My big helper

Yesterday Maxton had a rough day. He just wanted to be held and snuggled all day. Having Mattix as a big brother sure made things easier. He snuggled him and gave me a break for at least a half an hour.

He's my handful.

Manning... Manning.... Manning... I can't begin to tell you how many times a day I am left wondering, what else will this kid think of. Than I stop there and I never allow those words to come out my mouth. I don't want to put him up to any challenge. Weather intentional or not. It's not that he's naughty on purpose. But this kids is 100% curious. Have you seen the little monkey George? He's a good little monkey but always getting into trouble. That's my boy. One minute he's sending my canister of sugar down the stairs to see what it would do. The next he's running around the house with toilet paper stuck in his bum thinking he's soo funny, because he never ripped it off the roll as his tail is getting longer and longer.

So I guess you can say in our house there's never a dull moment with his kid around. As big a handful as he can be he is an even bigger sweet heart. He can give some big hugs and loves to plant wet kisses on me throughout the day.

We love to read.

I have always been a sucker for children's books and ever since I was little I have been collecting books for my kids. Now that I have kids it's become an addiction especially when they are fifty cents at the DI and even cheaper at yard sales. I love it all. The boys love books and ever since they were born they have loved being read to. Mason was a natural reader he picked it up and is progressing very quickly. He has discovered that he can read on his own, even big books like our favorite, Magic Tree house. I love that I have to tell him to put the book down and go to sleep at night. Mattix loves to be read to. He recently discovered with all the reading and sight words he's learned so far he can read "real" books. His favorite right now is Green Eggs and Ham. I am very proud of my boys. I love how their love for books is rubbing off onto Manning. His favorite is anything that has to do with firefighters and George the monkey. Our favorite Manning book is and always will be No David. It's all about Manning.

So it's no surprise that with a reading challenge at school to read the most minutes and our love for competition, my boys and I are reading as much as we can. I have noticed the more we read the better they get. I am excited to watch them grow and see what they can become. To me reading is very important . It opens the door to so many opportunities in life especially if you like to read. One of my biggest goals as a mom is to teach and instill a love for reading in my family. Think of all the wonderful things you can learn when you read especially in the scriptures. I am thankful for my knowledge and the things I gain and learn as I use this gift and blessing my Heavenly Father has given me.

Sucked in...

My little man may not be that big but he already loves to watch TV. Especially if his brothers are watching with him. The other day I took a few pictures of him sitting on the couch watching. He was way into it. The next thing I knew he had fallen asleep. Mattix made him comfy and he was out.

Once there was a snowman...

My little thumb sucker

My little man has grown to love his thumb. I love it! I think it's the cutest thing ever. I love the sounds he makes when he's doing it and the look of content on his face. He's just a little cutie. I love this boy.

The things I've learned

Goodbye 2012....

Over the past few days I've had some serious time to think and reflect on this past year. This past year's events have left my mind full of heart ache, anxiety, pride, humility, deeper love for those I hold close to my heart and gratitude. Just to name a few of the many feelings of 2012. I've learned a lot about myself this year as I've been stretched and tested as I've had to go through so many new life experiences and changes for me and my family. I could sit here and dwell on the awfulness of this last year but instead I'd like to share the things I have learned from the good times and the bad.

I have learned that when you put your mind to it you can achieve your wildest dreams. Matt worked so hard to finish his degree. He even managed to get fairly good grades. 

You need to treasure the time you have with your family. You never know what can happen. 

Heavenly Father is in control.

We may never know "why" but we have to have faith that Heavenly Father knows. 

Change is inevitable. It will happen weather you are ready or not. 

Change is good. If you try your best you will grow and learn from change.

It's ok to ask for help. 

I don't have to do it all. 

You may think that life will be better when this or that happens. But what you don't realize is you will miss what you had before, as you were wishing it away. 

Telling everyone that you're ok when you're really not, causes more pain. Letting other people love you through the tough times is much easier. 

The tougher the challenge the tougher the bond becomes between Matt and I. As long as we work together and cheer each other on. 

Matt and I can handle 4 boys pretty well. Most of the time. 

Prayer is so incredibly important. Everyday. It feels so good to be able to pour my heart out to my Father in Heaven,weather I feel happy or sad. 

Watching someone you love go through their toughest heartaches is one of the hardest trials I have ever had to experience. 

Listening is sometimes better than talking....

As I sit here and think about this new year and what's ahead of me, I can't help but have a little bit of anxiety and fear. But at the same time I am excited to see what's in store. Change is always coming. Change makes us stronger and teaches us about who we really are. I pray that this year can be a year of growing and striving to do my best. 

President Gordan B Hinkley said, "Let's all try just a little harder to do a little better." Reading these words makes me want to do better. So here's to a new year. New adventures and unpaved roads ahead. I know it's not going to be easy. But as one of my most favorite quotes says, "Faith makes things possible not easy."

So my goal for this year is to build my faith so when life throws me lemons, by dang I'm going to hopefully be ready pop up my lemonade stand and make me some lemonade. 

Happy New Year!!!