Christmas Blechies

Well, we made it through MOST of Christmas without any sickness. About noon today Mark said he wasn't feeling well, and by the time we were sitting down to eat Christmas dinner at his mom's tonight, he really wasn't doing well. He spent the three or so hours downstairs making trips to the facilities. Poor Mark. I guess there is a bright side, he wasn't sick this morning and was able to wake up at 4:45am when the kids ran into our room shouting that Santa had been here! It is fun to enjoy their enthusiasm, but something inside me can't wait until they are teenagers and will sleep in a little longer...Ty had been so worried that he would have to see or talk to Santa last night. He was so happy this morning that Santa and come and gone without bothering him :)


We enjoyed our traditional Christmas Eve party at my parents' house with the six foot subs, the singing, and grandkids playing piano. We also acted out the manger scene. This year my Mom even put together a service project for the kids. They made newborn kits for the LDS Church Humanitarian Center. We told them that some moms don't have anything but newspaper to wrap their babies in after they're born, so they really need a blanket, diapers, soap, and pajamas. The kids really enjoyed putting the kits together, and it was good to have something to take the focus off of the "gimmies".
Overall, it was a very nice Christmas. We enjoyed time with family and friends, and remembered how much we have to be grateful for! It was also Noah's first Christmas, which seems weird, because he is almost one! Doesn't he look excited to open presents? Too cute!

Lucky Number 13!!

Thirteen years ago today Mark and I were married in the Bountiful Temple! I really can't believe it's been 13 years~in some ways it seems like longer, probably because we were friends and dated for five years before that. We met at Clearfield High in 1990, and boy did I have the wrong first impression of him! He was drop dead gorgeous-not much has changed :)- and a friend of mine had asked him to Sadies. He took forever to answer her, and she was a little bugged. So, I assumed he was a snot. He was quiet, and I never saw him say much to anyone, so I took that as being snotty, too. Well, a few weeks later he called me and asked me out. He says it was the first time he had called someone he didn't know. We went to the 49th Street Galleria, which dates us because it was later called the Fun Dome, and no longer exists! He was the perfect gentleman, so polite and kind. That's when I realized I had judged him all wrong!
Our first school dance was the Christmas Dance, and although we joke that getting married in December was crazy, I love it because December is when we started dating, and when we got married, so it makes the month even more special to me.


I also love the fact that Mark and I served missions at the same time. That was a great experience. He encouraged me to go, and although he may have had alterior motives :), I know he wanted me to have the wonderful experiences he was having. It was such a blessing to be able to write each other and share our ups and downs during that time. Mark returned home six months before I did, and I like to tell people that he waited for me! I got home in July of 1995, we were engaged a month later, and married four months after that.
The day we were married it was frigid, but sunny. It made for really beautiful wedding pictures! It was one of the happiest days of my life, and marrying Mark was by far the best decision I have ever made. He is still my very best friend, and I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet!
Happy 13th Markus! I Love ya!

The World We Live In

Yesterday Devin proceeded to tell me that one of his friends buckled to peer pressure and got on the internet during their computer class-but, that's not the worst of it. The three "friends" talked the boy into looking up some inappropriate pictures. Devin said that his friend told him about it later that day, and Devin went and told his teacher what had happened. He said the boys were upset with him for telling on them and that they had to go to the principal's office and their parents were called.

I am in shock, but I guess I shouldn't be. Devin is in third grade! Luckily, we have had all the talks about sex, drugs, and pornography. I know some people would be surprised that he, and Sam for that matter, already know all about that stuff, but when something like this happens, I'm glad they know the truth about everything and that they know when to talk to an adult. Mark works with so many teens who are addicted to pornography. It is just like a drug, and just as hard, if not harder, to get off of. It is so stinking sad that we have to worry about kids being exposed to this stuff at such a young age.

Why do they have the internet on computers used by elementary students, anyway????? Why aren't there filters, or only certain sites they can visit????? Crazy. I am hoping to talk to Devin's teacher about all this today.

Happy Birthday Ty!

Our sweet Ty-Ty is 3 years old today! He was born on a cold, snowy afternoon. He weighed in at 8lbs 7oz and was a good baby right from the start. It took us a few years to get Ty, and we couldn't understand why, but of course, in retrospect it was just what our family needed. Devin and Sam were so excited to have a little brother, and they were at the perfect ages to enjoy him.

My neighbor had said how much she enjoyed having newborns in her home during Christmas, and after Ty was born, I could see why. There was just a special feeling in our home that Christmas, and I had a new appreciation for Mary and what she must have gone through, and the circumstance in which the Savior of the world came to the earth.


Ty has always been so agreeable and fun. He rarely cried and was happy doing just about whatever. He started talking early and has never stopped. He loves Lightning McQueen, and chose a McQueen party this year.


Ty loves to watch movies, play with puzzles, and run back and forth from his friends' Preston and Katie's houses. My favorite time of day is when Mark comes home because Ty gets the most excited expression and yells "Daddy!!!!!"

Mark is a little too excited that Ty is starting to put forth a little attitude now and then. He was afraid Ty would be a push over or something....right. He was more then a little uncooperative when I took this photo. At least he looks happy! (I must like the way he looks in a sweater vest...I didn't realize until I did this blog that he has worn one in the last three photos!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TY!!