Bittersweet News...

I found out some news this last week and I haven't really been sure how to feel about it. It is something I have been hoping for and wishing for for a LONG time...I just figured it wasn't going to happen. And now it has. And the part of me that wouldn't let go of that dream is so very excited...but the part of me that pushed that dream way down deep because it was too much to think about is actually a little sad...

So what is this news, you ask?

We are moving back to CANADA!!

Oops there's the Dreamer popping up there, screaming and doing the Toyota jump over and over. This part of me is so extremely ecstatic that its finally happening that she's already started making lists of things to do, get done and be packed. She's already looked at homes to buy/rent. She's buying winter gear for next year because we finally need it. This part of me cannot wait for Moxie's Date night with our oldest friends. (I mean the oldest as in dearest!) This part cannot wait to take my niece and nephew for a sleepover. She wants to have Survivor parties, and game nights and Pitas and Cheesecake. This part of me cannot wait for Sunday dinners at the Grandparents house. This part of me is so excited for sleepovers at Gramma's. She is super excited for sledding and snowballs at Christmas. And a little part of her is glad to be able to watch Hockey night in Canada.

But the other part of me kind of let that dream go a while ago because it was a little painful to think about...so she is kind of sad. That part of me has really grown in the last 5 1/2 years. She learned to stand on her own two feet. She learned to depend on others, not just her family. She learned to make friends and playdates. She learned that GREAT friends can be found anywhere...not just your backyard. This part of me is going to miss the California winter. She's going to miss the fact that the trees are budding already and its only January. She's going to miss the Ocean, the Beach and good Mexican food. She's going to miss Disneyland. This part of me is going to miss great neighbors who sit outside and sip drinks while the kids play. She's going to miss a wonderful Ward full of people she truly loves.

So...I have been truly torn by this news...and then something wonderful happened Today. I had the opportunity to attend the Temple and I prayed that I would know what we needed to do. Because there was still part of me, even if I wanted to go home to Canada, that wondered if this would work out. Was it really the best move for my kids? For my husband? For me?

Well...I know now. I know this is what we need to do for our family. My Heavenly Father blessed me today and I have not felt this wonderful about anything for a LONG time. I know He is watching out for me and my little family. I know He knows what we need. And I know that He loves me and know best what we should do.

When we moved down here, we had prayed about it and we knew that it was what we needed to do. Now I know that this little Adventure is coming to a close, and its ok. I'm going to be sad, but its ok...because I know its right.

Wrodful Wednesdays....Favorite Childhood Book...

Honestly how do you pick just one?!

I have always loved to read. And I will pretty much read anything once...if I really like it...multiple times. I actually REALLY like re-reading a book over and over. My husband thinks its crazy because I've read it so many times...'Don't you know it by now?'...but I like picking up a book with my favorite characters and they are there having the same adventures as last time, and I can completely lose myself in the book and escape for a few minutes from the world.

I think one of my biggest reasons for loving books came from a Grade School teacher. She used to read aloud to us everyday from a chapter book. When you are 6 years old and picture books are the only thing you know how to devour, listening to a BIG book was exciting. The first I can remember was EB Whites, Trumpeter of the Swan. She would actually photocopy the pictures from the book and make a little coloring book for each student to color while she read. I was from a very small community and she taught me alot up through Junior High. She introduced me and helped me fall in love with so many books, starting with Trumpeter Swan to Charlottes Web and Stuart Little, to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Hobbit.

I think this is the reason I LOVE fantasy books. Books with plots that are just not possible in real life. Gigantic Peaches, Elves and Wizards, Talking Animals...its so easy to loose yourself in something that just doesn't seem possible!

I have dabbled in Nancy Drew Mysteries, went through a stint of Science Fiction, tried Romance, but I always come back to the Impossible. The Fantastic. The Just-Believable-Enough-to Think-Maybe...

I can't pick just one favorite. Its too hard. Like asking myself what is my favorite ice cream. I mean I love me some chocolate, but if there is Chocolate Mint? Oh, or Rocky Road...or maybe Peanut Butter Cup...or even Tiger...how can you choose just one?! It really depends on the mood you are in when you go to the book shelf to choose your next adventure...

Disneyland Again!!

You know, maybe one of my resolutions should have been to blog more...because I am seriously slacking in that department! I just have not found the energy or inspiration to do it, but its here now! Let me just say, I love Disneyland. I do. And I think I am kind of addicted to going there. I love going on the rides, I love the shows and I especially love seeing it through my children's eyes! Seeing anything with them is great, but since I love Disneyland, I guess its even more Magical to me.

We decided to hit Disneyland one more time before our passes expired this year. So Dustin booked us a hotel room and boy were the kids surprised when we got there! He got a sweet deal through our Credit Card points and we got a King Suite with separate rooms. The kids thought the bunk beds were the coolest thing ever! And I think they had more fun playing 'Pirates' in the room in the morning!

Here's the littlest Pirate. He is such a goof!

Yep. Sometimes the best part of a getaway is staying in a hotel room!

We hit Toon Town, where we haven't been in awhile. The kids had a great time exploring and trying buttons and doors. Gracie isn't as strong as she thinks!

We also took Cooper on his first Roller Coaster. It was the little Go Coaster in Toon Town. He yelled "Ya! Ya! Ya!" the whole time! Dustin said it was pretty funny.

We also hit the Redwood Creek Trail in California Adventure. Also an awesome place where my kids love to just run and explore! I think we need to build one of these little ziplines in my backyard. Don't they look like so much fun? Too bad they are only for little ones!

All around it was a pretty fun little adventure. One downside...we ended up taking Coops to the Urgent Care because we suspected he had an ear infection...turns out he did. But we had fun and the kids really enjoyed it. I love being able to go on little trips with my kids and experiencing life through them. We took the train around Disneyland and when we went through the Dioramas (which we haven't seen for a while) Cooper's eyes just got all big, and his mouth was hanging open. Then when he saw the Dinosaurs he got really excited and started pointing them out and roaring. It was so cute!

I just love my kids.

New Year...New(OLD) Resolutions...

Rang in the New Year, read over my last year's Resolutions and realized I only accomplished one! Better than last year, where I hadn't accomplished any, but I'm workin' on it! The one goal I accomplished was finishing the Book of Mormon. Technically it took me 2 years, but it got finished! This year for our ward, the Bishopric is challenging all the families to read the Book of Mormon together, focusing on passages about Christ. I am very excited about this! This little challenge plus the fact that the Primary theme this year is 'I know the Scriptures are true', I think will really help me to get into the habit of family scripture study. The kids are young, but if we only read a couple of verses a night, its better than none!

As for my weight loss journey, my goodness I'm a slacker! I am really going to push it in the next couple of months though, because this summer, Dustin and myself are planning a 'Second Honeymoon', if you will. A trip for just us, no kids! I'm excited and scared at the same time. I don't know if a week from my kids will be fun or not!! But more on that later...I have to figure out where we are going first!

But as for the baby weight...I am VERY determined to get it right this time. I mean c'mon Jess, you've done this before...just get your hiney out of bed. That is my biggest problem...I LOVE my bed!

Family Home evening has still been hit or miss, but I do think more Hit this year. The kids are a bit older, and they like to remind me, so that helps alot. Sometimes its just been a couple of stories from the friend and discussing it, but we did do something. I'm so proud of my kids for helping me make good choices for my family!

The whole Organization thing...really, isn't it just an ongoing thing?! I would really like to get my pantry/freezer/toiletry/stockpile list typed up and ready so I can always see what I have and what I need. And I also really would like to get MYSELF on a daily/weekly schedule, with habits for every day. Then I won't feel as lost and trying to catch up after a couple of weeks. I tried it, and it did work for a bit, but I will have to start again.

I also want to really work on my scrapbooking! I haven't done it forever and I was almost caught up...now I'm 5 years behind again! But, I did order a bunch of prints...so the pics are here, ready to be put into books!! I just have to get it done!

I read somewhere about writing your goals down...then writing out a plan of attack...and then putting it where YOU CAN SEE IT!! I think that is one of my problems. i did write it on my blog, but I honestly don't go back and read posts over again. So I will have to make my list and stick it where I can see it. Maybe by my alarm clock, which I plan on putting across the room so I have to get up to turn it off!! Hopefully, I just won't roll back into my wonderfully soft warm bed...its been really bad since I got flannel sheets...they stay so nice and warm! its hard to resist when I'm still sleepy!

Maybe I should make a goal of just getting out of bed...