Motherhood

Sometimes women get discouraged.
President Bastian from our Stake Presidency encouraged us to toss the guilt and catch the joy. He read a fun poem:


The Girl in a Whirl
By “Dr. Sue” aka Vickie Gunther

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too. It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s: And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires! I fix the sink’s leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them;You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It’s easy!” she said…and then she dropped dead.

President Bastian quoted Mosiah 4:27: “And see that all things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.”
We should not procrastinate our preparation but all things should be done in wisdom and order. He encouraged us to study the scriptures, balance our lives and attend the temple.

My Christmas Dream

Okay, so I had a dream.....all I wanted for Christmas was going to Island Park and staying in a cabin. I wanted to be over there close enough to celebrate the holidays with family. We were able to find an adorable cabin that was perfect size for our family. Jared and some friends decided to meet up and ride snowmachines while we were there. So we invited the Larsen family to come and join us in Island Park after Christmas. We had a wonderful time with them, the boys machined and we played games and watched movies. We had some great late nights with lots of laughs. The best was a night ride with the boys and taking Aimee for her first ride in the dark. I always like to start my friends out on "the top of the hill to ski down". There's just no sense in starting on the bunny hill. "I think you did great Aimee!".

Fabulouse Christmas, I'm still thinking about it. I think we'll do it again.

Christmas in the woods...

Grant couldn't beleive all the snow that had fallen in Island Park. He started walking through it to make us a path so me and the little girls could get in the cabin. He enjoyed riding with Jared on the snow-machines.
The Larsen's and us met the Hafens to go sledding while up there and Sophia didn't move or complain after I got her dressed to go hang with the kids sledding.

This is the last evening we were in Island Park, my friend had called and told us to get outside and take some pictures because the sun was finally beaming through the clouds. The snow was amazing and so fun to play in.

Kylie and Hailey jamming out to guitar hero.

The kids enjoyed the Larsen girls being up there with us. One morning Grace, Grant and Natassia went outside and found little paths someone had dug in the snow. They created a little village with stores and jobs for everyone. They played in the snow for hours.

Family Christmas Parties

This is all the Hill cousins with Grandma Hill at our Christmas Party. We had a great time letting the cousins exchange gifts and playing a new version of Bunko.
This is our musical group singing songs around the piano.

Grant, Gaige, Clay, Hailey, Grace and Hannah all got a DS for Christmas this year

Here are the two cute Grandparents that bring this Family all together. We sure love them both and love going to Grandma's and Grandpa's to sled, sit in the hot tub and play games.

Here is our cousins Hannah and Sadie

Christmas Memories

Sophia unwrapping presents, happy as can be!
Clay, Corbin and Grant with matching sweatshirts.
Sweet Sara and Claire, givin lovins...

Grandma Howard holding Claire while listening to the kids play music on the piano and guitars. We enjoyed Grace on her Violin, Natalie and Sara singing, Danial and Brady on Guitars and a group of all of them singing around the piano. The best part was the beautiful key on Grandma's piano that is out of tune!! It scared Aunt Robin during a song. :)

And how can we forget Uncle Daris....who was super excited that Jared came and brought over 2 snowmachines to go riding with him. These two have so much fun together.