Hiya

Ethan has been signed up for Karate for the last few months. The other day he had his first belt graduation and he graduated from a white belt to a yellow belt. He has had so much fun learning the karate moves, getting new friends and improving his physical strength. Has been so fun to see him be interested in his muscles and he has improved his running speed. It will be interesting to see how much he has improved for soccer season.

another thing that's been fun with soccer is Ethan's cousin James is also signed up at the same Karate studio. It has been fun for them to learn together and improve their bond.

Girls camp "JOY" serving Jesus, others and yourself

I was able to go to girls camp this year and spend a week a few days with the girls in our Ward. We wanted to go down to the manti pageant because it's the last year the pageant will be presented.

We had so much fun. We hiked, toward the manti Tabernacle (which was really cool and it actually functions as a church)h the girls had fun in the swimming pool and I enjoyed having a break from all my motherly duties 😀

As fun as it was it was sure nice to come home and sleep in my own bed again.

Parade of homes

Last weekend was the Utah valley parade of homes. Brett got tickets from City council so we thought we'd take our family and go see the houses that were around our area. I was worried the kids would get bored and think it would be terrible but I was pleasantly surprised. My kids really enjoyed exploring each home and seeing all the different ideas. One house Carrie fell absolutely in love with there was a playroom in the little girl's room and it was painted pink was every girl's favorite Dream.

Till we meet again

My sweet Grandmother Hill passed away on Father's Day. The following Saturday we spent the day recalling the legacy she created. I'm forever grateful for Her sweet, kind heart and the many ways she made an impact on my life. I'll always cherish my memories of Her. My favorite memories are sitting on the piano bench listening to her play Once Upon A Dream, her incredible way of keeping a home, many times playing games like Hand and Foot, Rook and Sorry. I will miss seeing her sweet face and enjoying her loving embrace. I'm so grateful that families are forever.

Summer

Hello again.

Summer is always a rough time for me. Trying to keep my children happy, teach them to be independent and be able to self manage themselves is quite a bit of work. So to say the least I desperately find ways to keep them busy.

For Ethan, this summer has started off with a stem camp at the ALC in Salem. He has had a blast coding, making model airplanes, and looking forward to the airplane simulator. All of these this are right up his alley.

So, while he's away. Todd, Carrie and I have had such a good time doing things that Ethan does not want to do. Such as going to the library for storytime and a craft, going to the park, going on walks, and just having a good time together.

Another thing that makes Summer hard is Brett often will go away for work for weeks at a time. On Friday he's supposed to leave to go to Chicago again to work on the remodel of the temple. For the past few years he has been doing fire sprinklers be Chicago temple and this should be the last year for the shutdown. While Brett is away it's really difficult for me to keep things going smoothly. I often wonder how single mothers do anyting. So, while he is away I plan on trying to find a way to have something to look forward each day. I would like to invite Clair Wade and Rowen over to decorate a cake, go to the swimming pool another day, take the kids to the new toy story 4 movie and maybe something else that will fill the days while he's away.  I sure hope and pray that it will go well.

Hello again. Happy New Year

Well, A LOT has happened since the last time I've posted on this blog. As you can see, We've got our Little Carrie Ann and Love every single bit of her sweet heart.
So, why the long hiatus and why start posting now???

At the Last General Women's Conference, Our Prophet, Russel M. Nelson challenged the Women of the church to Participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other negative or impure media. President Nelson encouraged women to notice how the fast affects their priorities and then to record and act on spiritual impressions they receive. After my fast, I realized how Facebook and other sights were affecting me. The one thing that I do love about Facebook is that it keeps a record of what my Family is doing, much like a journal or blog.  So, this is my attempt to document the things our family is doing. 

In the past, our New Year tradition has been just sit around, wait until midnight and go to bed. 

Blah, Blah, Blah...

Growing up, the Barneys would get together each New Years Eve for a fantastic party. Aunt Diane would serve crab and we has such a fun time with all the family. 

So in attempt to make New Years Eve more eventful for my Family...

We had a Harry Potter Fest and Movie Marathon.It was so much fun. 

I made Meat Pies and Ethan helped with the table decor.  

I've learned that Carrie LOVES playing with dough.

Brett made Carrie a play rolling pin for Christmas and she has spent hours and hours rolling out silly putty, dough and just about anything she can get her hands on. 

Todd is my best eater and will sit and eat his whole plate. 

Much different than Ethan and Carrie.... 

Todd recently lost his two front teeth. Just in time for Christmas. 

He sang and sang All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth song

Over and over. I Loved every bit of it. 

Ethan has joined our love for Harry Potter. 

Happy New Year. 2018 has been one of the best years of my life. Knowing that all my family is mine forever, continuing finding Peace in Christ, and many many moments I'll treasure forever. 2019 you've got some big shoes to fill.

I'll be posting posts from Facebook to fill in what has been happening for the past 3 years...

One Year Older - and BREAKING MY HEART

My little "Todd Rod" turned 4 this week. 

His Birthday was filled with so much excitement and Magic. I absolutely LOVE the magic that is in a four year old's eyes. It's finally the year that they understand that it is their special day. He was so excited to turn 4. This is the first year that he has been able to show four with his hands. He never got 1 or 2 and defiantly did not get how to show three fingers. But He's got 4 down perfect.

 We had his Birthday Party at Grandma C's house. We often have Birthday Partys at Grandma C's house. He was so proud that that day was HIS Birthday Party.  He kept coming up to me saying "It's MY Birthday Party." It was so sweet watching him blow out the candles and open his presents. He loved every present and expressed much Joy with each one.  

 He is a "little" obsessed with trains. He is often found laying on the floor to be at the level of the train. For the past two birthdays and Christmas' he has gotten some kind of train. So, this year we got him a Train Table. He has played and played and played with it everyday. Yesterday, it stopped being our coffee table and moved downstairs with all of the rest of the toys. 

 

This little boy is SO VERY SWEET. He is kind, snugly, and did i mention sweet. His Preschool Teacher says that he is the most patient and forgiving child in his preschool class. (Proud MOMMY moment) 

He loves bed time and nestles into his pillows and blankets every night. He wakes up so happy and snuggles for the longest time in the morning. He does not like it very much when his Brother bosses him around.... 

He loves to eat chips and treats. I have had to give him his lunch in phases because he likes to eat only what he likes and nothing else. I call it my Creative Eating method. 

I cannot express the amount of Joy this boy has brought into my life. I am grateful every day for him and the sweet little boy he is. I'm Forever grateful for Adoption and for the way it has blessed my life.