Giving Back

I have to admit, I am really glad January is just about over. Not because it is has been a horrible month or anything, I just really need spring and summer to come. I am tired of being cold , of opening my window to gray skies, and I am oh so very tired of sick kids.

I don't think my kids have ever been as sick as they have this winter. It started in October, we got colds that all eventually turned into sinus infections and/or ear infections. Then we got the flu, the real flu, not stomach, then more ear infections and sinus problems and coughs that never seemed to end. Poor Sophie has not been well in 3 months! That is a long time for a baby to be sick. She has been on 3 different rounds of antibiotics, and over Christmas we started a much stronger medication to try and get her better. She seemed to improve for about 5 days, and then caught RSV. It was just this last week that I finally got my happy healthy little girl back, and James came home that day with a temp of 103. Where's the love?

I am happy to say though, that once again (please knock on some serious wood!) we are all feeling good, and back to our "normal" routine.

Look at my cute family. This was taken just after Christmas.

So now here we are at the end of January. Everyone is working on their new years resolutions. When Ben and I started talking about things we wanted to change or do differently this year, he told me that I needed to "stress less". Work out less, clean house less, not freak out so much about things going a little wrong. (I think he just knows he can't compete with my awesomeness so I need to come down to his level). :) No, he actually was right. I have been cleaning less, spending more time with kiddos and him and not stressing out about all those little things. And guess what? I am happier. Much. Isn't it nice to have someone point you in the right direction?

But, besides doing less, I really did want to make some goals for this year. I thought about several different things and they just seemed to bring more stress in my life. That's no good. Then I was wasting time on facebook one afternoon (someone please tell me I am not the only one that does that). And I came across something one of my very good friends did the week of her 31st birthday. She did 31 acts of service during that week and had posted each and every thing she did. It truly inspired me. I generally try to help people out when I can, taking meals, watching kids all that goodness. But she did many random little things that made people's day. Taking flowers to someone for no reason, giving people gifts cards in stores, writing thanks yous and leaving a small gift etc. It was amazing all the little things she did that brought SO much joy to many people.

I thought about last year, (it was rough, that is all I am going to say) and all the people that helped us out when we needed it. And I realized something, that this year was going to be about giving back. We have been so blessed in every way, so now, it is our turn to help out. I thought about my friends list of things she did and I copied her. I decided I was going to start right then and there. I was just about to go grocery shopping (with all 3 kiddos, awesome). So we picked up a box of heart shaped doughnuts, paid for them. And waited by the front doors until a little family came walking through. We gave them the doughnuts, wished them a Happy Valentine's and went, happily, on our way.

My kids loved it, and I loved it. I realized that this is what I need to do this year, it truly makes me happy, no matter what other stresses are going on. And it is fun! This is what I need this year, this is what I am changing. Small acts of service, everyday. I have started sewing a couple different quilts and am making some really cute onsies to give to Primary Children's. I also have a list of people I am sending thank you cards to that I really should have thanked a long time ago. I am excited for this year. I am excited to Give Back.

Admit it, she is the most beautiful thing you have EVER seen.

Now, about these adorable pictures of Sophie. While all the kids were home this week, and I was really tired of just cleaning house all day. Sophie and I played dress up. She LOVES to wear mascara and eye shadow. She asks for those every day. She calls mascara "tickle". I love it.

I love that she is sucking on the pearls, she used to always grab them off my neck when she was a baby and plop them right in her mouth. Still does.

I really wish you could see her beautiful smile here, she was being so funny.

I told you I was absolutely blessed, look at that gorgeous girl? How in the world did I ever get her?

Christmas Pictures

Here are a few pictures from last month's fun. I have more but they are on Ben's phone, so probably won't be posting those. We had a great month and did TONS of fun things. Christmas was fabulous. We didn't overly spoil our kids, they each got 3 presents, one big 2 small, and they had a great time anyway. The cap guns were the winners though. Why didn't I know that a simple $5 gun would bring so much entertainment? And Why did I buy anything else? ;)

James and Harrison with their chocolate suckers we made.

They did a really great job with the chocolate molds. James was so careful with the different colors, I honestly don't think I could have done any better.

Christmas morning. James checking out his candy.

Harrison sitting on the "wooshie pooshie" (that's what he calls whoopie cushions)

He thought it was hilarious.

Sophie and her cute new jammies. She didn't care too much about her presents once she saw the candy. In fact, she didn't even open her presents until late afternoon when the boys finally made her go open them.

Harrison and his Train from Santa. It actually is a pretty great little train, and has gotten Ben hooked ! He is now buying and looking at train things at every hobby shop and has some serious train table plans for the basement in our new home.

James and his HUGE lego set. He put it together pretty much by himself that day. I was impressed.

Sophie and I at Temple Square. I love this picture.

Here we all are at Temple Square, the lights weren't as amazing as past years, but we had some hot cocoa and donuts so it was still a fun evening together.