reasons to rejoice!!

I have 3 wonderful reasons to rejoice this Holiday Season.  3 reasons to make each day a bit more perfect, to make those dark days a brighter! Bet you cant guess what those 3 reasons are

First and for most is my husband Derek.  I love my husband so much and am so grateful for everything he does for me.  I love how perfect he is for me.  I love how he completes me.  I love how happy he makes me.  I love how he can always find a way to make me laugh no matter my mood.  I love how he can always figure out me when even when I can not figure out myself.  I love his devotion to the gospel.  I love his commitment to the church and our family.  I love how much he loves our daughters, and how he would do anything to see them happy. This holiday season is a perfect time to think about how lucky I am, and my sweet Derek is a perfect reason to rejoice.

Another perfect reason to be so grateful is my wonderful daughter Jacquelyn.  Jackie has been the perfect first child.  I could not have asked for a better kid to learn on! She is a wonderful little girl who always thinks about others before her self.  She is learning how to be considerate and I love it! She loves her sister and always wants to make sure she is happy.  Jackie loves her friends and always talks about them and what they like.  She always wants to bring cookies to others.  Jackie is learning so much about the gospel and loves to tell me what she learns about in nursery! I love my sweetheart and know its a special thing to be her mother. 

Abigail is my sweetest reason to rejoice.  She is such a wonderful sweet little girl. She has been one of the sweetest easiest little babies.  She always wants to give kisses and snuggle.  She has the sweetest disposition and will just go off and play on her own and do her own thing.  I know she will do great things as she gets older and learns more.  Right now she loves playing with Jackie and doing what ever she is doing.  These little ones are becoming best of friends and I love it! I can only hope and wish it will stay the same as they grow older *sigh*! For know I will enjoy what they have! 

There are many more things but right  now these are whats on my mind.  My sweet little family means more to me than anything.  I love them more than i can express. 

To all my friends out there, i hope you can take a few minutes to really reflect on what you have in your life to rejoice. 

A whole lot of random

Lets start here.  Have you seen this yet?  Picture of Christ that did not burn in the Provo Tabernacle Fire?  I think its pretty awesome. 










Our bishop gave us all this picture

• I am super excited for Christmas! Jackie is really old enough to fully get it this year and that has made it SO much more fun!  She is pretty easy all she wants is bubble bath and the book Where the wild things Are.  Good thing both those are pretty easy to come by.  Hopefully she wont be too put off by getting a few more then that.  Last night she kept telling me she can only have 2 gifts, silly silly girl
• This will be my first Christmas not seeing my family! They are in Argentina and Vegas! I am a little bit sad about this but also excited to have our first Christmas at our place and to set our own traditions! :) 
• I still am holding out for a White Christmas.  Even though the weather channel made it seem super super super super slim a girl can hope right?!
• My car drives better in the snow then i thought, WAY better then our red car we had before our Xterra. 
• Abigail is growing up so fast and plays so well with Jackie now.  Its SO cute! I love that they are becoming little buddies and I really hope it stays that way!
• I took Abby to nursery Sunday.  She was NOT in the mood to be quiet or hold still at church.  She loved it! So I hope this means in 3 months she will love it also.  I was also super excited to see how good my little Jackie was in nursery.  She listened, folded her arms, stayed in her seat, and helped clean up!  Its always nice to see that what you teach your kids pays off!
• I held an adorable 2 week old baby on Saturday.  And ya know what it made me SO happy that I do not have a new born.  Also re affirmed to me that i am so not ready for another yet. :) I like my 2.  I know we will have more kids but not right now :)
• also 2 weeks of 3 day weekends HECK YES!

my kiddios....

So tonight we got back and i had to go to my business so we just ran in took coats off and shut the door.  Mistake number one.  When you have a 3 year old you always use the chain lock! After i got done just a few minutes later...I am no man who sits and reads FOREVER! (please tell me I am not alone in having a husband who does this?!) anyway back on track, i came out and felt a breeze walked out and the girls were sitting out side waiting for grandma who was about 4 hours away :). 
Don't worry Jackie made sure to put her coat on and Abbys coat....Abbys was upside down still amazed she got it on her!
So moral of the story use a chain, if you don't have one i guess you trust your three year old to get herself and the one year old in coats....I am thinking i will just now make that Jackie's job :) one less thing for me to do when running out of the house ;)  !

yes this again!

SHORT NOTES!!

Dear Christmas Tree,

My nose is no longer as stuffy and I can smell you :) its wonderful to have a real tree this year. it will be nice this year then my cheapness will lend to me buying a artificial one again.  For this year I will enjoy and love it.
Smelly yours,
pine forest lover

Dear Giggle (abby),
Thanks for being so quick to learn not to touch the Christmas tree! I should not have been worried, you have been great! A few times you go for the tree and a no will turn you into a new direction. I am just so happy i was able to put our tree up early and not have to worry too much!
thankfully yours,
mama

Dear Jacquelyn,
Your recent attempts to not eat foods that you have previously loved  makes me laugh.  For example mom made pizza compete with green onions and tomatoes.  While making the pizza you kept stating your dislike yet you ate your whole piece. Stop trying to be pretend to be picky and accept your great love for eating
frustrated and laughing,
a cooking mama

Dear Head Cold,
You have been around for over a week, all i can say is are you kidding, please leave me my head and my awake-ness alone.  I am a working mama I can't deal with anything to slow me down.
Snuffly still,
Jess

Dear house,
Remember how I am a working mama?  Well do you think you could clean yourself?
messely always,
a women in need of a clean house

Dear Abby,
I love how you follow around Jackie, how you are trying to talk, how you want to be big, how you love to be in the middle of everything, how laid back you are, how easy you are to take care of, and all your hugs and kisses.
always in love,
mommy

Dear weather,
thank you for being above freezing!! Please stay this way for a while
in need of warmth,
a very cold lady!

Dear Hubby,
one day we will see each other more.  Until then know how much I love you and appreciate all you do for our little family.
always appreciative,
Your wife

Yummy Potato Soup

I brought this to our work party last week and had a lot of requests for it so here ya go!

Yummy Potato Soup
2 cups diced celery
1 medium onion
2 teaspoons garlic
5 cups water
5 teaspoons chicken bullion
1 bag southern style has browns (the ones that are tiny squares)
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
7 ounces cheese whiz
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste 


2 cups  celery ( I like a lot in mine my mom makes it with just a tiny bit....anyone remember what the individual pieces are i cant!)
1 medium onion (more or less all depending on how much you want)
2 teaspoons garlic
2 table spoons butter

Dice celery and onion and saute until onions are translucent

Add 5 cups of water and 5 teaspoons. chicken bullion

bring to a boil

add a regular size bag of southern style has-browns (make sure NOT to buy the kind with peepers)

Let this boil until the potatoes are soft

While it is boiling in another bowl, add 3/4 cup melted butter 3/4 cup flour and 4 cups of milk.  Stir until all lumps are out.

Once Potatoes have softened add milk mixture to pot.

Bring to boil and add 7 ounces cheese whiz (please make sure you buy the correct stuff, this is not in a spray can i have had 2 people attempt to make this with eazy cheese.  this comes in jars)

I always add about 1-2 cups sharp cheddar as well.  This is not in the normal recipe but i PROMISE it tastes a lot better, make sure to use sharp cheddar too, and do not get the pre-shredded stuff, does not melt near as well.

add salt and pepper to taste 

Turn heat down and let simmer for at least 15 minutes.

Eat and enjoy!