The big 14

We did it!  We survived the year of the thirteen year old girl.  Yes,  I was worried and had heard many a horror story of how it would be.  But over all it wasn't bad.  Alyssa has grown up to be a nice, beautiful, talented young woman and I enjoy her more and more each day.

We just had a small family celebration for her birthday.  Her favorite foods at dinner time and of course a cake.

Her presents included West Lake Gear,  FIFA soccer game, an MP3 player, books, and a RAGE warm up soccer suit from Grammy.  She was thrilled with everything.

This was her own personal cake made by Leslie Erznoznik, her Miamaid advisor.  She decorated it in the BYU colors, Alyssa's favorite.

My eldest daughter is 14 years old.  With that comes, Stake dances, parties with boys, and movie nights with mom.  Next year she will start high school.  I don't know where the time has gone, but I am trying to enjoy each moment I have now.

Turkey Trot

Dad and Amberly got the crazy idea that they wanted to run a 5k on Thanksgiving.  They asked me to join them and I thought it would be fun so I did.  Little did we know that it was going to be a whopping 4 degrees at the time of the race.  It was so cold!  But we did it.  This was their first race and I am proud of them.  It was fun to talk as we ran and to see all the other crazy people there.  We hung around after for awhile and all took home different prizes from the drawings.  I hope that we can run some races together in the future.

My New Tree

Since the majority of our Christmas activities take place downstairs, that is where most of our Christmas decorations are placed.  In past years our living room has looked quite bare for this reason.  So I decided it was time to get a "mommy" tree.  You know, it is the kind of tree that only mommies' decorate and actually has matching ornaments.  So last year I purchased a pre-lit tree on clearance.  However,  I did not buy any decorations, thus I had to start from scratch this year.

I don't consider myself a very good decorator.  I can copy things but I am just not very good at envisioning my own creations.  But,  I had a plan in mind for this tree.  So I called my mom and off we went in search of the perfect decorations.  It was a perfect distraction as it was the 1 year anniversary of my grandmother's passing.  I knew that she would want us to be happy and do something fun so that is what we did.  I had a wonderful time with my mother and she has a talent for creating things.

We had a lot of success finding just what I wanted.  I could hardly wait to see the end result.  So, the Sunday before Thanksgiving I put up my tree.  It was snowing outside and it was such a perfect day.  In the end, I was ecstatic about my tree.  I think mainly because I actually had a vision of something and saw it to fruition.   It actually looked like it did in my mind (maybe even better.)

The whole family loves the tree.  It has been such a nice addition to the room and it makes me smile every time I see it.

"See" a good day

I had a wonderful weekend.  I was able to attend a conference in Salt Lake City, entitled "Time out for Women".  This was a 2 day conference sponsored by Deseret Book with many motivational speakers.  The theme this year was "Infinite Hope".  I was able to attend with friends from my ward and it was an enriching experience.  There was beautiful music and varied talks that all lead back to the same message of hope.  I enjoyed the short escape and being rejuvenated once again.

I especially enjoyed a talked by Amanda Dickson about change and how most of the time it is the best thing for you.  I also loved hearing from Mariama Kallon, a African Woman from Sierra Leone.  She suffered a tragic life in a war torn country and eventually found the church and converted.  She shared her emotional story of how a simple hygiene kit that was given to her gave her hope and blessed the lives of over 20 woman.  Other speakers were Virginia Hinkley Pearce, Brad Wilcox, Linda Eyre, Shawni Eyre Pothier, and Heidi Swinton (the author of President Monson's Biography).  We also heard music from Hilary Weeks and Dallyn Vail Bayles.  There were many great messages.

The last speaker was named Emily Freeman and I really enjoyed her talk.  Her main theme was instead of achieving the common phrase of "have a good day" we should learn to "see a good day".  In other words, there are good things all around us and we don't always recognize them for how good they truly are.  I liked her perspective and I have decided to make that a goal.  That I will "see a good day".

This day was a "good" one.  I was enriched with good friends.  Alyssa won her indoor soccer game and she scored 2 goals.  Ryan played his first competitive basketball game and they also won.  Plus Ryan did well and liked it.  Brianna scored in her basketball game and had fun.  People stepped up to help me in the day so that I could get away.  Roger supported me in desire to attend this conference.  At the end of the day, we enjoyed a nice quiet evening together as a family.  I saw a good day.

A Girl and Her Doll

Doesn't Brianna look adorable in her new dress?  It came with a matching one for a doll and it fit Alyssa's American Girl Doll perfectly.  So cute!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Today is my sweetheart's birthday and it has been a wonderful day.  Roger took the day off, and could do whatever he wanted.  I was grateful because he chose to spend it with me and the kids.

We started out by going out to breakfast together and then doing some Christmas shopping.  After some other errands, we returned home and he put on super soft comfy pants (which he never gets to do) and went downstairs and played some x-box (also something he never gets to do).

He opted to eat in for his birthday dinner.  We collaborated and together made New York Strip Steak with a Marsala, mushroom cream sauce.  We had potatoes and homemade rolls and the special treat was Crab legs.  The kids went crazy with the crab.  I think we have created some monsters :) in regards to yummy home cooked food.  Alyssa announced that when she gets engaged she will never bring her fiance to dinner because then he would expect awesome cooking from her.  (She could just learn how to do it to but that would require to much effort).

The next day Brianna asked if we had any left over crab legs.  Silly girl, thinks we should have them all the time now.

Brianna also insisted that we had exactly the right number of candles for the cake.  So it was quite the ordeal to light and left a lot of smoke afterwards.  But we did it.

Anyway, we had a lovely dinner and followed it up with family Wii time.  It was so nice just to be together as a family and to Roger that was the perfect day.  I would have to agree.

I do have to write about his birthday present.  We have a new family member.  A lab puppy named Scarlet.  Now after Dakota died I really fought against getting a new dog.  It was too heart wrenching to lose a family member and also the sheer amount of work involved with a dog kept me from desiring another one.  Well I always struggle with what to get Roger for presents.  He already has what he needs and wants.  Plus, he truly has no time for hobbies at this time of his life (you know just fun silly things that bring you joy).  The only thing he has ever wanted or could want is a dog.  So I opened the door of possibility just a little bit to think about it and it didn't take long before it was shoved all the way open and we had a new pup in less than a week.

I would only do it for Roger.  He is so happy and I figured if there was something that could bring him a little joy and stress relief in his life then it is worth it. 

So we named her Scarlet (for Ohio State of course) Princess Buttercup (Brianna's contribution).  She is a sweet puppy and the kids absolutely adore her.  She has adjusted right into the family and is so fun.  I think it was a good thing for our family.

So another birthday has come and gone.  I must say that this past year has brought so much growth for Roger.  To see him embrace his calling as Bishop and allow the spirit to work in his life more than ever has been amazing.  There have been many hard things he has had to deal with and yet has done a fabulous job.  I am so proud of him and the man he has become.