So Much at One Time

I don't share a whole lot of what is really going on behind the scenes in our lives.

Recently we have been on overload with all that has been happening.

This past year has brought a lot of uncertainty into our life. We have been kind of lost as to what we should be doing exactly. We knew we were supposed to be here where we are.

But are we still?

We know we should be in school.

But the rest is still to be determined I guess. We thought we had answers when we got a call from a housing place in KC, we were on a waiting list for, called and said we were accepted and could move in Jan. The more we talked about it, as good as everything sounded and that is what we wanted, it just didn't all feel right.

Why does it have to be so hard? I just wish it weren't.

Well, we now had to make a new plan.

So, our first step, in December we decided it was time

to make some changes to try and get ahead.

So, we turned in our notice and started to prepare the house to move. We did not go far, but we did downsize. A lot. We put basically our whole house in storage.

Which is maybe the hardest part but, it is only very temporary.

My saying through all that is going on is... We need to step back so we can move forward again.

So that is what is being done.

So in the future we are trying to figure out School

for Justin and everything that goes along with that. Which is so much easier said than done.

It's amazing how over the past month or so I have felt very calm, ready to deal with anything that came my way. I took things as they came and dealt with it with ease.

At least I have felt that way. I hope I showed it outwardly the same.

It was not as hard to leave our house and neighborhood as I thought it would be.

I think the feelings I have had was a confirmation that we were on the right path and we are doing what we are supposed to be at this moment.

This is the hardest part I think now because we don't have answers to where to go from here. So I hope in a short time, it will be told.

Goodbye's

We had to say goodbye to Myka. There were a lot of things leading up to this. Part of me knew the whole time we had him we could not keep him and we had to let him go. But, it is hard to let go sometimes. It seamed like the timing was right though and he has good people to take care of him and devote all of there time to training him properly now. He has an assigned trainer with him at all times. He is working with him for a few weeks then, will find a new home for him after the month of full training. He is a Siberian Husky (blood tests just confirmed he has at least 1/32 % of wolf in him). They are hard dogs to have because they just require way more than most any other. Huskies are very smart and they just need people or other dogs "their pack" to be with.

He really was a good dog. He just has a few issues from being abused in his past which has made him sometimes agressive, and mostly when other people were around. He was not like that when we first got him. I don't know what happened. Justin felt that he was being protective of our family because we had been so nice to him, and he did not have that so much in the past. I love how this picture captures him.

Hayden loves dogs. This one was no exception. Justin and Myka..... They loved to rough house and wrestle together. Hayden's last hug goodbye Myka loved to jump onto our bed and roll around and snuggle up in our softest blanket. He also loved to lay on top of us or sit on us wherever we were. Every morning he would run straight in to us and sniff our face and snuggle right up against or on us. Has to be in the center of attention wore out. It was hard to get a picture with him actually asleep, he never wanted to miss anything.

Hayden still asks where he is. He then tells us... "Myka, new home?" He knows that much but I am sure does not really understand it all. It is sad. I know the hardest part for me (besides missing him) was just wondering if he will be okay, and picturing his sad face wondering where we are and why he is in, yet another new place. I am sure there is a lot more I could say and go on about to fill in some gaps. I do know he is being well taken care of. And he will hopefully have a wonderful new home soon.

We will miss you!

Visit from Lisa's Family

We had a very short but fun visit with Heather, Mike and Mom and Dad Hastings.

We decorated our gingerbread house together.

Which was devoured even faster than it was put together.

We met at the dam and walked along the trails, watched the Eagles and other big birds.

Alyssa woke up with a fever that morning.

Grandpa had fun teaching Brandon to skip rocks across the water.

Lisa and Heather had talked about watching one of their favorite movies (Sweet Home Alabama) together for a long time and finally did!

It's always so good to have visitors, especially from family.

Remembering 2008

I want to remember the past year that went by so quickly before any more time slips away..... So... The year of 2008 for the Finley's Brandon: Turned 6. Played on his first sports team playing T-ball. Went from Kindergarten to 1st grade. Got glasses for reading. Spent a lot of time playing with friends in the neighborhood. Loves anything that is, Ben 10, Star Wars, Transformers. Loves spending time with Dad and also playing the 360 together. He has lost 4 teeth. Has grown like a weed! His dad is proud that he is taking after him in height. Has excelled greatly in his reading! Alyssa: Turned 4. Started preschool in the fall and absolutely loves it! Has a very imaginative mind and pretend plays all the time. (So if you ever hear her talking to herself, you will know why. This is very frequent) Loves everything girly and not girly. Dress up, moms makeup, nail polish, dirt, mud, all bugs, (yes she picks them up and carries them around with her) Hayden: Turned 3. Diaper free! He kind of did this on his own with only a little prompting and back up from mom and dad. Loves to play with his cars, trucks, trailers, trains etc.... finally figured out that watching TV or movies is sometimes fun. Scared us all with his accident at the swimming pool. Which I am so thankful he is okay from that. Finally went to nursery the week before his 3rd birthday. Loves people. Obsessed with trailers, hitches, motorcycles.... and points them all out as we drive down the road. Loves to be with his daddy. Lisa: Was called to Young Women's 1st counselor over the 14 and 15 year olds, at the beginning of the year. Stayed busy with her calling. Started this blog to keep family up to date and to not forget some memories. Tries to keep up with the 3 kids and Justin and the house etc... enjoyed time together with playgroups and outings with the kids and family. Justin: Always busy with something. Work, School, trying to find time for himself and family. Enjoys his basketball times on the weekend. Started a new job. Changed his focus on his degree for school. Lisa gave in and he finally got his motorcycle he's been wanting since before we were married. (Which is now sitting lonely in storage because of winter) Justin is a wonderful dad who the kids all love! He can always make you happy when you are down. As a family we really enjoyed our trip back to Utah in February to see all of our family and friends. We had a visit from Grandma Finley. We really enjoyed all of the time we can spend with Becca, Matt and the girls from being so close. Aunt Heather came to stay for a bit over Summer. Justin and Brandon took a fishing trip to his friends farm in Ks. In May, Lisa's whole family was together in St. Louis. We were looking into buying a house in Kansas City to be closer to his corporate office after he started working from home, only to come home from a weekend with the realtor to find out he was let go. Started working at CALO as a Recreational Therapy Assistant/Residential Coach, which sparked his interest in getting a degree along those lines, because he loves people and loves to make a positive difference in others lives in a positive setting. We got a dog, Myka, who is a Siberian Husky and was about 9 months old. He turned one around Thanksgiving. We love to spend time together as much as time allows between all of our busy lives. We are Thankful for all of our family and friends and everything we are blessed with in our lives.

Day after Christmas

It was good to spend some days together with daddy's time off.

It was so beautiful the day after Christmas, we had to take the kids out doors to run off some energy! We found a wonderful spot with lots of grass and room to run and play and to just be kids.

Hayden loved this tall grass so much he kept attacking it. All three just being themselves

Brandon got this cool hand carved walking stick from his Uncle Matt for Christmas.(That Matt made) He was so excited to try it out. He loves it!

Alyssa and her fairy wand, always playing make believe.

This was a good day!

I do not have a picture on my current files.... but,

If I had access to a computer this day I would have wished my sister just older than I am... Liz ,Happy Birthday here....! We miss you so much! I am glad you were able to be with the family.

Bald Eagles

On Dec 3, it was one of the first of the cold days ahead.

I had dropped Justin off at work and thought I would take a drive by the dam on the way out since it is right there.

When I pulled down into the parking lot I saw a tree full of Bald Eagles!

I started to count and there were at least 25 just in that tree! I counted about 15 more in trees further down and in other spots. So the total being around 40!! That is alot.

It was an amazing sight to see all of these beautiful huge birds up so close in there own place.

Justin took these with our great camera we got for Christmas.

It looks like he was cleaning his bill?

Justin was right underneath them! I love this one, I wish I could zoom a little closer without distorting it.

This would be all the bald eagles I saw at the beginning of Dec. As you can see quite a few flew off, and one is as I took the picture... and this is with our other camera.

This Eagle is eating a fish, it has part of it hanging out of it's mouth.

Later that week I took Brandon back to see. As we were coming down the hill we saw two big deer in a field ahead by a dirt road.

I then saw a cat walking along the dirt road towards the deer.

I drove towards them and when I got to the edge the cat looks at us and the deer look at the cat and they all run! The cat after the deer. That is when I realized how big that cat really was and it was not just a cat but a bob cat and it ran right after the deer.

It was kind of cool to see. Wish I had a good camera for that one.

I love all of the beautiful nature around us here.

Christmas day

In our bed in the morning

lining up in the hall Hayden with his stocking (he woke up with a fever that morning) Brandon so excited!

Alyssa...... what a grin!

We had a very low key kind of day. It was a good Christmas. A few of us were sick and we all just sat around and played and took naps and really did nothing. Which was really nice for a change.

It was nice to have nowhere to go and just be together.

Holiday fun...

We had so many different fun activities before Christmas we did with friends and as a family I want to remember.

Hanging out with the girls ..... Alex, Izzy, Taylor, Alyssa and Brandon

Becca, Matt and the girls came for a short visit before Christmas

Alyssa at her school party

Brandon's fun elf hat from school.

The kids had fun helping me make tons of gingerbread cookies!

Hayden helping out.

Holiday time

So Finally some pictures from the Hollidays!

Hayden with Mrs. Clause.

No one was scared to talk to Santa this year.

They were all consistent in asking for the same thing.

Hayden=a trailer and a truck

Alyssa=Barbies

Brandon=Ben Ten watch

(yes Alyssa is great at doing goofy things with her mouth for pics)

Some fun activities.... Alyssa and Hayden decorating Christmas ornaments. A very Random picture..... Since I never posted on my 30th Birthday!!! This was us out at dinner. Becca and Matt were along with us to also celebrate Becca's Birthday the day before.

Keeping Us On Our Toes

The kids decorating their Christmas tree

Brandon did the wreaths and the ribbon.

Waiting in Urgent Care Christmas eve.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It has been very eventful around her lately. We have many stories to share with you, but these are not all...

There will be more to come later.

The Computer

Sometime this last week, as Hayden was throwing one of his "I am way too tired" tantrums;

A toy was thrown at our i mac (computer) and hit the screen. The outcome was colorful lines through the screen and just blue in the background.

So, completely useless.

If you know anything about the imac, it is the entire computer all in the screen, there is not a separate tower. I am still trying to be hopeful that there is a fix for this in the near future...

Thankfully, Justin has his laptop. We have had some fun Christmas parties and get together's with school, church, work, friends and family. These always help to set the mood for the holidays.

Fun Times Together

Christmas Eve came quickly for us.

It was a very busy day in a different way then planned.

The day was going very well and I was right on schedule with our events with the kids.

In the morning we did some light straightening and were ready and dressed for the day quickly.

We went downstairs to decorate the little tiny tree for the kids,

I had been promising to do this before Christmas.

I supplied the decor and they did the decorating. It was really fun to watch them do their own tree and see the outcome. They really enjoyed it.

Next on the plan was to clean up the decor boxes and gather the kids together and sing songs and dance around the tree. We were then going to take naps for some and others were going to help make goodies for friends and neighbors.

Well...... It didn't go that far. It ended at putting away the Tupperware in the storage.

Head injuries = Urgent Care

Hayden went upstairs and left the door at the top open

(which is a big no, no when the dog is not in his kennel or outside).

I was in the storage room with Brandon. He had climbed under the highchair to get to the baby swing where skittles (our cat) was sleeping.

A few seconds later Myka was down there and in skittles face. Now, Myka loves to play with the cats but the play is not returned too well.

Brandon felt that if he laid on top of skittles he could protect her and calm her down. Of course a cat is not going to see it that way and the claws were out and swatting.

I turned around to escort the trouble back upstairs and Brandon was crying. I climbed through the baby things to see his head on skittles with her claws still out on top of his head.

His entire back of his head was covered in blood!

I found a few little marks just from claws but the big cut we are not sure of.

It could have come from throwing his head back onto the high chair or a claw.

(The Dr. thinks the highchair)

Justin was working so that left us without a car...

My most wonderful friend and neighbor was able to let me use her husbands car so I could take him into urgent care. Thank you SOOO much for your kindness and help!! I am very grateful to her. The Dr. was first going to put a staple in it, then decided the easier and safer route would be to just use glue.

A Fever and....

Just before leaving to go get Brandon to the Dr. , Hayden woke up from his nap and was whining and crying and would not walk. He just wanted me to hold him. So, I take his temp and it was at 101.6. So I had him checked out too just to make sure there were not infections causing his fever. Thank goodness it was not.

Oh, it does not stop here......

Ewwww!

We were about to go into Petco and Target as we were waiting for Brandon's prescription.

Unfortunately we did not make it out of the car yet and Hayden puked all over himself!!

I felt so bad for him. I was not going to take him out at that point and go anywhere. So, we sat and waited for dad to get there for 1 1/2 hours. In the meantime he threw up a second time.

Now, normally I would just take it as it goes and not worry about the mess until later, but, it was not our car!!! Oh, thank goodness for leather seats at least! I was glad he fell asleep quickly after that so he wasn't uncomfortable any more.

Yes, very eventful, I would rather take uneventful over this. But, it will be a Christmas Eve to remember for sure.

Brandon is doing well and hopefully healing quickly from his bazare cut to his head.

And for the rest of us... Let's hope the sickness is gone away quickly and is not shared with all.

(I have lots of pictures I would like to share, But I am using Justin's laptop so I am not sure yet how to get them here... so hopefully soon.)

Glasses and The Tooth fairy

Brandon has had some big changes over the last few weeks.

He has to start wearing glasses.

He has been so excited about it. We can not keep them off! He is only supposed to wear them to read. Well, that's not happening. He wants to wear them all of the time! At least he doesn't hate them. Any advice in helping him to only wear them when he is supposed to? I can't do anything when he is at school.

Next, he lost another tooth. 

This was not just another tooth falling out. It was was a very sad moment for him.

I admit I was a little sad too. 

Here's the story....

I kept urging him to let me pull it or that he needs to do it or he may lose it somewhere.

Well, one night we were eating ice-cream cones. He did not have just one cone but two. 

He went into the bathroom when he was done and began to cry, "Where is it? Where is it?" He walked out with this hole in the front and the tooth was gone. Swallowed without realizing it.

His mouth was so cold and numb from the ice-cream he didn't know it.

The funny part was to come...

He told us to get it out. We explained we couldn't. Then he cried because the tooth-fairy couldn't come and get it. He told us that she would have to go into his tummy to get it. But where would she put the money? The next day he came running out of the bathroom, after doing his thing and told me I had to go see if his tooth was in the toilet! Agh! yuck! No way! I had to convince him it was gone and to let it go. Poor kid! So I hope it was a lesson learned about listening to your parents. Maybe next time he won't wait to pull it.

A good thing is, he can whistle now that he has that hole in front and is so excited about that!

Myka turns 1

As we were told... Myka was born on Thanksgiving last year which would have been Nov. 22. I actually did not think about it til now, but, we were telling our kids his birthday was on Thanksgiving forgetting the fact that it is not on the same date every year. So Happy Birthday Myka. 

These are a few pictures  from our first dusting of snow. He loved diving onto it, pouncing and trying to eat it. Can't wait for some real snowfalls. He will be fun to watch.

Be grateful

We really missed all of our family this year for Thanksgiving. It gives you a different perspective on things when you are pulled out of your norm. and experience something in a different way.

We were together with our own family though, and some wonderful friends.

I was thinking how Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we have and to be full of gratitude and share our love and time with our families and friends. Then following close behind is a time to to be thoughtful of others and give and share with Christmas. 

I love how these holidays can bring much inside warmth amongst the bitter cold the weather brings us. 

 I am so grateful for all that I have. I am so blessed even when I feel that my world may be falling down all around me. I have so much. I know I may have more than some others with all of the worldly possessions they could ever dream of but lack other things. 

Just to list a few.... 

My most wonderful and loving Husband whom I love more than my words can say. My 3 wonderful children. The knowledge I have to know that we will be together forever. 

The beauty of nature all around us. The warmth of our home when coming from the cold outside. Friends, family and leaders and teachers who have touched my life and my family. 

All that I have in material things along with the gospel and truthfulness I know to lead me along. To know that there is a plan set for me, to have guidance along the way. I know, I must also do my part. 

I liked this scripture and wanted to share it..... 

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more. 

These Fallen Leave's Brought Us Together

It's amazing to think that something so little (which is really a huge chore) can be used as an opportunity. Such as a neighborhood get together. 

Have I ever said that I really like our neighborhood? 

Everyone is generally so friendly, and welcoming to everyone around them.

Wednesday night was no exception.

Our neighbors Pete and Anita finished raking their leaves and invited everyone over for hot dogs and s'mores while they burned away. What a great idea!

about half of the neighborhood kids

they all played so hard, Brandon started the theme of play for the night.

Spy.... 

He had on his back pack dark glasses and some plastic sticks for tools.

Watching in amazement as the bright flames crackle and burn while feeling the warmth from the fire.

Hayden helping once again.

He first picked up a stick to help rake.

Then, when handed an actual rake he kept on going until he was told to stop. 

What a hard worker!

Don't step away for a second!

What is a normal day for us? Well, at some point it usually includes something like this:

Hayden completely covered in something. 

Here his hair and hands and face are covered in soap, and that is a streak of lipstick on his head. At least it made for easy clean up, besides keeping it out of the eyes.

The other picture is of dry erase marker, this was one of about 3 times he covered himself in it. I didn't even get a picture of the nice spiral circles he drew on his tummy. It was lovely.

This usually happens because I have to step away to fix dinner, take the time to go to the bathroom, or just run into another room maybe for only 60 seconds. He then disappears and has some fun. 

I can not believe I don't have more pictures. I do have one missing I know I have of Blue marker all over the bathroom wall and door.

Some of the other things may include But are not limited to: Vaseline

, Mom's foundation, globs and globs of mouse and hair gel, Butt paste, lotion, and if he is outside, dirt, mud or sand. Those are probably the top of the list. 

There are many times I did not get pictures to my regret. The latest happening actually occurred while we were all still asleep early in the morning. He found a cover girl outlast lip gloss and put it right across his eye brows. That stuff does not come off!! It was Sunday morning before church.  Nothing worked. eye makeup remover, I tried Vaseline that did a little bit. I finally went to my neighbors house who came up with the idea of using Redken Glass smoothing serum.

 

Stuff you use on your hair? But, It worked! It came right off. No trace left. Amazing. So... I guess if you want to fork out $15 for a 2 oz. bottle or so it can be doubled as a face

cleaner. A little goes a long way. I wonder how it would work on fabric? 

A good little mom trick. You have to get creative sometimes when 

it comes to cleaning of little children.

Here is a great example of being sneaky right in front of me! I was just on the other side of the door as he was asking for something to eat. I did not hear him get up there in the 30 seconds it took. He just started asking for help.

He keeps us on our toes. 

At least I know he is not the only kid out there like this. I am afraid there could be worse. I feel sorry for that mom that I do know of. :) 

These are perfect examples of times he asks my feelings about what had happened and it goes like this every time in a very questioning voice....

"Funny? Angry? Happy? Sad?"

I love to see that he is so in tune to feelings and wants to know how I feel. Although a lot of times in the end he tells me "Funny!" With a nod of his head for approval.

Halloween 2008

I was able to help out with Alyssa's school party.

It was fun to be there with all of the kids and to take Hayden with.

(I know it is hard to see what I typed under these pictures, 

if you click on the photo into a new window it should be easier)

Finally a few pictures from Halloween. 

you can go here  also to see the album.