Christmas Squirrel

I just finished reading my sisters latest post on her blog and I got caught up of the memories we as children had. As always she writes so poetically and I was whisked away to all the sights, smells, and sounds of my younger years. One particular Christmas memory jumped out to me that involved a cat, a tree, a tomboy and a squirrel...

Like most newly married, young parents mine were pretty limited on there income but trying to make things special for the holidays they started a tradition to pick out and buy a real Christmas tree each year. Oh, the memories of bundling up from the cold, the smell of pine, and the sticky sap. Most of the time after getting the tree we would immediately start setting it up. Dad would fire up his chainsaw (I can still smell the freshly cut pinewood) to perfectly cut off the trunk, mom and the kids would organize the ornaments into like piles and get the stand ready, so that we could finish it up that night. However, on this particular year for whatever reason we waited for the next day to put up the ornaments. It was the morning after that we decided to decorate. That next morning one of our cats (we had a revolving door of kitties for a couple of years) seem unusually interested in the tree occasionally hissing at it. My mom, older sister, brother, and I standing in the room caught a glimpse of movement coming from the tree. The cat leaped toward the tree as an object leaped out! As quickly as I could identify the creature everyone expect me were on top of a piece of furniture. A squirrel, it was a huge squirrel that must have hitched a ride with us on the tree the previous night. "DaNell get it" is all I remember hearing as my sister, mom, and (I know he might deny this) brother stood screaming still on top the furniture. At that particular time in my life I was bit fearless when it came to animals, being a tomboy (yes, the hair doing, make-up wearing, purse collecting girl was at one time a tomboy) my brother and I could tell you stories you would not believe about, bandaged bunnies, leaping lizards, eyedropper feed quail, digging for snake skin, and microwaved... well another day for those stories:) I got my game face on and about 5 mins after chasing this thing with the help of a cat I had caught myself a nice plump squirrel that took its rightful place outside. These days I am not sure that I would bare handed catch and hold a squirrel I am a little smarter as I age.

That is my story about a tree, a cat, a squirrel, and a tomboy. Its these unplanned events that make lasting memories. Maybe one day my kids will appreciate their fearless heroic mother in a new way:)

As for our Christmas this year, we did it a little different. It was at our house in the morning with Justin's family. I may just have been spoiled, now I wont want to leave our home until the afternoon:) It was so nice to not rush around in the morning with the kids.

Like always we had a great day with the families, but this year more than usual I had the true meaning of Christmas close to my heart. I am grateful beyond words for my knowledge of our Savior and for his divine mission.

I guess we just had to stop and smell the ROSES, what really matters?!!!

Where has all the time gone?

It goes to...

Graduation

Justin finally got to walk for getting his Masters in Educational Leadership. We had a great time in Flagstaff, it is amazing that we can just drive 2 hours north and run into snow. It was a nice change of pace to get all bundled up with gloves, scarfs, and hats. I found out that scarfs are SO useful & not just for fashion:) I cant help but think how hard it would be to really live in the snow with children. You know clothes on then off then on:(

We were able to spend some time with both sides of our family which we always enjoy. My kids adore their grandparents, maybe closers to obsession! Thank you all for all you help and support. I am so proud of Justin, he continues to be such a great husband, father, and provider. We are so Blessed!!!!

I got these cute PJ's for the kids and they are oh so true, except that it need to read "my grandma'S" will!!!
Christmas Decorations

We were able to get Christmas up before Thanksgiving this year and I am so glad. This season just doesn't last long enough. My mom was always so good at bringing the Christmas look, feel, and smells into our home as I was growing up. I hope to do that for our own children. The smell of sweet cranberry & evergreen as we watch the Polar Express next to our lighted tree while we sip hot chocolate. What is better than that?!?! I was able to make this table runner from some scraps my mother gave me! Thanks Momma

I found a couple cute signs at the dollar store. My favorite reads "Naughty or nice I still get what I want!"

Thanks for putting up the decorations outside Justin. Simple but satisfying!!!

Parties

We have had some fun Christmas activities lately...

We got to go to "Christmas Carol" with my family one FHE night. Owen wasn't having it upset half the movie. Thankful he is ADORABLE:) Brinley on the other hand loves movies and can sit for long periods of time (THANKFULLY). I asked her what her favorite part was she laughed and said "Scrooge wore a dress." I guess his nightie looked too much like a dress to her. The point of the movie went right over her head as she was fixated on the "dress." Ha Ha

Owen just loves Santa he drops my hand and run open armed on to Santa's lap. So fun to see their excitement.

I made these Mexican paper flower for a Ward party. They were a bit time consuming by they turned out so bright and colorful. FUN!!!

We made cookies, a Lensch girls tradition, on Sunday and by Monday night we had eaten our portion. YUMMY!!!The days may seem to last forever , we are defiantly tiered at the end, but we are loving every moment of it. Creating memories and trying to soak it all up!!

Thanksgiving WEEK

Having both sides of our family is such a blessing, however it can be a bit exhausting. We never want to miss out on opportunities to spend time with them so life can get eventful, just a few of the highlights…

Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Otis’s House
I stayed up until 12:30 am to do some shopping, despite the fact that I did get some amazing deals I don’t think I will be doing that again, thanks for coming Mom, Jen and Morg.

While mommy did some hair and shopping the next day, daddy and the kids went to the science center and then to Mexican Food. After we meet up at G-ma and G-pa Kings for leftovers YUMMY!!! Brinley loved play with the cousins (my cousins that are her age) plus she adores TT and Jane.

Saturday could have been better if ASU would have pulled off the upset none the less it was a good game (the second half.) I got to go with Justin and Brinley and we left our little man at home so we could sit and watch some of it:) He is so active, church, games, car rides need to be carefully planed as to have all the necessary activities to keep him entertained. He does bring us so much joy and EVEN MORE laughter into our home. He has so much of his daddy in him everything is a fun game to them, even if you don’t think its an appropriate time to be playing. I can’t seem to discipline Owen without him making me laugh. I guess the same is true with Justin I can’t seem to get made at him without him making me laugh even after 8 years.

Reaching My Goal

This entry is an explanation of a huge goal I set for myself some may read it and think, no big deal I run one every week and some may read it and say, she is crazy who runs that much? But for me this is my ½ marathon story and it was a LONG time coming…



June of 2007 I decided that I finally was going to start training to do a marathon. I picked the P.F. Changs half marathon for my goal and started kicking my butt. I have never loved to run; actually running was one of my least favorite forms of exercise. Playing sports you were required to run, obviously, and so this is where my drive to overcome my dislike began many moons ago. I have never been fast, I was always one of the last girls on my basketball team to finish anything suicides, miles, track workouts. But I seem to have a little smidgen of a competitive side (underestimate), so even my own abilities were not going to stop me. I picked something that I knew would push me, something that when accomplish would be HUGE for me because of my hatred for running.

I trained all the way up to the marathon. 3 days before I was expecting my monthly friend to visit, and might I add I am like clockwork I could probably tell you the exact hour (TMI I know) but it had not arrived. A little worried I decide to make a quick trip to the dollar store, yes this is where I purchase my tests they are just as accurate. A few hours later a new exciting discovery was in store A BABY!!! After visiting with my doctor he advised me not to run the marathon (because of my history with pregnancies). I almost started crying right there in that office all I could think of was that I wanted my mom to fix it like she always could when I was young. I had put blood (literally because of a couple of missteps) sweat and NOW tears into my training. It was only advise right? I don’t get sick for another couple of weeks and the race would be well over then, I could run it! After consulting with my husband and my mom, I knew in my heart that it was now my time to be unselfish I was growing a precious baby in my tummy (we know him now as Owen) and yes, he is precious worth all the disappointment of not running that race. The day of the race came and went, and I DID shed some tears of disappointment but, life went on.

I knew that I would run the race after I had him. And I finally did thanks to my wonderful supportive husband that helped watched the kids and didn’t mind my long 2 hour runs and night jogs. And to Jana, the pro, that pushed me farther and harder than I would have on my own.

Here is how the BIG DAY went…

I worked late on Friday to fit everyone in and consequently got home later that expected. Nervous and tiered I shoved some pasta in my mouth and crawled into bed. My mind racing (no pun intended) I woke up at 4 in the morning full of anticipation and worry, mostly because my knee had been bothering me all week. I tried to figure out what to do all the time, I made some oatmeal played around on the computer and tried to go back to sleep (with no luck). I finally decided to just get ready and go down to the race early. All I could think about was 9:30, (when I knew I would be done with the race) so each time I looked at the clock the time got closer 4, then 5, then, 6 then it was almost time to start. So nervous as time approached I readjusted my bib (the numbers you have to wear) 6 or 7 times to pass the time. Just as I had taken it off again to find a more perfect place to wear it the race began, fidgeting with the darn bib and trying to run threw me off a tad but off I went. The first mile marker was depressing one down 12 to go. At least it was a beautiful morning and every 20 minutes or so a light mist of ran would cool me down THANKS for that! About the 4th mile I could see the Mesa temple of to the side and they were putting up the Christmas light that gave me a little pep in my step. We made a loop so once we got to 6.5 miles we started the whole thing over again at this point my knee started to hurt just keep going, then at 7 miles my hip started to hurt just keep going, then my foot KEEP GOING!!! It was Mentally at this point is where I start talking to myself 11 miles then 12 miles then YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME NO MORE. I could hear my family cheering for me as I hit 13 miles but so tired I couldn’t look up to acknowledge them .1 mile to go and I picked up my pace seeing Owen and Brinley standing at the finish line. I bent down to pick up my son as I saw my time 2hour 22mins 18seconds! What a great finish to be with my family, my sister Jennie ran the 5k and mom, dad, and Justin were all smiling faces as I arrived. This day is one I will not forget anytime soon. So, WHAT’S NEXT!!!????

My sister and I picked the "Run From the Sun" Marathon because it raised awareness for skin cancer. My mom had two spots of skin cancer removed last year so this had double meaning for me. We made these shirts to show support of our WONDERFUL MAMMA!!!

With Aunt Jennie!!!

These Are The Days

I am sitting here today on the couch after a refreshing run (endorphins going), looking back through years of pictures as my children nap and thinking that…

I AM NOW LIVING MY DREAM!!!

As a child I remember dreaming of my Prince Charming coming to sweep me of my feet and carry me away to our castle where we would start a beautiful family. Plus, I would be radiant throughout the entire pregnancy not gaining one more pound than needed and my face would be one of those that show no wrinkles or age. I would cook wonderful meals, yet still spending every waking hour in love with my husband and devoting ALL my time to my children. Some how my house would never need cleaning in my dreams my house never got dirty.

But here I am faced with the decision of what to cook, two loads of laundry to be folded, baths to still be taken, a grocery store I desperately need to get to, bills to be paid, a home that doesn’t clean itself, basketball practice to run, and a puppy chewing up the new flowers we planted in the backyard. BUT here is the interesting part of this whole thing I am filled with JOY. Joy, happiness, delight, glee, contentment, bliss any of those will do. These are the days of my dreams, a bit different than what you expect as a child but nonetheless WONDERFUL.

Before I put Owen down for a nap I stopped my cleaning and decide to hold him as long as he would allow I wrapped him in a blanket and picked him up. It ended up to be nearly 20 mins of him talking and cuddling his momma.

Some days I spend hours price matching and bargain shopping, I am learning to sew (an extinct art) to save a buck, I live in a nice but normal home, I gained 65 pounds with both my pregnancies, I don’t make gourmet meals, I have smile lines, I do the laundry, pick poop off virtually everywhere, and I scrub the toilets myself. AND I WOULDN’T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY!!!!!!!!

It's Over

Oh man, Halloween is over! My most favorite holiday has once again come and gone but not without some great memories…

Brinley was a great helper in the kitchen as me made TONS of fun treats this month!

I had some left over Halloween fabric, which I made into a skirt for Briny for a themed Sunday.


We carved our pumpkin and our little man was his normal active self and wanted nothing to do with it but wanted to run all over the yard. I love everything about Halloween BUT the pumpkin carving so thats Justin's area. Brinley and daddy did a good job making a "scary pumpkin."




The kids were train engineers this year but Brinley our little fashionista princess thought it was unacceptable to wear pants so I made her overalls into a skirt. It made for a much happier little engineer, which then made for a much happier momma. I also made their matching trick-or-treat bags and they ended up being super super easy (and inexpensive) to make so I will probably making some more fun bags in the future.

We had a little pizza party over at the house before we went Trick-or-Treating. I had planed on working until 12 in the afternoon so I could come home and get the house and food ready. However sooo many people needed their hair done (which I never mind doing, I love my job) but I left Justin to do the entire cleaning of the backyard, front yard, and in the house plus the food and he did a fabulous job. Maybe you should do it from now on:) We had a lot of fun with our family and friends.

It was quite difficult to get all the kids to stay on the couch and forget about getting them to smile. This is the best we could do!

Happy Trick-or-Treating!!!!

Trunk-or-Treat

We enjoyed a beautiful night with good friends and fun activities last night at the Ward party. Brinley and Owen were dresses as train engineers and Justin and I were Conductors. I look forward to Halloween each year for the family theme. Yes, it may be cheesy to some, but I love it!!! As a matter of fact I already have the next two years of costume ideas in my head. Justin made some chili and I was in charge of making snow cones, which I really enjoyed. I was just bummed that the watermelon syrup ran out first, it’s my favorite by far. Brinley scored big with the candy she collected, and spending the whole night with her dressed-up buddies. Other than a little mix up with candy and the fact that I was exhausted (more than I have been since my basketball days) from my long run that morning. The night seemed like a success, and we all slept well last night.

Choo,Choo all aboard!!!

Justin is such a sport and likes to dress up with us !!! Thanks for being my twin Just.
Grumpy after a long night!!