2012 Snapshot

I found a blog that I really love to read (www.71toes.com). The author gives the idea of writing a "snapshot" each year to capture some of the ordinary, regular things about everyday life. I love the idea! When I look back on past years, I love to remember the big things...but I also want to be able to remember the beautiful, day-to-day things. So here is our snapshot for 2012.

We are still working on our never ending project of finishing the basement. We are getting much closer...in fact painting and carpet should happen next week! Bathroom won't be done for a while. I am most excited for the pantry/sewing room.

Mornings are so chaotic at our house. There is always so much going on. I have to wake the girls up every morning...except on Saturdays when they amazingly get up before 7 AM to go watch TV.

I used to wake them up with an obnoxious song...now, per Jordan's request, I use a whisper version of it. She does respond better.

Tod has been the Bishop now for almost a year. It is time consuming and stressful...but also a great blessing. I have gotten very good at doing bed time and Sundays on my own.

I still read to the kids every night. I look so forward to that time. This year we have read some fabulous books, including the entire Little House series.

I have the best calling in the church- Primary Music Leader. I love it! It is a calling I have dreamed about for years. I am also the Cub Scouts Committee Chair.

This year has been hard from the stand point of having several really good friends move away. We all miss them a lot. This coming year, several more dear friends will leave, too.

For the past several months, our lives have been consumed by basketball. I am coaching Ashton's team (Monday, Friday practices and Saturday games) and Jordan is playing (Tuesday practice, Saturday game) Coaching is something I love and something that makes me incredibly nervous even on a 4th grade level!

We have had some health scares the last couple of weeks. It very quickly makes you realize what your priorities are and how quickly life could change.

I am still teaching piano to 14 students. Most of the time, I don't really know why I am!

For the first time in almost 10 years, we don't have a baby around the house (Cole will be 3 next month) It makes my heart incredibly sad.

However, Cole still does not sleep through the night! He has recently graduated from sleeping in our bed to sleeping on our floor.

I made cinnamon rolls almost every Sunday morning last year. Now that we have early church, we are missing that tradition so much.

Having Regan do another year of preschool this year has been such a good decision. She has grown up so much and loves her school and her friends. Cole misses her so much when she goes off to school each afternoon.

Ashton and Jordan sometimes have a hard time being together or being apart. They argue a lot but also love to play together.

Cole wakes up crying every single morning. I don't know why since he is generally a happy kid.

We have our family prayer in the van before we leave in the morning. If Cole doesn't get to say, he screams throughout the prayer.

Ashton is getting very good at violin. I am still teaching both older girls piano and have started teaching Regan a little. We try to get music practice out of the way before Dad gets home since he doesn't love it.

I have given up on staying on top of the laundry or organizing our "papers". I will keep trying.

Our favorite family dinners are anything breakfast-ish, lasagna and roast with noodles. Jordan is the pickiest eater. Regan is the best eater. Cole prefers soda and candy.

The little kids and I go to Sam's Club every other Thursday. We always finish our trip with a drink and a soft pretzel.

Tod gets every other Friday off and we greatly look forward to our lunch date- Azteca, Hy-vee and Culvers are our favorites.

The girls have taken over cleaing the bathrooms. This has been awesome for me.