Valentine's Day and Then Some...

Jennie came to visit for a day in February and I loved it as did my kids. We got to meet her new beau and we liked him. Here's to her happiness and to many more visits. We love you Jennie. You can come anytime too Papa! We miss you as well. As for my brother and his family the invite is open as well and you better come some day or I may not forgive you. :) Friends are welcome anytime but be warned our house is a home and well lived in.

Here are a few pictures of our Valentine's Day or day after. Kaitlyn and I made homemade sugar cookies in the shape of hearts and then homemade frosting too. Can you believe it was my first time with the frosting?! The cookie recipe I got from a friend at church/joy school and they are the best sugar cookies. Light, fluffy and so yummy. The little ones had fun decorating them and eating them too.

Larry and I got to go out on a date for V-day. We went to see the movie The Eagle and it was good. I like it. We gave each other little gifts and gave the kids each something too. It turned out to be not completely awful. It's still not one of my favorite holidays.

Joy School is going well for Kinsee Belle. She loves it and I do too. I enjoy helping when it's my turn and I like being able to walk to school and back. Kamden is doing well in his Pre-K program too. I also like walking him to school and getting some exercise in. We don't get to do it too often but I enjoy it when we can. I think they are both improving with their speech but still have a way to go. I have applied to one of the Charter Schools in town for Kamden for Kindergarten so we'll see if he gets in. I sure hope so because then Kinsee and the others can get it easier. It's a good school and I really hope he gets in.

Larry's health is up and down but we're working through it. Health is such a struggle and something I no longer take for granted. Instead I'm hoping to get into school and become a nurse. I forgot what a hassle applying for school can be and all it entails. I actually hate it but really do want to get a degree that is useful for me and my family. I really feel that school and nursing is what I should do. Now to keep the faith that Heavenly Father will help us during this process and time.

I'm enjoying my calling as the Ward Bulletin Specialist. I like picking out hymns to sing and a picture/quote for the front. I hope to have the spirit with me so I can touch someones heart through music or picture or word. We even got to sing Hie to Kolob the other Sunday and all the verses. I love that hymn and we don't sing it often enough. It's funny how each ward seems to pick their favorites and that's what we tend to sing over and over again. I'm hoping to introduce some new hymns and enjoy doing it in the process.

The kids are all finally healthy and doing well. Kaijsa is busy trying to get everything done for graduation. Kaitlyn is busy with her school musical. She got the lead role again, this time as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Kira we talk to every once in a while but not often enough. Kamden and Kinsee I've already told you about. Kai is talking more and has quite the little personality. She is blossoming and it's fun to watch. She really is a mini me, help us all. Kallen is wonderful and starting to realize that any little noise gets him picked up. So our goal with him is to teach him to be happy on his own. We just can't spend the whole day holding him, even if we could we shouldn't. I love to spoil him and snuggle with him but I want to see him learn and grow on his own as well. He rolls over from front to back quite well and often. He's so close to rolling from back to front. We'll see where his milestones are at compared to the others. I love my kids and am so grateful for them and their sweet spirits. They can be rowdie and crazy but soft and loving too.

Tomorrow they have no school and I have no work so I'm excited to spending the day with them. I've been having my struggles but it's made me take notice of my life and where it's at. I do have things to be thankful for as well as things to work on. May we all fast and pray for peace and joy in our lives and homes and in the lives of those we know.

Here's to the holiday of Love and now on to the Holiday of Luck. I could sure use some happy luck!