what?

you know those times when you just can't believe your eyes and have to double check to make sure you are seeing things correctly.

Yes, this is one of these times! I ran back into the house, grabbed my camera, and started snapping pictures...

first this...

then this...

then this!

i totally wish Scott were home more often!

game night

Because it was too cold for the kids to go snowboarding,

We had game night!

Scott and the kids all learned how to play an up-to-date version of CLUE.

Santa was thinking of MOmmY...

Santa was totally thinking of me when he gave all the kids water bottle holders that attach onto the front of their bicycle. Water is essential for the kids when I go on long runs while they bike beside of me, along with a stash of candy in their pockets. Hopefully there will be fewer complaints as we go out riding!

Question from Claudia

Curiosity got Claudia one day.

Claudia: "Mom, when we move to Memphis, do they speak the same as we do? Or do we have to learn to speak differently?

Me: "Yes, Claudia... we do have to learn to speak differently." I start to speak with a southern accent and talk really slow as I answer her. "They talk real s l o w... like grandma Rudisill. They say words like flairs instead of flowers. And far instead of fire. Remember when we lived in Sydney and we had to ask people to repeat what they said because it was hard to understand?"

Claudia nodding...

Me: "Well, we will have to do the same thing in Memphis. But we will learn the language pretty quick because you are used to how grandma and grandpa speak."

Claudia liked the answer that I gave her.

I will probably fall back into my southern slang too! It happens every time I go home for longer than 2 weeks!

We were excited to have Lawrence, right of Scott, over for supper. We became friends with him while we were living in Sydney, Australia. He is a med student from NSW and here observing at the Barrow for three months. Jay, left of Scott, is in his second year of neurosurgery training.

Christmas 2010

Scott was on call for the 10 day Christmas Vacation. AND He wasn't about to miss out on Christmas morning again with the kids, since last year he was in Sydney by himself! So, to make sure he was apart of all the excitement, he had the bright idea of having Christmas before he left for work at 6:00am. He woke me up at 5:00am in the morning and then I ran downstairs, jumped up on my kids beds, and starting yelling that Santa had came, and to get up immediately! (I have never seen my kids up so quick and running fast up the stairs.) Kaylea was still wiping her eyes as she was looking over at the presents.

To distinguish the difference in the packages... Santa came up with a great idea and wrote the kids a letter. Very Clever!

Notice Eva and Sydney's stocking. My girls were persistent in setting out ones for them. Santa was grateful and gave Eva and Sydney a new outfit.

My mother started the tradition in our family of taking a picture of my brother and myself with all the gifts that we received that year for Christmas. The purpose of the picture was so that through the years we could remember what gifts were given that particular year. I have continued that tradition with my kids. So mom, this picture is for you!

I have to admit... I did get into the Christmas spirit once I saw how the kids were reacting. But when Scott left for work at 6:00am, I put in the movie ELF, and went back to bed... Scott did make it home by 2:00 that afternoon after operating on several patients. We had a relaxing evening and it turned out to be the best Christmas ever!

It's Christmas Eve

The kids were given one present from mom and dad to open the night before Christmas...Yes, pajamas!

Scott then tracked Santaon Norad. The kids were watching him as he traveled to Charleston, SC, and then Charlotte, NC. They were thrilled to know that Santa was near grandma's house and coming here soon.

Thankfully Clauida remembered the milk and cookies while Kaylea thought it was important that she write a note reminding Santa to fill Syndey's and Eva's Stocking. (Their girls stocking.)

As Scott and I were getting ready for bed... we heard a faint noise coming from the living room. My heart started pounding inside my chest. Banging was more like it. I looked at Scott and he began to grin with an excitement in his eyes. So Scott quietly tiptoed out and as he turned the corner, he glanced back to me and motioned for me to come and look. We both were in awe. Santa was just here! In our house! He had slipped quietly and quickly without us knowing! In his wake, he left a crazy amount of packages around the tree. We were both astonished! We couldn't believe that Santa was just in our house without us knowing.

Morning couldn't come fast enough! I was like a child... and couldn't go to sleep!

gingerbread party at the Smith's

Treats, peppermint, cotton candy, graham crackers, icing, and lots and lots and lots of candy to decorate with. Everyone makes a gingerbread house but it seems that most kids usually eat half of theirs before they go home. Notice Samuel licking his fingers along with Claudia chomping on candy. In the kitchen, other kids were adorning pine cones with glitter, garland, and other trinkets.

Mom and dad, this picture is for you... yes, this is the Smith's indoor slide that you always hear my kids talk about. Dr. Smith tells us that he slides down every morning as he goes to work, "much faster than going around to the stairs."

daNCe pRAcTiCe

I have fond memories of practicing my dance routines in our garage with my jambox blaring out the songs by Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Shela E, and Gloria Estefan (AND I had hair to match!). I would practice for hours, over and over again until I perfected the dance.

When my parents came out for a visit during fall break, my dad was very gracious by building the girls a balance beam for gymnastics and a ballet bar (which was meant to be attached to the wall). I ended up clamping the two together to make the perfect free standing ballet bar.

With a mirror in place, the girls were ready to perform and persistent that they perfect their recital routine. But first, they wanted me to watch them warm up because it is the key to any great practice.

So while the girls were busy balleting it, Daniel decided that it was time for him to begin working on his Pine Wood Derby Car. He decided on the tools, the bench, and the shape that he was going to make.

Concentration in full force!

My girls with their girls.

My girls love their girls!

sERioUSLy!

I am training for my first ever 1/2 marathon.

I am running my first ever 7 mile run tomorrow morning.

I stump my toe for the millionth time.

But this time I can't walk!

I mean really, how hard is it to take off heels and walk barefoot?

Don't look too closely at the painted nails... I only had 5 minutes to complete.

Daniel turns 9!

Nine! No WaY!

No way, it can't be... another birthday! Daniel asked for the Percy Jackson book series, I found an amazing physics book (it's for kids), and Samuel wanted to get him Lego's (secretly for him too).

Why do my babies have to grow up? I mean I just bought him brand new church pants 6 months ago and they were just a tad long... barely scraping the floor with his shoes on. Well, now they are too short but he will just have to wear them the rest of the season. Oh, well.

Each birthday, I tell my kids their birthday story. The story is their story, my story, and a family story. All the kids grow quite to hear every little detail.

Nine years ago today I had tried every form of inducing myself because this baby boy was already a week late! The entire week before I would come home from a long day of teaching and run a 2 mile loop around my neighborhood. When I think of a lady who is 9 months pregnant running... I just laugh! How ridiculous I must have looked running up hills in 40 degree weather. I was even so desperate that I drank an entire bottle of castor oil that Scott had put in a chocolate chip milk shake. Yes, it was horrible but I was trying everything! And the first night it didn't work so I drank another bottle the second night!

Not sure if it was the running or the castor oil but contractions started coming. So after laboring all night and when the contractions were about 9 minutes apart, I wasn't quite ready to head to the hospital but wanted to "get myself ready." I took a long shower, washed/dryed/styled my hair, plucked my eyebrows, polished my finger and toenails bright cherry red then packed my overnight bags with comfy clothes.

I woke up Scott and we headed to the hospital around 5 that morning. I walked the halls, bounced on the exercise ball, worked on my plies, and performed LOTS of deep breathing... trying many methods to take my mind off the pain. I think about how patient Scott was through it all. He really put up with all of my crazy ideas!

After pretty much not sleeping all night, I was exhausted but ready to meet my little beautiful baby. I pushed for 2 hours, and falling asleep between each push mind you... Daniel finally arrived into this world at 9:05am crying his little heart out. I totally remember looking at the clock and thinking, wow, church just started. How funny that I recall that so vividly.

For some reason, with all of my babies, I am never looking at the baby but at Scott. I am drawn to him, his face, his look. I think I know that everything is okay if Scott is okay. But each time I look over at him after delivering... he has tears in his eyes watching our baby. My heart swells. He then turns to me and says, "I'm so proud of you." He then leans down and kisses me. I know at that moment that everything is perfect.

I loose it then, start crying, and ask for our baby. I want to see him, hold him, and kiss him. My emotions consume me. I can't talk... but just sob at the beautiful baby in my arms. Several times, the nurses have started worrying because they think that I am in pain, I am hurting... but that isn't it at all. It is the joy that I feel that Heavenly Father has blessed me with a beautiful little spirit to raise, teach, and love the gospel. I am humbled at the thought and I'm so grateful. Taking care of this person is my job, my life, and my responsibility. I have no idea what lies ahead but at that moment I am in a place of bliss and can't imagine anything more perfect.

I love that I get to tell this boy each year his baby story. I love to relive the moment and feel the happiness all over again. I love him and the joy that he has brought me and our family over the years.

"Happy Birthday Daniel!"

and a Partridge...

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree...

Barney's Christmas is still one of my favorite videos.

a gift from bountiful

Uncle Kendric and Aunt Bethani sent us warm toboggans, mittens, and scarves... for everyone. Thanks bunches!

little Santa's elves

These kids were busy little elves all December long making gifts for their parents and family. Cutest little things... they grow up way too fast!