Goals for 2009!

With today being the last day 2008 I thought would write a few thoughts and a few goals and hopefully with the pressure of knowing someone might have read this blog I will actually make it happen.

First of all I have enjoyed this past year. Brian spent most of it home with us, and what could be better. I think this was a big year of learning for us as we experienced some of the trials that this life brings. The kids have grown so much and at times I wish we could go back and try some things over again, but in the same breath I am proud of who they are becoming and have loved watching them grow and learn.

I remember when Brian first joined the Navy and hearing our date to "get out" was (and still is) May 29, 2009. I remember thinking that date would surly never come. It was way to far off. And now I look at the past six years as a blur and wondering where all that time went. What we spent it doing? And what were the things that really mattered to us? As we are preparing to get out of the Navy and move on to something new I have been thinking about those questions in relation to what I will be asking myself in the next six years.

Having said all that here is THE list:

*Make “school time” with the kids happen as often as possible

*Take time every month for Brian and I to enjoy the kids one on one

*Daily personal scripture reading and personal prayer.

*Put more into my church calling.

*Go on dates with Brian weekly.

*Memorable family vacation.

*Make sure we are having family home evening every week

*Enjoy my kids at the ages and stages they are in.

*Pursue the photography business and try and enjoy every minute of doing something I have always wanted.

*Make fun and lasting memories for the kids!

Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see you all in 2009!

Then There Were FOUR!

Well, we are back to just me and the kids. Brian will be gone for the next two months on his last deployment EVER! I have so many different emotions, many different from patrols past but many the same. It is hard to believe that this is number 6 for us. We have done this SIX times! I guess that gives me a little reassurance that it will be over before I know it. My heart is broken for my sweet babies who lay asleep upstairs and have only a vague understanding that when they wake up their dad will be gone.

Now for the hard part, when the kids wake up! Just kidding we will all have a great time and make the best of the situation we are in. As I noticed the baby ticker count down is already to just 68 days, so I have much faith the time will go by faster then I even want it to. For those of you curious Brian will be home a few days before my due date. The boat decided a few weeks ago that due to “lack of manning” he will be making the whole patrol, and not be getting off for the baby. It will be close but either way I know that my Father in Heaven is watching over me. That He will make whatever comes bearable and that as a family everything will work out!

So, with that said I will wipe my tears, put on my big girl undies, and get ready for the next week that the kids have off school.

Brian we will miss you and are counting the days until we see you again.

New Pictures of the Kids

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas, I know that we did. The kids got more then they need,and we have enjoyed playing all the games, and fighting all the action figures. Brian was able to be home which was extra special because originally he was supposed to be gone. What a blessing! He is leaving soon and so as we prepare ourselves for that I figured I better get some pictures of the kids while Brian is here to help me wrangle them. It wasn't all I hoped for and more because they are after all my kids and are sick to death of taking pictures, but we got some cute ones! I don't know who pictures tortures more the kids, Brian, or ME!

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Well, not really walking but sledding in a winter wonderland! Since church was canceled we headed out to Emerald Heights this morning for some fun in the snow! Brian had duty, but I knew with this much snow I could never get away with not taking the kids out. I got the kids all bundled up and headed over with the Royston's. The kids had a great time and I got some cute pictures! SO WIN-WIN-WIN!

Olivia & Kai's Christmas Performance

On Tuesday we headed over to the preschool to hear Olivia and Kai sing with all the other kids from their school. Olivia has been practicing and waiting for the preschool party for at least two weeks. During her mini practices at home we had many conversations like this:

"Mom, what is the next song?"

"Olive, I don't know, how does it start?"

"You know mom, just sing it!"

"I really don't know, how does it start?"

"MOM!"

I would then start singing random Christmas songs trying to figure out what one she was talking about.

"No mom that isn't it. You know it goes like." Then she would just look at me.

So, after our not so successful practice sessions I was worried she would only know the words to one song. To my surprise her and Kai both stood front and center and sang their hearts out. I could hear their voices over all the other kids and both of them knew ALL the words. I couldn't believe it! Olivia often gets shy and awkward when tons of people are watching her, and Kai what can I say he is two!

For someone who doesn't love singing and musicals I think I have at least two kids on my hand that have a real LOVE for it!

Packing Peanuts!

First of all, I don't think there is a person alive that has opened a package, seen those HORRIBLE peanuts and thought "Golly, I am glad this was packaged well!" NO! What people say when they see those is "Oh Crap! What I am supposed to do with THIS!"

And so, four clean ups and three huge trash bags full of packing peanuts later they are out of our house! I have to say I think I hate those little suckers more then anything in the WHOLE world! I just wish my kids had the same hatred for them!

Baby Update!

Well, I guess it isn't really an update just a picture. It was taken last week, so I was 27 weeks. The time is going fast and I can't believe that in a few short months there will be FOUR! We are excited and need to get a major jump on the name situation! That is right we have a big NOTHING! A few days ago Brian said I could have my name Keifer, but then proceeded to tell me that he wouldn't call him Keifer. Instead he would call him K FED. You read it right, K FED. The problem with going with the name and hoping the nickname will wear off is that we are talking about Brian he WILL call him K Fed, and probably for a very long time! Even worse he will get the kids to call him that!

Also, normal Danae would NEVER have dreamed about posting a picture while pregnant or even taking one for that matter, but I am trying to embrace the pregnancy and enjoy it. So, in effort to do that I am allowing my photo to be taken this time.

Since seeing these pictures I have realized that the problem is NOT my growing belly but my HORRIBLE hair. I am in the process of getting that taken care of so there is no need to comment on that issue!