Now you "see" me

For some reason I feel like I haven't posted about us in a while. January has been quite a busy month so far. Here's a little update for each of us.

Steve- He assured me I'd see him more his last year of school. So far, that isn't true. He has been incredibly busy with school finishing up a 30+ page paper, IP Moot Court competition (which he won and is going to regionals in California), and reading for class each day. Work has also kept him busy. He works two days a week in Salt Lake. Last week he didn't come home until 3:15 in the morning. I'm sure proud of him.

Tyler- Tyler is energetic. I'm not sure what else to say. He's been testing my patience lately. I hope it is just a phase. I can tell he is exhausted each night when he goes to bed. As for the picture below, he was totally sleeping that way! However, he snuggled with me this morning. He has a good soul . Tyler is loving pre-school and Sunbeams. He is starting to sound out words on signs. It is wonderful to see him succeed.

Hannah- This girl is my saving grace sometimes. She gives me snuggles, kisses, and back rubs. She is starting to say more words like star, sock, and shoe. She can see almost any animal and tell you what sound it makes. Our favorites are her lizard and fish. Hannah loves to play games, look at books, open any drawer she can find, and follow Tyler around. Her personality is emerging and it is happy with a hint of spunk! She has started giving dirty looks to us when she isn't satisfied. We mostly laugh and try to get her to give them more!

Erin- I'm just trying to stay on top of things. I'm not going to lie, "single" parenthood has had its moments. Thankfully I have help from family and from above. I find sanity in playing volleyball each week. I am also loving running right now. My longest is 9.4 miles. I am getting quite excited for the half marathon in April. I'm seeing that I am worth investing time in myself and I can do hard things (not limited to running). Even though they test my limits, my family is the most important thing to me.

So that is the Pulley's life in a nutshell. I hope each of you have a great day!

Maybe he'll be okay

I often pray that Tyler will grow up right despite my many imperfections. Tonight, he demonstrated that he is listening and remembering some of the things I say. I got a call from my Dad tonight telling me that my Grandma Thurgood had passed away. She was wonderful. I hope to be just like her as a Grandma. Bernice Flitton Thurgood played a lively harmonica, always sent me a birthday card with a personalized poem, kept moving and cheerful despite being a widow for over 13 years, told some great jokes, and made you feel so loved. I saw her on Christmas morning and she was as warm and happy as ever.

Of course I was sad and crying over the news of her passing. Tyler saw me crying and said, "Mom, because of Heavenly Father and his angels, she will live. Don't be sad. You can be happy." You are right Tyler. Thank you.

Here is my Grandma Thurgood with Tyler and Hannah shortly after their births. I sure loved her. She was the good that came from the Thurgood family!

Ending and Beginning

Happy 2011! It is going to take me a few weeks to get used to saying and writing 2011. I look forward to this year. It is going to be a big year for the Pulley family. We are running a half marathon in April, Steve will graduate, we will move in May, he'll take the BAR in July and start work in August. There is a lot to look forward to!

The end of 2010 was Merry and Happy. With so much family, food, games, food, laser tag, food, talking and food, how could it not be wonderful? It was great to take some time and reflect on the blessings and accomplishments of the year. One of my goals this past year was to not eat after 8 p.m. That is when the "munchies" attack. I stuck to it and feel great. I'm going to do it again this year. I also made it to the temple each month and went on at least one date with Steve each month. I like New Year's Resolutions because they help me re-prioritize my life. Anyway....

Our Christmas was splendid. Here it is in a nutshell.

Hannah
I was surprised, but Hannah actually understood the concept of opening the wrapping paper to see what was inside the box. She loved eating yummy treats and was trying to take it all in. Of course, she got plumb tuckered out by lunchtime on Christmas. She was very excited for her new toothbrush, her sock monkey, and animal crackers. She is a blessing!

Tyler
This year was the first year he really got excited about the Santa and presents. Tyler was thrilled with his Mag Formers magnets, Tic Tacs in his stocking, and his Buzz Lightyear suit. He LOVED all of the time with his cousins, and went to bed exhausted each night. Tyler is my energetic, smart guy. I love him!

Family
Steve and I loved him being done with finals. It was so nice to play and not worry about what he was supposed to be studying for. One evening we got some babysitters for the little ones, and all ten of my family went laser tagging for the night. There is nothing like 3 1/2 hours of laser tag to make you love your family more! Family is everything!

You've got 24 hours...

I am sure all of you would agree that the two weeks before Christmas are extremely busy. This past weekend was no exception. Within about 30 hours we did the following:

Hannah got her first haircut. I was very politely informed that she had a mullet, so I had to fix it. She did well....once she got a sucker. The lady who cut her hair even gave her some layers in the back to make it look thicker. Hannah instantly seems more grown up to me. Her hair is adorable! The top right is the before, and the bottom right is the after.

We went to Steve's work party, where we lost our voices from yelling over the band. It was a good time tough. I just have to say that I'm thankful I don't drink so that I don't have to worry about making a fool of myself.

Early the next morning, Steve and I ran four miles in the snow and rain. It was actually perfect! It was quiet, cool and refreshing.

Next we made a double batch of Vanilla Cream Caramels with my mom. You haven't had caramels until you've had these. It is almost a science to have them turn out perfectly!

After caramels came a trip to the Bountiful Temple. Thank you mom for watching the kids! It was wonderful to have some quiet time to reflect on our Savior.

Next we went to Salt Lake to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. It was more crowded than ever, and I've been going for ten years! Thanks to Steve's aunt, we were able to have a good place in line and had pretty decent seats. I love all the songs we sing to honor and celebrate the birth of Christ. I always feel the spirit when I hear the songs of His birth.

Once home from the concert, we wrapped said delicious caramels. Then finally came a good night's rest. It was a busy and fun-filled two days!

I want to wish each of you a safe, enjoyable, spirit-filled Merry Christmas!

Now it's official

It is officially the Christmas season now because three things have happened.

First, we went to the Festival of Trees. Or as Tyler calls it "The Festibal". I have been going for as many years as I can remember. It couldn't be the holidays until I had walked endless rows looking at trees that sort of start to look the same. Every year I love it. Hannah of course had a total melt down in the presence of Santa and Mrs. Clause (you'll notice Tyler doesn't quite know how to handle the situation!) Tyler loved the tree that had over a hundred dinosaurs and the delicious scones. It was a great day and for a great cause.

Second, the kids wore their "Christmas" clothes to church on Sunday. I know a lot of people only put their kids in Christmas clothes the Sunday before or after Christmas, but I paid money for those clothes, and I want to get my moneys worth! They are rather adorable, if I do say so myself!

Third, we've gone to the pediatrician and the pharmacy since both kids have coughs and are on the yummy pink medicine. Oh, I love this time of year! (I actually really do...minus sick kids!)