All about us!: January 2014

As 2013 draws to a close I have taken the opportunity to reflect on our year. 2013 has brought laughter, love, pain, sorrow and many tears. Our family is temporally without my dads presence, while it has been hard not to be able to talk to, see or hug him I know that our separation is not forever and I rejoice in the knowledge that I will see him again. We have celebrated and endured many firsts in our new home, first New Year, first loss of a loved one, first Spring, first Easter, first High school graduation (even though we got to travel to Antelope to witness our baby boy walk across that huge stage), first home coming (our Jesse Bear moved home in April), first Summer, while we may not have any infants, we have celebrated 6 first Birthdays here in Oakley (15, 34, 11, 18, 14, 36), first day of school (1st year in Jr high, 3rd year in Jr high, 3rd year in High School, 1st year of college, and 1st year continuing college after a 10 year hiatus), first Fall, first full Winter, and first Christmas. Both of our beauties have attended their first dance, and I have finished my first trimester of college with a 4.0.

We have had many wonderful memory making adventures in the mountains, at the ocean, and with family.

2013 has been an eye opener for me, I have learned a lot about myself throughout this past year, I have learned that I am not the same person that I once was, I have not only changed in appearance, but as a person as well. I have lots of scars, at times my face swells and is misshaped, my strength and endurance are not as they used to be, I have become some what reptilian (as I cannot tolerate heat or cold and my body no longer adapts to the changes in weather, so I roast in the Summer [fan baby fans and AC], and freeze in the winter [blankets, 2-3 pairs of socks, and sometimes pants under skirts, oh and I LOVE the car heater {though no one else seems to}]) my short term memory is extremely short and I am thankful to say that with Heavenly Father's help is increasing nicely. I have learned that with my new found (accepted more than found) limitations I am a better person, I am more compassionate towards others, have been blessed to see the good in all things (and strive to find the good in all), I appreciate my trials and tribulations as I now see them as blessings that are given to me to help me to become the person that Heavenly Father desires me to be. While I may not always feel well, have the best of tudes, or appreciate the way that I look, I am happy to be me, thankful to have the opportunity to be alive, to learn and grow closer to the person that I need to be and want to be when it is time for me to stand face to face with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am so thankful to be blessed to be able to watch my kiddos grow, learn and become the amazing people that they are meant to be. I have learned that Heavenly Father loves me for who I am right now, that He has a plan for me, that He is there for me with every step that I make and every breath that I take, He only wants the best for and from me.

2013 has been a truly amazing year! I look forward to what 2014 has in store for us.

New Years Eve!

Mariah and Landen

Mariah, Landen and Lexie

Waiting for our table at Cheesecake Factory ;o)

We took a trip to Dublin, CA to the Arlen Ness and saw some pretty amazing bikes!

Jason is on vaca so we decided to take a trip through the Sierras to Reno. Cali side.

We made it to Nevada!!

Mariah got to drive (she LOVED it!)

By the time we could see Reno it was already dark (beautiful sunset and skyline).

These guys were flying over our house on Christmas morning.

Britt was one happy girl! She got a One Direction Bear from her sis,

and a One Direction sweatshirt from Grandma!

What'd ya get Toby?

Are those shoes Jesse?

Toby's trick present...Dino and all.

Christmas nails ;o)

Britt waiting for Jesse to get home so they can open presents from each other.

Sweet, Jason and I got a fridge for Christmas

(our old one decided it didn't want to be part of the family)

One of Jason's vendors want us to check out his Christmas lights...

So off to Antioch we went.

Ah..besties! Out cold...

She's so pretty she even likes to look at herself.

Marcika and Yamaanibah at the Park of Dreams in Antelope!

Mariah and Jared at the Park of Dreams in Antelope!

Mall makeovers!

What a fun day!

Got to hang out with my mom, and my beauties!!

I'm such a lightweight!

This cold weather is kicking my bottom...and it's nowhere near as cold as what I grew up in!

Yikes! The ants have taken over our pantry....

Bug killer to the rescue...wait...the ants they went marching on...into the bathroom

Oh boy! thanks to Terro, they are all gone!!!

Time to decorate the tree. I love this part! I hope they never outgrow it, because as I told Jess even when he is old and has his own kids, I'll still want a picture of him putting ornaments on the tree (that goes for all 4 of my monkeys).