Christmas Day!

James was sooooo excited about this dinosaur book puzzle. He has been asking for it since his grandmother left and I didn't know what he was talking about. When he opened it he said this was the present he has wanted forever! Well.... He got it and FINALLY I know what he was talking about for the past 4 months. Yikes, I was loosing it!

Jaren got a train table with a set of tracks to go around it. He loves it!

Sierra got her first baby doll... I NEVER was into dolls so I didn't know what to get her. Luckily Granna got her one and it even makes noises. Sooooo cool! Well, Sierra loves her doll and loves to hold it, throw it, and poke her in the eyes. Luckily no more baby's in this household!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

This is James's first letter to Santa Clause. He did an awesome job!

The boys make cookies for Santa each year now. These came out great! I'm so proud of my boys!!!

Here I am with my traditional motherly look... Spaghetti sauce on my shirt and "a mess"! Oh well, at least we were having fun...

You can ONLY imagine whos cookies these are. Jaren the Train man!






James wanted to roll out the dough which he loved! I even bought him a rolling pin for Christmas so he can help me next time. James LOVES to cook. His future wife will love him for that!!!! We had a great Christmas Eve. We of course read Mr. Willobees Christmas Tree which has been a tradition in my home for a LOT of years. We had our traditional Spaghetti and Meatballs which is wonderful because we can actually have a quiet meal and the kids opened one gift each.

Sunday pictures...

I've been trying for awhile now to get some cute Sunday pictures of the kids all dressed up. FINALLY!!! We got ready maybe 45 minutes before we were supposed to go to church and I got some cute pictures of the kids.

Christmas Letter 2008

I am feeling so sad that I couldn't get a Christmas letter out to everyone this year. My mind is quite boggled and I am in 50 million places at once. I try very hard to be the "super mom" that I want to be and it just isn't working right now. I've got so many things going on and my priorities aren't where they should be. My kids have been quite neglected and I'm putting my heart with them now. So here is our Christmas letter for 2008. I love all of you that read my blog and I am grateful for the friendship and family who support me everyday. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and an AWESOME New Year.

Merry Christmas from the Stock’s… 2008
As I reflect upon the past year I am grateful for the many blessings we have received. It has been a wonderful year. We are so grateful for the friends and family we have kept in touch with throughout the year.
Sierra celebrated her first birthday in November and a few weeks later has been walking around the house non-stop. She is just as feisty as her mother and loves life! Sierra is such a daddies girl. As soon as he steps in the door she refuses to let go of him. It’s good for Dad but hello…. I’m the mom!!!
Jaren is my little 3 year old “spit fire”. I can’t get enough of that little tiger! He is now in pre-school 5 days a week for just 2 ½ hours. He loves it and is anxious every morning to get onto the bus. He is still into trains, bus’s, cars and just about everything that moves! We are still working with his vocabulary and behavior but that will come in time.
James is still the “animal lover”. He is just the smartest little guy I know. He is now reading, writing his name, things I didn’t know a 4 year old could ever do. He amazes me every day with the new things he comes up with and does. He has an extremely great imagination and loves to pretend to go to Africa on Wild Safari trips with me.
Jake has had a lot of success this year! He finally graduated from Palmer, got a job and is NOW loving life! We were very fortunate to get a job with a wonderful group of people here in Montgomery Il. He works long hours but I can’t complain that he is helping the well being of others. He has always wanted to give back for what was given to him… Tears flowing… I am grateful everyday when he comes home and tells me that he has helped another person and that he is pleased with the work he has done. He also has been called to be a Sunday School teacher in our ward and I think he is thrilled about that.
I am here…. Just trying to keep up with life. Luckily I have made a wonderful friend here in Montgomery and we just love life together! Our kids get along great and we let them run like crazy wolves. It was a friendship meant to be! I love living in our house and feel that we now have something of our own. We haven’t decided how long we are going to be here and are taking things as they go but I’m hoping in the back of my mind that we can leave Il peacefully and quietly… Shhhh… I am anxious to now head towards a nice warm state on the east coast but if you ask me in a few months I’ll tell you differently! I like it here and I am grateful that Jake has a job and that we have been blessed. I do miss my family immensely though! I have recently been called to the Nursery in our ward so I’m hoping that will be fun. Not much else is going on with me. It has been a whole year of happiness, tears, and laughter with this family!
We hope you have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your New Year to come.
Love always,
Jake, Judy, James, Jaren, and Sierra Stock!!! :)

2008 Pictures...

I'm not quite sure if I have already posted these and I'm way to busy to go through all of my posts. So if I did you get to see these cute pictures ONCE again.

Christmas time moments...

Today we had to go to the mall and get Sierra her Christmas dress that I have been procrastinating about forever... When we walked in the first person we saw was Santa Clause and his little helpers taking pictures. James was so excited and couldn't contain himself. He really wanted to go down and talk to him but I told him we didn't have time. I was kind of bummed myself. So we diddle daddled around and got the dress. I ended up finding a different dress at a different store. It should fit her for awhile. So... As we walked past Santa one last time I stopped with James and we just sat and watched him. This is was happend next....
He whispered in my ear and said that Santa is special because he loves me and he is coming to my house just to see if I'm realllly sleeping. I love him Mom. He is sooo nice! Tear jerker!!!!
We took off to the ward Christmas party and the kids were exausted, Jake and I were moody and it just wasn't feeling right. James was hungry and by the time he was going to eat they called the kids into the Primary room to get ready for a play they were doing. Well James didn't want to go but I know that when he got on stage he was the happiest child in the world. He sat so proudly and still through the WHOLE play. I was so proud of him and smiled at him the whole time and gave him thumbs up. I loved that moment as a mother. We sometimes feel like complete failures sometimes but when you see these children so happy and obedient it makes you feel like a million dollars. James I am proud of you and proud of the wonderful son you are. I am NOT however proud that you ripped up all the styrofoam in the back of the car however but WHATEVER.... Dad will clean it up tomorrow! :)

Merry Christmas!!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas lights

Well I was outside putting up the Christmas lights Jaren decided to "Pledge" my house... Literally... I came inside and he had sprayed Pledge alllll over the carpet! Hey at least the lights look good and the house well smells "Pledged". WOO! For some reason I can't download my pictures so I will have to post them at a later date. SORRY! oh by the way I was trying to download a movie and that's why I couldn't download my pictures. DUH!!!

One for the books

Well,,, I'm just writing this for a perfect memory! I don't need any pictures or video just written in the books is fine! Tonight, well actually today because it was about 5 pm. Jaren and I came upstairs to play on the computer. He started getting fussy so I asked him what was wrong. He ran and got his Thomas the Train pj's and we put them on. He wanted me to snuggle him and so we sat on the floor and just read a book. He then put his head right smack on my heart because we've been learning about hearts and what they do. He started making a beating sound like a heart and he pointed to me and wanted me to do it. So I did... He wouldn't let me stop and so I started rocking him and he sat there and closed his eyes after about 10 minutes. I put a blanket on him and at that time my whole body was asleep but I couldn't let the moment go. So I finally put him in his bed and he opened his eyes and said "Truck, Drink, Mama". I went downstairs and balled and got him his drink and when I came up he looked at me and said MAMA! Just one of those moments to treasure!

Festival of Trees/Polar Express

Well, let's just say today we had a VERY interesting adventure! Our neighbors invited us to go down to Joliet to see the Festival of Trees and see The Polar Express in the theater. It was going to be just me and the two boys but then when Jake pulled up I felt this overwhelming feeling to ask him to join us. I knew he didn't really want to go LOOK at Christmas trees with 3 ladies and 9 kids but he saw something in my eye and gave in. As we were about to leave I tried to kick him out of the car so he could stay home with Sierra but he knew it would have made me soooo sad to not be with him. So, we drove and drove, and got lost and finally we got there just in time to see the show. It was amazing! It was the most beautiful theater I've ever seen. I recommend it to all! The kids of course didn't sit still and Sierra was like a slithering snake throughout the whole movie but Jake was soooo patient and stayed calm and happy. After the movie we went and looked at the trees which were soooo beautiful. We had NO idea that outside we were going to be barricaded by fences because of a parade so we had to walk a few blocks just to cross the street. NOT COOL! Amy's kids are pretty big and so Jake was carrying 2 and Amy carried 1. I almost broke my back! We managed to get across the street and all of a sudden we were hearing shots and reallly loud shots. Turned out there were fireworks right across the street. We ate at McDonalds and now we are home and NOW!!!! I will post some pictures and that's that!

Thanksgiving Day!

We had such a great Thanksgiving. Eventhough I really missed my family we felt so welcomed over at the Clements home. They are one of the nicest families and make us sure feel like family. I guess it's because we're all so crazy??? I made the pies which were a GREAT success. I felt bad because Grandma Pam couldn't eat the crust. I did by the way tell her I wouldn't be offended if she didn't eat the crust so she dug right in! Man, was I happy about that!!! Even little T who could probably eat just about anything dug into my Lemon Merangue pie which I got really happy about. The pumpkin, well I could have done without but who doesn't have pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving??? Grandma Pam was sooo creative. She whipped out some toothpicks, popsicle sticks, and some apples and said here kids make some turkeys. Here are some fun pics of our fun Thanksgiving!

Learning to walk AND shop!

I took this video today and I thought it was the cutest thing. Sierra LOVES walking with her shopping cart. Hey at least now I can have a awesome shopping buddy!

Have you ever????

I guess just copy and paste this and bold the things you have done! It's kind of fun.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (my wedding night?)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument
I tag anyone who wants to do this!

Holiday Gift Cards for some stores...

Ok, so I got an email this morning and whether it is true or not I'm a person who likes to save money! FYI… If you know of anyone that likes to buy gift card, especially for the upcoming holidays, I wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you tend to give gift cardsaround the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will behonored after the holidays. Stores that are planning to close afterChristmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even thoughthe cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing themfrom doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'BankruptcyPlanning). Below is a partial list of stores that you need to becautious about.Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closingLane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwideEddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after JanuaryCache will close all storesTalbots closing down specialty storesJ. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)GAP closing 85 storesFootlocker closing 140 stores mo re to close after JanuaryWickes Furniture closing downLevitz closing down remaining storesBombay closing remaining storesZales closing down 82 stores and 105 after JanuaryWhitehall closing all storesPiercing Pagoda closing all storesDisney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )Macys to close 9 stores after JanuaryLinens and Things closing all storesMovie Galley Closing all storesPep Boys Closing 33 storesSprint/Nextel closing 133 storesJC Penney closing a number of stores after JanuaryEthan Allen closing down 12 stores.Wilson Leather closing down all storesSharper Image closing down all store~sK B Toys closing 356 storesLoews to close down some storesDillard's to close some stores

The Boys Room~~~

Sierra's Room~~~

Here are just some fun updates that I thought you would like to look at of the kids room! I was crossing between going with the black or brown frames. I'm so glad I went with the black because it definitely goes with the dresser which I just painted!

Can it get any worse???

Ok, well today is the last day that Jake will be away taking board exams. Thank goodness!!!! To end this whole ordeal with him gone on the last day I was hoping that I could go to church and be able to think about him and only him hoping that he is doing a perfect job on his boards. Well, it was going well until I woke Sierra up from her nap to get her ready.... She puked alllll over her beautiful dress. I didn't have anything else to put her in so I threw a blanket over her and said let's go honey, nobody will see us in the back row OR smell us! I then threw the kids in the car and started driving away. I went to open my lip gloss because my lips were incredibly dry and well.... I chipped my tooth. NOT COOL! Everytime I put my toung on it more and more of the tooth kept coming off. I was almost in tears on my way to church but I HAD to go to church and think of my honey and hoped that he would pass boards. We got to church and I TOTALLY biffed it on my bottom. I tripped over my skirt and somehow just toppled over myself and fell. Then with my husband and Amys husband not at church I was sure my kids would act up. Well, of course they did! Sierra had a MAJOR blowout of her diaper, James and Jaren were bickering back and forth and fighting and I was concerned about my tooth and wanting to rip all of what hair I have left on my head. So now we are home and Sierra threw up everywhere, the boys are locked in their room until Jake comes home and well... I'm blogging! Can it get any worse??? :)

Thanksgiving Thanks!!!

I have finally been able to sit down for a few minutes and do one of my favorite things which is "Blogging". We have somehow been wrapped up in doing lots of things this month and I wanted to express to my friends and family how thankful I am for them in our life! I am so thankful for a wonderful roof over my head, a husband who supports me even when I am at my worst. I am especially thankful for my children. They are AWESOME!!! Eventhough they do the naughtiest things and drive me crazy most of the time I still love them very much. I am thankful for my mom, dad, and brother. We never had the best life but we made it to be the best. We are so close now and I am thankful everyday that I have them in my life. I am one of the luckiest daughters in the world. :) I am thankful for food... Yes I love food and I don't know how I would live without it. I am very thankful for my friends who help me when I am in a bind and I need help when Jake is at work. I am thankful for so many things but especially this time of season. It makes me want to be a better person so I can help more people be happy and make me more less selfish.
James is thankful for well... Zoo's, Mommy, Daddy, CC, Jare Bear, and Montgomery.
Jaren is thankful for well... Firetrucks!, CC, James, Daddy, diapers, and buses!
Sierra is thankful for her crib, clothes, and milk!
Jake doesn't blog and is at work but I will write what he is thankful for when he gets home. I'm sure he'll have a TON to be thankful for.
To all our friends and family!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING and thank you for taking the time to read our blog! I'm thankful for you! :)

Friends Forever

I wanted all of my blog readers to be introduced to our infamous friends the Clements. When we moved here I was very hesitant and negative thinking we wouldn't know anyone or make any friends. Luckily when we got here we found that we actually had neighbors that are LDS. Not only are they LDS they have 5 children around the ages of ours. We have become really great friends and I am blessed everyday that I get an email or a call from my good pal Amy. She is a great person to hang out with and she also has a crazy unique side like me. Amy has taught me the back roads of Montgomery and well a lot of Illinois since we've been here. Usually, when she's not with me and I try to do it myself I get lost. She is now my "GPS"! Here are some pictures of the kids at the Phillips Park Zoo sometime in October. We had a blast there. It's not a huge zoo but they have a bunch of birds, wolves, and elk there which can make my kids happy for about a week. Oh, and MaKayle and Jaren are already BFF!

Family Pictures 2008