Purpose?

I find myself at a point in my life where I often ask myself... what is the purpose?

Beginning with the thing that is MOST on my mind..."what is the purpose" of me and Clint working ALL THE TIME, when really...lately, there is not usually enough money to make ends meet anyway?

"What is the purpose" of cleaning my house..and especially RACHEL'S room all the time, it just gets messed up within 10 minutes anyway!

"What is the purpose" in making a nice meal? SOMEONE will ALWAYS turn their nose up, give a sour face and say they don't want to eat it anyways.

"What is the purpose" of forcing myself to the gym EVERY morning at such an early hour when in the end...I will probably continue to stay the same size!

"What is the purpose" of washing my BLACK car, just so that I can drive it to work and have LARGE vehicles drive by and spread dust all over it because the roads are so filthy?

"What is the purpose" of putting a smile on my face each and every day when most often all I feel is pain and anxiety on the inside?

I KNOW I have so many more things to list...however, I think I know the purpose. We are only expected to do the VERY BEST for ourselves and our family, right? Our goal is to become Christ-like...right? And, if we just sit back (in laziness) and let life happen...how can we grow, learn and move forward to accomplish this??

On Sunday we had a lesson titled "Trust in the Lord", this really hit home for me since right now more than ever...this is what I MUST do. Some of the things that were pointed out however that really stuck with me is that we aren't just supposed to sit back and wait for God to show us that we can trust him...we need to earn His trust first!! How do we do this? By doing the work! After all...how can we expect to be GIVEN something without showing first and foremost that we will APPRECIATE it when we get it?? This is where my focus is for now...doing the WORK and trusting in my Father in Heaven. Ultimately HE is the ONE that will NEVER let me down!!! And I choose to earn his trust! :)

Christmas Program

The kids had their Christmas Singing Program yesterday...and they all did sooooo FANTASTIC! I got better pictures of the boys...but I LOVE this one of Rachel just BELTING out the words to "Jolly Ole' St Nicholas"

Oh my humble Kory...LOVE that kid!

Mr. Photogenic Brock :)

Family Night in December

Okay...so we ALL already KNOW that my Mom is great! Well...she came up with the PERFECT family night for all of us to enjoy! We went down to the Riverwoods Mall, saw Santa and took a Hayride...FABULOUS fun!!! Here are some pictures:

The kids all ANXIOUSLY waiting for their turn on Santa's lap

Rachel had her turn first: "I want LOTS of Barbies"

Then, Brock's turn: "I want an R/C Truck"

Now Kory: "I want a PSP"

After seeing Santa, the kids made an ornament for the tree and wrote letters to Santa to put in the BIG Santa Mailbox.

Next was the Wagon/Hay Ride! We were able to fit 20 of us in ONE Wagon, wow! We got the VIP ride and sang Jingle Bells in our best voices.

Me & my Sweetie on the Wagon Ride :)

The kiddos standing by the LARGE horses

We couldn't have asked for a better night...the weather was beautiful, the kids were great and we were with FAMILY!!! Afterwards we all went to Kneaders for some Hot Chocolate and Cookies, what a FANTASTIC way to end a night!!!

The true SPIRIT of Christmas

In the years past I feel as if I have taken the SPIRIT of Christmas for granted. I have had money to spend, but have never felt a TRUE excitement about everything that is going on around me during such a special season. It is amazing how much spirit you can find in your heart when you are forced to do so. This year has been very trying for our family (financially) as I know it has been for many others as well. I have no money for Christmas, yet I am THRILLED for Christmas! I have taken the time to enjoy the lights, the tree, the decorations with a little more admiration. I have been able to notice how NOT disappointed my kids have been because of our lack of money flow. Actually...they have been more understanding, loving and sharing than I ever imagined. Christmas is NOT about all the BIG things, it is actually about all the little things. It is about LOVE, SHARING, KINDNESS, SERVICE, FORGIVING, SELFLESSNESS...basically all the things that Christ is and has been teaching us that we should be all along.

Christmas is no longer about GIFT(S), but rather...THE Gift. Whatever that gift may be to you. For me, my gift is my FAMILY. I have so much to be grateful for when it comes to family. My parents are such amazing people and have worked so hard to teach and instill true values into me and my siblings, we have learned the true meaning of LOVE and FORGIVENESS because of them. My siblings have also been an important part of my life. I am so grateful for the unconditional love that we share with one another. We can laugh and cry together and give each other warmth whenever needed. I am EXTREMELY grateful for my husband, Clint. Yesterday we celebrated our 13 year Anniversary. We have shared so much together and I am grateful that HE is the one that chose me. I am grateful for my kids. They mean the world to me. I struggle with the thought that they are getting older and I won't be able to be there to protect them at all times. I do pray for them always for protection however and I know they are watched over. They are kids...and do kid things, however, over all...they are GREAT kids! They are compassionate and in tune with me and Clint's needs. It is so nice to be able to go on a date and come home to safe kids and a clean home. I know that is a pretty rare thing for kids to want to do that for their parents. It is little things like that, that make a HUGE difference in our lives and relationship.

I feel that even if the gifts aren't many under the tree this year, for me...I have gained more by recognizing so many (more important) things. I am grateful that Sky challenged me to update my blog and that I could share my true feelings here. For all of you...I hope the true spirit finds you and that you can recognize that one "gift" in your life!

Kory's Baptism

Today was a SPECIAL day! Kory was baptized!!! I am so proud of the young man he is becoming and I know he will work hard to listen to the spirit. :) Here he is with his Dad...who is the one that baptized him. What a special experience and opportunity to have Clint do this for him. Although Clint was a bit nervous, he really did do a great job.

Kory was confirmed by his Grandpa Cox. I felt it was very fitting since my dad has been such a special part of Kory's life (Kory even took on his middle name, Rich). He did a great job and the spirit was so strong, the blessing he gave was so sweet and very touching.

And...here is our little family, just before the baptism began. I can't believe how my kids are growing so fast. I am so grateful for the closeness we have and am so grateful for the friendships that are exsistent in just the five of us. Clint made my day by telling me that I am the rock of our family and it is because of me that our family is close and works well together. How sweet :)

I have to say that the baptism went really well, I so much appreciated all that came and participated. Skyler (my little sis) gave the opening prayer, it was very fitting and beautifully put. Then we had the opening song "When I am baptized", LOVE that song! Miriam (Clint's Mom) gave the first talk on baptism, it went really well. She brought a book that had the ABC's of baptism and Kory really enjoyed listening to everything she had to say. After Clint baptized Kory (with my BIL's Sterling and Scott as witnesses), my Mom gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. It was PERFECT! She brought differents things to symbolize important things in his life...it was GENIUS and truly kept the attention of all the kids...especially since there was CANDY involved. Rachel even told Miriam (after seeing the chocolate kisses) that she can't wait until she gets baptized, ha ha. So...Mom, guess what you have to bring when she gets baptized??? After the talk, my Dad confirmed Kory...it was such a sweet confirmation...talking about Kory standing his tallest when he prays, going on a mission, being an example and getting married in the temple. Oh how I hope for ALL of those things to come to pass! We then closed the meeting with singing "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and Brayden (my bro) gave the closing prayer. It amazes me the maturity he can pull out in order to give such a special prayer.

I am so grateful for my family and Clint's family...and for their willingness in helping to make such a SPECIAL day GREAT!

How can it be???

How is it possible that this little CUTIE can be such a little stinker sometimes? Her room is CONSTANTLY a mess, making us wonder so often if there really is carpet in her room...it seems to ALWAYS be hidden by clothes, clothes, clothes...and more clothes! (possibly from all the changing she does throughout the day...hmmmm)

And...while we are talking about changing. Last night I went to see the movie "Eclipse" with my Mom and sisters. Clint was in charge of the kids and two baseball games. At Kory's game, Rachel snuck off somewhere (not suprising) and so Clint needed to go searching for her. Much to his SUPRISE, when he found her...on the top of a very large mound of dirt, she wasn't wearing ANYTHING but her little panties...ummmm, can you say oops? The only thing she could say was "Daddy, I was just changing". I can only imagine the embarrasment and look on Clint's face, ha ha.

Rachel made her mark again this morning. Clint had hidden some cash (A LOT of cash) inside of a bandaid box...apparantely not such a great hiding place. I was very worried when I looked in the bandaid box this morning and found it EMPTY. First, we asked the boys..."have you seen a large amount of dollars anywhere?" They both said "no". Then, fortunately Clint had remembered that Rachel had hurt her finger yesterday and I guess it hadn't dawned on him that she would go looking for a bandaid. So...after some time of searching, Clint found ALL of the money in Rachel's room...under a very large pile of clothes. Phew!!! Can you say panic?? It was cute however, Clint didn't get mad...just told her to leave things alone that aren't hers. She looked up at him and said "I just wanted to buy something for my birthday". Awwww :)

Anyways...we LOVE her to pieces, but just wish that she didn't choose to be so mischievious so often. :)

Really?

Do you ever just stop right in the middle of your life and think...is this REALLY what I thought I would be doing at this very moment? Well...YEP, I guess lately I have been thinking along these lines! I can think of MANY things to complain about...but I can also think of many things to be grateful for! So...lets just get the negative out of the way:

• Is it really necessary for me to be a provider for my family?? Ummm...yes, it sure is!
• Are my kids CONSTANTLY whining and ungrateful for EVERYTHING? Yes (again)
• Why am I working EVERY day of my life?
• Why am I ALWAYS tired?
• Where do all the CRAZY customers that I deal with daily come from?
• Will I ever learn the word "no"?
• Why can't there be more than 3 hours of FUN in a week?
• When did the baseball field become our second home?
• Why is my house ALWAYS a mess...and the laundry ALWAYS behind?
• Why do my kids get more than I do?
• How do utility companies decide to raise rates and then expect everyone to be able to pay on time?
• Why is it so hard to lose weight...and KEEP IT OFF???

Okay...I'm sure the list can be longer...but I know I am boring everyone. So...we will skip over to the positives, the things I am grateful for :) :

• I have a HARD working husband that worries so much about his families well being.
• My kids have the best of friends right in our little family.
• My business has been a blessing for our family and really...was just really good timing.
• My kids are active, they enjoy the outdoors and LOVE exploring and exercising their talents.
• Tex is my little buddie...I know that no matter what, at least he LOVES me :)
• I have an AMAZING employee that helps my life out more than she may even know!
• I may not be RICH, but somehow there is always enough money to pay the bills and put food on the table.
• I have a great family...that supports and backs me up when I really need them.

And yes...that list is longer too, but at least listing that much down did in fact make me feel better!

I am just really taking each day as a new day. I never know how it will turn out...but I try to begin it with a positive attitude.