January thus far!

Well Lupus has been kicking my butt lately so its been a rough time but also a very strong time. I am learning what I am made of and thats in some ways, a very good feeling. I am learning new ways to take care of my kids and new ways to depend on others. I have never been good at asking for help and for once in my life, I have to ask. Its not a maybe, I have to! I have learned very quickly who in my life is truly here for me and who I can count and depend on. I can say that my ward family has been amazing and that its just an example to the kinds of people they are. Its just one more way that I know my Savior loves me and will always provide a way for me.

Anyways, this month has been fun in some ways. The kids and I have spent more time just hanging out since mommy has had to slow down a little. I have been doing a little crafting again which is nice and been doing some studying and reading on things that interest me right now. I have spent more time playing with the kids and reading lots and lots of books. Ada has been such a sweet girl and knows when mommy is having a rough day and will just cuddle up on the couch with me and talk or watch a movie. She helps out a lot with baby brother and that is very nice for me. In some ways I hate to see how much she notices the changes but in others I think it can be a great lesson for her. Its teaching us about family and how we always need each other.

Another positive note, I booked my trip to Disney World! I am so excited!! I will be taking the kids on Feb 28th, and heading to Florida to spend time with my mom. We will be going to "mickey mouses house" as Ada likes to call it for 4 days and spending another 5 with my mom. I can't wait to do this, I am only sad that Scott is not here to share it with us. I can't wait for that man to come home so that we can be a family again. Ada really misses him and talks of him every day! We write him lots of letters and draw him tons of pictures. She really enjoys helping me put boxes together for him and picking things out at the store to send him. I made both of the kiddos new daddy pillows which they love. Bray will crawl to it if I ask him where daddy is and just attack the pillow. He is starting to recognize who daddy is in pictures. Its not the way I wanted him to get to know his dad, but for now you work with what you got! Ada has enjoyed talking to dad on the phone every few days and though the conversations are short she talks about them for hours after wards.

Another side note, Bray has almost mastered drinking out of the sippy cup! Good thing since hes not far from his big first birthday and bottles will be going bye bye!

Bray and his daddy pillow :)

The kids laying with daddy ready for story time

Ada playing with her jewlery making kit

This is where he likes to hang out
Cuddling on the couch
Bray drinking out of his sippy cup! And yes, he still likes his swing!
Adas new daddy pillow
Brays new daddy pillow

Playing in the snow

Well we finally got some snow here! It wasn't much but it was enough to get out and play a little! I can't believe how little we have gotten this year! Of course as soon as it hit everyone forgot how to drive in it and their were accidents every where. Stupid people stopping in the middle of a road and then everyone behind gets stuck. It was awesome! Haha.

Anyways, I took Ada out to play in it for a little bit and she had a blast! I am hoping we will get more here at some point and when she is feeling a little better I can take her sledding. But for now snow angels in the front yard worked just fine!

Christmas!

Well I dont even know what to write! It was a great Christmas this year even though Scotty wasn't here to enjoy it with us. I really wish he could have been here for Brays first! My mom came in and spent the holidays with me which I was thankful for. She got in a few days early and we spent the time doing Christmas stuff like shopping, and decorating cookies for Santa, and opening presents! Ada loves having her Grandma here and I enjoy the break she gives me. We watched lots of Christmas movies and just enjoyed being together. Both of the kids have been a little sick so we tried not to go out to much.

On Christmas eve the kiddos got to open the traditional jammies and then bath time of course. Afer that we let the kids open a couple presents from Grandma before bed and of course Ada loved that. I also got to open a few from the kids and I loved the electric blanket I got! After that mom and I played Santa claus and lets just say these kids are way to spoiled!

On Christmas morning Bray was pretty sick and started the morning off by puking all over mommy. So we were up to an early start. He started working on his stocking after that and then Ada came up the stairs and the look on her face when she realized her stocking had stuff in it which meant Christmas was here, was PRICELESS! Needless to say from there on it was a mad house of opening presents. Ada and Bray loved all the gifts they got as did I. Ada got baby doll stuff and a care bear from Santa, A shopping cart and littlest pet shop from mommy and daddy, Lots of zoo zoo pets and some new clothes from Grandma Debbie, Mobi go and dora things from Grandpa and Tiffany, and Dora cards from G & G Cotner, and a doll from her cousins among others. Bray got a sweet race car toy from Santa, a tool bench and a tunnel from mommy and daddy, a sweet new gun and wooden spoon from Grandpa and Tiffany, basketball hoop and sorter toy from Grandma debbie, and some books from G & G Cotner, and her cousins, among others. All in all it was a great Christmas. We spent Christmas dinner with some friends of mine here. It was a good time spent with good company! Ada got to get a ride in her friends sweet new car!

Can't wait for next year and having my husband home with me to share in all the joys of the holidays. If there is one thing I know its that family is everything and the holidays without your better half is not that much fun!