Counting my Blessings

Being a mom, wife, bookkeeper, maid, etc.. can really take a toll on your mind and body. I have been extra grumpy lately (to the point my husband says do you hate your life, your so unhappy) that is not a good sign. I honestly can not tell you it is one thing or another just in a funk that has been hard to snap out of. So I have been working out 3 days a week in the morning, that is helping me to get time away and to do something for myself. I have set a goal to train for a half marathon, not sure if or when I will actually run one, but I am training for one anyways. (because I have finally started to train is when I will end up pregnant or something else will come along, but until then running it is).

I am feeling especially grateful for the blessings I have been given, I get to stay home, be a mom, have a husband that works really hard to support us, have great friends, loving supportive family, live in a great area, have a gorgeous home, the list goes on. I am especially grateful for my health, Papa Dale Chitwood is having surgery this week for Lung cancer it looks like things will be good after the surgery, but always harder to take when it is someone close to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers every night Papa Dale we are not gonna let you get passed this without a fight and an army of people that love you behind you.

My friends from California Andrea and Dan have been trying for many years to have a baby and with envitro they got pregnant, but she has had some serious complications from about 6 weeks on. She is due in April with a baby boy, talked to her last week was having a hard day, but things were looking up. Got an email from her mom tonight she is in the hospital the baby is coming early, not sure the details yet. This couple have been through a lot this past year in their family and this sweet miracle would be such a great blessing to their family. I am thinking of you often Andrea, hang in their everything will work out you are an amazing strong women and will be a great mom. We are praying for you everyday.

My dad has been to just about every doctor for every part of his body since they have been home and so far things are checking out overall good. His hearing aids are even working better he can hear me on the phone now so that is great. All the prayers seem to be working. Thank you

So now when I get frustrated and need to take a deep breath I think, my life is fabulous and I have so many things to be grateful for, even my 2 year old covered in sunscreen that she so proudly thought was lotion.

And cuddle time with daddy with she is not feeling so well.

Who couldn't love this face even if it usually means I just did something I know I was not supposed to

My family always knowing when a hug is needed. This was Valentines Day, daddy was cooking his valentines dinner.

Looks like a pro, basting the lobster, shrimp in the pan, steaks on the grill.

Brooklyn was not quite sure what was going on, but she was excited

Yummy dinner, babe! I think you should cook more often

Barbies from daddy, he got these for $5 he even got a bargain on Valentines day. She sleeps with them every night.

Bet you never thought you would see Danny playing Barbies

I think shes in love with Ken

Pretending to be sleeping on the stairs, her imagination has expanded and it is so much fun watching her figure out new things. Her latest has been saying come on or come here and she looks at you with her finger towards her face and motions you to come with her finger it is super cute. She is a cuddle bug and daddy's girl, she always wants her daddy to come play with her. Which at the end of the day is a great break for me.

If anyone has a few extra moments can you just say a little prayer for Papa Dale and Andrea that they will be in good hands and send the blessings their way. Thank you.

Updating

SO i am SLOWLY updating the blog, but posting them at the dates that they occured so if you wanna see something new you gotta look below!! Thanks for being patient it has been a crazy few months.

Barnetts and McCall

B hanging out with Uncle Josh and his new Iphone. Josh and Kristian came into town to check things out again, see how the housing market is, check out schools and Kristian meet with Doctors here to see if they could take care of her if they move here.

Josh had a long day passed out on the couch when we came back from the store.

At the end of the week we went to McCall Idaho to go to the Winter Festival. We rented a cabim with the Wheelers and Ispens. It was my first time to McCall, I was excited to go and have always wanted to go to the festival.

The festival is all about the ice sculptures throughout town. This one was the winner this year, outside a wood carvers shop.

Panning for cold even had a stream below him.

All those pictures were of the call of the wild sculpture pretty amazing, this was the second weekend of the festival so some of the ice had started melting but they were still so detailed.

Zambonie outside the ice rink

B walking along Vendor row thinking she is just so grown up.

Didn't try one, but they are supposed to be really good.

Rocket and Astronauts

Wine bottle w/ grapes

Frog on a lilly pad

Side view Kris liking the frogs tongue

Playing Cuponk in the cabin

Where's the ball?

Matt trying

Marin trying

Josh trying

And Kristian trying...all FAILED

Matt testing the snow pile on the back porch

Josh making a snow angel

Saturday we played in the snow and went snowshoeing, Kris was quite excited

And then she fell

and so did Josh

And now they are up again.

Brooklyn and Garrett being pulled in the sleds

B was cranky did not want to go for a ride.

They took a little break and went sledding - go Marin

I'm not so sure about this Daddy!

Garrett loved it

More snow play, before heading into town for lunch

Reagan taking it all in

Shan's first snow angel

Marins much better

Kristian's angel

B saw us all on the ground so she had to do it too

Not bad for a 2 yr old

Garrett having fun eating snow

Playing in town for lunch

The kids loved stomping in the water.

That evening to finish out the festival they had fireworks over the lake.

It was a pretty amazing show, lasted a while

Brooklyn liked checking out all the colors.

Playing with her new light saber that the Wheelers bought her.

Garrett and Brooklyn playing with there leaptops in the morning.

On the way home we took a detour and went to Tamarack to check it out.

It is a beautiful resort, hopefully they can get the financing figured out and keep it open so we can ski there one day.

Tired girls, it was a long weekend time to take a little nap.

We had a lot of fun taking turns with meals, playing games, playing in the snow, taking walks with our friends. It was a beautiful place, the cabin was perfect. We could not have asked for a more relaxing fun filled weekend away. Hopefully we will do it more often.