Truly grateful!

How are you doing? Me? Well, here goes.... In November I saw a new Dr. I LOVE her. She listened, cared and wants to try to help me get better. What finally got me there is that I have been in so much pain that I literally have wanted to die. I can totally understand why people in chronic pain take drastic measures.... It has always been pretty bad (well for 13+ years) but since about May/June things have just gotten worse. I am glad I went since December has been the worst yet and one of the things that has gotten me through is knowing that in just a few weeks I can start on pain meds. I had hoped I could hold out till I was older, but I simply can't!
I have been caught in that terrible cycle of hurting so bad I can't sleep and then being so tired I hurt more etc.... and it makes my migraines so much worse and all my joints are red, puffy and swollen;) FUN! I am so sad that I missed out (again) on so much of the fun stuff with my kids for the Christmas season because I hurt too bad to do anything! I only pray that next year I won't have that problem. I also feel bad because I want to be giving them my best, but I am so exhausted and stuff that I feel like I snap at them and am not as patient as I should be/ want to be. And that isn't good. They are only little once - I want so so so badly to enjoy every second of that time with them!
Tonight Jonathan is out again, which is fine - it is part of his calling for our church and I totally support him in that. I needed to change Elise for bed and since there is a storm coming I have been pretty bad today (plus the traveling always makes things worse...) as I stood there trying to change Elise's diaper we were both bawling. Me from pain and her from me crying. At first I was thinking, "How can I do this? WHY would God ask this of me?". But very quickly as I looked at that precious little girl I knew how very blessed I really was! I have four beautiful children!!! I have a wonderful loving husband!!!! I am here, alive, I can walk! I know I have a Savior who suffered every pain and loves me! I know that I can make it through anything with Him. By myself I am nothing but with Him I can make it! I am so grateful for that knowledge to pull me through the tough times!

Christmas!

We got up early Christmas morning, threw on clothes, headed to my parents for a big yummy breakfast and then hit the road!

The kids were excited to open another present and played the whole way down! We actually made pretty good time, and had a wonderful Christmas dinner with all of Jonathans side of the family!!! In keeping with tradition - I forgot to take any pictures. I REALLY need to get better about that! On Sunday we got to go out to Mom and Dad Thoms and watch them be set apart as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the next 18 months! It was wonderful to get to listen to them speak in church and spend a lot of time with them!

I didn't really hit me until we all said a prayer together before leaving Monday morning that they are really leaving! Then it was hard to stop crying! We know they are doing a wonderful thing and we are so excited for them, but they will be grately missed! They are the greatest Parents in Law a girl could ever ask for, and I love them so much!

It is funny to think how big the kids will all be when they got back!

THis was after driving for abour 4 minutes.... obviously someone partied pretty hard!

And this little sweet pea decided to take off all her clothes... sheesh! No worries, I redressed her and made sure she put back on her shoulder strap.... You just have to love 3 year old!

This little one wanted to show a little skin too, after watching big sister do it!

Elise was really restless so Daddy pulled over and went for a little walk!

It was a very eventful Christmas - that is for sure! One we will never forget!

The real Christmas eve!

The girls all dressed up in their cute "matchy matchy" pj's from Grandma and Grandpa!

CUTE! (sort of... it was REALLY late and we had some grouchy kids....)

"Christmas morning"

Because we were going to be traveling all day Christmas day we asked Santa to come a night early.... and he did! So we opened presents on Friday (except one was saved per child to open on the way down to Willcox Christmas day).

We had a great day that day - we played with presents then at 11:00 we went to the Aquaplex with my brothers families and my parents! It was awesome! Then we had a big yummy dinner and played the Wii at my parents house.
We also had gone the other day to see Tangled - which was awesome!!!

2nd grade Christmas Concert

Emma did a great job at her Christmas concert! We are so proud of her in all that she does!

Play it!

Elise and cousin Cody attempting Christmas Carols!

Sweet!

I love it when the kids try to help out without being asked! This day I walked over from finishing breakfast dishes and Hannah was spot cleaning the floor for me! What a sweetpea!

Kinder Candy house night!

I love this tradition at my kids school! Te Kindergarteners all get to came one night to make candy houses! We sent Daddy and the two older kids while Mommy stayed home with the little girls! They had a great time!

Play Dough!

We LOVE homemade playdough - we made this recipe a few weeks ago - it is by far our favorite! It smells sooooooo good!

Play Dough-
1 C flour
2 TBSP Cream of Tartar
1 TBSP oil
1/4 C salt
1 C water
Unsweetened Kool-Aid for color and smell
a few drops food coloring to adjust color

Cook over medium heat 3-5 minutes until forms a loose ball. Knead on floured surface 2 minutes. Store in airtight container.

**This particular picture is black cherry kool-aid with 3 drops each red and blue food coloring.

Random...

I have no idea what this picture was from, but since I am hardly ever in pictures - I thought you might to know I do exist!
The girls climbed into this little snowman tub, so I had to take a few pictures!

My fav -

This was Emma's "invention" from school. Should I be worried???

Hannah's 3rd Birthday!

It is hard to believe that our sweet little Hannah is already 3!

She was sure excited about her birthday this year!

Can you tell?

BLOW!

Hooray!

So excited for presents!

TINKERBELL!!!!!!!

Grandma got her so much Tinkerbell stuff - she was thrilled!

CUTE!

Happy happy girl!

We also had a birthday party with friends from church! It was a lot of fun!

I told evetyone not to spend more than a dollar or two if the wanted to bring a present - Hannah got so many stickers!!! Fruit snacks, and hairbows too! FUN!