What is Truly Important?

Just over 2 months ago a friend of mine lost her baby boy to a tragic swimming accident. My heart breaks for her and her family. She has 4 other kids, the ages of my kiddos. They are friends. I am sure because this hit so close to home, I have thought a lot about what is truly important.  For way too long, I have been in a stage of self-pity. Each day I felt it was fading but  had been waiting for the load to be taken away before I decided it was okay to be happy. I wasted time. My kids got bigger. I missed out. Those are days and minutes I can't ever get back, and for what, monetary issues that were out of my control! I have the important things right in front of me. Why does it take a tragedy for people to realize this?

I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Plan of Happiness, the tools that some people look for everyday of their lives - I HAVE THESE TOOLS! Why do I take these or granted?? Ben and I have always said prayers with our children, but we have recently started reading the scriptures with them also. It has been amazing! As they are getting ready for bed, they ask how many we are going to read or what story are we hearing tonight. I love to see their excitement and love for the Book of Mormon grow each new day!

I have a husband that works so hard to better our family. He is an amazing husband and father and the kids love and respect him to the ends of the earth. He cooks, he cleans, he coaches soccer, he can even put Elliott's hair in pig tails!! I got super lucky with this one!

I have 3 beautiful, wonderful, energetic children!! They are so unique and loving. I hear "Mom, I love you" countless times throughout the day..I have learned to cherish these words because I know one day they will be "too cool" for mom. Boo!! We will always have our rough days that are filled with yelling and arguing, however, they are fewer than before! My kids are my life.

Pictures are important, videos will hold value one day! Life is precious and short. I will take the time to enjoy!

Schools Back in Session...

Here is to another year of books, learning, reading, writing and arithmetic. I love the start of a new school year. I remember loving this time of year as a kid! I love new clothes, pencils, crayons, and folders. I love the excitement of preparing your bag and outfit for the first day! The Sunday night before day 1 was celebrated with the Smith family. Sandy made a yummy meal of Chicken and Noodles with Mashed Potatoes, desert and all of the cousin's, it was a fun way to say goodbye to summer! Ben gave some pretty awesome blessings and my boys were excited (and a bit nervous) for the next day.

 

When morning came, Cameron was so nervous. 1st grade is always hard, because you have to be there ALL day! I cried because he was being so strong but really scared. It was hard. When the day was over, he told me "it was so much fun mom! I was only scared at the beginning!" That makes a mom happy!

 

Elliott and mom had a whole week together before she started Preschool! It was a bit rough because this was new to her not to have her brothers all day everyday and mom having to work. We went to lunch a time or two and went school shopping. She was ready! She loves Mrs. Stacy and couldn't wait for school to start.

 

I love that my kids are so excited to learn and go to school. I cross my fingers that it sticks around for quite a few more years!

Our So Called Life...

Our life has now become football, soccer, and soon dance will be added to our weeks. My kiddos are in heaven with their new found love of sports. Mom and dad are a bit on the tired side of running a million directions after school and we have only just begun this part of life! It has been a lot of fun watching the games and seeing my kids grow and learn new things. This is what life is about right? At least for now, we have family time every night of the week!!

Picture Time

We had family pictures taken Aug. 3rd by my cousin Lyssi. She did such a great job! I love getting my family pictures done, Ben on the other hand, HATES pictures of any kind! For being a bit irritated with me...you could never tell by his beautiful smile. I love my family!

Good Bye 2013, Hello 2014

Now that it is February, I figured it would be a good time to post about Christmas and New Years! A little behind, as always.

We had such a great Christmas. Being in a small apartment, I didn't have the desire to decorate like normal, we borrowed a cute little tree from our neighbor and some decorations from my sister in law Whit. Thank goodness for these two wonderful people, I fear our little apartment would have been void of any Christmas cheer!
We didn't make it down to Temple Square this year, which I was pretty bummed about, however, we did go to the Ogden lights and it was well worth it. The kids loved walking from booth to booth checking out the different scenes. It was such a fun family night!

Christmas eve was spent with the Smith's. We had dinner and presents at the church, which is always perfect with so many kids! They have room to run and play. It is nice to not have to worry every second and just enjoy each other. I love my family so much and am grateful for our relationships with each other.

Christmas morning we opened presents with the kiddos and then headed down to Grandma J's for breakfast. Always yummy and fun to be with the J's. The boys got Monster Jam Tickets from grandma and grandpa! They are so excited to go..something they have always wanted to do!

What a great day. I love the holidays.

 New years was pretty low key. Noah went with Jaxyn to a party with his Hale family. Ben and I took the two littles for some Chinese food and then Daniel and Whit came over and we played games until Midnight! It was a good night. I am always glad to start a new year, fresh with hope!

I am always sad for the holidays to be over. I hope you all had a wonderful time filled with Family and fun.

So Much to be Thankful For

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.  ~Robert Brault

This year has been one of many changes, my poor kiddos are so familiar with change that I kind of feel guilty! Ben has been going to school which sent me back to work full time. We moved, yet again (this makes 11 times for us) and the kids started a new school( 4th school for Noah and he is only in the 3rd grade..yikes!). This move has been a little tough on all of us, however, we know that the next move we make will be it for a very long time!! As November rolled around and the thrill of the holiday season set in, I had to do a complete attitude adjustment and really focus on the many, many things that I have been blessed with.

I am so grateful for my 3 beautiful, healthy babies. They love me unconditionally and look passed my flaws! I thank the Lord each day for entrusting me with their little spirits!

A husband who is working so hard to better our situation. His friendship and love mean the most to me in this world.

7 crazy siblings, 13 in-laws, 5 parents who love and accept me for who I am. I would be lost without each and everyone of them.

A healthy mind, body, and spirit.

A roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes to wear.

The Gospel, the knowledge of the Atonement is a comfort each and every day. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church and to have it play such a huge roll in our lives.

I am so very blessed and my heart is full. I have written down this list so I do not let the little things creep in and make me forget what is truly important in this life!

Thank you Kathy for hosting an incredible dinner for all of us! I love all the Johnson's with all of my heart and am so grateful that they are my family!

A Little Behind!

I was doing so well with my posts until crazy hit or lazy hit...one of the two! We had such a fun Halloween. We have moved up close to cousins and the kids could not wait to go trick or treating to some of the fun "scary" decorated houses in the neighborhood. We had so much candy!

Jenn and Kathy put together a cousins Halloween party for the Johnson crew. They had lunch, fun games and crafts and just loved being together running like little crazies!

Such a fun busy month, but I am not going to lie, I am always glad when October is over!