{Our New Addition}

Two weeks ago Brad called me from work, I said hello and he said "Do ya want a dog?" I sat there for 3 seconds and said yes! Then I asked what kind yada, yada and hung up. I then started to think, oh a puppy is so much work, what did I just agree to? But I'm not going to kid ya, I was so very excited! We decided to not say anything to the kids until we picked her up. That just about killed me! I wanted to tell Lexi sooooo bad! She has been asking for a puppy for the last couple of years. I knew she would be so thrilled. Fast forward eight hours...we get the kids in the car and tell them that we have a surprise for them. Lexi gets way excited and says, "Are we going to McDonald's?" Our reply, "NO". Lexi: "Are we going to Jumpin' Jack's?" Brad: "No". Lexi: "Are we going to Lagoon?" Brad: "No, it's March...Lagoon's not open". We are going to Sara's house." Lexi and Rowen: "Where?" We told them the we were going to visit someone who worked with Dad, and they were not impressed! A few minutes later we arrive at Sara's and go inside. Lexi: "Oh look she has puppies...can I play with them?" Sara: "Yes, you can." We watch for a second and then tell her that we are bringing one home. Lexi was excited to say the least! It was so fun springing this on our kids. I told them that we were naming her Stella (the one condition I had in getting a dog was that I got to name her). Rowen has been so so with her. He plays with her a little, but Lexi just loves her. She has been so grown up and has done such a good job taking her out to go potty, cleaning up the mess and doing whatever we ask her to do. She always said she would take care of a dog and not complain...she has held to it! We really lucked out with Stella, she is so easy going and really has been so much fun! I have not regretted saying yes to the dog at all. It seems like she has been part of our family for a long time!

{Check Out Our Beet Harvest!!!}

These are some of the beets that we grew in 2010! They were so big...one was over 4 lbs.! No joke! They are all pickled, canned oh so yummy! We have been enjoying our little harvest!

{Rowen Turns 4!}

I have a lot of updating to do and I am sure that things are going to get a little out of order...but it's the important thing is that I get things documented, right?!

Our Sweet Rowen turned FOUR in November 2010! I can't believe he has gotten this old! Where does the time go? Rowen is a joy in our lives and keeps us laughing! He is our little rock star and I am very curious to see who he becomes in life. He still loves his Disney Cars, Hot wheels and his play guitars. I really can't wait to put him in music lessons. I know that he is going to love it!

The top 4 things I love about Rowen are:

1. He is a loving little man. He tells me a hundred times a day that he loves me and comes to "give me something" which is followed by a hug.

2. Rowen is a little tease! He loves to joke around and is very playful. He reminds me more of his dad everyday!

3. He is so smart! He catches on to things so easily. It amazes me the things that he hears and remembers. I can't get anything past this kid!

4. I love to watch him jam on his "flat guitar". He totally thinks he is playing and he sings the words to the song while he plays. He can really rock!







We love you Rowen and are so blessed to have you in our family!

{A Simple Lesson in Faith}

Lexi received a very nice CTR ring for her birthday. She loves it so much and has remembered to wear it everyday. The night that she received it I took a moment to talk to her about what CTR represents and why it is so important to make right choices. She is such a good kid, and really loves to talk about the gospel. Yesterday I noticed that her ring was not with her white bracelet (that she also received for her birthday) and I asked her where it was. She looked at me and got a look of concern on her face instantly. She didn't know where it had gone. When she realized it was lost she began to cry and started looking around the house for it. I little while later I asked her if she found it and she told me no, but she prayed that Heavenly Father would help her find it. I was impressed, but I have to admit I was a little concerned that it wouldn't be found. The last time she was wearing it was playing outside with all her cousins. I thought that there was a good chance that we wouldn't find it.

Lesson Learned! Today Lexi came running into my room. She had gone to put her shoes on and found her ring next to one of her sandals. This is what Lexi said to me when she told me that she had found it:

"Heavenly Father helped me find my ring! I knew He would help!"

I think the lesson learned here is mine. Lexi reminded me that with our Heavenly Father all things are possible. Never doubt! I am so glad that she already has a seed planted, watered and sprouting. My biggest hope is that she will continue to nurture her testimony so it will grow strong and tall.

{What am I going to do with that girl?}

I found out today that Lexi had her first kiss a couple of days before school got out! She has a crush on a little boy named Nathan in her class. She talks about him daily...I mean at least five times daily. She asks me if she can go visit him, if I can call the school to see if they can be in the same class next year and so on. I didn't think too much of it, but have talked to her about the fact that she is just a little girl and that things should be just friendly. Well today a friend of mine told me that she kissed a boy in the first grade bathroom. First thought..."was he in the girls bathroom, or was she in the boys bathroom?" Turns out thankfully it was in front of the bathroom. This is how the conversation went:

Me: "Lexi did you kiss a Nathan at school?"
Lexi: "No."
Me: "Someone told me that you did."
Lexi "Okay mom I did, but I just couldn't help myself he is just so cute!"
Me: (Trying not to laugh.) "Lexi you are too little to be kissing boys. You don't do those things until you are married to them."
Lexi: "It just happened that one time mom I promise."
Me: "Okay, just don't be doing it again until you are much older."

I seriously laughed so hard when she was gone! Then I thought "What in the heck I am going to do with her when she is a teenager?!" I hope that she gets this out of her system before then. She is such a good girl...I just want her to stay that way. I love her and cherish these funny little things she does. I'll just have to keep teaching her the importance to good choices.