My Heavenly Father loves me....

I don't know about you but this past month or two or three I have been stressed, tired and just overwhelmed. I can't say it has been one thing but just lots of little things. I am sure my pregnancy hormones play a lot into this as well as my teaching schedule (28 students) and trying to keep up with the life of 4 young kids. Anyone relate? So yesterday I played with the mo tab. I performed for the music and the spoken word broadcast. It was not a very memorable broadcast as far as harp parts go but for some reason I was stressed. Honestly I think it was a combination of just my emotions coming to a head. As I left the broadcast and was driving home I just felt sad and overwhelmed. Wondering if I am going to be able to handle 5 kids and teaching and Kent traveling and just everything. I didn't know what to do and for the first time in my life I started questioning why I am putting so much effort and time and life into the harp. Haven't I put enough time? Is it time to throw in the towel and just say I did it and now I need to focus on being there for my kids and not others children? It has been something I have been wondering a lot about lately and praying about needing to know what I should do. Fast forward to this afternoon. The feelings of yesterday still weighing on my mind I was waiting in the dr. Office for Claire and I checked my Facebook status. I found that this sister from my old ward who I have spoken to maybe 3-4 times ever in my life had posted something about me. She told me how grateful she was to see me on the broadcast yesterday morning and how it must be such a blessing to be able to be a part of something so beautiful. She also said something to the extent like how nice it must be to have worked so hard on something and to be able to use my talents. I just about started crying right there in the waiting room. (remember pregnancy hormones!) I felt like this sister was an answer to me that my Heavenly Father is aware of me. He knows my trials and feelings and understands what I needed to be reminded of. I am so thankful for this small miracle in my life today. I am writing it down so I can remember that not only am I being looked after but that I need to be open to promptings that might help others. Thank you dear sweet sister in my old ward who listed and followed the spirit. I am so grateful for you! I haven't figured out anything concrete but I do know that the answers will come to me and that in time I will be guided to the path that will help me and others, because I know that my Heaveny Father Loves me!

New for 2013

OK so 2012 never happened. Strike that...it did happen I just never posted once in 2012 so in a few years we will think it never happened. I resolve to post at least once in 2013. And here it is... :) A little update. 2012 brought on a new house, new pets(llamas), new job (Kent) and new schools. That is it in a nutshell. 2013 brings on a new frontier for our family. We just finished a small remodel project (big to us but small to our construction crew). Kent is leaving for Orlando on Tuesday for his first Color Run for the 2013 year. Emma still hasn't gotten the hang of going to bed or waking up with a smile on her face. (That hasn't changed so that is not new for 2013!) Claire just got done with cast therapy for her leg and it has made a huge difference. She is finally walking with her heel touching the ground. Mack and Morgan are potty trained (hallelujah!!!) and loving pre school. Oh and we are expecting a little boy in June. Yes 2013 will be a big year for our family. 2012 was great and we feel very blessed. We hope and pray 2013 will be equal. (See at least one post this year. Check this off my list of resolutions! :) )

The Land of Sweets and the Sugar Plum Fairy

About a month ago Claire informed me that she was going to have a Nutcracker party. I asked her what exactly was a Nutcracker Party and she told me quite specifically what it was. "Mom. The Sugar Plum Fairy will come. We will decorate cupcakes and pin the hat on the Nutcracker." Claire held onto those ideas which forced me to figure it out. Thank goodness for Circe and Golda! Golda graciously said yes when asked if she would be our Sugar Plum Fairy. She was the sweetest and best fairy I could ever ask for. Honestly. If you have a birthday party coming up and need an AMAZING helper Golda is your girl! Now you need to know something about me. I may be musical but I am not crafty or creative. Honestly. I remember getting kicked out of 7th grade art because I was so bad. I think the quote from my teacher was "you are much better at the performing arts than the visual arts. I think you should stick with performances." So armed with Claire's ideas, pinterest and my trusty Sugar Plum Fairy I think we pulled it off today. We invited way too many girls and yet I would not change it at all. I won't tell you how many came but let me tell you that thanks to the generosity of Claire's friends we won't need to buy anything for her for the entire year. That includes Christmas! This post includes some phenomenal art work by Kent (the pin the hat on the Nutcracker game and the invitation) and some of my best crafty work. Again, pretty much all the ideas came from various blogs found from pinterest. Without further adieu...Claire's vision of the Nutcracker.

5 years old...where did the time go?

Happy Birthday Claire! I can't believe you are 5 today. You are such a sweet and loving little girl who has some fire and sass like no other. I want you to know that we are so lucky to have you in our family. You have taught your dad and me more about strength, humility and prayer than anyone else in our lives. Thank you! You inspire us daily.

We love you so much and hope you have fun tomorrow with your Nutcracker Party and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Love you so much!

Mom and Dad

The Great Disney Adventure

This post is going to be long. At least I think it will. So you can stop now and just know that the short version is we went, we had fun and we survived. All good things! :)

The long version is that about 6 weeks ago I had this crazy dream after talking to my neighbor that we (Kent and I) could do Disneyland. It seemed like it would be so much fun and that the kids would freak out.
So after checking into the prices and deals I pulled the trigger one Saturday night. I felt both giddy and sick at the same time. Can you feel that?! Well I did.

Then started the great Disney research. I swear I emailed, facebooked and read every website that would give me all the tips and tricks to taking young kids, toddlers and twins to Disneyland. To say I was a bit obsessed would be an understatement!

Fast forward to last Tuesday after school. We picked Emma up from school and had all the bags packed and loaded in the car. We told the kids we were going on a trip and that the big surprise was Disneyland. Emma seemed totally overwhelmed and Claire just freaked out! She kept saying "I am going to meet Tinkerbelle!"

We flew with all 4 kids and it went great. We were a bit of a circus but I am used to people staring at me when I am out with the kids. Kent...not as much.

We spent 3 days at Disneyland. Had lunch at Aeriel's Grotto which was actually pretty good, saw 3 parades, fireworks, the World of Color show and also trick or treated at Disneyland. By the time Friday night hit I had hit my overload button of everything Disney. It was a blast though and I am so glad we did it.

The kids tonight were telling us all their favorite things they did. Emma loved meeting all the characters and getting their autographs. I thought she was going to die when she met Jessie from Toy Story! Claire seriously loved everything. Except for the new Aeriel's ride. It was the first ride she did and I think she was overwhelmed by the huge Ursela and burst into tears! Needless to say she did not want to ride that one the rest of the time. On Friday afternoon she told me "Mom. I think I will give it one more try." She did it and loved it. I was so proud of her!

The boys were seriously so funny. Like total boys they just hung out and went with the flow of what the girls wanted to do. They were thrilled with whatever person they met and whichever ride they went on. They were actually pretty easy since they had no agenda or opinion of what or where to go. They really loved the Aerial ride as well as anything Toy Story related. They were so cute and were so much fun!

Kent was a total trooper and a great sport. He is not a Disney fan period. I think it is a safe bet to say he did not catch the "Magic" but still went through the exhaustion of the trip for his kids and me. I once again have realized how lucky I am to have married him. He was a great support!

My Tips and Tricks for Disney are these:
1. You can plan all you want but seriously it will not work out the way you think. Just go with the flow.
2. Watch out for the people on mopeds. They mean business and they will run over your small child/children if your not watching!
3. Churros and Corn Dogs do taste better at Disneyland. I don't know why but it is worth the $$.
4. Once you are sucked in you will not get out. Try as you might you will need to allow yourself at least an hour to exit the park. You keep seeing things you need to check out or buy or just try once. It is mission impossible!
5. This is a tip I think I will hopefully try the next time we go. (yes. there will be a next time it just might not be for 5 years!) I am hoping that next time we will be able to stay at the Grand California Hotel. I am thinking it will be worth the extra $$ to not have to drive/walk/shuttle anywhere in the morning or at night. Especially with 2 strollers.

If you have stuck with me this long...Thank you! I am totally impressed!!!

First Day of First Grade

Today Emma started her first day of First Grade. She has Miss Rushton and is in a 1st/2nd split. It was funny because for as confident as she was to go once we got there she was totally shy. I have never thought of Emma as shy but today she showed that side. I am totally anxious to hear how her day was and how lunch and recesses were. I think they do early out day today because the parents (i.e. me) need time to adjust to her not being here.

I miss her but know she will do great. I love you Emms! I can't believe this day has arrived. Big milestone. BIG!

9 years ago...

9 years, 4 kids,2 continents, 2 apartment, 2 houses and countless cars later we find ourselves here. Today. Celebrating! Thanks for always being there for me. I love you!

Happy Anniversary KWP!!!

love,
MEWP

p.s. how sad is it that this is the only picture I could find of us without children. This was taken on our last trip alone...before the boys were born!