Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday was last week on Wed. but since it was the middle of a busy week we decided to celebrate it on Sun. The weekend actually started out going to the Suns game on Friday night. It was the best game I have been to even though the Suns lost. It was so loud and electric in the Purple Palace. Everyone was really into the game cheering with the music blasting and the Suns making outrageous last minute shots. It was really nice to go on a fun date with my husband and no babies to worry about.

Then on Sunday my brother-in-law made me a very yummy cake and Brandon's mom made my favorite dish, Thai Shrimp Pasta and orange rolls. Jackson just learned how to blow so he was really into blowing out the candles. Brandon kept lighting them and Jackson kept blowing them out. He must have blew them out 20 times before the candle wouldn't light any more because it was so wet from his spit. Thankfully after the first blowout we took it off the cake so there was very little spit on the cake. He had a blast singing, and opening my presents. He is such a good helper. I got some scrap booking stuff, a day of shopping, a coupon for another date night with Brandon and no babies, and diamond earrings. It was a great birthday and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

I was reflecting on my life and the things I have accomplished by my 27th birthday and I realized I have really lived a lot so far. Here is a short list:

• I graduated from college
• I am married to a wonderful husband who loves me and tells me that every day
• I have two amazing children with their own hilarious personalities
• I have lived in 3 states and moved about 10 times
• I taught high school health for 2 years to 10th graders (Sex Ed to teenage boys. . . need I say more)
• I am continuing my career while being able to stay at home and raise my children
• I am starting a new career and learning a lot along the way

I have a great life and I wouldn't change one year so far.

One more day

Have you noticed that as you get older a birthday turns into just one more day. Today is my 27th birthday and it felt like an ordinary day. People wished me happy birthday and I had some cake but really, isn't a birthday just another day as we get older? There are no present surprises, singing is not as much fun, and lets face it the fire alarm might go off if I really lit all those candles. I'm not trying to be a downer I'm just saying that in my very old age (: I am not excited about a birthday and it just becomes another day on the calendar. I think I am actually more excited about other people's birthdays more than my own. Today was a great day with my family and I got to see an old friend which was fun, I even had someone sing to me in a restaurant so it was a good birthday. I'm just not so happy about being 27th and entering my late 20's. I guess I better make this year count and do something impressive and wonderful in my life.

What's New With You?

With all the holiday posts I thought it would be good to give an update on the kiddos. First is Jackson. Jack will be 21 months on Sat and has really advanced in the past month. He still isn't talking a lot but every day he uses new words and has even started some phrases. He has also developed his understanding skills by answering my questions. For example I asked him if he was hungry and he went to the fridge, opened it, opened the drawer, and brought me a block of cheese to slice for him. Or I asked him if he was done in the bath tub and he said no. He is really good at doing chores like bringing me diapers for Lizzy (he even tried to change her diaper the other day and was actually pretty good at it expect he couldn't quite get the flaps to stick), he can take off his own shoes, socks, pants, pjs, and diaper and he can put his shoes and shirts on. He also likes to feed the dogs. The other day I caught him in the pantry filling up the doggie's bowl with dog food all by himself. If he spills something he goes over to the paper towels and points to a paper towel to clean it up. He throws his dirty clothing in the laundry basket and dirty diapers in the diaper bind. He also knows to throw garbage in the garbage can. As you can see he is very helpful around the house.

I feel like any day he is just going to start talking in full sentences. He is eating better too including carrots, sliced apples, and dinner with the family on most nights. But my favorite developmental milestone is that he will play outside by himself now. The other day I watched him from the window he played in the sandbox for awhile, then he road his big wheel around, then he went over to the pool and threw some ping pong balls in and proceeded to bend over and get them out of the pool (which was really appreciated), then he mowed the lawn with his bubble mower, went down the slide a few times, and played a little golf. He was outside for about 30 min total which was really nice to have time to get some things done in the house. And it makes playtime with mom more enjoyable. He is such a great kid and it is so much fun watching him grow and discover new things each day.

Alone Again

We are never alone living at the Stokers but the house feels a little bit empty without all the family. We went from 13 to 8 in one day and I have to say it is a little quieter, a little less messy, but a little more lonely around the house. Jackson is definitely missing his aunts and uncles and I think Lizzy is too. But I have to admit it feels good to get back on a regular schedule doing regular things. I like being on a schedule.

Before everyone left we had one last hooray complete with campfire and smore's. Filipe played his guitar while we all ate and had good conversation about our favorite part of 2009. Mine was having Lizzy obviously but I have to say 2009 was a great year for our family. Jackson has been such a blessing and now having Elizabeth is such a wonderful gift. Brandon has a great job, my photography business is improving and I still love teaching online. Life is good and I feel like 2010 will be even better (no babies planned for 2010 which is good too because we have our hands full). Here are some last pictures of our campout and family gathering. Who knows when we will all be together again.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Now that Christmas has come and gone it is time to reflect on the holiday. We had many good time this holiday season from shopping with Grandma Stoker, Christmas parties, and lots of food. Between listening to Christmas songs, watching Christmas movies, and eating all the Christmas treats it is easy to lose sight of the real meaning of this holiday. The birth of the Savior in a manger by a mother who was barely in her teens traveling on a donkey for 4 days straight. What a wonderful gift Heavenly Father gave all of us a brother and Savior who was both human and the son of God. Without him we would be lost in this devastating world. Without Mary's faith we would not have been saved.

This year the story of the Savior's birth had a different meaning to me. I was reflecting on all that Mary and Joseph went through when they found out the virgin bride was with child. It must have been so hard for them to have so much faith, and they must have been incredibly righteous beings to be chosen to raise the Son of God. As a parent I know how much goes into raising children and giving birth. Her sacrifice gives me a deeper respect and gratitude for her and her family.

We celebrated Christmas with all of Brandon's family this year which has been wonderful. All of his sisters, their significant others, and his brother in one house. It is a full house, but a happy house. Jackson loves all his Aunts and Uncles and has been taking advantage of all his new friends that he can drag around the house. Elizabeth loves the fact that she is held almost every second of the day, even when she is sleeping of Felipe's lap. I is such a blessing to be with family.

We spent most of Christmas eve day talking, eating, and preparing for our tradition of appetizers on Christmas eve by candlelight. Then we listened to Phil share the story of Jesus's birth and shared our insights. Then we put on our Christmas pajamas, and opened a few presents before watching It's a Wonderful Life (a Stoker Family Tradition). In the morning we woke up to Santa's presents in piles around the room and the yummy smell of cardamon bread. We all ate breakfast together and then opened the rest of the presents. Jackson wasn't too interested in opening presents for some reason, he was more excited about the fact that under the tree was open so he could crawl underneath it. Finally I got him to open his presents and then he was really excited about all the fun stuff he got. His favorite so far is his bubble mower and his big wheels but he is loving all his new toys and books.

Poor Man's Presents

Today we received a package from my mom in Seattle. She sent a huge box that was filled with presents for the kids. The box was stuffed with packing peanuts and the presents were burried. As I was taking the wrapped gifts out of the box Jackson had a great idea. He wasn't too concerned with the wrapped gifts. . .he wanted the packing peanuts. So being the playful mom I am I placed Jack in the box and let him have a ball diving through the peanuts, throwing them out of the box, and just being merry. Now is the time to be merry, even if it does make a big mess. Thankfully.........I made dad clean it up, lol.

Happy Holidays

I just wanted to make a short list of my favorite things about the holidays:

10. Decorating cookies
9. All the lights
8. Christmas music throughout the house
7. wrapping presents
6. It starts to get colder in AZ
5. making/eating chocolate
4. giving gifts
3. Temple lights
2. all the family getting together
1. Reflecting on the birth of the Savior and his impact in my life