This year is almost gone!

Christmas was here
and now Christmas has gone.
This year is almost over and
we are very ready to move on.
We had a tough year-in fact it was my worst
but I learned so much I could go on and on.
We had a great time in the ice and the snow
I think I ate my body weight in sugar cookie
dough.
I love my family and am ready for the NEW YEAR.
Bring it on baby we are waiting right here!!!!

What the *#*^?! JAX!!!!!!

Today was a snow day here in Washington so Jax and I took the kids out on the Jeep to a very VERY steep ledge thing. We wont call it a hill because it wasn't but it was very fun to terrify our children and get some photos. Its beautiful how gracious our Heavenly Father has been to us. The snow in the Pacific Northwest is amazing because it flocks our lovely pine trees and makes our homes look magical. So I took a few minutes trying to talk to Korbin about our blessings and how beautiful God made it and then he says "YES! I KNOW, WERE BLESSED, SUPER BLESSED can I just PLEASE sled????" So I say fine but we are only reading church stories tonight because it is after all Sunday. I obviously need to send my kids to the Becks!!
LATER- The Potter's and the Jansson's invited us to go sled with them and then enjoy homemade chicken noodle soup. Us ladies stayed in waiting for Miss. Allie to wake from her nap but the boys went full speed ahead. Not so incredibly long after MY spouse and child went out Mark Jansson came back in. He was hurting pretty bad. Then Jax comes in sheepishly feeling like a turd. In the process of trying to create a fun sledding experience my bright husband TOOK OUT MARK. He just started flying down and took Marks feet out from under him. Not so bad right? Till they realize that Mark fell directly onto his shoulder and something is WRONG. VERY WRONG. Needless to say poor Mark and Shannon spent the evening in the ER. He has separated his A.C. and probably wont be able to throw a ball for a good year!!!! SORRY MARK! SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY forever! While they were in the hospital Jax started to wrestle with the kiddos and eventually one by one made every single one of them cry. Then to make matters worse Jax and Kirk go to shovel the Jansson's drive and Jax drives like a maniac. The infuriating thing is this is not a show off thing with Kirk in the Jeep. My husband would have been worse if he were alone! SO aside from freaking our kids out this morning and injuring Mark he has to act like a lunatic with Kirk. Yesterday when I said all those things about our friends and love and all that- I forgot who I MARRIED!! This is why I have to be George Bailey because Jaxon would alienate every single friend we've got!!! So I hope we are still friends with you people even though you might end up injured or fearing for your life. But I assure you it will be exciting.

I hope I am George Bailey.

I just watched 'Its a Wonderful Life' for movie night. It was delicious. The only people who showed up were Jackie Potter and myself!! That was okay though because it was snowing like crazy! Shannon made it cozy with hot coco and Jackie brought veggie dip. Very yummy. We are watching this beautiful movie and I really related so much more to George Bailey than Mary. I suppose that is good?! I do not, nor have I ever wallpapered in a dress. I CANNOT have four children. I would not like to be married to a man who wants to be anywhere than where he is, Who hates his job and cannot ever leave it. Also I think he might like his mother a bit more than my comfort level allows being as he went to her house first before he came looking for Mary his wife!
SO on to how I liken George Bailey to myself. I have often thought I sacrificed what I thought I wanted for the sake of my family. Hello... Navy wife. Do I have two children I never originally planned on? (I'm glad God knows me better than I know myself) George is feeling like he would be better dead than alive. I have prayed in desperation in the darkest hour in often the wrong place (he prays in a bar) and needed truly needed Heavenly Father to beat my heart for me for I could not do it myself. I have also had my head slapped off (figuratively) to give me the perspective I need to continue. When George comes back to reality his situation has not changed one bit. He still is going to jail, he is going to be bankrupt, his house is still drafty and he screamed at his kids. YET, now the difference is he now realizes WHO he is. I know that I am loved. I know that I have the support of people who love me. I know who would be there if I needed them. I know that my life is priceless and I have faith in My Heavenly Father. And I know that he has Faith in me. We are often much stronger than we ever think and George Bailey showed us that no life goes untouched. I hope in some (good) way Ive touched your life or lifted your load or given you a shoulder to cry on. If you read this stuff I put on here you probably have some sort of love for my family. I know I'm not reading peoples blog that I don't know, I'm much too busy! Its a Wonderful Life not Its a Perfect life but yes, ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE.

I am a child of God.

Tonight as I was laying my son to sleep we cuddled for a few moments and of course I started to sing him to sleep. I am not a musical person and I can NOT hold a note to save my life but I always sing to my kids anyways. On top of my lacking musical ability I only know a select few songs and most of them are something like Beyonce and Areosmith. ('I don't want to miss a thing' is a song for children) But after hearing my darling friend Shama Bartlett sing primary songs to her kids I have been trying to step up the spiritual song department. So, on to tonight... I sing my usual 'The Rose' Bette Midler, 'What if God were one of us' Jan Arden, 'I want to come over' Mellisa Ethridge and of course 'At last' Etta James and You are my sunshine. After my mix of amazing ballads I start to sing 'I am a child of God' by I don't know-God maybe? And in one of the most beautiful moments of my life Korbin starts to sing with me. Word for word. Now, I know this may not seem like a big deal to you super amazing mothers out there but we are active parents with things like sledding down a hill blindfolded and backwards. I never expect Korbin to SING with me. It is amazing he sort-of sings in Primary at all. I would like to credit Danae West for helping him 'like' song time and to other mothers whom might be singing church songs while he is playing at your homes because here we are tone deaf. I could go on and on about how much hearing that sweet small voice sing those words meant to me. Perhaps he will turn out pretty good after all. I often think that we are supposed to be listening for 'THE still small voice' but maybe we are sometimes supposed to be listening to the 'crazy, usually loud small voice' to help us stop and smell the roses or in the case of today to stop and play in the snow. I am a child of God. My child is a child of God. I am so grateful he gave me my own angel (I can say this because he is asleep=))

Nothin is as purtty as am i

I am a goddess walking the earth.

Last night was our churches Enrichment activity for December and we had a 'Terrifically Tacky' Christmas party. Complete with canned Cheese Whiz and duct tape holding up the decorations. I had decided to dress up and throughout the day my outfit became more and more dazzling. Jaxon came home and helped with his semi-tacky personality and helped me create a monster. I looked amazing. I have never received so many compliments in my life. My friend Kate Durben didn't even know who I was! It was lovely. I even gave Jax a sexy dance just to keep in character but he for some reason, said he had a stomach ache?! I also brought my child in jammies which is okay because tacky people take kids in public in p.j.s all the time. Come on! I know you've seen it at Walmart!! I think when I turn thirty I might have a tacky party because we wont have 5k for a real great 'Brittney' party and this might be just as much fun! I really was supurised how much I embraced this great look. To think I actually had all of these things at my house makes me a little worried. If you ever see me and I am a reminder of the party please for the love of mankind---Slap me and tell me to go change! I did borrow the great shirt from Bobette (Jax mom) but she does not wear it. It was in the old clothes closet which she cant bear to throw away. Mom-sometimes there are memories worth getting rid of!!! Anyways,I had fun being tacky and I just might be more of a nerd than I'd ever like to admit!!!

What Miss. Allie really did on her Birthday

<
I know I said her birthday is over but these are cute pics of her on her Birthday!!
thanks West family she loves her doll!!! And pretends to drink the juice herself!

ITS FINALLY OFFICIALLY THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

Miss. Allie's birthday is now over so now we can officially have it be the Christmas season at our house. It is pretty, smells great and is all decorated with Christ as our guest for the party! It is essentially a giant birthday party for him. I am okay with that. I think there should be a sence of revrence about it though. Its not just some great teacher for who this party is for; but he whom takes away all the pain and hurt in the world, our sin and error. And he doesn't even want a gift for himself. He just wants to see us again and prehaps say "Welcome home sis, we've been waiting for you." Then we will show him our gift to him. Ourselves. That we are able to be in his presence.
I am grateful to get to pay honor to him while giving my family something that tells them I love them. A toy isn't gonna do it, but the love we share is what they will remember. Do you remember every toy you got for Christmas? I sure don't. I know a few really great ones but some of the best Christmases were when my family helped another or we worked in the Soup Kitchen. This year we dont have the $$$ to give another family Christmas but we will try to do something for others for at least the 12 days of Christmas. It might be you!!

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

I know I just posted how crazy she is but I must also post how amazing she is. Having a Christmas baby I can't help to think what Mary did to give Christ to the world. I compain about pregnancy and I had a birthing suite and epidual (sort of) and top medical care with a loving husband to hold my hand through everything. I know Miss. Allies purpose is not to change the world (prehaps she will though) but I know she has changed me. We were done. DONE DONE DONE.
In one night, after one prayer I knew she was coming. She came excactly 9 months later. Not much time to get used to the idea and prepare but we were ready for her when she came. Sometimes I wonder why she was so urgently sent to us. For her-for us-for the world. She is a healthy, beautiful, exciting angel. I know I would rather have her being crazy than have a boring child. (remind me of that when I post while frustruated) She is a daddy's girl and I love it. She adores him and her brother and I am so happy she is ours. She might not save the world as our Savior did for us but she created a more beautiful world for our family. Today she is one. Today she is mine. happy. healthy. loved. blessed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS.ALLIE!

I do 5 year old though!!

Yesterday Korbin told me that when he goes to school he had decided that he had the best mom ever. Theses are the reasons he gave me:
I let him get dressed himself in whatever he wants to wear as long as its school clothes.
He has a mowhawk.(he thinks he does-its kinda of a fauxhawk)
He gets to have sleepovers.
He has a little sister who is not yucky-unless she poops.
He gets to bring whatever he wants to snack and yes we bought lunchables for every kid.
He has a really fun dad with a Jeep.
And last but not least, he is allowed to ride his bike in the rain. (that must be why he has chronic runny nose)
I will take this as the sweetest form of gratitude my Korbin could muster. He clearly thought long and hard about this and wants to make sure theses things don't stop. After he told me all this he asked for a hug told me he loved me and went off to fetch Tyler Potter from the bus stop. I think I got what I wanted for Christmas. A child who is appreciative of his life. Come on Allie----- We'll get there someday!!

I dont do babies.

Last night we were talking about if we like our kids. Yep, that's right. How do you like Korbin? What about Allie? They are pretty good. Yeah I love them. Me too. Then- I was kind of thinking it was a joke and Jax say's 'Yeah but sometimes you act like you don't REALLY like her.' And it hurt my feelings.
This morning: I woke up re energized to become the most amazing mother the world has ever seen. I said my prayers asking God to help me be the best mom ever so no one could ever even think that I don't like my own lovely child.
AND THEN...
She woke up so cute and screaming and super poopy (so much so that I had to bathe her and change the sheets and start a new load of wash) then she didn't want to eat the super healthy Kashi waffles and pureed apples I created for her. I got her dressed super cute and before I got in the shower myself we had to put on another creation because she decided to find a crayon (in this immaculate house-how dare she!) and eat it. After outfit 2 I rushed into the shower only to hear her screams right outside the curtain. The fastest shower in the history of man was taken and so I popped out only to find every tampon and pantyliner (from Costco-so you know there were allot) strewn about while she diligently attempted to crack open the crown jewel; my make up case. Now that's something I don't take lightly because I look like two different people with and without makeup. So the makeup stays in The Samsonite Oyster a fireproof leak proof luggage type thing. SHE IS A GENIUS and opened it. So, my naked self was running about putting her in one part of the house so I may clothe and paint myself in another part of the house. But no, it becomes too quiet and I shout for Korbin who is blissfully destroying his room while I am trying to get dressed. Miss. Allie is rearranging our pantry. No harm done I think let her do it and I might be able to flat iron my hair. Up she comes with a bag of pretzels larger than herself and assumes I will open them in my bathroom and let her at it. I gave her one. She screams. She gets two and no more. She proceeds to scream. I let her because the sooner I get ready the sooner we may be in public where I am most certainly nice to my children. All of this was well before 9 am. you can imagine the rest of the day........
So the next time my husband says something along the lines of 'So DO you really like Allie?' I will be prepared to tell him.
NOT RIGHT NOW!
Yes she is beautiful, Yes she is sweet, Yes she is mine and I wouldn't trade her but as of this moment I have accepted that I am not a baby person and I am okay with that. Someday when she brings home a icky boyfriend I will wish for this day again but as of tonight I will not be praying to be a better mother I will be praying she will live long enough to get the icky boyfriend so I will cross that bridge when we get there. Today we are not crossing any bridge because she is too busy eating the bug she found on it and then pooping it out.

Free Counter

Its just us, but it is us.

I always feel the need to update only if I have a picture to attach. I am camera retarded (seriously no one hand me a camera) and only like a few photos ever taken. Ever. So alas, my blogging goes unloved for mass amounts of time while I log on everyday just to see who else is having great time letting us all have a peek at their lives. So, no pictures today and probably none next time but I feel almost as if this is a mini journal and I should write more often. It has become a rare day I allow someone into my soul and in essence I only want to give you all whom read this the lovely sugar-coated version of us. It is not always delightful and perfect. Yet we are a real family with love pouring from the brim. This year has taught us much about love and loss. Perhaps when we are old and looking back we will have seen all the beautiful things that we have learned from our experiances from our early years as a family. Many things I have always believed have changed (evovled even) and my testimony of the gospel and the unconditional love for my family has grown stronger. I have days where we just need to get to tomorrow. Jaxon often is getting though an hour and we a grateful for a new sunrise- each and every day. There is no illusion here. We are happy and sad, angry and joyous, thankful and discontent. But we are the Nelson's and we are all we have. Eachother. My loveys.