It's almost February and I still feel behind...but getting there!

So, I've gotten used to the idea that I'm not going to be perfect at the routines and resolutions that I've tried to implement since the first of the year, but I'm finally on the road to getting there.

I still haven't started back at the gym and I still struggle with getting dinner on the table at a regular hour every night. Joseph is still working like a mad man and the kids are just about at their peak with cabin fever...they crave to get outside for any reason. Yesterday, Brogan sat at the door for about 30 minutes hoping and waiting to see if we'd make it out. About 3 hours later, Braden came home and as soon as I opened the door, he jetted out in his socked feet on the wet ground and the rain coming down.

When I quickly swung him indoors, he burst into tears..."maimy - ou, ou, ou" (which mean Mommy, out out out - in toddler talk). All in all, we are all ready for Spring. I do love the cold weather, but I don't like the constant change in the weather. I look forward to it being consistent...does that actually happen???

Anyway, my rant is over, but I wanted to give those that read my blog and the future generations that will read it, that we do have good days and we can be productive if we just make up our minds to do it. Yesterday, I cleaned out my car and am proud to say that the Laundry Demon that has been taking over my life is now tamed...not gone, but definitely under control. Today, I cleaned my kitchen including - get this -the baseboards, the floors were spot cleaned with Clorox wipes and the walls too. Of course, 1 minute later, I had a bowl of cereal fall on the floor...luckily no milk was in it, but still...

My goal now is to take each opportunity as it comes and utilize it to the maximum potential. That means that if Kaleyna is asleep, I focus on one room and then get one of the kids to help out. If she's awake, then I read an article from the Ensign while I feed her or strap her to my back and try to play with the kids or read them a book or fold the laundry or make cookies. I am not always going to have good days and I'm going to be lazy when I'm tired, but when moments come, I'm going to do my best to make them happen. And definitely take more pictures along the way! (hopefully! ;-))

Brogan watching basketball - Papa, he's on his way!



Brogan loves to hold Kaleyna and give her kisses!



Kaleyna is not so sure about her swing



Landon is just all sorts of fun right now!



Kaleyna after church showing off Daddy's new wedding band



Brogan's new "cheese" smile



Brogan and Landon - Landon always has a messy face!



Brogan and Kaleyna - the best of friends!




These pictures were just too cute to pass up! I love my little princess!




Mommy and Kaleyna on Sunday



Would you believe that this was after we took the one below??

2009 is here...will I ever be ready?

Every year around this time, Joseph and I set new goals and try to start good habits and hoping to eliminate bad ones. We usually take the week before the new year to do this, but things just haven't paned out that way. We have all been exceptionally sick this season and has made for a rather exhausting adjustment with 4 kids. I don't think that having 4 kids is any more difficult than having 3, unless your sick and not getting sleep. Having 4 children under the age of 6 is extremely difficult when you are getting between 2 and 3 hours of sleep a night at different intervals...3 all at the same time is great! So, needless to say, we are behind...as we find we are on most things since Kaleyna has joined our family.

However, now that I am better and she is sleeping more and the kids are mostly better, I think I can finally begin again...at least that's what I'm pushing for this week. Here is a quick rundown of our holidays...it was too fast as always and not near enough rest for my husband. But here it is:

Christmas was great! We did things a little different this year, mostly because we've realized that our children don't care a whole lot about their toys that they've got, we decided to buy them each 3 gifts to represent the 3 gifts of the wise men who came to give praise to Christ when he was born. This was wonderful on so many levels - they didn't fight over who got more than the other, they all got big things instead of lots of little things, and there was so little mess and it didn't take forever to open, it will definitely be a tradition we stick with! Then we opened stockings which were from Santa and they each got a little toy from him and a slew of candy. And then, since we had Joseph's parents with us, they gave them the biggest present of all...a playset for the backyard...which is not surprisingly still being assembled in our garage, thanks to the lovely rain that we've been blessed with. Joseph ended up having to work Christmas day (in the middle of the night until 5am) and then the day after, so he wasn't really around, but all in all, Christmas was fun and more centered around Christ...which is truly what it's all about anyway!

Shortly after, Joseph had to go to Florida for some work training and he was gone until New Year's Eve day. We had a small get together with some friends and their families...The Clarks and The Fernandes. It was rather chaotic, but when the kids got tired, we celebrated the New Year early - like at 9:00pm and they were off to bed and we played a couple of games. It was a wonderful evening.

So, just like that, our Holidays were over and life contiuned without so much as a request or an "OK" from me...but, we are glad the New Year is here and we are looking forward to all that is in store. So much will happen this year and we all have so much to hope for. We pray that your year will be filled with love and laughter to help get you through the hard times and that we will all remember the Lord's hand in everything especially during the good times. May we all strive to keep Him the center of our lives this 2009, is our prayer. Good Luck and May God Bless and Guide Us All!

PS: We will have pictures up soon! =-)