Private

So, I've gone back and forth on this whole private thing. I hate the idea because there are people whose blogs I just don't get to check as much because they are private and I fear that might happen with mine. But, the purpose of my blog is mainly to journal, so that shouldn't matter.

We have had some recent happenings in our family, including recent talks in General Conference and at church that make me want to step up my Internet security as well anonymity on the Internet. We are adjusting our Facebook accounts to show less and to be more particular in who we befriend.

And, alas, we are going to make our blog private so that we know who is seeing/sharing our private moments. We would love to share these moments with you if you are still interested. If you are, please email me or leave a comment with your email address.


suzyb@alexanders(dot)com

Random Pics

Here are some random things we have done.

London loves her some makeup! She has gotten into mine and Grandma's. She is also saying all the important words (but not on cue) like purse, shoes, makeup, baby and fun!


The boys hard at work bagging the leaves I raked.


London was out like a light and Max just loves her. I had to take a picture.

Balloons

Shane and I do balloon decorating on the side. We went out the other day to do a bid on an open house for a company. Their building is still under construction so we had to wear glasses and hard hats. I recently got glasses again (I lost mine years ago and never replaced them) so I didn't need safety glasses. Shane had that pleasure!

Red Ribbon Week

For Red Ribbon Week they had different things they did each day, Hat Day, Red Day and Crazy Hair Day. For Crazy hair day we sprayed these two with Orange Hair Color and glitter. It showed up better in Max's hair, so Uncle Joseph also added ribbons to his hair.

Surgery

Shane had surgery a couple weeks ago to repair his torn ACL. He has never had surgery before so the anesthesia did a number on him. I think this surgery helped him realize even more, just what is important. The kids have had to learn to be a little more careful and with all the time spent at physical therapy he is home less. The kids have missed him and he has missed them. He also woke up, driving the nurses crazy. He wouldn't stop asking where his wife was. They kept saying they would come get me, but that wasn't good enough. I finally got into recovery and he started to cry. WOW!!!

Anyway, things went well. The surgeon was able to use all of his own tissue to make the repair and said it was the best he has ever done. Shane is doing better. He is a star in physical therapy and already biked at a pretty good speed for 5 min. And he tried the trampoline...ouch! These pictures are from the day of surgery. He even got to have his leg shaved...sexy!

2010 Family Pictures

We just got our family pictures back and I thought I would share...

Gratitude

I would be extremely ungrateful if I didn't share a few of the things I am so blessed with. This last week Shane had knee surgery and it was also a particularly hard week for other reasons. I have been so blessed this week as well and really feel that I need to remember the things I do have, rather than focusing on the hard moments in time. These are in no particular order.

1. A husband who tries and who goes to work in some pain to provide for us.

2. Aidan - for coming home and stepping up. He mowed the lawn with no complaint and who, without asking, helped around the house and fertilized the lawns.

3. Andrew - Who didn't complain once yesterday when I asked him to help with dishes, etc.

4. Max - For his little kisses when he looks at you and just knows you need them.

5. London - For her laughs and her innocent eyes and her funny timing with words lately.

6. Kind parents who listen and love with no expectations.

7. Loving church leaders who don't know they are saying the perfect thing in a meeting, but who say just what I need to hear.

8. Amazing friends who give support just with their patience and kind words.

9. Family - Who give you advice, and without even knowing why they are saying what they are saying, are truly blessing your life with the things you need to know to do.

10. God - Who listens to all the joy, sorrow, complaints and thanks and who sends his love and peace no matter what. In a leadership training last night they said that after we have tried with all our heart, might, mind and strength and we can do no more, the Lord will step in and he will carry us the rest of the way. This is so true.

11. The scriptures - Their words are always what I need to hear. I am not always listening in the right way, but when I am, I am given the answers I need.

12. Prophets - There were some amazing words spoken at conference and they really touched me. It always seems that even if the subject isn't about something I have, such as the priesthood, it still pertains to my life and what I can/should be doing.

13. Temples and not only the opportunities that they give us to serve and learn, but for the tremendous blessing they give to us to be an eternal family.

14. All of the many material things we are blessed with. We have enough food and a warm bed to sleep in. We have enough and can't ask for more.

What are you grateful for?

Adelaide's blessing

Little Addy was blessed on Sunday, the 10th of October. I was lucky enough to be able to make the blessing dress. This was a stretch since I really haven't sewn since Jr. High except a couple small things for London recently. It worked, Hallelujah. It was a little big for her, but still cute. It was really long, which I loved.

Trip Home

I have to post these cute pics of London with the suitcase. She is so independent and just had to be in charge of taking the suitcase around the airport.

Disney World Day 7

Our last day at the parks was spent at Magic Kingdom again. We went for just a short bit and then went back to the hotel for a nap and lunch. While we were at the hotel there was a ton of rain. We stayed dry, but when we returned to the park, all the wet people left. So, we had a smaller crowd and nice, cool weather. Awesome!

London looking at a bird.


The family with Goofy


Shane, Max and London in front of the castle and main street

Our last night we watched this fun little parade...look familiar?!

The family at the parade

Dad and London at the parade

Mom and Max at the parade

The whole family with the castle behind as we left


The blurry castle


Goodbye Disney World!

Disney World Day 6

On Day 6 we decided to take things a little slower. We went out to Magic Kingdom to catch some of our more favorite rides and then went back for a nap and pool time. After some relaxation and dinner we went to Downtown Disney on a boat from our hotel to do a little shopping and eat at a yummy Irish restaurant. So good! The kids enjoyed their day off.

Max and London on London's FAVORITE ride

Hanging out in the hotel

Max goofing off in the restaurant at our hotel

London making friends with the gator. She loved these guys around our hotel

London and her new friend

Waiting for the boat

Some of the view on our boat ride

Birds on the way to Downtown Disney

With Buzz

Little stitch head

Ahoy matey!


T-Rex made of legos

I'm getting old...

So today I am 32! I went to this site to see how I would look when I'm older. Apparently I will not really have wrinkles at 52, but might already feel the need to pencil in my eyebrows to the extreme.

When I am 62, stress is going to take its toll because, man I look bad! Remind me to sleep more to avoid the bags under my eyes! Here's hoping I age a little more gracefully! Ha ha ha!!!

Now

In 20 years

In 30 years