'tis the season...

'Tis the season for so many things. I have started (and not finished) a blog post about many of these things. So many things I am thankful for. So many things during the season that make me cry. Just this morning I started crying on my way to school when O' Come All Ye Faithful came on the radio. This time of year, I find that I talk to myself often. I have to say things like -
"JOHNSON!, pull it together!"
I am thankful that I have to tell myself to pull it together. It means my life has meaning. It means that I feel joy. Maybe it means that my emotions are uncontrollable, but I'll take that too!
Even if my joy, is different than yours - may this time of year bring much joy in every aspect of each of our lives.
Over the weekend mine came during many 'games'.

A son's basketball game, a date with my son to a game, and a party with my family to watch the big game. Then topped off Monday, with a trip to the airport to celebrate the win of the big game.

Before Alec and I got to the Jazz game, we decided we would try to get a picture of him with Eric Maynor and myself with the fantastic Paul Milsap. We totally succeeded!

Not only did we get those pictures, Alec was a super star and got on the jumbo-tron twice! How cool is that! (and if you look closely you can see me taking the picture)


I may or may not think Milsap is great.

I love this little man. He has become such a good friend. Someone I could spend hours with. I'm thankful he is mine forever.

The next night we were able to watch history in the making. Watching Carter, watch the MLS Cup was most definitely a highlight in my life. When someone you love, loves something so much it becomes a part of you too. Lucky for me, soccer became a part of me first, when I was his age. It's something we love together. His intense feelings about the sport make for a fun scene. I think it was the second overtime, when he said to me, "I can't take it Mom. Will you just tell me when they get to PK's?"

When Real Salt Lake won the Galaxy in a shoot out - oh man, that's what happiness is.
Happiness is also my boys and my dad watching sports together. I love it.

The next day when I heard the players were coming home, and would be at the airport, I knew that Carter being there would make a difference in his life. I don't know what difference right now, but I know it will. So, I checked him out of school, talked some friends into coming with and headed to Salt Lake International Airport.

He still can't believe I checked him out of school for it.

I still can't believe he got to meet Kosta Koufos, see the team arrive, got interviewed from Kerry Kronk (channel 13), got almost all the players autographs on his newspaper, touched the MLS Cup, and had one of his best days so far. Ya know those days - the ones you know you were where you were suppose to be? It was that kind of day. A little magical.

Although our bit was snubbed from the actual report, it was still pretty cool to be interviewed.

When are they going to get here!!???

The crowd!
We brought the newspaper, hoping to have them full of signatures to frame and hang.

Here are the players arriving. They were taking just as many pictures of the crowd! It was such a special moment for everyone there. The team definitely deserved all of it!

Robbie Russell with 'the cup' - the last player to knock his shot in. The moment of him on his knees is unforgettable.

Coach Jason Kreis and some guy who was getting his picture taken as Jason was signing our boys newspapers!!

Andy Williams. How cool was it to see how emotional he was when they won!

This is Carter's favorite player, Javier Morales. He was very gracious and his smile to Carter made everything worth it!

And then we left with what we came to get....

A very happy boy!

I am thankful this weekend that the Jazz and Real Salt Lake won in overtime! Both my boys had much sun shining down.

Today, I am also so thankful for the relationship I have with my children. Every moment in our lives is different and exciting. Each season in our lives brings different blessings. It's fun to have a teenager and at the same time a toddler. Then, a ten year old who has my same personality and of course my little angel, my only daughter, who I get to now take to The Nutcracker.

Each one is so amazing and I appreciate each of their special personalities and strengths.

Thankful doesn't seem to explain it.

But most of you, just know.

Happy Thanksgiving.

letter #3...

Handwritten letters have become a favorite in our home.
For some reason this one made my 13 year old as happy as he would have been sitting on the front row of a Utah Jazz game.
Only this was much, much better.

A special package addressed to Alec came yesterday.

A letter, and 142 pair of socks.

The socks. (used for basketball drills)
The letter.


I used to think the world of Kyle Korver. Now, he's just surpassed Paul Milsap in my book.

This mom is truly thankful.

pj party...

As I was downloading pictures of Luke's birthday party, for a moment I felt guilty for not having a huge theme party with all of his friends. I thought back to Alec and the birthday parties I threw for him.

At 1 - I gave him a 'Barnyard Bash'. Complete with friends, farm decorations, pinata and a real horse to sit on. At 2 - I threw him a 'puppy party'. Complete with puppy ears, dog bowls to eat from, decorations, and a pinata. At 3 - I threw him a 'pirate party'. Complete with treasure map, treasure, eye patches, decorations and a pinata.

Luke just turned four.
The only pinata he's ever received, is from Santa last year. Because he asked for it.

When I looked at these pictures and at his little happy birthday face, I realized it doesn't matter.
It doesn't matter that he has not had a party with his friends with all the bells and whistles. The thing that matters is that he felt special on that day. I use to think I had to go above and beyond to make my kids feel special. But I don't. There are so many easy, little ways to make them feel just how special they are. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE kids parties. I love the themes and I love throwing them. I've done many in my day with four kids and it would be a dream job of mine, if I could plan parties for a living.

Luke will have that party. It just wasn't this year. And I now realize that it doesn't matter.

I just asked Alec what he remembers about his first and second and third and fourth birthday parties. He said "nothing". Until I reminded him of his pirate party, then he remembered getting a little treasure chest. He told me the first one he remembers is his fifth birthday party at Wheeler Farm.

There is a difference between my old mom self and my today mom self, as far as birthday parties go. I still believe there is only one day of the year that is your day and it should be such a special day for you, no matter how old you are. But it's not what you did on that day that's important. It's how you felt.

I know that there are endless ways we can make our children feel special. All the decorations and pinatas work. They do. But so does a quiet night at home in pajamas. One is NOT better than the other, they both are just as good.

My guilt is gone and after this night, I can't wait to figure out more of the little, quiet things that make my kids big day, one to remember.

Plus...they are so much easier!

Pajamas, Pizza, Basketball. popcorn, and a movie.

Simple.

Special.

Happy Birthday handsome head!

halloween knight...

Happy Halloween!


and
peace.

This year Carter got to go trick or treating without adult supervision. This is Jeremy telling him if he is late, he will be grounded for TWO WEEKS!!!

The Queen and the Knight.

The sick knight that is.:(

Luke had a rough week. We were actually pretty worried a couple times during the week with him, and didn't know how trick or treating would go. We decided to just let him go down the street with his friends and then we would leave the group and turn around toward home. Well he RAN from house to house with everyone else and by the end of the road, he couldn't stop coughing. He was in someones driveway when he just started throwing up from coughing so hard. I felt so bad for him. (and the people who stepped in his puke) We turned right around and left his friends. He kept lifting his little helmet, getting ready to throw up again several times down the road. He only had one more actual incident and luckily it was on the grass.

It just broke my heart.

The night (knight) started out so happy!

Then, turned to sadness.

And ended with happiness again! A little candy will do that.

Carter's friend Spencer came to church the next day and had a big ziploc bag full of candy with Luke's name on it. He felt bad that Luke had to stop and decided to share his loot. How great is he!? That little gesture from Spenc, lit up Lukie's face all day! And yesterday. And today. And probably tomorrow too.

Hoping your Halloween knight was healthy, safe, and puke-free!

How many of you have thrown away all your candy yet???