Rant.

**Warning: I have something to say and I am not happy. So, read if you must but be forewarned: I'm ticked.**

Fact. I hate it when people say they "can't." I really, really hate it. I had this swim coach in high school, Mr. Z, and whenever someone would say they "can't" to something asked of them he would shout "You are an AmeriCAN not an American't." We used to just roll our eyes as he would go off on how we are capable of anything yada yada yada. But I believed him and I knew he meant it. Just like I believed my parents when they told me I could do or be anything. Obviously I knew I could never get away with the "I can't" excuse and now neither can my children. They are old enough now that when the words "I can't" escape their lips they sorta smirk and wait for me to say "Yes you CAN. I don't believe anyone who says they can't."

So whats the deal with "I can't?" This week one of our old neighbors abandoned her children. Walked out. Not coming back. It's too hard being a single parent to three children. She can't. They aren't grateful. They don't try to be good. They are demanding. She shouldn't have to makes their meals, wash their clothes and read to them (mind you these kids are 15, 7, and 4). So she left. Just decided that life would be better with a beer in one hand and a needle in the other. She chose a dead end.

This woman was never going to win mother of the year. Her kids suffered at the lack of caring and attention she gave them. But, she never tried. She put herself and her wants (not needs) first and put them on the lowest rung of the totem pole. It's not that she couldn't do the job of mother, she just thought is was too hard and she gave up. Our other neighbors have taken the children in. They have 3 small kids of their own and he has just been laid off. They have every reason to say they can't take responsibility for these kids. Every reason. But they know that these kids deserve better and they are willing to offer what little they have.

People who say they can't annoy me. People who tell others that they can't anger me. There is no place in this world for anyone to crush the human spirit. Who cares if people are shooting for the stars and their dreams are a little unrealistic? At least they are aspiring to something. Because when you fill your life with reasons you "can't" you end believing that everything is too hard and no one deserves your best efforts...not even yourself. It's quite sickening really. All over there are stories of people overcoming great physical, emotional and life challenges to accomplish something extraordinary. Is it so hard to make dinner? Or read a story or deal with those rough and often heart breaking parenting days? Do you really have to say you "can't?"
Or do you choose to say you "can't."

So while these kids struggle with this major event in their life we are praying for them for the family that has taken them into their home. We are doing what we can, along with some of our friends, to help ease the burned of feeding a family of 8 on a unemployment check. I am grateful that our friends are chosing to be AmeriCANs instead of American'ts because their willingness is going to make all the difference in the world.

Dear Mom,

I just want to write you this VERY public apology for ever making you clean up after me when I was sick as a kid. I AM SO SO SO SORRY! I am sorry for every coming into your room in the middle of the night to announce that I was "going to throw up" and then very unceremoniously throwing up right there in your bedroom. So sorry. Why I felt the need to do so as a kid...I do not know. Thank you for never locking me out of your room when I was sick. Thank you for not strangling me right then and there for making a mess in your bedroom. Thank you for not locking me into the bathroom and making me live there until I was feeling better. You and dad deserve a HUGE reward for putting up with me when I was sick.

Now that I have three puking children of my own. I do not love it. At all. My children have not (as yet) exhibited my terrible habit of bedroom barfing and for that I am grateful. I am trying to be patient and I am trying to be understanding but my nerves are a little frazzled...how did you do it? I have had someone puking everyday for a week now-including myself and Jason. It stinks...literally.

This stinkin' sickness that has plagued us has just ruined our past week. We had big plans (clean the garage, family pool night, clean out closets, hang out and have fun...) and nothing fun has happened. Lots of cartoons, 7-up and naps. That's pretty much it. Sorry for ever ruining family fun.

So to wrap things up, I love you MOM and DAD. Sorry for ever getting sick...in your bedroom...in the middle of the night...while you were sleeping. Thank you for your patience. You are my hero's. Wanna come over and show me how it's done?

My Aunt Helen and Auntie Majorie

Well, I guess technically it's Great Aunt Helen and second cousin Marjorie. But who cares how we are related, we just love them. Aunt Helen lives in Portland and we love to go and visit. She is my Grandpa Rudy's little sister and boy does she have some Forsberg spunk to her. On the top of the spunk she has Grandpa's blue eyes. I love it! She tells the greatest stories and is so fun to be with. The kids love to dig through her well placed items and put fingerprints all over her pictures (sorry Aunt Helen). Auntie Marjorie is just as fun. They talk her ear off whenever we get to see her and she hangs on every word. I am sure glad she has the energy to do it because-well- some days I just don't. We didn't make it over at Christmas due to our icy weather so when we dropped by yesterday the kiddos had Christmas gifts waiting for them. HOLY SMOKES! Could anything be more exciting? Heck no! A new outfit, toys, and new jammies. When Ansen saw his jammies he promptly stripped down to his underwear and put the new doggy/froggy jammies on. Ansen lives in his pj's.
Aunt Helen and Jamie haven't ever really spent any time together and so it fun really fun to introduce the two. I think they will be fast friends. Who would'nt love either one of them? Thanks for letting us come visit Aunt Helen and Auntie Marjorie...next time we need to make sure you are there. We love you!

A Sunbeam!

That's right folks, Ansen is now a sunbeam! Honestly, I questioned if he would ever make it. But he did and he is really excited about it being in primary with his sisters and Mommy (yes sir, I am there too...). It really does seem like just a few months ago that he was going into nursery for the first time. I was so excited for him and now we are all thrilled that he gets to join the big kids. Because our ward is so small, we have music and sharing time together (junior and senior combined) so I literally see my kids for just about the whole three hours of church each Sunday. No break from them even while doing my calling. Back to Ansen. He has a great teacher and they had an outing to McDonald's on Friday to get to know each other better. He is excited for this year and has asked a few times when he can give a talk. Just you wait buddy. It's a-coming!He is also back into the swing of things too! Tumbling started back up this last weekend and he was thrilled to go see Teacher Ann after his long winter vacation.

My littlest is getting so big and yes I am a big boob and it makes me sad. Sunbeams is such a right of passage for our little ones and now we are done with this phase of our lives. No more nursery. But on to bigger and better-I guess *sniffle*-and a whole lot more fun!

Room Switch-A-Roo

During Christmas break we switched the kids bedrooms around. The girls have always shared a room and it was time to give them a little more freedom. I was hesitant because I thought it was good for them to be together-but I do have to admit they love love love having their own space. And their rooms stay clean much easier because if it is on the floor it is their job to pick it up. They can't give the "it's not mine", "I didn't take it out" or the "why do I have to pick up the whole room...you never make HER help!" Oh how I love not hearing that all the time! I admit we didn't put much in their rooms (I am a totally minimalist). They have what they need and their personal things (favorite toys, books etc...) and the rest is in the playroom.

So here is Braley's room. If it is Pink, Princess or girly it belongs in this room. She loves making her bed and folding and reorganizing her clothes.
Jayden's room is covered in Science and Hannah Montana stuff. She isn't a die hard Hannah fan anymore but she is sure she will be a Rock Star someday.

Ansen's room. He gets the big room and here's why. He was in what is now Jayden's room but a few months ago he decided was too big for his bed (toddler bed). He could actually probably sleep in that bed for 2 more years because he is so small but according to him he was "too big." So he moved himself into what was the playroom and is now Braley's room and began sleeping on the futon. So instead of having to buy a new Big Boy bed he and the playroom are now roommates. And they get along great together. Amazingly, he hasn't figured out that after we put him to bed at night he could play quietly. I hope he doesn't figure that out for a while. So for now Cars and Comic book characters litter the walls.

We have a new roommate too! Jamie (my mini me little sister) moved in right before New Years. She started school this past week at Chemeketa and is busy job hunting and dating (she wasted no time..2 dates in the first week). We are excited that she is here.

So now that everyone has their own room I am thinking about making everyone help do their own laundry...I'll let you know how that works out.

Lovely Hula Hips

Hula lessons for the kids started last night.

I can't tell you how much they loved it, so I will just show you.The kids hanging on their komo's (teacher's) every word
Braley and her lovely hula hands

Shake those hips Jayden

"kaholo!"

They can't wait to get back and I can' wait to see them perform. They are going to be so dang cute!

Back To Routine

Now that we are back to school we are also back to gymnastics. It is so nice to have our routine back. I repeat, it is so nice! The ladies had their recital canceled in December due to our bad weather and so we are looking forward to that happening in a few weeks.

The ladies really enjoy their class and I am amazed at how quickly they have progressed. Ansen too is taking a class and is a tumbling fool. It is fun to watch my three goof balls put all their amazing amounts of energy to productive use.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Over our very extended Christmas break we got together with the Morgan's, Winz's and the Maughan's and hit the lanes. I was so sure that we all needed playa' nicknames so here we are:
Wonder Woman, Brays and Big Kahuna

Important discussion on strategy happening here.

Who wants to bowl when you can stick your head over the hand drying thingy instead?

Jenn showing us how it's done

Desiree, Aric and Tish

Our three lanes

We had fun and I WON!

What else can be said besides, dang I am good....

Maybe I will go pro and become filthy rich.

Back To School....Yessss!

The kids are FINALLY back at school after being home for 3 1/2 weeks. Inside for 3 1/2 weeks. Full of energy for 3 1/2 weeks.....now life can get back on schedule. But before it does, I really need one of these. Thank goodness for school!