Since I don't update my blog header monthly like I used to I thought it was time for a makeover.
It is a new year after all.
Not that I had the extra time to do it, but doing things such as these are therapeutic for me.
And I NEEDED THE THERAPY!

Some of us have little 3 year olds that do things like this with a Sharpie:


But not everyone has friends as cool as mine that bring their Magic Eraser's and scrub it off the walls and door for you.

I've been keeping track of all the mileage I've put on my shoes since I started running back in June.

I started out using Map My Run which has great tools to do just what it's called, since I don't have a GPS
(I still use their maps on occasion).
Then a friend told me about Daily Mile.
It has a wall kinda like facebook to post your workouts and see everyone else's workouts too.
You can request/deny friends (like facebook).
You can post comments, pics, etc... (like facebook).
It's fun to log on to see what type of workouts (running, walking, elliptical, basketball, etc...) everyone's up to.

To get to the point.
As soon as I hit a certain mileage on these babies:

Can't believe how fast time flies.
I have two babies.
One is 80 years old.
One is 3 years old.
Both need constant care.
(The reason why we probably won't be having anymore babies.)
My 3 year old baby had a milestone yesterday.
He GRADUATED FROM NURSERY!!!
So happy!
And sad :-(

Can't stop listening to this song. LOVE IT!!!
"The One You Love" by Rufus Wainright

Monday brought oodles of snow.
The kids were in heaven!
A little before 6pm the power went out.
We bundled up and lit some candles.
Bedtime came earlier than normal that evening.
It was an obvious way to stay warmer.
Hubby got home at 11pm.
Daylight came and we made the choice to escape.
By then the house was a frigid 41 degrees.
Our good friends, the Anderson's, took us in.
They provided us shelter.
They fed us.
They gave us a warm bed to sleep in.
They gave us a warm shower.
They gave us great company to forget our worries.
And even a little morning entertainment (you know who you are).
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Some of the most selfless people that I know.
School was cancelled for the rest of the week.
Power outage and icy roads were the cause.
The kids didn't mind.
We returned home Wednesday afternoon.
We found a good buddy had died.
Harry.
Sarah's African dwarf frog of 4.5 years.
Froze to death.
So sad.
Completely my fault.
I should have brought him along.
We also ended up having to throw out food.
$50 worth, including a big Thanksgiving ham.
Next time I'll be smarter and figure something out.
Hopefully there won't be a next time.
It's just part of living amongst the trees that lean on power lines while the wind doth blow.
Trees that topple over and block roads.
Trees that cause transformers to explode.
We are so grateful for a warm house again.
So grateful for good health.
So grateful for our safety.
So grateful for good friends and family who care for us.
So grateful for my Savior who gives me strength in times of need.


All these pictures were taken with my cell phone. 
Somebody took the batteries out of my camera when I needed them. Stinkers!

We are so proud of Sascha who needed no poking or prodding in joining his school orchestra (I had to bribe him to play a piano piece in sacrament meeting while the Primary kids sang, which he did amazing with.). I haven't had to bug him once to practice his viola. I actually think he does most of it at school. It's pretty easy for him. I'm sure next year will be more challenging. Or not.
 On our way out the door Apollo grabbed his camping chair stating that he needed to bring it. Yes, he's still wearing flip flops even though it's in the forties.
 Sarah grumbled when I told her she was coming (what is it with kids these days?) So she grabbed her book and this is what she did the whole time.

As I was going through some e mails, I came across this sinfully sweet temptation that if I could get my hands on it right now, I'd be doomed for the rest of the week. Good thing it's too late and they're closed. Enjoy some eye candy: