think most resolutions actually take a lifetime to achieve since most people want to change for more than just a year, we are a work in progress.  I would however like to set a few short and long term goals for myself and for the well being of my family that I can really focus my attention on.  

1. Get back to church.  When I think of one of the best years I had in the last few it would have to be the year I was baptized.  I cannot describe how much my life changed by making that decision but I can feel it slipping away the more we slip away from being active in the church.  My family deserves for me to make getting us there a priority.  NO MORE EXCUSES!

2.  Take better care of myself.  By taking the time to work on me I am doing my whole family a favor.  I will be happier, healthier and better off.

3.  Work on my relationship with the hubby.  We often put things like date night on the back burner.  This is something we should do often and it could be just as simple as going shopping together without kids.  

4.  Talk calmly and sweetly.  This is not easy.  After saying something ten times it is really hard to say it nice.  This is something I really need to work on for sure.

5.  Save, save, save!  

Ok, I think that covers the basics.  I will let you know how this is all going in a bit.  Need to be accountable or I will let things slip!

Christmas Day

I love Christmas morning.  As a parent, it is so fun watching the excitement of my kids faces as they see their gifts from Santa.  I love the expressions, the squeals and the surprise at what they find.  I really hope they continue to hear the bells for at least a couple of more years, I don't want the magic of believing to leave our home anytime soon.  

It never fails, we were up at the crack of dawn, I love the decent down the stairs and all the anticipation.  They had to pause a minute so Rebecca could take some meds.  Poor girl woke up with a fever.  

Everyone checking out their presents.  These are some happy kids for sure!  Santa brought them stuff to redo their beds and decorations for their rooms along with a few toys.  Zachary asked Santa for clothes, and he was pretty happy with what he saw.  

We had a very long day ahead of us, first stop Aunt Susan's house for a very delicious lunch and some family time.  

Grandma and her girls.  They sure love my Mom, she takes such good care of them anytime I need help!

Maile has the most infectious smile.  It will be a sad day when she starts losing teeth!

My poor baby didn't feel good at all.  She just relaxed and saved all her energy for present opening.

After such a wonderful lunch, it was off to my Dad's for dinner.  It was nice, besides Natalie being woken up from a little nap and going crazy for about 15 minutes.  That was not so fun but I just realized that she had had enough Christmas.  She had a limit and being woken up was it. Fortunately for us,  she decided to be good after that little outburst and we got to enjoy a turkey dinner and a nice relaxing evening. 

Christmas Eve

 

 Christmas Eve was really nice this year.  Zach had taken the entire holiday week off so I had him home to help with all the finishing preparations. We had a nice dinner at my sisters and then exchanged gifts.  All the kids were really happy with their presents and enjoyed playing with their cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpa.

Pretty sure the highlight of the night was when we made Elf yourself video's of all the kids and then my Dad.  The kids of course thought it was hilarious!  I loved the one of my Dad, it was really funny!

Dance Performance

 Maile, Alexis and Rebecca had their first dance performance this past Monday.  They sure were nervous the whole day leading up to it.  I was really thinking that Maile would bow out at the last minute but I was pleasantly surprised.  All three girls danced their cute little hearts out and I was so proud.  They were all smiles and they all are excited for their big recital in the spring. 

 Look at all those big grins! They were so happy that a bunch of family came out to watch them dance.

Then of course we have their biggest fan of all, Natalie. 



Playing Catch Up

Better finish blogging about stuff from this year because before we know it 2013 will be upon us and I am really bad at catching up.  Anyhow, here are a few things that have been going lately.

 We celebrated Thanksgiving with just our little family plus Jimmy this year, it was also Zach's 34th Birthday so we also got to sing Happy Birthday.  It was a fun day and kinda nice to just stay home and relax but we missed all of our family for sure. 

 We drove out to the LV Speedway to see the Glittering Light show, it is always a fun Christmas activity with the kids.

 We started the Elf on the Shelf tradition this year and so far it has been really fun and she has caused some mischief around the house. 

 The girls love going to find her and it is the first thing they want to do every morning.  Love those smiles!

 Zach finally had a Christmas party that we both could go to and it was so much fun meeting all the people he works with.  It was especially fun getting to see my hubby win an award for his awesomeness!  Proud wifey for sure!

My baby is getting so big, couldn't believe she fits in one of the girls old dresses. Such a pretty girl all dressed up!

 Another fun Holiday activity for the kids is the Ethel M Cactus Garden.  It is so darn pretty with all the lights.  The girls had lots of fun posing for pictures.

 I said goodbye to my twenties with an ugly sweater party, it was such a fun night playing games! I am so lucky to have been friends with all theses girls since I was just a kid! Thanks Maren for the party!

Turned 30 and it was such a fun night.  I can't remember a birthday that was so much fun!  First, my kids sang happy birthday to me and we set off all the fire alarms in the house with Zach's firework candle.  Next we headed out to dinner with friends and I was surprised with an awesome 3 tiered cake that was so yummy!  I love surprises!  After dinner we went  back to our house where we played games and and hung out.  It really was an awesome day!

 

My birthday made me realize how lucky I am to have so many awesome people in my life.  I have a studly hubby who loves me, kids who are amazing, the best family that is always there for me and lots of wonderful friends.  I am truly blessed and fortunate and I am thankful for that.  My 30's are looking pretty good!

 



Tree Tradition

We love putting up our Christmas tree every year.  The girls can't wait to do it and beg and beg till we finally get it up.  Anyhow, our tree is not the most fashionable tree but it is certainly authentic.  The ornaments are put on and left where they were put even if the top is not feeling the love.  Eventually as our kids grow I am sure the beauty of our tree will grow and the ornaments will be better spaced.  Until then, we will enjoy it in all its bottom heavy glory!