I'm back

Yes, I am back. After two and a half months of no writting, I am proud to announce . . . that we are still alive!

I decided it was time I returned to my therapist -- the blog. I find such a release in being able to write about everything that goes on each day. I guess it's my way of feeling like someone is listening, and that I am not as lonely as I sometimes feel.

So, I guess I'll just begin again with how we are all doing.

Luke is walking now. He crawls sometimes but he definitely prefers walking. He's getting a sort of half-run down that is so darling to watch. He speaks more all the time and now says such things as, "Yeah" (my favorite), "Down", "Dog", "Outside", "Cat", and "Please" just to name a few.

Annalee is getting older by the day it seems. Some of her most recent phrases have been, "I already explained it to you" and "You need to listen to me." I can't tell if she is 20 or 3.

Violatte is a beautiful, smart girl. She loves math but struggles with her reading in her schoolwork. She loves to be outside and is an amazing helper with her little brother. She loves to play with him and keep him busy (although he can be annoying as all little brothers can be.)

Jim has been busy with work as usual. He has traveled some the last couple of months. He has also been very busy with the scouts preparing for a canoe trip they have planned.

As for me, well, I've just been trying to figure things out. I was sick for a while (a horribly painful migrane). I'm almost back to where I was before but I still get discouraged with how the headaches affect me each day.

My business is going well. My sales are higher than they've ever been. I struggle in other areas, though, and feel the discouragement get to me sometimes as well.

Well, other than that, we are just doing the normal, every day stuff. I will write more details later.

In conclusion, a quote I recently found:

"Ideals are stars to steer by; they are not sticks to beat ourselves with." -Barbara B. Smith, Ensign, March 1976

Redlands Temple

In March I went to Ontario for a Mary Kay Career Conference. Since the Redlands temple was only half an hour away I decided to go down a little early and attend the temple. It was wonderful. The sweet women that were there were so kind and loving. Some of them were even so grateful that I was there to serve that they gave me hugs. I loved it. I took this picture on my way out of the temple. I love the peace that comes with serving in the House of the Lord.

Hair Salon at home

I've really wanted to try different hairstyles with the girls. One of my friends listed some websites on her blog that gave ideas. It was fun to try them and the girls seemed to like it. It was kind of hard with their short hair so I'm looking forward to trying it when their hair is a little longer.

Here are the finished pictures.

Violatte's hair -- this was half of a spider web kind of thing. I added the flowers -- I think the girls look so cute with flowers in their hair!



Annalee's hair -- I'm not sure what this one was called.


The Websites I got my inspiration from are:
http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/
http://www.babesinhairland.com/

Violatte's Birthday

I am very late posting this, but on March 28th Violatte turned 5 years old!!!
It's so hard for me to see her growing up like this. She seems more and more like a big girl each day. Here are the pictures from her special day.

Violatte and her birthday cake. When we asked her what kind of cake she said, "Chocolate chip, marshmallow, strawberry cake." She also joked about green bean frosting. So, I made a chocolate cake with marshmallows spelling out the number 5, green frosting that said, "Happy Birthday Violatte" and strawberries. I think it turned out just like she wanted. Silly girl.



Violatte's pajamas that she got from her Grandpa and Grandma Sanders.



Violatte in the new dress that her Grandpa and Grandma Sanders gave her. It is so perfect for her! She loves it!



The quilt I made for Violatte. I didn't qite have it finished for her birthday (but it is now!)


We love you Violatte!!!

Conference Activity Packet

My kids look forward to General Conference for two reasons. The first, is that we always set up our tent inside facing the computer (which is where we watch conference) like the people did when King Benjamin taught his people.

The other thing my kids look forward to is the conference packets that I print off each year for them to color and write in during conference. There are a few out there, but the ones I usually use are from Deseret Book. They have a free download for each conference session. The link is:

http://deseretbook.com/store_locator/conference

I hope you enjoy them. I am really looking forward to conference.

Potty Training . . . is [Finally] Complete

After almost a year-long process of potty training, I am thrilled to announce that Annalee has finally decided to use the toilet.

She has known has to for quite a while. She just wasn't interested in doing it. We had tried everything: prizes, awards, punishments, hourly reminders, reminders every half an hour, goals, etc. Nothing worked. She just hadn't decided she wanted to.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I got to the point where we were out of diapers for her and I just didn't want to buy any more. I was done. I told her and she simply said, "Ok, I'll wear panties now."

That was it!!??!! I only had to stop buying diapers and she would be potty trained!!??!! I silently kicked myself for a week about that one, but at least it is done. She has done really well, too. Only a couple of accidents each week, and only one in the last few weeks at night.

I am just so grateful that it is done -- even if it took a year!

A New Hobby

A few months ago some friends invited us to go shooting with them. I enjoyed myself so much more than I thought I would. We not only enjoyed it, but we felt like it could be very beneficial in keeping our family safe.

After a couple of scary incidents we decided to get a handgun for each of us. We have both also applied for CCWs (to carry a concealed weapon.)

I'm proud to say that I've gotten to be a pretty good shot -- as has Jim. We enjoy going out to the range to practice. It's become a great new hobby for both of us.

Jim trying out his gun.



Taking my turn