2013 Wrap Up

In 2012 each night I wrote something down about Gabe that meant a lot to me or that I loved about him.  It was a nice exercise in being grateful for the man I married and love dearly.  At the beginning on 2013 I started the same exercise regarding my children.  I tried to record something fun they said or did or the sweet feelings I had for them.  I did not succeed at recording something daily, but I'm grateful for the gems I did journal.  Love, love those sweet good things of mine.

❤❤❤Kids❤❤❤

1/1 Joseph must have said, "I love you mom" to me 20 x's today.  How can I not feel loved?

1/2 Samuel playing with Eve trying to get her to grab the princess toy while standing by the castle.

Ben telling me his secret language

Jacob coming to me to tell the truth.

1/3 I love saying, "Goodnight girls."  So thankful for my 2 daughters.

1/4 Older kids talking to Gabe tonight, spending time together. Liz and Joseph having a "sleepover."

1/5 Samuel made a point to thank me when we were out to eat.

1/6 Ben was cute making faces at me during Chris' court of honor.  He's a cute kid.

1/7 Sat with Liz tonight trying to help her read.  Bless her heart, saying "fink, fink (think)" as she was trying to remember the word.

1/8 Joseph saying, "One more thing to tell you...goodnight!"

1/9 Watched a video from Eve's birth and a super cute one of Lizzie saying the pledge of allegiance, both so so cute!

1/10 Felt prompted to go tell Jacob and Samuel that I loved them.  Hugged and kissed them both.

1/11 Lizzie was thoughtful.  She was sitting by Eve when I was having a hard time trying to feed her.  She said, "Would you like to sit here so you can reach her better?"  I thought that was sweet.

Felt tender feelings for Eve as I was nursing her tonight. 2 months and she will be a year old and not a baby.  Also she was scooting around her toy while standing and I was sure proud of her.

1/12 Joseph saying, "Mom's home!" Really makes me happy.

1/13 Ben's primary teacher said he did great answering questions about the premortal life.  Said he was a good boy in class.

1/14 Listened to Jacob and Samuel talking together after lights off.  I'm glad then can be friends with each other.

1/15 Really proud of Samuel for working super hard at his wrestling meet.

1/16 Love that baby Eve. Such a sweet sweet baby

1/17 Lizzie came back home after leaving to her friends house to make sure I knew where she was going.  She's becoming quite responsible.

1/18 The family went out to eat and the kid's were concerned about Jacob, who wanted to hang out with friends instead.  "Where's Jacob? What about Jacob?"  So glad they care about each other.

1/19 Eve saying,  "Dada" and "Mama."

1/20 Had tender feelings for Ben as I sat with him at his baptismal preview.  Growing up and getting ready to make covenants.

1/21 Read 1st chapter book to Liz.

1/22 Jacob was really sweet playing with Joseph.
Sam was nice to hug me and tell me goodnight.

1/23 Jacob wanted to make sure he didn't hurt my feelings after not taking my suggestion on a project he was working on.  Showed maturity and love.

1/24 Jacob accused Samuel of being a "mothers boy." It was suppose to be an insult, but not to me.  Love a son who will stick up for me, thanks Samuel.

1/25 Proud of Ben, got all his spelling words including the  bonus words right!
Liz was cute telling me about her fun Friday and how it was sad that Zero Hero would never come again.  Kindergarten is the best!

1/26 Sam cleaned the kitchen for me.  Could see I was having a rough night. 
Lizzie gave me a hug and told me she hoped I felt happy in the morning.

1/27 Today during RS the lesson was about raising children.  Felt overwhelming love for each of my kids.  Such a privilege to be their mom.

1/28 Poor little Eve fell down the stairs, love that girl and was so sad she got hurt, but is ok.  Samuel, Ben and Lizzie rallied around her.

1/29 Nice counting on Jacob to watch the kids while I went to cub scouts.  Great help.

1/30 Lizzie was sure cute discovering her wiggly tooth, then working on it all day until it came loose!  Growing up.

Jake talked to the missionaries who were walking around about Dan and asked them if they could help his dad know how to approach him.

1/31 Lizzie made me a b-day card, Jacob sent me an email. 

2/1 Full afternoon/evening without any arguments with me or each other. Great night.

2/3 Joseph cute practicing his letters.

2/4 Ben was very responsible, doing his jobs, getting himself breakfast and ready to get to school on time.

2/5 Jacob took care of the home while I was at scouts.  Checked in with me to see when I'd be home, later when he was home by himself. Learning to be responsible.

2/6 Good chatting with Jacob today about school happenings. Proud of him for making good choice to stay away from friends looking at bad things.
Eve clapping.

2/7 Jacob being honest.
Liz climbing in bed with Eve

2/8 Joseph telling me he loves me really means a lot.

2/9 Jacob being honest again...showing remorse.
Ben cute super excited about buying a toy.  Gets it in his head and can't get it out.
Joseph telling me I'm beautiful with my shiny rings (earrings)

2/10 Ben was cute recounting the lesson from primary, where we watched a clip of a woman talking about Joseph Smith.  Told the family about it at dinner.

2/11 Lizzie broke my heart today because she was sad she couldn't write her name fancy or read good like her brothers.  Tried to encourage her.  Love that sweet daughter of mine.

2/12 Jacob asked me advice about some sort of treat for a girl he likes.  Cute kid.

2/13 More Jacob getting ready for the big day...white shirt washed, pants socks...outfit tried on...candy gift ready.  Also, thanked me for sending him a funny val-a-gram.

2/14 Liz was excited about the hearts on her door.


2/15 Liz wanted me to tuck her in over her dad....surprising cause she really loves her daddy.

2/16 Jacob did a great job babysitting tonight while we went out on a date.


2/17 Happy to see my boys singing in sharing time....felt the spirit as kids were singing "Called to Serve."

2/18 Was thanked for lunch by Jacob and Samuel.  Jacob apologized for making a mess.

2/19 Love how Liz wants to play with her sister.  Whereas, Joseph keeps getting in trouble for holding her and rolling around with her.


2/20 Sam took Lizzie sledding.  Very helpful.


2/21 Enjoyed Ben's 2nd grade program.


2/22 Liz was cute waiting and watching for cousins to come over.


2/23 Jacob played his last basketball game really well.


2/27 Samuel thanked me for taking them on fun activities tonight.  (Zoo, Scheels, Dinner)

2/28 Joseph really is a cutie at bed saying "What about a hug and kiss?"

3/1 Liz was so fun to watch during the Peter Pan play...little claps, hands by her mouth,  giggles. Super cute.

3/3 Ben talked a lot today about being baptized. "What will it be like?  How will it feel? Is the sacrament like getting baptized?  I'm so excited!"

3/15 Eve super cute saying, "Hi" and waving her little hands.

3/16 Jacob brought some sucrets up for me, to help with my sore throat.

3/31 Samuel saying, "I thought Denver would be more flashy."

4/1 Liz saying, "This is the best field trip." (about our vacation)

4/14 Spanked Joseph's bum when he came out of bed, in the sweetest voice he says, "But you didn't put my blankets on." Dagger in my heart.

4/15 Jacob telling me I set the tone in our home. "If you don't think people listen to you it's because you don't listen to them." Again, dagger to my heart.

Just want to remember how much Liz likes the song, "Inch by inch." She learned how to put it on repeat.  Fun.

Eve is so clear and loud saying, "Mommy."

4/17 Joseph said, "That water taste gross."  (Speaking of the medicine he took at the doctor's office) And, "I think something wrong in my mouth." (Had croup)

4/18 Had a disagreement with Jacob, Gabe talked to him.  He was pretty sad. After baseball, practiced piano then asked what he could do to help me so I could go to bed.  Helped with laundry and picked up a few things.  Then made some cookies by surprise (I saw though so it ruined the surprise) brought them to me and said, "This is to show you how much I love you."  Pretty sweet.

5/4 Ben to Gabe after being baptized. "I can't wait until I'm 12."

5/2 Lizzie came home from her all day field trip and said, "Now I know for sure that dad is not in afternoon kindergarten." (Gabe's ongoing joke with her is that he is in afternoon kindergarten)

5/11 Joseph, "Mom why you have angry eyes?"  Me, "I'm not angry, just very very tired."  Joseph, "Why you not go to bed then?"  (Said in the middle of serving lunch to 6 kids)

5/10 Lizzie cute at store.  Wanted to see what I liked so she and dad could come back and buy it for me.  She wanted me to get the tiara.  I said, "Where would I wear that?"  Her, "At a party."  Me, "I don't really go to parties." Her, "You can throw one."

5/18 Jacob, "I judge a restaurant by the quality of its toothpicks."

5/19 Joseph, "My back is so scratchy."


5/24 Jacob standing up on the desk in his class, "Everybody do the Harlem Shake!"

5/31 Liz prayed that Samuel and I would do good in our race, and that dinner would be good.

6/4 I said, "I'm so sick of looking for the stupid cat."  Liz and her friend Brinley were appalled that I used such bad language.  Later Liz was sad, saying, "You think the cat is stupid." (In a heartbreaking tone)

6/5 Eve barking on demand to, "What does a dog say?"  Also "baba" (baby) and "Mommy" 


6/13 "Bana" for bananas and "Bapa" for grandpa.
Kitty died at night and Joseph said, "In the morning can we get a new kitty so Lizzie won't be sad anymore?"

7/17 Jacob came up saying he has a lot of sins he hasn't repented for like stealing candy plus being mean to me.  We had a nice talk.  Sweet kid.

7/21 Found out Jacob made a scavenger hunt for Cassidy's friend Chloe, telling her that he liked her.

7/22 Jacob wrapped Joseph up in saran wrap and dropped home at the Sannars' front door.

8/23 Kept talking about going to the "cat doctor" later Joseph said, "Is the doctor a cat?"


9/4 Joseph super concerned about us eating fish.  Not sure what he's seeing in his head, but he sure didn't want us to eat it.

9/8 Eve walking all over the place, officially a walker.  Says, "bottle, mommy, daddy, pizza, hi, Jacob, Samuel, Ben."  Waves, bows her head/kneels for prayer, gives kisses/hugs, "whisper" talks and sits down to read books.
Ben, super tender hearted, as we talked about Orion Gunderson.

9/30 Eve got a shoe out of her room, had me put it on her, then said, "See ya" and walked to the door.

10/9 Joseph watched Mickey mouse clubhouse DVD, which had a song about trying to get an elephant out of the tree called, "Shake Your Peanuts."  The song was stuck in his head for days sounding very inappropriate coming from him.

10/19 Had a super fun day, all day with Jacob. Could not have asked for a better time.  Felt the most tender feelings for him and an overwhelming amount of love for my dear dear son.

10/27 Gabe gave an awesome blessing to Jacob as he was ordained.

11/3 Jacob passed the sacrament and shared his testimony.

11/10 Was so extremely proud of Samuel when he nailed his part of "I Am a Child of God," on the organ.  He did so well.
Joseph said his part, "I'm thankful for Jesus" perfectly
and Lizzie said her part well, too.  Ben sang with all the 8 year olds.

11/12 Eve digs her fingers into things and wipes it on her head.  Things like desitin, glue stick, and lotion. Not sure what she's mimicking.
A couple weeks ago Joseph was crying because he wanted to be married to me, and I told him I couldn't because I'm already married to dad.  His sad reply, "but I love you."
Joseph also asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.

11/13 Liz praying tonight, "Please bless that Snowflake is having fun in heaven, and that she has some cat friends to play with."
 
11/14 Eve says in the cutest voice, "Mom what kitty say?"
 
12/8 Jacob gave a talk in church.  I had a glimpse of what a powerful missionary he would be. 

12/8 Liz said, "I love dad more than you." Me, "That's ok."  Liz, "No wait, it's a tie."

12/9 At the school today Liz found me at a meeting I was in, crying and saying, "But I Iove you so much." Wrote me a nice note, too.

12/15 Liz asking us to lay by her and talk to her.  She would ask us important questions like "What's your favorite color?" and "What is your favorite food?" She put a blanket on me while I was laying by her.
 
12/25 Lizzie's Christmas list:  "Box of donuts" and last night she wished for a bell from Santa's sled.

Plus 1000's more.  Love you kids!  You make me smile, proud, and feel blessed.