Totally Floored...

Check out what my kids made me for my birthday...

It's not too long so be sure and watch till the end.

You're gonna die!

I sure did!!!

Thanks kids!

This means a lot.

You are AMAZING!

I still can't believe Scott pulled this off!

And I can't believe Donny went along with it too!

What a nice guy. :)

Party!

Tonight we went to our ward's Christmas party.

It was so much fun!

I got to go and enjoy my family and that was awesome!

(No more Activities Committee for me!)

Everything was so much fun!

But the highlight for us...

Lee was Santa!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited he was.

I'm surprised he had a voice after practicing his "Ho-ho-ho's" all day today!

He was so funny!

He was making everyone laugh (especially Emma!)

The funniest line I heard him say when a little girl wouldn't quit talking...

"Let's hurry up a little. Time is money!"

The kids in our ward adore him almost as much as he does them.

It's so great having a husband who is so good with children!

I love this one of Max with Lee.

Look at the love in his eyes!

What a guy!

But this is my favorite...

Too funny!

Here's some more fun pictures of our fun night...

(Did I mention, ELISABETH'S HOME!?! We're so happy!)

This picture cracks me up.

It's so Emma!

The Primary sang for us and Emma took it upon herself to direct the small children where to go.

Fun times!

Scott Times Nine...

The latest picture I've found on my computer...

Not quite sure why he made this but,

pretty creative Scott!

Lights

I love Christmas lights!

When I was younger, my dad always put up multicolored Christmas lights on the outside of our house. They were the cool big kind.

Well, I married a guy who hates heights and we have a two-story house so the outside lighting is left up to me.

So, since it's up to me,

we've never really done it.

Max and Emma want lights soooo bad.

Our neighbors all have lights.

Max's good friend's house looks like this for heavens sake (See my competition? It's a little intimidating!):

* photo from http://toddamyandclan.blogspot.com/2008/12/tis-season.html

He BEGS me every year to put lights up.

I don't have lights and I can't justify spending money on lights right now

but I do aim to please.

So,

brace yourself for some awesomeness,

I give you our lights...

The funny thing is, Emma and Max are thrilled!

I'm so glad my kids aren't hard to please.

:)

Busy, Busy, Busy...

I don't know about you, but time is flying.

If possible, I would ask for a couple more hours in the day.

We've been busy getting the house ready for when

Elisabeth moves back home.

Yesterday we moved the bedrooms around and somehow we got everything situated so we'll be able to have

an office/bedroom for when Jake comes home.

We still need to get a couple of new mattresses and some bunkbeds or trundle beds but for now, it's all going to work.

Emma is enjoying a room to herself until Elisabeth gets home this week.

(Yes, THIS WEEK!!!)

I went in today and saw this on her dresser...

Apparently it said this at first...

because that's how Cole told her to spell it.

Nice Cole!

So Scott helped her make the one above.

It makes me laugh because she loves being with her brothers.

Really.

I just think Cole was bugging her today.

Imagine that.

This is the time of year where we, along with the rest of the world, is busy but it's fun.

I had the opportunity last week to go to the temple with my dad and Cricket to get my Great-Grandmother's temple work done.

What a great experience that was!

Every time I go to the temple it makes me wonder why I don't do it more often.

I'm only blocks away afterall!

I'm ashamed to say I don't go often. Maybe that will be a goal for the new year.

Today we celebrated

St. Nick.

(one of the advantages of being of Dutch decent!)

The kids put their wooden shoes out last night and woke up to treats inside them.

Mostly, they get candy but this year Emma and Max got little games and Scott and Cole got Sprites. (Don't worry Beth and Jake...you'll get yours when you get home!)

Emma got a jumbo jacks game and Max got a finger bowling game.

I love that my kids get excited over little things!

They're so good that way.

Here's Emma enjoying her 5th candy cane this morning practicing her reading.

I think all her candy is gone now.

I don't know why she doesn't get sick!

Yesterday, Emma, Max, and I braved the FREEZING weather and went to

the Provo Christmas Parade.

It was so cold that the kids didn't even want to pick up the candy that was thrown to them.

That's saying something with them!

But it was fun for the most part.

I mean, when do you get the chance to see Elvis and Elton John sing Christmas songs to you?

Only in Provo!

We had our first big snow storm last night.

The kids were so excited to wake up to the white covered world outside!

One advantage of 2:00 church is they had time to play a little before. :)

Tonight was the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional.

If you didn't get a chance to see it, you can check it out on the Church's website here.

It really got me excited for the Christmas season!

I'm afraid my family is just going to have to get used to hearing me sing all month!

I love Christmas!

Whew!

What a weekend!

I didn't want it to end.

Elisabeth and Jake were home.

We had a most excellent Thanksgiving.

(Thanks Mom and Dad!)

Lost a lot of sleep the night before and morning of Black Friday. I didn't dare fight the crowds but I got Scott and Cole settled in their line and then came back and picked them up at 5 a.m. Scott scored an awesome video camera for over 50% off and Cole got hit in the head with a Cabbage Patch doll. (That's why I won't do Black Friday!) But they were happy. I stayed up all night though because I didn't want to miss a phone call from them. I don't think any Houghton's should do Black Friday next year. I'm just saying.

We pretty much just hung out on Friday enjoying our children.

It was a good day!

Saturday we attended a funeral of my brother-in-law's dad. What a remarkable man! It was an honor to have known him.

Then we had our 4th annual Houghton Family Kick-off to Christmas. We had another turkey dinner, decorated the tree, had hot cocoa and peppermint ice cream, drew names for gifts, made some holiday plans, talked about what a big year 2010 will be for everyone, made our guesses where Jake would be going on his mission, and finished off the night watching Mr. Krueger's Christmas and Nativity (that was put out by the church). I'm sad I left my camera at my parents house on Thanksgiving so I didn't get pictures this year.

Sunday was a day of goodbyes (sad) and another busy day at church. We had our Visiting Teaching Conference in Relief Society and I am embarrassed by my piano playing. Cole was called to be the 2nd Counselor in the Teachers Quorum. Then Lee and I drove Jake to the TRAX station in Sandy (sad) and then stopped by to get my camera from my parents house. (Truth: I just needed hugs like only my parents can give me!)

Then home again to a quiet house.

I miss not having Elisabeth and Jake around! Good thing Elisabeth will be home for good one week and two days from now! But who's counting. :)

Anyway, I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and to end my Month of Thanks...

I'm thankful for you!

Month of Thanks -- Day Twenty-Four & Twenty-five (Sorry I missed yesterday)

My dad's had a rough year.

After being totally healthy, out of the blue earlier this year he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

I don't want to go into details but it was a tough and tricky cancer.

He went through high doses of radiation and chemotheraphy that literally wiped him out.

He lost his voice, his hair, all kinds of weight and his strength.

It was so hard to see him go through such a difficult trial.

But, he fought and he fought hard.

As of now, he's cancer-free!

What a huge blessing!

His hair is back.

His voice is almost all the way back.

He's put back on some weight.

And he's regained a lot of his strength.

My dad is back!

All I can say is that I'm incredibly thankful.

Remember how I said that this year has been tough but I could see the hand of the Lord in many things?

Well, this miracle is one of those things.

I know my dad did all he could to fight this

but he couldn't have done it alone.

Along with my mom's strength, thousands of prayers, the Lord has blessed us all by healing our dad.

I don't take this for granted for a second!

I'm so thankful for my awesome dad.

I'm also thankful for all of you who prayed for him.

Month of Thanks -- Day Twenty-Three

I probably have a million of these kinds of pictures on my computer.

Photobooth was invented for Cole I think!

Cole was born with a smile on his face and he brightens the lives of everyone around him.

Early this morning, I came to the stairs to say goodbye to my two high schoolers

(It was a lazy morning. Yes, I only made it to the stairs!)

and I said,

"Have a good day and I love you!"

Cole answered back in his best English accent,

"Why, I love you too, Mother! Have a fabulous day!"

Yes, the boy makes me smile.

Today, I'm thankful for Cole.

I'm All About Entering Cool Contests!

I interrupt my Month of Thanks to submit my entry in this cool contest. So many awesome things at once...It's hard to imagine!

Here goes...

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

A (good) family picture, Running Shoes, exercise outfit, a clean house, fabric to make things

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

My magnet board Elisabeth made me, the bookshelf Jake made when he was 6, the secret book Lee made just for me. I pretty much like all handmade gifts though. :)

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

A quilt.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

My mom made me a huge teddy bear.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

Digital Camera, Kit Kittredge hat (I'm making), basketball shoes

That's all they've told me so far.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

Rolls and apple salad

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

Hats, scarves, aprons, scrapbooks, games, snowman kits (I'm not saying who they are for though!)

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

It's a Wonderful Life

9. Favorite holiday song?

O Holy Night & Thankful by Josh Groban

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

Baking with my daughters, making presents, and spending time with my family and friends.

Month of Thanks -- Day Twenty-Two

Scott is a guy who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to work for it.

I don't know many 16 year olds that know what they want for their future career, have researched the best place to go to school for it and planned out what he needs to do to get to college.

He's got a great business mind. As a sophmore last year, he came in 5th place in the Utah State DECA competition.

I'm so happy that he is involved and works hard on things and enjoys things that will help him with his future endeavors.

He's smart that way!

He's just an all-around good kid!

He's not loud and doesn't draw a lot of attention to himself.

Many don't realize the great things he does.

He is kind, compassionate, funny, and handsome.

I'm so happy I get to be his mother!

Today, I'm thankful for Scott and for the good person that he is.

Month of Thanks -- Day Twenty-One

Today, I'm thankful I got to see this handsome guy.

(Even if it was just for a couple hours!)

He's doing great and I'm just so proud of him.

I dropped him off tonight and I got all teary-eyed watching his tall silhouette walk up to the door.

(I seem to be doing that a lot lately!)

My little boy is all grown up!

I'm so happy he's making good decisions and working so hard.

I love you Jake!

I'm thankful for you.

***

I'm also thankful that Luke made it through his surgery with flying colors and that we live in a time where this was even possible.

It's amazing and so is he!

Kinda Cool Little Thingy...

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Month of Thanks -- Day Twenty

Max turns 10 today!

(Hard to believe.)

Here's ten reasons why Max is so awesome:

1) He is good-hearted and compassionate.

2) He is funny as the day is long.

3) He works hard.

4) He is smart.

5) He knows how to have fun and can entertain himself. I never hear "I'm bored" from Max!

6) He is a good friend.

7) He is a good brother.

8) He makes me laugh when he talks about rednecks and hillbillies!

9) He is as cute as a button!

10) He is just plain good!

Happy Birthday Max!

I love you forever and am thankful for you!

Month of Thanks -- Day Nineteen

*photo from babble.com

I'm thankful today that I had the opportunity to go and help in Emma's kindergarten class.

I love Kindergarten!

***

My little nephew, Luke, is having his surgery tomorrow.

Please say a prayer for him!

Thanks.

Month of Thanks -- Day Eighteen

I was looking on my church's website today and I came across this page on Gratitude.

I am thankful today that I live in a time where I can quickly look up information and have it available to me within seconds.

I'm thankful that when I don't have time to read a whole book, conference talk, or even Ensign article, I can still receive spiritual enlightenment by reading a short article or watching the short but beautiful Mormon Messages on youtube or on lds.org.

I thought, today, I'd share this great video.

Enjoy!

Month of Thanks -- Day Seventeen

I got married on September 12, 1987 and became a mother on

June 14, 1988.

(I'll do the math for you -- that's 9 months and 2 days later.)

Was it surprising to us when we found out we were pregnant just a month after being married?

Yes.

Were we more than a little excited?

Heck yes!

Was I scared?

Oh, yeah. I was only 19 years old!

Was it what we had planned?

No, we were told (by many people) "you need to hold off having children for a little while so you can get to know each other better and enjoy being a married couple for some time." I don't know if people were scared for us because we were so young and pretty much had a whirlwind romance. Or maybe it's because they already knew how hard marriage alone was without adding children to it. I don't know. So, no, we weren't planning on having a child so soon but couldn't have been more happy about it!

Was it easy?

No.

Did I ever wish it were different?

NO WAY!

Even though it was hard at times, I loved being a mother.

And I still do.

It's really all I ever wanted to be.

(I jumped around studying all kinds of random things with no real goal in sight but I think that made me a better mother. But that's another post for another day.)

I sometimes stop and think about those trying times when they were all little.

Oh, it was exhausting!

Exhausting but fun.

I miss those times.

I loved watching them when they would discover something new or learn a new skill.

It was fun to see their personalities come out.

Yes, I miss those times.

Yesterday, while Emma was at school and I was all by myself, I got teary-eyed just thinking about it.

I don't have anymore babies and I won't be having anymore babies.

It's a weird feeling.

Some may count the days till they are in my season of life.

But, for me,

it's a little sad.

Obviously, I'm not done with being a mother -- a mother's work is never done!

(Just ask my mom who I still call almost daily for mothering!)

Sometimes I just miss the days when the biggest problem my children had was that their brother took their toy and broke it.

But, although it's a different time for me now, I'm going to try not to waste it away constantly longing for the past or worrying and dreaming of the future.

My challenge right now is living in the present.

Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow's the future.

Today is a gift,

That's why it's called the 'present'!

(Cheesy but true!)

I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a mother.

I don't take it for granted that I have the opportunity because I know a lot of women who don't have this opportunity in this life.

I am thankful my Heavenly Father has trusted me to take care of six of His precious children.

I have been blessed with six strong, healthy, smart, talented, good children.

I am thankful to be their mother.

Month of Thanks -- Day Sixteen

I came across another awesome blog that I have to share...

It's rufflesandstuff.blogspot.com

click above button to go directly to ruffles and stuff

This lady is probably one of the most creative people I've ever seen!

And her name is Disney which is so cool. :)

I love how she makes beautiful things that hardly cost anything!

We all know I'm a cheapskate, so you can see why I would fall in love with a site like this!

Anyway, you really should spend some time checking it out. And her Etsy shop items are really beautiful too. (I wish I had money to buy some right now!)

Also, Little Birdie Secrets has a great idea posted.

A Thankful jar!

Family members write something they are thankful for each day this month and place it in the jar.

Then at Christmas time, you make a paper chain garland for your tree or mantel and it is a reminder of the many blessings your family has to enjoy.

What a great idea!

Go here to see how they made their beautiful jar of thanks.

Today,

I'm thankful for creative people who are willing to share their ideas and inspire me to be creative.

Month of Thanks -- Day Fifteen

I substituted in Relief Society because our teacher was ill.

It was only my second time teaching R.S. and it was still a little scary.

Thank heavens we have awesome ladies in our ward that make amazing comments that made the lesson!

It was the first lesson I've taught using the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith manual.

I've skimmed over the lessons in the past but never studied them like I did this week.

(I really need to read all the lessons I missed while in Primary.)

The lesson today was on Joseph Smith's feelings about his Prophetic Mission.

Almost the whole lesson was made up of his very own words.

Amazing.

If you haven't read this, you really should.

I am thankful that Joseph Smith was so willing to suffer the awful things he had to suffer just to bring the restored gospel to earth again.

I am thankful that even when he knew he would die once his prophetic mission was complete, he remained to be the loving, kind man that he was.

I love hearing the accounts of those who knew him and how they loved him.

I am thankful for Joseph Smith.

Month of Thanks -- Day Fourteen

We had our first real snow storm of the year today.

It was cold, dark, and windy.

We didn't get a lot of snow

-- pretty much just a dusting --

but it was snow and the little kids were so excited!

It was one of those days that made me very thankful for my house.

I couldn't imagine what it would be like to not have shelter and warmth.

So, although I complain a lot about my small house,

I am very thankful for it.

Month of Thanks -- Day Thirteen

Lee announced last week that he was going to run the half marathon next September.

I decided to join him.

Yes, you read that right.

My goal is to get in shape so I can do this.

First step has been to give up soda.

This is huge for those of you who know me.

I'm not gonna lie,

it's been hard (especially with a Walker's at the corner!)

But I do feel better.

And for some weird reason, I haven't been eating as much either.

Next step is to start walking/running.

Please don't laugh at me if you see me around the neighborhood as I'm sure I will look funny at first.  :)

But, before you know it,

I'll look like this...

Okay, I may or may not look like this but 

I know I will feel better!

Anyway, 

today I'm thankful for lemons that I can add to water to make it taste better

and that I'm not going to have to do this alone.

Month of Thanks -- Day Twelve

SEP conferences were today.

*photo from gettingpersonal.co.uk

I am so thankful Emma and Max have such wonderful teachers this year.

It was great to see the love and concern both of their teachers have for them.

Emma LOVES school and is doing great.

Her teacher is loving, kind, and really knows her stuff.

I often catch Emma playing school and mimics her teacher.

It's so cute and it shows me what a great teacher she is to have such an impact on Emma.

The improvement Max has made so far this year is amazing and, although Max worked super hard, I have to give a lot of the credit to his teacher's encouragement. 

 She told him he could do it and 

he knew she really meant it. 

 She's awesome!

So, today I'm grateful for great teachers.

Month of Thanks -- Day Eleven

I'm thankful to be an American and even more thankful for those who have made it possible for me to enjoy the freedoms I do.

Month of Thanks -- Day Ten

I made it through a day without a drop of diet Dr. Pepper.

Yes, I'm going cold turkey and quitting.

It's my first step in my journey to become healthier.

Today,

 to be honest,

 I'm just thankful I made it through the day without a headache or seriously loosing it.

Month of Thanks -- Day Nine

It's official...

this beauty...

will be doing her student teaching here...

in OREM! 

Yes folks, she's coming home!

(next month!)

I'm so thankful to have such a hardworking, beautiful, smart daughter!

Way to go Beth!

Month of Thanks -- Day Eight

Today I'm thankful that Scott went with me to ward choir tonight 

AND

he's agreed to come every week.

This makes me really happy.

Month of Thanks -- Day Seven

*Long Beach California East Stake Center -- lds.org  

I was at my parents house this morning and I came across an old video of the Long Beach East Stake reunion from 1996.

My parents were watching it while I was downstairs doing something else.

While I worked on my project,

I could hear familiar voices -- voices I haven't heard in years.

Bishop DeGraaf singing.

President Gould telling a story as only he could.

The Larsen Girls singing.

Sister Seamons, Brother and Sister Silva, The Russells, The Strelows, Bishop Gonzalas. . .

It brought back so many wonderful memories.

I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity of growing up in the 

Long Beach East Stake.

It was filled with amazing people.

I'm so grateful to the many leaders, teachers, friends who set such wonderful examples for me.

At the end of the video, everyone sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again".

I couldn't help but get all teary.

I love these people.

Growing up, my extended family all lived a couple hours away.

The people in my ward and my stake were my extended family.

It was a special time filled with extraordinary people.

I will forever be thankful to have grown up in such an awesome stake!