Christmas Morning!

I love Christmas morning bed-heads (kids, not mine) :)

Tyler hiding from the camera....he hasn't stopped pushing his lawn mower yet!

Katelyn with her pet vet set!

Austin taking aim with his newest weapon!

Christmas Thoughts

This Christmas was not as traditional as I would have liked. We missed out on a lot of things like going to see the temple lights, and sending out Christmas cards, and baking tons and tons of goodies.....but it did make me really think about what was important.
With Katelyn not really being able to do much, or not knowing when she was going to need a breathing treatment, really limited what I was able to do this year. But, I was able to think about my Savior. I was able to think about what He did for me. I was able to think about how it was for my parents when my sister was so sick, and how they had to watch her suffer and suffer, and when at the most unbearable times, turn to the Lord, and lean completely on Him. I remember many days like that, and I am very grateful for their example of how to do that. As I would lay awake at night in Katelyn's bed with her while she tried to sleep with an oxygen mask on her face, staring at her little pulse ox meter on her finger, silently praying that her pulse ox would come up and stay up, and listening to her wheezing, and thinking that I couldn't stand one more moment of it.....and then thinking how much worse it could be. I know that Katelyn is miserable right now, but I know that she will get better. I can't say the same for many parents going through unthinkable nightmares with their children. I watched my parents do it, and I NEVER want to go through the loss of a child.
Which leads me back to my thoughts on the Savior. Heavenly Father had to watch His child, who never sinned, suffer for all of our mistakes. I know that Jesus suffered more than anyone on Earth ever could, and I know that He understands every emotion that we have because of His Atonement. I take great comfort in knowing that while I was watching my little girl struggling to breath, I was not alone. I knew that I was surrounded by angels that care about me, and my family. I know that those same angels were with me when Tyler was in the Special Care Unit when he was born. As soon as I walked in that room to see him, I was overwhelmed with the amount of spirits in that room.
So whether we like it or not, suffering is part of this life, and its main purpose is to bring us closer to our Savior. Because when things are going great, we aren't thinking about how much He has done for us. It takes that great pain and agony to force us down on our knees, and turn our thoughts to our Creator. And with this Christmas....my thoughts are with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He was born in that lowly stable, and that He conquered all. I am grateful for Him. I am grateful to know that throughout any trial in my life, He understands me, and He loves me. I am grateful to know that He loves my children more than I do. In knowing that, I don't have to worry about my children, for they are truly in His hands, and that is a safer place to be than in mine!

The Story Behind The Stocking!

Growing up, we didn't have normal looking stockings....in fact, I don't remember any excitement over Santa or anything magical (of course, I was the youngest of 5 children). In any case, we always had one of my dad's black work socks, and it was always stuffed with an orange, and some kind of sweet (bear claw, danish, or my favorite...Cadbury Bar), and later when available, juice boxes. Regardless of any presents we received, the stocking remained the same.

When questioned by the children, my mother said that the tradition of this came from her father, who grew up during the depression, and that the stocking with an orange and a sweet, was his Christmas. Having a fresh orange and a piece of chocolate was a big treat for him.

When Jeff and I got married, I chose to carry this tradition on, in hopes that my children will ask me the story behind it, and I will be able to help them see the abundance of blessings they have. So, what may seem like a lame Christmas breakfast to them now, hopefully will one day make them think about how fortunate they are, and that sharing in that one little piece of their great grandfathers life will make them realize the importance of knowing their heritage!

Christmas Eve Crazies!

Okay, what would Christmas be without total chaos, and trying to add something spiritual in the midst of all the insanity? It just wouldn't be Christmas! :)

My family has always done the big "Christmas Eve" as our tradition. When I was little, all of my cousins would come over, my mom would make a huge dinner, and we would always have a program. My grandmother started the "program" tradition. The little kids would always dress up, and act out the nativity. My oldest sister, Stacey, was the oldest cousin, and she saw to it that all of us were lined up, dressed, and ready to go. It was always chaotic, but memorable. As we got older, (and my brothers became more obnoxious) (sorry guys, but it's true), the programs were less and less, and when attempting were defeated by mocking, laughing, and joking.

So this year, my sister and I decided that we wanted our kids to do a "program". I spent a week writing it. It turned out really good. It was a mixture of the fun things about Christmas, and the nativity, and missionary work. I was so excited for the kids to do it. The only problem that we had, was that Katelyn was very very sick with double pneumonia and a kidney infection, and couldn't rehearse at all the whole week (she was lucky not to be in the hospital). We never ended up doing a practice.

So, on Christmas Eve, Katelyn thought that she felt good enough to go over for a couple of hours. So, we got there, and ate a beautiful dinner, that Lolo killed herself making! Then, she and I took the kids upstairs to do a quick run through, so that the kids knew what to do (there were songs to sing, costume changes, and lines they had to know). 15 minutes after we went upstairs, all of the men started yelling up "Are we gonna do this thing or not?" "Let's go!". So, with total and complete chaos.....we began "The Christmas Program". Never mind that the kids didn't know where to stand, or that they would get thirsty in the middle of their part, and leave to go get a drink, or that the cd was skipping during the most spiritual part, or that no one could remember their lines, so I'm whispering them loudly to all the kids, and that their costumes were on at the wrong time, or that they were on backwards........I'm saying, it would not feel like Christmas without all of this craziness!

Program ruined???? I'm gonna say no, because at least we attempted it....and the spirit was there regardless of all that! No pictures, because Jeff was videoing, and I was running around these kids the whole time, and as soon as it was over, their costumes were flung all over the floor as they tore into the other room to open their presents! But I did get cute nativity costumes from OTC (before you ask, no, I don't sew)!

Anyway, we let all the kids open their presents from aunts, and uncles, and grandparents, since that was the only time we were together. It was a lot of fun....and the kids got some really great gifts! :)

Grown-ups table

The kids table

Tyler opening his first present of the year!

Katie even being well enough to go was our present!

Tylee, Zac, Lolo, Grandma Reenie, and Charles

Both Colby and Austin (the 2 football obsessed boys) received Jerseys

Colby, Alex, Adam, and Charles in the background

My beautiful sister Lori, and her look-a-like grandma Reenie

Dancing Cuties!

My sweet little daughter Katelyn had her dance recital on Friday night. It was so so cute! I love Sarah Jones. She really loves her dancers, and goes out of her way to let them know it!

Anyway, Katelyn had been very sick the week before the recital, and missed her normal dance class, and I was a little nervous about her being able to do the routine. But she got well enough to dance just in the nick of time, and she was AWESOME! I couldn't believe how great she did. I was definitely the "proud mamma".

Practicing right before the show began

Katelyn was very excited to have her make-up and nails done!

Keeping nerves calm before the show began (all of those little ballerinas were so adorable!)

(Sorry, the lighting is not great) All of the dancers with Sis. Jones before the recital. Katelyn is in the second row up second from the right
Dancing to the nutcracker (Katie is the 4th one from the left, in the center)
Jumping into her cousin Colby's arms after the show!

Daddy gave his baby girl flowers after the show (she thought that was the best thing ever!)

Proudly showing off her bouquet!

Most of my family came to support little Katie, which was so sweet of them. Like I said, she had been really sick the week before, and she ended up having a relapse the day after the recital. Colby was especially cute (and a little embarrassing to me at the time), but he kept yelling "Katelyn....Katycoo....Go Katelyn" nice and loud....it was his way of showing support to his little cousin! Katelyn loved that so many came to see her, and we were all so very proud of our little Katie!

Singing in Jammies!

Every Christmas season that my kids have gone to Benjamin Franklin Charter School, I have to say that their music teacher there teaches some of the cutest Christmas songs to sing (no, not "holiday songs", but Christmas songs). This year was no exception! All of the 1st and 2nd graders had to wear their pajamas and perform their 3 little songs. The theme this year was "Twas the night before Christmas" which was so cute. They had the first group recite the first few lines singing songs that related in between their lines, and then the next group (3rd and 4th graders) did theirs, and so forth. It was a really cute show. I was sad because Katelyn couldn't even go, she was too sick, and had missed the whole week of school. But Austin went, and did a great job! I tried uploading the song videos, because they were really cute, but it didn't work.

1st & 2nd graders singing "Now It's Time to Go To Bed"

(Austin is right on the edge behind the rail in the dark pajamas on the 2nd step from the top)

All of the students at the very end singing "Silent Night"

After the Show....not wanting to hold still for 1 second, I got one shot!

Choice Chiropractic!

Well, our new office is finally under construction! We put money down on this spot over a year ago, and the economy tanked shortly after. So, we have waited and waited, and now, we are finally starting to build. It is very exciting for us. We are switching our name from Shiflet Family Chiropractic to Choice Chiropractic. We will have a website soon, and we are hoping that we will be moving into our new office at the end of December, or beginning of January. For those of you that are patients, you will be getting a mailer about it soon. For those of you who aren't patients....why aren't you? Get your behinds in and start feeling great! Hahaha! Seriously, we have been trying to move to a better location for 2 years, so this is a prayer that is being answered, and we are very grateful! Here are a few pics I took of some of the new construction!

This is the front desk

Jeff standing in his office

The adjusting area

The dry wall is in! :)

Joe Palmer and Ben Sivert have been working all week on the electrical (all LED, sweet!) and are about finished. We also have Brooklyn Wilkins helping us design the inside, and she is doing a great job....I can't wait to see it when it is all finished! :) Yeah!

Tyler's Tool Bed!

So, we FINALLY, got Tyler his own toddler bed. I have to admit I have been really bad with Tyler (after all, he is my baby). He only slept in his crib a month or two, and never slept well in it, so I would always let him be my cuddle buddy. I love to cuddle with my baby...so sue me. Anyway, when he was between 1 and 2 sometime, we had made him a very comfy pallet on the floor of my room. We have a little Spiderman couch that you can lay down, and turn into a bed, and we put pillows all around it, and a thick comforter on top of that....so he started sleeping on that (well, at least most of the time).

Well, Tyler LOVES tools, and I saw this Handy Manny bed at Walmart, so we finally got it for him. He was so excited when Jeff put it together. He helped his daddy every step of the way. And when it was time to get in it, he was even more excited! He slept in it the whole night through the first 3 nights. The last couple of nights, he has wondered into my room in the around 3am. (It's funny that he knows to walk to my side, which is the furthest from the door, because he knows daddy will walk him back to his own bed).

Anyway, Austin is thrilled to have a roommate again, and is always disappointed if he wakes up and Tyler is not in his own bed. I love that my boys love each other so much! And I love having a hubby that is so good at everything, and is teaching his boys to be just as handy....after all.....a mom can never have enough good help!

Sweet Dreams BooBoo!

Thanksgiving Fun!

We had such a great Thanksgiving! We went to my sister's house, and the day was so much fun!

My sister had set a beautiful table for us, so that we could all fit and eat together

Everyone was there from my family including my darling niece Melani (on the left, my mom on the right). She is due with her first baby in mid December, and drove down with her hubby Brandon from Utah!

They also brought their little dog Boudie, who Tyler loved!!!

This is my sis-in-law Coco (yes, she recently went dark), with Katie and my sweet niece, Tylee (who was supposed to spend Thanksgiving with her dad, but she prayed that she would be able to spend Thanksgiving with all her cousins, and her prayers were answered! Just one more reason to be grateful!)

After stuffing ourselves, we all went to the park to play a friendly (NOT) family game of football (Except for Mel, who is too preggo, and myself, since I had some severe gall bladder pain after eating so much yummy food!)

My niece, Melani, made everyone Jersey's with their names on them, and we about peed our pants when we saw my mom had put hers on backwards, and when we told her what we were laughing at, she said "Fine, I'll turn it around", she then took it off and put it back on backwards again.....It was pretty hilarious! We love you Mimi!

Austin was in complete heaven since he eats, lives, and breathes football lately!

Katie was the cheerleader on the side! (She's her mommy's girl! :) )

Tyler even ran in a touchdown! Go Tyler Go!

The most fun part of the day for me was when Lolo and I sang a song that we had written to the song "We are the Champions" and we called it "We are the Coxes", and made fun of all of our "family issues"....it was so hilarious!

We also got to visit, and play cards, and laugh....it was lot of fun, and I was grateful to have my family all together again...it has been a while since the whole family was together! :)