What really matters to me.

Superficial. That is the best word I can use to describe things that have been of the upmost importance to me lately. We have been working on our landscaping and getting our house in order. I have also started Weight Watchers and been working towards shedding a few pounds. As I have reflected on this past month, I have definitely gone into some self-reflection. What really matters to me? If I had to sum it up in 1 word, it would be....FAMILY.

Last Sunday I literally freaked out. (Matt will attest to this.) I childlishly threw my plate in the sink and stormed off. I left Matt standing there with his hands in the air saying, "What is the matter with you?" This question has stuck with me all week. "What is the matter with me?" I think it all goes back to the superficial things in my life. I have been concentrating more on these things that truly do not make me happy then enjoying those people who DO make me happy.

My boys and husband bring me so much joy I can't even explain it. Even though I get frustrated (really frustrated at times) they are the ones who pick me up off the floor. I was having a really bad day a few days ago and I could not stop crying. Carter came up to me and gave me a hug and said, "Mommy, why are you crying all the time today?" The members of my family are the only ones who are perceptive to my feelings and why not dedicate most of my time and efforts to helping and loving them.

So move over housework, landscaping, losing weight, and work - I've got some people to take care of.

And in case you forgot what the kiddos look like:

fun with cousins from Texas - we had so much fun and we wished they lived closer (hint, hint).

St. Patty Day pancakes

Little Jax

We all scream for ice cream!!

A big shout out!

I wanted to wish my Little Bro a happy birthday today! Elder Duster Buster turned 21 today! Happy Birthday Bro! He is serving a mission in Zadar, Croatia and just got called to be District Leader! Can't wait to see him in 3 months!

Too much of a good thing?

Back in September when I was in Texas visiting Christy I helped her do a little decorating around her house. We found so many cute decorator pieces that had words or quotes on them. I found myself "drawn" to them but had to restrain myself as Christy's husband Greg didn't want words and sayings all over their house (although we did end up getting a few). I guess I really like sayings and word art, and as I looked around my house this morning I found out that I think I'm borderline obessessed with them. What do you think?

Randomness

It seems like every day just flies by. We are enjoying life and just puttering a long. We are so blessed to have family close by and such a great ward. Matt and I went to a Ward Valentine's Party for the adults and we played the Newlywed game. They had 2 rounds and in the first round we got 2nd place and then the final round tied for last! We had a blast!

Here are a few random pictures of us from the past month or so.

Jaxon tuckered out after a long day of shopping.

My grandma always told me about how she used to let her kids play with rice. What a good idea! While I was making rice, I let the kids play with rice and bowls and measuring cups and they had tons of fun! What a good idea! Thanks grandma!

Carter is getting really good and fast at riding his bike! He is anticipating warmer weather so he can go outside! He can even put his helmet on all by himself! I can't believe he is going to be 4!

This is kind of embarassing, but I want to remember it so. The other day Carter and I were in the bathtub and Carter goes, "Eww gross! Mommy, what is that on your legs? Don't touch me." I guess I had not shaven for a long time and so my hair on my legs was super long! Needless to say, I shaved right them!

Blog Catch-up!

As I sit here staring at my computer screening trying to decide how I'm going to catch up on my blogging and give an update on our family, I have come to a solution. I'll simply list some of the highlights of the last month and a half of our blogging break. These are not in chronological order, as I'm just typing them as the thoughts come to me! :) Enjoy!

1. Matt's parents came down from Wyoming to spend Christmas with us. We are so lucky!

2. Grandpa Shane made Santa (and mainly us) his famous Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies on Christmas Eve. They are seriously amazing, and I've tried about 10 times and just can't make them like he does!

3. We were able to talk to Dustin (In Croatia on a mission) on Christmas. He got his release date of June 5 (I think)! I can't believe he has been out for a year and a half!!

4. We were able to visit Temple Square and Zoo Lights with my family. While at dinner, Carter fell off the bench and whacked his nose. His nose started bleeding and would not stop. Matt and I had to take him outside and litterally hold him down so that we could pinch his nose to get it to stop bleeding. I'm sure everyone thought we were abusing him, as they would walk by and say, "Is he okay?" Then some of the store owners came out and said, "Can we help you." We finally did get it stopped (way trauamtic)!

5. I was able to catch up with some old friends from high school who have moved away but came back for Christmas. Thanks for taking the time to hang out gals!

6. We have gotten tons of snow this winter, and I got to shovel my driveway 10 times so far this winter. This made me grateful for living in AZ! On the other hand, I love seeing my kids playing in the snow and all bundled up in their snow clothes and boots!

7. I've been able to get most of our boxes put away (even though I love the fact we have an unfinished basement and every time I don't know what to do with something, I just say, "I'll put it in the basement!") Needless to say, half of our boxes are in the basement!

Another perk of having an unfinished basement!


8. Matt and I got called to teach the Sunbeams in our ward and Carter gets to be in our class. They are all so cute!

9. Jaxon started saying "hot" and waving his hand up and down! Too Cute. I'll have to film it and then put it on YouTube. If anyone knows how to do this, I would love a tutorial! Also, I'm learning that Jaxon is my little firecracker! He throws tantrums and he is only 14 months old! I'm really scared for the terrible two's!
10. Carter got a bike for Christmas and loves riding it around in the basement (another reason I love the unfinished basement - so my kids can expend some energy when its too cold to go outside!) This also makes me realizing that he's not going to be my little boy for very much longer! :)


I'm having blogger's block now...I'll try to get back to it sooner than later!!

Where are your pants?

As Jaxon walked by me today, this is what I saw...

I swear I got him dressed today...

and this is where I found his pants...

Guess the boy needs to grow a bum! ha, ha!

Meanwhile, Carter was putting Candy Canes on the Christmas Tree.

I wonder if he could fit any more on 2 branches? Later tonight we decorated the Christmas tree and he did the same thing with the ball ornaments, put 5 green ornaments on the same branch.

Man, I love my kids!!

WoW!

WoW! It has been almost exactly 1 month since I have blogged (once again a blog slacker)!

WoW! Jaxon started singing in the car on Saturday...too cute. We were driving up to my cousin's going away party (moving to Austrailia - jealous!) and we were trying to keep Jaxon entertained because he was tired and hungry (although truly he is always hungry and could always eat, but that is a subject for another blog post)! My mom started singing a song, and Jaxon started singing too (not really saying the words but humming) Too cute!

WoW! Carter says everything and anything. Matt took Carter on an errand the other day and says, "Man, Carter talked the whole time! It is so cool." We were playing hide-and-seek last night and Daddy and Carter were having a hard time finding people, so Carter says, "Daddy, just yell at them." Not quite how the game works. This might be a little embarassing but as we were packing some things up the other day, Carter found my breast pump and asked what it was. After explaining it to him he says, "Mommy you need to get some milk out." I explained to him that you have to have a baby and he says matter-of-factly,"Mommy, you do have a baby, Jaxon!" Also, not quite how it works. He has also been very interested in how babies come to be. We were in church the other day and Carter asked Grandma during the Sacrament, "Do you have a baby in your tummy?" (loud enough for many to hear). She said "no" of course and then he turns to me, "Do you have a baby in your tummy, mommy?" Then a few days later he asked, "Mommy, how do the babies get in your tummy?" I told him, "Heavenly Father puts them there." Carter says, "Oh, yah, right, right." He cracks me up!

WoW! Our window coverings are FINALLY in and we get to FINALLY move in this week (hopefully)! My mom was so gracious to help me put up the curtains in my room and over the sliding glass door, but I talked to our blind man and our covers came in on Friday, so hopefully they will be installed in the next few days and we can move on over. We are so excited! Stay tuned for pictures!

WoW! Matt finished his 2nd triathalon with a time of 1:05:19.36! Go honey! He has been training hard and we are proud of him! Now it is on to training for his first Iron Man in 2010...you are truly amazing!

WoW! My Grandma Elkington turns 75 this week! She is an amazing lady and hopefully we can make it up to Idaho to help her celebrate!! Love you!

WoW! The holiday season is just around the corner and I'm excited! My mom, aunts Janice and Debbie, their friend Dianna, and I all went to Soldier Hollow this weekend to get our Christmas Tree permit! I really want to get a fake tree this year, but Matt will have none of that. He loves the tree smell (as do I), but I just wish a lot of them just didn't look like Charlie Brown trees! I am excited to get a really tall one, as our ceiling is vaulted! Now I just got to figure out a way to talk Matt into putting the lights on the tree!

Have a happy week, and who knows maybe you'll hear from us again...