I'm back!...I think.

OK, I have never been good at keeping journals, writing to friends, or even keeping up with facebook on my own computer. I don't know what it is that keeps me from doing these things, but here I am once again trying to keep you informed of what our family is up to. (One of these days, I will make it a habit!)

As you may, or may not know, we are expecting a little girl in April. This has probably been the most exciting and wonderful thing that has been on our minds in the past few months. We have also had a few trials in the last few months that have really helped us recognize what we value most in life...our family and the knowledge that we are children of a Heavenly Father who loves us.

We had a lot of fun during the holidays, and were amazed at how fast they came and were gone! We also have had many family birthday parties, along with planning our first Shupe Family vacation for June with all of Jared's siblings (with families) and parents!

Tanner is doing very well in school and is in his own reading group (if you can call it that with just one person???). His teacher has been sending chapter books home to read on a weekly basis, and he loves it! He is definitely in a "league of his own" when it comes to reading. His teacher has put him at a 3rd/4th grade level, and could go higher once he is doing better with comprehension at that level.

Jared is working hard for our family, and I love him for it! It allows me to stay home and take the time to care for our home and spend quality time with Tanner's education. We have been very blessed these past few months, and are glad to have each other and wonderful family and neighbors around us!

Birthday Surprises in September

I know this is a little overdue, but I wanted to share with you some details about Tanner's 6th birthday in September! We started out with a fantastic friend party on September 19th in which there were 9 friends, games, a sports bounce house and yummy cake and icecream! The kids had a blast with the bounce house and it was well worth the money for lots of entertainment. Not only did we get to use the bounce house for his "friend" party, but we were able to keep it the whole weekend for the price of 1 day! Jared's family came over the evening of the 19th, and we had another birthday celebration for Tanner. His cousins were able to play basketball and jump in the bounce house to their hearts' content! Needless to say, by the time Monday the 21st came (Tanner's actual birthday), he was not ready to give up the bounce house until he saw the Mario Kart game for the Wii that he had requested from us. The rest of the day consisted of Mario Kart, McDonalds for lunch, and Chili's for dinner. (I think we went a little over our budget this year, but it was well worth it to see all the smiles:)

On Friday the 25th, we had a BBQ with my family for Tanner's birthday, and then on Sunday Tanner wore his new blue pinstriped suit to church. He had asked for a suit because he wanted to look like the bishop. I think he succeeded! He was so handsome in his suit.

Grotto Hike

For the past year, Tanner has wanted to go on a hike, but every time we tried to plan it, something would happen! FINALLY on Saturday, we made it to the Grotto in Payson. It is about a 15 minute hike up to a waterfall with many tree trunks laid down to cross. Tanner had granola bars, licorice, and his camera in tow for this L O N G hike. We had a great time as a family, and Tanner thought pretty highly of himself for making it so far. We asked him if he could handle even a L O N G E R hike next time, and he seemed ready for the challenge!

Soccer Star

Tanner is our soccer star! (Jared might say he is, but at this point in his life, he cannot play because of all the injuries he seems to get when playing!) Anyway, Tanner is half-way through this spring season and usually gets an average of 2-3 goals per game. Go Green Pirates!

Fruits of Our Labors

Wow! I can't believe that the last time I posted was Valentine's Day! I am just a little behind......Oops!

Today I saw that my vegetable garden is GROWING! Yea! I love being able to see the wonderful food growing from such tiny seeds. I especially love the part when we get to EAT the food from the garden. I am not very patient for that part.

Speaking of growth, our son Tanner is growing too fast! He is 5 years old but has a big heart and intelligence of an 8 or 9 year old. Anyway, I went home sick from work today because of a bad migraine (which I only get about twice a year...unlike Jared who gets one biweekly). I brought Tanner home with me after resting at my mom's house for several hours. When we got home Tanner wanted to make me some toast to help me feel better, and then proceeded to tell me if I kept that down, then I could have some FRENCH TOAST! Wow. (He has sure picked up on the bland foods...working up to more tasty foods.) After I ate his toast, he gave me a hug and told me he hoped that I would feel better. Those moments of pure Christlike love from a child definitely are "fruits" of long hours trying teach them to love as Christ did. I love you Tanner!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just want to say that I just love my cute husband and children! They are the loves of my life and I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family. Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone has a wonderful day! Oh...and make sure you tell your sweethearts you love them!

YUCK...BEING SICK

OK, I was going to do better this year with keeping up on my blog entries, but in my defense, our family has been battling sinus infections and the stomach flu for the past month! I do not have too many things that I absolutely hate, but the stomach flu is one of them. I felt like I was going to die! Unfortunately, for Jared and I, we had it at the same time, and so Tanner was left to fend for himself! The Wii was our babysitter last Saturday as we both lied in bed unable to move. Poor Tanner! He was so sweet and offered to take care of us both, because he knew how we felt. (Tanner had just finished recovering from a week of the stomach flu.)

Congrats to those of you out there who have not caught this nasty round of the flu. I would not wish this stomach flu on my worst enemy! I guess we all have to experience sickness to be thankful when we are well and happy!