Ashlyn is 7!!!

This girl was so excited for her 7th birthday!  She got up at 5 in the morning ready to start the day by open her gifts!  This girl got spoiled!

 I got a couple of requests from Ashlyn about how she wanted her birthday.  She wanted all her stuffed animals there, in order of tallest to shortest and she wanted us to wake her up with the song "7 Years Old", which didn't happen because she woke up super early so we played the song during breakfast with everyone singing out loud!

The birthday girl wanted to be checked out of school for lunch and she chose to go to Subway. 

A few weeks ago I received a text for the girls' gymnastics teacher (they took private lessons) that she isn't teaching gymnastics anymore.  These girls were heartbroken (seriously)!  So I called around hunting for a gymnastics class that these girls could get into.  Well it turns out that I can put ALL 3 of the girls at the same time (A&B in one class and C in another)!  It is a miracle and time saver!  On Ashlyn's birthday we tried a free trial class and it turns out that they had a blast and I was so impressed with the skills that they were learning.  It took a lot of confidence and bravery to do some of these skill, like rings, bars, and doing somersaults on the beam.  It was so fun to see their scared faces change into confident, beaming smiles.

There are only 3 kids in each class (which I love because they work hard the whole hour).  Their classes stretch together and then they separate into their classes.  I later found out that there is no photography allowed so I didn't take more pictures.  I wish I could capture the delight in their eyes and faces!

While the sisters were at gymnastics, Desi got a date with Daddy making brownies and cleaning the house! What a great helper!

Leave it to Daddy to fix our broke broom!  He placed paint sticks and wrapped them with tape.

Ashlyn received many sweet gifts, but one was from Aunt Maren who sent her drawing books and glitter gel pens that are scented (which I love writing with these pens- I may have to order some for myself!)

Thanks Aunt Maren! Ashlyn loves them!

Derek's hairdresser (which she is a patient) gave him our first baby boy gift! It got Derek even more excited for this baby boy to come!

There is a dear lady in our ward who is going through chemo and having a difficult time.  The girls and I made a care package for her and took it to her house.  When I serve others, I try to get my girls involved so hopefully they grow up with memories of serving others and how it makes them feel happy and loved.

It isn't very often when I get to wake up Desi.  There is something so special when you get to watch your babies sleep.  It is so peaceful!

These two girls are troopers.  I don't remember the last time I went to two stores in one morning with my kids.  I had many errands to run and these girls went to 5 different stores with me and were so well behaved!  Because we were out and about we ate with Daddy at Chick-fil-a for lunch! It is a real treat to see daddy on a work day for lunch (even though he comes home almost everyday for lunch).  We are so lucky!

Daddy and Claire date.  She got to buy an unicorn!

She loves it when it is her turn for a date!  

Claire is so sweet and loves wearing pjs and dress ups.

 Early morning fun!

Ashlyn loves her art class.  This is her mixed media pieces.  They used pastels, which Ash was excited about.  She did great!

I had these curtains for about 3 months now and I finally got Derek to hang them up for me!  I love how it adds so much to the room.

We went to a MOPS playgroup which was at a local church.  They had bikes, blowup houses, and treats for everyone.  We walked in and Brinley says, "This is the best church ever!" ha ha.  After it was over (yes we were the last to leave because these girls had so much fun), all three of them asked if we could come again tomorrow. I tried to explain to them that they only have the playgroup at this church once a year, but that idea flew right over their heads.

We had a few slightly windy days and the girls (and Derek) love to fly the kites they got for Christmas.  They discovered that if they tie it to their bikes, they have better success.

We love living in a cul-de-sac and living next to other kids.  The girls love to play outside with them all the time, after school, weekends, and whenever they have time.  This particular Saturday, the girls were outside for 4-5 hours with their friends.

After we came back from Utah, Sable (our babysitter) found each girl a seashell from her family trip to the beach and she made a necklace for each one.  The girls love them!  Sable even put a little bead in each shell and told the girls it was a special pearl.  She is so thoughtful and I love how much she loves my girls!

Brinely loves preschool and this is her most recent craft.

A priceless moment when all the girls are playing together, while getting along.

I love how they are making fond memories with each other.  I hope they are best friends forever!

A week before Ashlyn's birthday, Ash and I went on a date to walmart so she could pick out a stuffed animal that she wanted for her birthday.

She loved being so "adultlike" and checkout on her own.

This girl likes to explore all her options- it took her forever to decide which animal she wanted.  We went through each aisle twice. (I was proud of myself because I was being very patient- #momvictory)

I started bathing these girls in the mornings and making it one of our weekly activities.  They love playing in the bath and when it is in the evening, I am ready to put them to bed so Derek and I can have our time together.  It is so fun to watch and hear all the giggles and laughters that happen with their hour long bath.

We love bath time!

The day after Martin Luther King Jr Day, we had a snow day for Daddy and Ashlyn.  The weather was in the 30s and when it snows in East Texas- everything closes!  So we had a party at home!

Movie time!

Ashlyn and I made Nana Cookies!

Crafts!

FHE dance party!

I got to teach a Relief Society lesson and this is how long the material is...1 short paragraph!  So on the fourth Sunday, the first presidency gives a topic that will be studied for the next 6 months.  It is Sabbath day.  So I was asked to prepare the lesson (which is like preparing for a talk) and was hinted that this might be my new calling!  I absolutely loved preparing and teaching this lesson!  

I FINALLY broke down and bought decor for my bathroom.  This room has been neglected since we moved in 1 1/2 years ago.  It only had a "well-loved"green rug that Derek and I got for our wedding gift.  We were in a desperate need for an update!

I love how it turned out!

Every time I look at this, it makes me happy!

After we pick up Ashlyn from school we play outside until Daddy gets home.  Ash is doing her homework with me and the others are building a "fire" on the driveway.  I love how we can be outside all year long!  There is something special with kids playing in nature!

We went on a family walk (except Ash because she was at school) around the zoo park.  This is our happy place!

I often give a thumbs up to my kids when they do something great.  Desi hasn't learned how to do her thumbs up yet so she puts up her pointy finger.  It makes me smile every time.

Ashlyn has been pushing Desi in the stroller all around the house while she listens to her headphones and new player.

I walked into my bedroom and found this priceless moment and had to capture this moment of fun.  I love how Ash and Brinley and being kind and friendly to each other while working together and then Desi is scratching Claire's back.

So cute!

Brinley and Daddy went to a Daddy Daughter Dance that the city of Lufkin puts together each year.  Brinley was so excited!  She was counting the days and even hours until she could go on a special date with Daddy.

They both look gorgeous! 

 Derek speaking: I let Brinley choose where we go eat before heading over to the dance. She chose the 'new' McDonalds that is just a block or so from my practice. We enjoyed it. We sat at a table that had lights coming up through the table. And if you touched the table on that spot, the lights would change colors. We  had a good time. Brinley wanted ice cream but I knew they would have cookies and drinks at the dance so I told her if she still wanted some after the dance then we could get some. I thought for sure she'd be too full of candy. I should have known better.

Just on our way inside the dance. It was raining a little so I was able to act as her carriage driver and hold her umbrella while helping her out of the car.

After about two songs Brinley said, "Can we go now?" I think Ashlyn didn't last too long either. We probably stayed at the dance for 45 minutes and that was with me pushing the limits. I held her off by getting cookies. They also had a bag of candy for each girl. She ate all the Reese's, Snickers, and Twix. She gave me the Milky Way.

 Twirling with her dress! This girl was beautiful on the dance floor. It really is a fun environment. All of us dads with our girls. Many 'dad' type moves, no one can dance well, but we are all having a good time.

 My beautiful princess!

Well, she still wanted ice cream after leaving the dance so we went to Orange Leaf. We played the rhyme game that Brinley loves. The rules are just that you say two words (don't have to be real) together that rhyme. Example: "Man. Slan."  "Tree. Dee." etc.

After finishing our ice cream we sat in the car and played around 50 games of Tic Tac Toe on my phone. It is one of Brinley and Ashlyn's favorites. All in all, we had a great night and really enjoyed each other's company.

While Daddy and Brinley were at the dance, Ash and I did our own secret date and watched a show that she has been begging to watch- Duck Soup.  We put the littles to bed and then popped popcorn and watched it.  Ashlyn was in Heaven and we held hands and she would repeat "I love doing this with you Mommy!" She told me everything that was happening and I eventually fell asleep.  She didn't know I slept through the movie, until Uncle Trevor asked her if I fell asleep in the movie (which happens majority of the time).  She couldn't believe that I would fall asleep in a movie like Duck Soup. ha ha.  Now I am busted. Thanks Uncle Trevor.

I have been reading the parenting book, "The Entitlement Trap" and it motivated me to be on top of chores and money for the girls.  Derek and I bought each girl a bank from Deseret Book that has the three different sections: tithing, savings, spending.  I am really excited to teach these girls about hard work and money.  Derek and I's love hearing our girls say, "I want to buy ________ with my own money."  

New Adventure in starting the year 2018!

We are starting the year by celebrating a new adventure for Derek.  He partnered with his Dental consultant that he has had since getting the practice.  Derek's partner has helped Derek and I envision and made it possible to have a more fulfilling life with lots of family time and a successful practice.  Derek started working 3 days a week in September. 

This day we celebrated going to dinner at "Jenny's Kitchen". (Inside story: when I was a little girl, my siblings and I would ask my mom where we would be eating out and she would say "At Tammy's Kitchen".) We wanted to make this closing date special for Daddy!  When he got home, we ran to the car and blindfolded him and led him inside.  

The girls then took Derek on a "joy ride" to the restaurant.

Claire was the driver and Ashlyn was the one that made the menu.  Then we all made a Congrats sign for Daddy!

We had 3 amazing waitresses!  One for each course of the meal- appetizer, main dish, and dessert.

One of my goals for the new year is to spend more individual time with the girls.  I tried in the past to do 10 minutes a day individually with each girl and it was too overwhelming for me.  So I wanted to start with a goal that is very doable.  So I decided to focus on a girl each day of the week.  Monday is for Desi, Tuesday is for Claire, Wednesday is for Brinley, Thursday is for Ashlyn, and Friday is for Derek.  I love the smiles and excitement when these girls hear that it is their Mommy and ________ (Desi) TIme. 

During this time, the girl gets to choose the activity that we do.  Desi wanted to play with the new magnetic princesses the girls got for Christmas.

The game Sequence

Connect 4 and this girl rocked it!

Claire and I did some watercolors and then we ate Pop Rocks.  This was her first time and she was very giggly during her experience of eating the Pop Rocks

The week we got back from Utah, Ashlyn was still on Christmas Break for a week longer.  I wanted it to be productive, but still fun for the girls.  We focused on deep cleaning a room/day (boy- did these girls work hard) and I paid them each $1/day. At the end of the week we went to Target as a family and they each bought stuff with their money they earned and I get the deep satisfaction of having a clean house after the holidays!  Win-Win!

One of the girls asked Derek if we could have a family sleepover in the living room when he was putting one of the girls to bed.  By golly- we had to do it!  We blew up the air mattress and watched a movie.  We had a blast!

For Christmas my parents bought Derek and I new pots and pans.  These were so needed.  Since we have moved to Texas (1 1/2 years ago) my handles fell off and I have been using a hot pad instead.  I wanted pans last Christmas and ever since, but I am so indecisive.  Since I have been using these amazing pots/pans, I have been thinking to myself..."I should have bought some of these a long time ago...haha"  Thanks mom and dad!  We absolutely love them!

Another one of Derek and I's goals is to be more consistent with one-on-one dates with the girls.  It was the girls that inspired this goal because they have been begging to go on dates with us.  We have been going on a date with a one of the girls once a week and it alternates with the girls and with one parent.  The girls absolutely love it and Derek and I cherish these moments!

Brinley and I went on a date to Walmart.  When we got back for Utah we were in desperate need of food and it was Brinley's turn.  She was a great helper!  She wanted a donut and a Danimal (yogurt drink that I hardly ever buy- which makes it very special). 

Funny side story about Brinley: I always (if you haven't heard) call Derek "Honey" and the girls will sometimes call him Honey too.  Well we were in the kitchen one day and Brinley comes up to me and says, "Mom, who is Maren's married Honey?"  (David- Sorry she couldn't remember your name). It was too cute not to share.

I recently have been thinking about things that make me happy and I love doing homework time with the kids.  They love it too.  I have been more consist with doing Mommy School with Claire and Homework with Brinley.  It must be the teacher side of me, but I get all giddy inside when my girls beg to do homework with me!

Desi learned a new chore: Silverware!  I didn't know that she knew how to do this chore until Derek put her up on a chair to sort the silverware and she did the work very well! I am assuming he must have taught her.  Derek is one to teach our kids to work hard at a young age.

This is one of my favorite gifts from my parents EVER!  It isn't just the gift itself, but how much effort they put into giving me these amazing gifts.  So my parents, Derek's parents and grandparents have similar photo boards and I have always admired them.  I knew that my parents got theirs at Costco and for the past 1 1/2-2 years I have called the company that makes these frames, get info on where they sell them, if they have any in store (which they never did when I called), and then they did random sales throughout the year at a variety of Costcos along the Wasatch Front.  Well I sent my parents on a hunt to find one at a few Costcos without any luck.  I was so sad because I thought they were so beautiful and a fun way for the family to look at the pictures/memories in our home. I finally accepted the fact that I probably wouldn't ever get it.  My parents got these costumed made by a friend that my mom works with, my dad painted them, and did the adorable vinyl.  I not only got one, but TWO!!!! When I (and Derek) got these for Christmas, I couldn't help but have tears in my eyes.  It has been something that I have wanted for a long time and to hear the back story of the whole experience made this gift PRICELESS!  I am so grateful for parents who will go the extra mile with many sacrifices along the way to fulfill a daughter's want.  Thank you so much Mom and Dad!  I absolutely love them!  

We are just waiting for our photos to be shipped to us to fill up the boards!  I am so excited, I can't wait! (I have tears in my eyes just writing this section).

Derek and I have always had second hand furniture and Ashlyn's dresser broke this week and from the experience of the pots/pans we decided that we would buy from a local furniture store.  So Claire and I went off on a date exploring 3 different furniture stores in Lufkin.  Claire found this chair and was so excited!  She loved it and was jumping on all the bunk beds begging for one.  I told the kids that maybe when Emmett is 3 we can get them a bunk bed (lets see if they will remember;))

It is so nice to have Daddy home during the week.  It was a fun day on Thursday where we just laid low and hung out.  Daddy pulled out the nail polishes and was doing all the girls' nails.  They loved it!

We got Derek's mailer in the mail this week.  I will usually have one of the girls get the mail from the mailbox and they were so excited that we were in the mail.  One said, "We are famous!"

Our girls love their new ride called the razor!  I had one when I was a kid and it was the cool thing to have.  I love having fun memories as a kid and watching my kids make their own childhood memories.

Derek got a Reese's in his stocking and he had been saving it for the right moment to eat it.  Well when he found it in the cupboard, it was unwrapped with the brown wraps left empty.  He asked the girls who ate it and with a guilty look on Brinley's face she was definitely guilty.  As a consequence Derek had her sweep the whole garage.  The lesson is that no one messes with Dad's Reese's!!! 

During her clean up Brinley was having so much fun. She was singing and banging the buckets, putting on her bike helmet while sweeping, and seeing her imagination while she worked.  We don't know if she learned her lesson because this girl will find the chocolate anywhere!

Ashlyn created this game and we played it as a family! I love her creative mind!

 Derek went into work on New Years because of an emergency call.  Well the family was so grateful that they dropped off cupcakes the next day to express their gratitude.  He brought them home and the girls enjoyed them!

(of course she got the only chocolate one)

Ashlyn is becoming such a bookworm.  She really enjoys reading wherever we go!

Jenny and I have re-instituted our dates with the kids. It was my turn for a date with Ashlyn. She chose to go to the dollar store to buy a couple toys. She definitely took her time in considering all her options. 

My surprise was taking her to Which Wich after (she loves the sandwiches here). We had a great time. It was so sweet. While we were sitting there eating. She looked at me and said, "Dad, thank you for spending your money so that we could come here" and then came over and gave me a big hug. What a sweet moment. She sat down and commented, "It looks like we both spent our money today, huh?"  

(Derek) Dad got us boys this sweet pump. It has been awesome. I usually check our tires often and if I need to adjust, I'll get the bike pump and pump the tires to the right pressure. I was thrilled with this gift! All you do is set the pressure you want it at, plug it into the car, and turn it on. Thank you Dad!

Ashlyn was so excited about her new headphones she bought with her own money from deep cleaning the house.  She wanted to go on the treadmill, listen to Disney music and sing at the top of her lungs!  Oh my goodness, what are we going to do with her when she is a teenager?!

Elder Stevenson (one of the 12 Apostles) came to our stake conference and so we made a trip of it by traveling to Longview (our stake is 2 hours away).  Derek and I went to the Adult session and then we went to conference the next morning as a family!  It was really great!  The girls' favorite was staying in a hotel and fulfilling our tradition of jumping on the beds.
One of the stops we made before the hotel was a park that looked like a castle.  The girls had so much fun there.  It was huge and it seems so magical as a kid, but as a parent, Derek and I were stressed out keeping track of our girls.  It was so big, it is easy to lose sight of the girls.  Plus there were so many kids there.  It was the happening place to be on a Saturday afternoon.

In their stocking they got a new church activity! They love the WOW books.  It is a book that you use water and it colors the pictures and then it dries and you can reuse it over and over again!

Right now Ashlyn likes to be the family dog.  Derek told her no dogs in the house and put her outside in the cold.

The joy of sisters playing together!

Claire is such a great big sister and so caring!

In this picture they were building a birthday cake, singing happy birthday, and then blowing out the candles.

We made pizza for dinner this weekend and Desi was our helper.  We got this pizza stone as a wedding gift and it is still going strong! We texted our friends who gave it to us, Dave and Alyssa and they said that it is the best regift that they have given....ha ha!

Thank you Ruth Ann and Scott for the Amazon gift card for Christmas.  One thing that I got from it is this book and I am loving it!  I read Matthew-John before Christmas and this is the 2nd part which is Acts-Revelations!  It has helped me really understand the New Testament.  My love for the New Testament has grown so much living here in the Bible belt.  Most of my friends here know the Bible really well and honestly I have never read it straight through so this is my first time and I love how this book helps me understand it so much better!

I am a New Years Resolution type of gal and I love this time of year of setting goals and envisioning who and where I want to be in a year.  Well as I have done it for many years, my goals were too far set, so a few years ago I started setting monthly goals and it has made it more real and doable for me where I can continue to be motivated throughout the year, make fresh goals each month, and rededicate and sometimes redirect my goals.  

This year I want to have a word that I will focus on and the word is REFLECT!

I feel like the work reflect is powerful and can be so inspiring!

I have three categories that I want to reflect on

1. Relationships

I want to strengthen my relationships with each member of my family.  I want the girls to feel loved and valued, but do I reflect that in my thoughts and actions?  I will admit that there are times when they want to tell me something while I am busy cooking dinner, where I don't look at them in the eye and I say uh-hu without really listening.  Also there have been times when they get hurt and I just tell them that they are ok and go on with whatever I may be doing at that moment.  As I reflect on my actions, they aren't feeling loved or understood.  I really want to establish a relationship where they feel like they can come to me whenever and I will give them all my attention because what they are saying I think is important.  

2. Moments

I feel like being sick with this pregnancy (I tried to get off my medicine and I was the sickest I have been this whole pregnancy- so I am back on the nausea medicine) it has forced me to slow down and savor the moments with my family and evaluate what is important.  It is so easy to get caught up in the to-dos of mothering, but it really isn't that important if I end up doing laundry later than I planned.  My kids are young for so many years.  I love this time in my mothering and I want to savor these precious moments, but it isn't always easy.  Especially if you are like me and like to be "productive".  But I must remember that playing a game on the floor with my kids is more productive than cleaning the kitchen at that moment.  I have realized that moments pass by so quickly and I must soak up those moments when we are all laughing together or having a dance party in the living room.

3. Becoming

So lately I have been having a difficult time with my self confidence.  Being pregnant, gaining weight, feeling sick and not totally myself, my "prego" face with my perioral dermatitis, not having as much energy...it has all taken a toll.  So I recently looked up beauty and studied it a bit.  I was so surprised that true beauty comes from happiness, confidence, and attitude.  So it caused me to reflect on what makes me happy?!  Then I started thinking about that is who I want to be is happy, confident, and positive- it isn't about what is on the outside, but it is the inside that creates beauty. I thought about all the people that I think are beautiful and is because of the people that they are in the inside that makes them so beautiful and radiates on the outside. 

You may not care about my goals, but my blog is like a journal. So I will share a few of my goals.

No Soda

10 minutes of individual time with the girls

Working out 5 days/week (I haven't worked out my whole pregnancy because I'm so sick and so I am so excited! I have really missed working out)

Reading the New Testament

Sincerely saying one prayer a day (praying is something that doesn't come easy to me)

Happy New Year everyone!