Chopping Down the Tree....

This was my first year chopping down my very own Christmas Tree! Ok, so I didn't do it myself..... Sam, myself and the kids went up past Park City for the activity. I wasn't sure if I wanted a real tree as in the past several years I've just used a small fake Alpine tree that I didn't have to worry about watering. However, after taking the treck (that I wasn't at all prepared for clothing wise for myself or the kids), it seemed like a pretty cool idea.

"Ok, ok, ok, I'll admit it Sam..... it was nice to have a real tree!"

It was so cold up there. We went on a Sunday afternoon on a wim, so I wasn't prepared for the ritual of hunting for the perfect tree and chopping it down. I had only a sweater on, shoes with no socks and Jayden only had a jacket on...so needless to say we were freezing! Boy there's something to say for gloves, hats, boots and coats! If I end up doing that again next year I'll know what to expect.

Mckelsie & Jayden

I had to take a picture of my cute kids in their nice church clothes. They both looked so nice.

(also, proof that I go to church...)

Thanksgiving 2009

The Green's Family Thanksgiving Feast and Turkey Bowl!

Getting ready to play the big game.
Jayden, Adam, Nate and Ben

Collin & Winn Dixie

Mikale, Kara & Mckelsie

Sadness

I just learned that one of my good friends that I grew up with lost her 10 year old son, Jake on Saturday, December 19th. I am so saddened and uterly speachless. There are no words that could possibly provide the comfort that my friend Nannette will need now or in the months/years to come.

With this news I can't help but reflect on my own children and how very much they mean to me. I cannot imagine the complete pain that I would go through, loosing one of them. It's the little things that I have to remember to cherish everyday because you just never know what life will bring.

Much love, thoughts and prayers to my good friend Nannette, her husband and little boys.

Thought:

I was reading Facebook today and came across this quote. Any that know me, know that I love a good saying and this one is so relavant for all of us to remember daily.

"Don't let someone become a priority in your life when you are just an option in theirs."

~author unknown

Kids! Our love/hate relationships...

So, Jayden has had some problems recently. It began with lying. You never knew the truth when he told you something, like "my homeworks already done" or "I didn't have any" or "I promise I read that book" to name a few. I've discussed with him on numerous occassions that lying is bad, not acceptable and that it can hurt others along with himself. Now, we've added stealing along with the lying. I received an email from his teacher yesterday saying that he had a $10 bill and lots of quarters with him. I knew that Jayden didn't have that much money because he's a spender not a saver plus Mckelsie had said that she was missing $15 (she's my saver). I had a sneeking suspicion that he had taken the $10 from Mckelsie and that the quarters came from a quarter collection that his Grandpa Steve had worked on for over 8 years.... I was so angry!! I called the school to talk to Jayden, scolding him and letting him know that I knew and that we would talk about the punishment when he got home. That night I made him write the below:

I will not steal or lie.

He complained the whole time as he wrote over the page line after line. I reminded him that he was lucky that I wasn't making him do both the front and the back! I still haven't decided on a further punishment but knows he needs it.

HELP!!!!!

All Worth It Comments:

Today, Mckelsie called me at work to tell me how her day was. She told me that when she got to school today they didn't have any pizza left for breakfast (don't ask me why they have pizza for breakfast....). Mckelsie was really upset that they didn't have anymore and told the lunch lady; "Since you don't have anymore pizza left you owe me a dollar. Put it in my account.".

I laughed and told Mckelsie that she is hilarious! Then proceeded to tell her that the lunch ladies cannot do that and she responded; "That's exactly what the lunch lady said.".

School Music Program

Jayden performed with all the 3rd Graders some "Autumn" music. I was able to get away from work to attend. He was so stinkin cute!

Women in Excellence

Mckelsie attended a Young Womens activity where they honored the girls. Each girl was to have a baby picture of them shown and everyone would guess who it was. The night was fashioned after an old game show, "This Is Your Life", but for this experience they changed it just a bit and it was called, "This Is Your Light". They then had an "unidentified" person (that was in hiding) say a few words about Mckelsie and why/how her light shines to those around her. Grandma Shar came and gave a great account of how Mckelsie shines. It was perfect! Mckelsie was so surprised that Grandma Shar had come over to be there. They ended the night with a slideshow of events/activities that the girls did throughout the year. Mckelsie was happy to see herself in a few of them and commented that she wanted to go to girls camp next year for sure!

Halloween Spooky-ness

Halloween was pretty fun this year. The kids finally agreed (for the most part) with me on what they should dress up as. Mckelsie was a Warewolf, Jayden was Frankenstein and I was the Bride of Frankenstein. It was fun to dress up, go to work and see all the reactions from people. We were able to go to Sam's work and trick-o-treated there. After that, we didn't even need to go out trick-o-treating because they got so much candy from that, plus it was inside and nice and warm. Now I just need to start my imagination for something just as fun for next year.

Thought:

I believe that when a child like Mckelsie, who is mentally disabled and has physical impairments, comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself. It comes in the way other people treat that child.

~ author unknown

I obviously omitted the name that was previously there and input Mckelsie's. I thought this was so profound and had to share it on my blog.

I love you Mckelsie!

I suppose that we all could fit in the categories of "mentally disabled and has physical impaired" at one point or another. It's just when there are people that are different from the "normal" folks, others don't always treat them the same, hence it gives us the "opportunity to realize true human nautre".

I'm starting to get the itch to put up the Christmas lights and begin my shopping!

I love the holidays!!

Thought

God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED.

To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.

~author unknown

Fall Leaves

Can I just say... I hate raking up leaves! Although through my hate of leaves, I do find joy in watching the kids play in them. Jayden, Mckelsie and some friends played and played in them until after dark. They piled them up and jumped to their hearts content and then did it all over again. I've been finding leaves all over in the house since then!

Halloween Cookies

Halloween Sugar Cookies....

Cooler Weather = Football

Sam and Rebecca

Where's the "Y"?

I scored... and have been able to go to two BYU football games this fall. While not a huge football fan and further not a huge any college fan, there's nothing like going to the actual game. So many people, cheering, music, excitement, popcorn...who could ask for anything more!?! I feel pretty lucky!

Just a Mom....

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations (aka Mom).

I have a continuing program of research,(what mother doesn't)In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)and already have four credits (all daughters).Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.

Does this make grandmothers"Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"And great grandmothers"Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."".

~ author unknown

All Worth It Comments

Mckelsie said to me tonight as we're driving home from an Autism class...

"Mom, if Jayden and I were born in the same year then I wouldn't be alone in the 10's column".

Crazy? She has to be!

Mckelsie's teacher, Lorrie, sent her an email today to let her know she had a great day in school today! In Lorrie's words, "Yipee!"

Getting by with a little help from a friend....

"Just stand for a moment in your yard, when the birdsong quiets, and the smell of the earth breathing reminds you that you are there. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, take in the strength of the all the great men and women that ever shared this breath of life, that stood before you, lessons shared and learned. Slowly turn around, let out that breath nice and slow, and open your eyes and let the sight of life embrace your vision. Think back to the place that you are seeing, and remind yourself that you were once there, way over there on the horizon, and maybe more than once you thought of how hard it would be to get to where you are, but you did, didn't you? You did, let me make this a little clearer, YOU did. Ok maybe with some help on the way, and we all need a little of that, even the almighty had to have a break on the 7th. Think back to the person you were, and all the layers of life you have sculpted over yourself, think of all the laughs and love and smiles and tears that you have shared with Jayden and McKelsie cause no one can ever take those away. The journey maybe not the one that you wanted, but you have to be proud of the way you are travelling it, Beck, pull the sails, feel the wind, and enjoy the thrill of it, cause it is so easy to blink and miss the whole point of it. One thing though, do you want to spend another 6 years in the shade, when you feel best in the warmth of the Sun? Don't let anybody push you back, he may have stalled you in life and timeless of the "then", but you are of the "now", YOUR now and that's a different time altogether."

I received this advice from a really good friend. Good friendships can be hard to find.... Love to all that have helped me through the years of my life. Most often we don't even realize the strength that we offer to others in the little things we say and do.

Thought:

"Turn around and look back to take stock of the distance you have come."

~ author unknown

Favorite Pics from Colorado

Some of my favorites.......

Colorado - Dan and Melanie Fun

Colorado

We were able to go to Grand Junction Colorado and spend a quick overnighter with my friend Melanie and her husband Dan. It was so nice to get away and Melanie and Dan were so gracious with their time. The kids were able to ride Dan's "Three-Wheeled Motocycle" which they didn't stop talking about for days. It is so cool looking, reminds me of a snowmobile. We went to an outdoor carnival/concert where the kids rode a few rides, we all enjoyed good food and listened to Josh Gracin (country music singer) perform. Sunday we were shown some amazing views of Grand Junction....wow...they were simply breathtaking. It had rained that morning and so the red rock was deep in color, beautiful. Some really great pictures!

I took this picture just for the name...

Jayden didn't know his own strength!

Mckelsie, Rebecca, Melanie and Dan.... drinking the hard stuff.

This was the cutest moment ever. Jayden needed a shirt ironed and next thing I know, Dan was teaching Jayden how to do it. Jayden was so excited about learning how to iron that we've ironed 5 shirts since we got back home!

Mckelsie was striking a pose and dancing to the music.

Josh Gracin

Jayden, Melanie and Rebecca

Big Yellow Slide

Dan and Melanie

The Motorcycle

Dan & Mckelsie

How lucky are my kids!

Dan & Jayden