Christmas Surprises

This Christmas has been wonderful! It all started the second week in December. I had been on the phone to my mom and I suddenly got REALLY homesick. Chant asked me what was wrong and I told him. Then he suggested that we could just go home. We had decided a while ago, when gas was $4.00 a gallon, to stay in Missouri for Christmas. But gas prices are down and he has a really long break from school, so we decided to go home. We wanted to surprise everyone, so we didn't tell a soul. Well, okay, one family member knew we were coming. My mom was so upset we weren't coming home that Dad bought her a plane ticket to Missouri for Christmas. He wanted to make sure we knew she was coming, so he called to tell me the dates. When he called all he said was he bought her a plane ticket for Christmas. I thought he meant she was coming for Christmas. My heart sank and I told him we were planning on coming to Idaho. It was then that he told me her ticket wasn't until the 23rd of January. Oops! So, Dad knew. But no one else did. It was SOOO hard keeping it a secret. We didn't even tell the kids until the day before we left because we didn't want them to say something on the phone that would give away our surprise.

So we left December 23 to drive to Denver. We drove straight through with just stops for gas and bathroom breaks. When we got to Chant's Aunt's and Uncle's house, we sent just the girls to the door. (We spent Christmas in Denver because Chant's Aunt Linda, Uncle Gary, and sister Kristy all live there, so his mom and other sister Jenny flew to Denver for Christmas.) Gary answered the door. It took him a minute to recognize them because he has only seen the girls once. Linda, Kristy, and Jenny were all gone so we had to do the surprise thing two more times. First Linda came home. We hid on the stairs just passed the doorway and when she came in we yelled surprise. She was shocked to see us. But she was more excited to see Kristy and Jenny's reactions. They came home about an hour later. Again we hid on the stairs when we saw them pull up. Jenny saw us first. She screamed and then just stood there from shock. Kristy heard her scream then came around the corner. She screamed and jumped in for a hug. It was great! We got them good. They didn't have a clue we were there.

The next day we got to surprise Chant's Mom. She flew in Christmas Eve at 10:30 a.m. We perched in our spot and waited. This time we got a few tears. She couldn't believe we were there. It was perfect!

We had a fabulous Christmas with Aunts, Uncles, and Gran. The girls loved playing there and Porter got plenty of hugs and loves. The girls got just what they wanted from Santa. Brinnley wanted a Barbie doll. She got a set of 6 and was thrilled. She also got a Cabbage Patch mini doll that came with a pony from her Aunt Linda. She loves it! And Gran got her Barbie Mariposa. Gran was shocked that she knew which Barbie show it was when she opened the package. She loves Mariposa. The one thing Ainsley wanted was pink shoes. She was so cute when she opened them! She was sitting in Porter's Bumbo when she opened them. She got the paper off and saw it was a shoe box. She flipped the lid open, pulled the shoes out, threw the box and was on the floor with her foot in the air all in about 10 seconds. She didn't want to take them off the whole day.

The day after Christmas was a marathon shopping day. I got some fabulous deals on clothes for the kids and winter coats for next year. It was so fun! Thanks Honey for watching the sick kids so I could be gone with the girls from 8:00 till 4:00. You're the best!

December 27 we left for Idaho. We had some horrendous winds through Wyoming and snow when we hit Idaho, but we made it safe and sound thanks to Chant's driving. When we got to my parents' house, they were gone shopping. My Aunt Jenny was home and she helped us keep a look out for them to get home. When we saw them pull up we hid in the corner in the living room. When Mom got in the house she was talking to Jenny and Jenny started walking to where we were at. Mom followed and when she got to the living room Brinn and Ainsley jumped off the couch and ran over to her. Mom was in shock. She put her hands up on her cheeks and screamed and screamed. Then she started to cry and shake. When she picked the girls up to hug them I was worried if they would be in one piece because she was squeezing so hard. I was so glad we were able to keep it a secret from her. Her reaction was worth it!

Yesterday we went to Rexburg to run some errands. Some of our best friends, Adam and Randi, live there. We called Adam at work and told him we were going to make their Christmas present but it didn't turn out so we wanted to buy pizza and have it delivered to them instead. We asked when his lunch break was. About 15 minutes before lunch time we got a couple pizzas and drove to a business close to their house. We waited and waited for Adam to drive by. When he finally did, we pulled out and followed him to his house. We pulled up behind him and when he saw us, his jaw dropped. It was funny because Chant talked to him on the phone the whole time we were driving to Rexburg about the weather in Missouri and how it was sad to be away from family, so he had no idea. When we got out of the car we said we were in the pizza delivery business now. It was awesome to see them!

Every little white lie was worth all the surprised looks and all the tears and all the screams. I am so extremely happy to be home and with family. Chant said I get a twinkle in my eye when we come home. There is a joy that comes when we are in the company of those who truly love us. This year for us Christmas was about focusing on the important things and not about gifts. And it has been one of the best Christmases we have had! Hope you all had just as wonderful a Christmas as we did!

Pictures to come when we got back to MO and have our computer.

Family Photos

We had our family pictures taken Monday night and I thought I would share a few of my favorite pictures.  A couple from our ward did them and they are phenomenal!  We had them done with just a black backdrop.  I just wanted these pictures to be simple and to focus on the people and not necessarily on the background.  As you can see, we do not match.  These are our "Favorite Outfits" photos.  Brinnley LOVES her monkey shirt.  She is always so upset when it is in the wash.  And her funky pink pants are my favorite ever.  Ainsley's litle jeans are my favs of hers.  And she looks so pretty in teal.  Porter has 3 different jersey style shirts and they are our favorites.  Chant loves green and I love my sweater, but more importantly I was trying to tie in the pinks.  So, there you have it.  Enjoy the pictures!

I miss Jesus

Last night about 11:30 p.m. Chant and I were awakened by cries coming from the girls' room.  Chant went back to see what was wrong.  It was Brinnley who was crying.  Chant asked her what was wrong.  She said it was hard to sleep and when Chant asked her why she said it was because she misses Jesus.  It was about then that I joined them in the room.  She told me what was wrong and I told her that Jesus loves her and He misses her too.  Then Chant and I held her hands and softly rubbed her cheeks and arms to soothe her back to sleep.  She soon drifted back to sleep and she looked just like an angel, so sweet and innocent. 

But my heart truly ached.  I know that feeling all too well.  Sometimes I am so overwhelmed with a desire to see my Savior and feel His loving arms around me and to hear Him tell me He loves me.  I guess that feeling is the strongest when I feel alone or life just seems to be continually hitting me with trials.  My heart ached for my little girl as I watched the tears stream down her cheeks.  She is so precious and so close to her Savior.  Being a mother has truly helped me to understand what it means to become as little children.  They are so close to the Spirit and they do not need the reminders that adults need.  I am grateful for the lesson learned from a sweet little spirt of our Father in Heaven and I only pray that as she continues to grow I might be able to continue to teach her our Father's Plan of Happiness and help to know that she can see her Savior again.   

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet?  We were both working in West Yellowstone, Montana for the summer.  It was the first night I got to town and I had unpacked and then gone straight to bed because I had to be up at 5:00 for work the next morning.  I was the only one home.  I had been asleep maybe half an hour when someone knocked on the door.  I wanted to just ignore it and go back to sleep, but they wouldn't stop.  So I got out of bed to answer the door.  It was one of my good friends, Chris, and Chant.  I had know Chris from previous summers in West.  They wanted to borrow a movie from my roommate.  Chris looked through the movies and Chant and I talked.  We clicked right away.
2. How long did you date before you got married?  We started dating in June 2001, Chant went on his mission in November 2001, he came home in June 2003 (early release for severe asthma), and we were married in September 2003.  
   
3. How long have you been married?  5 years and 3 months.
4. Does he have a hidden talent?  I didn't know this about him when we got married, but I have since been pleasantly surprised to learn that he can fix anything, build anything, do anything.  He built my girls' bunk beds.  He designed them and everything.  He re-tiled our kitchen counter.  He laid new linoleum in our kitchen.  The list goes on of all the wonderful things he has built, created, and fixed.
5. What is your favorite feature of his?  His smile and his laugh.  I love his laugh.
6. Does he have a nickname for you?  "Honey" or if he is really trying to get my attention "Kara Beth."
7. What's his favorite color?  Dark green or anything that isn't really bright.
8. What is his favorite food?  His favorite appetizer is chips and guacamole, favorite dinner is honey mustard chicken, and favorite dessert is oatmeal butterscotch cookies.
9. Favorite sport to play?  Basketball
10. When and where was your first kiss?  June 2001 in my car after he gave me a ten minute speech (J.K., but it felt that long.)  
11. Favorite thing to do as a couple?  We like to watch movies, laugh, talk, and dance in the kitchen while we are making dinner.  (That last one always makes the girls laugh.  They say I am the princess and he is the prince so he needs to "Marred" me.)
12. Do you have children?  Two beautiful girls and a handsome little boy.
13. What does he do that surprises you?  He is able to handle a family, school, and his calling and he does well at all of it.
14. How old is he?  27
15. Who said I love you first?  He did
16. What is his favorite type of music?  He likes country the most, but he likes a little bit of everything.
17. What do I admire most about him?  That he loves me no matter what.
18. How will you tag?  Mary, Becca, Daniele

Here's to You, Mom

It's the holiday season and I am 1,500 miles from home and I miss my mom.  I wanted to take a minute and spotlight a few of the things, in no particular order, that make my Mom special.  Here's to you mom.

1. She is involved in the community.  She takes every opportunity to help our town and make it better.  The flowers on the corner are always beautiful and the trees make the town inviting.  Thanks Mom for making our town beautiful and for all the other events that you take part in to make the town better.
2. She is a good cook even though she might not think so.  My favorite food ever is my mom's lasagna.  I have never tasted another that comes close.
3. She is a hard worker.  She always worked when I was growing up.  She worked at a pizza and sub place for a while and she had to be to work at 4:00 a.m. to make the dough.  But she still came home from a long day at work and cleaned the house and made dinner.  
4. She is the best waitress ever!  I loved working alongside my mother for 5 summers as a busgirl and then as a waitress.  She taught me all the tricks of the trade, although I was not even close to being as good of a waitress as she is.  Those are some good memories.  She has a way of engaging people and making them feel welcome and special.  I was always proud to tell people at work that you are my mom.
5. She is an amazing sewer.  When I was little my mom always made my dresses.  One time she even made matching Easter dresses for her, me, and my doll.  This year she made my girls Christmas dresses and every time the girls wear them they say "We look like beautiful princesses," and they have to tell everyone they see that their Grandma made their dresses.
6. She is honest in everything.
7. She is thoughtful and considerate of others, always worrying about them and thinking of what she can do to help them.  I know a lot of her energy goes to worrying about grandkids and children and what she can do to help them.
8. Her home is always open to others.  Whether it be for a place to live or just a place to stay for the night, she would never turn anyone away regardless of what was going on.
9. She is frugle with her money and has taught me the value of using resources wisely.
10. She loves to go to garage sales.  (Thanks Mom for passing that hobby along!)
11. Her home is always beautifully decorated and she is always doing something to change it or improve it. 

So I could go on and on, but the point is my mother is an amazing person and I love her and miss her.  So, here's to you Mom for being the best mom ever!

Dancing Queens, Snuggly Things, and Random Thoughts

When Brinnley was born I thought I knew exactly what her little personality was going to be like.  She was born with a head full of red hair and I thought for sure she was going to have a typical redhead personality.  Even the nurse at the hospital said, "She has an opinion about everything."  And when Ainsley was born I again thought I had her pegged.  She was going to be calm and mellow.  I just knew it.  She was such a peaceful and content baby.

So, I can now say I was wrong.  Miss Brinnley is the sweetest most tender-hearted little girl.  She loves to pretend and play with her animals and dolls.  She does not like contention.  She loves everybody.  She is a pretty easy going little lady.  And Miss Ainsley Jean rules the roost.  She is the one that gives the orders to Brinnley.  She is the one with the opinion.  She is not mean or anything, she just knows what she wants and lets it be known.  I love having my two girls close together.  Some days are hard when the girls can't seem to agree.  But most of the time it is wonderful.  And then there is Porter Boy.  He is so fun.  

I guess sometimes life just gets so crazy with running here and there and this activity and that appointment that sometimes it is easy to let things pass me by.  But last night we had our family pictures taken (photos to come soon) and it was one of those moments when I stopped and said "life is good."  Miss Ainsley refused to cooperate for a while, but give her a pretty red scarf and she is good to go.  Brinnley was a little angel posing with her head at just the right angle.  And Porter sat on my lap and slobbered all over my hand as he tried to chew on my fingers.  All my children are different, and yet they are all sweet and make life worth living.  It was just one of those moments that I was able to look at my life and think even though sometimes things are rough around the edges, I wouldn't change a thing.  

Help Me!

As you can see, my pics are still coming in sideways.  If anyone has any tips on how to get them to turn the right way, I would love the help!  Thanks!

6 months old!

Six months old.  December 6, 2008.

Porter at 5 months.  November 7, 2008.

Porter at 4 months.  October 6,2008.

3 months old.  Sept 7, 2008.

Porter and Grandma.  August 3, 2008.  

2 months old.

Porter at one month old.  July 6, 2008.

Porter Boy only a few minutes after he was born.  June 6, 2008

Porter turned 6 months old yesterday.  I cannot believe how fast it has gone by!  Porter is such a joy.  His bright smile and pleasant personality bring so much more happiness to our home.  His sisters love him!  They are having so much fun with him now he is really starting to play.  He giggles like crazy when they tickle him or even smile at him.  He is quick to smile.  Whenever he smiles his whole body moves and his head wiggles from side to side.  He doesn't sit up yet because every time I try to sit him up he flops onto the ground so he can roll.  He is a mover.  I put him in the living room by the far wall and in no time at all he is in the kitchen.  The girls were so funny the first time he really started moving.  They were both screaming, "Mom, he's moving!"  He is the only one that bothers the tree.  Today he rolled underneath it and grabbed a present and it went straight to his mouth.  We couldn't stop laughing, it was so cute.  So here are some pictures of my little boy.

P.S.

I don't know if you can tell in the pics or not, but we took him to the dermatologist Wednesday and he looks great!  He had extremely bad eczema and it was on his cheeks, top of his head, and his shoulders.  It was so bad his clothes would stick to his shoulders and the skin would pull of and he would bleed.  The doctor gave us two medications that we rotate between and we were also told to give him a bath every night with a 1/4 cup of bleach in it.  I can just imagine the looks when you read that because that is exactly what I looked like.  You got to be kidding me, right!  But it just kills the bacteria and it doesn't bother him.  Other than the awful smell, it works great! 

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was great.  Chant's sis Kristy flew in at 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  Chant and the girls left to take her back to the airport at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, so it was a fast trip, but so good to have her here.  The meal came together really well.  Basic, but delicious!  We spent the morning putting up our Christmas tree.  The tree is it's own story.  So my family has always had a real tree.  Since I have been 12 we have cut down our own tree and before that we always got a real one from a tree lot.  I have never had a fake tree.  Last year I wanted to continue the tradition of the real tree.  So Chant found a tree farm not too far from our home.  It was so fun!  We got to take a ride on a wagon out to where the trees are and then we found the perfect tree and cut it down ourselves.  It was perfect.  We left for Idaho Dec 17 and we wouldn't be back till Jan 8, so we took our tree down the night before we left.  I was actually already in bed, so Chant was doing it.  He said when he pulled the tree away from the wall, the wall was covered with hundreds of baby preying mantises.  He took a  towel and wiped them off the wall.  Nasty!!!  We wanted so badly to get a real tree, but we were so worried about the bugs.  And this year we aren't going home, so we will be leaving our tree up until January.  We didn't want to chance it, so we broke tradition and got a fake tree.  and it is beautiful.  But is was definitely a little weird for me.  While Chant was getting the tree put together, Kristy, and kids and I ran to Wal-Mart.  When we got home the tree was ready to go.  The girls and Chant decorated it while Kristy and I cooked.  The tree looks great and the food was amazing!

It was so good to have Kristy here.  It is always nice to have family around for the holidays.  Thanks for coming Kris!

That evening the missionaries came over.  They were stuffed from dinner so we got to enjoy the desserts with them.  Then we played Sequence.  That made me feel like I was home.  I knew my family would be playing games and I was missing that.  I felt a little less homesick after that.  

It was a great holiday.  And it feels even more like the holiday season because yesterday we woke up to snow on the ground!  Love it!  Feels like home!

P.S.

The snowman dresses were made by my Mom.  Thanks Mom, the girls loved them and they felt like Princesses all day.  They asked everyone as Church if they liked their new dresses.