Here we go again……………….UPDATE!

So I feel like we’ve been battling sickness off and on since December but we have had some good times too.

Mother is the MORE........

I have been thinking a lot about this lately, maybe because the whole first of the year thing and wanting to be a better mom. But really it has been on my mind for months. A few months ago in trying to get to know my neighbors and people in my ward I started to feel surrounded by wonderfully multi-talented mothers....it seemed as though everyone I met was a stay at home mom with a side business (and usually doing something creative on etsy or something). Although I love being a SAHM, I started to feel like there was something MORE I could do with a talent I had. As I thought about it I started to feel very untalented.........everything I could think of that I did decently good wasn't something I felt I could really do something with or there was just no way I would have the time. From there I kept thinking I just am not organized enough.....these are busy moms how do they have the time to do this, and still find time for there kids, and all the things running a household entails, as well as studying and teaching the gospel in the home. I had never really felt this way before, I love being a mom and I knew that what really mattered was the MOST IMPORTANT things. However, at a relief society get together of some young new moms to the ward, we had all been asked the "what do you like to do?" question.... there are a lot of things that I would love to learn or start to do or start up again but for the most part I don't have much time for a hobby, they are kind of hit and miss. Many of the women gave the typical answers "when I actually find the time I like to ____?, or I love to do this all the time." Then one mom when it came her turn said, "I love being a mom, and enjoying doing things with my kids right now in my life."

It really hit me then, even though I already knew it, being a mother is the MORE! and if that was all I was able to accomplish, have time for, and work on getting better at then at least I was working and doing the very most important thing!! I think that women who can do the mother thing and other things being successful at both are amazing, and my hat is off to them..........but I've come to see that I need to be okay with what is in my realm of accomplishment at this time....we all have different talents and capabilities.

So, what is it that I like to do? I like to do the "mom thing", being a mother is the MORE in my life ...... and I find it fun, enjoyable, rewarding, frustrating, and more challenging than any other hobby I can think of.

Update!!

We are doing good!! I have been lax in posting especially over the holidays, partly because of time and sick kids...... but also because my camera has died and the pictures are non-existant right now. But I decided to post anyway. I'm excited for the new year and new start. Mataya started sunbeams and seems to like it, with her it is always hard to tell. Mat started school, and really enjoys his classes and so far things are going good for him and we are adjusting to the new schedule. The snow is still here and we are enjoying it, although the Nevada girl in me misses those mild Alamo winters and the winter yard work!!

We had enjoyable Thanksgiving and Christmas with family -- although we dealt with sick kids after both holidays, not so fun.

Dalia is doing well in school and hates to miss. Mataya has been acting up a bit lately....seeking attention I think, but is refusing to listen, having crying fits, and waking up in the night.....so we are dealing with that. Gage is too smart for his own britches!! He is constantly copying his dad.... he got into the bathroom (long story) and some how found a razor.... thankfully Mat got him before he hurt himself, but Gage was just about to try and shave his face. He is like that with everything....dad spits he spits, dad blows his nose he blows his, etc.

Anyway, we are good and hopefully things can get fixed and I can get some pictures up soon. Until then you'll be seeing pictureless posts.

Let it Snow!

Well the snow has come, and we couldn’t be more excited.  We went and played in the snow and built a snow man in the front yard for family home evening.

Brandin Cows

This last weekend, Nov. 6th, we went to Blackfoot and spent the day with our good friends the Jensens.  They were having their annual cow branding, with all of the family.  It was fun, the girls played and ran with Emily and Jo Jo their very best friends!!! and Mat had his first cow branding experience, trying to head off momma long horns for preg checks and shots – and wrestle calves down for tags and branding.  It was a good time.  Tiffany and I had fun taking pictures of the my kids to earlier in the day – we got some cute ones, I can’t wait to share them with you.

Happy Halloween!

This year we were so excited to actually go around door to door trick or treating, in our little neighborhood.  We didn’t get as many trick or treaters as we thought but all in all it was fun.  Dalia dressed up as a witch this year, ugly nose and all.  Mataya picked her costume, which was actually named Pumpkin Spice.  Gage was our little Mad Cow this year, the cutie.