It's His Golden Birthday

So did you know that if you google the term "golden birthday" it is an actual term. It is defined as the day when your ages matches your birth date. Well this year Tyler's golden birthday was on January 8th.

And what a golden birthday it was.

Being eight means two things to Tyler: getting baptized and starting scouts.

The Newest Scout

Tyler was able to go to scouts for the first time on his actual 8th birthday. He could hardly contain his excitement.


He is so ready for this next step in his life. He is so excited about learning new things and making new friends.

As a child who is fiercely independent and can self entertain well, he doesn't need me for much. I am already loving the time that we get to spend passing off things for him to earn his badges and beads. Being the overachiever that he is, he is already striving to earn his Bobcat badge at the first pack meeting at the end of the month.

I have a feeling that I will be learning a lot too.


Because Ty was able to go to scouts on his actual birthday, I asked his den leader if he could bring a cake with him. I thought this snake cake would be perfect for a bunch of boys.

I love you Ty, and I hope that you make the most of your opportunity in scouts!

I Was Lucky Enough to...

marry the love of my life ten years ago today!!

Dear Steve,
I can't believe that we have been married for 10 years! I truly love you more than the day I married you, and can't imagine that I could love you any more than I already do tomorrow. I love you with my whole heart! I love this journey that we are on together. And so glad for the knowledge that it doesn't end when our lives do.

I absolutely love being married, and I love being married to you. You are truly a gift sent from up above. I would choose you all over again if I had the chance.

You have taught me that silence can be golden. I love those quiet, companionable moments that we share. I know, every once in awhile my gabby side gets the better of me, but I am learning. I love that thing you do when you reach for my leg in the middle of the night, or when you wrap your arms around me and pull me close.

We have had so many adventures together. Some from the first day we were married and others just a week ago when we went skiing together for the first time. I hope we continue to have adventures together. Some of my favorites include our cruise together; do you remember seeing those hundreds of dolphins swimming towards the boat? And San Francisco? What a magical time for me; it truly was a fairy tale to have you whisk me off overnight to San Francisco. I loved being Steve and Tiercy again. And what about the adventure of starting our family together. We have tons of challenges and blessings with our family. You are such an amazing dad and I just love to watch you with our children. I love to see you read books with the boys, or brush Laney's hair, or play video games. And I love drinking peppermint flavored hot chocolate with you at Christmas time.

I appreciate so much that you bring the fun into my life. You are the one who suggests the family vacations, whether large or small. You make me laugh on a daily basis.

I love how you spoil me, and you do! From the big to the little: whether its an "I Love You" playlist added to my ipod when I am going to Girl's Camp, a video of our 10 years together, extra snacks for me placed in my backpack for a marathon travel day to Maryland with the kids, my beautiful anniversary bands (one for Mother's Day and the other for our 10th anniversary, to the other beautiful jewelery that always finds its way under our Christmas tree, or making sure I have a new pair of sunglasses when mine are broken by the kids.

Thank you for encouraging me to be my best self. Sometimes you see the good in me when I can't see it myself.

I love you!! Happy Anniversary!!

Skiing Sidekicks at Sundance

Tyler came up with that title, I would rather have entitled the post: An Exercise in Futility (sort of)

I don't think I realized how much Steve had gone skiing as a child, or even that he had been in ski school. All of this came out over the course of the day. It was fun for me to watch him and his more advanced style of skiing.

Once we had to cancel our plans to travel to Texas, due to snow storms, we needed to come up with some fun adventures to keep our little munchkins happy. Steve decided he wanted to take us all skiing. (My niece babysat Alayna while we were gone.) Previous years Steve had gone with his younger brother while I stayed at home because the boys were too small.

This year it was a family adventure.

Both of the boys decided that they would rather have their dad teach them then go to ski school. I really had to hold my tongue on this decision. I was worried that Ethan would be the hard one, but it was "brother." It all worked out in the end. But the beginning...oh boy. It was full of tears, tears, tantrums, tears and more tears. Oh yeah, I think I heard, "This is hard" in there a few times.

I was unable to deal with it, so luckily Steve gave me permission (okay, so maybe he insisted) that I go ski on my own. I was very happy with how I did considering I hadn't been skiing in probably a decade, and had never progressed beyond novice to begin with. First I was elated that I didn't fall getting off the lift. And then that I didn't fall at all on that first run. I was very cautious during my first run.

I think by the time I skied down to the bunny hill, Steve had made a little bit of progress. At least there were no more tears...for the time being. I watched for awhile. They were at least on their feet now. (sigh).

Ethan was picking it up and decided he was ready for a green. So, he and I went up on the run. I think I exhibited an amazing amount of patience and praise. It still wasn't enough. (sigh) We were maybe 2/3rds of the way down when we notice Tyler and Steve behind us. We switch kids. They were both getting it. Sort of. We finally made it back to the bottom.

We left them on the bunny hill.

Steve and I went down on a green together.

I loved it.

A new experience for us, even after 10 years of marriage.

By the time we got back to the bunny hill the boys were having fun and had figured it out even more when left on their own. So, Steve and I went down the green together again.

By the end of the day, the boys loved skiing. And, Steve had gotten me to traverse some blues with him. I think we will try this family adventure again some time. Maybe just not in the near future. = >

Christmas 2008 Highlights

I seriously can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already! I remember, back in July, thinking that Christmas would be so much fun this year; the boys are so fun at their ages and Alayna is old enough to start getting "it" too. I was right; we had a great Christmas season and here are some of our highlights:

TriMMinG OuR TrEe (3 weeks until Christmas)




OuR TraDItIon (PicNic by tHe tREe) (2 weeks 6 days until Christmas)



NeIGhboR GiFTs (2 weeks until Christmas)

I don't remember neighbor gifts at all as I was growing up. But now, they are a part of our Christmas. It's always a search for the balance between wanting something cute or fun and the right price. This year we decided to give almond bark and peppermint bark in cute little glass bowls. Steve was the one who actually came up with the idea.

Ever the chef, he wanted to try his hand at making peppermint bark. Have you ever had it? We absolutely love it!! We first tried it a few years ago when my sister gave us some as part of our gift. It was a hit! It's a layered candy with semi sweet chocolate on the bottom, topped with white chocolate with crushed peppermint.




EtHAn'S ScHOol ProGrAm (8 days until Christmas)

Ethan's 1st grade class presented parents and siblings with the cutest program there ever was! I really enjoyed it. To introduce each song, one student from each class would go and ask Santa, who was sitting on the stage to the left of the kids, a question. The kids would then sing a song in response to the question. Ethan's favorite song-that he would sing around the house-was, "I'm Getting Nothin' for Christmas this Year". Right before they sang it, the kids had turned their backs to the audience and when they had turned around they had on beanies and sunglasses. This was in response to the question: Santa, what happens if I don't learn to read this year?

SLeDDinG (3 days until Christmas)

I really wanted to make the holiday break fun for the boys. And to maintain my sanity. So, I decided to invite everyone (Aunt Kathy and Aunt Lee's families) up for homemade pizza and sledding. The afternoon was a big hit! (Unfortunatley Tyler was sick with a cough and fever and he had to miss out on the fun.)

Ethan improved so much on his "snowboard" this day.

My kids love to make "trains" when they go sledding with their cousins.

Laney with her cousin Elizabeth (age 10).

17 mINutEs 22 SecoNDs oF ShOcK aNd AwE (1 day, 1 hour until Christmas - Christmas Eve day)

I know it was that long because I loooked at the phone display after we were done talking.

Hearing the phone ring, I grabbed it and did a quick check on the caller ID. 828 area code...not one I recognized so I thought nothing of it. After my, "Hello Hadlocks," I heard the caller say Merry Christmas. Immediately my brain went into overdrive...which brother was this, and why couldn't I tell right away? Then the caller asks if I can hear him okay. "Yes" I answered, still trying to figure out why the caller sounded so much like both of my brothers, making identification difficult.

Finally, brain power kicked in and enlightenment dawned...."Dad!" Caller reponds with an, "Of couse, who else?" Apparently, 828 is the greater Charlotte, North Carolina area code.

It was great to talk with my dad. It has been way too long since I have talked with him. Years probably. It was great to hear his southern drawl as we talked and I even learned a few things, like that my dad had attended college on a football scholarship. Who knew?

I was sad when our conversation came to an end, but I was left with an open invitation to visit North Carolina with my family anytime. (Assurances were made that they [Dad and Marie] could handle our brood.) And with the promise that my dad was going to be better about keeping in touch.

Me too Dad.

I love you!!


DEcorAtiNg GiNgerBreAD cOOkIes (1 day until Christmas-Christmas Eve day)

Again, I wanted a fun activity for the boys and Laney. They loved this and the cookie recipe I found online was yummy. We will definitely be doing this again next year. This year was a learning experience trying to figure out which are the best decorating candies., Does anyone have any favorites?

For some reason, this really reminded me of Christmases when I was little. I don't know if it was something we did every year as I was growing up or just one year, but it made me a little nostalgic.

CHriStMaS EvE (12 hours until Christmas)Modeling their new jammies at the end of the night.

Laney trying on Uncle Brian's army boots. Now where did those stiped leggings go? Trying to keep her dressed is a full-time job.

Getting hugs from Grandma on Christmas eve.

CHriStmAs MoRnINg (It's Here!!)

Dozens of Cousins for Sledding and Pizza

For a little holiday festivity, we invited all of Steve's siblings and their children up for a day of pizza and sledding! It added so much joy to our day.

Here's Ethan on his snowboard. He improved so much on it today. He was even traversing jumps by the middle of the day. He sure loves to be outside!


I had to get a picture with my other little snow bunny.
Aunt Lee and Aunt Kathy chatting as they watch the kids having fun. Just waiting for their turn.
All aboard! This is of my kid's favorite things about sledding with their cousins.
Poor Tyler was sick and had to stay home and miss out on the fun. I am amazed at his maturity and how well he handled missing such a fun day. Maybe next year Ty bear.

What Was She Like?

Especially as the Christmas season rolls around, I really want to know: What was she like?

The mother of our Savior.

Mary.

I love the Donny Osmond version of, "Mary, Did You Know?"

I think most of us think about our Heavenly Father when we think of the atonement, because of Jesus' statement: Forgive them Father for they know not what they do."

But seriously, as a mother, how do you handle the atonement?

How do you prepare a child(and yourself) for this? Is it even possible? How do you prepare your child for the harassment, the unbelief, the skepticism, the complete and utter disrespect that is going to come his way?

Has anyone read any good books about Mary, and what she was like?

I have so many weaknesses in my personality. And they all seem to burst when I am with my children. I love my children so much and would give my life for them, but you wouldn't be able to tell that by my gruff manner that I have with them when I am frustrated or angered by their behavior.

So, does anyone know what she was like? And, maybe more importantly, how do I become like her?

Please tell me.