Forever ago!

Welcome back to our blog! It has only been forever and a day since I updated it.
Some updated info so far...
The older kids are enjoying school so far. Kiley is in 4th grade and is staying very busy with Choir and Gymnastics. She loves to read and is a super student and big helper to her younger brothers and sister.
Ethan is loving his gymnastics and attends a ballet class weekly too. He really is enjoying drawing and anything that involves Mario.
Aiden is our busy builder and is always seeking out "digger" trucks on the road. He loves to run and play and is always keeping us on our toes.
Natalie is off and walking now and really loves to play with toys and look at books.
Daren has been recovering from foot surgery and is trying to adjust to being at home right now and being dependant on me for a lot of his needs. But he will cheer up soon when he is able to return to work and feel like he is being useful as he puts it.
I am busy running like a chicken without a head around the house, trying to fill in all the spaces in between. I am SO grateful for family and friends and for all the support they have given us during this really challenging time of our lives.
I know that my Savior lives and loves us all. He has been here with me, guiding me through dark days and times when I have felt so helpless he picks me up and I am able to continue my journey. I am so very thankful for all of the blessings in my life, especially the ones who dirty my house daily ;)

Seattle trip

We decided spur of the moment, that we needed to take a little getaway trip. So we choose to take the kids to the Seattle Aquarium. We were able to stay with some family friends and saved money on not having to pay for a pricey hotel :) We just visited the water on Camano Island where I used to live and the kids absolutely loved it. It is pretty cold still, but they didn't seem to mind at all. We also enjoyed some fantastic Italian food at Jimmy's Pizza and Pasta. It was so delicious! It's nice living close enough to be able to take a trip like that, even if it is a long drive with kids. It made us feel a little more at ease when taking the kids for a long car ride. We even stopped at Miners and had burgers on the way home. That always makes a trip worthwile :)

This man....

This post is a very simple one. I love this man. I love him more and more every day. I love the silly imperfections of him and the way he smiles. I love that he has no rhythm while dancing. I love the way that he tells me everything will work out on days when I am worried. I love that he is kind and thoughtful. I love that he is honest and true. I love that he loves me unconditionally. I love that he is a great dad. I love that he washed years of pain and loneliness away from me. I love his hugs and kisses. But most of all, I love HIM.

Thank you for giving me the best 2 years of my life...

What a great way to start the new year!

January 1st turned out to be the start of a wonderful year for our family. Kiley was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. We were so grateful to have almost all of our family there present for her special day. We even got to celebrate at Fiesta afterwards.

I am so proud of Kiley's choice to be baptized and confirmed. I just can't believe that she is so old, or that I am so old either ;) I remember when she was born and how far away 8 years seemed. It just proves to me that every day is new and that life goes by so very quickly and we should treasure each moment that we have here in this life. I hope that I can be more diligent about doing that this year. Hope everyone else enjoys a great 2011. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!