An Italian Christmas Angel

A beautiful blonde angel sent this to our family yesterday...

An Italian Christmas CD to help us feel close to Carew this Christmas season!!!

I am so blown away by the thoughtfulness of this sweetie...ALL the time!!! 

Is it bad for me to pray for her to be Carew's wife one day??? :) 

(Ooops! Did I just really say that out loud??)

 Sorry Kate...I have good intentions, really...NO pressure! ;)

We love Kate! XOXOXOXO

Just an Ordinary Day With An Extraordinary Man

 Today is just an average ordinary day, mixed in with a little bit of gratitude and a LOT of LOVE...

For this handsome guy right here.

 Clint is my best friend, my eternal companion, my heart throb, my committed husband, father to my children, my right hand man...and we make THE BEST team ever. This is how we do everything together...100% full throttle all of the time until we crash on the couch, catch our breath for the next round, and then get up and do it all over again. We tear it up, I'm tellin' ya, in whatever it is that we do...

 Lately, Wednesdays have become the day that Kesslyn and I go down to work after Kesslyn's little play school class to go see Clint and take him to lunch. It's a great excuse to get him away for a few minutes from a place where he is ALWAYS needed and in high demand from everyone, and we make an excuse to have a "middle of the week" date. I love it, and I know that HE loves seeing us too. He always says on the days that we come and see him that we are the highlight of his whole day. And seeing him is the highlight of mine too.:)

 Today we went and picked him up and I could tell from his face that it had been a stressful morning. He shared some incidents from work with me and I listened...because usually that is what he needs is just someone to talk to...someone who understands where he is coming from because most people have no clue.

 He works so hard and carries a very heavy load all of the time, and he does it like a rock star.

 I told him today, "Are you OK? I worry about all of the stress you have to carry on those shoulders of yours...they're not that big you know?" ;)

 He smiled at me after I said that and replied, "You forget that my shoulders are more broad than you can see...what about all of the angels by my side that broaden my shoulders and help carry that load?"

I smiled back at him because that is what he makes me do...smile. :)

 He is right and I know it! Heaven is cheering us both on in all that we do, and he will always "do what he does" EVERY SINGLE DAY because he does it for US. He does it for our family. He is undoubtedly the most loving, committed, hard working, and faithful man that I know.

I know that angels are walking by his side and that they are there to help carry his load because he invites them to be there. He lets them into his life by the things he says and does, and by the way he lives his life.
 He is in the scriptures everyday. He teaches me...everyday.
I am so blessed to call him mine, and just like I said before...it's just an average ordinary day, mixed in with a little bit of gratitude and a LOT of LOVE for him...

 Clint, THANK YOU for being you...the BEST man I know. Thank you for all that you do, all that you sacrifice for our family, and for the love that you so freely give to me and to our children. I love you more than words can say...but I still needed to TRY and say it today... I LOVE YOU!

Grateful

 Yesterday morning our family all sat around the computer for our morning prayer and scripture. We also watched a Mormon message about gratitude and I felt the spirit so strong...I kind of got choked up but held it together enough to testify of the importance of gratitude and then I hugged each one of my kids tight and told them that they were one of my greatest blessings and something that I was most grateful for.

 Just as I finished what I was saying I looked up and saw the most awesome display of color coming through the windows in the kitchen! We all hurried out onto the back deck and saw the most spectacular sunrise I think I have ever seen!!! Every second the light was changing and the views were breathtaking! I again testified of gratitude and told my kids, "When I see things like this, I KNOW God is real."

 I even followed Dallin out to the bus stop where I had a different view and I just couldn't get enough of the beauty...it was amazing...I even posted on social media (which I don't do that often) of how I knew it was going to be a good day because Heavenly Father sent me His first warm hug of the day in the sunrise...

Words don't really do it justice, but GRATITUDE kept coming all day long!

I am just SO grateful! :)

Annndd...I got the Christmas tree decorated last night! :) :) :) :) Yippee!!!

Cutting Down the Christmas Tree!

 Saturday morning after we got back from the cabin we all got up early to go pick out our Christmas tree!

We drove to Alpine and wandered through the rows of evergreens and I was in heaven! ;) 

Kesslyn LOVED the tiny little "baby trees"...

 While the brothers LOVED the big fluffy FAT trees! ;)

 There were so many pretty trees that we probably could have cut down any of the first ones we saw...but I was having WAY too much fun to have our experience be over so soon!!! I distracted everyone time and time again to look at just "one more" tree, because I simply didn't want it to be over so soon! ;)

 We finally decided on a beautiful tree and let everyone begin taking turns doing some sawing...

 Right as we got into our sawing, we realized that we had forgotten to bring cash with us and this tree farm does not take cards! Sooo...I sent Clint to ask for sure while I waited with the girls by the tree...

Lo and behold...GUESS WHO showed up to see if we needed any help cutting down our tree??

The BIG man himself...SANTA!!!

These two sweet girls Madyson and Kambriella got a little shy when Santa asked them what they wanted for Christmas...but Kambriella said she wants a new bike, and Mady didn't know for sure...but Santa said NOT to worry because he has something just perfect in his shop for her! ;)

They each got a candy cane and were as happy as could be! ;)

 Clint returned just as Santa was finishing up his visit, and with good news...this year, they take debit cards!

We got back to work cutting the tree...Kambriella...

 ...then Gavin who was laughing hard about something that was pretty funny!

 I think his dad must have made some comment to make him laugh because all those boys were laughing!!

 Kesslyn took a turn to hold the saw...

 ...and then I got in there and got right down to business finishing off the job! :)

 We carried our tree until someone rode up on a four wheeler and took it up to the front for us...

 Where we payed and snapped a picture and loaded it up into the trailer!

 By this time it was around lunch time and we were all hungry for a late breakfast so we headed off to IHOP or "IJUMP" as Kesslyn calls it! ;)

 Kesslyn had the cupcake sprinkles pancakes and was sure to eat every last sprinkle with her chubby little hands! NOT a fork! ;)

 The girl cousins had a fun time coloring and giggling, and Kambriella loved getting attention like her mama used to do when she was little...getting food all over her face!

 Dallin and Gavin were pleasantly surprised when they found out the the breakfast they ordered also came with OREO cookie pancakes!!! What a great way to start a Saturday!

Later we all got home and put up the tree, the kids played with friends, and then Clint and I were off to the JAZZ game. I LOVED everything about the holiday break except the part about missing my loved ones...the people in my life are the things that I count as my greatest blessings and the things I am most grateful for. I love them and am grateful for every memory we ever have made together, and for ALL of the fun ones that still lie ahead!!! AND there will be many...because our family is FOREVER!!!

Thanksgiving 2017

 Wednesday evening had the most fabulous display of warm colors in the sunset as we headed south to the cabin for Thanksgiving...What a BEAUTIFUL gift from Heavenly Father...as if to say, "Have a wonderful time with your family, and enjoy ALL of my gifts..."

 We stopped in Spanish Fork for dinner at a Mongolian Grill called HU HOT on the way...It was a HUGE hit with everyone...even Kesslyn. :) ...and a great way to begin the holiday getaway...

 Kesslyn loves Aunt "Tininny"...and ice~cream . :)

 ...and Tank who got to come to the cabin too. He was in doggy heaven!!!

 Tiffany and Colby brought us a little "cabin warming" gift...an AWESOME waffle maker just like the ones at the hotel that are so yummy!!! They got up to make everyone some "Waffle Love" breakfast both mornings...

Let's just say that we kind of died and went to heaven eating it!!! ANNNDD we have decided to leave the waffle maker up there at the cabin instead of bringing it home so that we can have that as a special "cabin only" treat to look forward to! :)

 This sinful concoction is Malted waffle mix spread with cookie butter, vanilla bean ice~cream and berries!!!

 We were also treated to "Cinnamon roll waffles!!!" You heard me right!!! CINNAMON ROLL WAFFLES!!! You take the packaged cinnamon rolls and just press them and cook them in the waffle maker, and then drizzle the frosting on top of it when it's done...PURE DELICIOUSNESS!!!!

This one was a Pumpkin Spice cinnamon roll that I'm pretty sure they found JUST for me!!!

I. WAS. DYING!!!

 On Thanksgiving day, Kambriella and her cousin Madyson made some homemade name tags for the table place settings...

 ...we also took a nice walk out in the warm evening air while we waited for the turkey to cook...

 We took a bag of oats and fed the horses that are on the neighboring property next to us...

 The kids loved feeding the horses! But I really think the horses liked eating it right out of their hands more than anything!!! Aren't they beautiful animals??

 Kesslyn liked them too...from a distance. :)

 I felt so calm and peaceful and HAPPY all day being wrapped up in the thoughts of how my Heavenly Father had blessed my family so abundantly...Although my family  is growing, and changing, and I miss having my Carew and Kierra around with us all the time, I KNOW that they are happy and THRIVING and doing just what Heavenly Father wants them to be doing.

We are BLESSED.

WE are HAPPY.

...and I'm so very grateful...

 After we got back in from our walk, Tiffany and I worked in the kitchen while the kids played games, everyone watched The Hobbit, and played more games...

We didn't eat dinner until 7:00 at night because we were waiting for everyone to arrive! My sweet mom and Lexi and Rhaz ended up getting to join us so we were more than happy to wait for them, we were just completely ready to stuff our tummies after they got there!!!

 The food was soooo yummy, and probably even more so because we had waited ALL DAY to enjoy it!

 After we were all completely stuffed we sat down to play games with everyone and I pulled out a Christmas tree that we could set up for the season! We left those warm cozy lights on all night long...Shane and Leighton even slept out there next to them. It was such a good night! We finished up pie eating, decorating, and LAUGHING uncontrollably around 1:30 in the morning!!! Lexi held my hands and spun me around on my butt on the floor next to the Christmas tree too! We laughed and laughed and I told everyone..."THERE IS NO GOING TO BED EARLY WHEN WE STAY AT THE CABIN!!!" I was totally joking (but not really :) because I was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed, but didn't want to miss out on all the FUN!!!

 There really is such a good feeling at this cabin...My mom even said to me while we were there..."This reminds me so much of the holidays when I was little growing up on a farm..."

I told her I didn't know what it was, but EVERYTHING here reminds me of when I was little too...I just love it. :)

 These sweet brothers played and played together, we did some target practicing and shot the guns, and just enjoyed being together...

 We took Carew with us...but mostly in our hearts. :) I sure am proud of that sweet buddy...

 ...and Kesslyn SNUGGLED with Grandma ALL the time!!! Let me tell you...I'm not sure who enjoyed it more...Kesslyn or Grandma!!! But it was just genuinely the BEST Thanksgiving we could have had...(Missing our favorite people of course;)

I counted my blessings over and over and it still just doesn't add up to how much Heavenly Father keeps blessing me...I'm NEVER going to be able to repay Him...But I'm going to keep on trying!!!

It was a VERY happy Thanksgiving !!!

Happy weekend! :)