**It's official.....

I am turning into a "thin mint" cookie!! We got our girlscout cookies and both Mike and I are addicted to thin mints like we are some kind of junkies. It is horrible and thank goodness they are almost gone, only 1 sleeve left...oh that reminds me I better eat them before Mike gets home.

Now that the sun is out - thank the good Lord! I'm treadmill bound so that I can get into shape for summer.

I'm so glad girlscout cookies only come around once a year, and also that Isabella is not in girl scouts, otherwise knowing us we would have purchased 50 boxes so that she could win the $19.99 prize.... That is what my mom and dad did for me when I was a girl scout, only difference the cookies are around $1.00 a box back then.

Muttin' Bustin' - Rodeo, Kernville, Ca - day 1

Sheep riding that is... Soren was the first one to go and he did great, he wasn't afraid at all, I think the sheep thought he had an itch on his back and bucked a bit and Soren came right off, he got right up and dusted himself off and waved to the crowd. Isabella went next and since she is practically a professional, she knew the exactly what to do, she also did great and got right up and blew kisses to the crowd.
Parker went last of the 3 kids, he had a great ride - pictures to follow. He got dragged under the sheep and I think it stepped on him. It makes me a nervous wreck! Elizabeth and Charlie were very good cheerleaders in the grand stands.

We stayed at Don and Risa's in their camper which was great because we didn't have to haul our camper up there. All 9 of us stayed together (we do love each other alot). We went over to Larry's for dinner and then home to get the muttin bustin kids to bed, Cami and I did sit by the campfire with Risa and talk for a while before we went off to bed, it was very relaxing.

More with day 2 and I will post the video later in the week ( Chris is traveling and ofcourse I could never figure it out without him).

My Valentine's **

Here are my 3 Valentine's and the loves of my life. This picture is from June when we were visiting Grandpa and Grandma Oursler in Lake Havasu, (notice how tan they are).

Mike is my true valentine and I am so blessed to be his wife. Isabella is my God given valentine since she was born on the 13th, and with the heart birth mark on her neck, everyone knows she is a true valentine child. Soren is just plain - LOVE - he is such a sweetheart and the cutest 5 year old in the world.

I am a lucky girl.

xxox - caroline

"Gettin' Buzy with Izzy in the Kitchen"

Isabella's 8th birthday party was a cooking party. She loves to help me cook and she always likes to act like we are on our own cooking show. It is very cute, however at the end of a long day of working and then trying to whip up something fantastic in the kitchen these words can be annoying "mom you are not looking into the camera".... I do try to stop and remember what is important in life and if that means slowing down and "looking into the (make believe) camera" then so be it.
Everyone got an apron and then they all signed each others during the party. They made chicken strips for lunch, crunching the corn flakes and dipping in buttermilk, rolling in the corn flakes and then baking. Each child made an individual "apple crisp" which was my Great Grandma Sorensen's recipe and they packed it up to take home. I bought cake boxes to put them in. It was alot more work then I anticipated and thank goodness Mike, Cami, Chris, Linda, Penny and Jamie were there to help me out. Uncle Chris did the video of Isabella cooking with Alexis and Olivia and explaining what she was doing.


It was a great party and not very expensive, just need lots of helping hands at the party.

I can't believe she is 8 - ugh!
xxox
caroline

The "bob"

Isabella got her haircut on Saturday, it was her idea for the "bob" and we all love it, including Isabella. She looks so much older, which isn't my favorite, however it is the cutest cut in a very long time. It looks so healthy and beautiful.

She was invited to go see the Hannah Montana movie with Moriah and Mrs. Willis, Kellee and Penny went as well. They had a great time.

**Happy Birthday Mom**

Today is my mom's birthday, and it is always a sad day for me. She turned 50 in 1996 and died 8 day's later (okay anyone reading this already knows that, but it feels good to say it again). 50 years young, I can't even imagine leaving this world that young, but I do know more now then I did 12 years ago. God has a plan!! It isn't always our plan, and we don't always understand it. I miss her as if she died yesterday. When things are tough for me I wish she was hear to tell me it was going to be okay, she had such an optimistic view of the world, almost too much. She knew that everything would work itself out and it really does, you just need to BELIEVE and have faith. I have had a tough week and I know that I just need to give it to the Lord because it is his plan and I can't change it anyway.

I am so grateful to all my friends and family who have prayed for me this week and who love me UNCONDITIONALLY! - thanks to all of you.

My mom would be so proud of how the "4" of us held together over these past 12 years, and that we all are happy and healthy and we love and admire each other. I think she would be especially proud to see how Cami has turned out more like her everyday.

We will make Angel Food Cake tonight - mom's favorite!