Cardboard box animals

What do we do when Grace has pneumonia and we are stuck in the house? We build animals out of cardboard boxes! Okay, the first one we made was a few weeks ago and had nothing to do with Grace being sick but this week...Grant has been busy! We made a giraffe a few weeks ago and Grant insisted that we keep the leftover cardboard to make something. Then, the other day, he pulled some of it out and decided that one piece looked like a toucan beak and the body of a bird. So he told me what I needed to do to help him complete it and this is what he came up with. I thought it looked great (and it still does) but then he insisted we add a gun on its back. Say what? Toucans do not carry guns, buddy! Apparently, I am misinformed because this kind of toucan does, and so I let go of my OCD tendencies and allowed him to complete his bird any way he wanted to. Since last Saturday, he has been asking if we can make a stable, a camel, a donkey, a lamb, etc. etc. And here is what he has so far... I think it might be the cutest little miniature sheep ever. Don't you love the blue nose and yellow mouth?!?! Grant is too funny!And let me introduce the longest camel in the world, with 3 humps and extremely short legs--which is my fault. He insisted the camel needed to be standing. So, we found some wood in the garage and viola! And that saddle he made for the camel--people would pay big bucks for that kind of craftsmanship. I mean, it has glitter on it people! It can't get much better than that.Grant has such a great imagination and I love to watch him create things. As the collection grows for his big production Christmas Eve (he is planning on being Joseph, the wise men, etc. etc--yes, it will be a loooooong "play" as he puts it), we will continue to post pictures of his cardboard animals.

Christmas Time

About 2 weeks ago, I gave in to Grant's continual begging to decorate the house. I'm not going to lie, I was glad he kept pushing me to do it. I'd keep my Christmas decorations up year round and be perfectly happy about it! I think it is because my grandma (the one Grace is named after) LOVED Christmas. I am pretty sure that is what she lived for! The joy she felt for this beautiful season rubbed off on me (and a lot of my cousins, I think). I remember so clearly having our family party the first Monday of December--year after year, it was pretty much the same. A yummy dinner, laughter, the grandkids doing the Nativity scene, Santa making a special visit... But what I remember the most is that my grandma always bore her testimony. She testified that she knew Christ lives! She reminded us all of how important it was to love one another and do what is right so we can be a family forever. She also reminded us to serve others, to help those less fortunate than us, to be Christlike. Yes, Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I hope that Grant and Grace will love it, too! And hopefully, they will always remember that Christ should be the center of our lives ALL year round, not just at Christmas.Anyway, here are a few of our decorations that Grant requested I take pictures of. I cannot find Grace's stocking anywhere! Guess that is what happens when you move across the country- some things get misplaced. :-) Grant wanted to put "snow" around Santa... And on the tree in his room, which he decorated ALL by himself. I am surprised he hasn't asked me to snap pictures of our Christmas lights. Which by the way, can I just say that I am SO excited to have our own house! It is so fun to put up Christmas lights! And on a side note, Fenway got his first haircut. Doesn't he look so cute?!?!

Free Holiday Cards, Anyone?!?!

I LOVE shutterfly! They have quality products for an excellent price! So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that I could get 50 free holiday cards! What's that you say?

I said, Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly… sign up: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Awesome, right? Since money is a little tight, I was trying to figure out what to do for Christmas cards, but this amazing deal solved the problem for me! Now the problem is narrowing it down to which card to choose. Can I just send one of every kind? Okay, that is not possible so here are some I have narrowed it down to. (Click on "one" to go see it...yes mom, that explanation is for you because you never know how to get to the link) I really love this one because I can put a few different pictures of the kids on it. I have such a hard time narrowing down pictures to the "best" one! This one was super cute and is also Grant's first choice. I really like the modern flare. Then there is this one , I love the part about giggles and grins. Mostly because that is what our days are filled with thanks to Grant and Grace. Which, speaking of Grant and Grace...no matter what card I choose, it will be wonderful because Grant + Grace = Perfection! Guess you will just have to wait and see what our final decision is!

A new addition

Introducing..... Fenway Barrow! He is an 8 week old maltese and so far, Grant adores him. Grace, well, the jury is still out on whether or not she likes him. Here is a little video I took right after we got him home last night. I am so paranoid that Fenway is going to get stepped on and get hurt. And don't worry, he and Grant have a run in at the end of the video but Fenway is just fine!

I wish they'd never grow up!

As the kids and I danced to the new Taylor Swift CD today, I almost started to cry! Why you ask? Was it because I love Taylor so much? Was it because the way my kids dance makes me laugh so hard I cry? Well, the latter has something to do with it. I often feel like they are growing up too fast but today, I realized that the moments like the ones we were enjoying will be gone before I know it.

I know that there is no way to know what will happen with Grace in the future. Let me preface my next comment by saying that I want Grace to accomplish everything and anything she desires. I want her to be able to have a job, go to school, have a "normal" life all that kind of good stuff. I will push her to be the best she can be. However, I will admit that I never want her to leave me. I don't want her to live on her own. I always joke with Adam that he has to build her a house on our property when she is old enough to live on her own if that is what she wants. That way, I can still have her close by and keep an eye on her. The truth is, she might not always need me but I need her. I need that piece of heaven, I need that smile and unconditional love, I need Grace. Sometimes I think Heavenly Father sent her to me because he knows I will have such a hard time letting my kids go and maybe, just maybe, I will always be able to keep my Gracie girl near me. Although, the other day Grant did ask me if I will always buy him food. When I said I would, he told me, "Great! When I marry Hadlie, I will work then give her some money and she will give it to you and tell you what to get me!" I had to explain that as much as I would love to always take care of him, when he gets married his wife will take care of him. He had a puzzled look on his face and asked why. Before I could answer, he said, "Grandma B still tries to take care of daddy!" It was hilarious! I explained that as a mommy, you always want to take care of your kids. And if I have it my way, I will be able to sneak in through his window when he is older and rock him back and forth like in the children's book, Love You Forever.

Anyway, here are some random pictures of the past month. There are some pictures of when Grandma and Grandpa B came to visit, the Halloween party with our Joyschool friends, pictures of Grant with Tuna (the cat we found in the field behind us...more to come), pictures of Grant burying Grace in blankets and pillows, and pictures of the fun we had at the free night at the children's museum. Gracie's designer genes offer lots of perks for our family!

Primary Program

On Sunday, Grant was in his first Primary program at church. We were so glad that he actually participated!
My two handsome boys!
Gracie refused to take a break from Signing Time...some things are more important than pictures, I guess. :-)
Oh wait, she does stop to laugh at Bug.
I apologize for the blurry picture. But you can still see how cute they are, right?!?! A few funny things did happen during the program. First of all, Grant pulled the tongue of his shoes out so the bright orange part was sticking out--classic! Then, at one point, Grace was so excited she could see him, she was yelling at him and then started to "sing". And probably the funniest part was when Grant kept signing "STOP". I guess teaching him how to sign with Grace might backfire a bit.

And...We're back!

Let's admit it, I have failed with the whole 'post every day of the month' thing. However, let me explain my absence. The last week and a half has been long, emotional, busy, exciting, you name it....let's start with the long and emotional. Back in June I had a D&C when I was about 9 weeks along. I was heart broken. I knew that many women have miscarriages but it doesn't make it any easier. I cried a lot for 1 day but then felt total peace and knew that Heavenly Father is in charge, and that if I put my trust in him, I have nothing to worry about. Then, I got pregnant again. I was so excited, so was Grant and Adam. A week and a half ago, we went to the doctors for a check up and it was like someone had hit the replay button. After a week of blood tests and ultrasounds, I had another D&C on Friday. It was like the previous experience, I was totally emotional for 1 day. Had a lot of good crying sessions (that is when Grace gave me a hug then slapped me in the face), then felt total peace again. I am so thankful for the gospel. I have said it before and I will say it again. I know that Heavenly Father is in charge. He truly does want us to be happy and so if I just keep turning my will over to Him, then I will indeed be happy! Now on to the busy and exciting!!! Grandma and Grandpa B. came out to visit for a few days! The kids had loads of fun and the timing could not have been better. I was so thankful that they were here to take care of the kids while Adam and I were at the hospital. Family is the best! There was a lot of playing, a lot of laughs, and when they had to go home, there were quite a few tears. I will post some pictures of the fun we had once I decide to pull the pictures of the camera. And with that, I ask you to forgive me for being a slacker. I am rededicating myself to blogging ever day from here on out until the end of the month! Cheers!