My Angel Mother

. It is amazing how the days slips into years. Today marks 3 years since my mom passed away. I can close my eyes and still remember as if it was yesterday and I was sitting in the hospital watching her take her last breath. It is hard to image it has been three years and yet at times it feels as if it has been eternity since I have talked with my mom. I miss her phone calls, her reassurance that a bowl of ice cream would fix everything, or just a simple hug that every daughter needs from her mom. The last year of her life was extremely hard and she was in and out of the hospital so much and yet I miss her so much. I miss her smile, her hard working hands, her creativity, her passsion of life. I think that is what made the last year so hard she lost her drive for life. I am grateful for the memories she left me. She was an incredible women that I learned so much from. She continues to teach me and love me and I have no doubt that the veil is very thin at times. Thank you for all you did for me and the life that you gave me and the lessons you taught me. This was our last Thanksgiving together. This was the last time my girls were with their grandma.

December 12th

On December 9th, it was our Dentist's Christmas Party so we ended up making up Christmas Corner on Sunday. We did a craft called "Swirl-a-ball". Aubrie putting paint in her ornament. Mom putting paint in her ornament. It is on www.familyfun.com if you would like to see what it is suppose to look like. This is our attempt at it. Dad even took a few minutes away from studying for finals to play with us.

December 10th and December 11th

Today for Christmas Corner we made Reindeer Pots for our Primary Teachers. The girls painted them today and then we finished them up on Saturday afternoon. We wrapped Aubrie before I took a picture so this is just Allie's Reindeer Pot.

December 9th

Today is a special day to me. One of the most incredible women was born today and also died on this day 13 years ago. That was my Grandma Ardith Ellen Armstrong Hatfield. I know I have posted about this before but since this is my journal and this day for the rest of my life I will think about and honor this great women I write about her again. She was more than just a Grandma to me. She was a dear friend. Happy Birthday Grandma. You are truly missed.

December 8th

Today for Christmas Corner, we made Toothpick Snowflakes. Allie didn't feel very good but she endured another project. I did better getting both of the girls working on their project. The girls had to bend down for me to take the picture since the project was still drying.

December 7th

Today for Christmas Corner we made Candy Canes. The girls wrapped a pipe cleaner with thread. It was a simple project which I was grateful for since I had Young Women's that night. I was glad we took the time to read and sing songs. I love making memories with my girls. When I realized I only got one picture of Allie working on her project I decided I might need to invite my personal photographer to come otherwise I am too busy helping them that I forget to take pictures along the way.

December 6th

Today's Christmas Corner was a lot of fun. In Holland, St. Nick comes on December 6th to all the boys and girls and leaves them gifts and treats. The children put out their shoes and leave them on the doorstep. Similiar to how we hang up stockings. We talked about this tradition and then made our own little shoes. The girls put them outside and St. Nick left them a surprise. New matching gloves, a pack of gum and 2 new braclets.

December 4th and 5th

Saturday is a special day it's the day we get ready for Sunday. We clean the house, we shop at the store and we call it the get the work done day. This year to save me from being overwhelmed I decided not to do Christmas Corner on Saturday and Sunday. This way if we end up missing a night during the week we can make it up on the weekend and also it allows me to work on my projects as well. See-ya on Monday.

December 3rd

Today's Christmas Corner was one of the girls favorite. They love to paint. They must take after their Aunt Lisa. They painted wooden Christmas Ornaments. It worked perfect. They spent about half hour painting and cleaning up and I was able to work on our Christmas Card. What a fantastic friday night activity. Our ward party was this night too so it was double the fun! Aubrie's Ornaments Allie's Ornaments

December 2nd

Today's activity had to be switched a little. I had a Young Women's Meeting at 7:00 that the girls had to come with me. We brought their crayons and let them color different Christmas shapes. It was meant for a different project but sometimes you just have to adjust things. Here is a pictures of their Christmas Shapes.

Christmas Corner

Merry Christmas to all!!! December 1st is a great day at our house! We begin Christmas Corner. We started off reading our Christmas books from last year and then sing Christmas Songs. Today's activity was our Cottonball Santa Countdown and Countdown Christmas Chains! It was so fun to watch the girls. They didn't need my help this year. I might actually do some of the projects with them. This is going to be a fantastic season!!

To be continued

October and November came and went with lots of things to blog about but they will have to wait til after the holidays. During the long, cold month of January I will take the time to post about the fun things from these months. But I must prepare for my favorite blogging season!! Christmas Corner!!! I have been planning for months and can't wait to create great memories with my girls!!! I truly, deeply, madly love them!!! So for the next few weeks enjoy our Christmas Adventures as we emark on another year of Christmas Corner.

General Conference

I love General Conference. I love two days spent with my family!! I love listening to the prophet, apostles and others who are asked to speak and sing. I love creating memories and relaxing. Justin had to work on Saturday morning but that really is nothing new for us. He built a tent with the girls friday night so they slept in it all weekend. My girls have a mind like their dad. "How can I make this better?" The girls build hammocks in their tent tying their blankets on the easel and chairs. I made notebooks again this year which was really great for helping them focus their attention. During the priesthood session it is our tradition to make cinnamon rolls, this year we had Mackay Whiting over so that his dad could go too. The girls convinced me to do our science experiments with Mackay. We decided to do the milk with food coloring and the corn startch with water. The girls can spend hours with these.

Allie's School Carnival

Allie and Aubrie decided to use their birthday money to buy tickets for Allie's school carnival. They always have such a fun time together. I am so glad they are close to each other. They truly are great sisters who look out for each other. Allie and Aubrie eating their sno cones.

Allie's Dinner

If her Baptism wasn't enough, we had Walmart Pizza and Ice Cream for dinner. I went to the General Women's Broadcast and Allie and Aubrie watch a movie while Justin study.