O Christmas Tree

This is my Christmas tree for 2011.   This is not characteristic of me and my decorating style.   I normally have at least two trees and I have been know to have a tree in every room before.   So the fact that my tree was bare for most of December was quite alarming to many in my life.   Kaci even found some bows and odd ornaments in my office which she used to help the bare tree.   In the center of the the tree was a vinyl that I created with a nativity scence and it says Christ is the Reason for the Season.   I had no desire for more than that simple phrase and scene on my tree with the lights.   For me the lights are the most important part of the tree.  I put out my nativities and the boys decorated down stairs but this year I wanted to focus more on the spirit and the celebration of the Savior.   I am not sure how well this was accomplished but I tried.   There was a huge emptiness inside of me this year that I can not explain yet I created many memories.  Finally, New years eve I found a fun idea online and decided to use it.   I decorated the tree with things my family loves and tied money and small gifts to the tree with a note.   This was fun and the kids even Zeak loved it.     2012 I hope my tree is decorated again and the emptiness is gone.  Regardless of if it is or not the tree will be decorated fun for the New year.    This is a fun tradition I want to carry on. 

Become More

I attend Time Out for Women twice this year and loved every minute of it. The theme was "Choose to Become." I have wrestled with this all year. With so many options and so many examples I was left confused and not knowing.

The other day I had an experience that left me knowing that for sure I needed to create a home that was safe, warm, and comfortable. A place where not only we want to be as a family but that others will want to be as well. I just read a blog that summarized my feelings so well. She had compared herself to everyone and everything around her. That is Satan's plan he wants us to be competitive. It was his competitiveness that landed him in the pickle he is in. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father had another son with a different plan. He was the opposite of competitive. Jesus was so loving and compassionate that the Father chose his plan. Do you wonder if when Jesus presented his plan he fully comprehended what his plan would mean for him and all of us? It is so easy to list all of the things I am not. I am Not a writer, not organized, not stylish, not the best at anyone thing. Yet I am good and good and many things. I have a very kind tender heart. I am creative, a cook, can play the piano and organ, love to create and keep memories, I am a cowgirl, the list goes on and on.

In this blog post I just read the lady dares anyone to Become More with that dare I AM GOING TO BECOME MORE! I am going to become more in both my good areas and my not so good areas. I am going to Become More with out comparing myself to everyone and everything around me. Here is to 2012 and Becoming ME!

Novemevber

Boys day on the dessert

Aunt Brenda made her awesome cake

Woodland Family

Barnhurst Family

Grandma Woodland on ice

Wrestling Tournament

Pie Party

School Thanksgiving party

Aunt Shannon is the favorite

Dan carving the Thanksgiving turkey

Thanksgiving Dinner

Even Cowboys can iceskate

Wow November was another full month.   Zeak started wrestling and we were able to take Grandma Woodland to the Spanish Fork Duel.   She is so good to support the kids and loves to watch them.

A few years ago when we lived in Nephi we were invited to a pie party.    Dan loved it and has wanted to do one every since so we finally made time for not one but two pie parties.   We have lots of friends in different circles and so we had a party on Friday night and then another one on Saturday night.   It was a lot of fun we will have to try and make it a tradition.

I helped with the kindergarten class party we made the traditional turkey apples and played some fun games.   I love being able to go help in my kids classrooms and help with the class parties it is one of my favorite jobs as a mom.

Thanksgiving was with the Woodlands this year.   Everyone came to Susan's house this year.   Dan helped carve the turkey which I think he loves doing.  It is so fun to be together and enjoy the holidays.   I was in charge of the rolls and I saw a fun idea on pinterest and so we tried it.   I asked everyone to email me what they were thankful for.   I typed it up and then put it on a piece of paper inside each roll.   It was fun to hear what others were thankful for and to see who's paper you got.    My rolls are always a hit but I think everyone enjoyed the papers.

The day after Thanksgiving was Kaci's Birthday she was feeling really sad that her Birthday is always on Thanksgiving and so she can never have a friend birthday.   So I talked to both sides of the family and we invited everyone who could and wanted to go ice skating with us.  We reserved the rink for 2 hours.   We had a blast.   Kaci loved it then we went back and had cake and ice cream at Susan's.   Brenda has found a new creative talent that we are all enjoying.   She is decorating cakes.   The ice skates she made out of rice krispies and fondant.  The ice was cake and fondant.   She did a great job and Kaci loved it. 

The day after Kaci's Birthday the boys went riding on the desert.   They enjoy going.   I love that they have iphones and can take photos while they are on their outings so they can be blogged and journaled. 

Dan and I celebrated our 14th anniversary.   That is so crazy I don't have any photos.   Our anniversary was on a Tuesday night so we didn't do a lot that night we did however spend the second weekend of the NFR in Vegas with Aaron and Melanie Hall.

And that concludes our November bring on December.

CUJR Award Baunquet

The boys had there awards banquet the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We tried not to let them know how they had done but someone slipped and told Zeak. He finally won his first saddle and he was pretty excited. He had an awesome year and improved a lot. He Loves to rope and can't wait to rope in his new saddle. Him and Dan also won another set of team roping buckles that they were excited about. Dan said there is nothing like winning a buckle with your son.

Jake had a great year as well he held the record for the fastest barrel run of the season for all three age groups. Him and Stran were the only two boys really in contention for the saddle this year and they had a great year it was so fun to watch them improve and gain confidence this summer. Jake said, Stran can have the saddle because there is no way I am riding a calf and I am pretty sure Stran would choose riding a calf over any of the other events.

They promise we can have a little break for the Holidays before we hit the practice pen hard but, with Zeak's new saddle I might have a hard time keeping him off.

Family Home Evening with the Funny Man

Jake is our funny man. He keeps us on our toes and keeps us laughing. Then there is the other side of this funny man it is his spiritual side. The other night Jake was disappointed about his horse being to sore to ride and decided we would stay home and have family home evening. He was so excited to do it and he had an idea that was all his. He included his little sister in his preparations. While I was making dinner he wen through the gospel art kit and the church magazines to find the pictures he had in mind. Then he was insisting we were making bread. I agreed but didn't ask to many more questions. When dinner was over he got the piano bench with all of his visual aids together. He had each person grab a picture and say how each picture was important to us. He had a picture of the temple, the scriptures, family, The Prophet, church, and Jesus. We discussed each picture and how they were important and why we needed them. After we discussed the picture we put one ingredient in the mixer for bread. Here is where the funny man comes in. After the first picture he said mom we need this much flour. He was just going to pull a recipe for bread out of his head. Looking back I maybe should have let him do it. But, the mom in me stepped in and said lets use my recipe. When we were all done and the dough was mixing Jake said, now see how we have to have all of these things to to make it to the Celestial Kingdom just like we need all of the right ingredients to make delicious bread. And a Child shall teach them. Thanks Jake for the awesome Family Home Evening.

TOFW

Me with the Miller side of my family, Sheri, April, Shantell, and Aunt Susan. I got on facebook Thursday night and realized they were headed the same place I was. Thanks for saving our seats.
Participating in the possibility packs for the local Dove Foundation,

Shannon, Me HILARY WEEKS, Jessica, and Kathryn. Hilary is amazing and is so kind to everyone she makes you fill like you have been her friend forever.
Aunt Jill this post is for you. For the last month I have been on a spiritual high. I have had some amazing experiences and witnessed more small miracles than I could have ever imagined. All my life I wondered if I would ever have such experiences and much to my surprise I have been having them all my life. I just never recognized them. A few years ago I attended my first Time Out For Women with my dear friend Ange Berezay. We have gone at least once a year forever it seems. This year was no different in September we attended the one in Logan. It was amazing! Shortly after we got back my sister-in-laws invited me to attend the one in St George. Most of the presenters were different and Dan agreed it would be a great thing. I am so glad I attended. This just helped continue the spiritual high. I have a testimony of the simpleness and blessing of living the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. If we choose to live a Christ Centered life we will find joy and happiness beyond our comprehension. I am so grateful for this testimony and the knowledge I have that Christ lives and Loves each one of us. That if we follow him he will lead us back to our father and mother in heaven. I am so grateful for people who are willing to bless my life through their gifts and talents. The men and women who are presenters for TOFW have blessed my life through their testimonies. I am so grateful Dan kept the kids this weekend and let me have this little time out.

October

Payson Temple Ground Breaking

Deer Hunt Weekend

Grandma Lou annual Halloween Party

Kaci friend Halloween Party

Halloween Day with the Durbins

Jake's Pumpkin grown with lots of Love from Grandpa Miller

First Snow Storm

Jake's Oops

October was so full.  There was a week or so where time seemed to stand still.   We lost our beloved friend Grandpa Don.   I have never felt the abundance of the spirit as I have felt this month.   It started with an amazing opportunity and experience Dan and I had to attend the ground breaking of the Payson Temple.   Our amazing Bishop Mark Drake offered tickets to Dan and I we also had the privilege of riding up with him and his wife and Dan's parents. I am so excited to have the temple so close.   I will be able to drop the kids off at school and do a session before they get home from school.   I am hoping there are some amazing opportunities for our family to help with the process of the temple dedication.     This is a true blessing to our community.  

The week after the temple dedication is when time stood still.   I will save the details and experiences for another post.    

Kaci and I got to go on our annual girls deer hunt weekend with Grandma Nelson this is always a fun weekend full of crafts and shopping.

Early this spring I got a phone call from Grandpa Miller.   He had just purchased some large pumpkin seeds and large strawberry plants.   He sent Jake some seeds and ours didn't work but grandpa's did.   So we drove up and listened to General Conference and had dinner with grandma and grandpa.   Grandpa gave Jake the biggest pumpkin in the patch.   It was so fun to have it on our front porch.

Mona is getting a new sewer system.  Our streets have been tore up and closed most of the year.   This month was our roads turn.   They had to cut the sidewalks at our house and Woolslayers.     Just before school was out they poured and put the first finish on the sidewalks.   Jake wasn't paying attention and to his defense they didn't really mark it well saying it was wet and he stepped right in it.  Two foot prints when he realized it was still wet.   He came in the door in complete tears.   I thought someone had died by the way he was acting.   When he calmed down enough to tell me, I burst into laughter.   Zeak felt really bad for him and said, "mom I know how to finish the concrete I will go get dad's tools and fix it. "  The men working on the sidewalk saw the boys fixing it but didn't come over to see what was going on they just watched from the corner.    Not that I know anything about concrete but I must say I was a proud mom watching my boys fix Jake's mistake and the fact that it looked better than the original was awesome.  

Kaci wanted to have a Halloween party with her dancing friends.   We dropped Kyler off on our way to dancing and they invited him so after dancing we picked him up to come to the party.   It was fun we made paper plate pumpkins,  and spider cupcakes.

Towards the end of the month we had our annual Halloween party with Grandma Lou we carve pumpkins and have a fun dinner.    This is a fun tradition that I always look forward to.   My kids have gotten to the point that as long as we get in a pumpkin carving party with grandma Lou then we don't need to go trick-or-treating.  It is fun to see the creativity and individuality show through.

  We also got to have another pumpkin party with Grandma Janice.   They finally needed a little break from cows and packing.  We need to have a little fun and celebrating.  I love the fun memories we are creating with our kids and the special grandmas in their lives.  

Spectacular September

This back blogging is going to be a lot harder than I thought.   Some of the fun facts and comments will be missing but at least we will have some journaling and photos to preserve those precious moments.  

Jake still loves playing soccer.   Lisa Kay was his coach again this year.   They have improved a lot.   Jake's favorite position is goaly.    We are still not keeping score but next year they will so it will be fun to watch him and see the competitive side come out.  

Dan drew an antelope tag this year and he took the boys one weekend.   His dad and brother, Andrew and Rod Lunt and is boys all went with.   They had a great time and were successful.   The boys were super excited that they were with their dad when he killed.   I am so grateful for Dan and his willingness to take his boys with him.   He always wants them with him whether it is rodeo or hunting he wants his boys to have experiences and enjoy the things he does.    He was so willing to take Kaci with him but she opted out this year.   I spent the same weekend in Logan at Time Out for Women.   It is a treasured event I have come to love and look forward to. 

The biggest thing that happened in September was Kaci learning to ride a bike and getting her glasses.    Her glasses are adorable!  She cried and did not want to wear them.   She was embarrassed and self conscious.     We didn't make a big deal about them we just encouraged her to wear them.   She warmed up to them and everyone loves them.   I know they help her see a lot better.   She has a lazy eye that we never caught before.   When we took her to Kindergarten registration she didn't pass the hearing or eye test.   I wasn't surprised about her ears.   She has had 2 sets of tubes and had a cold the day we went in.   I warned the ladies testing her that she would probably not pass.    Her eyes were a complete and total shock to us.   I even asked Mrs.   Blackett her preschool teacher and she was shocked.   Her other eye had compensated a great deal leading us all to believe she could see just fine.   As for riding her bike their is a long story to that so grab a snack and drink of water. 

The kids have all rode bikes to school since we moved to Mona weather permitting.   They ride up and pick  the Williams up and then they head to school.    Kaci has never wanted to ride a bike and so when school started the fact that she didn't even have a bike became a problem.    Tina lent her a bike or two but they were well used and didn't work so well so Dan took her to Wal-Mart for a bike.   The bike he got was way to big.   Dan has a philosophy  bigger is always better but not in this case.    So Tina and I went and exchanged the bike for a smaller one.   Tina gets all of the credit for helping Kaci learn to ride a bike.   And yes, she still has training wheels.    We walked several days to school with them and Tina was the patient one.   I would push Aysen in the stroller while Tina dealt with the whining and crying.   I just wanted to use the tough love theory.   She could either ride the bike or run to school while the other kids rode their bikes.   She chose run most mornings and did pretty good at keeping up.   Riding her bike was a whole other story.   It took twice as long to get to school and then riding home was worse because it was down hill which terrified her.    With in two weeks Tina had her riding her bike without crying.   She could even keep up with Keanna and Jake not Kyler he is always a block ahead.   Tina, I think this spring getting her to ride with out training wheels might have to be on your to do list you did such a great job with getting her to even ride it.    Thanks so much.

I think that is why we have friends in life to help us in the areas we fall short and to love us anyway.

Woodland Family Vacation

Drum roll please... it is the night of the big Home Coming game at Juab High School. The crowd is full of energy. It was time to announce the home coming royalty. The Queen for the year 2011 is Kaci Fae Woodland daughter of Dan and Lisa Woodland of Mona. She loves ice skating and dancing. She is a member of the JHS Provita. Her date and Home Coming King is Tuff son of Skipper W and Smart Chickalena from Mona. He is captain of the football, basketball, and baseball team. Don't they make a handsome couple.



It was Christmas Eve and all Jake Woodland wanted was a goat. Yes, that's right a goat! How would Santa bring a goat? He wouldn't be like all the other toys he would need fed, and watered and what if he left little goat droppings on the toys. Jake new there was no way he would get a Christmas goat but, wait a minute. I here bells I here here hoofs they are on the roof lets have a look! What is this? Where is Rudolf? what is that leading Santa's sleigh? Why, it is Squirt the red nosed goat doing the work of the reindeer today. He is bringing toys to all the good little girls and boys with out leaving little goat droppings on all the toys. Jake Woodland got not one but two goats for Christmas this year. But, the real surprise did not come until spring when little squirts was found, a perfect example of Christmas wishes do come true.
Jake participated in the kids talent show. He sang, "Proud to Be an American" and he had me accompany him. I was shaking like a leaf and hope that I wasn't the reason he was so nervous. I decided after this experience to never give Dan a hard time for missing when he is roping with our boys. That is just way to much pressure for a parent.
Jake and Zeak are cultured they switch things up by running barrels on their bikes instead of horses.





Dan made it his goal last year to sign up for the County Fair Idol. He asked Jaron Carter to accompany him. They performed at the Mona Days Celebration and had a good experience so they decided to give the Fair Idol a go. The first night of the competition Dan had to sing 30 sec Au Capella number. He chose Good Brown Gravy by Joe Diffie. He made it through that round and him and Jaron chose "Lady" by Alabama unfortunately there was not a round 3,4,or 5. They were relieved and bummed all at the same time. After talking to the other two judges they felt really bad. I am just proud of him for accomplishing his goal and doing so well. He is already gearing up for next year.



Extreme Horseman is another fun event Dan enjoyed last year and Zeak decided to try this year Dan didn't do as well this year but Zeak ended 3rd.


After 5 years of the Ranch Rodeo Dan and his team of Jaron Carter, Mike Kajanis and Scott (friend of Jaron's) Dan finally placed 2nd and was out of winning it by 30sec. He had a blast.


The team penning needs some work that is all I have to say.


This year the Woodlands had another great family vacation. We really are rednecks who love to go to the Juab County Fair. The only part of the fair we don't enjoy is the derby, yes I know that is terrible we don't love it but we still sponsor a car every year.