The Tales of the Duncan Clan:)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Lately, I have been feeling weighed down by everything.

{like this poor guy!}

I am overwhelmed with all I have to do and be.

Trust me it's not a good feeling!

Sometimes, I am tempted to sit down and cry, I don't know why I think this will help!?!

-OR-, I think if I work really hard I can take of everything I need to and then be able to relax...I know I am funny!

But, this morning I realized that in addition to doing the things that bring me peace and strength (reading my scriptures and praying) that I need to practice MORE gratitude. I'm talking buckets and buckets. I need to say it, think it, write it to help my perspective!

I REALLY DO have so much to be grateful for!

*I am grateful for my health, although I still have things that I struggle with and wish were better, I am so grateful for a strong body!

*I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know he loves ME, I know that he KNOWS ME personally!

*I am grateful for my sweet Waylon. He is just absolutely the best. He is such a great father and husband. He also works so hard and this year he is constantly stretched to the max and always has a smile on his face and a great attitude.

*I am SO grateful to be a mother. It is so amazing to watch my children learn and grow and they are such sweet little people. They make me smile EVERYDAY.

*I am grateful for our house. It is fabulous to live in a house that is comfortable for our family, and it doesn't hurt that it is pretty:)

*I am grateful that I have the opportunity to teach BODY COMBAT, it stretches me over and over, but I have learned SO MUCH and am grateful to work with such an amazing team!

*I am grateful for sleep. There is nothing that makes me feel better than a good nights sleep!

*I am grateful that I had the opportunity to come to this earth and learn about my Heavenly Father's plan for me. This doesn't mean life is always easy, but it does mean that I know that I am guided by a loving Heavenly Father, that everything I go through is for my own good and will help me learn and grow.

*I am grateful to come from such a wonderful family: I have loving parents and eight siblings who rock pretty much more than anyone!

*I am grateful for beautiful sunrises. I have to admit I am not a fan of getting up when it is dark, but seeing a beautiful sunrise just takes my breath away!

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.

The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

This is gonna be a great month!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The BEST night of the week!

Monday night time for some Family Home Evening (also know as FHE!). Our fabulous FHE chalkboard that I got at a gift exchange (I scored, thanks Wendy!) Plus my beautiful yellow daisies (my absolutely favorite flower) that Waylon bought me for our big 11 ANNIVERSARY!!

We love spending time together, we start off singing songs, we let each person pick one out and we all sing together, most of the time I am probably very off tune, but we love to sing together:) Then we have a prayer and scripture. Last night Olivia taught (a wonderful) lesson on how to be like Jesus! With visuals and all. Then we have an activity, prayer and treat.

Last night our activity was carving pumpkins, we do this every year the FHE before Halloween.

Waylon helped Isaac carve his pumpkin, a SCARY pumpkin.

Michael worked hard on his pumpkin, a HAPPY pumpkin.

The BOYS and their SCARY pumpkin (with their scary faces!)

Isaac had the most fun with his little pumpkin, he LOVED digging out all of those little seeds.

Michael being a tad silly with his pumpkin.

Thankfully he gave me a picture with a smile! I love this boy:)

Olivia and her SILLY pumpkin. Such a sweetheart.

And of course a SILLY picture. I love her sense of humor and that she LOVES to laugh!

A good night with the BEST family!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

LOVING Life!

Our new house and neighborhood are just SO fabulous! There are so many reasons....

I love that it is QUIET! A huge change from our previous neighborhood. Our house has two levels, what a difference this makes to our family. There are sidewalks everywhere.

I simply love walking:) SO much to be grateful for!

Today we rode our bikes to the park and it was such a lovely day!

I love being outdoors and enjoying simple activities with my family.

So much now days is fast paced and noisy.

It is nice to be able to slow down and take life in!

Happy Saturday!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A very Merry Unbirthday to YOU!

Michael Boy is turning 10.

Yes, you heard me right....10 years old.

So we enter the double digit parenting years.

I am sure it will be a blast! I mean look at those kids, they are sure the BEST!

Waylon is super busy with his internship and will be MIA on Michael's real birthday, so this week we celebrated his UN BIRTHDAY!

Michael wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese for dinner and a little playing.

{I can't believe they all got that close to Chuck E Cheese at the same time to get a picture!}

Love my silly boys!

My sweet Boy!

Look at that mouth (and my bangs, wow that is sure special!)

GIRL Power

My treasures, my gems, I LOVE being their Mother!

MY sweetheart. I love HIM!

Hilarious.... I was taking a picture of Isaac and mid picture he told me he had to go the bathroom. I am sure he will appreciate this picture in his teenage years!

Michael concentrating on making a good shot!

Olivia whacking it, yes, she got the athlete ability of whacking it from me,

I think it is just more fun that way!!

Silly cake boy!

Olivia love.

Blowing out some candles

Getting Crazy!

We LOVE our absolutely sweet birthday boy! We are so grateful he is in our family!

**In the fourth grade now

**Plays the Violin and Piano

**LOVES all sports, soccer is his favorite right now

**LOVES learning anything, reading, school and especially Math

**Is very thoughtful and kind to everyone around him

**LOVES playing games, his favorites right now are chess (with his dad), clue and pinochle

**LOVES riding his bike, cub scouts, playing in our "dirt" backyard and playing Lego's

He is such a joy in our lives!!

MICHAEL YOU ARE THE BEST:)

My Hero....

Michael asked to take some pictures while we were Miniature golfing for his Birthday, only ONE person he took pictures of, his Daddy.

Where his Dad hit the ball

How he lined up to hit the ball

Nothing greater than DAD!!!

Painting Pumpkins

My kiddos painting pumpkins.....Where is Michael you ask? Well, he is not big into painting or any type of art, so he was playing with the BEST toy ever....legos.