Samantha's B-Day

Waking up to the whole family singing Happy Birthday!!

CHOCOLATE!! 

All she asked for was a BIKE! She was so excited! 

Her cake choice was a lady bug.  

She's night shy! Dig in!! 

Happy Birthday to my BIG GIRL!

 Just yesterday Samantha asked me why I didn't call her "baby" anymore! She still is my baby! I love this little girl and can't believe that she is 3 years old.

Newborn

Some of my other Favorite Newborn Pictures of Samantha can be seen HERE!

 1 Year OLD!

2 Years OLD!

 Almost 3!

I am so thankful that Heavenly Father blessed me with Samantha. There have been so many days that she has been just the thing I needed to get me through the day. I remember a while ago my dad said to me (refering to Samantha), "She is a comfort to you, isn't she?" For sure, she is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Our Life at the Moment

I think there are still a few people around that check in on this blog, so I thought I would do a little update on what is going on with our family.

We have been back in Cache Valley for 6 weeks now. Crazy!!  With renters being in our house, we moved in with Jim's parents. We weren't sure what our plans were quite yet....not even sure if we were going to be staying in Cache Valley. Well, within two days of being here our renters gave their 1 month notice. Do you think coincidence??? So, the end of Jan. we got the keys back to our house! We have been cleaning and repairing things for the last two weeks and still have a few weeks till we will be able to be back in completely.  It is so fun being back in MY HOME! I have loved listening to my girls as they run from room to room and plan how their bedrooms are going to be. I love that I can just let them go outside and not worry....other than if they are going to track mud back in from playing in the field out back! (Sorry Traci.) Karissa's friends showed up today and all I had to say to her was, "Let me know if you go to someone else's house!"

The girls have adjusted well with school. Lexie has the same kindergarten teacher that Karissa had. She gets a homework packet every week and books to read too. She didn't have homework in Carson, so it is taking some time for MOM to get used to it.

Karissa didn't miss a beat with her friends. They picked right back up where they had left off. Her first day back it was like they had rolled the red carpet out for her. Several of her past friends followed her around the school. When we got to her classroom the Principal gave her a big hug along with giving me one. Karissa's 1st grade teacher was waiting at her classroom door to welcome her back too and then her new 4th grade teacher was waiting for her at the door. Mrs McKell told Karissa that all she had her for the last 3 days from other teachers and Karissa's friends was, "Karissa, Karissa, Karissa!" She had a friend call the first day back to see if she could play.

Brindley seems so much HAPPIER!!! She was happy before, but she has changed. She is not near as stressed as she was a few months ago. It is so good to see her relaxed and enjoy being who she is and not always worrying about something. She too has picked up with some of her past friends. 

 Jim has been driving Brindley to middle school every morning. When we get back into our house she will be able to ride the bus. She has started riding it to our house since we are usually there in the afternoon working on stuff. I drive Karissa and Lexie to the elementary school every morning then I go over to my SIL Jessica's house to do daycare. Jim picks Lexie up from kindergarten brings her and Samantha over to Jessica's house and we all have lunch. Then he is off to the house and I am done with daycare by the time Karissa is out of school. I either pick her up or she rides the bus out to the house. LOT's of travel time!

Samantha still talks about her friends in Carson City. She tells people about her best friend "Ellie" and will talk about Jack Jack too.  It has been interesting to watch her be around extended family. It used to be just her and I most of the day and now there are so many others around. She doesn't act as grown up as she did. I'm hoping that when we get back into our house and get things more "normal" that she will move past this phase. She has had alot of fun though playing with cousins and teasing Uncle Matt. She has even made a few new friends that come to Aunt Jessica's for daycare.

I don't know if I can speak for Jim, but as for me, it has been sooo good to have him back and not traveling. I enjoy being able to be with him. I think back over the last 3 years and wonder how in the world did I get through those years with him gone as much as he was. I know it wasn't easy for him either. And my girls have LOVED having their dad around!

Jim is still looking for a job. He has had a few leads on some, just waiting to see what happens.

So for now, that is where we are at....Oh, and I get sustained this coming Sunday for my most favorite calling! I am excited! This will be the 3rd time I have had this calling! YEAH!!!