Lessons From a Six Year Old

I'm not sure why, but lately the kids have decided that just as everyone is all tucked into bed and all is peaceful and calm... it's time to start confessing. "Mom, I'm sorry I wasn't a good listener at dinner." "Mom, I'm sorry I tripped Jackson." "Mom, I'm sorry I said I hate you. I really don't." and so the story goes. Well, the other night as I'm just finishing their bedtime songs Joseph says to me, "Mom, isn't it weird that sometimes it's really hard to say 'Sorry'? I mean, it's just a word, 'sorry'. Why is it hard to say it sometimes... it's just a word? But sometimes when I know I need to say sorry to someone, it's really, really hard. But I know I will feel better after I say it, so I just say it. But sometimes it's really hard." I LOVED IT! It's so true! "Sorry" is just a word, but sometimes it IS really hard to say it! But we always feel better afterwards. Thank you for the reminder my sweet boy.

We're Still Alive!!!

I've definitely been in a blogging slump. Not that I haven't had plenty to post... I just filled my blogging time with other stuff. Before you know it a month has gone by and people are beginning to question your priorities! Ü

Well, here are a few pics from the last couple months....


Plenty of snow!!!
Mahlia started preschool and LOVES it! She was needing a social outlet (just like her mom!) and this has been wonderful!! She comes home singing the cutest songs and makes fun art projects and she is even learning how to write her name! So fun! Every day that she has preschool as she is getting out of the van she says, "My friends are all going to be so happy to see me!" I'm sure they are... Ü

One morning I came out to start breakfast worried that we were going to have yet another late morning and found Joseph, all dressed for school (without being asked!) reading a story to Jackson!! It was one of those moments that just warms your heart. He's such a good boy and a great big brother.

Mahlia, Mahlia, Mahlia... This is what every day is like with a princess... I love it!!! Ü

We had such a fun Valentines Day... filled with lots and lots of LOVE! (and way too much candy! none for me though!!! hooray for me!!!)

We've never been bowling as a family before... so we gave it our best shot on Presidents Day. We had a blast!!!

And then the boys got their way and we ate at Crown Burger in SLC... just look at those smiles!

We got tickets to go through the open house of the new Draper, UT temple. It was breathtaking and beautiful... but we learned that the only people who should attend a temple open house on a holiday would be those who are much more patient than we are and probably not have small children with them. 3 hours in line was not easy on any of us!!! Thus... no pictures. Regardless, it was still wonderful and I'm so grateful we got to go.


And last but not least... we got to see uncle Jake from Maryland who came out to visit John's brother, Paul in SLC. They had a very fun time as Jake had his first real powder skiing experience and they went snowmobiling in Logan. We were happy they made it down to visit us too!

'tis the season

Things we've learned thus far this Christmas....

Mahlia is STILL not a big fan of sitting on Santa's lap (even though she told me that she wouldn't cry and wouldn't be afraid because she really wants her new kitchen...)

Jackson isn't a fan either....

Candycanes can cheer up the sad... and make them feel glad!

Teamwork makes a big job seem small... (we got 10 inches of snow yesterday!)

Once you get them all looking like this:

they suddenly need to go potty... NOW!!!!

Snowmen are fun!!!

These are the special times when memories are being made!!! Merry Christmas!!!

I was looking everywhere for Mahlia - when I found her she was in Jackson's crib putting "Paige" down for a nap....

The latest...

Whew! The bugs have finally dissipated from the Aznar home and we are getting back to normal. What a relief! Let's knock on wood and pray we had our fair share!!!

Here are just a few tidbits of the latest Aznar happenings...

Potty training: Success!!!

One day Mahlia, Jackson and I were over visiting Grandpa Nielsen and Mahlia announced that she needed to go potty on Grandpa's white potty (the other bathroom has blue rugs - heaven forbid she use a potty with blue rugs in the room). I kept telling her she was fine and didn't need to use the potty (she never had before) but she marched right in there, pulled down her pants, took her diaper off, climbed up on the potty and there it came... tinkle, tinkle! And from then on she's never had an accident and even got up throughout the night to go potty. whut? Who DOES that? I have NEVER heard of potty training going this easy. In fact, I think it's been about a month now... I haven't dared write anything because I didn't want to jinx it! Ü I have a feeling my trials with this one will come when she's a teenager. yikes.

Thanksgiving: mixed

I was able to take Jackson and Joseph to Logan this year to have Thanksgiving with my Mom's side of the family. We were super sad to leave my Dad (who just can't travel that far anymore), Daddy and Mahlia behind as Mahlia had a 103 fever the night before. So, John and Mahlia shared a frozen pizza for Thanksgiving lunch. Luckily John's mom had her dinner later that night so John went up there and I traded him kids... brought Mahlia home and he had Joseph and Jackson... I bit crazy and out of the ordinary.... But, I was so happy to see my Grandparents, cousins and Aunts and Uncles.... time goes so fast and it's so good to get together and catch up. Wish it was more often. Jackson with his Great Grandpa Jackson.

Our anniversary: My favorite weekend of the year!

Okay, not including Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July. But our Anniversary weekend is always awesome! John's awesome sisters (and of course brother-in-law) took turns watching the kids and we got to get away for a full 24 hours! It was WONDERFUL! We stayed in Park City, did lots of Christmas shopping and eating and saw Australia. The only downside was that we both felt pretty crummy. Colds, sinus, sore throats... but, we still had a great time and are so thankful for Chris and Celeste and Melissa!!! They are the BEST!!! And we even came home to happy smiling (yet tired!) faces and a clean house!!! Incredible!!!

Student of the week: Hooray!!! What a kid!!!

By the way... if you are looking for a great service project this week - Get Baking and send the treats to a soldier! More info here. This months soldier is a father of 7... be sure to check it out!!

14 Years!!!

Happy Anniversary to the love of my life!

Things we've learned over the past 14 years....

Everything is always better with your best friend
Don't sweat the small stuff (constantly working on that one)
Communication is KEY!
Patience is a must!
Having kids is one of life's greatest blessings
You don't have to be perfect, just give it your best shot
Tomorrow is another day
Remember you married your best friend, be sure to treat each other that way.
Remember to say thanks
Marriage is a journey, not a destination
Love and Appreciation have stages that we didn't know existed
It's not easy... it takes work and commitment
Life is so much happier when the cup is half full! Ü

Happy Anniversary. I'm so grateful for all the adventures the past 14 years have brought us! Can't wait for the next 70!!!