Basketball

So one of my goals this year was to go out on a limb, get out of my comfort zone and do something that makes me uncomfortable. NOT an easy thing for me to do but so good for me to do. This year I really wanted to play on the ward basketball team. It has been like FOREVER since I have played a real game. I usually just stick to playing "knock-out" with the neighbor kids. Since I did grow up playing b-ball and since I really just wanted to be "involved" with people in my ward and not just see them on Sundays where we are so prim and proper. But I wanted friends and to converse with them outside of church where we can see our true personalities. So I signed up. When I told TJ I was going to play he said I should because I actually have a decent shot. It made me feel really good that he thinks that. Anyways I missed the first game because TJ was at a scout campout (FREEZING). But today I went (just barely because I was so worried I would totally suck). But turns out no one on the team is that good (besides a few) and I fit right in. I AM SO GLAD I WENT! It was so fun and it brought back a lot of memories. By the end of the game girls on the other team were asking if I could sit out and give them a break(meaning they thought I was good). I am so glad I didn't miss out and let my fear keep me from having fun. I think that sometimes as moms we forget who we are and forget about all of the things that make us who we are. I think our kids love us more and look up to us more and we teach them more by remembering ourselves and to continue our hobbies and doing the things we love to do. And by picking up new hobbies. A very big lesson learned today and I can't wait till our next game.

On a side note, TJ went on a work trip today and won't be back for 5 days. AGHHH! I am somewhat dreading it. I miss him already.

Tallie lost her 1st tooth!!

After months and months of NOT wiggling her loose tooth (for fear of pain), Tallie's tooth finally came out and man was she excited! Chloe was just as excited for her big sis! The tooth fairy left Tallie 3 dollars under her pillow and she wanted to spend it all right away on treats at the gas station. I advised her to only spend one and save the rest for something worth while. Like the kickstand she wants for her bike. She thought that was a good idea. I can't believe that time has come where the baby teeth start falling and big awkward teeth start growing and her mouth becomes a big mess with goofy smiles. Then the expensive braces. Man I am negative! Way to go Tallie!

The kids playing don't touch the ice.

I have been so crafty lately and I CAN'T stop! I blame it on Pinterest...it's a wonderland. I have made tons of valentine decor and jewelry and a cute oversized measuring board to measure the kids with and now I am working on a chalkboard/homework center/magnet wall/art wall that will take over the long hall off the kitchen...It's gonna be dope!!!

Chloe and Mom Date

Today me and my little Chlo-bug went on a date to Color Me Mine.

It was due time for a little one on one time with Chloe. She was so excited to go and it was a lot of fun. I wish that I could take each child out more often but I hope to make it happen at least once every few months. Chloe picked out Ariel and we painted it together and she did such a great job. I hope she felt a little special today and knows just how much I love her and how much she means to me!

Proud mom!

So the other day I went to meet with Tallie and Chloes teachers to see how they are doing in school. All I heard were great reviews!! I am seriously one proud mom! Tallies teacher said she is one of the top students in class and is such a great student. She is kind, obedient, polite, fast worker and does anything she is asked. Her teacher is worried that she may be bored because she finishes her work so fast and doesn't know what to. She is doing great at spelling and is now reading B books instead of A's. Mrs. Carpenter says she is sure Tallie will be at first grade reading level before the year is out.

Chloes teacher is impressed with her as well. She is amazed with how much she knows and had no idea that she was an August birthday just making the deadline and being the youngest in the class. She says she is right up there at the top of the class and does socially well (except time she is trampled from being so small). She 100 percent said that she is ready for kindergarten does not recommend holding her back. I seriously was beaming with the news! These girls make me so proud!

We finally got some SNOW!

And I love this picture of these crazy kids!!

Every year we make a snow slide and the girls think we are so awesome...

until our neighbors came out and started making their slide...

The little kids stuck to ours and the more daring ventured across the yard.

Happy birthday Lexi!!!

I can't believe my baby girl turned 2!!

She is such a sweet girl with a big personality and goofy spirit. She is still so tiny, probably weighing only 21 lbs or so. But small or not she has never let her size hold her back. At 18 months she was pedaling her bike around the block and at 22 months she was potty trained. She has been such a joy to our family and such a doll to raise. She is so easy going(so far) and I find that I have more patience with her. She really is a dream baby and has been so fun and easy.

A few things about Lexi:

She LOVES music (especially Justin Beiber), she loves to dance, she loves barbies and coloring, she loves to snuggle, is a super picky eater, still not a great sleeper at 2, she loves to jump, care for her babies, swing on the swings, loves nursery, says any word you ask her to, loves to "bug" her sisters, wants to do everything they do and yet is very independent and is great to occupy herself and play alone.

For her birthday we went to "Jump on it" and then came home for cupcakes and presents. My girls are so funny because none of them even ate their cupcakes. Tallie straight up told me she didn't really want sugar and asked for some spagettii instead. The favorite gift of the night was the Rapunzel baby.

We are so blessed to have Lexi in our lives and apart of our family.

I call her my miracle baby simply because she has brought such joy to our family and brought us all closer together.

I Love you Lexi!

Weird January

So I'm thinking that Mother Nature is a little confused.

The weather has been so super nice lately.

Pure sunshine and absolutely no snow, not even for Christmas.

We have been riding bikes and playing in the backyard.

Not complaining at all, however I have been missing snowboarding.

Is it weird to do yard work in January??

Here I am sweating in the sun with my T-shirt and flip flops on cutting back the mums and day Lillie's that I never got around to in the fall.

And do you know what I found?

Daffodils sprouting and new growth under the mums and day Lillie's!!

They are confused and have no idea that the snow and freezing temperatures have yet to hit.

Does this mean we won't see them in the Spring?

I am loving the weather though, it sure makes me happy.

I got a new calling: Primary Secretary

Can we say overwhelmed!?

This is so not my area and I am so dumb when it comes to computers and being organized and being on top of things.

But I guess I need to learn it (did I already write about this?)

I also introduced myself to Pinterest today...which may or may not be a good idea.

It's a wonderfully awful thing.

2012 Family and Personal Goals

FAMILY: -read our scriptures together every night

-Sunday walks

-Every 2-3 months have mom/kid date and dad/kid dates

-Go to "Jump on it" every year

-Every year go to grandmas house for Christmas

-Read books together every night

-TJ and Lynsey temple date nights

DAD: practice the piano for 2 hrs a week -finish the basement-bear testimony in Sacrament mtg

MOM: read my scriptures daily-pray daily-exercise regularly-learn more about my camera-learn to use the Silhouette-learn a song on the piano-build something out of wood-cook more-gossip less-sew something

TALLIE: work on reading-wiggle teeth-eat healthier-take scriptures to church-learn more about Jesus-become an artist

CHLOE: no TV on school mornings-ride a bike without training wheels-learn to tie her shoes-learn to read-try more foods-learn to peel an orange

LEXI: Counting, learn her ABC's- try eating anything

The other night for Family Home Evening we had talked about goals and what we want to see happen this new year. We all sat down and together came up with the family ones. You can tell which ones the girls choose. Then we each thought of things we would like to learn or improve on with ourselves. Tallie was so cute because she came up with hers all by herself with no help or influence from us. I didn't say one word to her. Chloe needed a little help but they were all things she really wants to learn to do. I was looking back on the goals I had set last year and I accomplished many of them. One that I struggled with was going to the temple as often as we should. But one of the things that had been on my list pretty much since we got married was to learn to cook and cook dinner every night. I am currently doing that and I really enjoy it. Not so much the preparing and cleaning dishes or spending the time in the kitchen but the satisfaction of having cooked a meal for my family and getting to eat it together. I have branched out and have been trying new recipes and it has been kind of fun (except for the fact that I throw a lot of the food out since Chloe and Lexi never eat) but I hope they will learn to eat and try new things if I keep exposing them to it. We also put together a time capsule for 2011. It was fun to search around the house for things and the girls thought it was cool. We put everything in a jar and I hope to continue this new tradition each new year.

We are back to school and doing hair and homework and routines and bedtimes and all that jazz. It's good to have a schedule. It keeps me sane but at the same time I feel all of the fun being sucked out of my life. I also have a new calling. I am the Primary Secretary and I have yet to have my first Sunday on the job. I am nervous. It's a busy calling and I already feel busy. I am definitely going to need help with this one.

Goodbyes

My first post for the new year is done with tear stained cheeks.

We said our good byes to Bob and Mona tonight before they leave on their mission to Hawaii tomorrow morning. It was not easy.

I LOVE them so much! They have had such a huge impact on my life and I love them and look up to them and respect them just like they were my own parents.

It's crazy to think that we lived without them close by for the first 7 years of our marriage and we managed just fine. Our kids only knew of "going to visit" grandma and grandpa. But after just a short year and a half or so of them living 20 minutes away it's hard to think about life without them here. We have loved being so close to them and so have the kids. I'm sad because I'm not sure Lexi will remember them when they come back and I know that when they do everyone will be another year older. Including Bob and Mona. They will have a few more wrinkles and I will see the aging in their faces. Time will not stand still and they can't forever be the vibrant Bob and Mona we know now. They will slow down and age will take over their bodies. So that being said I am extremely sad to see them go. I know they will be great missionaries. And even though they will not be proselyting they will undoubtedly bring to souls unto Christ and people they come in contact with will grow closer to their Savior just by knowing the Lee's. They are a bright light in this world.

They have touched my life.

And from the first time I met them (before TJ and I were dating,,,before becoming more than friends was even thought of) I KNEW I wanted to become apart of a family that was just like TJ's. I wanted to have Bob and Mona in my life forever. From the first time I met Bob and he pulled me in for a great big bear hug I felt welcome and apart of their family. I am so glad I fell in love with TJ and was able to make it official.

I wish them the best of luck on their new journey in life and I can't wait to go visit in Paradise!

We were able to be there when the got set apart and it was such a sweet experience with such a thick spirit. It was great to sit around and chat and play games. Such a tender moment to see my girls give their last hugs for a while and hold on tight. I cried all the way home. Chloe said she will really miss them.

And I know how she feels.