Jesus, Joseph and MARRIED

A couple days ago Mckenna was playing around in her own little world. often she asks me to tie a blanket on her so she can act like she's dressed up. She did this a couple days ago and I didn't think anything of it. A few minutes later she came out her toy room carrying 2 dolls. She had a blanket tied around her and one draped over her head. I asked her what she was doing. She said, "Mom, this dolly is baby Jesus, and this one is Jophes (she thinks that is how you say it), and I'm MARRIED. I think she was a little confused when I laughed. She had seen the primary do a live nativity the night before so I think she realized that Mary does not wear princess clothes.

Jesu Bambino

A couple weeks ago I was asked to accompany an opera singer from Italy. She was absolutely amazing and I felt honored and needless to say inadequate playing for her. She was really amazing. Jesu Bambino is what she sang (it is playing right now). Normally it is played faster, and I couldn't find a good version with a female vocalist. I wish I could have recorded her performance. It was awesome. It is not a well known Christmas song, but it is beautiful and one that I love to play now.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Aren't they cute? Mckenna wants a Pink Princess kitchen and kayla wants whatever Mckenna has.

We are getting really excited for Christmas. I can't wait for the girls to open presents! Kayla is old enough this Christmas to understand what's going on! It is going to be so fun. We are heading up to Utah on the 28th. I can't wait to see family and friends. Jase and I will be celebrating our 4 year anniversary. I can't believe how fast time goes by. Right now we are really happy where we are, but Jase has put in for jobs closer to home. We are praying that we get it, but we will see. Either way I think we will be happy. Willcox has really become our home so it will be hard to leave all the good friends we have made.. if that's what ends up happening. We haven't been doing much the last few weeks other than shopping and getting ready for Christmas. We took cookies around to friends tonight. The girls loved seeing all the Christmas lights as we drove around. It's funny how the simple things in life are so intriguing. Sometimes I wish that I could always see all the wonder and joy in the simple things like my girls.

A week or two ago we took the girls to lights at the Zoo. It's no temple square, but it was really fun. They have choirs and bands and lots to see and do. The girls really loved it!

We had our ward Christmas party. Mckenna sat on Santa's lap. I was a little surprised because she just took off by herself and didn't need my help at all. I thought she would be stand-off-ish, but she absolutely wasn't. When she got on his lap she looked at me and posed for the camera first. It was pretty funny cuz I don't think Santa knew what the heck she was doing. Kayla was too scared to sit with Santa. This picture is so funny. Notice the kid under Santa's chair. I think they have one in every ward.. ADD and completely out of control. Kind of funny!

Happy Birthday Grandma

Yesterday was Grandma's birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma--we love you!

Best Friends Shout Out

There is nothing like a best friend! We have made many good friends here, I think our best friends are the Whiteleys. They are in the same situation as we are. Our kids are the same ages and our husband both work for the border patrol. They have been like our family here and we are so sad that in a few months they will be leaving us. They will be moving up to Utah and I'm sure we will see them again, but we will miss them here and thank them for being such great friends! So here is a photo shout out of not all the times, but our best times with our best friends.

Christmas Wishes

It's been a funny thing this year. For Christmas we usually have in our minds set about what we want to get. Every other year we have made up our mind long before the Christmas season comes about what we want. This year there hasn't been anything that we just have to have. It has made me think a lot about what is really important and how easily we can loose site of the true meaning of Christmas and life in general. The last couple of years my in laws have given me a really nice nativity set. Every Christmas and birthday they gave me more to add to my scene. This year I have the complete set now. It is my most favorite thing in my house and I am tempted to keep it up all year round. I am excited for Christmas this year, but it feels different. I am not attracted to the many advertisements I see, but the simple things that make my life so happy and full.

Fallen

In Arizona fall seems to only last for a week. By the time all the leaves have fallen it is past Thanksgiving and onto Christmas. This week finally has felt like fall. The leaves are really falling off and the temperatures finally dropped. Thanksgiving was yesterday and it was so much fun but I'm glad it's over. We had friends over and I was in charge of doing the turkey for the first time. It wasn't hard. After I got it in the oven I found myself saying, "is that all?" I thought I became a mom when I had kids, but I think you aren't a real mom until you host thanksgiving dinner haha. A lot of stress, but it all came together. The most important thing anyhow is to be thankful for what we have and to never take it for granted. I have really come to understand the meaning of counting your blessings. Since we married almost fours years ago, we have been blessed with so much, much more than most young married couples. When we moved here I never thought we would stay here. In my realm of thinking it isn't the place to raise a family. As we have pushed through we have met many others in our situation and it's interesting to see what they do with what they are handed. I'm thankful that we have stayed here and made it a good home, and that the Lord helped us to see that this is where we need to be. Maybe we won't be here forever, but what a great start to the rest of our lives!

Princess Wishes

November 10th was Mckenna's birthday. We had a little birthday party for her with some of her little friends. She got a lot of things but Jase and I got her a princess bike. Although she can't ride it perfectly yet, she still spent hours on it trying! She was so excited! I can't believe that she is already three. I don't know where the time is going.

I am thankful for...

Yesterday on my way home it was just getting dark. Driving down the road I noticed that there was a house that proudly displayed their illuminated Christmas tree in the front window. Great! What about Thanksgiving? Here is a little list of what means most to us, at least off the top of our head.

We are thankful for:
Each other/Family/Friends
Peanut Butter and Chocolate together or alone
Blogs to keep in touch
Blankies to keep us warm
Happy Meals (guess who added that one?)
Music
Soft Grass
New Carpet
Swings
Color
Diapers and come to think of it... Toilets
Candy Land (real or imagined haha)
Pictures

This is what we listed in a few minutes. Now you make a list. It's not very hard and kind of fun to see what your kids come up with. It surprised me a little to see just how much Mckenna really understands.

Happy Halloween, Welcome, Happy Birthday, and Congratulations

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Last week we had a lot going on. Wednesday was of course Halloween. Kenna was Tinker Bell and Kayla was a little bumble bee. They were so cute. We went to our ward chili cook off and afterwards the trunk-or-treat. We only stayed for a little while and then went back to our house to hand out candy. I think Mckenna liked that more than getting the candy. She kept trying to give her trick-or-treat candy to the kids coming to our house. Kayla wasn't sure what was going on, but she knows it was a party.

WELCOME

On Thursday night, Jase's parents got here. It was really fun to have them come and spend some time with the girls. Of course they spoiled my girls to the point of almost no return, but that's what grandparents are for. Wish we lived closer. Mckenna loved having them here to obey here every whim. Here they are playing candy land with her. Since Mckenna's birthday is Saturday, they bought her a chest full of princess dress ups. Mckenna was in heaven and still is!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Friday was Jase's B-day so we went up to Tucson for the day. We went to the zoo, and just did a bunch of shopping. It was nice to shop with the help of grandma and grandpa. I actually got to try stuff on before buying it. It's funny how little things like that are such a big deal. Jason had a good birthday. I love him and all he does for me and the girls. He is 26 now, we are getting old!

CONGRATULATIONS

Saturday was cheerleading competition. It was an all day thing. My girls did soo good though. They took first place and I am so proud of them and their hard work. The cheer program here is just starting to take off and it's fun to be a little part of it. The girls have a lot of fun doing it and I'm learning a lot. I'm glad it's over because I will have so much more time to get other things done. With the holidays coming up soon, time is becoming very precious.

Pumpkin Patch Pics

Pumpkin Patch

We took the girls to the pumpkin patch. It's about the only cool thing about Willcox, so this time of year is fun. Mckenna absolutely loved the hayride .. of course. Kayla was needing a nap, but she still loved it. They had big metal tubs full of corn for kids to play in.. like a sand box. They loved doing that too. It was really fun!

Rex Allen Days

This year we took the girls to Rex Allen Days here in Willcox. It's just the annual city celebration. They loved the parade and the little carnival.. well Kayla was sleeping through it on daddy, but Kenna loved riding the little airplanes, choo choo train and merry-go-round. I found out it's hard to take pictures when they are on those rides. Still she had fun and it was funny to watch her.

Photos from our fam so far

Anticipation

I figured it's about time to post something new. We haven't been doing much, but change seems to be in the air because it finally is fall in AZ. If you don't live here then it's a weird thing here. In AZ it tunrs to fall overnight. Really! This is the best time of year everywhere though. Ya gotta love it! We are going to take kenna and kayla to the pumpkin patch/hayride this weekend. Last year kenna absolutly loved it. Who wouldn't right? Gandma and Grandpa Mathie will be visiting in about 3 weeks, right in the middle of all our b-days. Also my cheer girls have a competition on the 3rd. Lots is coming up! So pictures are to come. Stupid D-backs. I hate cheering for your team when they lose! Good thing Suns bball is coming soon. We are just workin on little things with our house--probably will put it up for sale soon, and hopefully build up in Safford--back in civilization.

Move Along Move Along

Well, we are almost completely done with our remodel. We just paid for the carpet and are waiting for the install. After that we just have basboards and we are done. We don't know if we are going to stay here in Willcox or not. We are really enjoying our house now that it's the way we want it to be. It's really hard to move too. Jason will get back from being in Ajo for the month in about a week. It have been hard to be here alone with the girls and all this work to be done, but we're doin it. It will be so nice to have him home and not be a single mom anymore. I feel for those that are single parents... it's not easy!

Kayla is going to be walking very soon. I just hope Jase doesn't miss it. She stands on her own pretty well, but is not quite understanding how to lift her foot and take a step. IT's fun to watch her try though. She is so explorative. I forgot how they are at this stage. It's not so hard yet because she can't walk, but once she can she is going to be into everything. Kayla just had a birthday on Aug 14th. The time goes by really fast. I did a bathtub cake for her because she loves the bath. It doesn't sound too appetizing. Kind of fun though.

Mckenna is absolutely obbssesed with her birthday. I guess because Kayla just had a birthday she thinks everyday should be her birthday. She has informed me that she is going to have a princess birthday with rainbows too. Everyone can come except Lucus... her cousin. She says that she doesn't like Lucas because he took the swing--like 5 months ago. Whatever.. right? She's funny. She is going to be starting gymnastics next week. I think she will do well. She has the build for it and is really excited about trying it. We'll see how she does.

I am keeping busy of course with the girls, but I am also the primary chorister in our ward and the Primary Program is in a couple weeks. I never realized how stressful that can be. I think the kids will do great though. I am also helping with the city league cheerleading too. The girls are working hard and it's nice to get involved in the community.

Some bad news this week that a friend of mine from High School was diagnosed with cancer. Luckily they think it is treatable, but he is undergoing kimo therapy right now. That's not fun and it just makes me thankful for what I have. I wish that I lived closer so I could see him and other friends and of course my family more often.

Not much more to write in this update.

Rainy Summer Days

Well down here in AZ we get a lot of rain during the months of July and Aug. Last night I had just put Kayla down and a big thunder and lightning storm hit. The rain was coming down really hard--not unusual. What was unusual was the big lightning strike that was practically in our backyard. The thunder following that was deafening. It scared Kenna really bad and woke up Kayla. I got Kayla up and the two girls sat on my lap while the rain continued to pound down. I watched something on TV and the two girls were asleep within a few minutes.. then the power went out. It was pitchblack. The girls were asleep so it didn't even phase them. I didn't want to wake them up and have them be freakin out, so I sat there in the blackness for about 1/2 hour until the power came back on. It was was a little bit scary. All Mckenna has talked about today is "the flummer was really loud!" It's hard to keep a straight face.

Mckenna came running out of the bathroom today to tell me she went poop in the potty. That's great! Jason and I told her good job! Then she looked at Jason and got really serious and said, "I sorry daddy," Surprised, Jason said "Why are you sorry?" Plugging her little nose she said, "I made it tinky in the bathroom."

Everyone tells me if you don't write down little things like this, you forget them. Even though you think you won't forget, you do.

Kenna Today

Mckenna is a little ball of fire. I think most 2 year olds are. She is learning so much so fast that it's hard to keep up with her. She will be three in November and is always reminding me of her birthday. She is really good at singing and loves to color, and recently has become a beautiful "princess dancer." (her words) Right now she is always asking me, "mom, where did we buy this?" and I'll say, "wal-mart," or "the store." She'll say "oh, I lub it!" Mckenna will often help mommy get ready and always tells me "ohhhh mom you look so beautiful." She is a great talker, sometimes to no end, but she is learning fast. Some of the words she pops out are surprising. Besides being so smart, Kenna loves her sister so much. It is a battle to give Kayla a nap because Mckenna just wants to play with her every second. I think they are going to be best buds. She is a really good helper with everything around the house. Although she sometimes makes life challenging, she also makes life rich, full and rewarding.

Kayla's Update

Kayla is my little bundle of happiness. She is always giggling and smiling. She is truely a little ray of sunshine. She is 11 months old and will be 1 on Aug 14th. She is a very observant baby. She does not crawl yet so it's funny to watch her get around by scooting on her little bum. She will figure it out soon enough. She loves to play with anything her sister is playing with and will just about eat anything you put in front of her. She loves to be outside and is really a daddy's girl. Her hair is really starting to get long now. She is beginning to change from being a baby to a toddler. She is so fun to have around.

The beginning of All

I have been blogging for a couple years now, but this is a much better site. Thank you Heidi for giving me the idea to finally switch. This summer has been quite eventful for our family. We were so excited to attend Brian and Ashley's wedding in May. We are so excited to have Ashley as a part of the fam. Mckenna absolutely adores her and Brian. What is even more exciting is that they are going to do border patrol which means they might end up living close to us. I shouldn't get too excited, but wow that would be so fun for us to have family closer.

After the wedding I stayed in Utah for another 3 weeks while Jason worked a special detail in Tucson. When we got back from Utah he was sent to Tucson again but this time we rented a condo and took the whole family for the month. We were able to do a lot of fun things there. Now we are back and have resumed the work on our house. We have finished the kitchen and I am so happy with how it turned out. When I look back I can't believe how much we really have done. We have talked about selling when we get done in a couple months, but I would have a hard time moving from this house (unless we move somewhere other than this small town). Things here are back to normal for us, at least for the next few months.