Totally Random...

I swear...she's just the sweetest thing!

Gabriella wearing Brandon's head gear giving me her best wrestling stance

Wrestling with Brando. This is her new favorite thing to do.


Mastering the hill on his skateboard...

Deck the Halls

I fluffed and Alyssa attached. It's nice to have a helper that can actually help



Gabriella was totally into the decorating. She just kind of laid the ornaments on the branches and I think we had like 10 in one spot. :)


Jeff's priceless contribution to the decorating...I don't hate ya honey...you worked 70 hours in one week and maybe had a total of 10 hours sleep.


The tree is up and the house is full of festive Christmas decor. It's definitely Christmas time!
The kids and I took it upon ourselves to set up the tree Wednesday night while Jeff was at work. The plan was to decorate it as a family on Thanksgiving morning.
It ended with Alyssa and I doing all the setting up and Brandon watching Santa Buddies...but that's ok.

Thankful

We spent Thanksgiving as we usually do. At my grandmas surrounded by family...just the way I like it.
The kids and I enjoyed the parade in the morning and allowed Jeff to catch up on some much needed sleep. We had a great, relaxing day for that I am super thankful. The word relax is rare in my daily vocabulary!
And, of course the Thanksgiving holiday would not be complete without the thrill of BLACK FRIDAY! My mom, sister Julie and I ventured out at midnight and hit the mall, Target, Walmart and a few other stores before enjoying breakfast and calling it a day around noon. Though I paid the price Friday and was super exhausted I'm already looking forward to next year's trip. We got some good deals and a big dent put into our lists for the season.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thankful- Day 18

I'm thankful for my church.
I've been a member of Community Lutheran since 1990.
I've seen it grow and change and I'm glad to be a part of it.
Growing up I took my confirmation classes there. I was a part of the youth choir, hand bells and dance team.
Jeff and I were married there by a man who was my youth pastor, he also baptised Alyssa.
Of course all my kids have been baptised there. They have attended Sunday school classes from the time they were about 2, Alyssa now takes confirmation classes and Brandon is involved in there youth bible study program.
I've had the incredible opportunity to teach Sunday school, first to preschool age kids and now to 3rd and 4th grade kids. I love the fact that years after being in my class these kids still remember me and always have a hug to give.
Community is my home, I love the church and I love the people who fill it.

Thankful-Day 17

Hmmmm, as the days pass by I find it harder and harder to think of things that I am thankful for. Of course my life is filled with lots of things that are blessings and things that I am thankful for. I think part of my problem is I take my life for granted.
I don't need public assistance. In no ways am I knocking the people who truly need it. I understand it's there for a reason and I'm thankful for that.
My kids have clothes, toys, food....
All of these things we are able to provide for them. I am SO thankful for that.
I have a happy and healthy marriage to a man I married after only knowing him for 5 months. I am beyond thankful for that!!
I think it's so easy to lose sight of everyday blessings and write them off as something that's a given. I've learned that is not always the case. So, that being said I'm thankful for ALL the little things that add up and make my life what it is. :)

Tap/Irish Class...

Us parents are lucky enough to be able to sit in on one dance class a year and last night was Irish and Tap.
This year Alyssa has been moved up into the advanced classes with girls older than her and she's holding her own. It's amazing how fast their feet can move! They are working on their dance for the show in June and it already looks great.

Thankful-Day 16

This one is quite simple...
I am thankful for Starbucks. Without it my days would be filled with crabbiness.

Thankful- Day 15

I'm thankful to have my Grandma.
It's been great having the chance to hang out and talk with her these last several years. Her house has become our refuge during Alyssa's long dance classes. (it sure beats waiting in the car) The kids love going to great grandmas and playing cards and cootie bug with her and I'm thankful that they have they have a great relationship with her.
She's been a great support system and one of my biggest cheerleaders so for that I am thankful.

Random...

Last Friday I took the kids to a McDonalds that had a play place. It was Gabriella's first time at a place like this and she had a blast.

Thankful- Day-13&14

This is a two dayer one for sure.
I'm thankful for the chaotic mess that I call my life.
My house is rarely clean, I almost always have laundry piled somewhere and my kids have been known to run the show. I have toys in every room in my house and sometimes crumbs in my bed.
I end many, many nights with the overwhelming feeling that my house is a disarray and if you know me you understand very well how that leaves me feeling...
Honestly though, I know a day will come when my kids will be grown and gone and the chaos that rules the roost now will all just be remember when stories.
I'm thankful that I have three, beautiful, healthy and energetic children to make my life feel like it's going 100 miles an hour is a direction that is unknown. I'm thankful for the toys (even the 85 hot wheels that I found in the shower this morning) and that I'm able to provide the life that they have and deserve.
I've read too many stories of families that have been faced with challenges of special needs children and even some families that never have had the chance to live through a hectic pull your hair out moment and I realize that even those moments are a gift from God.
So if you'll excuse me I think Gabriella is digging through the trash again, more than likely looking for a snack and Alyssa is having a horrible "I have nothing to wear moment". Brandon and his friend are playing some sort of war/police/martial arts game...better make sure no arms get broken. For all this I am thankful!

Thankful- Day 12

I am thankful to have a hardworking husband.
This is different than just being thankful for my husband, right?
My husband is a hardworking man. He works for the post office as a mail handler and works the night shift. He's supposed to get off work at 3:30am but instead he works until 7 and gets home just in time for me and the two older kids to leave for work and school. He works the OT so the kids can have the things that they do and so I don't have to stress about simple things...like BILLS!
After working all night he spends the day with Gabriella. He seriously only sleeps about 2 hours a day (when Gabriella is napping).
Yes, it's true, by the end of his week he is not a very pleasant person and he has been known to tick me off, but I'm SOOO very thankful that he's the guy that he is and he's willing to sacrifice little things (like sleep) so I can SPEND money!

Thankful- Day 11

I can't believe I'm about to write this...
I am thankful for my job. Seriously, all jokes aside, I really do like my job. (most of the time)
I work in an office full of great people and the big boss really does spoil us with lavish parties and long lunches out. I am blessed to have a flexible schedule and I have a great benefits package.
Of course I would rather stay home with my kids but this job allows them to do the things that they love and I'm ok with the fact that Jeff is the one home taking care of business.
So, I guess I really am thankful for this job.

Thankful- Day 10

I'm thankful for my house.
Though we are growing out of it at a rapid rate I'm thankful that we have a place to call home.
Jeff and I bought the house when Alyssa was one. At the time it was the perfect size, now two more babies later the house may seem smaller in size but it holds so many wonderful memories.
I'm thankful that my neighborhood is a nice, clean and quiet one and the schools my kids are zoned for are good schools. What more could you ask for?
So, even though I'm forever complaining that I need more space I really am thankful for our home.

Thankful- Day 9

I'm thankful for both of my sisters for different reasons.
Growing up (like little kids) Jill was always the goody goody, know it all of the three of us. Though he of course loved her...she was a mommy's girl and a priss there for she sucked! Julie and I were always close and even shared a room until we moved to Vegas in 1990.
In high school Jill and I grew closer and now. Well, if you know us than you know we are incredibly close. I'm thankful for her for so many reasons. She's always there to talk to and always there to share a stupid laugh.

Julie...
Lordy. Julie is notorious for making me want to pull my hair out. Just like Jill, her and I share a close relationship and I know I can depend on her.
I love both of my sisters and I'm thankful to have them in my life.

More about Mambo...

aka Brandon.
One of his wrestling coaches took to calling him happy feet last season. I guess it has something to do with his wrestling stance and the way his little feet bounce around. Anyways, another coach decided "happy feet" was just to sissy of a name so he is now known as "Mambo"...

PS. Next tournament is the Salt Lake Slam on 12/5.

Just real quick...

Don't forget to check out Team GV's web site. It's updated often with tournament info and great pictures. (especially now, with a picture of my boy and his Championship plaque!) ;)

Gabriella Update...

Today was Gabriella's 2 year well check and I am happy to say she passed it with flying colors.
She weighs 23 pounds and is 33 inches tall.
Surprisingly, she did well and only cried a little when she got her shots. ( a quick promise for a Starbucks made that all better)

Her finger will require surgery. She had an appointment with a plastic surgeon last month, now we're just waiting for the scheduler to call with the surgery date.
Just in case you forgot, her hand got caught in a running treadmill last March. Most of it healed great but when the skin healed on two of her fingers it contracted causing her finger to grow crooked. :(
She will need to be seen my the plastic surgeon every year until her hand is fully grown and more than likely will need to have the procedure done on a yearly basis as well.
She's a tough cookie though.

Thankful- Day 8

I'm thankful for all of my friends.
I don't have a lot of them and I like it that way. I would rather have a handful of good, solid, trustworthy friends than a bunch of acquaintances.
Though I love all of my friends, my bestest friend, Jess is who I am most thankful for. We've been friends since high school...that's some 16 years. We've shared many, many good times together. Most importantly, Jess is my one friend who has been right by my side for everything. She was with me the night I discovered Alyssa was on her way. A phone call away through my journey for Brandon and she's Gabriella's Godmother.
I love how we can talk on the phone EVERYDAY about nothing!
I'm so thankful for Jess and our friendship. I love ya like a sister!

Big Horn Nationals...

After a very long day of wrestling I am VERY proud to say Brandon took 1st place for his division at the Big Horn Nationals in Fort Collins, Colorado today.
It was a HUGE tournament and the guys were there well over 12 hours!
Of course I stayed home with the girls, but I have to say, waiting for the updates makes for a long and anxious day for mommy too.
Way to go Brandon...
I am over the moon excited for you!

PS. I'll post pictures when the guys get home. :)

Thankful- Day 7

I am very thankful for my niece, Alexis and my nephew, Ryan.
Though they live far away and we don't get to see them as often as we would like when we do it's like we have never been apart. They are great kids and we love them them both so much!

Thankful- Day 6

I'm thankful for my mom. :)
She's always there for me when ever I need her. Whether it be to listen to me vent, run Alyssa to dance or pick Brandon up from wrestling practice I know I can always count on her and for that I am thankful.

Big Horn Nationals...

Jeff and Brandon are leaving today for a wrestling tournament in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Though I wish I was going along I'm looking forward to spending some time with just my girls.
The guys will have a lot of fun! After much debate they are driving in an RV, just Jeff and another coach and several boys from the team are going. Just thinking about it gives me butterflies in my stomach- yup...it's wrestling season!
Please say a prayer that they will have a safe trip and the weather will hold out as they cross the Rockies. Also, that all the boys have great matches and nobody gets hurt. (always a good thing!)
Good luck Team GV!! Let's start the season out right!

Thankful- Day 4

Lord knows I am thankful for my sweet little Gabriella.
I always say she is proof that prayer works. I was thinking of baby #3 literally right after the birth of Brandon. (Just ask Jeff)
If you know anything about my family than you know Jeff was content with the two we had. To him everything seemed perfect, we had a girl and a boy. I prayed and prayed that the Lord would open his heart for one more. Lo and behold...almost out of nowhere Jeff came to me one day in December and said he wanted another child. We were pregnant the next month! :)
Gabriella's name means the Lord is my strength. So fitting for me. We poured and poured over baby name web sites and books, naming her was tough. I wanted something that had some sort of a meaning. I love her name!
Gabriella is sweet and so laid back. She has always been this way. She was thrust into a family of chaos. Forced to sit and wait for dance classes to end and wrestling tournaments to wrap up from the time she was first born.
I'll be forever thankful for her in our lives. I love her to the moon and back and that will never change.

New wrestling singlets

The new wrestling singlets have been ordered and I have to say...I like them.
I liked last years too but change is always a good thing. :)

Thankful- Day 4

Of course I am forever thankful for Brandon. Yes, even when he is whining and begging for things.
For a time I thought Alyssa would be our only child and though I was happy to have her I longed for another child. After 2 solid years of trying and through God's grace we were finally blessed with Brandon.
Brandon keeps us going. Always has been that way, from colic to wrestling this boy of ours has always been the one to keep us on our toes.
He's a good student in school a champion wrestler, a loving brother and a wonderful son. He'll say things that leave me speechless and his honesty is blunt. I love that about him.
Just thinking about him makes my heart feel happy. He's a great boy and because of that I'm forever thankful to be his mommy.

Thankful-Day 3

I'm thankful for my kids.
Since I'm trying to do a thankful post everyday I'll highlight each of them on different days. By no means do I love one more than the other. (just thought I would throw that out there)

Since she is the oldest and the one to first give me the privilege of being called a mommy, I'll start with Alyssa.

I'm thankful that she is who she is. Sweet, caring, helpful, a hard worker. The list could go on and on. With Jeff working the night shift and me left to do all the running I have come to depend on Alyssa's set of hands. No, she is not doing everything while I sit and watch TV. She is right along side me locking the door while I buckle Gabriella in. Pouring a bowl of cereal for Brandon while I comb his hair. She is a great helper!
I'm thankful that I don't have the worries some parents do with kids her age. I don't worry about her being influenced to do bad things or being disrespectful in school, church or dance. My worries with her are things like "can she handle the work load with school,dance, church activities, student government and SAVE"
I have no clue what Jeff and I did to be so blessed by her, I'm just glad we are.

Thankful-Day 2

I'm thankful for my husband.

From the outside looking in sometimes I think my Jeffrey has a tough shell. Don't get me wrong. He is friendly and easy to get along with but he comes with a certain toughness about him. I understand his reasoning and I get him. I don't think that many people do.
I like how he does silly things on purpose to make the kids and I laugh and I LOVE how he does things on accident and is never afraid to admit it...those are usually the best!
I love how after 12 years he still allows me to hog the bed and sleep nestled in his arm pit. It's seriously the best place to sleep!
I love how we get each other. A quick glance in the same direction and we are always on the same page.
I love that he is a great daddy. Everyone always thinks their husbands are the best, I know that. My hubby is no exception he is a fantastic daddy.
Now, before I paint an unrealistic picture...
Jeff's housekeeping skills are a bit rusty. Heck, they are a lot rusty.
I have to lay out kids clothes the night before or they will either A. still be in jammies when I get home from work or B. the clothing choices will be way scary.
I pack his lunch EVERYDAY and the days that I don't. well...he just won't eat.

Still in all, regardless of good times or bad I am so thankful to be Jeff's wife. Not many people can say they are married to their best friends!

Thankful....

This holiday season I want to focus on the things that I have so I thought it would be nice to make a daily post from now until Thanksgiving to highlight something different I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my relationship with God.
Over the years it has grown stronger and as a a result it has made me a better person. At least I would like to think that. :)
I know my faith has carried me through some tough times and I am grateful to have God's grace to keep me going.
I'm thankful that I have been able to pass this on to my kids and Jeff as I watch their faith grow and blossom and am able to see God work in them. What a blessing.

Annual Garage Sale

Last Saturday was our annual garage sale. Julie and I busted our behinds to get everything ready and set up. We worked until 2:30 in the morning on Saturday morning!
It was HUGE this year. We had 12 tables FULL of my kids clothes. Everyone kept saying "you must have a lot of kids"
no...just three!
All our hard work paid off. We made the most money we ever had, may ever rival some of my sisters sales. :)

Halloween

The boys insisted I take this action shot...




Where to start...
Halloween was a crazy busy day for us. It happened to be the day that we have our annual community garage sale so we were busy with that most of the day.
For the first time Alyssa chose to go trick or treating with her friend. What a bummer kind of moment for me, just another sign that she is growing up. Anyways, because we were running late I don't even have a picture of the three of them dressed up together.
Jeff, Brandon, Gabriella and I went to our friends house and the guys (Jeff and Bill) took the kids trick or treating and Kas and I stayed back to hand out candy.
I can't believe the amount of candy that they got!
All in all, it was a great Halloween.
Alyssa was a hippie, Brandon was an "army guy" and Gabriella was Brobee from Yo Gaba Gaba.