Good Manners and Video Games

Mikey has been looking forward to last night for months. He was so excited to be able to earn his first belt loops and the pins for scouts. Every time he would say he was bored during Christmas break or on a Saturday, I would pull out his scout book and we would pass off something easy. One day I was on the scout website and found two of the new belt loops that he would be able to earn: Good Manners and Video Games. As you can imagine he was more excited for the Video Games, but he was a good sport and did the Good Manners as well. Then, in his next two den meetings, they did everything again. I told him it was because he needed the practice- he did not think that was funny.

I was excited to go last night because I have had to work during the past 4-5 pack meetings, so I was so excited to be there when he earned his awards. Before the awards were the skits by all the dens. Too funny. The theme last night was "Power Up". Michael's den did a song about electricity (see the video at the bottom). Lance had some of the boys help with the opening ceremony and told about Cub Power. The "B" was my favorite...can you see why?

Aren't those two handsome!

My little Electricity Cub

(with an orange Tang mustache...he he he)

Lance was teasing Michael and made him be last of all the boys (and there were A LOT of awards given). Michael was going crazy waiting for his chance. He proudly hopped up and walked to the front by his dad to accept his Good Manners Belt loop and pin, and Video Games belt loop and pin. Lance was pretty proud as well. The end picture is of him choosing the cheer- another favorite part of his. Too cute.

Alright, here is the Electricity song. It makes me laugh because of what Michael does...watch and see!

Adventures in Sledding

We have been telling the kids all winter that we would take them sledding. When it first snowed we didn't have a sled (our previous one that we bought at the DI for $3 about 5 years ago, finally broke the end of last year). So a few weeks ago, I bought a bigger, stronger one (I hope), and the kids have been giddy about the thought. But then came the realization that we had no snow....at least that was the case until this past Friday night/Saturday am when we got pounded. So when we woke up that morning, we knew what we were doing that day.

We like to take the kids to this awesome park behind the Provo temple. Not only does it have an awesome view of the angel Moroni, it has the best hills I have ever seen- every angle for the daring to the not so daring. A few people had even got to the extent of making jumps that they would just fly on. It was so much fun.

Lukers just loved being in the snow. He was always more than willing to go down, but never quite enjoyed the trip back up the hill.

Kiersten had so much fun making snow angels and making snow balls while waiting for her turn to go down.

Mikey was our BIG helper. Poor kid would ride down with (and sometimes without) the other kids, but was always willing to run down the hill to bring up the sled because the other kids couldn't manage the combination of walking up the hill with the sled. As you can imagine, he was pretty darn tired when we got home, but never complained. What a cutie!

Our new addiction

Since we were introduced to this game by our good friends the Madsens, we have been hooked. It is bad enough that we had to go buy our own, and we even taught Mikey so that he could play with us- and he is hooked as well. This has become our new Sunday afternoon addiction that we love to play after church while we are waiting for dinner to cook. So anyone looking for a fun new game to play- this would definitely be our recommendation!

Ice Fishing

Since I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we had to wait until the day after Christmas to head "home" for the holidays. Unfortunately, Lance had to work the whole stinkin' time so he had to stay home. So the kids and I made the trek. It was well worth it. We were more than spoiled by our families and got to celebrate Christmas, Aunt Angela & Aunt Katie's birthdays, and just hang around and have fun. The day we were headed home, we got to go ice fishing with Papa up at Mantua "lake". The boys were giddy and we even got to bring cousin Brian with us. So fun!

The boys

Mikey making snow angels while Papa got everything ready.

Papa showing the boys the tricks of the trade.

And after an hour of getting things ready, drilling 6 different holes for the boys, maintenance on their lines, Papa FINALLY got a chance to fish!

Silly boys thought that after two hours that they were tired, and laid down in the snow to "relax". I love them.

We may not have caught anything, but the peaceful silence of the lake was just what this mom needed. It was fun to be out with my dad & my boys. What a day to remember.

Finding our New Normal

Since the end of October and with so much help from our family and friends, we are getting use to the many changes from our "normal" existence. We may not be out of the woods yet, but we are finally finding a way to sigh a little deeper, and starting to enjoy our new "normal". With Lance's new job easing the financial gap, and me getting to stay home during the days again, we are getting into a new routine. It may not be ideal, but I would take it any day over the chaotic days of November and December. We had to work so hard during those days to stay positive and remember the blessings that we had. I would like to share some of them as a reminder to myself.

1. We had our families- my little family, Lance and I's family, and our adoptive families (new & old friends we have met in Utah County) that we love so much.

2. We had friends that loved and supported us during our chaos.

3. We still had a warm home & shelter from the cold.

4. I had a job that was willing to make up hours & jobs for me to do, so that I could get my hours in at work.

5. The baby did not come early.

6. Our TWO secret Santas and our Christmas Elf that made Christmas the best ever! We have never felt so loved, than to see those bags of toys for the kids waiting for us on the front steps. Thank you to any and all of you who did that!

7. We learned humility like we never thought we could- I hope Heavenly Father does not want us to learn that lesson again for a LONG time!

8. We found so many new ways of having fun without any money at all.

9. Lance was able to spend some real quality time with the kids that I know they will treasure and remember for a long time.

10. Lance was able to find a new job (with benefits) in record time. With the jobless rate at over 10%, and the Department of Workforce Services telling Lance that for every one job posted, there was at least 250 applicants that apply, we did not know if he was ever going to get a job again- especially during the holidays.

11. We always seemed to have food on the table. Now eating out, even to the kids, is a luxury.

12. I was able to spend time with my hubby that I have not got to do since we were dating. It was nice to have him waiting up for me at night so that we could talk, watch movies, and be each other's best friend again. He was also wonderful for taking care of me & most of the chores so that I could relax when I got home.

13. I have become more appreciate of the time I have at home with the kids. I have made a personal goal to spend at least 30-60 minutes a day, on days I don't have to work, doing quality things with the kids. They seem to be loving it as much as I do! (Imagine that!)

Those are just a few of the blessings that happened during those crazy weeks. I am grateful for the lessons learned, but so GLAD that is OVER!

So, thank you again to all of you that made this experience live able....Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

(and sorry Darcy that we never got to do our Christmas craft- I will make it up to you, when you are feeling better!)