26 more days

It's beginning to look a lot like...

I love my tree.  It is the absolute perfect tree for where we put it -in the foyer.  10 feet tall with prelit lights (that didn't give me a headache this year).

I don't decorate much more other than our mantle.  I have more decorations... and I'd actually like to put a few more out.  Maybe someday in the not so distant future when little hands will most likely leave them alone.  (I already took the stockings down... and Kate has a bruise on her shoulder from the holder coming down on top of her)

This year I am also (most likely) putting up a hodge-podge tree in the living room with the kids (and probably some of my old) ornaments.

I seriously just love looking over and seeing the lights on a Christmas tree during December.

Oh... and I also love that after I pick up a gift certificate downtown I am completely done Christmas shopping.  Such a good feeling.

Happy 32nd

It takes him almost all year... but he finally caught up to me!

Happy 32nd birthday to our dad and husband!

Hope you enjoy your birthday in New Jersey! Love you

Thanksgiving

This year we had Thanksgiving dinner at Justin's moms house.  It's a somewhat small affair when we have it here (just 8 adults and 6 kids).  It was yummy dinner and Lisa attempted to get a few pictures of all the grandkids for her Christmas card this year.

It was also Hyrum's birthday, so I took a few cupcakes and we sang to him.

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." Lincoln

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me."

When we walked out of the theater, I turned to Melanie and just said, "There's just no question," and she agreed. Lincoln is really one of the best "mostly historically accurate" films I think I've seen in a long time - or perhaps ever. Daniel Day-Lewis was incredibly believable as the former President, so much that at times I felt that he fully allowed himself to be taken over by the character. Beside the effective acting, it was, at times, intelligently humorous, and other times somber and sorrowful.

What truly amazed me was the way the system worked so well. There was still the political game of Washington, but with strength and conviction for making changes that were revolutionary. The thought was published in the past couple years that history remembers past presidents in a much more positive light than when they were in office, or when they left the office. I recognize that we've come a long way since Lincoln and that we may exaggerate the greatness of the man, but even so, his words have inspired me and the brief portion of his history that I viewed today has convinced me of what people can accomplish as they work toward a just cause and in the service of others.

Someday

I'm going to wrap all of my Christmas presents in nice, cute wrapping paper. I'm making myself go through all of my mismatched, too-thin paper first.

I'm going to sleep 8 hrs straight again

I'm going to take a 'just girls' trip with my best friend. I'm thinking Baton Rouge or Boston again.

I'll go to a clothing store or even my own closet and not hate everything (and my body)

My kids won't watch too much tv or play on the iPad and iPhone too much

We'll have a family dog

My sister will live in Utah again. I know she lives here now, but they're moving to California so I'm already anticipating when they move back.

All my kids will be in school and I'll feel like I have some guilt-free time for myself

I'll go back to school. Master's degree or a specific certificate program

Justin will be home from this upcoming deployment. No more wondering 'how I'll do it'.

We'll have a different house with a real yard. (And we'll miss our HOA with its lawn car and snow removal).

I'll own something from Tiffany's. (I tried earlier this year, but it didn't work out that way.

My kids will have a ton of cousins at the Hardcastle's and we'll hardly remember how quiet it was with just mine

We'll move to a ward where I don't have to play the organ. (Or at least not every week).

I'll go back to New Zealand and Fenway.

My kids will be so grateful I took the time and energy to keep these blogs and create the record books of their lives

I'll have a membership to a real gym again. I'm grateful for the options we have with a county recreation pass, but I miss Golds Gym!

We'll take a family vacation to Disneyland when no one needs to take a nap (except maybe me).

I'll get my hair cut and colored more regularly. I used to think I waited so long because it saved money. Now I realize its more of the time it takes and trying to schedule it.

My face will not show any signs of how bad it got during this last pregnancy.


I'll miss how easy life was with 3 little kids.

New Park

According to Hyrum, Papa has been building his park for a while.  A few different things came up this summer, but it's finally done.  Hyrum loves it.  (Kate does to.)

Welcome Home

Justin and Hyrum went to the air port tonight to welcome home Elder (Travis) Leatham.  He spent the last two years (plus 2 weeks) serving in Taiwan.

He looked good (and his mom looked awfully glad to have him home).

Justin didn't manage to get too many pictures, but Jessica was there, and she never disappoints.  These are directly stolen from her instagram feed.

Justin dressed Hyrum up in a white shirt and black pants, complete with a black tie and an old missionary tag of his.

It's in the mail

I love Christmas time.  I don't mind the stores advertising (they need to make money somehow), I don't mind Christmas music (although I don't listen to it before December), I have decided I DO mind people that turn ON their Christmas lights before Thanksgiving (by all means, but up your lights and decorations, but you can certainly leave it unplugged a few more weeks).  In recent years Christmas has become a bit more chaotic and less enjoyable (the blessings of having a large family that all live close to us) but I try to get my shopping done early to at least not stress about that.

I know I've mentioned our families tendency to have babies around the holidays.  If you start with Milo I now have 45 people on my Christmas and birthdays around the holidays list.

Thank goodness for the internet.  Mostly Amazon, Woot.com, Kohls.com and a few other daily deal type sites.  Thanks to them it's like Christmas every day, getting to open little (and big) brown boxes and wondering what came today.  I've even started wrapping.

Now I just need Thanksgiving to be over so I can put up my tree and have a place to put all of these gifts.

Audiobooks

In the last couple of years I started listening to audiobooks. At first I didn't think I'd like them or be able to concentrate and follow along.  Turns out I really like them! I've listened at the gym, in the car -trying to drown out my kids while driving, and even keeping me company while at Disneyland on my own. 

In the 7 1/2 weeks Milo has been around, I've managed to read 9 books, 8 of them audiobooks. It makes those late night feedings a little more productive! 

Missionary Dinners

I served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the New Zealand Wellington mission. In two of the four areas where I served we were fed dinners every night. In the other two we were fed more often than not during a typical month. One of those area's, Nelson, was a small branch with two sets of missionaries. We ate at the same place every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and so on. Same with the Elders. In fact, two if those families fed both the sisters AND the elders every week, that's twice a week! 

I have a lot of meals to make up for, to say the least. 

Justin (who was fed twice a day for his two years of serving in Brazil) and I have always tried to sign up to feed the missionaries when it's our wards turn and its convenient. Even since Justin has started traveling more, I've started inviting another couple to dinner (since a single woman can't have the elders in her home). 

 I'm not writing this to boast of my 'service', but one of the many testimonies I gained while serving was the blessings that come from feeding the missionaries. Most of the members felt it a privilege (not just an obligation) to feed the us.  Even if it meant a hardship or sacrifice. 

I know most missions require that their missionaries be fed right at 5 pm so they can continue to work and visit with people after 6. That's difficult because many people aren't always home right at 5. However, you can also feed them on weekends, drop off dinners at their apartment, or even invite another family over for an early dinner. 

I don't mean to make anyone feel guilty, it's just something I've been thinking about lately. Our city has recently become apart of the smallest mission, geographically, in the world. Six square miles- can you imagine spending 2 years completely within 6 miles! Their specific areas are even smaller. Our ward now has the opportunity/responsibility to feed our missionaries every third week. And today, when the sign-up sheet was passed around today, one person signed up. One. 

So... I'm feeding the missionaries (and another couple) on Thursday. The good thing is, my kids will get dinner that didn't come from a can or needs to be microwaved (I don't cook much when Justin is out if town) and it gives me motivation to clean my house. 

And the blessings, which I could use! All jokes aside, I really do believe that it is a privilege to serve in this way, despite the possibility of an inconvenience, extra cost, or stress it may cause. Even for families that don't "owe" over 1,000 meals (just think how many more I'll need to pay back or pay forward if all three of my kids serve and are fed by others!!) 

Just something to remember next time the sign up sheet is passed around next time. 

Cookies!

We went to Konner's (Kris and Marime's son) first birthday yesterday.  Marime did a great job with her Cookie Monster theme... my kids couldn't wait to eat the cupcakes!

Happy birthday, Konner!

Big announcement

The weekend before Halloween my sister had some big news to share...

We're so excited to start having cousins from the Hardcastles!  (Okay, technically he or she will be a Flint... but same thing!)

Back in history...

A year ago...

Justin was in Michigan. (He's currently in Michigan). 

The kids were sick -Hyrum was throwing up and I ended up getting sick too. (Kids have colds, I've managed to skip it).

We had a new nephew born. (His 1st birthday party is on Saturday). 

We went to Ruth's Chris for Justin and Dusty's birthday. (Same dinner scheduled for the 23rd). 

Kate started walking. (Kate prefers to run everywhere, just like Hyrum). 

My mom had surgery. And complications to that surgery. (She is currently trying to heal from a torn miniscus and bruised bones). 

I was trying to lose weight. (I'm still trying to lose weight).  

Hyrum turned 3. (You guessed it... Turning 4 this year). 

I was 90% done Christmas shopping. (I'm about %70 finished right now). 

I earned my young women's recognition as a leader, and was released from the yw presidency. (Currently the ward organist and gospel essentials Sunday school teacher). 

5 years ago

No kids. (3 kids). 

Justin turned 27 (32 this year). 

Lived in an apartment. (House with a mortgage). 

I was working for the State as a social worker. (Stay at home mom). 

We (Justin) bought his first auto shop -Henstroms. (We've owned 4... Still have 2). 

I voted. (Same this year). 

10 years ago (no blog, so this will be short). 

I was 22 years old. (32)

Single (Married)

I was living in Flaxmere, New Zealand, serving a full time mission.  (Midvale, UT). 

Heading into summer (I think winter is finally arriving this weekend.)

Living with Sister Seve, trying to learn Samoan. (Living with my husband and three little people, trying to figure out a baby). 

Lived far away from family. (Live pretty close, talk to my sister and mom everyday). 

Focusing on the gospel and service. (Focusing on my children and trying to maintain a home). 

Wondering what my life would be like 10 years from now. Pretty sure I thought I'd be a wife and mother. (Still wondering what my life will be 10 years from now. Probably similar to now... Only the little people in my house will be a bit bigger). 

The morning after

We're happy around here.

Election

I started a post that was quickly becoming too long and detailed. Maybe it was because it was 1:30 am (feeding Milo). Now it's 4:30 and I've had an extra 2 hrs of sleep. Here's my short list on this years election.

*too much money is spent campaigning.
*electoral college should be abolished.
* there's a Mormon running for president. I did not vote for him because I don't agree with his party platform. I'm sure (I hope) he's a good man, but I'm not sure he's honest and I'm afraid he's pandered too much with the far right to get the nomination.
*i voted for Obama. I like him. I trust him. I think his ideas on social issues including healthcare reform, education, and caring for our own people is more closely aligned with mine.
*just like the rest of America I'm tired of the campaign. I actually like the debates and the reporting, but I'm tired of people on social media sites posting against 'the other guy' instead of for 'their guy'. It's full of ignorance and hate. Mostly ignorance (and a bit of stupidity and gullibility)
*i'm very excited and a bit anxious to see who wins the presidential election, along with our hotly contested congressional race. I think I'm more worried that Mia Love will win over Matheson than I am about Mitt Romney winning.
*last but NOT least if you happen to be reading this and still have time to vote and haven't, please do. Even if you don't feel like your vote 'matters' or you're not sure who to vote for, just vote. Men and women fought long and hard, lost their livelihoods and even their lives for YOUR opportunity to vote, please don't ignore that.

Happy Halloween

Meet our own Hook

Tinkerbell

and Smee