Hello Everyone,
It's great to be back! As I reflect back on the year 2008, I can't help but smile at all the great thing's that has happened that year. So many thing's that has changed my life and still, I look forward to this new year to be even better and more exciting. But since this year has only just begun, I would like to share some of the life changing and eventful 2008 happening's in the Burton family. Starting with the biggest life changing event is Bella, of course, because she is without a doubt the most exciting thing that could have happened that year. As with any child that comes into the world, she came with big splash and a happy to be here cry. And now she is almost one. Yup!!! This saturday. Boy time sure flies. She started walking (well....taking steps) at 10 1/2 months. And now she thinks she's the bomb. She loves her independance and I love it too. Her most favorite toy is her drawers. She loves to pull everything out and put them all back in again. This entertain's her long enough to let me get through the shower, and almost get dressed. She didn't know what to think about Halloween , (her first holiday) but she didn't mind her bunny costume. And it keept her warm. She didn't know what to think about Jody and Heather's at Thanksgiving. I think she liked Brielle, but it was hard to tell. Babies can be pretty hard to read sometimes. She did catch her first tummy flu while we were there though. It lasted about 6 hours and then she was fine. Poor Heather. I'm sure she was ready for us to leave by the 3rd vomit. But it was great to let the kids play and enjoy eachother's company. Thank's Heather for a great Thanksgiving! Christmas came next and Isabella really liked that one. She's not a morning baby, so we let her sleep till 8:oo . The others started opening at 6:00 a.m so we were almost done by the time she woke up. Ya, we like to take our time. Bella mostly liked the paper, of course, and only cared for the ball's toy that we got her. Maybe she would have liked the other gifts if they had not been diapers and wipes. We will never know. We love our tiny little (she's about 4 months behind in size) Bella Boo and look forward to every little wonderful event she bring's to our life. Good or bad.

Next event that hit me kinda hard was Davis went to kindergarten. Now I know that every child who turns 5 and get's to go to Kindergarten is probably excited to go. But Davis...well let's just say excited wasn't the word to use. He was thrilled to go. Just incrediably thrilled. And maybe not every mom is emotional about letting their 4th child go cuz ya know, it's not like I've never been through it before, but kids go all day here now and I wasn't sure I could have him gone aaallll day. But I am getting use to it and Bella and I get eachother all to ourselves for 6 hours. Seem's nice. Some day's it is. Other day's I really wish the kid's home quicker. I miss having them gone so long. If I knew how to teach at home I would. But Davis loves Kindergarten and he is reading so very well. I can't believe he is starting to be so grown up. He had a fun Halloween and dressed up as first a power ranger, then a karate kid, then we made him a ghost costume out of an old sheet. He just couldn't decide what to be, but the ghost costume satisfied him best. He was really cute!!! Thanksgiving was a blast for him. He rode Jody's horses a little. He wasn't sure about getting on such a large animal. He love the motorcycles the best and he had ssssoooo much fun on Kutter's little one. After that, there was only talk about getting him one too. We thought maybe for Christmas, but he ended up getting one for his 6th birthday. Which has just passed. Of course we had to get one for Dristin too. Dominique want's a four wheeler. He had a great Christmas and I don't think I want him to have another birthday. He is my best little helper around the house. (Can you believe he does the laundry by himself. He even separates the colors). He is soo awesome.

Dristin loves his motorcycle and Brian was excited that he got such a great deal on both his and Davis's. They will all have fun this summer riding and enjoying the country side. I'm getting a little more optomisitc about them being outside and not in playing the gamecube and watching TV. I think I might be willing to let my desire to keep them in bubble wrap slide a little. This might actually be a good thing. Until someone get's hurt right. Anyway, Dristin is doing really well in school and still loves to be a clown. He makes Bella laugh her little tummy sore. She really loves Dris and they have a special bond. Who wouldn't love a good looking little blonde haired blue eyed skinny little clown. I can see him growing into a very handsome man and heart breaker some day. And the biggest event I can think of that invades my memorie this past year is the time we went to Lagoon and he and I were on the waterslides next to eachother kind of racing to see who get's to come out first. I was sure I would be out before him, so when I came out and didn't see him anywhere close I panicked. Well he had come out a little before me and had already started climbing the stairs to go again. The little turd. I could have killed him! I can't even tell you the sick feeling of panick at the thought of him drowning. I know that there are lifeguards there, but there are also tons of people. Who knows how well they are really watching. Anyway, that memory still haunt's me sometimes. So I call it an "event" that happened this year. Dristin is definately my little peebody. He is very active and loves everyone. He had a really fun time with Trayson at Thanksgiving. Riding horses and motorcycles and eating till his inny became and an outy. He got lot's at Christmas and I can't wait till summer so I can watch him and his "possy" out on their motorcycles riding the trailes. I'll be taking lot's of pictures and packing lot's of lunches.

Daidree is definately growing up. She is 5ft 6in now and is definately taller than me. Has been for a long time now. Lot's of event's this year with her that fill my memory. Some I could just put in the back of my mind and others I don't want to let go of. She turned 12 and went into young womens. What and event that was for me. I remember when I went into young womens and I hated it!!! I wanted to make it special for her so she had a fun late over birthday party and I took her and her friends swimming to a close by pool. Then they watched movies till late. I think she had a good time. She dosen't seem to care about the young women activities. Course I do keep her busy babysitting for me. I guess she would just rather be home. And that's ok with me. She is certainly getting hormonal these days . I keep reminding myself it's going to get worse so enjoy this stage, but it still send's me into "oh no zone". She is a huge help to me though. I count on her for pretty much everything, and most time's she dosen't mind. Thing's just get on her nerves anymore and I have to remember her age and I remind myself I was her age once too. It helps me be more understanding. Then I can like her more. But she has really great friend's whom I have no worries about her being with and I know they are important to her. I watch some of her baby video's and feel a little sad that she was so little and so cute and she grew up much to fast. Someday she will be a little mommy. That day is coming faster than I realize. Sometime's I wish God would slow time down a little so I can hold on to her younger fearless day's for a really long time. And that he would speed up time through this annoying stage she is going through, and get to the fun stage again. I'm just kidding. It's not the best stage, but I guess I will remember it as much as the others. She is still a loving little lady and she is willing to help me in every way that she can. And I don't even mind when she raid's my closet for something "different" to ware.

Dominique must have grown at least 3 inches last year because he is now as tall as Daidree and he is certainly still growing. He get's his learner's permit this summer so that will be an eventful thing to remember for the year 2009. But looking back last year, the thing I remember most about him is the "mom, I have hair in my armpit" statememt. Brian and I laughed so hard we almost peed our pant's. We still laugh and remind ourselves he is not a little boy anymore. Can't believe he will be driving soon. Then it's graduation and off to college. Wow! Then a mission. I don't think I can think that far yet. His event's are going to be the most emotional ones yet so I don't think I need to think about them yet. It will only make me feel old. And maybe like crying. As for now, he keeps his room like any other teenage boy. Messy. But he is good about cleaning it when I ask him to. Brian has made some beautiful beds for the boy's this past summer and Dom will get one next. He seems to be pretty excited about that. He is still very cautious about life and dangers. Example, we were sleding at the town hills, and he would sled, but if he began to pick up speed he would slow himself by dragging is arms or legs to slow down. He is definately not my dare devil. That would be Davis. It's nice to have a kid I don't have to worry about killing himself. It's going to be hard to let him go. He dosen't complain to much about having to shovel snow and keeping the walks clean. He play's church basketball and is now going to church activities. He has a close friend who lives just three houses down who makes sure he stay's active and going to church event's. He is a great kid who we love to have around. It's nice to have a good friend for Dominique to be inspired by.

As for Brian and I. We have had some slow income the past few months. But thing's are picking up. We have been able to get our car's paid off and bought some land from Brian's parent's. We have been working on our food storage and feel it vital to work more on our spiritual storage. We have made some good habits with family prayer, scripture study and family home evenings. What a blessing they have made for our family. Ther is not as much contention or argument's. The kid's do their chores more willingly. We enjoy eachother's company sometimes more than leaving to hang out with friends. And we feel the spirit in our home more often. I know we are on the right path cuz I can feel it and I don't have to worry if the time ever comes when we are all spearated because I know we will be able to find eachother as long as we are faithful. That in its self is a great blessing. I had this thought when I realized that the kid's are all in different schools. If something destructive ever happened, not one of them will have a family member to look for for comefort. My feeling was, that if I stay on this path and continue to do these thing's with my family, that I won't have need to worry. I would find them all. And we would be together. If that isn't a relief of a blessing than I don't know what is. So we are all healthy and strong. I have gone back to school and I'm not sure that I like it. Brian is getting some great work that will hopefuly lead to some good summer job's. We love all our family and pray for all of you too. Please do whatever it takes to hold on to that iron rod and you will be blessed too. I want all of you with me in heaven and I hope you want to be there. It takes work, but it is worth it. I certainly don't fee stressed out or as tight as I used to be, and yet ther is a lot more going on. I should be a basketcase. Somehow I just don't sweat the little thing's anymore. Love that feeling. Never want to lose it!!! Love you all and can't wait to read your blogs.