Hope your christmas was happy...

Cause (despite only getting three hours of sleep) ours was pretty darn good...

twas the night before christmas

It is really hard trying to teach this whole christmas thing. All day Kroten said, "santa comin' over, I see santa" what he really thinks is happening is that santa will come to visit. When we said he will come after your asleep, his reply was a stern NO! I think he understands a little better than we give him credit though.


Kroten liked leaving cookies and milk for santa.

 Kroten was NOT happy that kem was stealing Santa's carrots. I just love how kem grabbed that carrot and is still eyeballing the rest of the goodies. 

I love my family. Being a mom on christmas is hard, but totally worth it to celebrate it with my babies. 

merry christmas

More to come after I clean up this mess!

kemiry k, your 5 months old today

Has it really been 5 months? Last month went by WAY to fast. Kem is definitely one little personality. I love watching her come into her own. She laughs so much and is stubborn, I am told she gets that from me, good luck with that one kem. We sure do love her.

Kemiry k, at 5 months you...

can suck your thumb

have way more control over your arms

have to have something in your mouth at all times

have had your first ear infection

hate taking the medicine

are getting close to rolling over

cry louder than any baby should

only eat when you want

are super ticklish

tried rice cereal, but were not quite ready

are finally on a nap schedule, thanks daddy for being stricter than mommy

think big brother is the funniest thing ever

are the most stubborn baby in the world

What gift would I give the baby jesus?

I have been so busy lately. So busy that in all honesty I wish we could just skip christmas this year. It breaks my heart to say that, but we could skip it, and I wouldn't even notice. In fact, I might be relieved.

What happened to the exciting, jolly and happy time of year that christmas used to be for me?

Kem's stocking will not be done in time, Jared and I agreed to only spend $30 on each other, and I didn't even help make the gingerbread houses. I am just not in the christmas spirit. I am so busy running around like a chicken trying to get my list crossed off that I have not only forgotten the true meaning of christmas, but I couldn't even care less about the comercialized, fun and yummy parts of the season. What is wrong with me...isn't this is the "most wonderful time of the year?"

I was driving home from a $200 dollar trip to walley-world, feeling bad about myself and christmas. I was worrying that I wasn't going to get my rain boots for christmas and wishing I had more money to buy beautiful gifts for everyone. I was hoping and praying that I could finish all my photo shoots and clean my house in time for the festivities. Then in the middle of my pessimism, something wonderful happened...

I started thinking about what this is really all about. It is about Jesus. Its about the BABY Jesus. We have been teaching Kroten about BABY Jesus (its cute, every time he sees Jesus he says BABY Jesus and MOMMY and DADDY Jesus, meaning Mary and Joseph.)

Oh what I would give to kneel at the manger and worship him. To let everything else in my hectic stressed out life go, for just one moment, and hold him tight. I picture myself right there in the stable holding the savior of the world. My gift to baby Jesus would not cost as much as the wisemen's gifts, I would make sure he is warm, and knows he is loved. I would swaddle him the way I do kem and I would sing to him the way I sing to Kroten. I would shush his crying and whisper to him how I will never be able to repay him.

I would love to comfort the baby Jesus the way he has comforted me so very many times in my life.

I wish I could do this, but I cannot. So I will hold my two rambunctious, loud, needy and beautiful baby's a little tighter, I will sing a little longer and I will tell them that I hope I can give them enough.

Who cares if kem doesn't have a stocking or if there are few presents under the tree? It doesn't matter that everything is not done, I will just hold them and that will be enough. This is what I will give to my savior, the baby Jesus, because he said, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

wordless wednesday

Just a little light reading...

The ironic slash funny part, that you cannot see, is that he is reading a book called "The Happiest Toddler on the Block: How to Eliminate Tantrums and Raise a Patient, Respectful, and Cooperative One- to Four-Year-Old"

Read on buddy, read on.

the best man

 Jared's little brother got married a few weeks ago...

and guess who was the most handsom best man ever...

Kroten loves his Jamis!

wordless wednesday

so be good for goodness sakes

Our trip to santa was MUCH better this year than last year. There was NO line. Santa had a real beard and he... get this... even asked what they wanted for christmas. Neither of them cried, and we were in and out in 5 minutes. And they gave them a coloring book.  I think kman even understands a little because when kroten saw santa, he was a little scared, but he said "presents!"


Aren't they cutie pies?  Kem's face says it all!

We haven't used the "you better be good or santa won't come" method yet, but I am thinking about using it soon.

Christmas shopping woes solved.

Need a gift Idea?

I am now selling photography session gift certificates.

Get over to the photo blog and check it out.

I am sure there is someone on your list that would LOVE it. 

Kristenmoss.blogspot.com

deck the halls

I love this time of year, especially since Kroten kind of understands. He loved putting up and decorating the tree. I think he was super excited to help out. We picked out the pokeyist tree so that he would stay out of it, and so far it has worked. I am waiting for the day that I wake up and come into the living room and all the presents have been opened. That thankfully hasn't happened yet.

This is us picking out our tree. We go to the farm and cut it down. We are a happy family... can't you tell.




Ok, you know how your mom always used to say "don't put the ornaments too close together" the WHOLE time you were decorating the tree?  I AM THAT MOM!

I dont understand how his little brain works, but he sorted them out, balls, and ornaments that are not balls and clumped them all together. Two is an interesting age.





ITS CHRISTMAS TIME!!!

wordless wednesday

Kemiry k, your 4 months old today

actually it was a few days ago, I am just really behind.



She is getting so big. She is super tall and skinny, just like big brother. However, I am pretty sure she is bigger than he was at 4 months. We sure do love her to pieces though.

At four month old she...
talks like crazy
smiles more socially
sleeps good some nights
is finally taking the pacifier
squeels in delight when she is happy
grabs toys in front of her
can sit in her high chair
puts hands in mouth
slobbers like there is no tomorrow
arches her back to get out of her bouncy seat
not quite rolling over yet
is cute as a bug and we love her!

you may disagree...

... but I think he is the best daddy in the whole world!

he let me go shopping on black friday and then let me sleep in two days in a row after to catch up.

gratitude {day 25}

My dad showed me this video toward the begining of the month and it changed the way I was being grateful. It helped me to realize that I should not just be grateful that these wonderful things happen to me daily, but that it is not a coincidence nor random events. Every beautiful blessing that I have to be grateful for comes from the hand of God.

Elder Eyring said... "You might pray and ponder, asking the question, did god send a message that was just for me? Did I see his hand my life?"

So today, on thanksgiving, the last of my gratitude posts, I am grateful that I started and stuck to posting about what I am grateful for each day. I am such a pessimistic person that finding the awesome things about each day can be almost painful. Sometimes it seems that I thrive on the negative. However, over the past few weeks, I have been able to see that I am so blessed. I have NOTHING to complain about. I couldnt ask for a more wonderful husband, my babies are beautiful and healthy, and we have a roof over our heads. I need to loose 50 pounds, but we are healthy, we have food, I have a husband who thinks I am one hot mama and life is beautiful. Seriously life is beautiful, and I have a loving, merciful and giving Father in Heaven to thank for all of that.

gratitude {wordless wednesday}

gratitude {day 23}

Went to Jared's brothers wedding... Instead of staying with the fam for thanksgiving, we drove home for ONE CLASS so Jared could get the extra credit for having 100% attendance. Drove all night, in a blizzard, zero visibility, over a pass that was encouraged to avoid, 30 MPH, stopped to help an overturned car, kroten cried from 10 pm till 2 am because his ears hurt, it snowed all the way home... and his class was CANCELLED!!!

But it is ok, because, we are alive and we get to stay inside all day and eat chili and corn bread. I am grateful for that.

gratitude {day 22 }

I am grateful for Kman, for making our trip both hell and awesome.



And for making me ponder everyday the meaning of "joy."

gratitude {day 20}

I had Jared take this picture so that I could say...
"I am grateful it doesn't snow back home."
And then we came home to this...



So I guess I am grateful that days like today are not the norm!

gratitude {day 21}

I am grateful for...



overdue family time, rough housing with an uncle, and laughing till your cheeks hurt.

gratitude {day 19}

I am grateful that the weather was mild and that the drive was beautiful.



Oh and the kids slept most of the trip there. THANK GOODNESS!!!

gratitude {day 18}

I am grateful for the plug, (as my husband insists we call it)



We are sorta anti-plug. Kroten never took one and took to his thumb instead and that has been such a blessing for several different reasons. So we were hoping that kem would do the same. She, however, has become quite fond of this little contraption that is attached to her face. I dont like it, but I am grateful for it.

We leave for a 12 hour road trip today... I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PLUG!!!

Which leads me to tell you that I am going to not care about the computer while we are away, so I will do catchup gratitude when we get home! I will still be looking though!

gratitude {wordless wednesday}

gratitude {day 16}

Today I am grateful for my mother... and chocolate.

I was feeling a little overwhelmed and anxious this afternoon and k man wouldn't go down for a nap. My mom was going to watch the kids at 4 o clock anyway, so at about one, I packed everything up and headed over there early.

I let her hold kem, kroten played and I ate chocolate. Then she babysat for me.

I needed that today... home, chocolate and a babysiter. Thanks mom, you have all the answers.

gratitude {day 15}

I am so grateful for our pediatrician. She is about the size of a 10 year old and makes my kids look huge, but she is the best doc ever. I think she might even have a crush on k man. She loves him. Every time we see her, she makes me feel like such a good mom and like I am doing things right. I love her... I would travel a thousand miles to go to her!

gratitude {day 14}

cliche as it is...

...today I am grateful for this crazy, sticky, unorganized, emotional, beautiful, mess that I call my life.

(and tickly, cuddly days like today)

gratitude {day 13}

I am grateful today that normally I have really good hearing. Because today I cannot hear.

I have had this cold that is clearing up but decided to move into my ears. I can't hear anything outside of my body, but I can hear everything I chew times a million. It is horrible.

Please bring my good hearing (that I am SOOO grateful for) back!

gratitude {day 12}

Today I am truly grateful for photography.



Not photography itself, not even photography as an art form. I am not grateful that it was invented, or that I (if I might say so myself) am pretty good at it. I am grateful that I have been so blessed with photography.

Heavenly Father knows each of us, and he knew that at this particular point in my life, I was going to need a confidence boost and an hour or two a week away from my kids. So he gave me photography. He knew I wasn't going to be perfect at it, so he gave us the means to buy a really nice camera. He knew that I have no idea how to get clients, so he gave me church and lots of people who want pictures. He knows that I live in Oregon, and he has given me enough nice days to take the pictures I need to. (sorry if your praying for rain, He is answering my prayers right now!) He knows that I need something to make me feel good about myself and like I actually, maybe, possibly have a talent. He knew that so he blessed me with this one.

I never, ever look at one of my pictures and think, "man I am good" without first thanking the man upstairs, I would be nothing with out his hand in it all!

gratitude {day 11}

I am grateful for kem kem's let it snow pj's that daddy picked out for her today. They have been making me smile all day long.



Oh and I am thankful for pj days.

gratitude {wordless wednesday}

gratitude {day 9}

I am grateful (even though the dishes are dirty, the house is a mess, we are still in our PJ's, and kem needs a diaper change) for...



guitar hero with kman.

gratitude {day 8}

you never know how grateful you are for something until it is gone...



and we ran out on the sabbath.

24 hours later I am really, really grateful to have it!

gratitude {day 7}

I am grateful for this experience...

At Time Out For Women, Kem was an angel. She sat in the front pack and slept most of the time. I got to listen to a lot of speakers and got more out of the weekend than I ever expected. At one point during the conference, Kem had had enough of the front pack and, she didnt want to eat, she didnt want to sleep, all she wanted to do was lay on a blanket on the floor and kick and play. My first reaction to this was, "come on kem, I am missing the speakers." but almost imeadeatly, this thought left my mind and I thought I am so grateful for the time that I have had already, for the things that I have learned already and I truely have been blessed with a wonderful baby who has let me listen thus far.

WHAT??? Hold the phone... did Kristen Moss, the pessimist just really think this thought!!!

But I did, and guess why, because I have been being grateful. Can you beleive it, after just one week of really trying to find the beautiful and great things about my life, it is spilling over into my daily thoughts. I am so happy for this. It made my experience so much better. Maybe I will try this optimism thing, maybe?

Hillary weeks was just one of the AMAZING speakers and she said this... "gratitude helps us to see the hand of our Lord in places we wouldn't normally be able to see it."

BAM... it is so true, I am living proof.

gratitude {day 6}

I have SOOOOO much to be grateful for today. I had the opportunity to go to Time out For Women with some pretty awesome ladies. It was amazing and EXACTLY what I needed.

Because I have been so stressed lately, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go. I was doubting if I should. Then Jared, who knew I needed it, told me to go, and assured me everything would be OK.
(so #1) I am grateful that Jared let me sign up, and then made me go. AND watched Kman all weekend!!

I got to go with the slaughter girls and my mom, and they are such wonderful women.

(So #2) I am grateful for wonderful people to surround myself with. They are beautiful, talented, wonderful women and I am grateful to call them friends.

Kem had to come with me because she loves me soooo much. I was a little nervous that she would be a pill, but she was SOOO good the whole time. SO good!

(So #3) I am grateful for a sweet baby that let me listen to some awesome speakers.

That leads me to a big one... (#3) I am SOOO grateful for the amazing speakers. I seriously think that they read my blog. Hillary weeks, if your reading this, I loved your necklace. :) Every thing that they talked about, was so my life. One lady even talked about carrying her daughters bike during walks. UH... MY LIFE STORY!!! I believe two things, 1, it made me realize my life is not that out of the ordinary, and it is ok, and it is going to be ok. And 2, Heavenly Father knows exactly what I needed to hear and he let me go to this conference to hear exactly what I needed to strengthen me at this time.


Oh and I am grateful for Mark Mabry, one of the speakers. He is a photographer and he is wonderful. I love my husband, but if he ever leaves, I am going to go find Mark. :) Some women have Leonardo Dicaprio, some have George Clooney, I have Mark Mabry.

(and #4)I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father loves me and that I was able to feel that this weekend. It was amazing.

gratitude {day 5}

Today I am grateful for wise friends and our different view points and oppinions and the courage to share.

This morning, Kroten woke up at 6:30 am. It was still dark for crying out loud! I was ok, for once, with getting up with him and we went into the living room and watched curious george on PBS. Sounds pleasent right... then he threw up all over me. It is funny how kids do that... they think, "I am not feeling good" and then they lean over you, as though leaning over you is going to make it go away, and then... I am sure you can picture the rest of the story.

I could have been so mad at this situation, like usual, but not even ten minutes before, I was reading a friends blog. She has not been able to have children of her own thus far in her marriage and she wrote about how she would endure all the challenges of pregnancy and all the tantrums in the world to care for one of these precious spirits. You will be a fantastic mother!

because of her blog post, I was able to calmly take care of k man and the whole situation was ok. If it weren't for her blog post, this situation could have been a horrible disaster!

gratitude {day 4}

Believe it or not, the thing I am grateful for today actually has something to do with the booger of the house, the thorn in my good attitude, the monster that has taken over my sweet sons mortal body, K man.



I have been struggling so much lately with him. His temper, his attitude, his potty training, his sleep or lack thereof etc... that I was shocked that today he has been so good. He was helpful, and kind and obedient, he helped me clean, and hasn't had any potty accidents, he even went down for a nap with no complaint. It has been a very good day.

SO I am grateful, beyond description, for good days!

gratitude {wordless wednesday}

gratitude {day 2}

we went for a walk today...



...I am so grateful that it is not hot anymore. I don't really care for summer because of the heat, so I am really grateful it is FALL!



I love autumn.