Blessings

I know that I have neglected the blog for the past few months and so much has happened. I have had a hard time the past 2 weeks and needed to just write down my blessings.

*I am grateful that Riley has had a great 3rd grade year! Not once has he had a behavior issue or had to spend any time in the principals office. January was the toughest month last year, but this year has been fantastic! He is currently playing basketball and loving it. He has scored a basket in all 3 games thus far as well!

*I am grateful for a healthy winter. I have only had to miss 1 day so far this year due to sick kids. We have had the occasional cold here and there and the boys have all thrown up, but it's mostly been on weekends which has been really nice!

*I am grateful that Ryan isn't working for his former employer anymore and has found a job that he likes and feels needed and appreciated. Unemployment was truly a blessing for our family. It was so nice to have Ryan home with the boys for 4 weeks! He found a job sooner than we had anticipated but it was the job meant for Ryan! We still can't believe that he has only worked for home builders, but hey, he's good at it!

*I am grateful for my job. Sometimes I complain that I work, but 70% of the time, I'm glad that I do work. I think it keeps my mind working and it keeps me from being depressed and focusing too much on things that I don't have.

*I am grateful for our timeshare. We have literally used almost all our points because we love to vacation. We are so excited to be able to stay at the Grand Californian in August and be right there by California Adventure. We're hoping that cars land will be open and August can't come soon enough!

*I am grateful that I have 3 very healthy active and smart boys! They are all super cute and fun and are still momma's boys. I love each one of them to pieces!!! I just wish that I could have a baby girl, but need to accept the fact that it's not going to happen and be happy with the 3 boys that I have been blessed with.

*I am grateful for my beautiful, cluttered, messy house and I dont care what anyone else says. I have 3 boys who like to play. I don't care if there are blankets and cushions on the floor because they decided to build a fort. I don't care if there are dishes left in the sink or on the table because at least we were all able to eat and play together as a family. Lately, when I've gotten home, Brock just wants to play with me and yes, I get frustrated cause I want me time, or need to cook dinner, but I also know that he needs to spend time with his momma playing! One day when the kids are all gone, I will have a nice neat orderly house. But in the meantime, if you don't like it, then don't come over! (Or come over and help us finish the basement, so we can move our mess downstairs!)

My Family

I know that it's been forever since I last posted and so much has happened! But I wanted to post a picture of all of my family that was taken outside the church for my grandma's funeral. It was the first time in 3 years that my parents and their 5 kids and 14 grandchildren have been together. So here it is.

On the far left is my youngest Sister who is holding her son and is pregnant with her 2nd boy and her husband. Next to them in the red skirt is my sister Alisa and her daughter and then her husband is holding her son behind her. Next to her is my brother Jeremy and his wife and their identical twin daughters and 2 sons, one of them my dad has. My parents are in the middle and then in between us and my parents is my older brother Brandon and his wife and 4 boys and she's pregnant with her fifth baby, but not sure if it's a boy or girl yet. Maybe if it's a girl, then I might try for another baby, a big maybe! And then of course there's us. Riley looks huge compared to all the grandkids, but he actually has 2 older cousins! We're hoping that he'll be as tall as my brothers and not his dad! :)

We really did have a great time spending a couple days with my family, knowing that we might not be able to make the venture there this summer. It was also great to see my cousins and their families and of course to see grandpa and say good-bye to grandma. We were able to see her in August and she remembered all my kids names and we had a great chat! Soon after she had a stroke and things went downhill. She was ready to go home and how nice would it be to go "home" when you were ready. She was an amazing woman with a great heritage and I need to follow in her footsteps!