T.G.I.F.

So, boy, has it been like forever since I last made one of these posts! I feel like I'm always on the go. I'm always running around picking Nate up from school, or shopping or doing errands or cleaning, always cleaning. Something is always going on and it's not until like 10 or 11pm that I'm able to literally sit down and just veg so then I'm up way to late. I thought I'd have all this down time to do all sorts of things and projects since Danny would be gone but now, I'm a week out and I haven't done one thing that I'd hoped for, life has simply been to busy! But as busy as it's been I definitely have many blessings to be grateful for which in no particular order:

1. I am so grateful for friends. Good friends who have kept me sane while I've been flying single. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by such great people who willingly have given of their time and services (especially jump starting a van). I'm not going to name names because there are just too many but thank your for awesome friendships.
   
2. I was listening to my ipod the other day and the country song "Let them be little" came on (I don't remember the singer) and I had tears in my eyes. I have been fighting alot with one of my sons and it really made me stop and think; kids are little for such a short time and they grow so fast. The years just seem to fly by, it seems like yesterday that I just had my first and that was 5 1/2 years ago and now I have 3. But it helped me realize that I need to focus on the bigger picture of things, not the poopy underwear and the constant messes, but the bigger more pertinent issues like them gaining a testimony of our Savior and our Father in Heaven. So, I am grateful that I've been given the opportunity to be a mother, their mother. And I'm grateful that I can be a stay-at-home-mom and really see them "be little".
   
3. I am grateful for prayer. I have turned to prayer so many times in my life and continue to do so because I know He can hear me. It doesn't matter what I pray for or when I pray, I know He is listening and nows my heart. When I'm scared or lonely or in need I know He is there waiting to comfort me. And I know that He does comfort us, He has comforted me many, many times. I am so grateful our Father in Heaven has given us the gift of prayer and since He can't be here to put His arm around us, He does however, wrap us up in His spirit of love and concern. So, I'm forever indebted to Him!
   

Josh's party on his birthday

I know, another post about Josh and his birthday and it's a lot of pictures. This was from Friday, Josh's actual birthday. It was just me and the 3 boys celebrating his birthday. I think he had a lot of fun. Nate and I would sing to him all day and he would just get so smiley. He loved all his presents but I think he's really enjoyed his very own back pack. We ran some errands that day and he wore it with us to the store. He and Nate really enjoyed his jumper, they had fun with it that day but now it's been to cold to use it. That night when it came time to light the candles and have some cake, I could not find any lighter or matches. I seriously searched my house everywhere for an hour and found nothing. So, I ran to my neighbors and borrowed a lighter from her, then when I returned it she handed me a cheap one to keep cause she figured I should have one in my home just to be safe. But it was really nice of her, I'm just glad that Josh had candles to blow out cause that just wouldn't have been a birthday with out making a wish. All in all, I think we let him know it was his special day cause he was smiles all day long.

Josh all excited about his backpack

Nate eating his ice cream cone (this is out of order but I couldn't get it to move)

He loved "our" scobby doo movie as he called it.

He has enjoyed this Velcro glove.

Everyone gets in on the fun of unwrapping.

Testing out his new jumper

My 3 boys. I couldn't not get Colton to stop chewing on it no matter what I did.

These are the pics of Josh's cake that I made him. Although it's suppose to be a car, I think it looked a little more like a van but it still turned out pretty fun. Josh loved it! The tools that Ronda gave me really made all the difference. I know it's not perfect but for me it was pretty good, I just need lots more practice. But this cake is pretty easy to make. I spent about 2 hours on it the night before and the boys were right there with me the entire time watching it come together. Josh really loved his cake even though now he says that Mommy ate all his cake. (oops, I really did it was so yummy and moist, I just couldn't stop myself.) But here's another look at the cake.

My big 3 year old with his cake

Blowing out his candles

Enjoying his cake and icecream.

My mister Colton finishing his icecream cone. And yes, he really did eat the entire thing and actually whined to have more but I held strong and didn't give in.