Jaden....a very spoiled boy!

Yesterday was a FUN filled day for Jaden. It wasn't intentional but just kind of worked out that way. We went sledding at rigby lake with the Powell side of my family...lots of 2nd cousins to my kids. Jaden went sledding with Chris & grandpa & was loving it. There was even a moment where I was trying to take pictures & saw Jaden & Chris heading for me so I ran (I pulled a muscle excercing) & it appeared to follow me where ever I ran. Needless to say my calf was killing me the rest of the time but thankfully I wasn't hit with the sled. After the sledding fun ended we went & played on the playground. Landon just watched everything & wasn't even interested in being pulled on the sled. When we got home I realized he was sick after he threw up...poor little guy had to be out in the cold & I didn't even know he was sick.

After we came home Chris took Jaden to an ISU basketball game & boy was Jaden excited. He insisted on dressing himself & didn't match. On the way to the game (about 50 min away) Jaden insisted on listening to the same song the entire time. This boy is opiniated. Jaden got to choose where they went to dinner & of course he chose McDonalds (I get so tired of there food). They had a basketball hoop there so he got some pre-game time in. Jaden loved the game & enjoyed popcorn & fun with the bengel. Jaden still seems on a high from his fun day! When him & I went to my parents today (Chris stayed home with sick Landon) we played basketball together since it's still on his mind. Hopefully he's a basketball star in the making:)

Happy New Year!!!

I hope everyone had a fabulous New Years!!! Last night we had friends over & played games...their kids played with the boys. It may sound like a boring way to bring in the New Year but we haven't played games forever & we used to love hanging out with friends & having competitions...I know we sound silly:) Our favorite competitions that we used to have was couple basketball. Each couple would compete with eachother (can't you tell I miss certain things) and the winner would play the next couple. Chris & I made a pretty good team.

Chris & I planned to stay up late after everyone left & get our resolutions down but we were too pooped so we are still working on them. For me my New Years diet doesn't start until after tomorrow because it's my Birthday (I'm getting so old) & who wants to eat healthy on their birthday.

I'm so grateful for all of our blessings and although this year wasn't a piece of cake I like where our family is at in our life & I'm excited to build from there this new year.

I'm really excited to get girl time this afternoon with friends at lunch & a movie...a good way to rejuvenate with all the things I hope to accomplish this year.

I hope everyone has a wonderful year!!!!

Christmas Festivities

What a fun filled week....but oh so busy. Hopefully I can remember all of our events. I'm glad I have a second to post a little bit about our week. Chris has taken these two weeks off so we've had lots of family time.

This week has been FULL of lots of snow. I'll have to do another post of pictures of just all the snow at our home. The night before Christmas Eve I told Chris that I'd like to spend the night at my parents so we don't have to drive that morning. Yes, on a good day we are only 45 minutes from my parents but I really didn't want to make the drive on Christmas morning. Chris gets hotel points when he travels & he'll be switching hotels he stays at & had a few random points he'd be losing so he called the hotel & told them he didn't have enough points but was wondering if they'd comp the rest since they are empty over Christmas. After several phone calls back & forth they called back & said not only would they comp us the points but they'd give us the suite. So Christmas Eve we went swimming at the hotel for a couple of hours as we waited for family to get into town. The boys still wanted to keep swimming so we filled up the hot tub in our room & put Landon in his floaty & Jaden swam around as we got ready to go to the family party at my Grandma Hendricks home. We had a delicious dinner with great company:) & then the little kids did the nativity. All my pages are lacking in pictures because I videotaped everything & struggled to keep up on both. I was a little disappointed when I saw how few of pictures I had. Jaden & Landon were wisemen & I was an angel (still playing the same part that I've played since I was a little girl). The kids also got their Christmas PJ's & we've struggled ever since to get Jaden to take his off. He wanted to wear them to church today. I told my mom that she better not get Jaden fun PJ's anymore...just some plain boring ones:)

I must say I was grateful we didn't go home Christmas eve night because it snowed & snowed & snowed & we wouldn't have made it back. As a matter of fact my brother Jeff got trapped at his girlfriends family's home in Blackfoot & finally got plowed out the day after Christmas. That's not fun when you planned to stay for only a couple of hours on Christmas Eve & they had so much family that there wasn't a bed for him to sleep in. Ok...on to our Christmas. That morning we went to my parents house so that the kids could open their presents with their cousins. Jaden was in Heaven; especially since he's been eyeing these presents for the whole month. The biggest present we got for Jaden was a motorized jeep & he wasn't that excited. We have that on video tape & don't have a picture. His favorite part of it is fixing it with the tool set we got him for Christmas. I think he'll find a lot more enjoyment when he can drive it outside. We had a yummy lunch with my dads prime rib & lots of other great foods. Jaden & Wyatt played & played & played & they are finally best friends & didn't fight a bit. They shared their toys & had so much fun. Landon just took it all in but he had fun notheless.

Friday we also did a bunch of family things & were going to play in all the snow but ran out of time. The girls did dinner without kids & we included my grandma Hendricks. I love my grandma so much & am amazed at her strength & happiness after losing a spouse in August & having knee surgery at the beginning of December.

Yesterday the guys went ice fishing. My dad bought all the grandkids ice fishing poles for Christmas. It was freezing outside but Chris said Jaden didn't seem to notice & enjoyed throwing snow in everyones hole. Sorry those of you who were the recipients of my sons snow! They also had a snow hill at the pond & him & Wyatt enjoyed that too...this is according to Chris. They didn't catch anything (thankfully they never do) but they also didn't stay long because of the blowing snow. We headed home early for fear of getting snowed at my parents home. We had promised Jaden games in Rexburg so we compromised & took him in Idaho Falls. We went to Leo's Place & it cheered him up that we cut the day short with Wyatt.

A year in review....

So I realized as I've recieved Christmas cards that I should have probably sent a note about what we've been and are up to this past year with our Christmas Cards. I had decided that since I had included the blog address that everyone could go & read for themselves BUT I think it will be easier to jot down a couple of items to help everyone catch up.

First, as I went through our address list of friends & family it brought so many memories to mind & made my heart ache for those we miss. Our year was full of highs & lows and we are so grateful for our many blessings.

The biggest highlight of our year would have to be the birth of our precious little one, Landon. Landon was born on February 9th of this year weighing 8 lbs & was 20 inches long. After several scares along the way for his health he came out PERFECT & he was a perfect little baby....as he's gotten older not as much:) He was a good sleeper & is my little cuddler. I love it.

Our 2nd highlight of the year would be getting in a house again. Apartment living did not suite us well at all & were very excited to get in our home in July after months & months of house hunting. We lost out on the first home of our choice to another buyer but are very happy where we are at & love our neighborhood.

Here's an update on each of us:

Chris works for Yellow Book as an Account Executive...that's what brought us back to Idaho. He's had a very successful year & we have felt very blessed with all of the opportunities that have come our way. Chris has also turned into a gym rat. He goes almost twice a day without fail & it shows. I was very motivated until mid-november & got lost in the holidays. That's what New Year Resolutions are for, right? Chris does some traveling with work but we try to go with him occasionaly when it fits in everyones schedule.

I currently stay at home with the boys and am figuring out how to be a stay-at-home mom. I've taken up a lot of hobbies & just adore my two crazy boys. Occassionaly I miss the demand of a stressful job but Chris constantly informs me that we are starting our own business & that I will be running it...anyone have any business plans we can steal:) He still encourages me to this day to go to law school but I think that's just a standing joke between us since I can win any argument.

Jaden turned 3 in June & goes to preschool every morning. He absolutely loves it & I'm seeing him grow up right before my eyes. He takes that school bus & consequently he loves all buses & gets excited when he sees them. He is a wonderful big brother & he loves Landon so much. When he gets home from school Landon is always taking a nap & the first thing he asks is always where Landon is. At the beginning of this year Jaden seemed to kind of go into his shell a little bit, I think all the changes made him a little bit overwelmed, but moving & getting settled was the magic potion & he makes friends with everyone he meets. Everyone is his friend & he loves to tell them that.

Landon is our sweet little baby & is turning into a babbler. He loves to say mama & dada & is so proud of himself. He dances to any kind of music & I can get him really excited when I dance & flail my hands in the air. He crawls at lightning speed & gets into everything.

We made lots of fun memories this year as a family & create many traditions...that's where you may have to read the blog:)

This year has been one that has been rough on our whole country & I hope we can all pray for our leaders to make decisions that will benefit the people of this country.
In Romans 8: 38-39 it reads...
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I encourage you all to stay close to the savior when times are tough & when they are going great. I think there are some tough times ahead in our country but we will get through them.

We are so grateful for each of you & wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. May you be blessed.

Love the Murphy's

Traditions

On Friday afternoon we decided last minute to take a trip to Utah. A couple of hours later we hit the road to arrive just in time to put the kids to bed. We went so that we could spend some time with Chris's family...his mom flew in & originally was going to come to Idaho. So after a quick weekend we ended up bringing my niece & nephew home with us. It was a fun ride home with four little ones in a mini van (we borrowed Jenna's.) We hit snow, listened to all four (landon included) in a hollering match, & fighting over books & toys.

When we got home my amazing parents brought us dinner & a special surprise for Chris. First off my parents are the most generous people that I know. I have six siblings & they work so hard to do & give to all of us. As Jenna said on her blog at Fathers Day's, Spring Cleaning for my parents means cleaning out their pockets & giving it to their children. It's the small things that they give that means so much & this was one of them. Chris special surprise was a tradition that my dad shared with him. My dad originally was going to do this with Chris on Saturday morning but he so kindly waited since we left to Utah unexpectedly. He gave Chris his first gun...Chris has never hunted. My dad has given each of his sons their first gun when they went on their first hunting trip as did his dad to him. My dad wanted to share this with Chris. He loves Chris so much & is such a good example & such a wonderful father figure. Now on a different note, I'm hoping they don't catch ANYTHING. I just can't bring myself to eat the meat...last year they gave their elk away to a family that needed the meat. We'll see what this year holds for them. In the picture you can see the grandsons (Jaden & Easton) scoping it out. Maybe their future holds a gun too.

a family style weekend...

Conference was fabulous & it's nice to just slow down & reflect & not run in a million directions on a Saturday.

Listening to the speakers can be difficult with two little ones but just having it on in our home brings a more reverent spirit.

I worked with Jaden on who the Prophet was. He kept insisting that President Monson was School...I was kind of confused. I didn't let him get off my lap until he understood that he was the Prophet, or no longer thought he was school?. I told him that it is who he prays for everyone night. I hope these moments make a small impact on a young mind.

We did take a moment between the Saturday Sessions to go to a pumpkin patch to let Jaden pick out a pumpkin. He started out with some really large pumpkins & settled on a really small one when he realized how heavy they were. We do think he is too young to carve it this year so we plan to just display it on a bench in our front yard. Jaden has other plans & partially buried it in the backyard. We'll see if it ends up in front.



FUNNY MOMENT!!! Yesterday morning I woke up because my yard is ugly & driving me crazy. I needed a moment without kids to dig in the dirt & get something done before conference. I was working in the backyard (chris was at the gym with the kids) & I hear a boy crying really loud. I at first assume that it's a neighbor boy so I ignore it for a while. After awhile I figure I better see what's going on so I go to the front yard to find a little boy from a couple streets over stalled in his motorized car. It was raining slightly and he was very unhappy. All he could do was cry for his dad & wasn't able to tell me where he lived. I asked him if I could push him home. Keep in mind I'm covered in mud. He doesn't say a word the whole time & I only know we're at his house because he pushed on the breaks so that I couldn't push him anymore. I was quite the sight!!!

How to workout even harder

At home we only have CNN. Not a great station for a conservative person so I get excited when I go to the gym & Fox News is on.

This evening we went to the gym & fox news was on...this determined where I would start my workout so that I could watch CONSERVATIVE news. Since I usually don't carry headphones I get to squint my eyes & read the captions that are always behind. As I'm 20 minutes into my workout I started seeing clippings of the O'Reilly show that was going to come up. Anyone catch it???? It was an exposive argument begin Barney Frank & Bill O'Reilly. Each commercial break they keep saying that it's coming so I push on as my legs are burning. I don't want to miss this. FINALLY...I'm ready to faint as that portion of the show comes up. Holy moly!!! Now I do think that Bill was a little tough & I don't think that Barney Frank is totally responsible for the collapse of our economy but I had to give Bill credit. He was passionate in getting Barney to take some credit for what has happened. I had to laugh as all that Barney could do was talk about Bill's show & his borish style. Admitting mistakes is probably the hardest thing to do but Barney BLAMED everyone else. Not impressive in my book. It was a crazy clip so look it up...it will pump you up. It pumped me up & I continued on the machine for 5 more minutes following the interview because my blood was pumping from the argument. I'll probably pay the price tomorrow.

AND the Debate. WOW!!!!! I saw the Palin that I saw in her convention speech. My confidence is coming back. I found Biden to be kind of boring & some of his answers weren't simple enough for my mind. Or as Palin called him O'Biden...anyone catch that. Chris & I chuckled. So hopefully the O'Biden ticket has been slowed down. Drill BABY Drill!!!!

Future President of the United States

This title may be confusing but I went to a rally yesterday for Jim Risch (running for a US Senate Seat) & guess who came!!! DRUM ROLL....Mitt Romney. I admit that is actually the reason that I went.

We actually didn't know about it & Chris was driving to an appointment & heard about the rally on the radio. He quickly called me since he knows I'm obsessed with politics. Since the late notice we had two options; I go by myself or we take the kids. Chris really didn't care to go but I kind of wanted Jaden to see it thus the whole family went.

I want to get more involved & be aware aware of issues & candidates even on a local level although most of my attention is on a national level. It was so fun to listen to the speeches (they were short which was surprising but nice). Mitt was perfect of course. I really wanted to run Jaden up to him for a photo op but it was getting late & I didn't want to be obnoxious. That picture would have been worth a lot when Mitt wins & yes, he will win in the future:)

Remember to catch the VP debate tonight. I'm very nervous for Palin...I think nerves are interfering with her abilities. It's funny but having a women running I often compare how I'd be feeling; sounds strange I know. I bet last night she was lying in bed with her husband with nervous ramblings & possible tears for the debate tonight. I'd imagine she continues to question her decision & whether it was best for her family. She probably has moments of 100% confidence & other moments of feeling 100% overwelmed. I know that those are the emotions I would be experiencing if I were in her shoes. BUT you'll never catch them admit it:) We are definately living history at this moment...hopefully we'll be able to look back on it as a time America grew, not a time of hardship.

{Everyday Happenings}

Today has been adventurous as we spoke for the first time in our new ward. I've managed to dodge the bullet the last two times I was asked because they asked within a couple of days within both my boys due dates. Not this time. Chris did awesome & I cried:) We each took turn with the kids & thankfully we have great members in our ward that reached out & assisted. I even heard a little boy whisper behind us to his mom asking what was wrong with Jaden (he can be tough in Sacrament meeting.) I heard her say that he was tired & that both of us were speaking so they needed to be helpful. Gotta love the strangers (hopefully friends soon) that reach in to assist.

We can be boring but thankfully we have fun together doing the simple things.

Jaden loves to "mow me lawn" & we like to use that as a bribing tool to get him to do things. He does exactly what daddy does...as a pretender he puts gas in his mower, pulls the string to start it, & empties that grass. His rows are as perfect as daddys too.

AND of course ball is a favorite past time for all the boys Whether they play baseball, basketball, golf, or simply eating the ball (Landon) they all think its great.

A nation in trouble..

I'm worried. Our economy is in trouble. I don't believe that there is a perfect solution & won't even begin to think I know how to fix this. Everyday it seems like another bank is failing.

I think that this will affect everyone. This is how I think that it will affect me. I'll be paying more taxes to cover this huge bailout of AIG & so many banks. PLUS I think we'll see a decrease in spending. I actually am a huge supporter of this & believe in purchasing something only when you can afford it BUT a decrease in spending affects everyone. As an example, Chris (my hubby) sales advertising. Chris is paid mostly on commission. As businesses fail (because we aren't spending) they won't be advertising. Other examples are the jobs that will be lost, the businesses that will fail, homes will be lost.

Regarding the housing market. This is probably the saddest thing. It's disappointing that there was so much corruption. I do think that the homeowners hold some responsibility though. An ARM loan sounds great but that was a huge part of the problem. When we were looking for our first home the first mortgage company that we talked to tried to convince us to get this type of loan. The positive was that the interest rate was low to start with & could stay that way. I'm conservative & I told Chris I wasn't comfortable with this type of loan & didn't like the push in this direction by the mortgage company. Thankfully we made a different decision & I wish so many others had done the same thing. I also hope to see the end (I think they might already be gone) of 100% financing. If you can't afford a down payment you can't afford a mortgage. So many go into a home under a false sense that they could afford it. Homes are expensive. There are so many expenses that you don't have when you rent. Sometimes the excitement of a home clouds our judgement. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE, before you get into a home.

I do want to mention that I think there are unfortunate circumstances that may cause someone to lose there home & it's out of their control. Examples may be a medical emergency or loss of a job. These things aren't forseen & you can't always plan for it. I just don't want to see anyone else lose their home because they were greedy & wanted more of a home then they could afford.

This morning I was with some ladies from our ward & one of them had mentioned that they've been trying to sell their home since February. Her husband got a new job in Salt Lake & her & her three children have stayed behind to try to sell their home. I'm sad for her...this has to be a HUGE trial. It's hard with the market the way it is to have a lot of hope but her attitude was great.

I wish I knew the perfect solution at this time. I try to listen to recommendations & can only hope & pray that our country will choose the best one. I'm very happy that Senator McCain has chosen to suspend his campaign so that he can get to Washington & try to assist in fixing this problem. Although I think it may be politically motivated this is where he needs to be & this is what he should be doing. It's his job. I only wish Obama saw it this way also.

I hope that all of you will be impacted minimally; I think everyone will be impacted. Be wise & work hard!!!