Decorating the Tree

Yes, Alaina really did put some ornaments on the tree. Carson did a pretty good job too. Of course my job was to spread out the ornament after he was done. I think it turned out pretty good.

Halloween

I know it's really late, but here's Carson's pumpkin. Of course I did all the carving, but he picked out the face. I think there is quite a resemblance, don't you?

Just Sittin' Around

Alaina thinks anything that she can fit into is a chair or seat for her. And of course once mom takes a picture of Alaina, Carson needs his picture taken too.

Another Update

We'll I thought that I should fill you all in on what's going on in our life right now. Carson and Alaina are growing and learning everyday. I am continually amazed at how smart they are. Carson is in a preschool group with some other kids in our ward. Each of the moms take a turn teaching. I have a difficult time when it's my turn to teach 4-5 3 and 4 year olds, but they are learning, and they enjoy the time together. Alaina is progressing very well. She jabbers all the time and lately I've been able to understand a word here and there. It's been very gratifying to see my children grow and progress. I'm still working part-time at JCPenny. I actually enjoy it. It's really close to my home, the work is fairly easy and low stress, and the discount is really nice. Tony's job is difficult right now. He is working 30 hours at Diamond Z doing drafting and 40 at the Scentsy Warehouse doing shipping. He is very tired and of course me at the kids only see him for about an hour a day and weekends. While he isn't working at Diamond Z or Scentsy he is searing for a new job to replace the two he is working now. It's been a very trying time for our family. Each day we hope a pray for a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The good thing about have big trials in our life is that we are able to rely on the lord for help. Tony and I have been reading our scriptures and praying more often and fervently than we ever have in our married life, which will be 6 years in January. At first I was just going through the motions of "doing what I was supposed to" hoping that that would be enough for the lord to bless us with what I wanted ( a new job). But now I'm coming to the realisation that God has a plan for us and I need to submit to the plan. I need to be "doing what I'm supposed to" not for blessings but for my own good and for the good of our family. I don't know what God has in store for us, and part of me is a little scared to find out. But going through this time has humbled me and I know that I will be more willing to accept God's plan. I love my family so much, and thank them for their continual support, i.e. babysitting and moral support. I am also so thankful for Tony. I love him so much! I respect him so much that he is able to do what he is doing right now. Yes, times are hard but we will be better because of it.

Our Trip to the Zoo

We took the kids to the Zoo for the fist time a while ago. Carson had filled up his chore chart, so his reward was to go to the Zoo. Neither one of the kids had been there before and they really liked seeing all the different animals. Carson's favorite animal was, yes, the Monkeys!

Alaina's Birthday

Finally here are the pictures of Alaina's first birthday. It was September 18th. We had two parties. Our house isn't big enough to hold both sides of the family, so we started have two parties for the kids. Hey more cake is always a good thing, right? Anyway Alaina didn't eat very much of the cake but had a good time making a mess of it!

Update

Well I've been waiting to post until I had some pictures to go with it but Tony has to do some "reformatting" before I can download the pictures from our camera. So anyway this is what's going on with us. Alaina had her first birthday in September. She of course had a lot of fun making a huge mess with the cake while managing to eat very little of it. It was fun though. Carson also had a birthday. It was on Halloween again this year! Can you imagine that? He's 4 now. This was the first year that Carson really understood what his birthday was all about. It was fun to get all excited with him. He got his first real bike with training wheels and everything. He's really only been able to ride it once because the whether has been so crummy, but I'm sure the bike will get lots of use in the future. The last couple of weeks have been pretty hectic around here. Tony got a second job, so now he's working 70 hours a week! We don't get to see him a whole lot which is difficult but the second job will really help us get through the holidays. I'm still working part-time at JCPenny in Nampa so we are going back and forth a lot. So with Tony and I both working, preschool, and being in the R.S presidency my days are pretty full. But I know that things will get better. We just continue to have faith and pray that God will provide a way for us to follow. I'm so looking forward to Thanksgiving in a couple weeks. It really gives me the opportunity to think about what I'm thankful for. My list may not be very extravagant, but I mean it. I am thankful for my husband. He works so hard and everything he does is for his family. I love him so much! My children are wonderful. Yes they can make life hard sometimes, but they are worth it! I am so thankful that we have a home to live in, together. Yes, that is it but they really are what I'm most thankful for!