Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

It's beginning to look a lot like like Christmas in the Hebert household and I'm loving it.The smell of Poinsettia Pine through the house, small twinkling lights and the sounds of Nat King Cole, little footsteps and curious voice wondering what's under the tree. There's something so magical about Christmas time, specially with little ones in the house. I love the idea of Santa, magic and wishes coming true. I try to make holidays as magical as possible. Of course the true meaning of Christmas is the biggest focus. We talk about Jesus and what he has done for us. We also talk about how blessed we are and we show our gratitude by giving back to those less fortune than us. This year we went through all of our belongings and set a side items that were in good condition to give to a family in need. Knowing that their loved toys and books were going to someone in need motivated the kids to give more. We filled 3 BIG boxes with items to donate. We still have more to go through and more to give and we have made a goal to give of our time and love through out the whole year. I love the spirit of Christmas and I'm gonna drag it out as long as possible.

I LOVE General Conference...

...Especially the autumn sessions. It just doesn't get better than snuggling up underneath a blanket on a crisp autumn day listening the words of modern prophets. A feeling overwhelming love and warmth. I'm so grateful the at we are able to watch Conference from the comfort of our home.

Cohen's Birthday!

My baby is not a baby anymore :(
He had so much fun doing whatever he wanted. It was his birthday and he spent most of it in just a diaper eating treats and using his body as a canvas for his new markers. Aw what I would give to be 2 again!

It's been so long!

I have so much to catch up on, I can't believe I have gone this long with out posting anything. Thanks Laura for the nudge to write a new post, a little encouragement is always good.

So school is out and since my last post we've had some pretty big things happen. We've celebrated Cohen and Ayelen's birthday, Gabi, Ana and the kids came to visit us from Arizona,and we found out Aunt Katie will be having a baby this December.

I have so much to write about and so many pictures to post. Overall it has been an amazing summer, I'm really not ready for it to end. I'm so glad we have one more month to enjoy the sun, pool, family and friends.

BRAYDENS BIRTHDAY!!

My sweet little boy turned 4 years old yesterday. It was such a great day, we all had so much fun celebrating Brayden. We started out the day with breakfast in bed. Brayden had asked for cinnamon rolls, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs and orange juice to drink. Ayelen woke up early to help me prepare everything. Cohen watched cartoons and had cereal (that was later followed by the "birthday breakfast", he's such a piggy!) and Jeff ran to the store to get tapes for our camera. By the time Jeff got back we were ready to wake up Brayden and sing to him. We all creeped in his room, Ayelen and I in the lead with a big plate of food, cinnamon roll in the middle with a lit candle. I sat down on his bed and gently tried to wake him up.
That didn't work. Pretty soon both Ayelen and I were bouncing him on his bed trying to wake him to no avail. Poor baby, he was so tired, but I had made breakfast in bed and was determined to have him enjoy it before it got cold. The green wax was melting into the roll, I was defeated. I let Cohen and Ayelen blow out the candle, but I think the smell of the smoke woke Brayden up. Luckily it was a trick candle and he got to blow it out too. He didn't want to eat his breakfast in bed though so we all ate in the kitchen.





After breakfast the kids played while Jeff and I planned the day. We decided to go to Chuck E Cheese. I know were not suppose to spend money on Sundays and we usually don't, but it was my babies specially day. It was so much fun! I don't think I have enjoyed myself that much at Chuck E's since I was a kid. There wasn't too many people there so we got to relax and play with the kids without being worried about the crowds. We could see from one end of the building to the other, it was awesome. No anxiety attacks for me :).





At the Hebert's house, Grandma and Papa were hard at work getting everything ready for Brayden's special dinner. As per resquest we had salad with ranch dressing, pizza and chocolate milk and cheesecake for dessert. But Grandma didn't stop there, there was also two types of cookies, brownies, ice cream, and veggies. We also had Nana's famous cheesy garlic bread. It was a great success.





While the adults visited the kids played outside in the backyard, it was a beautiful sun shinning day.





When it was time to open presents and sing happy birthday Brayden was so excited. Every gift he got was such a joy to him. Kyson (his 3yr cousin) had drawn Brayden a special picture for his birthday and unlike most kids Braydens age, he was so excited about the special drawing the Kyson had done for him, saying "thank you, thank you!" and proudly showed it to everyone. After Brayden was done opening all his presents he shouted "I'm the King of the world!" It was so beautiful.

We all feel so blessed to have Brayden in our lives. Since the day he was born he has been a big ray of sun shine. He's always willing to give hugs and kisses and share anything and everything he has. Seconds after opening his new toys he would hand the toys to his cousins or siblings to play with before he even got a chance to. We love you Brayden so much and we are so happy to have you in our family.

Oh man!

I have written before about how the kids tease me about my big butt and squishy tummy. It has gotten ridiculous were Brayden will see me and say "Squishy!" and run up and hug me. This whole "squishy" thing started awhile ago when people would constantly be asking me when I was due. People I didn't even know would come up to me and RUB my stomach and ask about the baby! The kids friends would ask them if I had a baby in my tummy, all the while I would say no and just brush it off.

But it didn't stop, it kept getting worst. My clothes were getting tighter, nothing fit right, and I left my job because people kept making comments about me being pregnant. Jeff tried to help. He'd constantly tell me that I was beautiful and the only reason anyone thought I was pregnant was because I was skinny but had a small belly.

So that's what I told myself for months."It's not that bad", I'd say. "I'm not fat, just a little squishy".
When the kids would ask me "if you don't have a baby then what's in your belly?"
"Just squishies" I would reply. I tried to ignore it the best I could while the numbers on the scale slowly creepped up. Then for Christmas Jeff got me the Wii Fit that I wanted. This game will actually weigh you every time you step on and tell you you're BMI. My weight had fallen in the obese category, and on the screen my little Mii grew fat. We laughed about it and I tried to forget about, but it hurt. I am now obese. Yuck!

Then a few weeks ago we were at Jeff's parents house for Sunday dinner. I was sitting on the couch next to Jeff, and his little brother Matt, I got up to check on the kids when Matt says..."Uh. Sabrina? You have a big whole in your pants." My pants had ripped! I was so embarrassed, and to make things worst I said "At least I'm wearing underwear!" I meant that I was wearing panties and not something skimpier. I tried to explain but I just dug myself deeper.

So that was it! I've decided right then and there, that I've had enough. I was through being embarrassed by my weight. I was done hiding in my house being scared to leave because some stranger might come up to me to ask about my non exsistant baby. I'm through with shopping at midnight to avoid people and crowds. I will no longer feel fat and ugly. I want to feel beautiful, I want to be healthy and strong and be able to play and run with my kids. I want to have the energy that a 26 year old should have, and not be tired ALL the time.

I have been watching what I eat a little more. I'm not exercising yet. Just doing more around the house and with the kids. I've lost 5lbs which I didn't notice until my friend Angi pointed out that I looked thinner. I have at least 37 more pounds to go. if I want to be where I was before I got married I need to lose another 55 pounds! That is a LOT of weight. I can do it, I'm determined and this whole rant is more for me than anyone else. I will be starting a new blog to track my weight loss. This new blog will also be just for me, but if you'd like to follow along with me leave me your email address so I can send you an invite. Wish me luck!

Silly faces

All snuggled up

Ayelen at the concert.

Hooray for free vacations!

This last weekend we went up to Park City for a time share presentation. The 90 minute presentation only took us 15 minutes! I guess they could tell we really weren't buying anything. Our gift for going? A night stay at the Westgate Resort. We were suppose to go up last weekend but I was sick. I'm so glad we went when we did because the Wailers were playing a free concert. So much fun! After the concert, we went swimming in a beautiful heated pool that felt more like a warm bath. Sooo nice! It even had a waterfall. We later found out that it was the "relaxation pool" for adults only. No wonder it was nice and quiet our kids were the only ones there and they were really mellow the whole time. Then it was up to our room to eat dinner and snuggle up to a movie. The next day we went to the outlet stores and Main Street and then we were home in time to miss the storm. It was so much fun! The kids loved it, Brayden didn't want to come home and wants to live there.

Planning the Boys Birthday Party

Brayden's birthday is two weeks from today and Cohens is just 8 days after that. We have decided that this year we will do a combined party. Here's what Brayden wants for his birthday party, (Coco didn't give much input).

Brayden wants a Spongebob party and he wants all our family there, except for Maggie and Jude because he doesn't want to get them sick. I had to explain that by the time the party comes we'd probably be all better. He wants a "pe na na" to hit with a stick, balloons that we pop with our bums with prices inside (it's a game we do every year at every party we have. My kids LOVE it)He wants decorations with the #4 so everyone will know how old he is and that he's a big boy. For his birthday dinner he wants pizza and cheesecake and chocolate milk.

It's was so sweet to see his little face light up when he was telling me about the cake and balloons and all the friends and family that would be at his party. He's so excited!

Awesome: Causing awe; inspiring wonder or excitement.

I was thinking, not being able to sleep, about all the people in my life. My husband, my kids, my family, my friends, even acquaintances. Thinking of these people, seeing their faces in my minds eye, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by all the beautiful people in life. I don't just mean outer beauty, but inner beauty that radiates from the inside out.
Some of these people have passed on, some are in far away lands. Others, though minutes away, are not in my everyday life. But every single one of them has been a positive influence in my life. How can one person be so lucky, so blessed? Seriously. I am surrounded by such greatness.

For those that have ever listened to me rant, made me laugh, or seen me cry, thank you. Thank you for being so great, so awe-inspiring. Thank you for putting up with me and all my craziness (because we all know I am a little bit crazy). For all the little things that you do or have done for me, I thank you. You have touched my life and my heart. If you're reading this means YOU. You have personally blessed my life in ways you don't even know. And nights like tonight where my tired mind races with thoughts of unpaid bills, messy rooms and piles of laundry. I can push it all aside and think of all the awesomeness that surrounds me and the fantastic people in my life.

Smartypants McGee

Ayelen LOVES to read. She's now on her 3rd chapter book and is very proud of herself. She always enjoyed being read to when she was little and as she got older, she loved to read to her brothers. But it seemed that school had taken the fun out reading. It had become a chore. This last month though something changed. I think my new found love of reading has made her rekindle her love of books. Junie B. Jones books are her favorite. She crawls up on the recliner or snuggles tight in her with my little book light. She'll laugh out loud at the silly things Junie B. says and does. Sights like this make my heart full with joy and pride. Like I said before, I was never a reader. I struggled a lot with reading my entire life. So I worked really hard from the day she was born to make reading a part of her life. I guess the only part that was missing was teaching by example.

I'm getting good at the coupon thing!

All this for under $2!!

*Twilight*

I recently started reading Twilight. Yes, I have caved into the Twilight phenomenon and I now understand what all the fuss is about. I love it! I haven't ever been much of a reader but this book has captured me. I'm half way through and I'm was really crushing on Edward Cullen and being the Facebook junkie that I am, I posted it as my status:
"Sabrina has started reading Twilight and is now crushing on Edward Cullen"
Ha ha. Jeff wasn't too happy when he saw this, so I quickly took it down. But the truth is, Edwards got nothing on Jeff.

We were in 9th grade and I had just moved from Provo to Orem. I was shy and out of my element. Even though there's only a few minutes between Provo and Orem they seemed to be a world part. I was lucky enough to have four of my eight classes with Jeff, who was some what of a class clown. He was always so funny, and could always make me laugh, but his beautiful blue (sometimes green or hazel) eyes lured me in. Jeff was my Edward.

He was the one that took my breath away when he smiled at me. The one that haunted my dreams every night. The one that would make my knees weak when he reached for my hand. When he kissed me he brought a flutter of butterflies into my stomach that came out through nervous giggles. My unsteady knees would make my body quake, but then he'd hold me and the nervous little shakes would ease. I was safe in his arms.

Now 12 years later the feeling is still the same, though I been able to tame those butterflies a little. Those feelings of nervousness have been replaced with overwhelming love and admiration for the man that he has become. I love Jeff with all my heart. He is my dream come true. My best friend, my confidant,and my rock during unsteady times. He is the man that I will proudly stand next to my entire life.

Brayden's loves puzzles

He was so proud that he finished the 65 piece puzzle with very little help.

What a big boy!

Big brown eyes gleaming with pride, as he waddles through the door wearing nothing but a diaper, a smile and Brayden's ski's. "Look me, look me!" I could have died! My baby boy is growing up. Cohen doesn't say too much. Hi, bye, down, out, ma, dadda, babba, no, and he nods or shakes his head. He hadn't put words together until today. I was so proud but also sad that my youngest baby won't be a baby much longer. Man, they grow up too fast. Slow down guys and let me take it all in.

"I kicked your butt Mom!"

Today Brayden, Ayelen, and I were playing Wii Fit. It was so much fun and we were really getting into it. Brayden and I raced and I started telling him, "Wow buddy! You're really kicking my butt!" So we finished the race, Brayden won and I sat down for a quick breather when Brayden said "Up mom, stand up". I stood up, he climbed on the couch behind me and he literally kicked my butt! "I kicked your butt mom!" LOL. But we won't let him now how funny I thought it was. I had to hold it in and let it him know we don't kick people's butt and mommy won't say " I kicked your butt" anymore.

HEY JUDE

Jude Gabriel Haven Brown was born on February 19th, 2009 at 3:54PM at LakeView Hospital in Bountiful, Utah. Weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches long, with a head full of brown hair. Mom, Maggie, is doing very well. Seconds after giving birth she said she would like to do it again 4 more times. The look on Jamie's face when hearing this, was priceless. I was there at their side coaching them though it, this being my first time on the other end. It was such a beautiful and spiritual experience and I'm so grateful that Maggie and Jamie choose to include me in it .

Though Maggie was scheduled to be induced on the 23rd, a week before the due date, Jude decided that wasn't soon enough. Maggie's water broken at 4:30 Thursday morning waking her from a deep sleep. The anticipation had been building for quite some time, 9 months to be exact, and they were more than ready to hold little Jude in their arms. 11 hours, 24 minutes, and 10 pushes later, Jude had arrive wiggling his little hands up in the air. I think even he was celebrating his arrival.

We are all very happy for Maggie and Jamie. They are so beautiful together and we are all very much aware of the love they share. We wish them the very best. We love you Maggie, Jamie and Jude.

I'd also like to thank Daddy, David and Scott for taking care of Ayelen, Brayden and Cohen so that I could be at Maggie's side. It meant a lot to me to be able to be with my baby sister when she needed me. I couldn't 'have been able to if it wasn't for all you men. Thank you!

For all us moms.

WHY DON'T FRIENDS WITH KIDS HAVE TIME?
Tell Me About It by Carolyn Hax

● Carolyn:
My best friend has a child. Her: Exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What'd you do today? Her: Park, play group . . .
OK. I've done Internet searches; I've talked to parents. I don't get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please, no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners. . . . I do all those things, too, and I don't do them every day. I guess what I'm asking is: What is a typical day, and why don't moms have time for a call or e-mail?
I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events), and I manage to get it all done. I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy — not a bad thing at all — but if so, why won't my friend tell me the truth?
Is this a contest ("My life is so much harder than yours")? What's the deal? I've got friends with and without kids, and all us child-free folks get the same story and have the same questions.
— Tacoma, Wash.

Relax and enjoy. You're funny.
Or you're lying about having friends with kids.
Or you're taking them at their word that they actually have kids, because you haven't personally been in the same room with them.
Internet searches?
I keep wavering between giving you a straight answer and giving my forehead some keyboard. To claim you want to understand — while in the same breath implying that the only logical conclusions are that your mom friends are either lying or competing with you — is disingenuous indeed.
So, since it's validation you seem to want, the real answer is what you get. In list form. When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries and questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.
It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15.
It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier.
It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family members and friends, well-meaning and otherwise. It's resisting the constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense.
It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything — language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity, empathy. Everything.
It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy — and then when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, you wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend — a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends or marvel at how much more productively she uses her time.
Either make a sincere effort to understand, or keep your snit to yourself.

I'm a Girly Girl

I loved this quote and had to share it. :)

"I believe in Manicures. I believe in Overdressing. I believe in Primping at leisure and wearing Lipstick. I believe that Laughing is the best calorie burner. I Believe in Kissing; Kissing a lot. I believe in Being Strong when everything else seems to be going wrong. I believe Happy Girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I Believe in Miracles. "
-Audrey Hepburn

Copy and Paste

Looking at other blogs, mine looked really lonely with only 8 postings, so I added blogs that I had written last year on my Myspace account. If you're bored or want to read them, they are under 2008. :)

A mothers unconditional love

I think mothers are the only people in the world that will feel total love and adoration for another person who constantly telling her her butt is fat and big and her tummy is squishy. Gotta love kids and their honesty. Picture courtesy of Brayden ("see mom? you got big butt")

Hopes and dreams for the coming year

I've always been a dreamer. I have big goals and ambitions. The problem is I often don't accomplish the things I set out to do but, I think I'm growing and learning from past mistakes. Last fall Ayelen was very insistent on me going to church with her. She often went with family members or neighbors, but she didn't want that anymore. She wanted me there with her. This was extremely hard for me. I have never been good at attending church. Even though I have great love for the gospel, attending church was always really hard and almost painful for me. No matter where I am, I have always felt as an outcast, and church seemed to bring that feeling out even more. I didn't like being reminded of all the things I should be doing and everything I'm not. I thought if I wasn't perfect in everything the church asked from me, I was being a hypocrite. And rather then be a hypocrite I'd stay home and spend time with my family, and worship God in my own way. After all I was a good person, and not going to church wasn't going to change that. Church would only make me feel worst for all the things I wasn't doing. Then something interesting happened. A friend of mine was going through a really difficult trial in her life, and through it all, in spite of her young age, she was so wise and strong. We spent a lot of time together, talking. Which was such a great blessing in my life. She opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking. Her strength and wisdom came from God and her awesome faith. I shared with her some of the worst moments in my life and through it all she listened, she didn't interrupt, she didn't judge. I had never been felt such peace. She taught me that being perfect in the eyes of God wasn't the same perfection that we seek, but instead being whole and feeling peace within ourselves. And the guilt that I felt so often, wasn't a bad thing. It was a blessing that God gave us to lead us in the right direction. Without guilt, we'd be lost, not knowing what is right or wrong. So with my new found knowledge I came home and told Ayelen we'd go to church on Sunday. I was excited to but scared. Sunday rolled around and my stomach was in knots. I thought everyone would know I didn't belong, and would not want me there. I got the kids ready and then got in my dress. I felt sick. I didn't want to go. I started having a panic attack. For sure I would see people I knew. They would know what a hypocrite I am and they would judge me, rightfully so. I couldn't breath I felt itchy all over and I started to sob. Not cry, but sob. The ugly messyness, with the runny nose and screaming body shaking cry. I hated church and I didn't want to go. But I made a promise, so I said a prayer and tried to talk my self out of the craziness in my head. I cleaned my face and off we went to met my friend at her church. We missed sacrement but we made it. It was hard and uncomfortable. I had to keep telling myself "I love church, I want to be here. I love church. I want to be here." to try and make things easier. The following Sunday was a little tough, but not nearly as bad. So for that last few months, we been getting dressed and going to church every Sunday. We have not missed one. I don't ever remember being that consistent in my church attendance. So my goal for the rest of the year is to keep it up. To keep going every Sunday. My next goal is to actually make it to my home ward, at 9 am. That's going to be hard, but I have come so far. And I'm proud of myself. I do feel peace and a sense of pride. For once I have made a goal and stuck to it.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

27??!

Jeff's birthday is coming up. He'll be 27 this Tuesday, which of course is a reminder that I'll be 27 not too much after. Really where has the time gone? In my mind I'm still that awkward little girl that's not quite sure where she belongs or who she is. One minute I'm planning my future with dreams of moving to west coast and the next I'm a mom with 3 kids and been married for 7 yrs. Time flies, and I feel precious little moments slipping from my finger tips. I want time to stop, and let me catch up. I want to enjoy every second of every minute of everyday. I want hold my babies in my arms and keep that moment and feeling locked in my heart forever. I want every laugh and giggle to echo in my mind until the end of time. Sweet stories of far away places, super heros and bad guy chasing. I want to, and I'm going to- really truely capture those moments as much as possible in this blog. I will stop worrying about who might read it and who might not, and the mess in the background of every picture. I will post for me and my heart, to bring peace to my soul knowing that I'm grateful and aware of the beautiful blessing that is my life and my children.