?

When things are slow at work I like to check out everybody's blog. I usually work more than 1 day in a row and there is usually some down time each night. I check each blog hoping there is something new to help me pass the time. I then realize most people haven't updated for a while, neither have I. Maybe you all are wanting the same from me so here it is!

Not much has happened this month, just the usual day in and day out routines. Which honestly get a little boring as you all know. I was able to have Thanksgiving off this year. Well half off I guess. I had to work wednesday night. I came home, got a few hours of sleep and then we were off to Nate's Aunt and Uncles. The food was delicious. We relaxed and played games. Zoe and Jaxton just love going over to their house. They have a big trampoline and love it when Marker ( that's what the kids call Parker)takes them out to jump. Their oldest son Wayne and his girlfriend Alex were home from school. It was so much fun to see them again.

We were able to do a little black friday shopping as well. We left the kids with Aunt Steph, while Nate, Clint (Nate's cousin) and I ventured out. Let me just say I LOVE SHOPPING! I had so much fun. I love the adrenaline rush of racing around the store to find the items we pre picked out from the ads. The funny thing is Nate loves black friday more than I do. He really looks forward to it. We got some pretty good deals.

That night we went to the movie with his cousins, while Aunt Steph and Uncle Kelley watched the kids. That was the first date Nate and I have been on since we moved to Colorado. It was much over due. It was so fun to be together just the two of us. I love my kids to death but both of us were ready for a little break.

Life is good. However it has been very stressfull for both of us. I have been working 4-5 12 hour night shifts a week, while Nate goes to school, does the kids, cooking, laundry, cleaning and errands. Saying I am sleep deprived is an understatement. Example: Friday night I got up 4 times with Jaxton. At 0630 Sat morning we got up. I took a 2 hour nap that afternoon. Went to work that night. Came home Sun morning went to sleep at 0830 woke up at 11:45 to get ready for church. Went to church. Came home, ate. Layed back down at 5:00 and up again at 6 to go back to work. That is 5 hours of sleep in over 48 hours. This is an every week occurance since I work every sat and sun night. I am not complaining. However I did tell Nate, I think this is the hardest thing I have ever done. There are moments when I think I will never make it through the night because I am so tired. It is hard for me to not be envious of those Moms who get to stay home. Even though I know they are making sacrifices to be able to do so. I just keep telling my self its only for 1 more year at the most. When I get home from work I usually see the kids for about 1 hour then I go to sleep and wake up when they get up from their nap, and see them for about 4 more hours before I leave for work. I miss them so much. There are some cons to the situation but I have seen the pros also:
* Nate has developed a wonderful nurturing relationship with our children
* I have learned to let some things go, and what do ya know there is more than 1 way to skin a cat
* I appreciate the time I have with my family more
* I have learned to be more patient
* I have learned to look at the big picture and ask myself is it really that big of a deal?
* I have a greater appreciation for Nate and all that he does for our family
* Both of us have a better understanding of how life will be for the other person when our roles are reversed again
Needless to say life is hard. I love my family, and my Loving Heavenly Father who helps us through each day. I can feel our family growing stronger and closer together through this time. And hopefully we will look back and say man that was hard but well worth it!

Next American Idol

Nate and Zoe love to sing along to Aladdin. The movie is played almost daily here. One day Nate had a song stuck in his head, as he was singing he heard a little voice in the background, he stopped singing and Zoe kept going. This is what he heard:

Winter Wonderland

Well it's official. We arizonians have experienced our first snowfall here in Colorado. We woke up this morning to find the ground and trees covered in snow. The kids were so excited. We decided that breakfast could wait and put on our snow gear instead. The kids didn't know what to think at first,but soon were running and playing in it. The few biffs face first didn't go over so well. We didn't stay out too long since the kids have colds:( Plus Mom and Dad still need some warmer stuff to wear.

Happy Halloween!

We had so much fun this year with the kids. We took them trick-or-treating several times. We went to the pumpkin patch. It was so much fun. They had a petting zoo, and all sorts of old tractors,planes, firetrucks and stuff for the kids to play on. Even though it was raining we still had fun. We went to Bass Pro Shop where they had trick-or-treating at each department, free crafts and pictures with charlie brown. Then we had our ward trunk or treat. We won second place in the chili contest and even got a chili pot trophy!!! Then we took the kids to a Halloween carnival at the rec center. They only charged $1 per FAMILY. I couldn't believe it. Jaxton fell asleep but Zoe had a blast playing all the games. Then we went down to Nate's Aunts and celebrated with them. The few days following halloween Zoe kept waking up asking if we were going Trick-or-Treating today. All in all we celebrated our hearts out, and got our money out of the costumes!

Our Trip to Minnesota

The kids and I got to go to Minnesota to visit my sister Natalie. We haven't seen her or her family since July 2009. This visit was long overdue. We had so much fun! The plane ride there was easy. Jaxton fell asleep and so did I. I had worked 3 days before we left including the night before, I didn't get any sleep before we left. Zoe entertained herself with the itouch.



We got to go to the Mall Of America. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe. It was so fun to see the kids react. We sat in front of some monkeys hanging from the trees and about every 10 minutes they would start swinging and moving in the trees making monkey noises. Zoe would jump down from her chair and start dancing with them. Jaxton just pointed and shouted monkey. Then the rain storm started and thundering. Zoe almost started crying. After lunch we met up with my brother and his girlfriend Kim. He treated us to a ton of fun at Nickolodean Universe where the kids enjoyed going on all the rides. Thanks Kelby!






One of the days we were able to bring lunch to the girls at school. We brought subway. We ate with Josie and played outside at resess with her. the kids thought it was so fun, and Josie loved being able to show them off! We could only drop Karley sandwich off and say Hi for a minute. Because it's not cool to eat lunch with your mom and aunt anymore!

The rest of the time the kids enjoyed playing and LOVED the fish tank. It has more than 100 fish.



The plane ride home was another story! I tried giving them dimatap and it didn't work. They were very busy and hard to keep entertained during the flight. We also didn't have a ride, so I had to get a ride on one of those caravan things. SOOO I thought I was going to push all that luggage and the double stroller by MYSELF to where I was supposed to wait. Yeah fat chance. Luckily one of the workers noticed and offered to help so I greatly accepted. I thought my van was scheduled right after my flight only to find out I had to wait 2 1/2 hours for my ride. So I ended up cancelling and just waiting till Nate got out of school to come and get me. But now I was stuck outside with all the luggage and no way to get back in. Luckily the kids finally fell asleep.
All in all we had great time. But I don't plan on traveling alone with both kids by self for a while.

The Quiet Book!

Here it is. I took me almost 1 year to get this much done. I am now energized to add to Zoe's book and make one for Jaxton. It is so fun to be at church and finally see them using it. All the long work has paid off. They are thorouly entertained and sacrament is a little quieter :)