Answered Prayers

I feel so blessed to be able to pray to my Heavenly Father and KNOW that He hears me and loves me. I have come to realize that He cares about all things that I am concerned about- whether big or small! Last night was just another example of that and I feel impressed to write it down. I had come home from teaching and I was tired. I was not the only one! Gray was so tired and once again he could not find his blanket. He was crying and asking me to find it. I am not sure if I have mentioned it before but our house is pretty big- over 7,000 square feet. I feel so grateful to have such a beautiful home but it makes it difficult to find his blanket. So I started searching the basement, the main floor, and then the upstairs- no blanket. I felt impressed to go and look in the car. I did and could not find the blanket. I went down to the basement again to search- I seriously could not imagine where it might be. I had already looked everywhere. So I felt again like I should go look in the back of the car. I went to the garage, opened the back and saw the blanket. I knew that I did not find this blanket on my own. I know this tired mom was lead to it! I stood in the garage and prayed, thanking my Heavenly Father for his guidance. I know that this might seem like a little thing but I knew that Gray needed that blanket to fall asleep. I am so grateful for these moments that remind me that I am not alone. My Heavenly Father is well aware of me and is helping me along this journey. He love me and is constantly reminding me of this. I am so grateful. *I had Nash and Gray show me what they do when we pray. Love these angels!!

Harlee's Big Night

On Saturday night they had the second annual lighting of the tree at the Traverse Mountain Outlets. Harlee wanted to go so bad because Zendaya from Shake it Up was performing. I am so grateful for my friend Nickell. She offered to take Harlee with her- Harlee is great friends with her daughter Vanessa. Harlee had the best time. They were even lucky enough to get her autograph. Cute Nickell printed out two pictures of Zendaya and brought a sharpie! She was so thrilled and I am so grateful she got to have this experience! *Harlee wanted me to curl her hair so she looked "Sassy"! I love it!! What a beautiful girl we were blessed with!

Joey's Holiday Party

On Saturday Luke had his holiday party at work. It was at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake. There were so many people there! As we sat down to eat Joey's boss Habib got up to give a little speech. It was crazy to think that his boss was over the whole site. He then went on to recognize the leadership team which includes Joey. I knew that his job was important but I had no idea he was such a big wig!! I loved watching everyone interact with him. It is so obvious that he is very well liked and respected. I felt so proud of him and so proud to be his date! I am so grateful for how hard he works for our family. I know that his job is so stressful and difficult at times but he goes daily to provide a wonderful life for us. I love him! *I told him his eyes were closed in the picture but my stubborn hubby refused to take another picture.

The crazy things he says...

Gray is always making us laugh. He is growing up so quickly and talking all the time. The other day we got in the car and the music was on. I turned it down and teased the kids that I would just sing the song. Gray said "That would no be so good!" Seriously? How does he know to say something like that. Then Joey was teasing him calling him different names. He said "That is not my name. My name is Graby Da Baby!" He is such a funny kid and we just cannot wait to hear what will come out of his mouth next!

Luke's new room

Luke's bedding finally came and we were able to finish Luke's room today! I cannot wait for him to come home from school to see it! He wanted the paneling half way up with the rest of the room gray like at our St. George house. I love the way it turned out. You know he is too old for his age when he wants his bedding ordered off pottery barn teen! I guess nine is the new 13!! Here's hoping everyone will start sleeping in their own rooms! PS- He was a little bummed that Harlee got a king bed and he only got a queen! Who are these kids??

Harlee's new room

Since we have been here five years, we decided it was time to decorate the kid's rooms upstairs! We started with Harlee's and we are so pleased with how it turned out! We had Kent do the white wood on the walls and Joey did all the painting. We found that bed for $50! We love it! Seriously what six year old has a king size bed? I told her that I slept in a twin until Joey and I got married! We painted the walls hot pink and the ceiling light pink. We are doing turquoise decor. Such a beautiful room for a beautiful girl! I feel so lucky that we can do these things for our kids!

Family Pictures

My friend Marisa took our family pictures a few weeks ago and we just got them back. I am so excited about the way that they turned out! I am going to have them printed and do a photo wall in our great room. I am not sure if Joey is super excited about this but I cannot wait!

Happy Birthday to me!

37!!!! I seriously cannot believe it! When did this happen? In the words of my Nannie "It makes me so sad that you are so old!" Once I got over the fact that I am one year closer to 40, I had a wonderful birthday. The day was full of calls, emails, and visits from friends. All the attention really made me feel loved. Then when Joey got home from work, he had me open too many presents. I got four new kinds of perfume, a jacket, a skirt, new bracelets, money, and candy! So spoiled. Then we had a babysitter come and Joey took me out to dinner. He gave me choices of five places I have never tried. I chose Gloria's Italian Kitchen in Provo. We drove there and listened to the cd that Joey had made me (Love that!) Dinner was so nice! When we got home, the kids had drawn me pictures and hung them in the kitchen! So sweet of them! I am so grateful for my family that always makes getting older a little easier.

Definitely Joey's son

I am not sure if it has been mentioned before, but Joey loves treats! He would gladly trade a meal for some candy! So it was not a surprise when I found Nash asleep with four suckers in hand! He is his father's son! So funny!

Halloween

The Childs Clan Luke the Nerd Harlee the Witch Nash the Race Car Driver Gray the Lightening "Muscle" McQueen Tag the Monkey Halloween was just as busy as it is every year. I have started calling myself the Halloween Scrooge! It is just a long day of work for moms! I prayed for a better attitude this year and it worked. We started the day with the parade. Then we went to Nash's parade right after lunch. Then I pulled the kids out of school to head up to Joey's work for the annual Halloween party. I got the shock of my life when I arrived and Joey was dressed up! Well kind of, but for Joey it was a lot! He was wearing a striped scarf with a jacket and he was Gru from Despicable Me. What a trooper! That is something I never thought I would see in my lifetime! So we filled the kids bags with candy and were on our way home by 3:30pm! We came home, ate, and were off for some trick or treatin! We went as a family up and down our street. Then I came home to pass out candy with my little monkey, while Joey took the other kids around the rest of the neighborhood. They were gone over two hours and came home with the proof!. At 8:15 we turned off the porch light and the kids fell asleep so quickly!

The dreaded parade...

If it is not obvious by the title of this post, I am not a huge fan of the school Halloween parade. Don't get me wrong, love to see the kids all dressed in their costumes. But when you add three little guys and me crammed into a cafeteria it has always proved to not be the greatest experience. I was geared up for the same outcome this year and boy was I wrong. I credit most of this to my prayer for good mood and behavior which must have motivated the little guys. We went early and got a front parking spot. We got a spot right by the door of the cafeteria and Nash and Gray were on their best behavior. I did bribe them with an icee if they would stay in their seat. The bribery worked. They were awesome! Tag stayed strapped in his stroller and we actually enjoyed the parade. It was so fun to see Luke and Harlee walk with their classes. Their pictures speak volumes of their personalities. I love it! So grateful for the divine help that changed my outlook on the annual parade. Nash had his preschool parade later in the afternoon. He was so excited to participate! Love this cute happy boy!