Wow!

It's been a little longer than I remember since I last posted...
So, just a few pictures to add...
We had a great year. Emma is 18 months old and WAY busier than my other kids were. She is into EVERYTHING, climbs on everything and wants a part in everything....I don't know if that is normal for the fourth child, but honestly I feel tired just thinking about it...
Sam is 13 and getting ready for High School. She gets to go on her first trek this summer and Steve and were asked to go also, so we are way excited about that.
Trey is almost 12 and getting ready for Middle School. He is my little actor and loves to make people laugh.
Lizzie is doing spanish imersion in school and learning so fast. She loves ballet and is 100% her own little self.
Steve is super busy with scouts and helping with Sam's soccer team.
I am enjoying being in the Relief Society presidency and staying super busy with that and the kids.

A few updates

When we first got married we made our own stockings, and we have made each child one as they came along....well, part of the socks. I love sewing so much (NOT!!), so, Sam's sock was the only one that was actually finished. Trey's didn't have his name on it and Lizzie's didn't have any decorations on it. Steve had to have a hernia operated on two weeks ago, and so he was home without anything to do. He got the sewing machine out and we went to Joanne's and we bought the stuff for Lizzie and Emma's socks and he made Emma's sock and finished Trey and Lizzie's BY HIMSELF!! Yah, my husband is more domestic than me when it comes to sewing. He then proceeded to sew on Trey's Webelo's badge. Steve, you rock!!! I was really proud of him.
Emma has started eating cereal. Not a lot of love for it. We discovered that the bib is too much of a distraction, so we started feeding her without the bib on (MESSY), but she will actually eat, so we might have to strip her down every day to eat!!
We spent Thanksgiving at the Olsen's. Scott and Chrissy came again this year, we love having them come visit.
Our little Emma is doing so well, she is such a happy, sweet baby and she absolutely adores her older brother and sisters.

So, the last two weeks have been more emotional than any two weeks I have ever had in my life! I was released from the primary presidency. I loved working with those sweet kids, and I really LOVED the amazing women I got to serve with in the presidency. It was such a great experience for me and I was not ready to see it end. But....I got called to be the ward camp director. I am so excited about being able to go to girl's camp. I have so many wonderful memories of camp and I am excited to be there for Sam's first camp!!
Last Thursday my neighbor died at the age of 39 after a very painful battle with cancer. She was a very sweet lady and left behind two sweet little boys. Her funeral was today and it was a very nice tribute to her, but also very hard to see her husband, parents, siblings, and boys have to say goodbye to her. How grateful I am to know that she is not suffering anymore and that she is with her loving Heavenly Father. The memorial service was filled with people from her life and I was really touched to see how many people from the school came to show their support for her family. We really live in such a fantastic neighborhood and I'm so lucky to know so many amazing people.
This Tuesday another neighbor died of cancer. Scott was only 46 and was diagnosed less than three weeks ago. He left behind three children, the youngest 9, and the oldest 14. He didn't have to suffer very long, but it all happened so fast we didn't get to say goodbye to him. Some of the guys on our block get together and play games, they have tournaments of every kind, and Steve will miss having Scott there. He was a such a nice man and I know his boys will miss having their dad, he was very involved in their sports and scouting.
We had our Relief Society dinner tonight. It was so wonderful. We had a missionary couple come and do a presentation on the artwork of the birth of the Savior. The Sister was a Docent at (I can't remember which art museum in D.C.)...but she was amazing! They had several musical numbers and it was decorated beautifully!! I was wanting to stay there forever and not have to leave that wonderful spirit. Thank you to the wonderful Relief Society sisters that made that a much needed relief for me!
I am teaching the lesson on the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith this Sunday......enough said!
I am really missing my sisters and parents right now....not being able to see Julie and Michelle's babies is really hard!! I am ready for Mom and Dad to be home....Doug and Geri are coming home from Cambodia and it makes me even more anxious for July to be here!!!
How do people survive without amazing friends and family? I know I would not be the person I am today without the people I have met and who have influenced me through my life.
Thank you to so many of you who have played a major part in my life. I am so lucky to have four beautiful, healthy children and a husband who looks past all of my faults and loves me anyway. I am so blessed to have the peace of the gospel and to have wonderful siblings and parents.
I loved the talk from Elder Bednar "Tender Mercies". Whenever I have times that overwhelm me, I think of that talk and realize that through all the hard times, my Heavenly Father is always giving me Tender Mercies....He never lets us down.
So, that about wraps it up, I am really hoping to have a better week next week....I'm getting my haircut, so already I feel better!!

Sam's 12!!

The highlight of Sam's birthday was getting her cell phone. She has been so anxious to get her own phone. At 9 am she was practically dragging me out of the house so we could go pick out her phone. I can't believe how much a 12 can text!!

My little girl turned 12 on Monday. She is seriously so grown up and such a good girl I can't believe it. I am so proud of the things she is doing. She was so excited to go to YW she could hardly wait. Her sweet beehive class came on Monday and decorated her room with little bumble bees, made her a fleece blanket and brownie cupcakes. She got to go to an activity with them last week and she came home so excited and happy. She is the best big sister and daughter, I'm so glad we have her!!

Halloween

Yah, I know it was almost a month ago....
Sam was "Lola" from Hanna Montana and Lizzie was Elphaba from Wicked. Trey was Shaggy but he wasn't very excited about his costume, just a green shirt and brown pants, his hair was already 'shaggy' so it worked perfectly, but he wouldn't let me take a picture of him. Emma didn't dress up...fourth child, no energy mommy, it's all good!!

Trey's update

Trey got his Webelos badge last month. He has worked really hard and he was very excited about getting that. I can't believe he only has one more year before he'll be getting the preisthood....YIKES!!
He loved playing football. It's his favorite thing to do. He plays it at recess everyday and he had a blast playing this fall. I'm not sure we will continue playing...he may love it, but it doesn't necessarily love him!!
One Sunday afternoon the kids were downstairs looking through boxes and Trey found all of his 'whitie-tighties' and decided to make himself "underwear boy". It was hilarious, he had a microphone and he was signing "Fabulous" from High School Musical at the top of his lungs. He was dancing and totally hamming it up. It was so funny. The girls couldn't get enough of it, Sam was laughing so hard she was crying. He is such a goof-ball!!
Trey refuses to wear coats, sweatshirts, hoodies, you name it. Why? I have no idea! So, at their fall field day, it was FREEZING!! But of course Trey (and Austin, sorry Tricia for being a bad example!)we running around in short sleeve shirts. He is absolutely nuts!
We are so excited that Trey is finally done with his vision therapy. He worked really hard this last year and he is doing really well. He is finally reading at very close to grade level and he is really feeling good about himself. We still have a lot to work on, but that is such a relief to have those two things checked off the list!

Happy Birthday Lizzie

Lizzie turned six on October 15th. Her birthday party was so fun. She had been planning this since June. She invited three of her friends, we went to a nail salon and got their feet and hands painted. We then went to Chick-fil-A for lunch. She was so excited about this party. The girls were so fun and had a great time.
Her best friend, Claire gave her this card. It made me cry it was so sweet. They are such good friends and we don't know what we would do without her in our life.
My little Lizzie Lou is such a sweetie and we are so glad to have her in our family.