2011 Reflection...what a road!

Now to look back at this crazy year and reflect...

1. What did I do in 2011 that you've never done before? I became a stepmom to 5 children and lost 50 lbs. and got pregnant for the 2nd time.

2. Did I keep my new year's resolutions, and will I make more? For the most part I did...lost weight, got engaged, married, and pregnant. I still have a long ways to go with my other resolutions, but I always make goals and try to achieve them.

3. Did anyone close to me give birth? Yes! Jana had Hobie on January 13, 2011. He is stinking cute!

4. Did anyone close to you die? Not anyone super close to me died...but I did go to several funerals this year of some pretty special people that have impacted my life in some way. They will be missed.

5. What countries did you visit? If you consider California and Utah a different country than yeah I visited there, but I didn't leave the country this year.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that I didn't in 2011? My baby to be born, so I can hold her on the outside of me instead of the inside :-)

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why? January 29th...Tony officially proposed to me the day before my birthday. March 4th...I married an amazing man and became a stepmom to his 5 amazing kids! May 7th...I found out I was expecting a baby!! September 2nd we found out our baby is a GIRL...that makes number 6 girl.

8. Biggest achievement of the year? Getting married, pregnant, and being able to stay home and be home for the kids.

9. Biggest failure? Not renewing my temple recommend when it expired even though the temple is closed. I should still have one.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A few bruises from our little accident with the astro van, but other than that, the normal pregnancy icky moments.

11. What was the best thing you bought? A suburban that fits everyone in the family.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Everyone...it is a hard adjustment trying to blend 2 families. Overall, I think everyone is doing a fine job.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Every kid had their moment this year. It all comes down to adjustment to new people in your life.

14. Where did most of your money go? Food and bills...of course with that many people in the family.

15. What did you get really, really, really, excited about? Getting remarried, finding out I was pregnant, going to California for Thanksgiving.

16. What song will always remind you of 2011? Hey, Soul Sister...loved singing along with Tony playing it on the guitar.

17.Compared to this time last year are you:
18. a) happier or sadder? I would say the same. I was happy last year because I was dating Tony...I'm happy this year because I'm about to have a BABY!
      b)thinner or fatter? Of course I'm fatter...I'm 9 months pregnant
      c) richer or poorer? I actually have more money than last year, but it gets used a lot quicker with that many people in the family.

19. What do you wish you'd done more of? Cleaning and organizing the house. Pregnancy made me lazy.

20. What do you wish you'd done less of? Sleeping
21. How did you spend Christmas?  At home and then visiting Tony's family and then my family.
22. Did I fall in love in 2011? OH YES!!
23. What was your favorite TV program? The Office, Lost, Once Upon a Time, Dancing with the Stars
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? I don't hate anyone...but I struggle with some behaviors from certain people that I haven't had to deal with before.
25. What is the best book you read? I read a couple Harry Potter books this year. Those are fun to read.
26. What is your greatest musical discovery? I discovered the Pandora station and I love it! I think my favorite is the Train station. The songs are so good.
27. What did you want and get? To get remarried :-)
28. What did you want and not get? To keep my weight going down...pregnancy kind of prevents that.
29. What was your favorite film of this year? I would say Breaking Dawn, just because I saw it last night for the first time!
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 32 and I had a party at my parents house. Tony got to be there with me :-)
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I don't think anything could have. I am satisfied.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011? Find anything that fits. Things were too big at the beginning of the year and I'm ending the year with everything too small for my belly.
33. What kept you sane? My computer and being able to be in my room when things got overwhelming for me...and a huge bathtub to soak in.
34. Which celebrity/ public figure did you fancy the most? Not into fancying celebrities...but I find it entertaining to follow stories online. It's like a train wreck...can't turn away!
35. What political issue stirred you the most? The Republican party primaries. Finding a candidate for next year.
36. Who did you miss? I missed spending time with my mom. It was an adjustment not being with her everyday.
37. Who was the best new person you met? Hmmm...instead of saying one person, I'm going to say the whole Flores family. They are awesome!
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson learned in 2011...patience. Adjustment to change is really, really hard and the best thing to do in that situation is to have patience and understanding. It will not always be so hard.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.  "I knew there was somebody somewhere like me alone in the dark. Now I know my dream will live on, I've been waiting so long. Nothing's going to tear us apart...In the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you." At the beginning from Anastasia the movie.

Christmas 2011

 Busy, Busy Christmas this year! We had all the kids with us for Christmas and it was a lot of fun. A lot different then Christmas's I've ever had, but I really enjoyed it. As always when things are different than you are used to it is hard, but still enjoyable!

 Even Elly got something in her stocking :-) Anna was the first to point it out! Lucky girl, not even here yet and Santa brings her something!

 Oh the presents, always a fun part of Christmas morning after checking out what Santa brought. 

 We spent time at Tony's parents and my parents and we had a great time!! I appreciate everything that both families did for us this season. Mom's talent of making gifts always amaze me and the time and effort she puts in to each one of them. We all got hats this year, Anna's was a Care Bear. So cute. 

 At the Flores house, it's always fun and an enjoyable experience. I loved it!

 Melissa's turtle hat

 Tony's Angry Birds hat

 Elena the panda

 Erin's cat hat

 Audrey and her fancy purple and black hat. 

 Chilly Willy for me! :-)

Oh and the best of all...PAPA SMURF!! LOVE IT!!

Traditions are always tricky when you combine to families and it was hard for me, but I know as time goes on we will be able to carve our own traditions and it will become easier for everyone. Overall, I enjoyed Christmas and love being able to spend time with family. 

December Activities

 Shop with a cop!! Melissa thoroughly enjoyed herself this year being able to go shopping with a local cop from the caldwell city police department. She got to choose presents for everyone in the family and got to ride in a police car to Kmart with the lights and sirens on. It was very fun for her and she pretty much loved being able to shop and hang out with her new girl cop friend. She loves thinking of other people and choosing presents for them. That's Melissa for you!

 The holiday season wouldn't be complete without lots of Christmas programs. They were in the evening and split up each day. The 4th and 5th graders got 1 day, 2nd and 3rd, and Kindergarten and 1st. So we had to go each night to a different one. They all did a great job. I did notice that all of the songs they sang had absolutely no mention of the Savior which made me sad because He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.

I was pleasantly surprised at the high school choir Christmas concert because they did sing songs about the Savior and the choirs did an amazing job. They have amazing voices!

 My grown up girl...as usual on Joe's birthday we went up to the cemetery for our own little celebration. We always take a tree up and decorate it for him. One of Melissa's favorite traditions and mine. I love the time we get to just have a moment of reflection. I have a picture of Melissa by the tree every year since Joe died and it's amazing to see how much she's grown. This year I had quite the emotions as I looked at her picture compared to the other years. The growth that she's had just in this year alone is incredible. The changes she's been through, the new family she is adjusting to. It's just been amazing to watch her grow and blossom during this huge life change. I have moments of sadness knowing that the growth that she is making will not be witnessed by her father, although he probably knows better than I the growth that she experiences. I know he is pleased with her and the love and kindness that are naturally there for her. I also know that he probably knows how hard it is for her sometimes and I'm sure Heavenly Father gives her extra boosts of love especially from her father when she needs it the most. I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. I can't even express the love I have for that little girl.

Thanksgiving!!

Here is a glimpse into our FABULOUS Thanksgiving vacation to California! I am thankful for my California family and any chance I get to visit and spend time with them. We had a great time spending time with them and hanging out and eating LOTS of turkey! Melissa loved the time she got to spend playing with all of her cousins down there. Outside with the boys, doing Abby's hair and decorating cookies with her, playing wii with the boys and Ashlee and Jolynn. We had a great time, we love them all and am very thankful for them and their willingness to let us come stay.

Halloween

 So cute! Both of them! It is really different trying to get 1 child ready for Halloween let alone 6 of them! Luckily we pulled it off and had a great time being all Halloweeny.

 Couldn't pass up an pregnant costume. It was too good not to.

 Family of crayons

Papa Johns guy and Captain America...That has a nice ring to it.

October 21st.

 This has to be one of my favorite pictures. We did our annual trip to the cemetery on October 21st. Melissa showed Tony how it's done and it seriously warmed my heart to see these two cleaning up the headstone together.  I'm so glad we got to share our tradition with Tony and that he was so willing to jump in and enjoy the moment with us even though it is such a hard day for me. It makes me happy that it is turned into such a looked forward to outing for Melissa though. She LOVES to go up to the cemetery and visit her father and it brings me such comfort to know that there is enough love in both of us to love 2 men. She loves her father, and she loves Tony.

 I can't believe how grown up she is...this last year has put her through many changes that are HARD for a little one to go through, but she is a trooper and it has made her so much stronger and mature. I have seen her work so hard and mature so fast. I love this girl so much and I am so very proud of her and everything she has been able to accomplish this year.

I love seeing her smiling and happy just to be spending time with Tony and me. We waited a long time to find him and I am extremely happy that we he found us when he did. He has brought lots of changes to our lives and love. 6 years ago I had hope for something like this to happen. I didn't know it would be 5 years down the road before we would meet him...but I'm happy that we did. Patience and hope that Heavenly Father will give you what you need, when you need it. I'm glad He felt like this it what I needed.

27 weeks!

Yeah that's right...it's my belly, and yes I'm only 27 weeks. One week shy of the beginning of my 3rd trimester. If you are wondering, no, it's not twins...and yes I'm freaking HUGE! Where else is she going to go, I don't have anywhere else for her to go, but out. Luckily I have not gained a lot of weight, I'm right on track to where I should be. Hopefully I stay that way in the next 3 months.

She is one active little bug in me. She kicks, she twirls, she does some amazing acrobatics, but mostly during the night time hours. I wish it was during the day, but it's not. It's when I'm trying to get comfortable enough to get a good night's sleep that she figures it's time to show off. Only a couple of the kids have been able to feel her kick, she likes to save it for when they look away or take their hand off my belly. She does like to kick her dad though, they totally high five each other. 

So now the countdown is on. Melissa reminds me every day how many weeks it is until the due date. This week makes it 13 weeks. I am looking forward to being able to hold her on the outside of me. Luckily I have a few holidays to get through before then to keep my attention distracted from the "is it time yet" blues. Here's to getting through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years! Then it's time for a baby!! Bring her on!

Widows and Widowers Conference

I'm a very blessed lady. There are 3 ladies that I consider to be some of my very best friends and we have a common bond. We all lost our husbands. We joined the dreaded widow club, but through it we have found each other and I love these ladies. We had the opportunity to go down to Salt Lake and attend a widows conference this last weekend with the theme being "Finding Peace in Parenting". It couldn't have come at a better time. Being 6 months into my remarriage with Tony, challenges have come up and I have found myself discouraged at the stepmom I am and expected to be. The lesson I continue to learn is to be the kind person I am, and change my reactions to situations to make them better.
I drove down with Heather and Jen and attended the Friday night conference. I left uplifted, but yet a little sad that Tony couldn't be there. I was hoping I could share with him what I learned so that we could do things together.  I was feeling very down about that and I was very surprised and pleased when I received a text from him saying that he found someone to cover his shifts at work. He drove all night Friday night to be with me for the workshops on Saturday. Amazing, he is simply amazing. After driving all night and sleeping for a few hours, he met up with us at the church and we were able to attend the workshops together. It was all about step parenting, which I needed tremendously. I hope Tony got as much out of it as I did. It uplifted me quite a bit and gave me hope that it won't always be so hard. As long as I keep close to the Lord all things will be turned to good, even the bad stuff. I'm glad I went. So glad I got to spend time with friends and with Tony. So grateful we were able to spend time with Jeanna, and it was just nice to get away for awhile. Melissa had a wonderful weekend spending it with Stephanie Green and the Whiteleys. So glad it turned out good all the way around.

It's a GIRL!

That's right...another girl...where will we put her you ask? Good question, haha! No, just kidding we have it figured out. It will be tight, but you do what you have to do right? I'm really excited for this little girl. I'm excited for Melissa to have a sister that never has to leave our home. She is super excited for a little sister and I am so happy about that. Tony Jr. is still the lone brother in the midst of 6 girls, he almost cried, but quickly recovered. He is right smack in the middle with 3 girls on each side of him.

I get a little teary eyed just thinking of what the next year brings for me. To have Melissa turn 8 and get baptized and have a little one to bless close to the same time, what a blessing! The changes I've gone through this year have been overwhelming and hard, but oh so worth it and I couldn't be happier. Now that I'm halfway through this pregnancy and really am counting down. I want to hold this baby girl in my arms and just enjoy her. I've waited so long not knowing if I would ever get to experience a brand new baby of my own again. I'm so blessed!

School time!!!

This is Melissa at the meet and greet the day before school :-) She is SO happy to be in 2nd grade!!

First DAY of school...All ready to go!

Elena starting 5th grade...she isn't quite sure of her teacher yet. She has heard some horror stories, so we'll see how the year goes for her.

Tony started the 4th grade. Not much excitement out of him, but he is super smart, so everything should go well for him.

Anna is in Kindergarten this year. She goes to all day Kindergarten, so she goes Mon, Tues, and every other Wednesday. SO I get a lot of days all by myself at home. I'm so glad!

 I didn't get pictures of Audrey and Erin...Boo...but Erin is in 7th grade and Audrey started HIGH SCHOOL!! EEK! I am a step mom to a high schooler! She is in 9th grade at Vallivue High School, and so far she says her favorite class is Seminary. I hope that it always is her favorite class :-)
I'm super excited that all the kids are in school...for still trying to get used to having 6 kids around it was a VERY long summer.  This gives me time to just chill and get ready to have another one home with me. I am halfway there to having the new one join this crazy family. We should be finding out this week what we are having, so I am super excited for that! That just gives me about 20 weeks to prepare this house and myself and 6 kids to have a new one join us. Let the NESTING begin!!!

Uh...It's been a while. I have an excuse I promise!!

It's been a long time...so sorry about the lag in posts! It's been eventful and I haven't felt well, because of being preggo! It's due January 19th. I finally made it to 2nd trimester, so things are looking up!

 Here is our announcement made in June

We also went to the Kerbs Reunion at Camp Manapu right outside Ketchum...so fun, it would have been if we could have taken all the kids, but timing didn't work, and they were with their mother that weekend. It was a great weekend camping...it always is when you are surrounded by family. We took the Stanley way back and it was pretty exciting with the herd of deer and 9 more in the road all the way home. It has been a great summer and we've done some pretty fun things as a family. I will try to do better in keeping updated as we progress this year!

10K for the 2 of us!

Look at us, walking a 10K together...we absolutely had the best time and we did it in 1 hour and 50 minutes and 20 seconds. Tony took 2nd in his age bracket too! I'm sure there were maybe 2 or maybe 3 of them. HA HA! I love doing these kinds of things with Tony and I love the time I get to just being able to spend time and talk with him. It is 1 more goal that I accomplished this year and I am so excited to get started on some more! I sure do love this guy!