Thanks Sherry

My sister's mother n law made this awesome blog background for me! Thanks a million, I love love it! I love people who have skills:)

Christmas

Reindeer Magic

Jarom "Mom reindeer are magic!"
Mom "Oh ya how come?"
Jarom "Cause they don't poop when they come in your house!"

Happy birthday SETH MAN

I can't believe that Seth is the big whopping 8 years old today! That means our 10 year anniversary is in a few weeks... CRAZY how time flies when you're having fun:)

8 things I love about Seth

his protection over his younger siblings... Kaymie's gonna have a tough time dating with this older brother around

his love for sports and his natural ability to play

his example of leadership... it is being a leader and not bossiness right:)

his ability to quote movies after only watching them once (guess he truely is a Shumway)

his love for the outdoors and being active

how the simple things mean a lot to him especially when it involves sugar

his tender heart that is so quick to forgive

how he consistently keeps me on my toes in my role as mother

We love you Seth man, hope you have a wonderful day! We can't wait for you to be baptized in February

Frozen Yogurt

I have some frozen yogurt in the freezer that I got on sale and everyday the boys ask for it. Today Jarom said, "Mom, can I have some icecream?" Guess what my reply was when Jarom answered..." Mom it's for my diet!"
(I am starting P90X again in Jan and can have 4 oz of frozen yogurt as my snack.)
Guess he thought I'd give in... silly him, that is precious stuff if I can have it on a diet LOL.

Mary

Over the years I have grown to love my name. Mary the mother of none other than Jesus the Christ. Mary the name of the women at the tomb who wept for Jesus. Mary the name of my Nanny. What have I done with my name?
In the relief society lesson today, we had the priviledge of looking into the life of Mary the mother of Jesus. I learned things I hadn't known before. I felt the spirit of Mary, what it might of been like being the mother of the Son of God. Thoughts, feelings, and emotions of a woman that was probably one of the most righteous and choice spirits in the premortal life. One that was destined to live such the sacred role of His mother. I learned more about life in that time period, the betrothal to Joesph, and how young she was. I didn't know that she was probably only 12-14 years old.
I think about my life at that age. The thought of being engaged, let alone pregnant floors my mind. Then I think of when I was expecting my first born. That was a neat year... knowing it was a son and him being due just before Christmas. I reflected a lot on Mary that year and oh how I couldn't wait to hold my babe in my arms. Yet I was having my child in a clean sterile hospital, in a warm bed with wonderful drugs to ease the pain. I remember the indescribable joy of holding my newborn in my arms. I couldn't help but think of the miracle that just took place. Then comparing that to the way Jesus came into the world, the miracle in the stable.
Mary was mortal and therefore not a perfect mother. However she was probably one of the most perfect mothers, at least that's the way I picture it. Did she ever raise her voice to scold? Did she ever lose her patience? Did she always have healthy meals to feed her family? I think she always turned to Heavenly Father with Faith, knowing He what her purpose was and determined to fulfill it to her best. Jesus was sent to her for a reason, just as I believe each one of my kids was sent to me for a reason. But I can't but ponder on why was I given these children, what is my role, what am I suppose to teach and am I fulfilling it.
I think about my Nanny, Mary, whom I was named after. I remember her as being an elect, respected, beautiful woman. What have I done with my name?
I wish I could take back things I have done and be the mother I have always dreamed of being. This holiday season, it is my goal to from here on out strive to remember the Mary's in my life and be more like them while I try to live the life that I was sent to do.

Fall Break

MY sisters came up for their Fall Break and we had a fun week or cousin time (other than the stomach flu bug that visited). Here are some pictures of playtime at the park and some from the play place at Artic Circle. The kids had fun getting a toy from the $ store and playing at Artic Circle thanks to Aunt Heidi while Stacie and Kam went to a session at the SL temple.

Halloween

The kids had fun on their first ever trick or treating door to door (at least when they were old enough to remember) and let me tell you they LOVED it! It was neat too because practically every house was someone from our ward:) We started the evening with Heidi, Bruce, and Brooklyn over for chili and cornbread before we headed into the cold of the night.

Pumpkin Patch

We had so much fun meeting up with Jeff's cousins at the Red Barn for a hay ride, picking the perfect pumpkin, and a treat at the Barn.

The 1st Snow

So the older boys are all set with snow gear from head to toe! They were so excited after school to play in what little snow is left, but I don't think my Arizona boys understand that we are not in Arizona anymore. They are getting all the snow into balls and putting them in bags in the freezer:) Oh it won't take long until they realize they will have more snow than their little hearts desire