the love list

Since Valentines day is quickly approaching I thought I would make a list of the top ten things that I love.( cheesy, I know, but so is Valentines day!)

1. My wonderful husband, Jason. He is in no way romantic, and most of the time clueless (no offense honey) but he would do anything for me and the kids. He would sacrifice everything he had to provide for us, take care of us and keep us safe. He loves me with all his heart and I know that with out a doubt, not because he says it everyday, which he does, but because he shows me in everything he does. I love him more and more, every day of every year, that we are married. I wish everyone could be as lucky as I am.

2. My beautiful kids, Bennett, Isabel, Evan, Will, and Lillia. You know love is a funny thing. Sometimes it takes years for love to grow between people, for some weeks, or even days, But for me the second I laid eyes on my children, and held them in my arms, I felt as if my heart would burst. My heart was in that moment and every moment since, full of love for them. Every day they do something, say something that makes me smile. They fill my day with sunshine and laughter and I thank my heavenly father for giving them to me.

3.My Mom. She has taught me how to be a woman, a wife, a mother, and a good person. She is by far the best person I know. She has dealt with everything that life has thrown at her with grace, even in her darkest hours. Really, how many women do you know that have seven kids in seven years, and you can't remember a time when she wasn't smiling. Even now as she battles with cancer, she is as cheerful as ever. I am so thankful to have her as an example, a role model, a mother and a friend.

4. My Dad. The big goofball. He has given me my creative side, my love for baking, for Halloween, for a good book or a good movie. He is generous beyond his means, and is always thinking of ways to help others. I love to watch him with his grand kids, each one of them thinks that Grandpa loves them the best! I love to hear him tell a story, he has the best imagination and can capture the interest of even the youngest child in the room. We have had our rough patches from time to time, but he forgives me my flaws and I forgive him his. I will always love my Dad.

5.My Siblings. Liberty, Zac, Robyn, Pip, Mac, and Charlie. Growing up with all of them was never dull. Some of my best memories are with them. It has been fun watching as our relationships have changed, from the big brother who picked on me, or the sister I always fought with, to my very best friends. I cherish each one of them, and their special qualities that they each bring to this family. Some of them have gotten married, and started families of their own, and I love their spouses ( Lope, Candi and Kelli ) as if they were my own brother and sisters, and I love their kids ( Eden, Clara, Jeanette, and Eleanor and Liam and Aidan) as if they were my kids.

6. My In-laws. I hate that word ( I know this is a love list and I shouldn't use the word hate, but I do ) The reason is, I have an amazing extended family. Jason's parents and brothers and sisters, are the coolest. I think of them as my own. Not as the "dreaded in-laws". Not only that, but their families are awesome as well. I love getting together with them, and just sitting back and listening to all the great stories. (especially from Johnny) I just laugh and laugh. I know I have said this before, but I am really lucky to have married into such a great family.

7.My Father in heaven and my savior, Jesus Christ. I don't mean to get all heavy here, but I couldn't have a love list without them in it. They have given me everything I have, my life is filled with blessings from them, and I wouldn't be where I am in life without their love, and without the gospel. I feel their love in my children's eyes, and in the beauty of the world around me. I see it in a strangers kindness, and in my moms embrace, and I know that they want the best for me. I feel it when I read the scriptures and when I say my prayers, and I am very thankful.

8. O.k., on a lighter note. I love to create things. This may sound a little strange, but let me explain. I love to make something from nothing, whether it is sewing baby slings or Halloween costumes, to baking cookies and cheesecake. Art projects with my kids and flowers in my garden.This blog even. It really could be anything, I have a creative streak in me and I like to put it to use.

9. Running. I know a lot of people do not like to run, but I really think it's because they haven't given it a chance. It is hard for me to run if I haven't done it in a while, but once I get the hang of it again, I can't get enough. I love the fact that I can get my aggressions out on the pavement, and as I run, I get a kind of clarity, that I only get when I run. It is almost like I am making peace with everything or everyone that I am mad at, and pretty soon it all seems o.k. I also notice things when I run, things that I don't notice when I'm driving by in a car. I live in such a beautiful area, and when I run I see more of it. I have seen all kinds of wild life on my runs, waterfalls and mountains, to beautiful fields of wheat and corn. It's a time when I can relax and feel peace. I know that probably sounds strange, but it's true. Plus I get in really good shape when I run, and who doesn't love that!

10. Last, but not least, the sun. Is it just me or has anyone else, after a long winter, just felt depressed? After long months of snow and cold, when the sun finally comes out and I feel the warmth of the sun on my face, I can't help but to smile. It is such a simple thing, and yet I love it.

Well that is my list, I know there are many more things that I love and could put down here, but i think I have rambled on long enough.

Basketball

Bennett's last basketball game was on Saturday. He played so much better this year, I think that having his Dad coach made a big difference. At the beginning of the season he couldn't even dribble the ball. As you can see from the video he still has a way to go, but he's getting there! I love watching him play. Sometimes he really gets into it, and is really aggressive, and other times, well you can see in the video. You gotta love how he just stands there with his hands in the air!(at least his hands are up) The kids don't have much of an attention span, which drove Jason crazy all season. He would tell them to do something, and they would say "o.k. coach" and then two seconds later they would forget. Jason did a great job coaching, all the kids improved a ton from the beginning of the season. All in all, they both had fun, and that's the name of the game!

Bennett's Birthday

Holy Cow!!! Bennett is ten years old. It seems like he was just born and now he's ten. Only two more years and he will have the priesthood, six more years he will be driving and dating, and in nine years he will be off on his mission!! O.k. maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I mean look at him, he is still just a kid. A great kid! He had a really fun b-day, After school I picked up him and four of his friends, and took them out for pizza. It is really funny to just sit and listen to the things they say. ( they are holding up three fingers in the picture because they are all in webelos now) After that we came home and he opened presents from his brothers and sisters. Jason, Uncle Liberty, and I took him out later to a movie and ice cream. When we got home he opened his present from Uncle Liberty, it was a star wars game for the wii, and he played it until midnight. I finally told him it was no longer his birthday and he had to go to bed. Then Sunday, after the temple dedication, we had a family dinner and cake and ice cream with all the Erickson crew (at least all that could make it.) It was a really fun weekend, and I think Bennett felt really special.

Lola's new do

I have been trying out hairstyles on Lillia, she doesn't have much hair so there is not a lot I can do. The top of her hair is pretty long and normally lays flat on her head, so I curled it back and put on a head band. I thought she looked so cute. Let me know what you think.

Hoover dam

Jason and I drove to Arizona last weekend to deliver a horse that he had sold. Long story short, we hit an awful snow storm and it took us about five hours longer than we had expected. We left at 4 am and arrived at 11:30 pm. What a long drive!!! Some things were fun about it, Grandma Erickson volunteered to watch the kids, so Jason and I were actually able to talk to each other! That was a big change. We also got to see hoover dam, I hadn't been there since I was a kid. It was really cool to see it again. I know it's silly, but I kept thinking about all the movies that have had the Hoover dam in them. There are really quite a lot if you think about it.( like I said, it was a REALLY long drive!) When we got to Arizona, we stayed at the guys house who bought the horse, in his "bunk house". The place was nicer than our first house! It rained all night and the next day as well. We were pretty bummed, we thought we'd get to enjoy the warm weather while we were there, and Jason was all excited to rope. I cheered him up and took him shopping instead! The next morning we got back into the pick-up and drove the nearly 20 hrs. home. It was a quick trip and mostly spent in the car, but I got to spend time with my hubby so all in all it was a good trip.