It's a Wonderful Life

This Christmas season has been very hard for me. We have struggled financially. I have been in a deep depression for about two months, and I have been sick for nearly a month. Through it all, though, we have been blessed beyond measure. From money mysteriously appearing in the mail to gifts anonymously left on our doorstep to whole circles of friends praying for relief for me from depression. I can't tell you how many meals have been brought to me and how many people have helped with my kids. Yesterday, I had a dear friend take my kids for a few hours so I could nap, then she brought us dinner, took me to Instant Care and then the pharmacy. Her sweet husband and another man from our ward gave me a priesthood blessing (Doug has been out of town). My in-laws have bent over backwards to help us. My own family has prayed for us and been emotionally supportive through all of this. I can not list all the people who have blessed our lives, partially because of the number and partially because of the anonymity with which many served us.

A couple of weeks ago, I watched It's a Wonderful Life. I have seen it a million times and always have been touched by it, but never cried. This time, I cried like a baby. It may have been the strep throat, but I think it was this: For the first time, I realized that I am George Bailey. No matter how hard life is, we are never alone. Heavenly Father has blessed us with families, wards, friendships, and even acquaintances. I sobbed when George read Clarence's note "Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends" because when I saw it, it said this, "Remember, Jessica, no one is alone who has friends."

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

I have been too sick to post much, so here is my post. Let's hope it works. I hope everyone had a merry Christmas!

Winter Wonderland

Wow. The snow is here! The kids are thrilled, and I wouldn't mind so much if I were ready for Christmas. The Rox lady had her first snowy romp. She cried when she had to come in. Fun was had by all. The snow is expected to stop falling in March or something, I think. Notice it is nearly to Ash's knee! And she is no shorty, I tell you! Not to worry, though, we have our very own professional "snow-shuffler." This picture was taken before the big snow began, as you can see. Though he did plenty of "shuffling" today!

Why God Made Mothers

I always like to write the funny things my kids say in our Christmas letter. As I was going through the things I had written down, I came across this and thought it was funny:

I got this email with questions that kids answered. I decided to ask my kids the same questions:


WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by my kids


Why did God make mothers?
Ash: He made children so they had to have mothers that would give birth to them
Tian: Because I need help making stuff

How did God make mothers?
Ash: Just like the rest of us girls.
Tian: I don't know

What ingredients are mothers made of ?
Ash: Sweet sugar because they are sweet
Tian: Skin

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
Ash: Because she liked these children the best in Heaven
Tian: Because she likes me

What kind of little girl was your mom?
Ash: A little girl, a good one
Tian: A silly girl

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
Ash: Shan, so she could know about him.
Tian: She needed to know how to take care of a boy.

Why did your mom marry your dad?
Ash: Because she thought he was a good man even though he teased her probably.
Tian: Because she saw him out of the corner of her eye when he was in a car

Who's the boss at your house?
Ash: (without a moment's hesitation) MOM
Tian: Mom and Dad

What's the difference between moms & dads?
Ash: Mom's a girl and Dad's a boy
Tian: One's a girl and one's a boy

What does your mom do in her spare time?
Ash: School work
Tian: Read and stuff or play with us

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
Ash: lots of stuff
Tian: I think she's perfect (who's the favorite today?:) )

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
Ash: I don't know
Tian: No time out!

funky

So, the other day, Ash asked me to do her hair in curly ponytails. So, I did. She asked Rox what she thought of her hair and Rox said, "FUNKY!" Where did I get this child?

family photos

I just wanted to post some of our other pictures. I have nothing to say about them except that I think they are stinkin' cute kids.

My first blog...

Well, here goes...

I finally gave in to this blogging business. I don't know why. Maybe I am feeling a little crazy, or maybe I just needed to express myself. Yeah, I know. I do plenty of that. Maybe too much. So, maybe I'll just post the hilarious things my kids say every day. Like yesterday in church, Roxie was singing at the top of her lungs, "Little Bunny Foofoo up the waterspout, down rain, up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky..." Seriously. I kept begging her to be quiet, but she refused. I finally scooped her up and started heading for the door. As soon as I picked her up, though, she yelled, "POOPY IN THE POTTY!" for the entire congregation to hear. That's my girl.