Time

 My babies aren't babies anymore!  What is going on? Is time picking up on me and playing tricks or is this just normal the older you get the faster time starts going?  Carson is now 7!

 Cole talks about Justin Bebir (sp) and wants to wear sun glasses because he thinks its cool.  He is already entering in the beginning stages of wanting to be popular and be "part" of the in group.  But in the next breath he is still dressing up like he is a burglar and running around the house making siren sounds.  Thank goodness for that...I want him to stay childish for awhile longer.

 And Mike and I are going on 11 years together.  With time picking up so fast and the kid's needs seem so demanding are "we", as a couple getting lost in the speed of time?

Then there are my two littlest babies.  Thank goodness Morgan misses the Kindergarten deadline by two weeks because I don't want to send her to school yet.  I still want to hear her hollering "Where are you momma?"  and playing with her babies, and ponies.

Tater just turned one!  Mike brought him to church a few Sundays ago when I had to leave earlier than the rest and how he was dressed shocked me. He was in a shirt and pants that made him look so big!  I purposely don't put him in any of that yet because I want him to stay my baby for a little longer.

Time will go on no matter what I do...but I want to make what I do with my family right now really count.  I know my time is fleeting with them and I get a feeling its just going to pick up speed so I hope and pray that I am being deliberate in my day to day with them.  I want to be a deliberate mother so I won't have to look back and cry and wonder why I didn't push myself a little harder to be more patient with them, or why I didn't put down what I was doing to really listen to them!  I don't want regrets with them or with my hubby.

Parenting is messy and stressful and I want to be careful not to loose Mike in all of this.  Time with him right now counts too!  I want us both to be growing with our family ...together....not getting lost in the chaos.  Its a delicate balancing act and one that I Hope and Pray that I will always keep trying to balance ...no matter how many times I loose balance!

Unexpected Christmas

 2012 Christmas will be very memorable but not for the best of reasons.  About a week before Christmas Michael got a call that his dad had passed.

 The funeral was beautiful!   Tommy will be missed by many.  Elaine is such a strong woman and I was so impressed with her.  The kids struggled a little to really understand what it all meant.  The hardest part for them and especially Carson, was when the casket was lowered.  Death is so hard and yet it is something so inevitable....wish it could be easier and not hurt so bad!

 We stayed a week there and carried on our celebrations with Grandma Pressley.  Here is Cole Christmas Eve as a Santa catcher.  He was very determined to catch Santa this year.  Love that boy!

 I was able to visit two of my most special friends while there...one is not pictured, and that is Erica.  This one is with my Aunt Sharon. She is my angel!  If it was not for her I might not have a love and testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I will always have a super special place for her in my heart.  She is such an amazing woman who has gone through a lot and has taught me a LOT!  Love her.

Christmas was very different this year but we are so glad we were able to spend it with family and remember Grandpa Pressley.

I am so thankful for the knowledge that family's can be together forever through Jesus Christ!  I am so thankful that when tragedies strike, even though very painful, we have a foundation of hope to move forward on.  We know there is a plan to this life.  We don't just drop down on this planet by chance, form strong relations only to grow old and loose all that we love.  A kind and loving Father in Heaven sent us here to be tested to see if we would obey Him so that we could live with Him again. This was all made possible by His Son Jesus Christ preforming the Atonement for us.  How I love the Father and the Son!!!!

Polar Express

There is something so magical and fun about Christmas.  I can't express how much pleasure I get from watching the kids excitement over it.

Kids are so hopeful and believing and sweet.

And something about having family around for the holidays really makes it even more special!

No, I was not squeezing him...even though it may look like it.  That is a happy face!

Karate

 Carson is involved in karate and has been going for about 6 months now.

It is so adorable to watch him grow and progress.  He is so strong and so sweet to others.  He has a depth to him that amazes me.  His prayers are so thoughtful and that is just how Carson is...he is an amazing little man.

Yes, many 2012 post catch-ups

Thanksgiving

 I lose track trying to document 3 MONTHS....down the road, but I believe this was a family home evening night of putting together our "Thankful Tree".  I love doing this together as a family and it is only getting funner with the kids as they get older !

 Morgan and Tatum were having there own little spoon party on the floor.

 Cole is sporting his new 4-H camera.   He is our 4-H groups club photographer...and he has got that thing figured out.

My studious little Carson hard at work.  He is such a thoughtful little guy!  

I am trying my hardest to remember Thanksgiving.....Mike took the kids to the movies, I failed on the turkey, all the sides were great though...ummm, nothing really bad sticks out so it must have gone well!

Power of Moms

I have had the privilege to be involved with a group now going on almost two years.  Its called Circles.              It is from this site which is so full of awesome information!  It is described as part book group/part support group and the latter is sure true.  I have been able to get such a boost from hearing other mothers like myself describe what its like being in the "trenches" of motherhood.  These women are all from my church group and they are amazing women!

We meet last night and I had such a great time listening and talking with them.  The power of a support group is really incalculable.  I really need to be around other women and gain strength from their lives and stories.  I am so thankful for them and so thankful for motherhood...what an awesome responsibility!

If anyone is looking to start one of there own it is really super easy...go to that site, it has everything you need to know and so much more.   And I think us mothers could really use all the advice, encouragement, and tips available to us.

Priesthood Boost

Okay,  I am now ready for 2013.  I have reflected on 2012 and have imagined what I want my 2013 to look like.  I have even written down my goals for this year, which I am doing something a little different than usual, so I feel ready and committed.  My last step was asking Michael for a blessing.  I love that I am able to tap into that power source and hear words that strengthen and encourage me to keep trying.

So ready to start afresh and keep trying to improve.  Happy New Year!