6 years

Michael and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary last night. We wanted to go to the proud cut (restaraunt in Cody) really bad but they wouldn't let Janelle in!!! They said because of their rule of noone 21 and under allowed. Boo. Then we tried for Rib & Chop (my fave) and there was an hour wait, so we went to the Irma.
In 6 years of marriage I have learned that nothing much matters more than making your marriage strong and happy. There's nothing I could give my kids that would be better than a happily married mom and dad, and I've learned to try and let other things slide so that this is possible. I love Michael and am thankful for the good man he is.

Farewell

So today we did the sledding thing. It was a lot like last year, except this time Janelle was a passenger and not a little bean in my tummy. I couldn't have done it without the help of dad, Joel & Kambrie. Stetson and Kandace weren't too thrilled about sledding at first--especially Kandace. This is sort of a theme for her. Last year she had a huge melt down right before we went home..kinda like this year. :) I was glad Cowley 2nd ward let us crash their Elder's quorum activty and feed us chili and cinnamon rolls.

After sledding I fed the sister missionaries (they are so sweet, it was so nice talking to them and seeing their example) and then we went to Todd & Emily's for Zach's birthday and some new year's festivities ..oh and we got to see Morgan, Fallon & Audrey!! After that we loaded up in the van at about 10 :15 and called it a night. Michael had to work but I'm excited to have him home tomorrow. This is probably going to be my last post ever! I'm going to make one last book and be done with blogging because I spend too much time on the computer! Its been fun!

Christmas 2011

We had a great Christmas this year, lots to be thankful for. On the morning of the 24th we had breakfast at Mike & Rachel's, gneeokies (the best I've EVER had) at Asays and then back to our house to tuck the kids in bed. Christmas morning wasn't much different than other mornings..Stetson climbed in by me a little after 7 and I asked him if there were any presents in the living room. He said there weren't any under the tree. I asked him if there were any on the couch. He said something like "Santa doesn't put present on the couch!" He finally discovered that Santa did in fact put presents on the couch and he was very pleased! Stetson got some more hotwheels, lots of books and other stuff, Kandace got rapunzel and lots of other princess stuff. It was special to spend the morning with them and see their excitement.

haircut!

Aunt Kasi cut Kandace's hair today!

This is funny

Jan bought matching outifts for all the grandkids and they are oh so cute. We tried for a pic of them all together and it. was. awesome.

VIP Christmas program

Last Tuesday Stetson had his first Christmas concert at the VIP. This was one of those things that makes motherood ALL worth it. It did my heart so much good to see my boy lined up with all those kids jingling his bells and singing songs. He'd been singing them at home a lot, so I know they practiced hard! I was a crazy woman the hour prior to when I realized I hadn't showered or made the veggie tray to bring or gotten Kandace dressed. It was a close call but we made it! We were so happy Jan could come and watch, too.

Happy 5th birthday Stetson

For Stetson's 5th birthday we: went to the aquatic center in Powell, to pizza hut, then home for cake and presents!!! We are SO SO SO grateful for WONDERFUL family who comes and supports our kids on their birthdays. It sure is nice knowing your kids are loved.

I stole this from Nina Shelton's blog.

Several weeks ago I learned that a good family friend had been involved in a horrible car accident. Katey Winterholler, who is about my age, was nine months pregnant when she rolled her pickup on an icy highway in Wyoming on Nov. 15. She was life-flighted to Billings, MT. where her baby was born healthy that day. Immediately afterward she underwent emergency back and neck surgery. Her family does not have health insurance. The road to recovery will be a long one for Katey and her family, as she also has a young toddler at home. It is unsure what the long term outcome will be for Katey, but she has suffered paralysis and swelling following the accident.
This story broke my heart, I wish I had the means to be able to help them in a BIG way because that is what they really need. I have wrestled with different ways that I might be able to help them, and each time have told myself that anything that I could do would not make that much of a difference. Katey's husband was my brothers best friend growing up and so this story means a lot to me not just because they are good family friends, but also because I am a mother to young children and I can only imagine the difficult journey Katey and her family are going through at this time. What I finally decided is that even though I don't have a lot to give, I do have a voice and I do have the ability to write. So I am sending this message out in hopes that others might be willing to step up and help out in any way that they can. No donation is to small, this family has a great need, and anything will help. If you feel impressed to do so please send donations to a benefit that has been set up in her name at:


The Katey Winterholler Fund
Big Horn Federal Bank
8 East Main Street Lovell, WY 82431-2002(307) 548-2703


Please feel free to share this message so that we can get it out to as many people as possible. I know that many of you may not know this family, but they are an awesome, beautiful family that is deserving of any help that can be offered in their behalf.
Thank you,
Nina Shelton

Stetson is 5 tomorrow

Tomorrow my Stetson turns 5. Tonight I took he and his sister Kandace to the movies at the Hyart. It was special to be with my kiddos. Earlier today, I took Stetson with me to run some errands. Just him. One of them was a stop at the hen house. He asked to go upstairs because that's where all the toys are. He spotted an antique Mickey Mouse phone for $35. He wants a phone for Christmas, but I'm sure Santa is having a hard time figuring out what kind of phone to get him. While we were at Hen House he kept saying he wanted to get a present for his friend Matthew. He was looking at a train. I stepped away for a minute and when I came back he said, "mom the train broke, sorry about that." Feeling a little worried that I might be paying for a train set that day, I was relieved that the hooks has simply separated.

Stetson has been asking for MONTHS if its his birthday yet. We have to go through the shpeal of how Carson's birthday comes Dec. 5th and then his birthday.

When we got home from the movie I told Stetson that when he wakes up tomorrow its going to be his birthday. It almost seems just as exciting for me. I told him that 5 years ago tonight at this same time I was folding laundry, listening to motab Christmas music and feeling excited. Michael was snoozing.

I have a little bottle of shampoo/body wash from Powell hospital from when I had Janelle and its the same kind they had when I had Stetson because when I smell it all the memories flood in, and I love it. Having Stetson and taking care of a newborn for the first time was traumatic for this mama, but it was OH so wonderful. :)

I still can hardly believe when I look at him that he's my boy and that I had him and raised him. Seems nothing short of a miracle to me. I love him and am so glad I have my Stetson.