Keeping it Up

My blog may not be very interesting, but I'm just impressed that through this busiest year of my LIFE I've pretty much kept it up. So there you go.

My sweet Breanna graduated from preschool. It was so funny because on the program there's a list of what the kids want to be when they grow up. Breanna's said "cook". While she does pull up a chair and watch me cook supper every day, Brad and I were both surprised as she'd never mentioned it before. Breanna's not an open book. But when you glimpse inside the pages, it's delightful. 

Just a couple of pictures of the love Jesse and Afton share!

The other night it was raining, Brad wasn't home and I was losing it a bit I think. So we got in the stroller in the pouring rain, walked to the local convenience store and got licorice, skittles, oreos, cinnamon feet and chips (that is me losing it). Then we had a dance party, set to the Annie musical. Jesse's favorite song is "It's a Hard Knock Life." Poor Afton was soaked to the bone! Oh and of course, her new favorite words: "'Kay?" "Up and Down"(just saying it for the sake of saying it) "Balloon" (sooo adorable when she says this one!) "Cookie" and "Cracker" (Kee-kee and Kaka)

Breanna and Jesse just love their little cousin Lucas! Breanna held him like this for a long time, I kept asking if she was done but she wasn't. She was looking at him and kissing him. She's so naturally motherly.

Thanks to my sister Candace watching the other two I got to volunteer for Sport's Day at Jesse's school. Here he is with his grade 6 "buddy" Josh. He really likes Josh, but I'll tell you who he LOVES.

His Uncle Dallas! There is truly no better uncle in all the world. Dallas plays with his nieces and nephews for hours and is kind and fun. I can just see him getting points in heaven for all the time he spends with them, like he's walking around collecting coins, as they pop out of his head and float up ding! Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!

So the other day my other little brother Derek called and said, "Katie and I were wondering if we could take your kids to the zoo?" Hm, do I really want to let my kids have a fun day at the zoo with their Aunt and Uncle allowing me to have a kid-free day with Brad? Uhm, YES!!!!! It was great. The kids had fun, (got ice cream and everything, which they never get when they are there with me) and Brad and I went for a long run through the trails of Fish Creek and had a shower and hung out. A-ma-zing!

As I've been writing this I realize that my family has really been there for me lately. It's weird because I've felt pretty alone during this stressful time but when I stop to think about it Heavenly Father gave me help at needed times.  I think the adversary sees I've been vulnerable and while in some big cases I've risen above and passed the test, I've definitely failed a couple. The thing is, in every case I turn to my Heavenly Father and I know He is helping me. We have made it through. Brad is officially finished school, and we are on to a new chapter. I wonder what it will bring?

Sarah XO

P.S. Things I wish I had on this blog but I don't:

A video recording of Jesse being the STAR of his soccer team. He's gotten so good!

A video recording of Jesse speaking Mandarin (he can count to 100 too!)

A video recording of the everyday regular cuteness of Afton.

A video recording of Breanna's sweet ringing laugh!