Hallelujah It's Over

I don't think I have ever felt this way about a year in my entire life.  I have been waiting for 2013 to end since it begin.  I have decided that I strongly dislike the number 2013.  I can find good, and I can find bad in all things.  I like to say I tend to dwell on the positive more then the negative, but this year has been hard.  It started out the first week of January last year with Nick in the hospital for almost 2 weeks.  That had to be 2 weeks of HELL for Brandon and I.  (One of my New Year's Resolution is to quit swearing, but that was a must).  I have struggled with that this whole year.  Good news it is in the past.  So, lets just dwell on 13 positives of this year.

13.  All of my kids are happy, and so are Brandon and I.
12.  Nick, Whitney, and Laney have all found good groups of friends to be with.
11.  Brandon became the YM Pres, don't know if that is good!!  It did happen though.
10.  We spent time together as a family.
9.     Brandon's job is busy which is good and bad.
8.     Whitney found tennis, and dance which has replaced her gymnastics
7.     Nick is still doing swimming and loves it.
6.     Laney still loves soccer and dance.
5.     Brandon and I are still happily married
4.     Everyone is now healthy and happy
3.     We had no deaths in our families, and everyone is relativily healthy
2.     I am lucky enough to still stay home, although I have been totally bored some days
1.     Life has its ups and downs, some years are good some years are bad.  We survived some of the bad this year and lived to tell.  We still came up smiling and everyone else always has it worse.  My trials are so trivial compared to so many people that I have known just this year.  Cancer, accidents, deaths have plagued many, but not us!!  Grateful for this 2013 year, and grateful to have learned many things.

How we celebrated the last night of this year.  Well, we were exciting.  We went to Chilis for dinner.  Ate ourselves silly.  Came home played blockus and then we did sparklers and fireworks.  Our dad, love him, fell asleep at 930, a half and hour later then usual.  We played Battleship, the train game.  Dad card tricks.   Jaxson Uffens spent the night with us!!  Watched the neighbors fireworks at 12, and had some bubbly.  Then it was time for our selfies.  Happy New Year!!

Twinners!

I love these two babies.  We were lucky enough to have them come to our house to be babysat.  They make me smile, and they are so busy.  My bro and his wife have there hands full in a good way.  Lily has really taken to Brandon and it makes him so happy.  Forever he has not been able to tell them apart, and they don't really look the same.  Once, Lily decided Brandon was her buddy.  Well, that all changed once she hopped up in his lap.

Crazy Loom

The latest trend is elastic band bracelets.  Laney and Whitney have been making them, and has really liked the crafting.  For Christmas Laney wanted the Crazy Loom she was so excited when she opened it.  Little did we know how difficult a "toy" would be.  I can not figure it out at all.  The internet is less then helpful, the instructions are so confusing.  My hubby, well he has got the magic touch.  He has worked on them over and over again.  Finishing a bracelet only to have it fall apart when taking it off the loom.  Deep breaths and trying again.  That is what Brandon has done while his wife giggles on the side.

Science Fair Number Two

Nick is now up for a science fair project.  His has been more intense getting it approved.  His teacher is rather particular.  It has been good for Nick, and frustrating all at the same time.  Well, I asked Nick to work on it over the Christmas break.  He did!! He asked Brandon to help him build the catapult one night.  They did an awesome job, and Brandon had a lot of patience.  He didn't even lose it once!!

Christmas 2013

I am not a fan of Christmas.  I try really hard, but I mostly grumble through this whole season.  I am not one that loves it.  I am sure if I changed my attitude it would be better, but I don't.  Whitney woke up around 4:30am and stayed awake.  We let her lay in our bed and watch Netflix until a decent hour.  We were done open presents by 7am.  Nick, Whitney, and Laney got what they wanted.  They were very happy about it.  All of my kids told me thank you numerous times.  We went to the Kellers and then Youngs.  It was an action packed day, but fun. My kids once again were spoiled.  Thanks to such great family.