My Good Girls. "Journaling"

So I don't praise my children enough--in writing my blog-- I do expect a lot from them--emotionally, physically, mentally, behaviorally (is that even a word?) spiritually . . . You get the drift. Sometimes I honestly forget that they are JUST little girls. I mean really. They are so young.

They are really GOOD girls. They are sweet and thoughtful. Obedient and forgiving. Teachable and enthusiastic. Respectful and intelligent. I love them so dearly. So honestly. So deeply. They have taught me how to be the person that I am. (Although I still need a lot of work . . . I would definitely be more selfish and self absorbed with out them.) They make our home a happy and bright place to be. They make my life exciting and full of joy! They truly do rise to any task I ask of them and I see them striving to be the kind of girls I am trying to teach them to be. I want them to be better than me, do more than I did---excel!! I love them for their individual personalities---I am enchanted by different things in all 3 of them.

Sam for her intelligence, she really is gifted. She is so quick and so smart. Her brain works fast--school work holds no challenge for her and listening to her read . . . well my eyes can barely keep up with her mouth. Fascinating. My own brain processes things MUCH slower. We all know Sam got Scott's brain power . . . Which is fine with me, you always hope your children get the good-stuff out of the gene-pool. :) Sam is also very confident. She doesn't doubt herself or what she knows. I love watching her grow-up and as she approaches this "tween" stage, I see her trying to define her own sense of style. Become her own person. Sam is very responsible and dependable---with an inner need to please---she wants to be GOOD, she wants to be OBEDIENT. She feels life deeply. I love you Sam. Thanks for teaching me how to take care of babies, you were my first and I learned sooo much.

McKenzie for her thoughtfulness. She is always thinking of others--IF you give her a candy, she wants one for her sisters or she is thinking how she can split it with her sisters. She is a good friend to the other kids at school, she gets along with everyone. Kenz is ALWAYS up for ANYTHING!! She is open and excited for experiences. She tried lots of new things this summer and just loved them all. I always love that when I ask her how she slept she answers, "Great!" Which is usually her response to most things in life. She started DANCE this year and I have seen her grow so much in her confidence. She used to come "un-hinged" when she couldn't do something, but not anymore. She is so tender inside. She feels bad when I am sad. She needs a hug when she is sad. She reminds me sooo much of myself---in looks, actions, re-actions . . . mini-Christina. This sometimes makes me extra hard on her, because I see my own weakness coming out in her, I am really working on this. Kenzie is, of course, her own person. I have no right to project my own insecurities on her. I love you Kenz, Thanks for being my angel baby, for showing me that babies can be joyful. :)

Whitney for her sense of humor. She is always teasing us and finding ways to be silly or make us laugh. Whitney is sweet and cuddly. She loves her "night night" fiercely. And loves that her Nana made it for her, it is a big deal to her (for some reason?). Whitney is "socially smart" she "gets" what is going on around her, she catches the in's and out's of relationships---connections--- Whitney loves to sing and dance! She makes up her own little songs and twirls around. She adores "Sisters" and always wants to play with them and do EVERYTHING that they are doing. Whit loves to be rocked (still, at 3 1/2---which I love and could never get enough of :)) She will ask me in the mornings to rock her. She loves that she gets to stay home with me---she confirms each morning, "Sisters have to go to school, and I get to stay home with Mommy." I adore Whitney. She is spunky, funny, and sweet. She feels bad- instantly- when she realizes that she has done something wrong. She dissolves into tears and says over and over, "I sorry Mama, I'n so sorry. Will you forgive me?" I love you Whitney. Thanks for bringing so much joy and laughter into our home.

My girls are beautiful and resilient. I hope that my personal short comings and parenting mistakes will not leave lasting or devastating scars on my special girls. I pray all the time to be a good mother. It is my deepest desire. My greatest ambition. I feel the responsibility of raising these girls, it is enormous. As their mother I know that I have the most influence on them--for good and for bad. They are shaped by everything I do and say. My constant prayer is for help and for forgiveness---I hope God will make of my girls what I failed to make of them. I am human and flawed, but I love my girls with all that I have. And I just have to hope that it will be enough. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother. I am grateful to be carrying a son. I am awed and amazed at my body--carrying this new life inside. I love him so much and I haven't even met him yet. I pray that he will be healthy and strong and that everything will go well and that we will get to welcome him into our home in February. I am truly blessed.

No Ba-Hum-Bugs this year.

I am usually such a huge ball of stress this time of year. USUALLY. But this year is different, somehow. I don't know if it is the economy, the ages of my children, the fact that I am pregnant, or if I have just finally managed to slow my life down enough to deal with it all . . . I am not sure. But I am grateful for the peace and enjoyment I am feeling this SEASON. The girls are 8,6,and 3. Good ages. Grown-up enough to help around the house, still young enough to be utterly excited about the magic of Christmas!! It is all so magical. Fun. The girls got to buy a gift for one of their sisters, and they loved shopping for it and getting to wrap it and they are so excited to surprise each other with their gifts. They are catching the joy of giving.

The girls and I cleaned out their playroom---really gutted it out. 1 Bag of garbage (broken toys & such) and 2 bags of DI toys--nice toys that we just don't play with anymore. It was a calming experience, to de-clutter and organize. I know they will be getting some new things for Christmas and I feel like we are trying to make room, so that we are not over-loaded with STUFF, that we can appreciate what we have.

I am so grateful and excited to be pregnant!!! I am at 7 months. Time is just flying by. Our little guy is very active and kicks and rolls all the time--mostly at night. We painted his room and my mom and I made him the most darling quilt. The girls will kiss their hand and press it my belly--to give "Brother Boy" a kiss. They are excited, but I think Whitney is the most excited she talks about him all the time. She tells me how she will rock him and feed him "Hot Ba Ba's" and how he can have her Glo-bug that sings. I just feel such a peace inside. A quiet happiness. Glad that we have this special time of year to remember our savior's birth, to remember why we are all here, to be more loving and thoughtful, to give of our selves and help others. It really feels like a," Merry Christmas" this year. :)

McKenzie's a Pilgrim . . . Whitney too.

In McKenzie's Kindergarten class, they made pilgrim and Indian outfits and had a "Thanksgiving" feast!! She came home wearing it and was so cute and excited!! WE just had to get a picture. And of course Whitney had to try it on too.

Just to up-date on our Thanksgiving . . . WE got to go to Boise and celebrate Thanksgiving with Scott's family and his uncle Damon. We just loved staying at Damon's!! The girls had a blast playing with all the kids ---wii, games, movies, cartoons . . . .just doing nothing but playing. They thought it was the best vacation EVER. WE had a really yummy dinner---plenty of leftovers and great desserts too! Scott got to go to the Boise State football game that night with the boys, it was raining and super cold!!! He is a die-hard and loved every minute of it. Uncle Damon got them sideline passes, so Scott and Brent got to be down on the field. We even saw them on T.V. a couple of times.---That was fun. I spent most of our "vacation" with my nose in a book. It was fabulous!! The kids were happily playing, Scott was happily watching football, and I sat reading my book. Perfect. :) We are so grateful for a wonderful family!!! WE had a great Thanksgiving!

Mckenzie's First Lost Tooth!!

McKenzie lost her first tooth!! It was sooooo loose! For the past couple of nights Scott would wiggle it and try to pop it out! McKenzie was absolutely MANIC about it. She was terrified (which is not like her?) she was crying and screaming hysterically when Scott was attempting to pull it and then she was laughing uncontrollably when he would slip off the tooth . . . This crazy cycle went on for a few minutes until she refused to let him try again. I finally offered to try pulling it . . .I have never pulled a tooth before . . .so I grabbed it and pulled forward just a touch and it came right out!!! Kenzie was not as relieved as I thought she would be, instead the blood freaked her out and she wouldn't swallow or close her mouth all the way. She continued to talk strangely all the next day and wouldn't swallow her spit. . . . . I don't know? It was an extreme reaction for Kenz. She is usually excited about new things and can take them in stride, but this really shook her up. ?? She did get a dollar from the tooth fairy and has now adjusted to having her tooth gone. What can I say? Life is never boring. WE love you Kenz. Congrats on a big step toward growing-up, sometimes it hurts, but we do the best we can and we all get through it somehow.

6 Months, Baby!! Yeah!!

So another baby belly update!!! I am now 6 months along!! Crazy how fast this pregnancy is flying by! I FINALLY feel like I popped out!! Seriously, up until about a week ago I still felt like I was in the "awkward fat verses pregnant stage" I felt like that if someone didn't know me and already know I was pregnant , they might just think I was fat. Well what a difference a month makes! The little guy is rolling around and kicking a great deal--especially at night. I love it and each time I feel him move, I just think in my mind, "Hi baby" "Hi little man." It is reassuring to feel him move--little nudges that he is alright. I still feel great!! For about a month now I have been back to exercising in the mornings. I get up at 6 a.m. and do the "Dread-Mill" a.k.a the treadmill, I hate the treadmill. It is eternally boring!!! I always feel like if I am walking, I should be GOING somewhere. But it is toooo cold to walk outside at 6. So treadmill it is. My i-pod makes it bearable and I love how I feel after I exercise---That is what keeps me getting up!!! I really love to exercise! :) It reminds me I am alive.

Scott's Spranged Ankle

Seriously I could never be a nurse. I can stand my own pain. I actually have a fairly high pain thresh hold. But other people's pains and injuries, just make me weak in the knees. Poor Scott rolled his ankle playing early morning B-Ball a few weeks ago. Then he proceeded to tweak it twice more that week-end!! The result has been lots of Tylenol and ice for Scott. His ankle is just now starting to look and feel a bit better. I have felt so bad for him. He never slowed down, just kept going to work and working in the yard---you would never know he was dealing with an ankle soooo swollen that he could barely put on his dress shoes. Men.

Random Art

Whitney's rainbow, worm family, and peacock
McKenzie's flower, sunshine, cloud, and ladybug.
Sam's Yoda, C3PO, and R2D2---She is in love with Star Wars.

McKenzie's Kindergarten Turkey

We love living next door to my parents. This gives the girls the unique opportunity to see their grandparents as much as they want. Last summer my mom started something we call, "Nana Time." Each week the girls take turns going over to Nana's house one at a time--and they get a whole hour to spend, just them and Nana, doing whatever projects or playing anything they want with Nana. They LOVE the one-on-one time and all the attention they get at Nana's. Some of the perks of being the ONLY grandchildren and living sooo close. With the exception of the Turkey, the above art are pictures the girls made at Nana Time with these waxy straws that you bend and press into different pictures and shapes. I took pictures of them and tossed the real things---because there was no real way to store them . . . The Turkey was a Kindergarten assignment of McKenzie's, they needed to decorate the Turkey with different objects. We used beads and gumdrops and noodles and pipe cleaners. It turned out splendid! Kenzie got to use alot of sorting and counting skills. It was a fun project for us to do together!! :) Love you Kenz.

The White's Halloween 2009

Sam, Kenz, and Whit ready to go trick-or-treating!


Whitney as Princess Bell

Kenzie as Tinker Bell

Samantha as a Pretty Witch

Halloween was a very long and very productive day at our house this year!! We all got up really early to make it to Sam's Basketball game at 9:00 AM, Scott was substitute coach for the game, and we all came to watch! Sam played great---she is catching on to the game more and more, as far as guarding the other team and where to be on the court. She even made 2 baskets! WE were so happy for her. I told her that I have never made a basket in a game before. Then after her game we headed to the store for a few groceries and then to ACE for some outdoor paint. When we got home our afternoon was spent mostly outside . . . Scott was working on winterizing the yard and I was scrapping the door frames and re-painting them (they were badly chipped and pealing) WE got a lot done and our house is looking more loved. :) Our yard looks so great THANKS to Scott, who takes care of it for us!! At about 5:00 the girls were dressed and ready for trick-or-treating. WE went out as a family---my favorite way to go! WE only went to our family and friends that live close by. It was fun to visit them and to show off the girls' costumes. My grandma Robison always makes popcorn balls for the grandkids. This has been a tradition for as long as I can remember. She always has regular candy for the other kids that come and then a special popcorn ball for us. We always feel so special and loved. Grandma Diann (Scott's Mom) also made special Halloween sugar cookies for us. They were really yummy! Once we got home we had pancakes for dinner. It was quick and easy and filled everyone up! Then we watched a movie together and the kids had fun answering the door for our trick-or-treaters (we got about 6 groups---seriously a record for us--we usually never get trick-or-treaters). I was grateful that Scott was home and that we could spend so much time together as a family.

Also the Friday before Halloween the girls had their Parties at school and I was able to go help with Kenzie's class party. It was really fun to see her with her class mates. I had to dress up too. I was a farmer (simple, easy, I could wear baggy over-alls (Thanks Nicki) and I helped with the game of "SPOOKY BINGO." I brought Whitney with me too. She loved being part of the party and she was so well behaved. She just followed Kenzie around and did all the activities with her. Then right after school we went to see Aunt Macie at Malelueka(S.P.?)---Every year they deck the call center out in different themes and hand out candy to the kids that come! Aunt Macie gave us a personal tour! She was dressed as Princess Lolly from Candy Land. She looked darling. The girls loved being there with their Aunt and they got spoiled with lots of candy! Thanks Aunt Macie!

THANK YOU KIM!!!! YOU TOTALLY ROCK!!!!

O.K. So my cousin Kim, took our family pictures yesterday! And I am to-die-for-in-love with them ALL!! These are just a few of my favorites!! She took tonz of them and I seriously love them all! The old barn and farm equipment we are posing in front of are just across the street from my house. The old trucks have been there as long as I can remember and I have always loved them. They are comforting. Old. Stable. Unchanged. And it just occurred to me that they would make really cool back drops for pictures . . . .and I think I was right! I must thank my mom for the girls darling outfits. Compliments of "The Children's Place" I adore that store and we don't have one here, so when my mom went to St. George she got these outfits for the girls. We always take family pictures at this time of year, because the girls all have their birthdays (2 in Aug. and 1 in Sept.) then we use the picture on our Christmas Card. It works well for us. I am somewhat fanatical about family pictures. We get a NEW one every year. This is the first time I have been pregnant at this time of year. At first I was thinking that I would try to hide the baby belly in all the pictures so that I wouldn't be caught at an unflattering angle . . . but spur of the moment while we were taking pictures I was like, "let's get some of the baby belly!" and I am so glad that we did, because they are my favorite. I am a little over 5 months along in these pictures.

KIM THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! You are so VERY talented and I love how sweet you are to bend over backwards to accommodate our busy schedules and take SO much time editing and creating these beautiful and wonderful pictures for my family! I love you!! :) Thanks for being a great cousin and an even better friend.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Sam and Scotty


All dressed in White

Checking out the font

On Saturday October 10, 2009 Samantha got baptized! It was a very special day. Scott was able to baptise and confirm her. Sam was very prepared for this grown up decision. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She feels spiritual things--it is real to her. She told us that she knows this is the first step back to her Father in Heaven and that she is on the straight and narrow path. Such conviction. The faith of a child is so inspiring. They don't doubt, they believe and love. Scott gave her a beautiful blessing of confirmation. And I was grateful for him and the priesthood that he holds ---it is real and powerful. I was deeply grateful for all our family support that were able to be there. My sister, Becca and her husband Nick, even came up from UT to be there with Sam. This meant a lot to me and her. We got to have a big family brunch at out house afterwards, and I just loved having everyone with us--filling our house with laughter and talking and good food. I found myself just looking around and smiling. I loved having everyone in our home. The rest of the day was spent with Becca and Nick at my mom's and I think that Nick definitely earned "The BEST Uncle of the Year Award" He played countless games with the girls and even squeezed under the stairs with them to play with their glow-in-the-dark bracelets. Crazy. I actually felt bad for him because they wouldn't leave him alone. But he is so kind and good-natured and happily played with them all afternoon. Bless his heart. It was a great day. :) Way to go Sam!! We love you and we are so proud of you!

IT'S A BOY !!!!!!!!

Baby bump!!! These pictures were taken of me TODAY. So this is what I am looking like right now. Some of you have been wondering about my baby belly.

From the front. At about 21 1/2 weeks along. 20 weeks is halfway, so I am a little over the halfway mark. I have gained about 10 pounds. Which is about right for this stage. It has gone by super fast.

Another side view. Sweet little baby. He is rolling and kicking now. He is measuring 9 inches long! That is longer than I thought, for this point. So fun! I feel so great. Not sick or tired at all. This has been my easiest pregnancy by far. I am just enjoying this time.

On Tuesday, of this week, we got to go into the Dr. for our ultra-sound. I was slightly nervous, hoping that the baby was healthy and growing right. We got a report of excellent health for the baby so far!! YEAH!! And then I got a great surprise . . . we are having a BOY!!! Crazy huh? After 3 girls, I can hardly believe it!! I still can not quite comprehend what that means. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to be the Mother of a Son and Daughters. The girls couldn't be happier!! In Wal-Mart yesterday, they kept bringing me all these little boy outfits and asking if we could get them for little brother. He is going to be so loved and spoiled with all these mommies to take care of him. Whit keeps saying, "Yeah, a brother boy!" Scott is very excited. He is looking forward to having a son to go to priesthood meeting with and father and son camp outs, things that he really can't do with a daughter. He is happy to have someone to carry on his name. I am looking forward to seeing him with his boy. He has been so wonderful with his girls. I just feel like this completes us. A boy. :)

Whitney and Dodger

So Whitney and Dodger are good friends. Whitney LOVES to lay on Dodger and lead him around the house. I am actually really glad that she has him. In the morning, both her sisters leave for school. Most of the time Whit is fine, but she misses them too. Dodger is there for her. She reads him books and they watch cartoons together. It is really sweet. These are pictures of them watching for Kenzie to get off the bus. When I open the door, they both stand there together waiting. One day I saw them, and Whit had her arm around Dodger. It was so tender.