Influential people in my life...

Dave and I just finished reading(listening too) The Five People You Meet In Heaven. We decided to try a book on tape, due to the many interruptions we have while trying to read at home. It has been fun to listen to it together whenever we are in the car. We finished it on our last road trip to Idaho. We both enjoyed the book and I began reflecting over some of the influential people in my life. Here are a few:

Julie Blick--for giving me the confidence and experience to get through school and get a degree! Not only did I get the degree, but I graduated with honors!

Wayne Carlos--another influential person in my life--although he may not realize it! He hired me as his Director for a preschool in Ogden. After a year of working there and gaining experience, he walked in one day and fired me! It was crazy times--and through some friends, I quickly got a job at a local hospital, met Barb, who eventually set me up with Dave--my loving and supporting husband. Looking back, it was no coincedence that Wayne fired me when he did--I just didn't know what my Heavenly Father had in store for me!

Kathy Morgan was a Relief Society President I had while attending the college ward in Twin Falls, Idaho. She made me her "project" during my wandering years! And I didn't mind a bit! It was her influence and belief in me that helped me gain a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In turn, this led me to the desire to serve a mission for the LDS Church--an experience that turned my life around and brought me closer to my Heavenly Father and family--the foundation of my life. Thanks Kathy for your unconditional friendship!

Annette and Tom Tucker--my college ward bishop and his wife who became two of my greatest friends during early college life! What a great influence--thanks you two!

Scot--my brother who continues to watch over me from Heaven--even after all these years! I often feel he is the guardian angel over my children and influences me to make the best of each day! Can't wait to see what our reunion in Heaven will be like!

Now, for all of you readers, keep in mind that there are many of you who have had a significant influence in my life. However, if you have not read the book, the 5 people are not the people you come in contact with daily or frequently. They are simply people that have crossed your path and influenced you--people who come and go--and you may really never know the reason they entered your life. These people I listed are ones I don't really stay in contact with any more, however, thier influence in my life was real and significant. And thank you to all those who continue to be there for me--for your advice, direction, influence and friendship!

I am so grateful for my family! Now mind you, they are a bit crazy and I can only take so much of them, but they really are fabulous! This past weekend, my sister Megan took Madison, and her cousin Briana to Twin Falls to visit my parents and grandparents. Madison was thrilled all week long and told everyone she ran into that her Aunt was taking her to Idaho--without Mom and Dad! They were gone 4 days and had an absolute ball. She loved staying at Idaho Grandma's and playing with all of the little puppies. Grandma lets the girls feed them, take them on walks, dress them up...and the list goes on! THey also got to go on walks in the canyon with grandma, and as Madison tells it, "Briana walked the dogs with Grandma, and I pushed the stroller with the dolls"--so typical of both of them! They even got to go to Jr. High for a day--yes, they really are that smart! Grandma works at the Jr. High, so they were able to spend the afternoon with her there! Then they got to swim in Grandma Grapes (Great's) hot tub! They thought the treat bags she sent home with them were the best! Thanks to all of our wonderful Grandma's for taking such great care of our little girls while they were in Idaho! And a huge thanks to Muggy for being such a cool Aunt and planning such a wonderful trip for these little Diva's to enjoy! We love you TONS!

What Child Is This...

We were so fortunate to capture these moments with the girls. They were not posing for us--we just happened to look over and this is what we found!

Random moments in our lives....

These don't come in any particular order. I was sitting at the computer thinking about the Holiday's that left us and the new year we have begun and how I love my family. Here is a quick glance at a few of the moments that have made my life so enjoyable...

Cousin "get-togethers"


Adams Family Dinners


Make believe and horsey rides with cousins


Children's Museum--Dad Style


Children's Music

Sweet cousin poses


Winning Prizes: Oh how we love the Grinch!


Naturals Like This...


Happy Children

Here is our little "wonder" boy, that is curious about ALMOST anything!

Boobs?!?!?!

Okay, So we have had our "boy" talk at 3 1/2 years old--or at least part of it. We are sitting at dinner the other night, just me and the kids. Jacob starts off:

"Mom, some mom's don't have boobs right?"

mom--"why do you say that?"

jake--"because some of my friends mom's don't have boobs and if they don't, then they feed their babies with a bottle!"

mom--"okay..."

Jake--"I told Ty's mom she didn't have boobs. She said she didn't. That's why she feeds the baby a bottle."

mom--"you said WHAT?!?"

Jake--"mom, I know why your boobs are so fat--cuz they hold lots of milk--right?"(Of course he knows I'm still nursing Brooklyn, who doesn't know, with how obvious she is!)

mom--"yes jake, that's right!" (don't i wish that were true!)

Dad, overhearing all of this, comes in and tells Jake that people have private parts that we just don't talk about, and boobs are private. Thanks Dad for intervening on this very important topic! He's gotcha ready for the teenage years ahead!

Okay, so for all of you moms out their who have encountered my son lately and his critiquing of the "boobs" I am sooo sorry that he is so fascinated. Gotta be thankful that he is ALL Boy--right?

**to protect the innocent, we will not mention all "moms" brought up in conversation, nor their real names! But thanks for being there for him girls!Ha-Ha!

Neighbor Gifts

Okay, so it's a little late, but here is a cute suggestion for neighbor gifts for this coming Christmas. I decided to get a little creative and put a twist on the usual "treat" for gifts. It was very simple to make (and quick) and I attached a gingerbread cookie cutter with it. The cookies were from Grandpa Adams for the kids, he was the one to inspire this idea!

Hats! Hats! Hats!

Our little Brooklyn LOVES hats and is often going into Jacob's room to his hat basket to dig something out. Then she loves to come in dancing with her new style. It is so cute and funny!

Finally...a review of the holiday!

We had a ton of fun with the kids in the cold weather! But it was worth it--as you can see!
Our first adventure was to see the Zoo Lights:


Our next one was riding the Polar Express Train--they made it so real!



We also visited Santa at Gymnastics--Brooklyn is NOT a fan


And the last adventure was trying to get a picture of all 3 of our little Hooligans!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe how time flies! Wait--yes I can. It is really amazing to see how our family made it all the way through 2008. We had ups and downs, but mostly ups and for that we are so thankful. Dave no longer has such a loooooong commute, yeah! We definately see him more and are back on track with "Family Night"--(not momily night) and we are loving it. The kids love our Taco Tuesday night of picking up taco's for really cheap and finding a new park to go to each week. It is one way to help them learn the days of the week! We love our new neighborhood and the friends we have met.

We are also thankful for the many family members and friends who have referred others to Acorn Academy. I was very uncertain with how the turn out would be due to starting so late, but it is all coming together and each of my students have made it such a huge success this year! I am really looking forward to this fall to continue teaching. Madison has been a real trooper and is making some adjustments with mom being her teacher. She is such a great helper with getting lessons ready, coloring , cutting and preparations for class. I really couldn't do it without all of her help! It will be sad to not have her in class with me next year, but at the same time it will be really good for Jacob to stand on his own!

All of the kids are doing great! This last year Madison turned 5, Jacob 3 and Brooklyn 1! They are sooo fun and add so much to my life. I am beginning to settle down as a mom--finally--and enjoy most of the moments we have together. We work through the tantrums, the independence and the manipulation--and at the end of the day I get to peek in on the slumbering little ones and kiss them goodnight! I love those last good night kisses!


As for Christmas pictures, I will post them soon. I realize I need a blog with pictures--so I will get on it.