Our Missionary

I wanted to dedicate a small section of my blog to my nephew Joshua Snyder. He recently left for his mission and will be serving in Tampa Florida. We are so proud of him and know that he will make a wonderful missionary. He has a wonderful quality of being able to light up a room and touch your heart with his warm smile.
How wonderful it is when you have family members your children can look up to. Joshua is the first of our extended family to serve a mission and has left a noticeable impression on each of our children. I love the gospel and the goodness that it instills in our lives.

So much fun!

Every year my sister's ward gets discounts tickets to Soldier Hollow where they go tubing. This is the second year we have tagged along for a little winter fun. Jon, Megan and Skyler went while I stayed home with the two younger ones (last year I thought I was going to come home with some missing toes and fingers - it is bitterly cold at 8pm). They had a blast and was able to spend time with two of their favorite cousins, Robyn and Joshua. Joshua will be leaving for his mission shortly which made the time spent together even more valuable.

Boys and their hair

For school-"wet & slick", no help accepted.

Skyler came home from school one day very sure that it was now time to start growing out his hair. I thought this to be a great opportunity for a little self expression. Nothing harmful I thought. I was okay with the idea of his hair growing an extra inch or so. Well a month passed and I was sure he was ready to get a hair cut. I suggested a trip to the barber but he was adamant that nobody touch his hair. After another month of enduring the long sideburns, I secretively started devising a plan to cut his hair while he was asleep. A hair cut was now becoming a necessity. But no, this kid was determined. He explained to me that his best friend at school was growing out his hair and that "Zac Efron"(for those of you who do not know who he is, he is the main character in High School Musical) was so cool with his surfer-dude hair. I could not believe my ears. What was happening to Skyler? Growing up? No way! My little, innocent, six year old was no longer any of these things. So when you see Skyler in the neighborhood or at church please don't think of him as neglected but understand that we are in the process of transforming him into "a cool dude".

It's already February!

Okay, can anyone tell me where the time has gone. Since my last blog I've missed four weeks of my life. Actually I haven't missed it, it just kind of came and left me behind. One of the things that has taken up time this month is the part time job I started. Yes, I'm working from home making survey phone calls. Exciting? I don't know. It has definitely added some additional stress to my life. I'm not sure if this job is for me, but everyone tells me it will work out and to give it three months. What does that mean? I've gone from wanting to quit to thinking I am a whimp for wanting to give up. The hardest part is trying to find uninterupted time. Definitely not the easiest thing for a mother of four kids. I guess I'll figure it out.
Apart from starting the new job "the sickness" has hit our home. I am going on week two with throw-up and diahrea (definitely the worst combination). Spencer has had a solid week of it and now it is Madison's turn. It definitely takes some major patience to keep up with all the neediness. Needless to say my emotional bank is depleted and my nerves are just a little shot from all the crying, whining etc. I'm sure you all know what I am talking about. In addition Jon got sick with laryngitis and hasn't been able to speak for the last five days. Crazy! (I kind of feel like a shaken soda can ready to explode, if that makes any sense).
With the endless loads of laundry and carpet cleaning I've fallen behind on all aspects of life and I find myself a little off course this month. So here I am already anticipating March, hoping for better weather and a healthier family.

New Year Goals

I'm sure like many others we anticipate 2008 to be a great year, a year in which we will attain all our goals. I'm one of those people that likes to set goals for the new year and pretty determined to stick by them. I've set several different goals for myself, none that seem severe or unattainable (I've long learned that goals need to be small and simple). Goals like exercise more, make more nutritious meals, be more patient with my children and not to yell at them are a few. The funny thing is I think these were the same goals I had for 2007. Do you ever feel like there are just some things that you will never perfect? I so much want to be a better mother, wife and friend - how about "Person". I don't know but sometimes I think Heavenly Father looks at us with a smile knowing that this earthly progression is an endless challenge. So I'm guessing what my real goal for this year should be is: "try, try, try .... try!" To all of you who have good hopes and desires of attaining goals, good luck. May we all be little more perfect by the end of the year.

Check out my Slide Show!

Christmas Day

Well I guess I am a little late with my entry with regards to Christmas. Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Browns house. Santa showed up early there for the little ones and we all had fun with a little early ripping of wrapping paper. There were lots of yummy treats and fun watching everyone open their presents.
My sister Lidia who is the "picture-taker-maniac" of our family finally sent me pictures of our Christmas day spent with her family and my younger sister Natalie. It was a day filled with excitement as families exchanged gifts and cousins got to spend time playing together. The "boys" big and little hung out playing xbox and Wii. Later after some convincing the men took the little ones sledding.
Christmas has come and gone and already there is the anticipation of what Santa will bring next year. (Maddie gets very upset when we tell her that Santa went on vacation and wont be back for another year.)