Gratitude

At this time, when there is so many hard things we are dealing with, I am completely overcome with gratitude. I think that it is a "blessing in disguise" that we are going through this trial at this time of year. Yes, it may be true that we no longer have a job, we know exactly when our money will run out, we are scared what the future will bring, BUT we have faith that all will be well, and we can see a little more clearly all the things that we have been blessed with.
We have the worlds most amazing family and friends. I am almost overwhelmed by the amount of love and support that has been shown to us in the past month. We have had financial support, but more importantly we have had emotional support. We have been taken places by our friends and family (mostly out to dinner- YUMMY) to take our minds off the bad and have time to focus on the good. We have had people just tell us how sorry they were, if there was anything they could to let them know, if there was anything that we needed. I am just amazed.
We live in a ward like no other. The sympathy and support we have received is wonderful. We haven't even had to ask for anything. Just the other day an entire Thanksgiving feast was delivered to our door. People are contacting people they know getting Jeff's name out there. Again, amazing!!
We have been blessed with good health. Yes Abby did just break her arm, but she did that while we still had insurance. And all the follow up care for the next month will be covered at no expense (we just have to pay for xrays). We have what we need. There is food in the house, we can still pay for the things we need. And we can focus more on what the real meaning of Christmas is.
This year, yeah it will be a small Christmas, but I have a feeling it will be one of the best Christmas' ever. The focus will be more on our Savior, and less on Santa and presents. It will be more about our love for one another, and less on "so and so got this from Santa." It will be more about making memories together as a family and less on "we need to get gifts for all the neighbors and the kids friends." So, it may be a "small" Christmas as far as gifts go, but it will be the biggest Christmas ever in terms of memories and togetherness.
So, for those of you who have offered a kind word of encouragement, food, money and any and all types of support... THANK YOU! We love you!

Happy Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year. And costumes were super easy too! Abby wore a poodle skirt that I had made for McKenzie. Cameron wore his soccer uniform and went as Nick Rimando (all I had to do was cover the name on the back with Rimando, and cover the Rage logos with Real sticker logos! super easy!) And Kenzie was a bumble bee. I made a tutu out of black and yellow tulle, put yellow duct tape on a black shirt, and added wings and antennas! I think this was one of the easiest years for costumes ever. LOVED IT!!

Here is Abby waiting for the school parade to start.

Kenzie in the parade.

Cameron in the parade.

Abby, just before trick or treating. Showing off her poodle.

Kenzie the bumble bee.

Nick Rimando- aka Cameron

And this is what happens when you try to get 3 children who are already hyped up on sugar, waiting to go out and get more sugar, to pose for a nice picture together...



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Seattle

We had an amazing weekend trip up to Seattle over Fall Break this year (Oct. 20-23). We were able to head up to Seattle to spend some time with family and friends. We started the night of the 19th, spending it in Boise with his sister Julie. Then early the next morning we were off to Seattle. The drive was good and the kids were great. We arrived in Seattle just after 4:00, and went straight to the temple.

As you can see Cameron was totally thrilled by having his picture taken. Who can blame him, he was in the car all day.

Pug's Grandfather designed this temple. He loved the grounds and commented on how it smelled just like his grandpa's backyard.

The next day we spent with his sister Ashlee who lives in Auburn. She took her kids out of school for the day so they could play with their cousins.



We took the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle. It was really neat, and the kids loved being out on the bow of the boat. Then we just drove around downtown Seattle. We saw the troll under the bridge, and then went to a toy store in Seattle. Across the street there was a totem pole. All the kids had to pose in front of it!

That night we hung out with his friend James and his little girl Esme. We took a walk in a park right across the street from their house. So beautiful there!

The next day, Saturday< we went to Pike Place. Unfortunately they weren't throwing fish while we were there :( but we did get some YUMMY doughnuts, and Pug and James loved going through the little Italian shop there.

We went to the top of the space needle, but unfortunately it was raining and cloudy, so we couldn't really see much of anything. But I was able to get this pretty cool shot!

And of couse we had to get the kids to pose all together!!

Later that day James took us to Snoqualmie Falls. It was beautiful. But with the sound of rushing water we were only there about 2 minutes before all the kids had to go to the bathroom!


Here is a river that we went to in Old Town Snoqualmie. Everything there is so beautiful and green. We had an amazing time!

Thanks again James for making this dream come true! Thanks Ashlee for taking us around Seattle. We love all you guys!

McKenzie's Room Make Over

When we moved into our new house just over a year ago, I had told McKenzie we could decorate her room however she wanted. Well, her favorite colors are green and blue, so we found this adorable bedding set at Bed Bath and Beyond for around $50 (we actually bought it before we moved, so I am not counting that towards her room makeover). A year later, I FINALLY got around to decorating. The theme she wanted was Paris. Super cute, and there are TONS of cute decor for a girls room for Paris- if they chose pink as their color. Not to worry though, I think I pulled it off. And the whole thing was less than $100! I will give the break down later.

Here is her room before. Every room in our house is that tan/brown color. Not exactly girly.


Here is a look at it AFTER!


A view of another wall.

The closet and door.

So, just to let you know how cheap everything cost, here is a run down:
Paint: $30 for both green and white (had a mail in rebate)
Vinyl stickers: $9 (40% off coupon at Robert's)
Eiffel Tower: $11 (50% of at Hobby Lobby)
Shelf: $14 (40% off coupon at Robert's)
Picture holder: $10 (50% off at Hobby Lobby)
Curtains: $19 (Target)
Total: $93



These curtains were fun. I bought one long panel at Target. I cut that in half and sewed a pocket for the rod on one and made a hem for the other. Then I hung them and tied black ribbon to bunch them up. I think they turned out cute for only $19.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Wow! I can't believe it is already the end of September! Time sure does fly! We have been so busy! It seems that there is something going on everyday (usually there is!) Here is what our schedule has been for the past month:
Monday: Early out day,homework, laundry, FHE (pretty easy day)
Tuesday: homework, piano, soccer 5:30-7:00
Wednesday: homework, scouts 4:00-5:00, activity days 4:00-5:00, soccer 5:00-6:30, tumbling 6:00-7:00
Thursday: homework, dance 4:00-5:00
Friday: collapse in a big heap
Saturday: Soccer games, Real Games, birthday parties, baby showers, lesson prep, squeeze in house cleaning
Sunday: Church

Plus all the other stuff I forgot and the usual everyday things. Now there are at least one other day of soccer thrown in there in between Tuesday and Friday for another game as well.
Needless to say we have been busy. Crazy BUSY! But you know what... I love it. I love that my kids are so active and involved in different things.

Here are just a few pictures of Cameron's activities from the past month.
Soccer! That kids is a natural when it comes to soccer.


Rain gutter regatta! Of course it had to be a Real boat!

Happy #5 Abby

Today my baby turns 5 years old! My goodness how time flies. Abby has been such a joy to have in our family. She is definitely our comedian. She loves to laugh and make friends wherever she goes. I haven't found a person yet that Abby hasn't won over. She is 5 going on 16, lots of BIG attitude pack in a little tiny body. Abby loves to have her picture taken, especially if she is doing crazy things. Unlike last years birthday post (just using professional pictures), I thought I would do snapshots that I have taken of her. You can really see her personality shine through.










I could have posted about 1000 pictures more of Abby. I love you little girl, you are my sunshine...

Abby's last First Day of Preschool

Today was Abby's last first day of preschool. I kind of have mixed emotions. I love that Abby loves school, and is so smart. She is already reading, and can add things. She is actually more ready for kindergarten than a lot of kindergartners are. But she missed the deadline by a week. So we get to do preschool one more year. I am glad that I get to have her home with me for one more year. It kind of makes me sad to see that my baby is getting so big.

Here are just a few pictures of her first day of school.
Abby in her new outfit.

She just LOVES to get her picture taken. Can you tell?

Abby with her fabulous teacher, Miss Jenny. She is one of the main reasons I am not too worried about her being in preschool one more year. She is wonderful with Abby, and I know that she will make sure that Abby is challenged at school.

Now I just need to get my schedule figured out for the times when I don't have her home. (Probably at the school helping the other kids classes)