Another year over.....

so 2010 is coming to a close. i have mixed feelings about this year, it's been a good one, we got a squishy, beautiful baby, but i feel it's been an emotional year as well. i think you always feel that way after having a baby, it's such a HUGE recovery and adjustment. emotionally, mentally and especially for me, physically---but enough about all that, maybe sometime i will find another extra 15 minutes and blog more details but for now, let's focus on the events of 2010 in the gatherum family...here are some of the highlights {for me}

*this is the first year that our house and yard really came together, we have been working NON-STOP for FIVE long years on it and i felt that it was really awesome this year--JUST in time to put it on the market---maybe we are just crazy-who knows!

*we had our 20 week ultrasound and found out that our 4th baby was healthy, thriving and growing right on track, we also decided we weren't going to find out the sex--the funny thing is, the ultrasound tech told us that the baby was being VERY generous-so we totally could have found out, for some reason, her saying that made neal and i think we were having a boy...it just added that much more to our EXTREME surprise in july!

*we commemorated the 4th anniversary of nathaniel's death and the 5th of my moms...funny how i can now put these days on the lists of "highlights" from the year-it's taken many, many years of healing and grief to be able to list these days as anything but sad, so that to me is major progress, thus making it a highlight of my year!

*we switched the kids rooms around in anticipation for #4, painted, redecorated and made them all really cute.

*we started in the hellish i mean exciting CRAZY world of competitive soccer--holy cow, i NEVER knew something could be SO time consuming. jury is still out as to whether we are going to continue with that for the time being or hold off a few years---i am STILL recovering and it starts up again in less than THREE months---the kids did great though and they improved and learned a lot!

*boe turned SIX!

*neal and i celebrated NINE years of being married! holy cow-time FLIES by, in another 9 years, gage will be SEVENTEEN!

*neal got a sweet promotion at work--i am so proud of him!

*we got the BIGGEST surprise of our lives, when on july 15th, we had a baby GIRL! i kept asking my doctor if it was really a girl and he asked me if i knew the difference between boys and girls!

*ryder turned TWO!

*neal turned 34-OLD MAN-with the GRAY hair to prove it!

*we blessed lucy

*we went to bryce canyon for a week and lake powell for another

*kaylee got MARRIED--my littlest sissie is now a married woman, it was THE most beautiful day ever!

*neal got himself neutered-i KNOW this is TMI but most of the three peeps that still read this blog are family or very close friends and they already know and they know that neal and i have a very inappropriate sense of humor...so sorry if you are a random reader and this offends you---it is AWESOME to know that we are done--LOVE having babies and LOVE my kiddos but SO happy to move onto the next chapter of our lives.

*gage turned EIGHT!

*gage was baptized!

*we celebrated lucy's first halloween {she was the CUTEST lil pumpkin you ever did see along with a perfect harry potter, a "NICE" lion and a rad hip hoppin' michael jackson}, first thanksgiving and first christmas. she pretty much slept through it all!

*i turned 33!!! the jury is still out on how i feel about that one!

and here we are on the last day of the old year. there is something about this time of year that gets me sentimental. reflecting back on events and happenings. evaluating situations and thinking about how i could have done things differently or better. all in all, i feel this was a year of self exploration, of many, many realizations and reflection. i have made many goals for the new year. sure i have the old stand-by of "getting back into shape" i have discovered that no matter how thin {or not} that i am, i ALWAYS have this goal, so it doesn't really count. i want to focus on the inside this year (although, i feel that i need to be honest and give full disclosure for a moment--i am planning on getting a rockin' bod back AND getting breast augmentation {read: boob job} this year, so i am not going to pretend to be completely... um, pure? ;) continuing on, i really want to focus on being a better person, being more patient and kind and empathetic and less judgemental. everyone has a story and sometimes finding out those stories can change perspective and opinions. speaking of opinions, i am going to try to be less opinionated too---i know this one is a STRETCH, but i'm gonna try. i said T.R.Y! i have realized that while i am trying i can always TRY harder, so i am going to. i think my number one goal for 2011 is going to be to try to live in the moment. i have a hard time with this. i have a tendency to look ahead and always plan for the next big thing, i am going to try to enjoy the little moments of life that make it real and that truly matter. i am going to try to live everyday so that if something were to happen tomorrow, i WOUlDN'T have a regret from yesterday. i hope that each one of you has a happy new year, that you look back and reflect on another year over, and a new one just begun!

The Giving Tree

last year i took my kids to the festival of trees. i was overwhelmed-oh the stories that accompany each of these beautiful trees! i called my dad as soon as i got in my car and told him that i wanted to do a tree (next year which is THIS year--follow that?!) in honor of either my mom or nathaniel. he of course agreed. we began planning our tree right then and there! the first week in january, we went to the after christmas sales and bought most of the ornaments and the tree. we decided to do one for my mom first, we wanted to capture her--she loved beautiful things, her house was always amazing, especially around the holidays-we wanted to capture "that" in her tree. all i can say is, we tried! all year we would add a bit to our display and we would talk and plan---FINALLY october rolled around and we had the decorators workshop-me, my dad and kim went to it and i was SO.EXCITED! i apologize to those of you who heard me talk about it NON-STOP but it was ALL i could focus on for those last two months---we decided to name our tree {the giving tree}. my dad wrote a beautiful tribute about my mom that we included with the tree. he is SO good at words, i won't butcher it by trying to restate it verbatim, but pretty much he said that just as she was always giving to others, we wanted to give back in her honor. the {gifts} around our tree were filled with coats, hats and gloves for children, the {stockings} were hygiene kits for children along with some fun christmas toys and candy. we asked that whoever bought our tree, continue the {giving} by passing these things along to others who could use them. not only that, but by buying our {giving} tree, they were giving back and donating a lot of money to primary children's hospital. when decorating day FINALLY arrived, i was SO excited--me, my dad and kim all got to the expo at 7 AM (that my friends is a RECORD for me to be out and about--i am NOT a morning person!) and we finished up around 2 that afternoon. i was SO happy with it-it was BEAUTIFUL (if i do say so myself ;) i just HOPED that it would sell at auction! the next night, we got to go to bid night, me, neal, my dad and kim and kaylee and mikeal all met there. our tree had SOLD!!!! we were so happy! we spent the next couple of hours browsing the other beautiful and AMAZING trees and reading the heart-wrenching stories that went along with them. i was at first filled with sadness and even despair. there was SO much loss,sadness and suffering in that one room. but then my sadness turned to hope and i remembered the whole point of the christmas season. i felt peace and comfort and i felt the TRUE christmas spirit stronger then i have in a very long time. i really needed that---i needed to get outside of myself and look around me. yes, our circumstances are sad and less then desirable. no, i would never in a million years want to go through this and lose two members of my family, BUT, why NOT us? why should we be spared the sadness and trials of this life? i know that i have learned SO much from what we have been through. i have gone through the grieving process and have come out okay, it is now my turn to take what i have learned and try to help others who are sad and lonely and who are in need of my empathy, love and support. it can ALWAYS be worse. that is the beauty of events like the festival of trees. perspective is gained, lives are changed and hope is given. we are already planning our tree for next year.

Thankful for...

him and the pure love that a child brings into a home. I am thankful for all three of my kids equally, but today is this little guys' 4 month birthday! He is rolling over from back to front and LOVES his exersaucer. He loves to eat and is still a dream baby. We love HIM. Here's to wishing YOU a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving Holiday with your families!

Thankful for...

His birth and all it promises us. This year, more then ever, I am looking forward to the holiday season and the peace and comfort it brings to the world as we remember and celebrate the single most important event in history.

Thankful for...

family. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better one. Wouldn't want to be on this journey without any of these seven. Love you all...

Thankful For...

these four. I don't know what I'd do without them. In these times of economic strife, uncertainly, war, turmoil and sadness, it is easy to forget about ALL THE GOOD that still exists in our world. Love you...

Six For Saturday...

1. So thankful for my dad and the chance to go to lunch with him today and just talk. Love you Daddy-O.

2. So thankful for this spring-like weather we are having. I am about to take my kids out for a walk-our first in a LONG time.

3. So thankful for a sweet friend who thought to send me the most amazing book which brought me so much comfort and peace.

4. So thankful for Lowe's-they really do carry ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you need when doing a home improvement project.

5. So thankful for the miracle of Life and Death.

6. So thankful for my expanding stomache! I should post some pictures, in the last couple of days, I have really "popped!"

Six for Saturday...

1. I am grateful that I am done cleaning my grout and tile. It took me literally all day, but it looks SO much better. Now I just have to seal it...

2. I am grateful that my first trimester is officially over! I am feeling so good and I am feeling more secure with the pregnancy. I have an appointment on Monday, so I'll update if there is any new info.

3. I am grateful for all of my great blogging friends. Really, you are all awesome and I am glad I have gotten to reconnect/know each of you!

4. I am grateful for the blessings of the temple. Neal's older brother, his wife and their two adorable kids were sealed together yesterday. It was the best day and I am thankful I got to experience it with them. Congrats Darren and Jen!

5. I am grateful for my cell phone. My sisters live out of the state and it is so nice to be able to talk to them for as long as I want to without having to worry about a huge long-distance bill.

6. I am grateful for Neal's cute little sister Angela. She is awesome and I love her to pieces. She watched 7 little kids yesterday so the adults could attend the temple with Darren and Jen. Plus, she always comes down to keep me company when Neal is out of town and she is my favorite shopping pal. Love ya Ang.

Well, that's it for this week. I am going to go continue on with my cleaning and other things I need to get done before the night ends. It might be nice if I made it into the shower today too! Have a great weekend!

Six for Saturday...

I am sad that I have let my gratitude lists go so I am determined to post one this week... Next week, yes, next week I'll get caught up on my blogging and post all my holiday pics. I am sure you are all DYING to see them! Kidding of course, but I consider this my online journal effort so I'd like to get them up eventually. Anyways, I feel that I am returning to the land of the living. We went to Chilli's last night for dinner, it was the first time that I have actually been CRAVING food and it was so good. Love the chips and salsa eh court and mind??? Anyways, I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend...

1. I am grateful for good health and feeling good. I am one of those who don't realize how much I appreciate something until it is gone, even if it's only temporarily gone, and I am so grateful for the blessing of feeling good and NORMAL.

2. I am grateful for my kids. They have been so flexible with me and allowed direct tv to raise them these last 6 weeks. Gage has made me more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches then I can count and Boe is always good for a back rub or to play with my hair.

3. I am grateful for Neal. My house has become a war-zone, literally. There has been an ever present mountain of dishes, the laundry has piled up and I haven't lifted a finger to clean a thing. Neal has stepped up and really helped me out, which I know is to be expected, but he could have been a dirt bag about it and complained, but he didn't and I am grateful he just let me lay still for 6 weeks!

4. I am grateful that my sisters could come home for the holidays. I always feel "at home" when they are here and I feel that no matter what is happening, life is okay. They make me feel really nostalgic for my mom. Love you sissies.

5. I am grateful for the blessing of being a mom. I can't wait for this baby and even though I have felt crappy, I find myself laying on the couch and contemplating what is happening to my body and it is just amazing. I can't think of a greater privilege then being a mother.

6. I am grateful for this new year-2008! I love the fresh start and feeling that comes with a new year. I am starting out today by organizing the top floor of my house, moving down to the middle and finishing up in the basement. Okay, so that is wishful thinking, but my goal is to clean, organize and dejunk the entire upstairs today! Wish me luck! Happy New Year Everybody!

Five For Fridays, a bit late...

So I have been SICK, not just kindof sick but REALLY, REALLY SICK and I have to say that it sucks. I am thankful that in the end I will have a chubby, pink, adorable baby, but right now it isn't very fun. I wasn't sick with my first two so I am not at all used to this. Okay, enough complaining. On to the five things or people I am thankful for this week :)

1. Meet my good friend Mandy. She and I have known each other for 23 years! I met her when my family and I moved here from California. Her birthday was this past Wednesday and I just want her to know how much I love and appreciate her. She is such a positive person and I admire her optimism and faith in the midst of challanges. Hope you had a GREAT old lady 30th b-day Mand!

2. I am grateful that I can teach violin lessons at my house. It is so great to be able to bring in extra money as well as get away from my kids and do something I am good at, all while I stay in the comfort of my own home. I love it and I am very glad that my mom made me keep taking lessons (until I was 18!!!)

3. I am grateful for modern medicine. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer this past week and had a masectomy yesterday morning. Because of the advances of modern medicine, she was home eating dinner with her family last night! Amazing!

4. I am grateful I have a garage. I used to hate scraping the ice off of my car when I lived at home and had to park on the driveway. I love hopping into my car and getting it nice and warm before I even leave the house. I am a wimp I know.

5. I am grateful for today (Saturday) because it's the best I've felt all week and I am gonna enjoy it and appreciate it while it lasts!

6. Now meet Janelle. I have a bunch of friends who have birthday's during the month of December, and this is another one of them. Janelle and I have known each other since high school but didn't really hit it off until after graduation. We shared some crazy, fun times and I love her to pieces. Hope you have a great day today poops!

I hope you all have a great weekend...

Five For Fridays...

I am especially grateful today because...

1. We are going to have another baby!!! I am so excited and consider it a great blessing to be able to have children and bring them into the world. My kids can hardly wait and tell everyone they see that "my mom is growing a baby in her tummy." You can imagine the looks that we get!
2. I am grateful for the snow and rain we have received this past week. I enjoy drinking water, bathing and keeping my grass and flowers alive, so I am thankful for the precipation we get.

3. I am grateful for Beeline Pest Control. Have a spider problem? Give them a call. I have used them for the past 6 years and I love them. We never see so much as a hint of a live spider anywhere inside the house.

4. I am grateful for holiday parties. I love going to celebrations and festivities that help me feel the Christmas spirit and get into the holiday mood.

5. I am grateful for Magic Moments Preschool that helps give me a little bit of time alone each week!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Five For Fridays...

1. I am truly thankful for my hair straightener. Between it and my great hair gal Marti, they help make a pretty awful situation, bearable!

2. I am thankful for my furnace. Holy Crap it's cold outside. I like cranking that sucker up to 75 degrees to stay toasty warm in my house. Neal appreciates me doing it too :)

3. I am thankful for this Christmas season. For the birth of Jesus Christ and that because of that one event, our lives are constantly blessed and we have the knowledge of eternity.

4. I am thankful for the library. I LOVE reading and I try to take full advantage of my local library.

5. I am thankful for my crock pot. I use that thing at least twice a week. It is so easy and convenient to throw in the ingredients and not touch it again until it's time for dinner!

Five For Friday....On Thursday-Happy Thanksgiving!

Since we are going out of town tomorrow morning, I thought I'd post my Five For Fridays today. I also thought it was appropriate with today being Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a safe, happy holiday with your families and loved ones.

1. I am thankful for our dog Zepplin, otherwise known as Zep. We have had him for almost 7 years and he is the most loving and loyal pet. He lets my kids ride him like a horse and I have never heard him snap or even growl at them. There is just something about animals, we humans could learn a lot from them. Love you Zeppy!

2. I am thankful for Neal's family who I get to spend Thanksgiving with today. Out of our 7 married Thanksgivings, this will only be the second time that we have had Thanksgiving dinner with Neal's family. We've had some extenuating circumstances on my side of the family :) and have spent as many holidays there as we could. But now that things have settled down, I am excited to move back to the every other year plan. I love Neal's family for who they are and what they teach me and for the examples that they are to me and my family. There is NEVER a dull moment at the Gatherum's house and my kids love playing with their 12 cousins!
3. I am thankful for my Grandma Fillmore (my mom's mom.) She was one of the most wonderful, beautiful people that I have ever known and her influence is still felt in my life on a daily basis. She is one of the most generous, loving people I know. She would have done anything for her family and I feel that much of my love and appreciation for family, holidays and traditions is from her and her great example. 5. And last today, I am thankful for my house. Can you imagine being homeless these last couple of nights? It has been so bitter cold. I tried to go running a couple of nights and just about froze my tail off. It would be so sad to not have somewhere to go for warmth, shelter and love and I am so grateful for my house. I am truly so blessed. Have a wonderful day. Love, Adrian

FIVE FOR FRIDAY

This has been a good week, busy, but good. I had a hard time narrowing my list to just 5 things this week:

1. I am so grateful for this beautiful fall weather we have been having. I love that my kids and I can still wear t-shirts and flip-flops and play at the park. I love when we are able to experience the 4 distinct seasons that makes Utah's climate so great.

2. I am grateful for the material luxuries that make my life so easy. I am grateful for my microwave and dishwasher and central vacuum and for my hair straightener. I know that this one is kind of shallow, but I really am thankful for all the technology and knowledge that we have to make our lives easy.

3. I am grateful for my husband. He is such a good man and I love him for all the things he does and is trying to do in his life in order to make our lives better.

4. I am grateful for the wonderful invention of padded bras. Two pregnancies and two kids in 18 months-no need to explain further.

5. I am grateful for my freedom and for all the men and women who give of themselves or who have given of themselves in order for me and my family to enjoy the blessings of liberty and democracy.

That's all for this week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The First Five For Fridays...

Last week in Relief Society, our lesson was on Gratitude. I started thinking of all the things I am grateful for that I take for granted or don't fully appreciate. So, this past week I decided to try to take time every day to list the things I am grateful for. It is easy to let life get us down, sometimes the negative aspects of our lives seem to out-weigh the positives but I know that I am so incredibly blessed and have much to be grateful for. I decided to make a weekly post "Five For Fridays" and post five things that I have been most grateful for that week. So, here is the first "Five For Fridays" post with my top 5 things from this week:

1. I am so grateful for my children's health. Lately it seems that I have been surrounded by so many people who have sick children and babies. I have been incredibly blessed thus far, to have very healthy kids and I couldn't be more thankful for that.

2. I am grateful for my own health. I too have been blessed with very good health and I am so thankful for it. I try very hard to not take it for granted.

3. I am grateful for my testimony. I don't know where I'd be without it.

4. I am grateful for my family. This group is comprised of my own parents, sisters and brother, Neal's family and the family that Neal and I have made together. I gain so much by my associations with all of you and I am grateful for the support and love you all give to me.

5. I am grateful for my friends. Some of you have been around for longer than half of my life and others I have picked up somewhere along the way, but either way I am blessed to have wonderful friends who give me love and support.

Well, that is my list for this week. Feel free to join in and play along...