New Post

I didn't know what to title this post since while I am posting I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to post about. There is so much going on in the world, so much on my mind, and I'm eating burnt French fries because I forgot I had them in the oven. So there's much I could post about but I'm told by my wonderful sister, Angela, that I need a new post. When I came to the site to do a post I looked at the last thing I posted and I agree it's been quite a long time since my last post.

Okay so where do I start. Micah's Grandpa and Grandma Manville came down at the end of last night and left yesterday morning. We had a great time with them. The girls were spoiled... and I was too I'll have to admit. Our tradition every time they come is to go to Red Lobster and we all know that if Micah or I try to pay Grandpa doesn't allow it... not at Red Lobster! Grandma was a huge help with cleaning, making dinners, keeping the kids out of my hair while doing homework or whatever else I had to do. Thanks Meems! Grandpa even helped out a ton, especially with Nattie. When he put her down for a nap she usually stayed there. Thanks Old Grandpa!

For Valentine's day we went up to one of our timeshares and met Micah's sister, Erin, there. I was kind of a stick in the mud as I was exhausted from all the work I have to do being a semi stay at home mom and having a job 2 days a week and having 2 college classes. I had a ton of homework too which is so much fun when you're trying to have fun at a timeshare. It was a lot of fun anyways even though I slept a lot of the time trying to catch up on sleep.

I have been sick, laringitis and such, for the last week! I have had little to no voice for 4 days and have been couging and had a runny nose and so stuffy headed, I have been quite cranky. My poor Micah! He has had to take care of me. Normally I just get on with life but as I said before I think that because I'm so busy I'm taking longer to get over this. I'm on the upside though so I should be over it soon.

IF YOU DON'T READ ANY OTHER OF THIS POST READ THIS. I just have to tell you all... yes you all not y'all... not yet at least, Samara today vacuumed the upstairs all by herself. We have a small vacuum that the girls like to play with. It really works but doesn't get the deep in dirt. I went upstairs with the big vacuum today and asked Samara if she wanted to try it. She said then if I practice enough when I get to be a mommy I will know what to do. So precious!!! I love my girls.

We're potty training. Not fully but trying to get the concept down. Nattie's been in panties all day today and has had three pee pee accidents and two poo poo accidents. YEAH. She's doing better than last time where she didn't go in the potty once! This time she's pottied in the toilet about 4 or 5 times. She's gotten either cookies or skittles each time so hopefully she doesn't get on too much of a sugar high in this process. Hey if it works and I don't have to do diapers for her anymore than it will be worth it to live with the sugar high for a while.

Well, I'm going to try and post more often and next time I'll try and post pictures. Please pray for our family as we have big decisions to make. Thanks.

Impossible is not a word, just an reason not to try.

Celebration of Granpa Al's Life

So for those of you who don't know, Micah's Grandpa Al went to heaven to spend eternity with Jesus on the first of the year. He was a great man and I can't say too much without bawling because we miss him so much so if you want to you can read the other post that I made about him earlier this month. Here are some pictures that I enjoyed taking. One thing that happened through all this is that family that hadn't seen each other in a long time came together and got to see each other. It was awesome to be able to meet some of Micah's family that I hadn't gotten the opportunity to meet yet. Everything went so well it was amazing.


This was the table in the front of the funeral home that sat Granpa's chaps for horseback riding and his leather vest that he would ride his motorcycle with.


Grandpa's chaps.


Grandpa's vest that I think Grandma did all the stuff on it. On the front it had Al embroidered on it.

THE FAMILY!!! Yes we are a lovely looking bunch.

Micah and I.

Shawn and Lenny. This is Grandpa's sister.

Alan, Uncle Mike, and Patrick (Worm). In the middle is Grandpa's brother and the left and right of him are Uncle Mike's two sons.

The three girls.

Vickie, Gracie, Dave, Jacie, Rick, and Dick. Gracie is Grandpa's sister and Vickie and Rick are her kids, Dave is married to Vickie and Dick is married to Gracie. Jacie is Dave and Vickie's daughter.

What a beautiful family!

Did I say beautiful? I meant weird. I love this family!

The rest of us.

Joel and Peggy, Joel is Grandpa Al's son.

Grandpa Al's sons. Kris, Mitch (grandpa's adopted son... for all intents and purposes), Joel, and Ozzie, and of course Grandma Nita.

Cody, Jasmond, Uncle Kris, Kylar, and Kristian. Uncle Kris' kids.

Silly Family

After the celebration of Granpa Al's life, most people call it a funeral, we got a little silly. This costume, if I remember right, was a second graders costume that was given to Jay because it fits her. She is 4' 9 3/4"... Don't forget the 3/4" she gets kind of upset. Anyways it was just what we needed on this celebration day.


Here is Jay in the Monster's Inc. costume.


And Nattie.


And Mara.

And Syssa.

Busy

Hello all,
I was told by my sister and Meems, Micah's grandma, that I need to start updating my blog more. I'm going to try to update every Monday. I have been quite busy with school, gymnastics, Mother's Day Out, training for another triathlon, and just being a mom of three. We may have a special opportunity coming our way but I'll post about that some other time when I get more information. I'll post again today when I get on my other computer where all my pictures are. For now, everyone have a great day!!!

The New Year

Micah's Grandpa "Grandpa Al" passed away on New Year's day. This didn't come as a big surprise and yet it did. We knew that Grandpa had quite a few health issues but we didn't think it would be on New Year's Day. I don't think there is a way to prepare for something like this. I just have to say that he was one of the most wonderful, Godly men that I have ever met. Hewas so loving and excepted me into the family instantly. As much as he was Micah's Grandpa he was also mine. He will be greatly missed by many many people whom he has touched in great ways. We also know, however, that he is in a better place. He has received his mansion and is walking on the streets of gold that are talked about in the Bible. He was a preacher for a long time and even living with Micah's parents he started helping out at the Methodist church preaching every once in a while. I remember in July when we were back home and he had recently had his leg amputated and he was supposed to preach that weekend. We all told him to just sit down and preach, nobody would mind. Without showing any pain, he got up and preached a great sermon. He has touched my life in great ways and has always given Micah and me sound advice and lots of love. Like I said before he will be greatly missed but I know that I will get to see him someday! Alyssa says that he's with Jesus so he has to be happy and we'll see him again. What a smart 6 year old.

Christmas Play 2009

Alyssa was in a Christmas play last night that was fantastic. She was so excited. After all the rehearsals and all the time she put into it she finally got to do it. Samara and Natalie got to do a preschool performance. They sang two songs. Twinkle, Twinkle Christmas Star and Ring Those Bells and Turn Around, Ring Those Bells and Stomp Your Feet, and Ring Those Bells and Jump up High (sung to the tune of Jimmy Crack Corn). It turned out really cute. The kid's play was A King is Coming to Town. They were talking about a king coming to their town. So they went through all the kings. First was Elvis, the king of Rock N Roll. Then, was King Tut. Next was the king of the jungle, an ape. Last was the most important, King Jesus. It was really cute. I hope to buy the DVD.


This is me getting ready to help the preschoolers with the motions to their songs.


Natalie is in the polka dotted dress (cutie). And Mara is in the red dress with her curly hair and back towards us.


"showing shepherds where Christ lies" that is what they sang on this part of the song. It turned out so cute. Although at first some of the kids were running all over the stage. That's okay though they started singing once we started.


This is Alyssa doing her king of Rock N Roll choreography. She did such a great job.


There's Elvis! Alyssa's to the very left.

Alyssa got to be King Tut's entourage. I hope one of my friend's has a better picture because she was precious!


This was the king of the Jungle one. She's beating her chest like the king of the Jungle.

It really was fantastic. I love to see Alyssa, Samara, and Natalie do fun things like this. Hopefully I'll start posting more on here too. I know I've been slacking but I know how important it is for some of you to see pictures!

Update

So I know I haven't posted for a while... again... I've been trying to balance everything from college to housework to gymnastics... etc. If you're a mom you know how it goes. I'll post some pictures maybe later on today since it's rainy and gloomy outside today. We're going to have a movie day. I have a college algebra test tonight so it'll be good to just relax today. I'll post again soon... if something else doesn't come up first.

LONG TIME

I haven't updated in a while because we have been so busy. I decided that I would update everyone really quick. I will post pictures hopefully this weekend. We are doing very well and keeping very busy. I'm in school taking College Algebra and National Government. Alyssa has an excellent teacher. She is really doing a good job in school and is so excited to go daily. Her and Samara are also in gymnastics and loving it. We're looking to get Alyssa in piano lessons but we'll have to see if we're getting a raise this year first. Samara and Natalie are in Mother's Day Out and loving it. They both really love their teachers. Nattie wasn't sure at first but she goes in her classroom with no problem now. She even sees me every once in a while if I pass her classroom and she doesn't cry for me at all. I love being a teacher at MDO and I love my class this year. Micah's still working hard and is thinking about starting school again soon. Hopefully we can all keep ourselves from our schedules running our lives. Micah and I have also decided to do the 4-5 year old Sunday school class. I guess it's Kid's Church. We have a Saturday night service so Sunday school doesn't work very well. ;-) Weare going to be doing the 11 o'clock service so it will work as Sunday school. I will try and post pictures soon. For now HAPPY FALL!

Angela's now a Mencl

Angela, my sister, got married on the 23rd of July. It was beautiful and my sister looked more happy and more beautiful than ever! I love you Angela and welcome to the family Gary!

This is my girls sitting outside the temple that my sister got married in. I thought they were adorable!


Outside the temple.


Me and my hunny. My dad and Alyssa having fun.


Gary and Angela... the newlyweds. The HUGE wedding party.


Gary, Angela, and our family of 5.

Micah and I decided to take a couple pictures of ourselves since we looked so good ourselves. Woot woot.

So each of Angela's brothers and sisters and their families got a picture with the bride and groom. Left is my sister, Jennifer's family. Right is my sister, Melissa's family.

Left is my sister Pam and her boyfriend Jeremy and her daughter Kallee. Right is my brother Daniel and his family.

Left is our family. Right is Jason and Allyson.

My mom made her 7 grandaughters these beautiful dresses for the wedding. She also made some for Gary's side of the family. I think they turned out totally adorable.

It was a wonderful day and I'm so glad that we have Gary as part of our family.

Trip Back Home

My sister, Angela, was getting married and it had been a while since we'd seen family so we decided to take a trip back home.


Alyssa was already with Mama Jay and Papa Oz so I had Natalie and Samara on the drive up. Micah had to do some stuff for work so it was just the three girls on our way.


It took us two days to get there. The girls finally decided to sleep on the second day.


When we got to Papa Ozzie's house the girls had to go on a motorcycle ride.


Nattie's a bit too little yet so she danced and did yoga in the driveway while the other two did their rides.

Samara on her first real ride.

Besides the motorcycle Mara fell in love with Maisy, the family's pet Dachshund. Grandpa Ozzie was nice enough to give her to us as our family pet. We are pretty sure we are going to take her back home but we've told the kids that she is their dog but we might leave her for Grandpa Ozzie to take care of just in case we decide she'll be too much for us before we leave.

Nattie was supposed to be taking a nap and she had woken up early on this day apparantly and got into markers. She got it all over her legs! It came off in the hot tub though so no worries.

At Melissa's house this is Madison and Natalie playing. It was a miracle since the whole time the two of them were together they competed for everything. If Nattie said my daddy so did Madison. If Madison said my Grandma then Nattie wanted her Grandma too. It was so awesome to see them actually play really well together.