Today...

Today I am feeling a little defeated. There is so much to do, always the need to impove and do better, and never time for it. For some reason it has all crashed down on me today (Maybe it's the lack of responsibility I've had while away for 2 weeks on an amazing trip?!?) This blog is outrageously behind on posts. And as I sit thinking about all the things I need to post, to catch up, I am missing a lot of memories and things I want to document. So, I'm going to sit down, for just a minute and write down my thoughts for today.

I'll be honest, I don't always love being a stay at home Mom. The demands are high and sleep is no where near what I would like it to be. Sometimes I think it would be easier to walk away from it "all" for just a few hours. But today I was preciously reminded of how blessed I am to be at home. I'm grateful that I can be here when the kids need someone when they are sick. I'm grateful I can be here to run the forgotten homework or lunch over to the school. I'm grateful I'm able to keep tabs on them and try to keep them safe. I'm grateful we have a home that the kids, and all their friends, can play and hang out at. I'm grateful I am around to lend a helping hand, and give support to my neighbors. And I'm grateful I am around when my little girl needs a clean shirt at school, and I can just run it over to her.

Loved this article I read today
http://powerofmoms.com/2012/04/your-children-want-you/

Mathews Family Christmas...

It is a very rare occasion when everybody in the family can get together. It seems so often that someone is sick, or has to work, or they're just off doing their own thing. So, when my Dad put together a Christmas party and everyone showed up...it was a little shocking. It's fun when we can do that and get to know everyone a little bit better.

I about died when I walked into my Dad's basement and saw this boot. When we were really little kids, we didn't have stockings. We had boots. Seeing this boot brought back so many memories. I wish I could find some to use in our house.

To start the night off the kids put together some crafts. They thought it was extra cool because they got to use hot glue guns. Kaylee could have crafted the night away. 

 My kids love projects but they also love to be done with projects. They have about a 5 minute span before they're ready to quit. So to achieve that (with 3 different crafts to do) they were just gluing and taping things anywhere they could. In the picture below, you can tell "The candy goes on the roof,  the snow goes on the ground, etc." They're thoughts, "Um no. I'll put it where I feel like it. Thanks for your opinion though."

How about snow for a mustache? 

 Ry was the king at making icicles.

After we had some yummy soup. My Dad makes an awesome baked potato soup! 

Played some Michael Jackson Experience on the Wii. Kade seriously rocked it. I could have watched his little tush shake back and forth forever. It was so comical.

Look at these two yahoo dancing together to "The Way You Make Me Feel." They were arguing over who is the better "girl" in this particular dance. If only they could have seen/heard themselves. 

 Kade loves when he gets to snuggle with Whit

Paul and Kade 

Ice Cream Sundaes 

Haley's ice cream was very near perfection. She spent forever making sure each item was in the right place and symmetrical.  

 Becky and Paul

 Brayden with such anticipation for Christmas day.

 Curtis and Whit

Alecia and Pauly 

 Becky and Paul

 Curtis and Whit

 Haley and Pauly

 Dad and Laura

All the siblings.

Paul, Ryan, Haley, Pauly, Curtis, Me 

Siblings and spouses

Pic with the entire family. First time this has ever been done since most of us have a significant other and we have added kids.  

Holiday Festivities

Christmas is our very favorite holiday! It is packed full of Christmas traditions and opportunities to do good. This year was no different. We were able to enjoy the things that make Christmas special, especially each other.

*Decorating the tree

This year Brayden got to put the top of the tree on.

*They love the Christmas Advent calendar (my Grandma made us a replica from my youth) plus the chocolate one from Mormors.

*"Stevie" the elf came to visit from the north pole for the first time. The kids loved waking up each day to search for Stevie. One day they woke up to find Stevie sitting on the table with a paintbrush and red paint on it. After a little help (brilliant kids sometimes) they figured out that Stevie had painted their noses red. A couple days later, I found blue marker all over the walls, doors, cabinets..you name it. I asked Kade what he had been doing he quickly replied, "Oh, it must of been Stevie being sneaky again." That kid so smart mischievous sometimes.

Watched Christmas movies

(This boy is obsessed with them. He definitely takes after his Mormor) 

*Brayden participated in a play for school about the Revolutionary War.

(Not Christmas affiliated, just ended up happening around Christmas.)

These kids are so smart, I really don't remember anything from school.

*They caroled with their classes to the businesses up in Daybreak.

Visited Winder Dairy for some scones

"Favorites" breakfast with some of my favorite girls. 

Lindsey, Becca, Allison, Lindsay, Betsy, Kristin, Katie, Me

*The also got together with a few friends and made Christmas crafts and went caroling to the old folks home. The kids loved this opportunity to serve. We went at lunchtime and the kids walked around and chatted to everyone while they were eating. I was actually quite surprised at their willingness to mingle and not be scared. Too bad that when I asked them what they will remember most all three replied, "The smell of the brussel sprouts!" They are already planning a trip wanting to deliver Valentines (anyone?) Cross our fingers they aren't serving brussel sprouts so the kids can get something more from the activity.

Our favorite thing about Christmas this year was just being together. We enjoyed  Christmas break by being with family, celebrating the life of Christ, and taking a step back from the "busy-ness." We especially love that Dad gets a little time off work! 

Bergstrom Family Christmas Party...

December 16

Our Bergstrom family Christmas party was really special this year because we decided to have a little program. My Mom's side of the family is from Sweden, so the Santa Lucia is a tradition that the family has participated in for years and years. My Great Grandma (Farmor) and my Grandma (Mormor) had the opportunity to actually represent Santa Lucia in Sweden. My Uncle Neal (who is the only child, I believe, of my Grandma and Grandpa that speaks Swedish. He also served his mission there) told the story of the Santa Lucia. Most of the great grand kids don't know of the tradition and haven't heard the story.

The festival of Santa Lucia begins before dawn, on the thirteenth of December, which was the longest night of the year. Throughout Sweden, the eldest daughter in each household comes to her sleeping parents, dressed in a long white gown tied with a red sash, and wearing a crown of lingonberry leaves in which are set seven lighted candies. In her hands she carries a tray of steaming hot coffee and "Lussekattor" (Lucia Runs). The procession includes her sisters and brothers also dressed in white, holding lighted candles, and singing of the light and joy of Christmas.

This year Kaylee was able to play the part of the younger Santa Lucia. She helped demonstrated the importance of each peice that is worn and why. As my Aunt and Uncle sang the Santa Lucia song, she was able to proceed in with my cousin Hannah with their lighted candles. It was so incredible to see her! Although she was a little nervous about the candles burning her head, she loved it! This is a tradition I want to start in our own family.

As we waited for the girls to change we were serenaded by one of my favorite singers...my brother. He is seriously so talented! 

 My Mom brought chimes for the adults to play. It was seriously comical trying to figure those out. I'm not sure our songs were played out as they were supposed to?!?

And last but not least the grand kids were able to participate in the Nativity Scene. It was a great way to remind us of the importance of Christmas and appreciate the heritage that we come from.  

Eggs and Radioactive Material...

Journal entry from Dec 17 (total complaining post)

I don't normally talk about my health, cause really what is there to say. The doctor's don't have answers. I don't have answer's. Everyday is frustrating and like a roller coaster, so it's usually best not to bring it up. But this past weekend might be worth documenting (a moment I probably won't forget anytime soon.) I think I need to document that I have now officially participated in every test out there for stomach issues, at least once.

My doctor ended up ordering a gastric emptying test because of nausea and vomiting. I had gotten to the point that I either couldn't eat because I was nauseated. If I did eat, I would throw it up. This had become a little concerning, not to mention annoying! They had me fast the entire day so my stomach would be completely empty when I got there (appt was at 2:30.) So hard for me! If I go on an empty stomach too long, I end up getting a migraine. So by the time I got to my appt I was totally on edge! I was nauseated and I had a migraine.

I walk into the room and it permeated the most disgusting smell I had ever smelt. I wanted to throw up on the spot! I come to find out the smell was my dinner...a cup of scrambled eggs filled with radioactive material (think lab produced eggs...YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!) He handed it to me, with a packet of ketchup (quadruple YUCK) and told me this might make it taste better. Are you kidding me? I wanted to ask him if this was how he prepared his eggs each morning? If this was something he would consume and actually thought was edible.  Because from the looks of it, he thought I was just gonna gobble it up and hop on the table for testing. Think again buddy! I haven't been able to keep down an apple and you think I can eat this!?! I would nibble, vomit in my mouth, nibble, breathe deeply, nibble, vomit in my mouth, etc. Seriously so gross. After about 30 minutes he told me if I could just get halfway through it, he could proceed with the test. It took everything in me to keep that 3/4 of an egg down. If I threw it up, we couldn't proceed with the test. I'm quite proud to say, I didn't throw up. I was able to lay there for an 1 1/2 hours of stomach scanning. My insides hurt badly and they were churning, but I did it.

I ended up getting results back a few days later which concluded that my stomach is not emptying properly. That, mixed with acid reflux, is probably a majority of my problems. I have been doing better since this diagnosis but I don't think eggs will be consumed anytime soon.
PS- Mike made scrambled eggs the very next day and we had to open every window/door in the house to air out the smell. Seriously SO GROSS!

Look alikes....

Before the holidays, I was going through some old photos. I came across this old picture of my Dad and about died! People ask me all the time who Brayden looks like...I think I figured that out. Brayden is a little replica of my Dad!

Family Pics 2011...

"Once in awhile right in the MIDDLE of an ORDINARY life, LOVE gives us a fairytale."

My kids absolutely LOVED posing for these pictures! When they are put in front of a camera, they are total hams! Luckily we had a patient photographer that snapped away at their silly antics. I love these pictures because their personalities shine through.