November 23, 2020

Light in the Darkness

My little crew❤

Could life be any crazier?! October flew by, and now it's November bringing cold weather, Thanksgiving, and excitement to celebrate Christmas, to have joy amongst the crazy. This year has certainly been one to remember! With the craziness of COVID, the reconstruction of our backyard (keep reading for details), the awesomeness health coaching has brought to my life, and the realization of so many important truths. It's weird how hard times can remind us just how blessed we are. We can do hard things! Here's how we've kept sane through all of it!


Our last day in Colorado. 

Recently we just got back from an epic trip to Colorado! We were able to visit some family we absolutely LOVE and have missed so much. It was a grand adventure taking 3 kiddos on a flight in the middle of a pandemic, at the crack of darkness. They actually did great on the flight there, except for a little motion sickness and tears, we made it in one piece.

Callie and Daxton checking out the chickens


Did I mention there was a pig too?


All the "big" kids. Callie and Koda were being held. 



I was so happy that these two finally met!


Our last day in Colorado. 



In all our years in Utah, we never saw Arches National Park, and so we took the fantastic opportunity and spent our Sunday enjoying one of many of God’s Creations. Callie and Dax LOVED having the freedom of walking around! It was pretty awesome when it tuckered them out too.


Exploring Arches National Park

 

I sure love these kids!

Carter by balance rock with his buddy!

I don’t know if any of you have visited the incredibly beautiful state of Colorado, but there is SO MUCH to do and see! Our trip consisted of cards games, hiking, experiencing life in the middle of nowhere, and the breath-taking views of a beautiful world. We ate delicious food, stayed up late, and soaked in time with family. I’m so thankful for wonderful trips like these, where we create memories with people we cherish. Thank Tressa and Kyle for putting up with us and our family shenanigans. We love you! 

She loved sliding down the slide at the park!



Carter


Love this little boy!

He can hardly wait to get back to the classroom for face to face learning. Virtual learning has been hard for this energetic second grader. He has told me every day how much he just wants to talk and interact with his class mates in person. Poor kid only has a 2-year-old brother and an 18-month-old sister to play with when he's not in class. We have awesome new neighbors that always want to play and have fun with him, but it just isn't the same as playing with kids your own age.


Carter started football with 2 of his buddies, and his daddy is the assistant coach. It's fun to see him get so excited for something. He also started taking piano lessons, and I often think about how I should have never quit playing. I'm excited for him to have things in his life that keep him excited!

Daxton

Is this not the cutest smile you've ever seen?!

This crazy little boy has my heart. He is super sweet at times and has a feisty side to him. He's very mischievous, because his curiosity can't be turned off. We've been working with a speech therapist to get him talking more, and it has been so fun to see the leaps and bounds he is making. Even though he turns our house upside down, I thank my Heavenly Father every day for him! He is a miracle we prayed for, and continually count our blessing that he is ours for eternity!

This little boy... He has my heart!


Callie

Oh my heart ❤ 

This sweet, sassy girl, is our little princess. She has everyone wrapped around precious finger. She just keeps growing up and making the world the place she wants it to be. Her vocabulary consists of mama. hi, hey, yeah, tickle, and every word in baby gibberish you can think of. I love this phase with my sweet little girl, but every time she goes down for bed… I just want her to wake up the same age she is. She’s growing out of her wanting mama all the time stage, and has started wanting her daddy. Although I love that she loves her daddy, I just want her to keep wanting me all the time.

I was so sad she didn't have a dress, but she is still so beautiful!

This little girl LOVES aniimals


Jason

These boys <3

This man has been working hard on all things backyard. In the span of a week, he put in sprinklers, sod, rubber mulch, and just yesterday finished a walkway to our pool. He has blown me away with not only all of his work, but the fact that he spends time with his kids after work, and works long into the night after they have gone down. It could be because I’ve complained a whole lot in the past, but honestly, I think it is just because he knows how hard I work during the day. He’s a keeper and I love him with all of my heart!

Bird's eye view of our backyard coming together! 

This is the amazing work of a hard working man!


Coach Clarissa

I kind of miss my long hair...

Well, I think this is the first time I have actually written down my title as “Coach Clarissa,” but it is something that I have really enjoyed. Becoming a health and wellness coach was never something I ever saw myself being. Health, fitness, nutrition, all of these things have always been a curiosity of my, but with all the stuff that’s out there…I quickly turned my head and did my own thing. The program I am a coach for, encompasses all the areas of health, and what’s amazing, is that it educates you on the way you need to fuel your body, mind, and spirit. I love the fact that I get to help people on their journey in this life. So many wonderful, incredible, individuals, has stretched out their hands for me to grasp on to through times when I really needed it. I feel like this crazy Corona pandemic has really hit some people hard, and they are realizing just how precious life is. We are only given one life to live, why not make it the best life EVER?!

 

Taking family photos and capturing precious moments

Besides health and wellness coaching, I have been loving on my kids like no one’s business! I have never had the energy to roll around on the floor with them and take silly pictures with them, I’ve always been quick to react to their messes, annoyed by their curious questions, and exhausted from the things that I thought were inconveniences, I have been that mom that doesn’t always see how wonderful her children are. Well now, we run around the house playing tag, we eat messy things, we have a house that is very lived in, and I feel like I have so much more to say about my day to Jason than, “I am so glad you are home! Here’s your children, have fun!” I am actually excited for Carter to be on Thanksgiving break, so we can play instead of fight over homework assignments. I feel like I am finally becoming the mom I always wanted to be! The one who loves on her children fiercely and has so many memories to share with them. Sure, I care about the cleanliness of my house, but only after sweet spirits are dreaming. I hope you have all found something to love, and something to be grateful for during this crazy year! Look past the darkness and into the light that this hard time has shined on your life! Thanks for listening to my babbling, and I truly hope these words find you with peace and hope in your heart! Happy Thanksgiving week!!

Nothing like snapchat with your baby!

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