The Price of Eggs

I feel like I always have to reevaluate my priorities. Our society and sometimes our acquaintances would have us believe that there are more important things than our families and our church. Why do I ever listen? Weakness is frustrating to me. But luckily I feel like my head is on straight more than it is off. I am so glad that I get to be with my family. I can't imagine missing all the milestones and just pure cuteness from my kids all day. It comes at a price, for sure.

We don't enjoy a lot of worldly luxuries right now but we have what we need. I'm so cheesey about it. Audree asked me the other day if we were poor (we are) but I told her that as long as we have love we will never be poor because money is just a temporary thing but our family is forever. I know, I know, it's super cheeseball, but I believe it and so did she.

Sewing and Christmas fun!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

My cutie pies before church! Kenton is always serious, really...I don't have many pictures where he is smiling. Mostly he has 'angry eyes'.

Aunt Sandy (Dan's talented wife) made this personalized blanket for Audree a long time ago. Sandy and I recently found the left over fabric so I made this cute nightgown for her to match it. It is a little big because I made it in a size 7, but at least it will last!

Audree got this mural from my mom for Christmas and lots of little butterflies to put all around her room. She loves it and now her walls are not bare. Thanks mom!

These were the kids Christmas jammies, even though the print has nothing to do with Christmas. It is just cute fabric that Sandy had and it says "I am a Child of God". Kenny is too little for real jammy pants so I made his like overalls with button shoulders. I love matching siblings!! So fun.
I hope that everyone has felt the love of our Savior this Christmas Season. I know that I have many times. It really helps me to keep an eternal perspective on life and always remember what is most important to me: loving my family! I really do have the best family ever and I am so glad that we will be together forever. Always say 'I love you!' to the people who matter most. And if you didn't get a Christmas card from me, I am so sorry, but we ran out of stamps and money or maybe I just don't have your address but either way, here it is:

Tribute

This past week has been very sad for my family. My cousin, Kari, lost her husband a week ago today. The sad story is explained here: http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/local/tempe/...firefighter-laid-to-rest-12-12-2009

It is hard to see how a Higher Power didn't have a hand in this tragedy. It was Skylar's time to go. He was described by his father to be a great son, and by his Firechief to be the best firefighter, and by his mother as a miracle. I am so glad to know of our Father's plan for us and that we will all be together again. I don't know how people survive tragedies like this without that knowledge. Kari is an amazingly strong woman. Five years is not long to spend with the love of your life. Those precious kids will only have the memories of others to remember their father with, but they are good, strong memories. So many people are comming together to help Kari and her family. If anyone feels the desire, an account has been setup at Wells Fargo in the name of Stock Family Donation Fund to help support Kari short term as needed. The acct# is 7218152986. Skylar we love and miss you. An excellent father, husband and selfless example to us all. http://www.a...bc15.com/content/news/southeastvalley/tempe/story/Tempe-firefighter-dies-when-tree-falls-on-tent/qz0klcUsR0exyQK8Hcs1HQ.cspx

Here is a link to another blog who is helping them out: http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/

We love you Kari and you will always be in our prayers! Rest in peace, Skylar.

I Hope You Dance

I read something today that I hope I can pass on to my kids, not just by saying it, but by living it.

"...I'd also like to think that time and age are like cousins -
they're relative.
Who said you have to go by actual miles?
If you didn't know how old you were, how old would you be?
(me, I'm sticking with five.)

I'll even argue that you can bottle youth.
What you store it in is all up to you.
(I suggest your heart)
If you can figure out a way to keep
the energy and gumption and fire alive,
you'll always stay young.
And where there's youth, there's hope...
where there's hope, there's wonder...
where there's wonder, there's faith...
where there's faith, there's chance...
where there's chance, there's love...
where there's love, there's music...
and dancing."

I hope that I can find all these things in my life. I want to always choose to dance, to overcome myself and live as I was intended.

Almost 4 Months Old!

He is so fun! I love him so much.

Here we go again

Dear Hospital,
I hope I never see your stinking face ever again!
Love Always,
Stefanie

It came back! I never welcomed it either. Optic Neuritis can kiss my lovely cheeks. This time I was 6 days in the hospital for a longer treatment of steroids. My doc hopes this was actually the same case I had before and that I just wasn't treated long enough last time to totally cure me. Lets just hope so, 'cause every two weeks in the hospital is going to wear on me. Plus the stupid drugs are giving me such bad acne! I feel like a pubescent teenager all over again, yuck. And he said it is most likely MS, so I'd rather not talk about it.
Anyway, Halloween was so fun. I had a blast making all our costumes, and they fit our personalities perfectly.
This was taken at our ward party on Halloween night. And now that its over I am making plans to put up our Christmas tree ;)
Christmas is my favorite. I hate to put Thanksgiving to the side either, but Christmas is about being thankful too! So for our next family night we will be putting up our tree, and talking about all the symbolism involved in this great season of remembrance.

sneaky boy!

So our new house has an interesting layout. One side of the house has the family room/kitchen/dining room and the other side has two bedrooms on either side of a bathroom. Kind of like the bathroom is a hallway, but not quite a 'jack and jill'. The kids' rooms are on one side of the bathroom and the office and master bedroom are on the other side.

Ethan has figured out that he can sneak from his room through the bathroom into my room and not be seen! I think it is so cute. I see him do it almost every night within minutes of me putting him to bed. He only thinks he is sneaky! Whenever Clark catches him he gets put right back in his own room, but I dont do that. He always falls right to sleep and he is not doing anything mischevious, so I just think it is so cute! Something about daddy and mommy's room makes falling asleep easier. I can totally relate. Whenever I couldn't sleep I would always end up on the floor in my parents room, even as a teenager (I am surprised I never saw or heard anything I would not have wanted to see or hear!!). So tonight when I was about to retire I found this and it made me happy: