Christmas Break

Christmas break has been fun this year. We haven't done a whole lot, but stay home and play with our new gifts and enjoy Dads time off. It's been lazy, full of PJ's and movies and totally perfect. It's been awesome to take a nice long break from the day to day. We have done a few fun things though. 

First off, we've enjoyed Luna. Like, really really enjoyed Luna. She has been so fun! She is patient with the kids and catching on really well. She's potty trained, knows how to sit and is learning to come. Her and Tanner aren't friends yet, but that will change with time. We love our Lady Luna. 

We spent one morning at the church playing basketball. It was as good for our souls as it was for our bodies. 

Another morning was spent at iJump. It's a big trampoline warehouse with foam pits. The kids loved it. It was awesome having Kyle enjoy it so much. It gives me a little glimpse into the next stage of life and it looks amazing. 

We've also enjoyed the snow. As I said, we got a ton of it. 

I even got in some really good mom time this break. I had a lunch date with Jodie and a girls night with Jodie and Heather. 

And a date with my main squeeze. Scott finally gave into the idea of a pedicure! 

And while we had to wait a loooong time to get them done, it was so fun. And Scott traded in his troll feet for a nice new shiny pair! Any time alone with my husband is a good time. 

It's been a fun break and has gone entirely too fast. We have three days left, but I'm sure it will fly by. 

Christmas

Christmas this year was a treat. The weather threatened a big snow storm starting on Christmas Eve through Christmas Day. We lucked out as the snow didn't start on early as predicted and we still got to go to Grandma and Grandpa Packards for Christmas Eve. It was so much fun! Cheryl had the whole day planned. The kids did a craft and decorated a gingerbread train, we played bingo, did a nativity, ate pizza and opened gifts. It was honestly the best Christmas Eve that we've had in a long time. I love living closer to my in-laws. I really enjoy my time with them. 

The only picture I took. Bingo!! I loved that everyone played together. Even grandma and grandpa great got in on the fun. It was my favorite part. 

Christmas Eve. 

We woke up Christmas morning to a blanket of fresh white snow. We've had good snow for about a week, but the storm the meterologist promised had arrived. Opening gifts inside our warm home while the storm blew outside was nothing short of magical. Not so magical was getting to church. The snow was crazy, but I loved seeing all the men in suits and ties pushing cars out of the parking lot. I loved that so many people sacrificed to get to church and that so many people willingly served others, even in horrible circumstances. We then came home, changed back into our PJ's and hung out the whole rest of the day. 

I love this second picture. Kyle is such a big brother copy cat. They stand, he stands. They kneel, he kneels. 

And because I'm not in enough pictures. I want my kids to remember makeup less mom on Christmas morning. 

The downside to the snow was that it kept my parents from coming for Christmas dinner. But I'd rather be safe than sorry, and after the Idaho Falls Police urged everyone to stay off the roads, I knew it was the right decision. So, we'll wait it out and try again tomorrow. 

The snow almost completely filled the window wells and the drifts look like ocean waves. 

Scott out shoveling the dogs spot. This is were the snow hadn't drifted, some spots were four feet high. 

It was a great Christmas. Spending time with loved ones and attending church. I'm grateful for Christmas and the times it gives us to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Luna

Meet Luna. Our new sweet goldendoodle puppy. 

 We wrapped up some pictures of her and told the boys that we had one Christmas gift they could open early. They saw the pictures and were a little confused. I finally said that she was waiting for us and we needed to go pick her up. They flipped and started jumping up and down, yelling with pure delight. I think that was the fastest we have ever load up in the car. We headed to Walmart to let the boys pick out a collar and toy, then braved the snow storm to pick her up. seriously though, it dropped eight inches of snow and took twice as long to get her, but we simply could not wait. 

We bought her from my cousin who owns her mom. She had a sweet little bow tied around her neck and Remi (mom) tried and tried her best to take it off. I'm excited to take her back to visit her mom every now and then. 

Tayden and his pure joy smile. 

She loves to play in the snow, which is lucky since we have so much of it. The boys loved having her out to play with them. 

Scott was so nice and shoveled a potty area for her. 

We've known for about 5 weeks that we were going to her and keeping the secret from the boys was torture. But now that they have her and I see how much they love her already, makes it totally worth it. I'm excited for them to experience all the love a dog has to offer. Not that they didn't already have a dog, but we all know Tanner is less than excited about the kids. So that's where Luna comes in and I can't wait to see how their relationship develops. And let's be honest, I wanted this dog as much...if not more...than the boys did. 

She's so sweet. We've only had her a day, so she's pretty docile still. I'm not sure if that will stick or not, but we are enjoying it right now. She likes to cuddle and the boys do a good job making sure she has plenty of cuddle options. She's doing really well going potty outside and whines when she needs to go. Now, we just need to teach her to go to the door. 

Welcome to the family, Luna. I think you're going to be the perfect fit.

Dreidel

Tayden taught his little brothers how to play dreidel with marshmallows tonight. 

It basically consisted of Tayden expecting the boys to understand after a VERY BRIEF explanation then yelling at the boys when they didn't understand. Beckett eating the marshmallows when nobody was looking and then getting yelled at for cheating. And Cache pouting because he didn't know what the heck was going on or why he had to keep giving Tayden his marshmallows. But surprisingly enough, they all had fun. It sure is awesome having built in best friends. 

Sleepy Beckett

Before moving downstairs, Beckett was our fall asleep quick kid. It was not uncommon to see him completely zonked after being in bed only a few minutes. That has changed now that he shares a room with Tayden again. So moments like these two pictures have to be documented. 

Tayden is the most patient big brother...most of the time. But always if Beckett is scared and wants to lay with him. Tayden never turns him away. 

This was moments after he proclaimed how not tired he was. He begged me not to make him take a nap and then begged me not to wake him up. 

Beckett sure is a sweetheart.

Report cards

The first trimester has come to an end and the boys received their report cards. I didn't buy pictures this year, but these proofs were too good not to share. 

Tayden did great this year. Straight threes (A) across the board, except two two's dealing with the construction of paragraphs and types of literature. His teacher wrote a note saying he was doing well in every area. And no surprise, his behavior is right on par. 

Beckett did well too. He got all threes, short of a one on his handwriting. But given his broken arm, I'm not too worried about it. We'll just get a little extra work in at home. He did pretty well on he behavior side, but has a hard time staying quiet while the teacher is talking... Which is no surprise. And honestly, given his prior speech delay, I'm kind of happy that talking is his problem. I wasn't sure he'd talk to anyone, so I'm beyond pleased that it hasn't held him back. 

Funny story about Beckett. Yesterday, while I was at the temple, Scott overheard Beckett talking to Tayden and ever so casually said, "Yeah, I was like...What the hell?" Scott promptly pulled him aside and asked where he heard those words. He lied threw his teeth and told Scott I had said it. He explained that mom doesn't swear and he shouldn't either. We figured out that he heard it from a boy in our ward. He used to be in our primary class and used the phrase more than once. B has been playing with this boy quite a bit and I'm sure he heard it. Our first swearing story! 

Having two kids in school is such a pleasure and I love watching them grow! 

Rexburg Temple

The past few weeks. Scratch that, the past few months, I have noticed a decline in my happiness. My faith was down and my anxiety was up. You see, I have anxiety about the health of my children. Not just like a cold or a flu, but a deep bedded seed about them become terminally ill. Normally, I can keep it in check, but the past little bit it has slipped my control and I felt like I was spiraling. The downward spiral started to effect my marriage, my motherhood, my friendships and essentially every aspect of my life.

Scott and I sat down last week and I vented my concerns, my fears and frustrations. Being the wonderful man he is, he suggest I go to the temple. I thought on it and decided it was probably the best thing I could do for myself, so I went.

The whole drive to the temple I prayed. I prayed for understanding, but mostly for peace. I prayed to Heavenly Father to speak to me individually and answer my cry for help. I walked into the temple and felt an immediate relief. As I sat in the chapel, I was overcome with emotion. I sensed the spirit telling me that my anxiety is no more than a distraction. It has no merit. The sole purpose has been to keep me away from the things that matter most and weaken my spirit. And the weaker my spirit has become, the easier the anxiety has infiltrated every part of life. A vicious, endless cycle.

My eyes were also opened. I was able to see my life with spiritual clarity. It was the strangest thing, but I could see my problems and fears shifting, and allowing my path to be straight and clear. My path back to a stronger faith. All of a sudden my heart was focused. I didn't know how blind I had been. I finally found the clarity I had been praying for.

I know this sounds bizarre, but it was almost as if I needed to be in the hallow walls of the temple and out of reach from the grasps of Satans distractions to have my lucidity restored. But as it was, my breath become sharper, my heart pounded sounder. Its almost as if the weight of the world had been lifted of my shoulders. I have no words to describe the effect it had on me, both mentally and physically. I finally felt whole.

I was also overtaken by the word JOY during the session. Heavenly Father wants us to have joy. He wants us to be happy. His plan is happiness. And I have been letting Lucifer rob me of it. I know I have the power to overcome these stumbling block. I know I have the strength to push out the evil and welcome the good. I know Heavenly Father spoke to me individually and heard my pleas.

I'm grateful for my husband that pushed me to go. I'm grateful my happiness is of his concern. I'm grateful for the temple. And I'm ever grateful to be a Daughter of the Most High God.

Today was the most wonderful experience.