I saw this on the church website and I love the message that it sends. Sometimes we get so caught up in the decorations, meals, and other novelties of Christmas that we forget (or at least I do :D ) what Christmas is all about. This video helped me to remember and I hope it can do the same for you. **MERRY CHRISTMAS**

2 and 3 going on 15 and 16

So every once and a while I "catch" my kids doing things that seem a little to grown up for them to be doing. SO....I thought I'd post some of the pics on the blog so you could see it too.

This is Brewer on the computer. Now...it really doesn't show the extent of how grown up he is on this thing. It's not like he just sits there playing the game we turn on for him. If he wants to play he (after getting permission) will log on to the profile we created for him, pick one of the two games that he can access from the start menu (we erased all the shortcuts so he couldn't accidentally get somewhere he shouldn't be) and then proceed to play the game. When he's done he exits the program, informs us he's done and then logs out of his profile. The first time I witnessed this whole process I thought first, that we let him play too much on the computer (lol) and second that my little boy was growing up WAY TO FAST!

This is something both the kids do but it's a little more amazing that Roxi can do it. One day I was out in the garage doing the laundry. I hadn't been out there for very long (maybe 2 or three minutes) when I heard Roxi say "Mommy look at me"  this is what I saw when I turned around. She'd climbed up there all by herself. *sigh* My little girl..is growing up.

Ok..so this one is more cute than anything. My kids LOVE to play on the bed after I'm done making it. This particular morning Brewer was somewhere else (otherwise they just jump all over the place and cause a rukus) and so Roxi was pretty calm. She snuggled into the pillow and sighed. After looking around for a bit she reached up and took a book from the bookshelf that's next to our bed. She then settled back into the pillow, opened the book and began to "read" to herself. (She was really just saying "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" over and over again)

So..those are my kids that are growing up way to fast for my liking. :) Although I love the stages they're in right now it's sad to look at them and see the infant/baby/toddler growing right out of them but I guess it's just the way things go right. They're so cute now the way they play together and I love them both just to pieces. They are SUCH a blessing to our family and it is pretty enlightening to watch them grow. So I'll try to enjoy it and make sure to take LOTS of pictures :)

Roxi's 2nd Birthday

Yeah...Our little girl turned 2 on the 3rd (I'm a little behind and maybe a little in denial :}) We didn't do anything to big. We spent the day watching conference and making her cake.(Although it was my first experience with fondant \o/) Once conference was over we sat around the table and sang to her. The kids were so anxious for chocolate cake that they didn't want to wait until we cut it. You'll see in the pics where they tried to eat the cake whole) Ah, the days when Chocolate cake was enough to make you jump out of your chair right?  :) After cake she opened her presents and we played for the rest of the day. (After mommy cleaned up the HUGE mess that we all made making cake, but it was SO worth it) She was pretty much happy the whole day. Then again, she's pretty happy all the time. The only exception being her little "terrible 2" tantrums. (and boy can she holler!!!!) Little Roxi is SUCH a joy in our lives. She is sweet and caring and always ready with a smile and a kiss. she is learning quickly how to wrap us around her little finger :P

Roxi LOVES:

Shoes
Kisses
Pink
Mommy, Daddy, and"Brewer Boy"(probably not in that order though :] )
Going "bye bye"
Greeting people that come in the door
Chocolate!



Roxi DOESN'T Like:

Being told what to do
Going to bed
Nursery (Sad...I know :P)

Ben's Job

For those of you who want to know what a Border Patrol Agent does here are some pictures of Ben at work.With all the nasty stuff that goes on just across the border in Mexico I have to say that I am very grateful that there are people watching 24 hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days a year. Even if they are busy taking pictures of old abandoned prisons and Mexican goats :P Thank you babe..for all the hard work you do! :D

My Crazy life

So...for those of you who haven't heard...Ben has been gone for the last 5 months at the Federal Training Academy. He graduated July 10th and returned home to us the next day. since then the Fund family has been on the go. We spent a short time saying our good byes and packing then left UT on the 15th of July. We spent what was a surprisingly pleasant 3 day drive (thanks in most part to my WONDERFUL brother-in-law Jake) to Laredo TX where we were greeted by a beautiful 3 bedroom house with...pause for dramatic effect...our very own BACKYARD. ( For those of you that know my children...you will understand the effect that has on my sanity :D) We have spent the last 3 or so weeks unpacking ( still not finished..eh..oh well :P) and getting familiar with the border town we now call home.
Laredo is an interesting place. Most (and when I say most I mean almost everyone!!!!!!!) of the people speak Spanish and going to the store can be an interesting marathon of the "I don't understand a word you're saying" look as everyone tries to speak to me in Spanish. (So much for the 2 yrs of it I took in HS) Plus.....it's REALLY hot!!!!! I'm not talking AZ 120 F hot...I'm talking HUMID hot!!! The average forecast here is partly cloudy 108 and between 40-60% humidity. YUCK!!!!!!! You walk outside your door and get an instant sweat-bath. There really is almost NO point in any kind of foundation. ( you know me though..i wear it any way >:} ) I have to give Ben MASS PROPS for working out in it everyday...he is an amazing man! I'd die! really!
Other than that it really is nice here. The people (once they figure out I don't know Spanish) are very welcoming and charitable. It's funny how culture shows in how people treat each other. I had to make a trip downtown to get some errands taken care of and I had to take my kids. I was SO stressed. All I could picture was my kids running a muck in City Hall while I was trying to conduct business. Instead what I was greeted with was amazing. Everyone (!) was willing to help and very understanding about my two children running wild. I didn't get even one "control your children slacker" look. (you know...the look you get when someone who doesn't have kids doesn't like what your kids are doing and then thinks that your not doing you job or something :P lol) Also, I have to admit that I was really worried about going to a branch but the people in it are WONDERFUL. It's not a small branch by any means. In fact, Sacrament meeting is almost as full as some Wards I've been to. I've already come to love the women in Relief Society. They all have such sweet and unique spirits and they all get along with each other. Not to mention the amazing welcome they have extended me and the few other women that have moved in recently.
All in all....I'd say I like Laredo so far. The people are nice, my kids are happy with all the extra space, and my husband is happy to be gainfully employed. what more could I ask for right?!?!?! I am grateful that the lord saw fit to put us in this place and this situation. It's funny how things work out right?!?! :)

I love this!!

Here is a link to a partial Twilight book...unfortunatly it may never be finished. It's bascally Twilight written from Edward's perspective.

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/pdf/midnightsun_partial_draft4.pdf

It is a welcome additon to the Twilight Saga and I hope SM will find it in her heart to finish it.

The Normal Day to Day

There's nothing really new to report....Ben is working hard at the Academy and I am working hard at home. I spend my days running around doing chores and playing with my kids. To some people it may seem mundane and boring but to me it's WONDEFULL!!! I love playing with my kids. I love how every time I sit down on the floor it becomes a game of doggy pile with me on the bottom. :) My kids are the sweetest things in the world. (Although I'm sure every Mom thinks that =] ) Brewer's new favorite phrase is "I like you mommy...in fact I love you"....Hello he's 3. Should he be using phrases like "in fact"? LOL Roxi's vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't learn a new word.

So yes, my day to day activities are pretty scheduled and they don't change much but the minute to minute stuff is pretty amazing!! And today, I'm very glad for my life and all the blessings the Lord has placed in it!!!!

My morning reflection...lol

Today starts Ben's 5 month training in Artesia NM for the Border Patrol and remebering that made me kind of sad this morning. Although I know what he is doing will make a better life for our family we miss him terribly....then I checked my Facebook and a friend of mine had posted this video.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoGYx35ypus



Now I realize how great we all have it...and although there are things in our lives that we may not like, we live in AMAZING times!! For example I can still "see" Ben via web cam...lol. When else in time could you do something that cool!?!?! I am so grateful for technology...when used correctly.

Laredo, TX....here we come

Well....It's finally happened, the Border Patrol called and offered Benjamin a position at the Laredo North station. He leaves for the Academy on the 22nd of Feb and will be gone for about 5 months including his language training.(Yes, MY husband is going to learn Spanish...who'd a thunk :P) It is a very good opportunity for our little family. Although we will miss him terribly for those 5 months he will be a Federal Law Enforcement Agent when he is done and with the economy the way it is we are lucky to have any job, let alone a job with Federal benefits. Over all we are very happy! Exited as well, for the next chapter in our lives.

My Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday (the 9th) and I have to say that I felt VERY loved there were only a few people that didn't wish me a happy birthday in one way or another. (My wall on Facebook was the most popular. :) ) I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my parents and brother, a trendy pair of "around the house pants from my family, and I got to make my own cake! I know I'm a geek, I actually WANTED to make my cake. What can I say I love to cook. Anyway....It was a wonderful 27th birthday. Thanks to all those who had a part in it.

Bye Bye 2008....Hello 2009!!!

2008 has been quite the roller coaster for us. We've had some amazing things happen but we've also had some kinda big trials.

In February, our little boy Brewer turned two. He showed me what the terrible twos were all about...... (Especially since my wonderful little brother seemed to skip that phase entirely!)....Making messes, picking on his sister, and making it very obvious that he can form his own opinions. But in all of that he found time to learn, play and steal our hearts. He can be so sweet with his unexpected hugs, kisses and I love yous... there is even the occasional nice play time with Roxi. We wouldn't change our wonderfully mischievous little boy for anything.

In May, Benjamin got a chance to live his dream! He was finally accepted to OCS. (Again :) ) And this time I wasn't sitting in the hospital so he was actually able to concentrate while he was there. He learned a lot and grew mentally and physically as the USMC pushed and pulled him the way they are famous for doing. Unfortunately, during the 7th week of a 10 week program, the USMC decided that Benjamin was not in the physical condition to lead Marines. So they sent him home. When he got home we looked at other branches of the military but in the end it was not what the Lord wanted for us.

In September, Benjamin got a brilliant idea.....The Border Patrol. He took the first of a series of steps by passing their aptitude test with flying colors and since then it has been quite the journey. It is, however, not over so we'll all have to wait to see how it works out.

In October, our little girl Roxi turned one. It's hard to believe that our little Preemie has grown up so fast! She is so much fun to have in our home and she brings a special feeling of peace, love and joy to our family.

In November, we moved bringing a new chapter to our lives. Although we miss living with Benjamin's family we still get to see them quite frequently. Brewer and Roxi are always so happy when they get to see their Grandma and Papa. We will be forever grateful for the generosity they showed by letting us live with them!

That brings us to now. We are happy, healthy and together. And after all that is what really matters. So here is wishing you and yours a happy 2009!!!