Pajama day!

The office (along with the roads when I came in this morning) are looking a little bare. So here in our Division it was dubbed Pajama Day! And where there are pajamas-onesies will follow!! Here are two of my favorite people, Byron and Jacki sporting the footie pj's.

Merry Merry!!



I work for a great company...

CompHealth-a Division of CHG who I work for has an office in CT very close to the tragedy at the elementary school. We as a company were asked to make snowflakes and send to the CT company for the school to hang.  I have a friend in the CT office who's sister was the trauma nurse at the local ER during the shooting and she let me know that the entire state is in mourning...so strong that she can only listen as she cries thinking of the tragedy.

This morning, a fellow CHG associate sent over this email.

A week ago today our family and community was changed forever.  I have been meaning to send this email for some time but can not see past the tears that fall ever time I try to compose it.  But through the support and comfort of my neighbors, community and CHG we are starting to emerge from the darkness. 

My 7 year old son was present at the time of this unimaginable tragedy.  He did not have the comfort of his teacher as she was in the front office attending a meeting.  A floating substitute, was with them.  His teacher called to say how sorry and guilty she was that she was not there for them.  But Yesterday I got to meet the woman (girl really) who saved the lives of my son and his classmates.  Her name is Ms. Reynolds.  I hugged her until she finally asked me to let go.  She insisted she did nothing special.  But she did.  The doors in that school open out into the hall and have no locks on them.  She but the kids against the interior classroom wall, where just on the other side stomped the footsteps of a monster.  She held the door closed with everything she had, all the time she must have know she would be the first to parish if he had chosen that room.  She told me that she if that time came, she hoped sheer adrenaline would save them.  She is my hero.

The past few days our small quaint New England town has venn filled with sorrow, tears, and back to back funerals.  But the love that is pulsing through our community is something that continues to astonish me.  Every second of our children's lives now are filled with events that shower them with compassion to make sure they know they are SAFE and loved.

 As I heard the 26 bells ring outside my window this morning, I knew it was time to tell everyone how thankful I am for your thoughts, prayers, emails, books, and even snowflakes.

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts

-Melissa Horan

I won't even try to comprehend what those families went through, are going through, and will go through. Sofia is 6. My heart continues to ache for the families and thier loved ones.

I only ask that we be good to one another this holiday season and try to be year round. May we show other people that we CAN be good to one another. That we CAN rise above the hate of the world, that we CAN respect.

Merry Christmas.

Nothing like a bunch of 6 year olds singing!

Maka has been telling me JUST how much I was going to love her singing at her kindergarten music program that was coming up. She refused to tell me what song(s) she would be singing, but said I was going to love it...Well she was right. I did! I must admit that when I was sitting there and watching her class, I got teary eyed. Not only due to the cuteness factor, but remembering the kids of the tragedy that happened at another elementary school in Connecticut. I hugged her a bit tighter that day.

They looked adorable and sang Ruduloph the Red nosed Reindeer and We wish you a Merry Christmas. She waved and smiled and sang so great! It was a pretty proud parent moment for Artyom and I. Ella sat on my lap again as she is in somewhat of a shy stage as of late. She did, however, clap her little hands out for not only her big sister, but each of the performances after they had finished. Then, they got to have cookies and juice from Mrs. Merrill, Sofia's teacher and watch Frosty the Snowman as they waited for the rest of the grades to perform. So fun! It definitely helped bring in the true spirit of Christmas into my heart...and since mine has been a bit heavy lately, I needed it!

Merry, Merry pictures with Santa!

I took the girls to go get pics with Santa since we got a screaming deal and paid $12 for all these cute ones (and these are just a few!!) that we can print how we want. LOVE  THAT. So here are our two American/Russian cuties Sofia Hope and Ella Diane wishing you a Merry Merry Holiday Season!

Good stock

I gotta admit. I have some of the greatest extended family that a person could ask for. I constantly tell Artyom that if he had any doubts about moving here to the States and marrying me, it all must have dissolved the minue he met my immediate and extended family. They are amazing.
My cousin Jessica married a guy named Scott and he has simply "fit in" to our family like a glove. So I was not at all surprised when we asked him to come and help that he rearranged his schedule to help out. Our basement has been "post-broken pipe turned flood" for months and were trying to get it done as soon as we can.

Scott came out and helped Artyom put up sheetrock (which did not look fun at all...) and entertained my girls wanting to be downstairs, in the way, where all the action was. We love you Scott! Thank you for being in our family and adding to the many "Cuncles" that the girls know and adore!

 I could not believe how much quiter it was downstairs after Artyom put up the insulation.

 I must admit...I love a man in a toolbelt! It means your "honey to do list" actually has a chance at getting done!

 Artyom is going to build me shelves here. Cannot wait!

You could call it a coincidence...but I know better

"It's all in a name" or so I have heard. And I know alot of people would call it a coincidence, or the fact that it was a popular name at that time, especially here in Utah it seems, but we have been blessed with some of the most amazing "Linda's" in our life. The top on the girls's list of course being Grandma Pederson. However there have been a few others that I know without a doubt that have been put in my path by the Linda I call mom.

I remember when I lived in downtown Salt Lake-shortly after my mom passed away. I had a rude awakening one morning to discover my car, as well as my roommates had been broken into. I didnt have much in the car, but I happened to leave my backpack there the night before and it had all my VERY expensive textbooks in it. That was what I was most upset about. I prayed for some peace of mind, knowing that my info. was on some paperwork in the car and just wanted to feel safe. A little later that morning, I got a call asking if I had lost a backpack. When I explained why yes, in a round about way that I had, she said her name was "Linda" and she was walking that morning and found some textbooks and a backpack scattered in the road and bushes and decided to pick it up and take it home. I was so grateful to get it back and just started crying on the phone to her when she told me her name. I know it was my mom doing a little something that she could do from the other side, to let me know she was near.

We also have our neighbor who's granddaughter that lives with her is our go to babysitter. She is so cute with the girls and loves them. She not only let's them come and sit by here at church somtimes, but when Sofia was fascinated with Indians, she had her over to tell her all about it. She even gave her a dreamcatcher and some postcards to take home. Her name? Linda.

Then there is our other "Friend Grandma" as the girls call her- Linda. It is Betsy's mother in law whom she lives with and the girls adore her. She is amazing! She is going to nursing school which is a perfect occupation for her. When Ella got sick last week, I got to Betsy's to find Ella on Linda's lap just snuggling till I got there. I am very blessed to have such people in our lives. The other day, while Betsy and I were trying to figure out the printer at her house, Linda pulled out a game and started to play it with the kids...yeah...she's just like that.

7 and counting...

It is just a date on the calendar, but a pretty special one in my book. Our story is by no means "typical" but then again, our lives have not been either! We have had some hard times and some great times, we have faced challenges, and heartache, blessings and births and we have been given 2 beautiful girls to raise the right way. Were still here. were still together. And will be for the long haul.

Seven years ago today I went here...

 

 

And was married  to this guy for time and all eternity...

 

 

And since then we have been blessed with these two (so far)...

Man...how did I get so lucky?! Red Flame, I know it has not always been easy. I know I am head strong, and stubborn and moody and sometimes a bit opinionated, but I love you. And I'm so grateful to have found one another again those 14 years ago.

 Here is to many more...kids and years together!



I guess I kinda asked for it...

We have had "the sickness" at our house the last month or so. Artyom, then Sofia, next Ella then back to Artyom...I thought I had by-passed it. I guess I should not be too surprised though. I have had sick with a cold Ella sleeping with me to "quarantine" her from everyone else. But last night BAM. It smacked me in the face with all the usual cold symptoms. Thank goodness it's Friday and I can sleep in an hour or so tomorrow. Sigh. These are the days where my emotional intelligence runs low, so I will tie my hands to keep from typing more about how unfair it is not only being sick, but sick and a working mom... And will focus on getting to take THIS in just a few hours and meeting my much needed bed for a visit.

Being sick sucks.

ZOO Lights

We found a daily deal and grabbed it to go and see the Zoo lights. This was a first for us as we usually just go to Temple Square (come on-it's free!) but we got double booked on the day we planned so this was a great (and very cheap) alternative. It is safe to say that the girls loved it! There were a few animals out-most of them were sleeping, but Sofia did get to see the bats which she let me know would be awake since the sleep during the day. Then went on to tell me the difference between the fruit bats (the nice ones) and the meat bats (the scary ones). Hilarious! And Grandpa, Sofia wanted me to mention that she actually DID have another had and gloves on, but she did not want to wear that one, she wanted her Russian one! She definitely loves that hat.

 This was a tunnel of sorts that lit up at different times. It took me at least 3 times to get the pic right with the amount of light that I needed! Love those 3!

 We had a punch card with a few "punches" left in it, so we even got to ride the carousel! It was a bit chilly, but who doesnt love a carousel?! Ella a la' Twilight on the wolf and Sofia had to jump on a spotted seal last minute since she couldnt find the monkey!

 

There was a group of carolers in costume ( I LOVE this!) and they asked Sofia to come up and shake the jingle bells while they sung. Well, Sofia was MORE than willing to oblige and loved it. Ella took one step forward and ran behind my legs. ") She was NOT interested in being in front of all those people. Sofia didnt seem to mind all that much.

I should have taken a pic, but didnt. We went and got hot chocolate for the girls and saw this adorable older couple with one hot chocolate that they shared between them. We stopped to talk to them for a few minutes. He was wearing a cowboy hat, which of course in Ella's eyes means- hes a cowboy. So she let him know what she thought and this cute man tipped his hat and said, Howdy little lady. Then as we left, like the true gentleman he was, tipped it once again and said, you take care now-ya hear? He made my two little girls night.

Day 30-Easy peasy

Today did'nt take much thought as to what I was thankful for. I can sum it up in one word-LIFE. I get to live in a place where I have freedoms that people in other parts of the world do not have. I have a wonderful husband who I love, who I can spend forever with and we have been so blessed to have been sent (so far) 2 of the most beautiful girls and I am grateful for them each and every day. Even though I would love to stay home, I get to go to work every day at a job that I am growing in, and learning so much more about myself. I get to be a part of providing for our family's income and I am proud of that. I have a home. We may not always have extra, but we always find a way to make it work.

Today I am just plain thankful. Sometimes, we just...Need to stop. Be still. Give thanks. We have so much to be thankful for. I do this each year as a reminder to myself about all I have and all I hope to achieve. And be thankful for my health, my family's well being and all the many people around us that love us so much. I am thankful for each one of you.

I hope as December starts and the world gears up for Christmas, that we remember what it really symbolizes and why we celebrate in the first place. It's not about pictures of gifts, of how many each child received, of how much we spent.

It is about the miracle of a child, the promise of a better future, the peace of a manger.

Today was easy peasy to think of something. What was not so easy was finding the words to describe how I was feeling about it.

Day 29-B is for Bestie

I know she is reading this and smiling- or at least she had better be smiling. She has been an answer to prayer, for me anyway...Meeting her was something I really needed and it has been plain awesome since. From weekends at the cabin, movies, and many, many inside jokes with uncontrolable laughing at times, we can call each other just to have a buddy to go to Target or Smith's with. She just gets me. She is there to talk me off a ledge when needed, there to talk sense to me when I don't want to hear it, and it is an added bonus that our kids love each other...as long as we spread our thier playdates somewhat. She is stronger that she will ever give herself credit for and is a wonderful teacher. She gave the lessons in Relieft Society for quite a long time and I don't think there was one lesson in which there was something that I didnt need to hear. 
She really cannot have ANY idea of how much she means to me. She is just my person. And I don't say that about alot of people. If I had some sappy friend song and a rolling slideshow, I would TOTALLY play it...But you and the rest of the world will have to settle for these few pics of my bestie and me-Jacki.

Today, I am SO very grateful for besties. Especially mine, Jacki.

Day 28-Talking to the masses

I currently did a purge of our garage and found A TON of stuff that needed to either be thrown out, sent to DI or, as I have recently found on Facebook-posted on the 24/7 West Jordan Yard Sale! I shop year round for Christmas and really need to do an inventory check every once in awhile....

So. Today I am grateful for technology that let's you speak to the masses...and dejunk your garage at the same time. I just posted a bunch of stuff this morning and have sold 4 things! Love it.

Day 27-Home is where the hardships are?

I dont really have a pic for what I am thankful for today. Well except for this:

We had a small flood in our basement a few months back and it led us to experiencing an "unfinished basement" after it had been finished...Sigh. Artyom went to go and turn on the front sprinkler for the girls and I was downstairs when I heard water running...unnaturally. I ran up to tell him to turn it off, and I dont think he quite believed me that something was wrong. True to Artyom's style, he had to "see for himself" and when I saw him running back outside and turning off the water, I knew something was wrong. So back downstairs we now had at least an inch of water all over the carpet. Long story short, we are re-doing our basement and I am pretty stoked. It will look completely different than it did and once it is done- will put "the look of it" back into the 2000's and not the 1970's.

Today I am grateful for a home. Period. It may give us grief sometimes, but it's ours and we love it.

Day 26-Putting lessons learned to the test

We had somewhat of a catastrophe at the Martushev household last night when the girl's requested Hamburger Stroganoff and I was quick to oblige. I got it all ready and went for the sour cream in the fridge to see that WHAT?! We were out...You have to understand that one of Russia's staples is "smetahna" which is what my girls call it, or sour cream. One of thier favorite things to eat is sour cream on bread...something they learned from thier Papa. So I was literally flabbergasted when I could not find any in the fridge. We usually have about 3 tubs in our fridge at a time, especially during soup season! What was a mom to do?
The thought came to my mind to do what Liane would do. She always has the funniest stories about when she or her mom didnt have an ingredient they had, and they completely improvised! More than once I would ask Liane about a recipe and she would tell me what was in it, but put the plug in "but I did'nt have (insert ingredient here) so I just used (insert different ingredient here)." And it ALWAYS turned out good. So I did as my bestie would do and improvised.
I must have done something right cause THIS little cutie, who usually does not eat more than about 5 bites of her dinner had...wait for it...THREE helpings!!

Today I am thankful for Liane and her lesson she taught me about improvising in the kitchen. Dinner was not only saved, but Ella had a very full tummy for the first time in weeks! (ok many not weeks, but she sure loved it!)

Day 25-Lessons learned

I have pretty much lucked out when it comes to in-laws. I love Artyom's family and they have been nothing but accepting of our marriage even though it means that they only get to see us on Skype for the most part. But where I think I hit the jackpot is with my sisters in law. They are in a word-fabulous.
Each brother (so far-no pressure Russ) has married an awesome person inside and out and I could not feel more blessed. They each bring sassiness to our family that was dominated by men for quite some time and I thank them for it.

Heidi

She has taught me patience. I have seen her go through 3 tours with Jon and she has shown such strength and patience through it all. I don't know if I would ever be able to have such poise under so much pressure. She is a wonderful mother to thier 2 young boys and I am thankful for her and all she does to make Jon a better man.






Krystal

I have often said Krystal is the epitome of a "Mother" she always seem to have it all together, her kids are SO well behaved and polite, and she has given me SO many ideas with things she does with her own kids, she needs to have her own board on Pinterest. I love that she has memory books for all her kdis with Dad and daughter dates and Dad and son dates and the sleepover in a hotel that she and Nicole did for her (10th?) birthday. So many fun things!! She was the first sister in law I got and has been near and dear to my heart ever since.









Tonya
I was able to take a cross country road trip with Tonya to transport her and the kids from Pennsylvania to OR and although they dropped me off in UT, it was one of the best road trips I have been on! It was so fun getting to know her better (I mean, come on-what better place than on a road trip). Tonya is one of the best communicators I know. She not only listens, but offers up opinions and advice when asked and it is SOLID. She is SO great at making things stretch, last and bring thrifty. Traits I try to live up to as well. She is perfect for Ryan and I'm so glad to have her in our family.

Liane

A former roommate, Liane is "my person". I was so excited when she and Paul were married and I don't know what I would do without her. Not only have the girls missed her kids since they moved up to Oregon, I have missed my movie buddy and our Family Home Evenings together.  Liane is the party planner, a wonderful artist and is SO good about the "details" of entertaining. If you get a chance to go to a party at your house-consider yourself lucky and RSVP immediately! She has taught me over and over again that you can improvise ANY recipe and make it your own. Something I did just last night when we were out of sour cream for my Stroganoff (GASP!). I love that she let's very little bother her is a incredibly sweet person to each and everyone she meets and is loyal for life.

Today, I am so very thankful for the sisters in law I have in my life and hope they know much each one of them mean to me.

Day 24-Grandpa gets it

I was up in Oregon a few weekends ago and the never changing statement of my Dad when one of us is on our way home is "Pack light and bring an extra suitcase..." This time I did just that and was quite proud of myself for not severly overpacking and bringing an extra suitcase which was very quickly packed to the brim with books, and other things that my Dad felt I stood in need of.
One of those "items" that blessed my suitcase was a Russian Shopka. I love it! It totally reminded me of the little kids I fell in love with while on my mission in Russia. I took it home and Sofia found it in my suitcase, immediately put it on, and did not take it off-while she colored, while she did her homework, while I made dinner, while she ATE dinner.
Today I am thankful for a Grandpa who "gets it". He not only "gets" that we my girls are part Russiana and we not only welcome the culture in our home, but embrace it, but he supports us as well. Shopkas and all.

Day 23-Black Friday sleep in

Black Friday. Its been a day that I have LOVED in the past, but this year. I just could not make myself even LOOK at the ads until after the "shopping hour" was over and even then, I only glanced at a few stores. So I slept in and relished in the fact that I had not gone. My Dad even called to ask me how Black Friday shopping was and I think was a little impressed at my will power to refrain from going. It felt good. We have had a rough last few years and I have learned what "Necessity" really means.
This year, our family has been trying to keep on a budget and not spend much for, well anything! Artyom and I decided that we would not over-do Christmas and try to focus on what this holiday is really about. This meant prepping our girls early to not expect alot of presents under the tree, but getting presents for kids that were less fortunate than us. It means talking alot about the birth of Christ and what that meant for people then...and now. It means more family nights, just being together, it means homemade gift from the heart, it means looking for the deals and deciding between a want and a need. It has been so great and I am loving every minute of it.
Today I am grateful for the growth I have seen in myself and not going out to shop-even though some of the deals I saw were great! I loved sleeping in...And? There is always next year.

Day 22- What else?

Today is Thanksgiving Day and because of that- this post will be easy. I am Thankful for so many things. Family, Friends, the Gospel, the USA, so many things that have already been added to this blog on a daily basis. To add to the list, I am also thankful for Pinterest. Without it, I would not have had this beauty to bring to Nana's for our family Thanksgiving dinner.

Yep. It's our version of a veggie tray in the form of a turkey! It of course was not as PERFECT as the one on the blog through Pinterest, but hey- I was happy with it and others seemed to like it as well.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family alike. We TRULY have alot to be Thankful for.

Day 21- A girls gotta eat

Its been short week here at CompHealth, which means we have all been under the gun to get more done in significantly less time. Couple that with covering clients for a co-worker who is out on vacation (in ARUBA! yeah...rough), it has been a few days of 10 hours at my desk with getting up only to take a trip to the little girls room or refill my large water bottle with party ice...gotta have the ice....

Today I am thankful for Jimmy John's and thier freaky fast delivery that allows me to continue to work...and the gift card that I used to buy it!

Jimmy John's-I heart you!

Day 20-Rhyming must be genetic

I have very fond memories of my Mom making poems and songs for Church Functions and have had many people send me a poem she wrote about the geese who fly in a V and why they do. I have come to the conclusion that Rhyming must be in my genes because I not only inherited it from my Mom, but also my Dad! And it has paid off many a time when I am sitting in Sacrament meeting and jolted awake by the slip of paper I find in the Church bag saying Sofia or Ella has a talk on Sunday (labeled THIS Sunday) that happened to NOT make its way to our magnet board to remind me.
This happened YET again this Sunday as I got double duty and was asked at the last minute to teach Sofia's class AND Ella had her talk on Missionary Work. So I dug into the creative part of my mind (it took awhile) and busted out a little poem for her talk. You will just have to imagine a cute little 4 year old saying it and it will make you smile...or it will if you have ANY GOOD IN YOUR SOUL TO SPEAK OF...Anyhoo- Throw in some pics from the Library (thank goodness for Sister Hunsaker!) and we were set. It looked like this- but hey, I improvised!

I like to share the gospel, because I know it's true

When we share what we know with others, we help others share it too.

The gospel is the greatest gift, it helps me and I know,

 that the more I share, the more I love and I get the chance to grow.

I want to serve a mission, to help others find thier way

I want to share the gospel, each and every day.

Missionary work is really awesome, it helps others see the light,

By being a missionary now-I know I'm choosing right. 

Today I am grateful for parents who were not afraid to hide thier creativity and shared it with those around them. They may or may not be appauled that I used the creative gene I inherited a few weeks back to RAP in a team meeting I had, but hey? I won a gift card!! And gained a new sense of respect from my teammates. White girl can bust some rhymes. Thanks Mom and Dad.

Day 19-At least a dollar still buys something

The girls and I had a "girls day" on Saturday as Artyom went shooting in the morning with the Elders Quorum, then was home for about 2 hours before he went to the University of Utah game with Bryan Flamm. So the 2 hours he had home were spent sleeping downstairs with Ella as she (and her Papa) desperately needed a nap!
So with Artyom gone again, the girls decided not to just stick around the house anymore... we headed out to the Dollar Theatre and took in a flick. I LOVE that a dollar can still get you a movie at the theatre. And although we had seen it before, it never gets dull on the big screen and we went to see BRAVE once again. I love this girl and her spunky, red-headed attitude! Ella had a slurpee and Sofia surprised me by asking for (and just about finishing) a thing of nachos!
Today I am grateful for the Dollar Theatre. It gives me a chance to take my girls to the movies and have the "Theatre experience" without emptying my pocket book.

Day 18- Hello? Is it me your looking for?

I am always amazed at how far technology has come in my adult life. One thing I am grateful for today is the cell phone. I got a call this morning from a dear friend who is one of those people that no matter how much time has passed between you, all it takes is a phone call and you are back to being as if it was only yesterday that you saw them.

I met Mathew through a group of friends. Little did I know, JUST how significant he would become in my life. We instantly became friends and what followed was his Dad giving Artyom his first job when he moved here from Russia, Mathew making sure I wore the most "chanel, chanel" eyeglasses and being my escort on business trips when the said business trip involved a trip to the East Coast. He said he couldnt let "Chair Chair" face the big city alone...Smile. A wonderful travel friend, we could have gone just about anywhere together. And since I dont have any pics on my work computer of him, I had to pull some from his Sunglasses Party that he threw at Frameworks- a store he is co-owner of.

When I got engaged to Artyom in January of 2005, it was Mathew that was my "stand in" as I was without a fiance, and feeling a bit lonely to be honest! Mathew was there for every weekend, movies, dinner, keeping me on track with visa paperwork, and wedding plans. He was a lifesaver during that time when I desperately wanted Artyom to be here in the States. He never let me doubt that the Visa would not come through and that we would be married without any problems. He was my Rock. Mathew even made the trip to Portland, OR to be there when I got married. Something he clearly did not need to do. (Mathew is the 2nd one from the Left). Isn't he handsome?!

Today I am grateful for Mathew. I am sure he does not realize just how important he is to me and how much I miss not seeing him every day. However, even though he is a bi-coastal business man, spending a few months on an off between here and Florida, we always find time to catch up and when we do? Its like it was just yesterday when I saw him. If you know Mathew? Consider yourself very lucky...I know I do.

Day 17-And they thought they would'nt make the list

I must admit that at times, I wonder if I give them enough credit. I mean come on, I got my own room, the bathroom was PINK- and were talking PEPTO pink, and they put up with my girly sleepovers. But it was the least they could do as I was solo as far as girl siblings go. Growing up with 5 brothers? Interesting but never dull. Being grown up with 5 brothers...amazing. And one of the best part about the 5 fabulous Pederson boys? They KNOW how to not take themselves too seriously and let thier hair down. Life is about having FUN. And we do.
Jon
I was not the only one who gave him a rough time being the oldest growing up. But he was always one to apologize first, turn on the porch light when I came home from a date, and surrounded me with all his other guy friends at a dance when I was dancing with someone they felt "sketchy" for me to be dancing with. He is the BEST at calling and keeping me updated on his life. I love that.





David
Growing up all my girlfriends had crushes at one point or another on my older brother Dave. I was always grateful that I was born as his sibling since I wonder at times, if it were not so, if we would ever have been friends! Laugh...The luckiest one in our family, he always seems to have it "all together" a trait that I admire. He can still be a kid at heart though, and it shines through especially here at Halloween! The 80's RULE!

 

 

Ryan

I always felt the closest to Ryan growing up as we shared many of the same friends being only 14 months that separate our Birthdays. He was "Spike" to most people that know him and an amazing athlete and very humble. I always appreciate that he greets me with a hug when I see him and is a great Uncle to my girls. They LOVE having his kids to visit and we consider ourselves lucky to have them. 

 

Paul

I consider myself very lucky to have had Paul live in Utah for awhile and be able to spend some time with him-something we didnt do very much of growing up. BONUS-he married one of my old roommates which made it all the sweeter. He works hard, plays hard and the boy loves his guns. He is a great brother-in-law to Artyom and it was so fun to see thier relationship grow when they lived here. I love that Artyom now has so many brothers in his life.

Russ

The baby of the family, he and I were very close growing up...I could not help it. Im genetically pre-disposed to being a "motherly type" to those that are young enough to require it. The smartest kid I know, he has yet to get a "B" grade in any class and that (so far) includes Nursing School that he is currently undertaking. Tender hearted and just a GOOD person, I don't know what I would do without him.

Today, and really each and every day I am grateful for the brothers that I am blessed to have in my life. They make it interesting, and are always there when I need them. Siblings are SUCH a blessing. Today, I am thankful for mine. 

Day 16-passing notes

I don't recall exactly when it happened, but since it has, I have had a WHOLE new relationship with Sofia and even Ella. She was quite put out with me the other day when I was able to go on a plane and she could not go with me. So much so, that Artyom sent me this...

If THAT does not sum up how she was feeling at the time...I just don't know what else would. I found out later when I called that she was mad that when she called my phone I, "hung up". I had to explain that she had called during the funeral I was attending and my phone was turned off so it went directly to voicemail and I did NOT hang up on her. She was quick to fogive me.
Today, I am grateful for a girl who carries some of my triats and is prone to writing down her emotions as she sees fit....Good, bad and ugly, they are HER feelings and she has a right to them. One thing is for sure...She is going to be a FABULOUS journal writer.

Day 15- White, cold and perfect for playing in

There were only a few times I remember getting snow in Oregon, and it was never very much and it soon melted and turned into ice. While we are here in Utah we are able to enjoy the Seasons, yes, including Winter and as an adult I really do like the snow. Sure, I could go without driving in it, but to play in? Oh, I'm all over that! The night I flew out to Oregon, Utah was DUMPED on with over a foot of snow. Artyom sent me this cute pic of the first snowman of the season.

Today I am grateful for snow. Cause it was snow and being able to play in it, that gave Sofia this cutest smile.