New Year's Eve

Yes, we spent our New Year's Eve at home, in sweat pants, eating pizza and watching a movie! Pretty sure I had to text my husband, who was playing games in the other room, to come and kiss his wife at midnight....we are so, so, so bad! Honestly it was just another night at our house. It's hard when you have a baby that hits the hay at 7pm every night (which honestly I usually LOVE). But I have to admit our standards NYE was little laid back this year even for me....I might have to kick it up a notch! 

 He makes me smile! 

He got his NYE kiss a little early....like 6:59pm early :)

 This is how we roll at the Conley's! 

Love this kid more than words! Even if he is own brand of stinker 99% of the time but look at that face. He really is a sweetheart ;). 

Happy New Year's!!!

As for a resolutions, I have never been very big on them but my sister mentioned doing a word resolution. Basically it's where you pick a word (or phrase) that you want to aspire to be through out the year. It has definitely been hard to find just one word, since I have discovered I have more than a laundry list of things to work on. But I feel like the word for me this year is thrive (to prosper; be fortunate or successful. To grow or develop vigorously; flourish). There have definitely been moments (I'm not going to lie, quite a few moments) this past year where I have struggled to thrive in my new role as a mother and homemaker. I want to enjoy these new gifts in my life and for lack of a better word....THRIVE. So that will be my word for the year and I am excited to pursue different ways to achieve it! Happy New Year's!!! :) 

The Ride

(I have discovered over this past year plus that motherhood is not all sunshine and butterflies and neither is this post.....just a fair warning :))

This past week has been a test of not only motherhood but also my faith. Jax has been sick so much this  fall and winter and had different pains that we have been unable to figure out and fighting to fix (This is not meant to alarm anyone, from what we know it's been colds, flus, tummy aches, teething, dairy allergy, etc.). At 14 months he doesn't have the words and his frustration only added to tiring nature of the week, as did mine and Jon's frustrations. Some many points I would offer a simple prayer asking for Jax to feel better or for him to sleep but honestly I couldn't feel or see an answer. I started to feel a smidgin bugged but kept moving forward because there was no other choice. Then at my breaking point I became angry, so angry. I saw such a dramatic dip in my faith and felt such a separation from my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I sat crying holding my crying babes and felt helpless and so alone. Honestly I felt forsaken. I couldn't understand why the Lord wouldn't answer my prayers. I was asking to help my child, His child. I spoke with my sister and told her that I thought the Lord stopped hearing and answering my prayers, that he didn't care. Even though to some it might seem like a silly reason to lose faith or doubt your Savior's love, but for me in that moment it was too much for me to bare. My sister, being the wonderful mother, sister, friend that she is, assured me that my Savior loved me and He did hear me. She pointed out that sometimes the things that happen are a trial of our faith. Later, as I sat rocking my sweet babes, I offered a prayer that to me can only be described as a mother's plea. I cried and cried to my Heavenly Father that I would just be able to help my son. That I would not feel utterly useless and a failure, that even if it would take some time I would be able to help ease the discomfort of my little boy. That night he slept through the night. The next night he woke up screaming for some unknown reason again but I felt a renewed strength, love and energy. I held him more tenderly and lovingly. I stroked his face with more appreciation of his struggle. If it was possible my love for that little boy increased. I know that my Heavenly Father and Savior heard and continue to hear my prayers and are aware of my struggles....especially at my lowest moments when I feel helpless and alone. Even when I lose faith they never lose faith in me and for that I could not have more gratitude.  I know I will experience many more weeks or months or years of hardship as a mother, it's just the name of the game. But I am so grateful I (Jon & I) will not face them alone.

This is a quote a friend on FB posted and it just sat with me with tremendous truth & wisdom. Will always cherish the words of GBH. 

Loving the Slide

Christmas

Christmas Day 2012

Once Jax got a nap or two in him and some more puke out of him, he was a pretty content guy and ready for some more festivities.

Cuddling with momma

Happy guy :)

Love some construction trucks!

Having a little dinner. 

Elmo book time. He loves it just a little bit. ;)

Family pose time ;) 

Finishing opening some presents.

Me and the hubs ;) 

Monte cristos to top off the night!

Christmas Morning 2012

Our poor babes was so sick all night and ended up in our bed. He slept like a hot, sweaty log. Such a sweet little face :). 

Finally waking up....

Coming out to see what Santa brought.

Checking out his Santa loot. 

A WHITE Christmas! Eek, I love it! :) 

Loving his construction trucks!

Loving his slide! :) 

And his dump truck.

And everything else he got.

After we put Jaxson down for a nap, we opened presents from each other. Man we are weird ;) I really like us :)

Sammy and our Santa key

And lastly our traditional cinnamon rolls and It's a Wonderful life. I may have cheated on the cinnamon rolls and bought them this year but I'm over it! And they were yummy, yummy, yummy. 

As always I am so grateful for this time of year. Not only are we able to spend time with family creating memories but we are able to reflect on our Savior and the amazing and profound impact he has our lives. So incredibly grateful. :)

Christmas Eve

Oh how I love, love, love Christmas Eve!!! It's serious one of my favorite nights/traditions. A night spent with family eating (when I say eating, I mean stuffing our faces till it hurts!), chatting, laughing, and so much more. Such a special time of year. 

(Can't get enough of this handsome boy of mine!) 

Santa Time......

Love singing carols as we wait for Santa to come. This year the volume level might have gotten a little out of hand under my watch...whoops! :) After it calmed down a little bit Santa arrived and the kids were on cloud nine. Love a Santa visit. 

Jax with Santa...I love a crying picture! I'm such a mean momma!!! :) But look at that cute face!

Tay & Santa

Lo Bug & Santa

Max & Santa 

JD & Santa (accepting Lucas's gift) 

Jacq & Santa

Harper & Santa (again love a crying babes pic! Just so cute!!!) 

Hails & Santa

Cole & Santa (I'm so sad I didn't get a good pic :( ) 

Xander & Santa

Barrett Boy & Santa 

Nativity Story......

So every year Tim reads the Nativity story, we all have little parts & it's a pretty special part of the Christmas Eve party. We love it :). This year, my Mom sewed all kinds of amazing costumes, hats, props, etc. Needless to say they were amazing & the kids were stoked to wear them & act out their parts.

MaDeb trying to convince Cole Guy to play :).

Jacq as Mary

Max as one of the three kings

Taylor as Joseph

Xander as the donkey

Lo as an angel 

Besties, Lo & Hailey

Hails as an angel

Jen & Harp as sheep

Harper as a sheep

Max giving the donkey a try :) The donkey wasn't having it! 

Lo getting kisses from her momma!

Mary, Joseph & baby Jesus

Papa Rick as another one of the three kings. 

Brooke as one of the shepherds

Jax as a sheep (he decided to veto the cute sheep hat)

During the chaos, I mean reading! 

Max kills me!!!

The whole group!!!! (Barrett was another one of the three kings but wouldn't let me get a picture. But you can see him on the far right, behind Max.)

PJ Time........

Another tradition I love, Christmas Eve pajamas! No worries, we don't just get them for Jax, Jon and I participate too! :)  

(He was loving the baby...well for about 5 minutes and then wanted nothing to do with it. Shauna's girls were super cute about it. Telling Jon and I that Jax could take their doll home.) 

Group Pics.......

Love these people more than words!