Relationships

The older I get the more I realize how important relationships are.  I think I've always known but really have I?  These people that surround me day to day.  Friends as well.  They are all so special, important and they are mine to enjoy.  I am very blessed to have such wonderful friends and the most amazing children have been sent to our family for us to raise.  It would mean nothing if I didn't have someone great to share the experience with.  I am grateful to have my good husband.

You just never know what will happen or how long you will have these loved ones in your life.  My goal continues to be to LOVE LOVE LOVE like there is no tomorrow and to BE IN THE MOMENT.  To just realize what moment I am in, what space I am in, who I am paying attention to.  People will know if they are important to you or not by the kind of attention you give to them.  When I am talking to someone I want them to know that I am listening and that I care.  I hope I can be a better mom like that to my children, a good listener.  And I want to treat them like the little unique people that they are.   I am very much enjoying life- the ups and the downs.  I  just don't want the downs.  Hey, if I promise to be grateful can I just request the happy times???

We had our family pictures taken in the Fall, just after school began.  It was a fun shoot taken by Blue Lily Photography.  They were able to capture some real smiles and real personality.

At the beginning of November Eric and I took off to Maui for 7 days.  For no reason.  We just went because we wanted to and we found a sitter.  It was the first time that there was no good reason, nothing to really celebrate, no anniversary, birthday.  Just because.  We had a really enjoyable time and I highly recommend anyone to spend the money and go through the work of preparing everything and leaving on a vacation every now and then.  It was AWESOME!!!

Now it is Christmas time.  We had a nice ward dinner on Saturday night, December 1st.  Santa came to visit and you can see Bronson, Camden and Analise if you look really close.  Christmas is a magical time of year.  I loved it as a child and I love watching my children love it.  All aspects of it.  We have also been to SLC to see the temple lights, been to the Roof restaurant and Santa's breakfast at the Grand America.  It was our 5th year in a row to make that happen.  This year we gave every kid a few one dollar bills to hand out or to use for any good purpose.  I think it was a good exercise to get them to think about someone other than themselves.  So carry on friends, enjoy your family, enjoy the cold weather, enjoy the music, the lights.  Just enjoy and be happy.