You know you need to re-think your parenting skills when...

*you rely on the nursery snacks as a sustainable breakfast for your two-year-old.


Yay, for 11 o'clock church next week! Maybe my kids will finally get a Sunday breakfast!

Twas' the gift of Christmas spirit

Christmas was so peaceful this year. I am not sure why this year was different than other Christmas pasts. It may have been the serene, sparkly snow that glistened on the trees, shrubs and nearby roofs as we awoke yesterday morn. Maybe it was the excitement I felt by teaching my kids the true meaning of Christmas. This year was just SO different. Pretty packages and yummy treats paled in comparison to the blissful feeling of simplicity we felt by being together as a family this year. I can't say it enough, what an important gift my children are to Jon and I, I am reminded of this gift especially at this time of year!

a belle prayer

Just got done saying our family prayers and I just had to chuckle during belle's prayer. First of all, this child gives some crazy long prayers. I am so glad that she has so much to be blessed with and thankful for... but whoa! Tonight, she all of a sudden started to tell Heavenly Father about some things she has been asking for for Christmas. I normally would redirect her but it just sounded so cute and full of personality...

"umm, Heavenly Father, bless my family, umm bless me, umm... umm thank you for my family and the white snow, I love Jesus, umm I love primary and my friend Katie, bless mommy's friend Alisa, bless daddy's friend Cliff, umm... umm... umm santa's gonna bring me a GREAT BIG BLACK PONY, big, BIG, BIGGEST EVER (as she motions with her eyes closed and her arms out wide), umm and a tiny brown snake (in a quiet voice with tiny motions to indicate how small...still with her eyes shut)." So innocent and so sweet... i couldn't imagine my simple life without my cute kids.

elf yourself too!

my friend lisa told me about this... funny! check IT out.