Balance

As I sit and type this at my computer I realize that January is close to over and it was just today that I finally decided on my word/goal for the new year.  Last year it was Focus. I am not sure how well I did with focusing. I have a hard time focusing all the way through to completion... I am kind of like a butterfly, I fly from one project to the next, never really getting anything done.  I know I did focus on having another baby and I did accomplished that! Whew, glad I completed one goal!

So now that you know I am a butterfly... you can kind of see why I had a hard time picking a new word for 2011. I started with gratitude, then thought about faith, or maybe juggle (I seem to be doing that a lot lately.) Then it hit me, as I was juggling 3 bags of trash walking to my garbage can this morning. Balance is what I need for 2011, I need a little more balance, and my family could use some balance too.

Life is busy, there is no way around it. How I spend my time is very important.  At my house there is piano, FHE, basketball, cub scouts, baseball, nightly reading, football, church assignments, family parties, birthdays, dance, blogging, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, spelling tests, digital scrapbooking, supply making, hopefully exercising, NFL/NBA games,  facebook, doctor/dentist appointments, oh and don't forget nursing, this list could go on and on! This is my friends is why I must find balance.

Balance in my Spiritual, Emotional and Physical well being along with balance in my families Spiritual, Emotional and Physical well being.  Balance in what I have to do verses what I want to do each day.  Balance in play time and work time for the kids. Balance in good wholesome activities, maybe just maybe the kids don't have to participate in all of the good activities. ;o) Balance in my sugar (mostly pop) intake. Balance in my scripture study, I tend to read read read and then quit quit quit. Daily scripture study is my goal. I know if I have that, then my whole life is a lot more balanced. I yell less and love more, I stay calm and so does my family. I want to create more digital supplies this year and I know to do that I have to find a balanced daily routine. Now that Carlee is 4 months I am getting that balanced routine and am starting to loving it.

So there you have it. Balance is my goal for 2011. I can already tell it is going to be a great year!!

Best Friends

Life doesn't get much better than putting on princess heels, and crowns with your best friend. The only way it could get better is adding a little tea and plastic cake! :) This afternoon was so fun! Two little girls being just that, two little girls. I loved watching them play. If I had one wish for these two, it would be a friendship like Gretch and I share. Friends for life!

4 Months

This sweet baby is 4 months old today! She is growing and changing daily. She sleeps most nights for at least 8 hours. She finds her thumb and sucks it a lot. She still loves to ride in the car. Two days ago Addie tipped her over while she was in her swing. Luckily she didn't fall out of it. She did get a bump on her forehead probably from the wood floor. It was scary, but she was okay. She went a week without pooping and then had a major explosion! :) I can tell her digestive system is changing. Her smile brings me more happiness than words can describe. Love you Carlee Sue the good girl too!

Snow Day

The perfect way to end the Holiday break, was waking up to a blanket of freshly fallen snow.  Looking at the blanket of snow was so peaceful, that is until the kids run out and start throwing it! Addie tried to take cover, luckily the kids throwing it at her couldn't aim!

Preston and Addie built Frosty almost all by themselves. He was awesome. Check out those arms! Pres even sacrificed and gave him his gloves. It was a fun way to end such a fun break.

Sledding

Santa brought the boys sleds for Christmas, so on New Year's Eve we headed up to Pine Valley to go sledding. The boys had a ton of fun. Landon got to be really good and the sleds worked great. We only had one accident. Preston got plowed from someone coming down the hill while they were walking up the hill the very first time. Gavin thought he was going to have a concussion, but he popped up and was fine. Nothing was stopping him from trying out his new sled!  I stayed in the car most of the time with Carlee, but at the end I even went down once! The weather was beautiful, blue skies and no wind. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Good Times, Good times!

Christmas

Christmas morning finally came and it was great!

The rest of the day couldn't have got any better. Family is what life is all about. 

As I look back on Christmas that took place almost a month ago, it brings me a lot of joy. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Words can't explain how thankful I am for the birth of my Savior Jesus Christ. He is the best gift our Heavenly Father could have given any of us.

Christmas Eve

I am so glad Gavin and I had the same tradition of the Christmas Eve Program. It is one of my most vivid memories as a child. I can still remember sitting on Santa's lap on the chapel stage and getting a Cabbage Patch Doll and then playing with it at my Grandma's house later that night. Now that I am the parent the Christmas Eve Program is a lot of work, at a hectic time of year. But after watching my kids perform, all the effort seems worth it. They did a great job. I hope they cherish the Christmas Eve Program memories as much as I do.

Preston had been counting down the hours until Santa would be there so he could finally open a present! Think he was excited while he was waiting in line? I love that picture!

Later that night after we got home the kids put on their new PJ's and Gavin read "Twas the night before Christmas." Then it was time for bed! I have never seen my kids so excited to say prayers and go to bed. Preston was almost giddy! Thinking about it right now brings the biggest smile to my face. There is nothing like the magic of Christmas.

3 Months

 We have made it to 3 months! This is when I start knowing life is going to be okay. We are gaining a routine and she is sleeping through the night!! Life is so good! Carlee is still sweet, we all can't seem to kiss, love and hug her enough. She is a joy. She is starting to laugh and just yesterday she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. We have put her in the Bumbo a little, she needs just a bit more neck strength to really love it. One thing she does love is watching football or basketball on the couch with her dad. He finally has some company during the Jazz games and he is loving it. She had a runny nose and cough around Christmas.  I was worried she would get a fever and become a lot worse, but she didn't. Hooray! Having a baby in the winter is a lot different, but she is making it through just fine. We love you Cars, Carl or CJ!

Gavin's Birthday

Gavin's birthday was perfect for him, basketball, basketball basketball!! First the kids and I made him breakfast in bed. Preston was so excited, for Gavin to eat in bed. It was way cute. Then later that night my mom offered to watch the kids so I assumed that we would go to dinner. Well, when I got in the car Gavin had other plans... first we went to the Desert Hills game, then we went to the Burns Arena and watched Timpview vs. Lonepeak. (On the way there we went through the Burger King drive through for dinner! Yummo!) It was a night filled with basketball. Not my idea of a perfect Birthday, but it was Gavin's day not mine!  I am just glad I was able to spend the evening with him. Happy Birthday Gav, I love you so much.

Another Flood...

I can't believe I saw another 100 year flood. The first time I saw one back in 2005 I really didn't want to see another. Lucky me, I did see and hear (very distinct sound) another flood.  The pictures above are what we woke up to on Tuesday Dec. 21st. This time I think everyone was more prepared for the flood and although there was a lot of damage done it didn't seem to be as bad. It was another great reminder about preparedness, one I probably needed. It's time to go through my 72 hour kits and make sure we have what we need when disaster strikes.

Annual Baking Day

Cinnamon Rolls, Toffee, Fudge, and Carmel Popcorn were all successfully made at the our Annual Baking Day! The divinity was another story... it couldn't have had anything to do with the fact that it was pouring rain outside and the recipe specifically states, do not attempt when it is humid or even overcast! Na, I don't think that was the problem! ;) Instead of white puffy balls it looked more like blobs of Big Hunk! But, it wouldn't be baking day unless we threw something away. It was kind of like my honey candy last year! 

I loved the day,  I love the girls and I especially loved the Cinnamon Rolls! MMMmmm!!

Bowler Family Christmas Party

The Sunday before Christmas mom always holds her annual Christmas party. This year was no different. Trains were made, the Nativity was performed, and really good Chili was consumed. It is a night my kids and I look forward to every year. Gotta love tradition!

This year my mom made a quilt for everyone in the family and she gave them to us this night. It was fun to watch the kids the week before Christmas play with their blanket. They built forts with them, wrapped up and watched movies with them and slept with them each night. I can't wait to take mine to the next Sliderzz game, it's perfect! I thought it was a great idea, to give them this gift a few days early because I don't think they would have appreciated it as much on Christmas Day. Thank you mom and dad for a great night!