Happy New Year!!!

Things to think about for 2008

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2008.
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2008 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2008 (again, without asking).
8. What were the best books you read this year?
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
16. What was your most challenging area of home management?
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2008 for you.

This list came from simplemom.com

As we say good-bye to 2008 and welcome in 2009, we want you to know that we count you as blessings in our lives. Thank you for all that you do for our little family. May 2009 be the best year for you and your family. Love the Hedelunds

A Road trip, A Heart Attack and a White Christmas

We enjoyed Christmas with my family in Dayton, Nevada. We left on December 21. The trip was very nice. There was snow on the ground just 1 hour into our road trip. It was so peaceful.

We even stopped to have a snowball fight.

Our road trip to my parent's house was nice. Just sitting in the car and being together. I love roadtrips. We were at my parent's house by Sunday afternoon. On Monday, my dad with a heart attack. Talk about scary. This is number 4 for my dad. Everyone came to the hospital. Jens stayed with the kids. My brother, Kelly and my brother-in-law, Alan gave him a priesthood blessing. In the blessing, my brother said that my father's work is not done. What a comfort to me. My dad stayed overnight at the hospital. Jens, my mom and I picked him up the next day. He has a few changes coming his way, different medicine and a heart monitor.

Christmas was very nice. Everyone was there except for Colton. He is in Texas at basic training for the Air Force. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts. One of the best gifts was that Colton called. Bekki, Kelly and Ian were very happy and full of tears of joys. Colton is doing great. It is a lot harder than he thought. My other nephew, Bryce leaves for basic training in the Army on January 7. It was a bittersweet Christmas for my sister, Alecia. Bryce will be serving in combat, most likely Afghanistan. Please pray for him. Here is what our Christmas looked like.

It was a white Christmas!!!! Snow was falling and there was family inside.

Getting ready for Winter

We do not have heavy jackets. We do not need them where we live. But we do use light mitten and scarves; just for fun. Everyone was excited to try on their mittens. Even, Adam with his broken arm.

Disneyland, Here we come.

One of our Christmas Traditions is to go to Disneyland in December. Disneyland has an holiday feeling to it with all the decorations, and wonderful fireworks. It was a little bit busier than we like it, but we survived.

Main Street was covered in lights and fake snow at the end of the evening.It was so beautiful.

This is from inside It's a Small World. I hope the world finds a little more peace in 2009.

Way to go, Anna

At the our elementary school, every child gets a "Shining Star" during the year. It is a certificate of accomplishment. It comes with a small treat from the local yogurt place. Anna received one on December 5. Ms. Cundiff gave Anna a Shining Star for the Golden Rule. She said Anna was kind, helpful and a great asset in the class. Anna is doing a great job at school.

the Silly things we do

One morning we were sitting around at the breakfast table. Jens was holding Jake. Jens was wearing this big t-shirt. I got this silly idea.

Our Thanksgiving Tree

It was really great collecting Thanksgiving leaves this year. We really have a great time collecting leaves from all people who come to our home.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!

T..... is for our thankfulness for many joys and blessings...

H..... is for our homes so warm and bright...

A..... is for autumn, time for harvest and abundance...

N..... is for nature's beauty and delight...

K..... is for the kitchens where good food is cooked with love...

S..... for the smile on a child's face...

G..... is for the gathering of family and friends...

I..... for the inheritance we share...

V..... is for the vision that the Pilgrims held so dear...

I..... is for high ideals in all they planned...

N..... is for our native country brave and great and free...

G..... for God's great goodness to our land.

May all who read my blog have a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends! Provided by The Buzzing of the Queen Bee.

Anna is 9 and 1/2.

Anna is 9 1/2 today. Time goes by so fast. I feel like she should still be just that beautiful baby girl with the perfectly round head.

It is thankful Thursday. I hope that you are having a great day. What are you thankful for?

1. I am thankful for the joy that my kids bring to my life.

2. I am thankful for the opportunity to go to school. Even though, I am ready for it to be over. I have learned a lot.

3. I am thankful for a mom and dad who did their best.

What are you Thankful for?

It is time to starting thinking about what you are thankful for. Every November, we put up our annual Thanksgiving tree. Every day we write down what we are thankful for on a leaf. The leaf goes on the tree, and by the end of November the tree is full of thankful leaves. If you want to add a leaf, let me know. I will add a leaf in your name.

What does your house look like?

I am going to start a new tag. Every Thursday until Thanksgiving, please write 3 things in your life that you are thankful for. Please be specific. I am tagging Kristen, Marrianne, Karyn, Lisa and Bekki.

Three things that I am thankful for:

1) My wonderful husband. He has been gone all week to Chile on business. I have missed him. Our home does not seem the same.

2) I am thankful for the opportunity to go to college. I have learned a lot about the world. I feel I have a better understanding of Heavenly Father's world

3) I am so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Knowing the gospel has brought peace into my life.

Happy Halloweeen

We had a fun time trick or treating with our friends. Anna was a witch. Jake was a Power Ranger and Adam was a mystery man with a broken arm. Everyone had fun, but it was full of scary sights.

I am a Child of God

It was the Primary Program on today. It is always fun to watch the children participate in the Primary Program. This year, Adam was the narrator. It is his last one before he moves to Young Men's (where does the time go). He put on a white shirt and tie. He did a good job. Jens and I were very proud of him. Anna had one line - Jesus Christ is my Savior and the Savior of all mankind. She was very business like and gave a small smile at the end. Jake got right up in front of the microphone and said, "My tithing pays for the temple". He stay there for a minute and then put on the biggest smile. The audience proceed to laugh, always, Mr. personality. I am so happy that my children have opportunities to speak in front of audiences. I thinks it helps them to feel more confident in front of people. I did have a chance to see 2 other wards' Primary Programs. It was fun to see that each of them had the same message but with a little bit of uniqueness.

Yes, I am 7 and a half - I am so excited.

Yes, I know it is silly, but it is fun. I got this idea from my friend, Shannon. Kids have to wait so long for their birthdays; a year is a long time. So, we celebrate the kids' half birthday. Jake is 7 1/2 years old. He was so excited. At 6 a.m., we went to the donut shop and picked up a dozen mini donuts, a perfect donut cake. Of course, Jens wasn't excited about being 48 and 1/2 on the 19th.

Do you remember?

Kids are so funny. Adam walked thru the garage door today after middle school, and said that he can't wait for puberty to be over. He feels so clumsy inside his body. He sounded so frustrated. But, I thought this feeling be gone before you know it buddy, and you think how can I be 48. When you are eleven, time goes by so slow.

I went to parent-teacher conferences on Monday. Anna and Jake are doing great. Adam is a big middle schooler and doesn't have conferences anymore. Mrs. Guevara, Jake's teacher, told me that she was talking to the class about some of the things that they were going to do in the next few weeks. She said that Jake came up to her after the class and snapped his fingers back and forth while saying, "Bring it on". She thought it was so funny, Mr. Personality.

Six Quirky Things about me!!

This is a tag from my friend Lisa! How fun!! This is most likely more information then you need to know about me. By the way I tag Bekki, Kristen, Marrianne, and Karyn and who ever else wants to do it! These things are just for a little fun!

1. I have a problem leaving cupboards doors open. There has been many times that Jens has walked into the bathroom and the medicine cabinet is open and both the drawers are open. Plus my curling iron is left on. My mom used to complain about the same thing.

2. I have to sleep with a full body pillow between my legs with the fan blasting. I have slept with a body pillow since I was pregnant with Adam. I even take the pillow to a hotel. I have stuffed it into my suitcase and off I go.

3. I have to sit on the right side of Jens anytime I am walking with him or sitting in a movie. Otherwise, it's doesn't feel right.

4. I have to put on makeup everyday, even when I am at home in my comfy clothes.

5. I love getting the mail. I think it is getting a surprise everyday. The other day my husband asked if I was sick because I forgot to get the mail.

6. I love to try new candy bars. I love new things.

Well, here is more then you want to know about me.

Every Dog has his day!!

It has finally happened. Adam scored his first goal in soccer today. He has always played defense. He doesn't really like lots of running. He has got a good kicking leg. Therefore, he has always played defense. Well, Coach John put Adam as a Center mid-field. He loved it and was in the right place at the right time. He jumped up and screamed - Yeah!!! So, you see every dog has his day!!!