Thank you

I just want to give a thank you to everyone for their prayers over the last few months. Things are looking up!! We finally got some good news the other day, Chris's job is safe for now. The company rated everyone on a point system, and Chris's score was good. It has relieved some stress, and Chris has finally started to sleep again. We were really having a hard time thinking about having to leave this beautiful valley, but thanks to all the prayers to keep us here, and the help from our Heavenly Father, we are staying...Yeah!! Please still continue the prayers for this valley and families that are going to be affected by all of this. I have a little brother who has already been layed off. Keep him and his precious family in your prayers, and be thankful for you blessings. Thank you again.

prayers needed

For those of you that I have talked to lately know that our family is facing an unpredictable future. Chris's employer FMI have decided to lay off half of Moreni's workers, 1550 people. Chris has a 50/50 chance of loosing his job. We are a little worried. We are trying to be optimistic but on the other hand trying not to be naive. We have looked for other places for him to work, and they would all mean that we would have to move. I love this valley so much, we have the best ward in the world. We have a great piece of land in a good location. The kids walk to school just 2 and a half blocks away, and they all have great friends. All of our family is here, mine and Chris's. We have been blessed here with so much. The future of a Temple being 5 minutes from our house and great friends is hard to think about leaving. But the Lord will put us were he needs us. We have faith that we will be taken care of. I ask with a humble heart for you to pray for my family and for all those who will be affected by this. This whole community is going to hurt. Thank all of you for your friendship and wonderful giving hearts. My heart is full and thankful for so many things that I have taken for granted lately, and the thought of moving and change makes me even more aware of how good we have had it. Our Bishop gave a talk today and he mentioned being happy, right now.. it has opened my mind and it was something I needed to hear. Prepare yourselves, listen to our leaders, you never know when you could be one paycheck away from loosing everything.

Its been a While......

Olivia was the Christmas Angel
Oli at the RanchThe kids at our house on Christmas morning, my camera date is a little off?

The 2nd Nativity at Nana's

Grand kids at the Ranch

The 1st Nativity at Nana's

Oh and Katelyn Lost her 1st tooth ACCIDENTALLY is the key word again!!

At the Ranch she comes running in and bleeding and crying that she hit her mouth and wondered if her tooth was loose, yes it was..so she worked it and twisted and out it came within twenty minutes. She has never been prouder, FINALLY I lost a tooth:)

New Years with Grandma Stauffer
Pictures from Bisbee, AZ

Hunter

Katelyn

Emily

Olivia

Hunter is not thrilled with this Idea!!

Hunter with some old fashion toaters

This is a dress that their great great grandmother made!!

PEACE TO ALL :)

Christmas at the Ranch Family Picture

Some where in there we had our ward Christmas party and they loved Santa

Okay I need to post so many things, so I am going to make one BIG POST of all the things we have been up to.

First is the weeks before Christmas... we did the twelve days of Christmas for someone in our neighborhood and it was fun. I hope that it taught my kids the real meaning of celebrating this special season, GIVING. They were so pumped to knock and run, and we as parents got a little excited too! My heart was pounding and I couldn't seem to run fast enough without the feeling that I was going to pee my pants....out of shape and getting older, HA HA.

Then we had an early Christmas at the ranch with Chris's dad and stepmother Monica. It was so much fun, and the kids enjoyed spending time with Papa and the neat things that he brought back for them from Africa. He has been down there for about two months with his job, and he is headed back to Africa for a few more months. The kids did not want to come home, they love playing in the hay and seeing all the animals. Olivia rode a horse by herself for the first time, bare back and with no reins, she was on old socks the gentlest horse in the world.

On the Monday before Christmas we celebrated the Nativity by putting on a production at my moms house, It was so much fun. My little sister bought the costumes for all the kids for Christmas, it was so neat. Thanks Rose. We actually did it again on Christmas Eve because not all of us could be there at one time.

Finally Christmas was here, it came so fast really... Chris had the day off for the first time in like 7 years. It was great, we actually woke up and the kids were all in bed and we couldn't handle it so we woke them up. It is always so fun to watch their eyes full of excitement and wonder.

After we opened presents and relaxed at our house we headed to my mom's for more excitement and then to Chris's moms. We had a talent show after Dinner and presents and the kids hammed it up. We have a bunch of mOvie stars in the making. And a whacked out break dancer, Hunter can move.

We also spent a lot of time with Grandma Stauffer over the holidays. It was neat to spend so much time with her and take care of her. We spent New Years with her last year and again this year. We will make this a tradition while she is still with us, she is 93 and has Alzheimer's, everyday is an adventure with her, but we wouldn't trade the memories for anything.

On Friday we went to Bisbee for Chris's Great Grandfather (pops) funeral he was 100. It was nice to see all of the family from that side. We took a few pictures in the down town area that turned out cute.

So this follows a plethora of pictures, enjoy. Now it is back to the old bump and grind, the kids are back at school and I am again upon my throne in front of the Computer screen.

Happy New Year everyone. Enjoy 2009 and make the best of every moment this year.

Tithing

I just feel the need to share this with everyone, we are so blessed.
We have been having a hard time saving for Christmas and we knew that it would be a small one for our kids. Chris thought he would go in a couple of days for overtime and we would be alright just to get the kids a Wii, then he got his overtime taken away and then a few days later he got his hours cut down to 70. That's not enough to even get buy on the bills much less to buy any Christmas. We have been stressed but trying not to let it get to us.
The last Stake conference in the Sat. Adult session they talked about paying a full tithing and we have always just paid on what he brang home not what he made. So after that conference I decided to pay a FULL tithe. Chris's last paycheck came and with the hard times I struggled with turning in the tithing check, and then I just went and put it in the mail.
I was on the way to Hunters Thanksgiving party at his school when I dropped it in the mail and when I came home a couple hours later there was an envelope with my name on it on our computer. I opened it and inside was a card that talked about blessings and there was money!! I was shocked and surprised and confused and grateful. I cried and got on my knees to thank my Heavenly Father. I don't know who could afford to do that at this time with the economy and Christmas so close, but i am thankful, and humbled once again at the love my Savior has for me, even when I am in doubt. Why do we doubt our faith? He will be there to Catch us. When we pay our tithing, somehow ends meet and we have all the things we need. It might not be riches pouring in, but we have food and clothes and nice things. I am grateful.

Early Christmas!!

My girls had their school Christmas concert this morning and me with my crazy mind didn't even think about outfits, red and green? So this morning I was going crazy through their clothes to find something, NOTHING... they were not happy and I was not happy and then !!!! a light bulb went off, I bought lovely dresses for Christmas presents and wallaaa. Perfect outfits for the concert and Katelyn's even had a pocket, which she had a note that she needed one. They were thrilled and I was happy!! aren't they so darned cute. I even curled hair at 7 in the morning, I was the best mom ever, too bad it will only last for today, tomorrow will be another day of "why not MOMMM" did I mention how much I love my Kids and enjoy being their mom and sometimes even their hero.

Emilys Piano Recital

Emily, her piano teacher Allie Wright and some friends that also take lessons!!
Emily at the Piano, she played her song beautifully, she was so proud.

Emily in front of the tree in EAC activity center before her recital, she is so beautiful.

My kids in the Community Play at EAC

Emily and Hunter just finished the last performance of the Snow White play at the college. Emily had a main part, she was Tillie the turtle and hunter was a skunk!!

They both enjoyed it and did very well.

I am so proud of Emily for being so brave on stage and saying all her parts.

It was a cute play. Here are some pictures of them

at the cast party and with their groups on the last night.Pigging out on junk food :) yum

Smile for the camera

Hunter looks like he's itchin something??

He's right in the middle on the bottom row
Emily smiling so proud, she's in brown

Powerful Video

I just added a new video on the very bottom of my page, scroll down and watch it. I came across this on a friends facebook page, thank you for finding this, it is so good..

I am Thankful...

I just want to share all the things that I am thankful for on this wonderful Thanksgiving morning.
I thank My Heavenly Father everyday for my four beautiful children and the blessings that they are to me. I am thankful for the opportunity to be their mother and watch them grow and learn and love, as I do the same. I am thankful to have the most wonderful husband, no matter what, how or why, he is always there for me and our children. He loves me completely and makes me a better person. I have often said he is the other half of me. What would my life be without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for this I am very grateful. I am thankful for missionary work, for without my family would not be eternal. I am thankful for my home and material possessions that make life a little easier, my Heavenly Father has blessed me with them. I am thankful for the food in my home to feed my family, and for the strength it gives us. I am thankful for all of my family and friends that I am fortunate to have, and for all that they do for me. I am thankful for my life, and health. I am thankful for this wonderful world and the beauty that surrounds me everyday. It rained today and wow, I love the rain. I am thankful for this country and my freedom, and for our military that fight for it everyday. I am thankful for the opportunity to share this with you. Happy thanksgiving!!!

My cutie pie

I went to the eye doctor the other day and he told me I needed reading glasses, I feel like an old grandma. Anyways it didn't take long for the kids to want to wear them and try them out. Olivia of course hammed it up, isn't she so cute. She danced around and said take a picture mommy and so I did.

Happy birthday to you

Chris is going to be a little upset with me for posting this, but I couldn't resist... His birthday was yesturday and the kids and I made him a pink strawberry cake with pink sprinkles and pastel colored candles!!! He always jokes that pink is his favorite color. HA HA. Look at him blow out those candles. I love you honey sweetie Pie. Glad you had a good birthday.

Our sweet lily

In memory of lily, our sweet little, out of control loveable dog. She was hit by a car and returned to heaven today. We are sad but we hope to always remember the fun times we had with her and never forget her.

We love you lily, and we will miss you.

What a MESS!!

Okay my kids are crafty and creative, when I was on the computer the other day Oli comes in with her head down and when she lifted it up this is what I saw, melted chocalate chips stuck to her neck and chest. She would pull one off and eat it. Isn't life grand!! and this is what happens to my house when I blog, don't you love it!!! Thank goodness that they are both cleanable!!!

Hunter Lost his 1st tooth!!!

Accidentally, is the key word here... We were at Emily's last soccer practice and Hunter and Katelyn were goofing around with their soccer balls, and then Hunter screams this blood curdling scream. I turned around and looked at the blood spewing out of his mouth and then I yelled at Katelyn what did you do, she started crying nothing mom (sorry Katelyn) wrongly accused, he did it to himself, he kicked the soccer ball straight up into his mouth. I had just cleaned out my truck and there was nothing to stop the bleeding. I was panicking, so I tore his shirt off and shoved it in his mouth. When I pulled it out to look at the damage his tooth was flipped up into his gums, like the bill of a hat. He stopped crying and screaming and I was still panicking thinking I need to rush him to the ER, luckily I called my mom and she calmed me down and said just get some ice, and all was well. For a week he pulled and messed with it and then on Friday he pulled it out. He was so excited, and Katelyn cried because she wasn't missing any teeth yet and she's 6 and a half. Oh the Drama!!!!!

Emilys SOLO!!

Emily had a solo in her school play "Children of the world"
She did so awesome. I love to here her sing, she has such
a sweet voice. Here is a little clip of her solo.

SOCCER is OVER!!!

It is over and I am okay with that, really!! Hunter was happy, Emily is sad, she loves soccer and Katelyn got hurt in her last game but she stayed in there and enjoyed every minute of it. Here are some pictures of them at their last games and a short video of Katelyn getting hit in the belly...

I love to yell and cheer them on as you can hear in the video, I think that I embarrass them! We had so much fun and so many long saturdays at the fields but it is worth it in the end when they feel so proud and have grown a little more. It helps them to gain confidence in themselves and they enjoy playing and getting to know others kids.

Happy Halloweeeeen!

I can't beleive that Halloween is over, time seems to be flying by so fast. We enjoyed it, I think Olivia enjoyed it the most!

Hangin with my homies!!!

Ok so my kids love to do goofy things all the time, like dressing up, talent shows, singing, dancing, you name it... I took some pictures the other day and I think they are so cute so here they are!

Just for FUN!!

Last night I got online and started looking for music to add to my playlist, I was looking for older songs that I remember from high school. Then my husband Chris started naming off artists and songs for me to look up, OH MY GOSH!!! We were up until midnight. After the kids went to bed we were jammin out, I couldn't believe all of the stuff we found. We were both singing and dancing. It was hilarious. We knew most of the words it was amazing. SOOOO check out my list and see if you recognize some of the music!!! I am a dork I even added Vanilla Ice, just for fun. It was the funnest time me and Chris have had in a while, bringing back the memories. I remember when me and Chris were dating we would drive around a lot and listen to the radio, and it didn't matter what station or song it was from Rap to Country to Paula Abdul, he knew it and could sing it. We always had so much fun, and when we hear the old school it brings us back to the days. I love it... there are some really old school Kenny Rodgers and stuff that reminded me of my dad. It was neat to hear some of those songs that my dad liked so much. It was just a great night!!!

WE CELEBRATED HUNTER'S BIRTHDAY, HE IS NOW 5!!!

The big 5 year old opening presents. When everyone asked what he wanted

for his b-day he said, "anything that boys like" he got a lot of cars!!!

We partied for two days. This is his official birthday on Friday.

He wanted a Halloween B-day and how easy was that. This is his mummy Cake.

Look at that Smile!

He wanted to cook out for his B-Day so we did in the back yard with a

Campfire, My kids love this, its like camping and then we all take a bath...

Then on Sat. we went to soccer games from 7:30 until 1:00. We try to watch all

of the cousins games too. Bryant in green, 5 yrs old my brother Jonny's middle boy,

Olivia in the back climbing the net,

Hunter in yellow, Katelyn in purple,

Jayden in red, 7 yrs. old Jonny's oldest, and Emily in blue.

We have Jordan and Austin My sister Jennifer's boys that play too, but not in this picture.

In between games we walk up to the duck ponds and feed the ducks, it gives the kids a little break. That is Nana with them, my mom.

Then we had his Party for all his friends and more family at 2:00. My friend Beth who is

wonderful at everything made this spider cake, it was cool and Hunter just loved it.

Not the best picture, but here he is opening more presents. He had a blast.

This one cracks me up, I put these goofy glasses in the gift bags!!

Hunter had 2 busy days and he feel asleep on the couch after all the excitement. I took a picture on Sunday morning of my tired five year old he was not very happy. One more special moment come and gone, how they grow so fast...