Hannah and Singing!

Hello.. Wow, the whole month of Oct. went by so fast! Hard for me to believe it is already Nov. and the whole month just dr's appt. and hospital and physical therapy! I am getting better slowly, starting to drive YA!! but it is hard, but making it. I am grateful to know there is an end one day of pain w/ the body. I will be so grateful for the resurrection. I think to myself, I will not only look forward to seeing my sweet Angel, but run too her in a perfect healthy body! Lately my back has really been bothering me again. I know it is how I am walking, but I can't help it. It can get so hard, I am just grateful for a wonderful Chiropractor who is wonderful. He is even offering me a free visit this week because we just can't do two a week right now w/ medical bills yucky!

Well, on a better note.. Hannah is taking voice lessons and she loves it! We were so proud of her she gave her first recital! She sang the song Old Dan Tucker. They practice about 4 songs a semester and they can choose any song to sing but she felt more comfortable w/ that. Well, w/ my new ipod touch I recorded it, but for some reason it didn't save! I recorded her singing it before we left practicing but people have been wanting me to put it up on FB, but I would rather have it on here. So I am going to try and do it. She really has grown up the past few months being here. She isn't scared as much and helps me so much since my surgery. I am so grateful for her and Chris taking such wonderful care of me.

She also had fun trick or treating. I am going to put a picture of her up as a Cheerleader. My mom got her the cute outfit she is addicted to ebay so grateful for her for buying it. Hannah wanted her to make it,but this was so much easier and cheaper! Thanks mom.. Sorry, this picture of Hannah and Halloween can't upload for some reason.. but here is everything else..Thanks for looking everyone..

Oh..and By the Way Jonathon, Happy Birthday too you! I sure love you and thank you for being such a Wonderful brother!

Well, until next time!

Hello, a long week

It's been a long week! I had my surgery like I wrote, and I thought things were going pretty good. Sister Anderson,(my mission mom) called to see if she could come visit me since she only lives only 5 mins. away. I told her I would love her too! She came by Tues. morning and I woke up that morning and my foot was really swollen! She came to visit me and we had a nice visit. My dr.'s nurse called, and I told her about the swelling. She said, that Dr. Green will want you to have an ultrasound. I said ok, since I was coming down tomorrow, if I can get it then. She said, sure. Well, mean while, Sister Anderson and I were visiting and I told her about my foot. She said, probably not to worry about a Blood clot because it wasn't hot. I told her that I had woken up in the night w/ really bad pain in my heal, and it woke me up the past couple of nights. She still said not to worry about it most likely, but if the Dr. nurse calls back you should tell her. We continued to visit and it was nice. I just love her and grateful for them and so nice they live so close and that she wanted to come visit me.

During our visit, the nurse did calls back. I told her about the past couple of nights and my foot pain and that it woke me up. She wanted me to she wanted me to tell the dr. I said, can't you, and she said, no you need to along w/ the swelling. So, he got on and he said, you need to go get an ultrasound right now! It could be a blood clot and you could be dead tomorrow if you wait. So, I asked Sister Anderson if she would take me down and she said yes. I didn't want Chris to come up then back down then drive us home again. We got to the hospital and during the ultrasoundist said she wont be able to tell me,but I will give you a sign if you have one. She was doing the ultrasound and in the middle of it, and gave me a funny look. So, I knew I had one. I was admitted right away. It was pretty scary. I never knew how serious a blood clot could be! I couldn't even have a pillow under my knee for my pain. I was in the hospital for two days, had blood drawn around the clock and it was hard. I missed being w/ my family. I didn't want anything to happen to me. So grateful for the priesthood, and the comfort Chris gave me that I would be ok.

I still am bed rest hopefully until tomorrow then can try and start walking on my knee! I sure miss walking and doing my every day duties. I can't drive for 5 more weeks!! I am grateful for the words during General Conference this weekend. They really were a comfort to me. I loved Elder Scott's talk, he talked about trails and tribulations and that we need to use and exercise our faith. He says that w/ our trails they make us stronger and who we are, it was a comfort to hear. I am also grateful to get my nephew's and he is on a mission. He brings me so much comfort and joy to see him on his mission serving the people of Ukraine.Sorry, about no pictures lately, I know I need to put them on.

Hello again!

Hello, I am now recovering from knee surgery. They didn't need to do Knee replacement and but they still had to fix a torn tendon and my knee cap. I have to keep it still fully straight, even putting it off a pillow it is very painful, to just get up to go to the bathroom. So, grateful for my wonderful husband who takes such great care of me! He is so patient w/ me. I can't say enough about him, and so grateful to my sweet Daughter Hannah is getting to be so independent!

Last week, for FHE, she read an article out of the Friend, of Sister Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the R.S talked about her experience going to the Hill commourah,and her experience there. She told about her praying and finding out for the herself the church is true! I then expressed to Hannah she can too find out by prayer that the church is true. She said, I don't need to ask!! I already know the church is true! I am so grateful for her sweet and innocent spirit and hope she will always remember that she knows the church is true!

I think I wrote earlier that I have put her in voice lessons! I might be a little prejudice but I think she has a very good voice. Tonight, while we were talking I finally talked her into letting me record her sing, I am a Child of God. I hope I can get it on here! It is so sweet like her! Grateful her birth mother wanted to give this sweet child the gospel. I hope one day she will know how special and lucky she is by having the gospel in her life! Until next time!!

Yet Another!!

I am not sure what happened, I know I had a post on here from a couple of weeks ago but I guess I am going to rewrite what I wrote..

But, yes, It is time for yet another surgery.. My # 19th!! Hard for me to believe. I think it was my last one my sister and I figured out it is about 1 every 2 1/2 years or so. So, I am due. Last time it was my left knee, this time Right knee. I just get to be the lucky one I guess. Your knee cap is suppose to be on your knee 6 degree's longitude, mine has been 20 degrees longitude. The doctor was shocked that I hadn't been in the E.R and that it always pops back into place after popping out. He asked me like a couple of times to make sure I was correct that I never had to go to the E.R. I said, no. I am grateful for the ward I am in because they have been good and kind, they are going to bring dinner's into for me, and a friend is going to pick up Hannah from school and take her. I guess this means we are officially in the ward now, when I need help. I have been wearing the huge brace,more like on my leg to my ankle, that I have had to wear and it is really annoying because I can't bend it more then 30 degree's too. It is hard, but so grateful I can even walk, and it can be healed. Speaking of healing, last week Matt was down here working and I asked him if he would help Chris assist in giving me a blessing before my surgery. He said of course. So, he came over one evening and Chris asked me if I minded Matt giving it since he always did, (which is true..haha) and since he rarely does. I said if it was ok w/ Matt and he said of course. I had such a hard week, I had a cardiology appt to cear me for my surgery and got poked and prodded then couldn't even get a vein, and my knee was just so swollen after them draining 60 cc's of fuild out from it. So, as they gave me the blessing he Blessed me that I pain would be minimal and that I would be able to get through the next week. Also that the Dr.'s could fix the problem and there wouldn't be any repercussions after my healing. What comfort and joy it is to be able to have a blessing. All my blessings are comfort but w/ the Concentrated Oil I have a testimony of. After the blessing my swelling went down w/in a day or two and I feel better! I even think, wow, do I really need the surgery right now or can I put it off? I know in my heart I do but so grateful for the power of the priesthood, and that my husband and cousin honor and is willing to bless my life! Greatful for my Savior that gives me the strength to live day to day and that I can one day be completely free of pain and be w/ my family Eternally!

Hannah is so enjoying second grade. I am sorry about no pictures, I just have been bad lately. I have put her in voice lessons and she loves it! She sings all day long. I hope to record her while she isn't looking so I can somehow put it on here. Until next time..

Happy 40th Birthday

I again, know I have really been bad this, but I guess sometimes is better than never!! I just wanted to wish my husband today a very Happy Birthday! We are so blessed to have him in our lives! He is so caring and loving and gentle and works so hard and grateful he was born today!

I can't believe I haven't written all summer. We were able to go to California this summer and have a lot of fun. We got to see so many of my family members I haven't seen in so long, my cousin and I figured out we hadn't seen each other in 21 years and they are first cousins. I got to see my yiayia, and my brother whom I haven't seen in a long time! We were able to go to my friend Sunni's wedding who was so wonderful to go to! She and her husband Brock got married in the same ceiling room that we got married in. It was so neat to be there and witness and the wonderful spirit which we felt there. It is hard to believe just this summer Chris and I celebrated our 13 yrs together. We have been so blessed to w/ two beautiful girls special in there own way. When I get pictures from Sunni, I will post some.

Also, some fun news my nephew Tyler left for the Ukraine. He is doing so well. I am so proud of him and love him so much!

I guess I am going backwards, Hannah started the second grade. She loves her school and teacher. She is in our ward and friends w/ a few of the kids already it is so nice to see! She plays so much everyday w/ friends and it is just a blessing to live in St. George!

One last thing, this last weekend we went to our county fair. It was so much fun! Hannah and I rode a Ferris wheel together. It was really a lot of fun. To bad we only had my camera phone and at the time, couldn't download pictures..

Well, again Happy Birthday to my sweet husband. I sure love you and you bless my life in so many words that can describe! I love you!

Ivin's Utah!!

Yes, It has been awhile again..I never promised I would be good at this and the sad thing, I have always kept a journal and for the past year or so I have been so bad at that!! We are settled now, for the most part so hopefully I can get better!

We have now lived here for three months even though we miss North Carolina, especially our friends and ward we love it here!! We love our new home! We love our neighborhood and it is so weird to get use to our ward being not 20 min. or so from one end to the ward to another, but having our ward only being a few blocks! I already received a new calling. My scariest calling ever I thought I would have is second counselor in the Relief Society!! I had my first ever enrichment this past Tuesday and it went great thanks to Laura. We made homemade cards and she did so much work!! It was fun to see the finished project!

Hannah is doing GREAT! She loves school! She loved her teacher she ended up w/ this year here in Red Mountain Elementary! She did really great. I am so proud of her and her reading and spelling. Her math is doing great too. So, grateful for her and the fun she is in our life. She has found out she has a love for Hiking! One of the first weekends we were here we went to Snow Canyon,which is almost in our back yard and she loved it! We went w/ cousins of ours and she just had a blast.

Since, our adventure to Snow Canyon, we have been to Zion's and just today Grand Canyon!! It was so much fun! So, grateful to be by all these wonderful national parks!! I grew up in S.Calif, and sad to say I haven't been to any of these. Grateful for my husband who grew up going on road trips and it is fun we can do it in a day!!

Since we have moved in we got our yard done. That was my Mother's day present which is wonderful!!

I sure love my friends in NC, and miss them terribly but so grateful to be near home and close to family! I am grateful for the phone and Facebook to be able to stay in touch really well!! Thanks for keeping track of our outings and adventures..Life is good!

Amazing

For those who wouldn't think I would ever update again I am.. So, much as gone on the past six months I feel bad that I haven't written sooner! I will try and get better again over the next few months..

As most of you know we are moving to St. George, Utah!! This has been my dream for so long to move there. I have only ever driven through it over the years growing up but I love Utah but wanted to be different and not live in central Utah I call it. I have lived in Provo, and Layton but wanted to try something new. SO, when this job opportunity came for us we prayed and it felt right to take the chance w/ Chris' job to be transferred. From then on everything has fallen into place!! I remember a few years ago after Alyssa died I would receive blessings stating blessings would Poor among us.. Never understood until now!! We sold our house in two months. The first one in the neighborhood in a year. We went out to look for a home in ST. George then it was the last one we saw!! We loved it, bank countered and we got it!! We needed a place to live for three weeks, until we were able to move and we have wonderful friends that are letting us stay in there place for two three weeks until we move! Also, Hannah wont be missing school! The week we move Hannah will be in spring break so wont be missing any school!

I am so grateful for my heavenly father. We always need to learn patients which I am forever learning,but grateful for when he knows when it is best we just need to believe all will work out!

I am going to miss Charlotte! This has been our home for 9 yrs. We love everyone here. This is all Hannah knows and she will have an adjustment period but know we will be back and visit! I want Hannah to always know this was her first home! She is a true Southern Belle and want to love and appreciate what she had here too. We love you all!!

I wanted to put pictures on of our house but it isn't working for some reason. I will try again later.. I just can't believe I finally posted again!!

Fun Weekend!!

Sure has been a fun weekend.. It started with not only the weekend but going to a reception for some young friends that I sure love!! Elizabeth and Brady Hibbard. I taught Elizabeth in Beehives. She is my first Beehive to get married and we have known Brady for about 8 yrs. Congrats to them!! I know they will be really happy together!!

On Friday my friend Nancy and I went to go see Mamma Mia! It was so much fun!! I have learned going to plays and musicals are one of my favorite things to do in life. I have been really blessed to go to many. My first one was Phantom of the Opera. I have seen that I think like three times. Then Les Miserable for my 18th birthday from my mom. We had the best seats ever for that 5th row center!! Then Chris one year took me to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor dream Coat for my birthday. Then Last year with a friend I saw Wicked, which Wicked is so WONDERFUL!! and then Mamma Mia. I have seen Les Miserable twice I think. Like I said just been really blessed. For Mamma Mia I found the tickets off Craiglist and I got them. This guy and his wife couldn't go. They were season ticket holders.

On Thurs. I was sitting down with Hannah at lunch and we were just talking and my great visiting teaching companion has been watching Hannah for me the past month for two days a week. She has a little girl name Hannah who is 2 or almost 2 and a cute baby named Elle. She breast feeds her and one day Hannah was curious and she ended up telling her asking Questions. So, back to us eating lunch.. She asked mom did you feed me w/ your boobs? I think that is how she worded it. I said, Hannah do you remember how I told you that you were adopted? She said, yes..because we have the conversation sometimes. Well, I told her I would have loved to but couldn't since I got her from a different mommy. She just said..Ok.. and then I said but I did feed you through a bottle. She didn't want to know more she was done. The sweet innocents of a child and asking about themselves she just wanted to know and she was fine with that. She also one time when she was 4 asked about her birth mom and I just told her that she wanted her to have a better home and a mom and dad that could love her so much than what she was able to and she just said ok. The sweet innocence again as a child of just telling the truth they love you so much.

She looked so pretty today going to church. I don't know where she got this dress she wore, I think from a friend. She has had a wonderful teacher in Primary this year and she is moving. So, I took a picture of her with Hannah. I am posting that on. Next time I write it might be our trip to Alaska!! Can't wait!! less then two weeks away!!!

Alyssa Joy

Thank you so much to Heather and my friend Chuck and Chris for helping me get this up!! I have been working on it for awhile and I just thank you. I hope you enjoy. It is in honor of our Alyssa Joy our sweet Angel. She will always be remembered.

Happy Aniversary Chris!!

I just wanted to write a quick blog and say Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband! I am so grateful for him in my life. He is such a great husband and father. I am grateful for the hard worker he is. He will do anything to keep us going and so blessed to have him.

I have reflected a lot this passed week on Time..How time does go on and makes things a lot better. I remember the week we got married I was so sick. My brother gave me the stomach flu and I had it really bad that whole week. My family kept asking if I need to change the wedding day and I wasn't going to I was going to keep going. I was so grateful the morning I woke up on my wedding day I had stopped throwing up and was able to get ready. That alone should have told Chris to run away from me but he didn't. He and I were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. My heart surgeon was the temple president at the time and he married us. It was a wonderful day. I remember some of the blessing he blessed us with. I also remember him coming from Alberta,Canada from his family reunion because he promised me and another girl that he would marry us that day. He also made jokes with us saying, he actually touched my heart. He was a wonderful man. I loved Pres. Walker. He passed away last year.

Chris and I have been through so much in the past twelve years and I love him so much more than the first day I met him. I couldn't ever imagine going through what we went through with anyone else. We have become stronger as husband and wife. Time does heal. Time does get things better. I remember going through our hardest times after loosing Alyssa and us being promised if we live faithfully we would be blessed. Blessings do come. They have come even a hundred fold! I am grateful for my sweet husband and my daughters. I am so lucky for the family I have. I love you all.

Our Sweet Alyssa Joy!!

I have tried and tried for the past day to get a video that my friend made for me on my blog and I can't do it for some reason. So, I am just going to take a moment and write about my little fighter. She fought and fought for two and a half years. She is my strength and my example. I am so grateful she was apart of our life and our daughter. I am grateful for her and wanting to be our daughter.

Alyssa loved many things in her little life. She loved Elmo and Ernie!! She watched them all the time. When she was in the hospital she would always watch a video over and over again and it would keep her happy. She would also had some peg letters for a board and for some reason she loved the letter E and I. She would carry them around in her sweet little hands.We would have to pry them from her when she would go to sleep.

She loved her pacifier. She was always a pacifier baby. She also was such a wonderful sleeper. I have been really blessed with my girls because I thought it was just Alyssa because she was sick but Hannah is also a great sleeper. I am so lucky!

I just remember one time after her heart surgeries I wanted to see her so bad and we had just gotten the word that she was out and going to be wheeled into her room. So, we waited and waited. Finally I went to the nurses station and I asked about her and I somehow missed her and she was already in her room sleeping soundly. So, I wanted to go see her but suggested we wait. She heard my voice I saw in the corner of my eye and she opened her eyes. She wanted me to be by. So, I told the nurse I could see she was already awake if I could go in there and she said yes. It was a special memory because at that little age she could tell I was near.

We sure love her and miss her but know how grateful we are for her to be apart of our life and daughter!!

Happy Birthday to my Hannah!!

My sweet Hannah!! I sure love you!! It is hard to believe you are 6 yrs old!! You are mine and your daddies light!! I wish sometime I middle named you Joy because you are that too to us also. But Christine is so perfect for you so both of our girls could be named after me and your dad. He wouldn't have done it any other way and now it is nice because you are named after him and your birth mom. I have thought a lot of her today. Keeping her in my prayers. I hear her life is really good right now. I am so grateful for that because ours is and I want what is best for her! She has blessed our life in so many ways because of you.

Thank you for being such a sweet girl. I know we can be hard on you but I have always known since you were little you will be a leader. Kids love you and you are loved wherever you go! You make friends so easily!! I just want you to do what is right always and you will be protected!!

This passed week we had a fun full week since your birthday was on a Sunday, and Fast Sunday. So, we went to dinner with the Wheelock's on Wed. and you were set to go to Souper Salad!! You didn't want Chuck E cheese or Cici's you wanted Souper Salad!! Then we went swimming. I am bummed I couldn't find my camera all week sorry. Sister Cyiera and her daughter Hannah made you a cute barbie cake. It was really adorable! Then we went swimming. It was really a fun day for you.

Then on Friday we had your party with Faith. I haven't received the pictures yet because Deanna took them. Her camera is better anyway. I will add them next post. You had so many friends there with school. You both are in the same class and have known each other since 1 so that is why we decided to do it. We were going to have a bike party but it has rained all week long so we changed it to the McDonald play land and you had fun anyway! You did learn how to ride a two wheeler bike from Brianna though and I need to get pictures from that too. Sorry, I have been a bad mom this week with my camera!!

Then on Sat. we went to go see Up!! It is the new Disney movie for the summer. It is good. Very sweet movie. Really for adults. There are some really sensitive parts in it and it made you just cry. You have such a sweet sensitive soul! Even though it was really an older theme you understood and took it so to heart. I sure love that side of you your sweet spirit.

Then this morning!! On your birthday!! I woke up about 8:30. You hadn't come in yet and woke me up so I was just laying there waiting. Finally I could hear you singing. I wanted to go listen and it was so sweet. I can't even remember what you were singing about just playing with your barbies and one of them were singing. I then peeked in and said..Did you forget it was your birthday? You said YES!! It was sweet. I think you loved what we got you, a Repunzul Barbie doll and an Anne Of Green Gable book which I hope to read with you this summer and some fun jewelry. You had a fun full week and again Hannah we sure love you and proud you wanted us to be your parents! So, grateful for the two ways I have been able to be blessed with my children. One, through Natural birth which was a great and sweet and wonderful experience and through adoption!! Both are so special. So grateful to Christine and for having the courage to bless our lives! I will never forget when you were put into my arms and the hospital bracelet put on me and your dad was like I had given birth to you at that moment then when we were sealed for time and all eternity just sealed the deal. I love you so much my sweet precious Hannah. You are my Joy, my Light and my everything. I have been blessed with the greatest family husband and two daughters who are angels!! Until later Love you!! and Happy 6th Birthday!

Mothers Day/Time Out for Women!!

Yes, it has been about 3 weeks but I promise I have tried and tried to write this but every time I am almost done it messes up somehow even if I save these post I don't know where to find it..So, I am going to do this short and sweet and catch up!!

My mother's day weekend was very nice!! I was lucky to get to go to Time out for Women thanks to my friend in my ward Jolin and she and her mom couldn't go so I went and I asked if Tammie Causey my good friend wanted to go with me. We had so much fun! My first time away from Hannah and dad stayed home with her and he did a great job. We heard from so many great speakers and were so uplifted. We heard from Micheal McClain and Kenneth Cope whom I have never heard in person and he was great so was Micheal then we also heard from Sister Chieko Ozazki, and a few other people. It was all just really great and I had a great time with Tammie.

Then that Sunday was Mother's Day and Chris sure spoiled me. He cooked me breakfast in bed and I also got dinner that night from him too. He is great and him and Hannah just let me be lazy that day. Another blessing I get on Mother's day which is really special to me that I am just sharing with people but ever since my Alyssa passed away each Mother's day in church we sing Teach me to walk in the Light. It was my song to her. I sang it all the time to her when I would rock her or try and comfort her. This Mother's day we sang it again and it was such a special treat it always is and grateful for that tender mercy and blessing he gives me from him and her!!

One last thing since I am writing in this tonight.. Hannah learned to ride a bike today!! We went over to Dawn and Chris' tonight and Brianna taught her how. I have tried one other day so she really did pick it up in about 30 min!! We were so excited and proud of her!!

Teacher Appreciation Night!!

Last night we had our ward Annual Teacher Appreciation night. We have tried to invite Hannah's pre-school teachers in the past but they were always busy which is common everyone has families and busy with there life but last night we were so excited because Hannah's kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hughes and her daughter, Amber was able to attend. It was so neat to be able to sit with her on a one one one causal setting. She says Hannah is doing great in school and loves having her in her class. I am just grateful for Mrs. Hughes for having patients because I know how Hannah can be. She is excited about life and loves learning but it is really hard for her to sit still and she loves to hum while she is learning. She is such a happy girl and doing really great in school! We just got her I think it would be her 3rd quarter report card and she is excelling in Reading and doing great in all areas she has all S--which means Satisfactory. Her teacher loved last night. Loved the music that we sang and was happy to be there. It was really nice because she lives right across the street from the church and always saw our traffic and wondered what our building look like inside. Amber and Hannah got a long great together and grateful she came also. Thank you for all those who helped that night be a huge success!! Hannah didn't want to go up to give her teacher a rose or the certificate. She just cried. She just doesn't like to be in public and have a lot of attention but she makes so many friends so easily! We sure love her teacher Mrs. Hughes and so blessed to have had a great experience in Kindergarten!!

Yes..It has been awhile..yet again..

I guess to say I am not the best at blogging! I didn't think I would be but I will keep trying. It is a great journal and hopefully with work I can get better at it! Hannah has been really fun lately but also just so much energy!! I sure wish I had her energy!! She loves to be outside!! Whenever she gets a chance as soon as she gets home from school she goes outside!! She could be there until 7 p.m if it wasn't to come in for dinner and bugs!! We have had so much rain this year which is nice because everything is green again but bugs we do have!! Well, flying bugs. She thinks everything is a bee and she has never been stung by a bee but she hates them!! So, if she does see one of those or thinks they are one she will come in and not go back out!! I tell her Hannah, that is what we get for springtime is Bees which are good and they wont bug you unless you bug them.. She still doesn't get it. Hopefully one day.

Also, Hannah has a love for animals!! I don't know if I wrote awhile back we were watching My Dog Skip one day together it is a cute movie and some tender moments in it. Skip got lost and Hannah was so sad. She cried and cried, I finally saw her sensitive side as a child. I said, Hannah Skip will probably be ok let's just see what happens and she says, I know because I want to be a veterinarian and take care of animals one day and I don't like any animal lost or hurt. It was so sweet. Well, the reason why I brought this up, is the other day she was outside on her swing set and just playing and she comes running in, she said, can I have a band aid? I said why are you hurt? She said, no but I caught a grasshopper and it has a cut on it and it isn't moving.So, I decide to go outside and inspect what she was talking about and it wasn't a grasshopper it was a cricket!! It was dead but she wanted to still put a band aid on it. Then once I told her it was a cricket she came inside and I asked her if she was done playing outside? She said no, I am going to get my cricket book so my cricket wont be lonely. She is so funny so she got her book which makes cricket noises at the end set it outside with it open so the cricket could hear. It was REALLY cute and funny. I forgot about it then the next day the book was still out there.. It was funny. She is so cute. She just loves animals and I am so glad she does and grateful we have ours even though out dog Dakota is sometimes a pain in the neck..well really all the time. Pretty scary to think if we decide to give Dakota away to a good home what Hannah would do. She did say she would run away with him. So, we really have to pray and think about it..Even though I know she wont do that.. Until next time..

Oh..also last week Hannah lost her first upper front tooth!! It is sure fun. I remember loving to get my teeth out now her other one is loose. She is just getting so big. We are just so grateful for her happy personality and the fun she brings into our live!! We love you Hannah!!

Snowy Day!!

I am finally writing yet again and it has been about a week, or more. It is just hard for me I guess to write weekly. I never wrote about Christmas because Alyssa's birthday just came upon us so fast. We spent it in Wisconsin and it was REALLY cold most of the time we were there. I have been lucky as long as Chris and I have been married we have been lucky and each Christmas we have been there it hasn't been to cold. Well this year we broke our luck! They had broke records on how much snowfall they had received before Christmas and they have been dumped 45 inches of snow and Winter had just began and they were already sick of it. Hannah had fun playing in it just for a day with her cousins. It rained a couple of days later so it turned into slush! On Christmas day 5 degree's and low of -18. Here in NC on Christmas I was told it was 70. Now go figure we would choose the 5 degree place to spend Christmas.

Then about a week later we flew to Colorado. Finally getting to see my family my sister and her family who I hadn't seen in 2-3 yrs and my mom came with my dad. It was so nice to see everyone again! When we arrived there, there was No SNOW!! Then a couple of days later we woke up to 4 to 5 inches of snow! Hannah had fun in it again playing with her cousin Mia while the older kids had to go to school. Going to CO was a short trip so Hannah wouldn't miss much school.

Then today here in Charlotte, NC we wake up to SNOW!! Every where we have been this winter we have received snow. It has really been fun for Hannah getting a feel for what all of her cousins get each winter. It is so pretty and white and clean looking. It is nice to just relax and enjoy this snowy day inside!

Happy Birthday to our Sweet Alyssa

It is hard to believe our daughter Alyssa would be 10 years old today. I would have a daughter in double digits!! Wow!! We are getting old! We are so grateful she blessed our lives as long as she did and was a great strength and joy to have in our family! She was always happy and she loved Elmo and Ernie. When her blood disorder started she just held her little arm out because she new what to do it and she did it without flinching and she was a fighter! She brought us so much Joy in our life and we miss her so much. When she died we were told that great blessings would come as long as we were faithful. I am going to share a few that I can think of that are some of the greatest blessings!

1. Chris doesn't have to work Sunday's and is able to go to church with us.

2. HANNAH! She is our Joy and the one who keeps us going daily and helps me be a better mom and person.

3. Also the tender mercy's we get from Heavenly Father and Alyssa that are such a comfort to me and her dad.

4. To also know she is saved and that she is one of his choicest daughters and we will be with her again one day!

We sure love and and look forward to that reunion. We sure love you and grateful to be your parents and your sister.

Love you,

Mom,Dad and Hannah

Santa!!

Hello, This past weekend we had a fun weekend. Hannah actually sat on Santas lap for the first time in a few years. She even had to sit on with Bri and Mackayla because she didn't want to still sit by herself. She did a great job though!

We also finally got our Christmas tree up!! Hannah has begged and begged pretty much since the first of Dec. to get it up!! She had so much fun putting it up and has been excited for Christmas this year! I love my tree. Since Alyssa has passed away I have tried to get an angel a year for her for our tree. Friends have given me angels for my tree and family have given me angels to decorate my house with. I don't have a lot but the ones I do are very special to me and I remember who has given everyone. A couple of years ago my mom gave me a whole box of white ceramic angels for my tree. It is so pretty.

Also, thanks to our RS bulletin they have 25 days of scripture for the 25 days before Christmas so our family has decided to read one every night before we go to bed. To get the true meaning of Christmas spirit in our home.

Happy Birthday to my dad and my Brother!!

Hello! I just wanted to write a quick blog tonight about my dad and brother Chris. Today is there birthday. I talked with my brother Chris this morning and wish him a happy birthday. Hard to believe you are 44!!! Wow..we are getting old! I sure miss you. I haven't seen Chris since the last time I was in Calif. which was when Hannah was a newborn. I sure am grateful for an older brother. I just wish we lived closer so our children could know each other.

Now my dad. They share the same birthday of course. My dad passed away 18 yrs ago almost 19 but he has now been gone as long as I was with him on earth. It is hard to believe!! He hasn't seen me as an adult or married or a mother! I remembered before he died he always wish he would have been able to have been around his grandchildren since none of his kids yet were married,but it is really nice to know that he is with one. My Alyssa. I pray that she is teaching him the gospel and all she knows about it. I pray that he will accept it too. Also, I hope my dad is telling Alyssa about me. I am grateful for the gospel and knowing we will all be together again one day!! I love you dad happy birthday!!

Twilight Weekend!!

Sat was a fun full day!! First we started out by going to Hannah's last soccer game. She is a pretty good soccer player pretty good kicker actually. She got one goal. It was pretty cute when she was kicking the ball back and fourth when she first got there she kept saying she was getting a goal and then blowing me a kiss. Then When she was actually playing the game and kicked it in the goal She was jumping up and down and blowing sweet kisses so who knows even if she knew what she really new was a goal but she sure had fun. She loved being on Team Well's team but the last game she needed to be on was Team Jolley and did great and had fun being on both!! Thanks for Michelle and Heather for putting the soccer league together Hannah will look forward into playing next year!! After they were done they got the cutest awards and medals.

Afterwords, we left and Kristen, Tammie and I went to see Twilight!!It was great! I am so glad we went in the afternoon. It was crowded but not to bad. I went in with low expectations and I really enjoyed it. I did nitpick on somethings but again I was so happy I went and saw it like Heather says, it was worth the 10$ you spend it on it.

Then later that night Chris and I went on a date. It was so nice. We hadn't been on a date in awhile so it was a blessing to go out. I am grateful for a $1 movie theater around here since I spent money earlier on Twilight. We enjoyed the movie Journey to the center of the Earth. It was a fun movie if you have younger kids who don't get scared they would enjoy the movie!!