Again I have some catching up to do.

Let us start with Christmas. We had so much fun. We had family in town and enjoyed every moment with them. Christmas morning came and The Wise Men came and visited us. Cole got some little people toys, snow boots (that don't fit), a book, and a new Christmas ornament. I do have to say though that my favorite gift that we got this year was our marshmallow launchers. That's right. The war has begun.

Then for New years eve. Well we stayed up and had a Gilmore Girls marathon.

This past weekend Chris had a four day weekend. We were going to go apply for section 8 housing only to find out that IL in broke and can't afford to help people with that. So we took Cole to the Du Page Children Museum instead. He had a blast playing in the water, and just running around. I have come to conclusion that my best days are those that I get to see Cole very happy. I think the main thing that made him happy is that he got to spend the day with his Daddy. They love each other so much.

Yesterday we did our taxes. It is the one time each year that we are thankful that we are poor because we get the earned income credit. With that money I will be getting the camera that I want. We will be paying bills. and we will put money aside to go to our family reunion this year. 

With my camera I am going to start practicing taking photos so that I can get into photography. I would love to get really good at it so that I can do something I love, stay home with Cole and earn some money to help us get really back on our feet. Or just on our feet. I don't think we ever were really on them. So in the near future I will asking for models to help me practice. So if you want to help me out just let me know.

I have some catching up to do.

Ok, let us start from the beginning shall we. Halloween. Yes that was over a month ago, and yes I have been very slow. So I made for our ward Halloween party cupcakes that looked like a pumpkin. And Cole made a very cute Hippo.

Now we shall skip to the day after Thanksgiving. We put up our very first Christmas tree as a family. It was fun spending that time together and getting into the Christmas spirit.

So lately Cole has been getting up at 4:30 and thinking that is fine. Well its not. So sometimes if I am lucky I can get him back to sleep and catch some shut eye as well.

Our ward Christmas party was this past Saturday and I sang a song from the Forgotten Carols. I Cry the Day I Take the Tree Down. I think I did pretty well even though It doesn't sound all that great on the recording.

And last but not least. Santa came to town!! As a family we are doing our stocking on December 6th, St. Nicholas day. And on Christmas we will have the Wise Men come to bring gifts. We are doing this to try and keep commercial and sacred separate. We all got some new books, Cole got a fisher price toy, Chris got a new razor (he has had his old one since he went on a mission), and I got the same hair straightener I got for my birthday (it was kinda expensive so I told Chris to use it for this). I can't wait for Christmas to get here and to spend time with friends and family this holiday season.

Back On Her Feet Again

So, a little over a month ago, our dear Roxy had a seemingly minor incident. We thought that it could be fixed over the weekend but as things went, it only got worse; more time trying to repair her, and more money spent. The "doctors" spent all their time and energy trying to fix her up, but eventually gave in and turned her over to the "specialists." She spent a day at the specialist, and after they worked on her for an hour, she was all set and ready to be back out on the town; I could not be any happier. "Who's Roxy," you ask? OUR CAR!

(see this post)

Welcome Home Simba

On my 8th birthday as a gift from my best friend, Megan, I received a Simba doll. This doll in later years became very important to me due to the fact that Megan passed away when I was 10. You see she was born with half a heart. Megan went into surgery for the other half to be rebuilt or built. At the time I had no idea what was going on. I just had a very strong feeling that I needed to see her because at this point I had moved away. I wasn't too far. She was in Naperville and I was in Bolingbrook. My mom told me that everything was fine. Then one day I came home to find out that everything was not ok. Megan was not waking up, and she was now on life support. I then told my mom that I needed to go to the hospital and Megan needed a blessing. My mom didn't know how that would go because they are not members, but I knew she needed one. When we got to the hospital I was not allowed in the room because I was too young, but I could stand in the doorway and look at her. Then all of the sudden Megan became very excited and a bunch of nurses came running into the room to calm her down. Megan knew I was there. When her mom came out to see me I asked if it was ok for her to receive a blessing. With her consent Megan got that blessing. During the blessing Megan woke up, looked at me, and waved. I was so excited that she was saying hello to me. Come to find out a few days latter she was not saying hello, she was saying goodbye. That was the last time she woke up.

That Simba doll has become very important to me. It reminds me of her, and how I want to be like her. She was one of the lucky few who came to this earth and could not be touch by the advisory. But for the past few year I have not been able to find him. I knew that he was at my parents house, but I could not find him. This past Sunday when I went over there to have dinner, my mom, who was sick went down to the basement and looked through things and came upstairs with my lost treasure in tow. I am so thankful that my mom did that for me. And I am so glad that when I have a daughter and name her after Megan that I will have something to give to remind her who she was named after. Welcome home Simba!

For It's One Two Three Strikes Your Out

Today was such a nice day outside. We decided to take Cole out to play some ball. And to tell you the truth I think we have a great ball player on our hands. Chris took the time to try and teach him some form, and well Cole just laughed at me every time I missed the ball (and that was almost every time). But we did have a ton of fun outside today.

Good News For Chris

So today when Chris left for work he left as a full time employee of AIU! That means that he is no longer a temp.

True to the Faith That Our Parents Have Cherished

Today we went to stake conference, and i would like to share a few things that I got out from it.

1. The youth sand the song True to the Faith. When I heard the line "True to the faith that our parents have cherished" I thought to myself how can we as parents show that cherish our faith and this church. After thinking about that I came up with a few things I can do better. I can start bettering my personal prayers and scripture studies. I can go with enthusiasm to do my visiting teaching. I can bear my testimony to my children so that they will know that i know that this church is true. I am sure I will be adding on to this list ad the days. months, and years go by.

2. As I was listening to Elder Gong (the only talk that I was able to hear all of), I was touch by the story of the single mother and her son. For those who were not there. The story is that this mother and son did not get along at all. During the day if either one spoke to the other is would end up in a fight. The mother starting to lose all hope decided that she needed the help of the Lord. So when her son was asleep at night she would go into his room, kneel by the his bed, and offer up a prayer. Sometimes she would even sit on his bed and stroke his hair. As time went on and as she continued to do this the relationship got better and they were able to talk to each other. Another family who was having a hard time with their son ask her what she did to make her relationship better. She said she just gave it time. The son who was in the other room and could hear what was being said came out and said, "Mom, don't you remember you would come into my room everynight and pray for me."
Now I am not sure that his mother did not know that her son was awake while she was doing this for him. I am also not sure what he felt when he heard her doing this. But I can guess that she did not know, and that their relationship got better because he felt the love that she had for him while she was knelt beside the bed praying for help and guidance. 
This story really touched me and now Chris and I every night will be kneeling beside our sons crib and pray for him. I hope that he will know just like that son did that we love him and that his Father in Heaven also loves him.

I am glad that I went to stake conference today and that I was able to feel the spirt and find way to better myself and my family!