Crazy Weekend!

This weekend has been so crazy but fun! On Friday I finally was able to take Andrew out for his birthday. We went to a movie and to dinner. His two favorite things ;) We went early so we were able to be home by 8:30. On Saturday morning we had to divide and conquer. Andrew went to help Chris and Shawna move. He dropped Chase off to my mom and Wyatt off to his mom to play with Dane. I took Cole and Kiley with me to our Ward's Day of Service. We were doing service for Sousa Elementary and two different Eagle projects for boys in our ward. Cole went out and helped create a path in a desert trail at the school. Kiley helped rake leaves and trash and then came in to help me. We helped tie blankets that our scout is donating to the Cancer center for patients being treated. It was so neat to be able to help out and know that what you are doing is really going to make a difference. It was fun to be able to serve with Kiley and see her light up by helping.

After that we went to the annual Knudsen Halloween Party. The kids love it. We have lunch and then a parade with all the fun costumes. I will try to post some pictures sometime.

Then that night we had the Parkwood Ward Trunk or Treat and had "the best night ebber!" (according to Chase) Andrew cooked hot dogs all night while I took Chase around to try the different things they had there for the kids. He LOVED the hay ride and had the greatest time. Then they went around to the different cars for trick or treating. It was so much fun. This is my very first year not taking the kids around. Chase just wanted daddy to take him so I was able to pass out treats. It was awesome to see all the cute kids come around and show me their costumes. I loved every second of it. 

Tonight is our friend's Chili cook off that they do every year. This is just the start of a crazy holiday season. Bring it on! I love love love this time of year when the holidays start and everything becomes magic!

Big Boy

Chase has decided that he is a "big boy" and climbs out of his crib. He tries really hard to climb back in and it is really funny to watch but I am starting to worry about how safe it is to have him climbing in and out of a crib. If anyone knows how to get a really cheap toddler or twin bed I would welcome the suggestions. I am going crazy. LOL

Best Ward Ever

Tonight my heart is full. I am blessed to be in the kindest most caring ward in the world. I love seeing how everyone pulls together and each person is willing to help and love their neighbor. Tonight my dear friend's daughter was married. Our ward members came and helped set up. Helped serve the food and then after they all worked together to take it down. I just love that everyone is willing and happy to help each other out. It is funny because it wasn't even my event but I love being surrounded by people who love each other and are there for each other.

Discouraged

Sometimes I get discouraged. I am truly trying with all of my might to find the good in every day and to do my best to have a positive attitude as much as possible but there are those moments when I just feel like I am in a tailspin. These are the moments when I try to find something to do. To not sit around idly and hope for things to get better. The trouble is that is when I feel the laziest. I want to sit around and mope and it can get pretty consuming.

My little family has been through so much and we are stronger for it but it doesn't make it easier. I am tired of trying to find the blessing. I am tired of trying to figure out the lesson. What am I doing that makes me need to learn all of these hard knock lessons? I am ungrateful and I am whining. I know this but I just wish I could figure out how to change my attitude all of the time. I feel isolated and mostly alone. By getting rid of social media I have done that to myself and in truth that has made my life a lot simpler and easier. I am just discouraged with new challenges that pop up every day...

Sheltered

I have found that there are people out there who thrive on contention. They live for the drama of it. They feel like they have to be in the middle of everything pointing fingers everywhere but at themselves. I am not speaking of one individual person but as a collective whole as human beings. I am doing my absolute best to stay away from such people. I am trying to live my life with my sweet little family and shelter them as much as I possibly can from the negativity of the world outside of our home. I have been mocked for trying to shelter my kids and not teach them things about the world but I feel very strongly that that isn't something they need to learn in the safety of our home. In our house we will speak kindly, we will love each other UNCONDITIONALLY, we will respect each other and we will take responsibility for our OWN mistakes. I try so hard to show the kids that when you make a mistake it is your duty to take responsibility for it and take action to rectify the situation that was caused from the mistake. We have had some success with this and I will continue for, well, forever. This is a life long lesson. Not just this weeks project.

I was talking to a friend the other day and she was talking about gossip. She was concerned about people talking about her and I had an epiphany. The reality is most people talk about other people. It is sad but seems to be human nature. I KNOW that if someone is talking to me about someone else that they are talking about me to yet another person. It is pretty much a given. MY job is to live my life so that when they DO talk about me they have nothing but good things to say! I am doing my very best. My focus these days is on my family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do my best to magnify my callings and I am seriously in love with my Cub Scout Den. The best group of 8 year old boys a girl could ask for. They are so much fun so they make the time and effort totally worth it. I am thankful for a loving Father in Heaven who is looking out for my little family. I am even thankful for the trials we are facing. We will be stronger and we will be ready. I am just thankful for the positive influences in my life who don't expect me to accept their drama as my own.

Happy Birthday!

Today is Andrew's 35th birthday. He is my rock, my best friend, and I am blessed to be able to spend Eternity with this fantastic man!  For weeks now Chase has been telling Andrew that it was his birthday. Now that it is finally here, Chase won't believe me. :) He keeps saying no, it's not! It is really quite adorable. I won't list 35 things I love about Andrew but trust me there are many more than that. I am just so thankful to be going through my life with him by my side. Together we can face any challenge. Together we are unstoppable! Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

More Chase-isms

This adorable little stinker definately keeps me on my toes! He will be turning 3 in December and I seriously cannot believe he will be a Sunbeam in January! He is one of the funniest toddlers I have ever met. He has the cutest little sense of humor and I love him more every day.

1. After putting on a surgical mask on top of his head he says "mom! Am I cute?" I said yep. He said "yeah this is pretty awesome!"

2. Yesterday he grabbed my face in both his little hands and planted a big fat kiss on my lips and said "Now... lets eat some yogurt!"

3. After going to pack meeting for cub scouts and hearing a bunch of jokes there he said "knock knock" I said "who's there?" He said "I dunno I am only 2!"

4. He still hasn't mastered the whole she and her so he calls everyone he and him and boys. So when we pick up the kids from the bus stop he yells "come on boys! I don't have all day!" Kiley just laughs it off.

5. When it is time for naps he fights so I have learned to say, "you aren't allowed to sleep. Just stay in bed for a little bit and I'll come get you." When I go back 2 hours later he says "dangit! I felled asleep again!" 

6. He has to walk every person that ever visits out to their car. He says "Don't be mean mom!"

7. My favorite is when we are driving down the road and he says, "Mom, I love you! You are the best mom in the whole block... Oh and I like dad too."

Life

Sometimes life is hard. It seems like just as you are finally landing on your feet, someone comes and swipes your feet out from under you. Or me. It is difficult. It is overwhelming. I guess there is a lesson to be learned here. I just hope I can learn this one faster ;) Until then, I will do my best to have a good attitude and not let it take me over.