Cassie and Alex

So lately I have been thinking alot about being mom to 5 of the most amazing young women I have ever known.!!! I don't take credit, they truly came that way from our Father in Heaven.
That being said, I have thought a lot about when they were younger and how much I miss having them around. Cassie and Alex have become Moms themselves and I watch and admire them both. They are different in their approaches, yet very similar. They are both so loving and gentle. I really don't know where they learned that. hahaha Actually, it causes me to ponder on when they were babies. Oh how I loved to hold them and rock them before bed. When Cassie was a baby (she was so strong), her favorite place to be was curled up in the crook of my neck. She would put her feet on my tummy and push up until her head would rest right there in the crook. Then she would cuddle close and just go to sleep. I would let her stay there for as long as I could. Alex was so different! She didn't really like to cuddle that much as a baby. So I had to steal moments of cuddle with her. But she did love to sit on my lap facing out so she could see - (can you say Jack?) and rock in the rocking chair. I'd turn on music or sing to her and she was happy. Vern traveled a lot trading videos when they were both little. so many times it was just the 3 of us. I quickly learned that Mom always has a big enough lap for 2, 3, or 4. We would dance and play and take walks and just be together as much as we could.
I worked full-time while they were little and so I wasn't one of those Moms who put their kids to bed at 6:30 or 7:00. It was always more like 9:00 or 9:30. I tried to keep them with me as long as I could. Otherwise I would never see them. I would go to bed around 10:30 and get up again at 4:00 every week day in order to clean my house. 4:00 in the morning is the best time to clean house!!! No one else is around and it is quiet. I would mop my floor, scrup my toilets, and just feel great. It meant I didn't have to do those things when the kids were up and wanting to play. I wasn't one of those Moms who did hair... my Mom used to do mine in ringlets and I "hated" sitting there while she did my hair. Oh and the invention of curling irons was fantastic. Especially during the 80's --- I could curl their bangs in just a few minutes and whalaa we had a hair do. :-) I did learn how to do french braids, knots and fish tails. Once in a while I'd do that for church... but never anything to extreme. They were still the prettiest girls in the cul-de-sac!!! And there were 26 kids mostly girls in that one cul-de-sac!!!!! Vern learned to do the french braids better than I did. So he would do them more often. I would go to work as early as possible so that I could get home early. Many times they were all still in bed when I left. So Vern had to do their hair and get them ready for the day. He came up with some pretty "crazy" amazing hair dos sometimes. What a great dad!!
Well, I am going to have to finish this post later. Taylor has a recital... and I have so many more memories to tell about Chelsea, Katie, and Taylor. Plus more about Cassie and Alex. I can't believe how writing it down makes the memories come flooding back.. :) Stay tuned for more.
Know this - I LOVE YOU ALL
Mom!

New Phone again - funny

So the week after I got my new phone, I was informed by ADP that I would be getting a "new phone". ADP is getting me a black berry. I just ordered it yesterday. I really hate the idea of carrying two phones around. I have now turned into such a nerd.

I'll probably carry both for awhile... but if I find that I don't use either very often, I may have a nice (fun) android up for grabs. :) We will have to see how it goes.

I just thought it was funny..... hahahaha

New phones!!!

So for months now I have been trying to reduce our T-Mobile bill. I have called them and they keep telling me this is the best plan for you. It wouldn't make sense to go to a different plan. I have tried bartering with them and everything. I can't just discontinue using them. It is my "best" connection to my kids who live away. :) And, Vern uses it for business "alot". But I have told Vern "no new phones" until we can get out of contract and find a better deal somewhere. Well the other day he went shopping without me. Go figure! And he brought home two new Android phones! I'm like..."WHAT THE HECK"!!!!!
I was only mad for a minute though. My sweet husband proceeded to explain that they only cost $10 each after rebate and we get unlimited Wi-Fi. Our minutes are no longer "unlimited" but are still at 3000 which we never meet and we still have "unlimited" text messaging. The BEST part --- he reduced our bill by $100 a month! Man I LOVE my new phone. :-) So fun!!!

Oh and I love my sweet husband too. (Sorry for getting mad.)

2010

So it was a very strange year for the Vern Houst family.... we had good and we had bad! We lost both fathers this year. Hank passed in February and my dad (Keith) passed in August. We had some family affirmations that took place. Every family has to go through these things in order to grow together and learn to love and respect each other. I am truly grateful for the Atonement and the power of forgiveness. Vern and I actually got to go on a mini vacation (but big) for the first time ever. I can't tell you how fun that was. We went to New York and experienced some fabulous bonding moments together. Thanks to Jeff for providing us a place to stay and directions for a fabulous time.

We also had two beautiful new grandsons added to the family.... and a fabulous new son in law. We are loving having Stu in the family. He fits right in with my list of perfect sons in law. And oh how we love Koston and Jack. I was blessed to get to go to Kentucky for a few days in July to bond with Riley a little and then again in August when Koston was born. That was a fabulous 10 days of bonding. I had so much fun. Then Jack was born and Alex and Jon are so nice to let me come and do plenty of bonding with him. I love babies!!!! In October Vern, Taylor, and I went back to Kentucky for Koston's blessing and it was a marvelous time. Then Jack was blessed in November over Thanksgiving while Chelsea and Stu were here.

Grandma moved in with us in November. We have really enjoyed having her with us. (Way better than in an apartment next door to the recent Bountiful Murder!!!!!) I think she enjoyed being here for Christmas... I hate to think about her spending it alone.... I'm glad she didn't have to.

Christmas was a little wierd! Both Cassie/Scott family and Chelsea/Stu families were with the in-laws for Christmas this year. It really made for a quiet Christmas at our place. I think I'll just focus on being grateful the ones that were here!!!! Alex/Jon/Jack along with Katie and Taylor helped us keep the "joy". Thanks!

I love you and all... here's hoping for a fabulous 2011 with more good then bad!!!!

I did it!

Well, I finally got around to changing the background on my blog. Yay me....

Memorial day was yesterday. Chelsea and Stuart surprised us by coming from Rexburg. It was great to see them. Alex and Jon came over as well. We played Rock Band for awhile and then we did some "skype" with Cassie, Scott and Riley. It was so awesome. Katie wasn't here and we missed her. I really enjoy it when my whole family gets together. We like to play together. And it really leaves a hole when one is missing. Anyway, on the skype I actually got to hear Riley call me "mama" that is short for grandma. :) I was so excited. I sure love that little girl. She is awesome. And I can't wait until my two baby boys are here.
Katie was on a choir trip. After we did the skype, we went to the park and played 500 and then we played kick ball. We kept saying how we wished Katie were here. It was pretty scary to see Vern coming around third base right at me as I tried to stop him from making it home. I can't believe Vern and I even tried. Sometimes we forget that we just can't move like we use to. After playing games in the park (oh and climbing a few trees to get the balls down - well Taylor and Jon and Stuart climbed the trees. I just stood below and prayed. :( ) We went to a movie. It was a great day. I missed those who weren't here. Cherished the time I got to speak with them. Gave thanks for modern technology. And sighed a great breath of "oh how I love my family....." I look forward to the coming weekend. Katie is just about to graduate on the 4th of June and we will do it all again. :) Yay Katie and Yay family.....

Can't Change the background

So, it's obvious that I'm having problems with the blog lately. I can't change the background from my laptop unless I upgrade my browser..... And well, truthfully, since it is a work laptop, I'm not allowed to do that. So, we just have to deal with Halloween until I can get to Vern's laptop. Hopefully that will be soon!!!! Either that, he needs to learn how to change the backgrounds when he makes a post. :)

As our family grows

It is funny standing back watching our family grow in the last 4 months we have added a new son in law

Chelsea married a young man from Minnesota for those of you who don't know his name is Stuart the Boydstons where married Jan 2 2010 in the Salt lake Temple. they currently living and going to school at BYU Idaho in Rexburg.

In January Jon and Alex announced that they are bringing a new addition in to our lives. the baby will be here in September. We could not be any happier and know they will be the best of parents.

Sherrie and I took Taylor and some furniture to Chelsea and Stuart for their new appartment and while we were there final figured out Cassies criptic message that she and Scott are having their second baby and it will be a boy and is due in late August.

As I sit here and survey my life I am so glad that hevenly father has seen fit to bless us with such wonderful things .