Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!!!

Today is one of the greatest days in the history of this world. It’s my sweetheart’s birthday! Lauren is 27 years young. That’s right; I’m married to a young hot mama!  

 Darling, you are the most incredible person in my life. You are an amazing mother! You are so tender and nurturing to Lil’ P and Care Bear, and they love you soooo much.

  I love your goofy personality. ;)

  You have so many talents, cooking being one of them.

 

You astonish me in the way that you live your life. You’re spiritual, full of life, passionate, dependable, smart, beautiful and very sexy. I could go on and on and on, but most importantly, you make the people around you better by the way you live your life. I LOVE YOU, and I am very proud to have you as my wife. Have an extremely exceptional day!

Tyler

Sick

Our house has been plagued with illness... no joke, since Christmas. By some miracle, I've managed to dodge the bullet & have stayed well with the exception of a few headaches & total exhaustion from taking care of everybody else. Caroline started it on Christmas morning with a fever & cold symptoms. We figured she was teething. A couple weeks later she had another fever & broke out in hives... an allergic reaction? We are still scratching our heads about that? Then 11/2 week later, another fever, ear infection, and cold. I'm sure teething has been some of the culprit but January & February have been Hell to say the least. The first week of February Preston got really sick & fevered non-stop for a week +. He had the influenza bug plus an ear infection. He is finally better & its so nice to have him back to his happy, healthy self again. Caroline on the other hand has another fever that started a couple days ago & I am throwing my hands in the air with this girl! I failed to mention that Tyler was diagnosed with bronchitis & Influenza b as well. He's almost 100%. How did I not get sick!? I think my Grandma Sadleir would be very pleased with me for faithfully taking my garlic, ceyenne, & cod liver oil ;o) I believe I owe my immunity to that & also to my countless pleading in prayers to stay well. It is the absolute worst to be a sick mommy taking care of sick kids.

Caroline's hives

Christmas 2010

This last Christmas was probably the best one yet that we've had as a family. This year Preston understood & knew Santa Clause was coming & that excitement filled our home all month long. It's really all about the kids now & we had so much fun watching them. Caroline was very excited to see Santa Clause this year & even snuggled right up to him at our ward Christmas breakfast. Apparently she was the first kid to run right up to him & when he picked her up, she rested her head on his shoulder & started sucking that thumb of hers. Unfortunately, she was sick with a fever & head cold Christmas morning. It seems like she gets sick on every holiday (knock on wood). We had the video camera all set up & ready to film but had to turn it off b/c she was crying & screaming through most of it. Poor little darling. But we did manage to get some great shots of the kids. This Christmas, Santa Clause brought Preston a Buzz Lightyear bike & tool set & Caroline got a kitchen. We spent Christmas morning with Grandpa Paul & Grandma Jeanette, Uncle Tim's family, Aunt Traci's family & Uncle Travis's family. It was a great Christmas but we were puzzled by all the dense fog outside! I felt like I was back home on the Pacific coast.

One of the only smiles we got out of Caroline that day. Preston, however was happy as a clam!

4 Years Already???

We've been scratching our heads lately wondering where all the time has gone!? Preston turned 4 last week & it's hard to believe. 4 years old is a Big deal to Preston! He was so excited to turn 1 year older & to be a "big kid". He's grown up so much in the past year. No longer is he my toddler, he's a kid now! But I tell him all the time that he's always going to be my baby. for his birthday we went to Trafalga with his cousins & friends: Tanner, Evan, Owen, Ava, Faith, Cohen, & Cash. Then we had a special dinner at home on the night of his birthday. Grandpa Paul & Grandma Jeanette were there. I asked Preston what he wanted for his special birthday dinner & he requested "Fish!" His favorite food. Then we had molten lava cakes for dessert. Grandma Jeanette gave Preston a very special gift, a "magic blanket". She makes every one of her granchildren a magic blanket when they turn 4. The blanket is supposed to help keep them safe & protected. Preston loves his blanket so much, he sleeps with it every night & snuggles with it every morning when he wakes up. He's still not ready to give up his blue silky he's had since he was a baby, but that's okay... I want to keep him childlike as long as possible.   

New Year Resolutions

Every year I come up with a resolution or two and by about 2-4 months into the year I forget all about them! I haven't ever taken new year resolutions seriously. It's hard to accomplish something if I'm not excited about it. Well, I am very excited about my 2011 new year resolutions & I have a sincere desire & eagerness to start them right away:

1. Create lasting memories as a family

2. Simplify.

3. Daily spiritual upliftment

Resolution #1: I'm most excited about this one which is why it's #1. My kids are growing up & Preston is at a place in his life where memories are now starting to sink in. I want my children to have fond memorable experiences that they will look back on & cherish. I believe these moments develop rich character & strong self-asteem. Our family new year resolution is to celebrate life! To do this, we are going to celebrate & "make a fuss" over every special occasion & holiday. I love how my cousin Heather  does this with her family & she has truly inspired me. I love following her blog to see what her family is going to do next! Another blog that has completely inspired my creativity is the Tip Junkie. Go to this blog! It is FULL of wonderful ideas for parties, crafts, DIY projects, etc... you will love it.

Resolution #2: This resolution began last week when Tyler & I stayed up until 12am almost every night last week organizing & decluttering our home. We are also very excited about finishing our basement, which progress has resumed & we anticipate everything being done by March! Adding this space to our home will help to simplify the messes made by our children in their bedrooms & our family room. But to further simplify our lives we have resolved to living below our means, not feeling like we have to have the newest, latest gizmos & gadgets, & focusing more on the essentials. When I think of doing this I think of President Hinckley's famous line, "Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do, Or do without".

Resolution #3: My kids are my first priority in life. They are also my alarm clock. So when they wake up, I rush to their needs first thing every morning. By nightime, I rationalize why I didn't have time to read my scriptures that day or say meaningful prayers. I get discouraged when I don't accomplish this b/c I have good intentions to do it, but I allowed other priorities to take it's place. My goal for the new year is to read my scriptures every morning as I eat my breakfast. The breakfast time is important b/c it's the time that I'm sitting still & usually by myself for that moment. Plus I think it's a fantastic way to start each day b/c breakfast is the most important meal of the day & reading the scriptures is also essential so they go hand-in-hand, really. 

This is going to be a wonderful year full of new family traditions & individual growth. I'm excited for 2011 & I welcome it with big open arms!