The love of my life is 35 years young today. He is my rock, my constant, my greatest love and my best friend. How lucky am I that I have been able to spend MORE than half of my life with him…and still have so much more ahead to look forward to. This is the 20th New Years Eve that we have spent together and despite the years that we have spent side by side, we are still discovering new things about each other, still growing and evolving as individuals and as a couple. Not a day goes by that I dont look at him (mostly when he has no clue that I am looking) and think that “I must be the luckiest girl in the world to have a husband that makes sure I feel loved on a daily basis, to have chosen the PERFECT father for my children, to have a partner in life that I have complete faith and trust in, to share my world with someone that really “gets” me”. Happy 35th my love… and Happy New Year. Each year just always ends up better than the last…so much so that I KNOW that when I exit this world it will be with a full heart and a full life. Finally, goodbye to my 365. I had to end my project with an image of my life’s greatest blessings. Thank you for putting up with my stubborn will to complete this project. Hugs and much love to ALL of my family, dear friends, and dear friends of my children who are now a documented permanent part of our history and to those who encouraged me throughout this project with their kind words and observations. Im convinced that lives intertwine for a reason and those reasons are to enrich our spirits, to promote our growth, to teach, to comfort, to support and to uplift. As this year and this project closes, I am feeling so very loved and very blessed. <3

Aidan, my little stinker. He can throw a fit like nobodies business. He is stubborn (ok, I admit, just like his momma). He can be impulsive and naughty and many days (lately) he is quite capable of driving me to the brink of insanity. But, darn that little stinker, he has a heart the size of Texas and that combined with those big brown eyes are enough to make me melt. I absolutely love it when he crawls up in my chair while Im working and snuggles against my side. He makes me smile when he looks over my shoulder and says “mommy thats a beautiful pit-cher”. Hes full of “I love yous” for no reason at all. He gives the most amazing hugs. And FUNNY! he is the FUNNIEST little guy. I know he will outgrow the tantrums and hopefully the naughty will subside…but I PRAY that his loving heart and kind soul never change.

So she said her ear hurt a little. I cant ever REALLY tell when Cami is REALLY sick. Shes always upbeat and hardly complains at all. So when she said “my ear hurts a little” we went to the pediatrician. Yep, she has an ear infection…and a little fluid behind the other ear as well. Now tell me, does that look like the face of someone that doesnt feel well?

My kiddos dont watch a lot of TV normally. BUT its too cold to play outside and Cami is saying her ear hurts. Lucky for them they got the movie UP, some Tom and Jerry cartoons and Scooby Doo/Batman in their stockings. They spent the afternoon snuggled under a cozy blanket vegging in front of the TV…sometimes you need days like these.

Oh my little busy bee. She took full advantage of Cami and Aidan being preoccupied with playing a new game…quietly crawling into the living room to sort through the remaining stash of toys that have yet to find a home. After tinkering with those for a while this antique dowry box caught her eye. She pushed, pulled and stood on it but has not figured out how to open it. Nothing inside except an old coin for good luck anyway. I love watching her explore.

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I LOVE my new logo designed by Christina Anglum!!! She has such an amazing sense of style and I am a HUGE fan of her work!!! There are a few changes coming up for my business and Im super excited to get started! 2010 is going to be an AMAZING year!

Christmas Day!!! It really is the MOST wonderful time of the year. I love everything about it. I love that we are celebrating the birth of our Savior, being with loved ones, the music, the lights, the looks on children’s faces on Christmas morning…all of it PURE JOY! Ian and I woke up at about seven and laid there in bed marveling that not a single child had yet come rushing into our room. we thought for sure it would be any moment…7:30 rolled around, still no children. As it neared 7:45 we went ahead and got up, brushed teeth, made sure the video camera was charged and decided that if they weren’t going to wake us up we were going to them! First stop Aidan. We slowly opened the door and could see the shine of his eyes from the lights on his Christmas tree in the corner of his room. He was all snugled in tight but his eyes were wide and anxious. I told him that I thought Santa had come and that he should go wake his sisters. He hopped out of bed and ran through the living room not glancing even once at the goodies that Santa had left near the tree. He climbed on Cami’s bed whispering “wake up”!. She rolled over and continued to snooze. Ian and I had to wake her and she finally dragged her sleepy self from her cozy covers. We all went in and got Aislyn together and then off to see what Santa had left. They were all so patient and sweet. They loved all of their presents and were eager to share them with each other.

Christmas Eve This year our traditional Christmas Eve was a little different than years past, because we had family in town and we only get to visit and catch up once every couple of years. We usually start the day by baking sugar cookies to decorate for Santa, followed by the Children’s service at St Lukes, then dinner and home to snuggle up in PJs grab some hot chocolate and pile into the car to look at Christmas lights and listen to Christmas music. When we get home the kids set their treats out for Santa and the Reindeer and we read Twas The Night Before Christmas and tuck the babies in. Then Ian and I enjoy a quiet evening together wrapping last minute gifts, watching movies and making sure Santa gets all the help he needs! Well, this year we didnt get to go through our normal routine but we DID get to enjoy the company of some of the most special people in our lives…so thankful to have them near, the BEST Christmas gift we received. However, nothing was going to stop the cookie making…Santa needs his treats! This was Aislyn’s first year to get in on the decorating action… she did alot of “quality control” as well (gotta make sure the frosting is sweet enough!) I always put a big plate of sugar cookies, several colored frostings in cups with spreaders and in piping bags, sprinkles and sugar decor in the center of the table. Then I give each kiddo a plate to do their “work” and I let them have at it. Its always a mess and Aidan always manages to empty an ENTIRE shaker of sprinkles onto one cookie but its fun and its tradition. Its worth every last sprinkle I step on for the next week as they roll out of crevices onto my kitchen floor <3

Before my sister arrived I bout Gingerbread Houses for the kids to decorate with their cousins. They had a great time and made an even greater mess! So fun! Not to mention it was a great way to make use of all the Halloween candy I wouldnt let them eat! Heehee!

My poor baby Aisy has a double ear infection. At least shes a good little patient. She was fussy on Friday and since then has wanted to do nothing but sleep. I have been able to get her to drink but she has had zero appetite. We FINALLY went ahead and took her to the pedi because she just seemed so weak and I was really starting to worry. Surprise she had a double ear infection!!! I feel HORRIBLE that I didnt take her in Saturday after I could tell she was a little off Friday night! She hasnt really fussed…just wants to be snuggled and held. Sweet baby. I made a quick last minute run to Target and when I got home Ian was in his office working with baby girl fast asleep in his lap (you cant see it but hes actually answering emails in this pic while she quietly snoozes)