Parker Parker Parker...

In the past 2 days Parker has gotten dressed by him self and this is the out come of him doing so. Same pj bottoms! He is such a joy! He makes me laugh every day. Today his buddy gabe wanted him to play at his house... so I told parker to get dressed if he wanted to go. The picture of him w/ his hat is the one for today. the others were of yesterday. The one for today... its freezing cold outside and he knew that- that is why he had the hat on (which he told me). Kids are so fun and so worth having!




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1 week in the making....

One night last week I wasnt home to put the kids to bed and Mike put the kids to bed... ( i normally do cause hes at school) anyhow.... Mike let Parker go to bed in big boy underwear. he has been potty trained since summer but I was never ready for him to go to bed w/out a diaper... Mike apparently thought different. (Parker, in the 7 months had only have 1 wet diaper). Ever since then Parker will not wear a diaper to bed. So far so good. Its been a week and we are so proud of our big boy! He turned 3 in Dec. so we are glad that he picked up on that so quickly!

OK...Its official

Its official... To those who dont know yet... Mike and I are having another baby! Yep it makes it #3 for us. I am a little over 12 weeks. I didnt really spread the word to too many people because I wanted to go to the docs first.. I did at 10 weeks and he wasnt able to find the baby's heartbeat, so he told me to come back in 2 weeks... i did just that. Once again- news that I wasnt wanting to hear. The Doc couldnt find or hear it again (with the doppler) so after my appointment, I waited for Mike to get off work and we went to get an ultra sound done. Right away I saw a little baby. And a heartbeat... the doc told me that everything looks great and that I dont have to worry anymore! Now I dont mind telling everyone the exciting news I was holding to so many people for the past month or so... My due date is July 21st (my oldest sisters b-day). We are relieved to know that everything is ok!

Christmas Celebration

We had a great Christmas this year. It was the first year, since I have been married that I was able to carry out a tradition that has been going on in my family since I was little. Christmas eve dinner... we made and ate yummy GREEK food. My sister and her family and my Aunt Georgia came to spend Christmas eve with us. It was Mikes first time trying Greek food, and was a good sport. He didnt like it but ate it. So now I dont know what the future tradition will be since Mike doesnt like the food we eat. (make him starve, make something else, - i like the make him starve :)/jk)
My aunt stayed the night and spent Christmas morning with our family. I am so thankful that she was able to spend some time w/ family during the holiday season. We were lucky because our kids didnt wake up until 8am and when parker was up he came into our room, Mom Dad, lets go down stairs. I said who came last night and he got all excited... Santa did mom. lets go. So we got Ashlyn out of bed (she was awake just playing) and headed down stairs and woke up Aunt Georgia. We were blessed by so many family and friends this year. The kids got SO many gifts, that I actually put some that I bought away for next year. Parker was so excited and was ready to open every present. Which he did... Ashlyn, w/ the help of Parker, opened up her first gift from Great Grandma Mathis, a baby doll- and she was done. She just wanted the baby and didnt want do w/ anything else. It was fun watching the joy in Parkers face. I miss those days when I was little where I got all excited about Santa coming.
We of course didnt forget to take a few minutes to talk to Parker about why we have Christmas and whos birthday we celebrate. I cant express my Love and appreciation for my Savior. He is the best example to me and I am so grateful that we have a holiday where its all about Him. I hope we were all able to express our graduate to our Savior. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Ashlyn cant go without Justin...

I dont know what it is.... but Ashlyn literally cant leave Justins sight if he is here. If we say his name and he isnt here, she begins looking around the house for him. Its a little scary. Here are a few pictures of a typical day when Justin is here. The minute he walks in, she walks to him, reaches for him, and will stand there until he picks her up. Once he picks her up, she is in his arms pretty much the WHOLE time he is here.

This quote is a MUST read!!!!

To you who are parents, I say, show love to your children. You know you love them, but make certain they know it as well. They are so precious. Let them know. Call upon our Heavenly Father for help as you care for their needs each day and as you deal with the challenges which inevitably come with parenthood. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them."
President Thomas S. Monson

To many times, by the end of the day I am tired and at times have little patience w/ anyone especially my kids, so by reading this it brought my back into perspective and made me feel awful that I don't always show my kids that I love them as much as I truly do. and that goes along w/ my husband. He, along w/ my kids are my world and I love them more than my life it self. I need this quote tattooed on my body somewhere because I need to read this everyday. it really touched me! I know that by reading this and asking the Lord for help I will have a TON more patience with the ones that are the most important in my life.

Grandpa ** TURNS 104 YEARS OLD **

I cant believe that my Grandfather is 104! He had his Birthday yesterday (on the Dec. 10th) We are getting today for his b-day party. Hes an amazing person and he swears that the reason he is as old as he is: is by drinking a coke a day. He has done that for many many many years. I love him and hope that he will be around for another birthday! Happy birthday Grandpa!