Compliments

I got the best compliment the other day.  At church a man stopped me in the hallway to ask how Brooklyn's ankle was feeling, she hurt it in  a basketball game.  I don't know this man except for a few words here and there.  He told me she was doing good on the varsity team, verified that she was only a freshman and said, "she works hard out there good for her.  And I've talked to a lot of people and I've heard that she is just the nicest girl."  That made my heart so happy.  She is a nice girl, I hope she will always be that way!

Snow Day

Remember that one winter that was like a real canadian winter?  Remember all the snow we got and it stayed around for like 1 solid month.  Remember how it was really cold, like -17 below zero cold? Remember how we'd already had 3 snow days by January 18? I do.  I loved having all of you home with me, I love how excited Carson got everyday he woke up and saw all of you still home.  How you went sledding at 8 am, because you could.  How Brady loved driving the 4 wheeler crazy and went "too fast" for you on the sleds.  How we went back to bed and all squished in my bed, because the fire went out during the night.  How we stayed in our jammies, and played games, and you all did 21 day fix workout with me (except Brooke and Brady.)  How I got to make homemade bread, cause its been forever since I've done it.  How there were no practices, no mutual, no school and no games.  Oh it was wonderful! I love these days!
But the people in town and out in the valley do not.  Remember all of the downed power lines and trees and accidents?  Up here by the mountain we are protected, when we notice the wind here, in town it is howling.
I had a realization last night.  When I was a young mom and usually at home with little kids all.the.time, I would do anything to get out of the house, even if it meant taking them all with me.  I coached many of the older kids teams and went to playgroups etc.  Last night while talking with Chas, I realized.  I don't like doing that stuff anymore.  I can have a conversation with Brooklyn and feel like I've talked to an adult today, I drop kiddos off at practice and am fine to be able to go home and spend time with the others one that I haven't had a chance to see much yet that day.  I used to love to stay at practice and watch Brooklyn play.  The older I get the much more satisfied I feel.  I wish I could say I felt like that throughout my journey as a mom, sadly I can't.  I was around my sister the other day, and she has little kids, and I thought, "Man, those days were just about survival for me."  I feel like thats all I did, was survive, I didn't feel like that then, but looking back, I realize just how hard it was.  I love this stage, even though it is crazy! I always thought moms who had teenages and complained that life was crazy, forgot about having little ones.  It's just different.  But I have to admit that I love this stage!
Brooklyn is one of my best friends.  I love how open and honest and caring and fun and crazy she is.  At 10 pm its not my favorite, but I love that she always wants to talk.  In fact I have to get my time in with the other kids before she gets home, or I don't get to talk to them at all.
Brady reminds me of the strong silent type.  He is getting lean and muscular, I hate that my little boy is growing up, but he makes me proud.  He always opens the door for me, right now he is out shoveling off the dog kennel, that I had asked him to do a couple weeks ago, but he hasnt had the chance, and I didn't even remind him.
I think I recognize it more in the older two, time marches on, whether we want it to or not!

Sunday January 15

Today was the most peaceful sunday I have had in 10 years.  Not even joking one bit!  I got released from primary a couple of weeks ago.  I have been there for 10 years, straight!  I do love kids, but can I tell you how wonderful it was to be in young womens today.  I cried, I felt the spirit, I learned, I listened.  Oh it was fabulous!  I am the new secretary, someone up above is bound and determined to help me fight my "fly by the seat of my pants" attititude, so I am trying to be better.  Yesterday we had basketball all day, it was rough.  Emree games were really rough, we got killed.  Its hard to see the positive when you get smashed down, and then down even farther.  But at the end of the day, life is still good.  God is good, we are so blessed.  I have loved having an actual winter this year, all the snow and cold weather, just makes me feel at home.  I really do love it.  My favorite is when its so cold the snow squeaks and sparkles.  Like diamonds in the fields, and then the frost on the trees another favorite.
Brooklyn sprained her ankle at her j.v game the other night, class 2.  She was crying so much, I thought it was worse.  Come to find out, she was just so bummed she couldnt play in the varsity game.  Once the tears started coming she couldnt stop them.  Her first home game, where she was going to get to play a lot, she was pretty bummed.  Alas, life goes on and basketball does not determine your worth as a person.  She is a little humbled at the situation. As much as we think we can control our lives, we cant, plain and simple.
Brady had a great weekend at basketball. He is getting more confident and trusting himself and his abilities, I love to see him starting to lead.  He has been shy for so long....
Emree is just a fighter, she worked hard until the end of each game and hung in there.
Beckett has been emotional, its hard when you don't get enough sleep.
Here is my conversation with Carson this morning
Carson: I don't want to go to church cause it takes too long.
Mom: Church goes by fast, so I can come and get you.
Carson: My stinking class is too long.
Me: dying laughing... your stinking class?
Carson: no my singing class
Me: OH!