4 years later and I remembered the password!

Well hello there!
I got a wild hair and thought to myself, "Hey, I used to have blog. Wonder if I still do?"
After several failed attempts to sign in to my blog account, because emails have changed, passwords have been forgotten, and life in general is happening all around at light speed; I finally got it right!
I wonder what will happen next. I mean in the past four years we've managed to add 2 big boys to our family and a baby! Mark has started pursuing interventional radiology, I've gone back to school (again), Travis and Cody are both serving missions, Emma has just over a year left of elementary school, Wes is crushing the 1st grade, and baby Jake is stealing hearts the world over (I can say that because Travis is all the way over in Belgium). We have amazing friends and family and live in the best ward ever! Our love for the gospel of Jesus Christ increases daily and we are so blessed to see His hand in our lives all the time. It's a good day to be a Phillips :)

A New Post

I've been getting rightly hounded about my lack of blog content. I think you all know me by now, and know that I am a huge slacker when it comes to self fulfilling endeavors. But, now that I know it means soooo much to soooo many others, I will strive to be more vigilant.

I changed my template!!

Enjoy!

Samoan Fiafia

We had so much fun on Saturday night! Our church ward family had a Samoan Fiafia (a Polynesian feast) to celebrate and bring an end to our 40-day fast. It has been a great experience for us. Our good friends, the Pauga family, shared their Samoan culture with us and even provided myself and the kids with traditional clothing to wear for the fiafia. Wesley's "skirt" is called a lava-lava, and he did not want to take it off. He was running around in it at the park, climbing on the playground and everything. When we got home that night, he wanted to sleep in it. It did however, fall off before he went to bed, but he wanted to put it right back on the next morning. Unfortunately Mark had to go into work Saturday night (7pm-7am), so he was sleeping when we left for the party and he didn't get to see us all dressed up. Honestly though, I think he would have freaked right out to see me in a moo-moo (that can't be how it's spelled). These pictures are the first glimpse that he gets. I'll be honest, it sucks that we don't always have him around, but we appreciate all the hard work he does to take care of us. And I'm so thankful that he enjoys his work. Being in the health care realm, he sees a lot and it makes us realize daily just how blessed we are.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We Love Valentine's Day!!

Wesley woke up in the best mood, wishing everyone a good morning and a Happy Valentine's Day! He was full of hugs and kisses for all.

Emma always looks forward to Valentine's Day. She says that it is her favorite holiday because of all the love and the pink and red decorations.

Mark and I haven't given each other any grand and glorious gifts in the past 5 years, but we love to wake up on Valentine's Day and pay extra close attention to all those little moments of stolen passion. I love him sooo much that it sometimes feels explosive. This is our 10th Valentine's together, and there are still times when we hold each other and don't want to let go. He's brought the greatest love that I konw into my life, and for that I will always be grateful!

Emma wanted to make her own class Valentines this year, and here are the results:

I think they turned out beautiful! We had such a good time working on them together. I love that she wants to create things. It makes my soul smile.

Happy Valentine's Day to All !!

Out of The Mouth of Babes

Conversation with Wes:
Mom : "Wes, why are you being so ornerey today? You've been acting a little crazy."
Wes : "Oh. Um, I want baby."
"You want to be a baby?"
"No. I want have a baby. Oh mom, get baby at the store!!"
"You want to buy a doll at the store?"
"Mom, you are funny. No doll. I want have a baby. I be big sister like Emma."
"You want to have a little baby brother or sister?! This is why you are acting up."
"Let's go mom! I so excited! Let's get baby at the store!"
"You're going to have to wait and talk to your dad about that."
When Dad came home:
"Dad, we need go to the store and get baby! I so excited!"
"What?!"
(Brief explanation)
"Wes, do you want to have a little brother or sister?"
"I want baby. I be big sister."
"No. You would be a big brother."
"Oh! Yes, I be big brother like Emma."
"Do you want a little brother or a sister?"
"I just want a baby."
"Well, your mom and I will have to work on that. But, we can't get a baby at the store. I'm sorry. It might take awhile."
"I so excited!"

So, anyway, I guess we have some work to do.

New Year's Eve 2008

Just to get "The Fear" down the page, because it seems that I managed to scare plenty of people with that post, I have finally decided to post pictures from New Year's Eve.

Yea!!!!!!!!

And the night ends.

Guess who the party animal is in our home.

The Fear

This is just something that has been on my mind. Sometimes I feel like we live in a constant state of fear; ie: The cost of health insurance is ridiculous, but if I don't have it and something horrible happens, the cost of health care is far worse. The fear that makes us question everything.
Last week on two separate occasions I happened upon 2 unfortunate souls. On both occasions I was driving either to or from home with my kids in the van. The first, I was at a stop light and glanced around. I noticed for the first time a little park (1 bench, some flowers, a trash can, and a sign indicating that it was indeed a park), perhaps because there was an elderly woman with what looked like all of her possessions in a bag beside her on the ground. She did not have much of a coat, and she seemed to be getting ready to take a nap. I couldn't help but feel like I should turn around at the light and go and talk to this woman. I wanted to offer her a warm meal, a bed to sleep in, or even just a listening ear. But, there was the fear. What if she's unstable, what if she has some contagious disease? I have my kids with me. I can't put them at risk. If it were just me, I would stop. Or would I? When Have I seen thee naked and clothed thee? An hungered and fed thee? If I want to teach my children to be kind, shouldn't they see me being kind?
On the second occasion, we were just leaving our alley way and I noticed a woman walking along the side of the road. She was obviously having an inner struggle as she twitched and cursed out loud as well as in sign language. (I think it was sign language) But what I noticed next was that she did not have on any shoes. Her feet were dark black from the dirt and tar stains and she walked on the side of them. What could I do to help? It was obvious that she was unstable. Bringing her back to our home was clearly not the wisest idea. Did I have any shoes that I could give her? If I went back to find some, would I be able to find her again? What if she doesn't accept, and then I end up making the kids late for school and they're wondering why that strange lady just spit on their mother. Again, the fear.
It's crippling. If at the moment a thought of kindness comes into our minds and hearts and we act immediately wouldn't we be able to make things so much better in this world. But, there's not even time to act before the doubt and the fear take over.
Does anyone else feel this?
Because we believe in a divine spirit that can lead us in the right direction and keep us from danger, shouldn't I be able to have a faith strong enough that I could essentially live without fear. Your mind would be free from doubt and uncertainty because you would have the assurity of the spirit to clear it away. That is my goal. To increase my faith to the point that I can truly live in the world and not be of the world. Does that make sense? What better protection could I afford to give my children?

New Posts to Come Soon

Hello All
So sorry that there has been an immense lack of posting. I have been on "vacation" for the holidays. To tell the truth, there have been days at a time that the computer hasn't even been turned on. We'll just call it decompression time. I plan on reworking the blog too, so look for something new within the next 2 weeks.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

!!!!!!!!HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!

What what what!

I know it's crazy..........2 posts.
But Emma and I just got back from my little brother's( Zak) Jr. High production of Alice in Wonderland. It was GREAT!!
Way to go Zak! We had a great time because the whole cast seemed to really be enjoying themselves, and of course because Zak is such a stud! He looked great, he sounded great, and that's all because he is great!
We love you Zak!
And we had a great time seeing Aaron, Grandma Nutt, Grandpa, Aunt Krista, baby Tymber, Aunt Faye and cousin Mike too! Thanks for a fun family activity.
Mark had to miss it, because he stayed home with Wes. Wes came down with, what I like to call Clines disease, because it is exactly what almost all the Clines kids are at home battling as we speak. Thanks guys. We feel even closer to you now. Hope everybody is feeling better soon.
-Seacrest Out!

An Open Forum

There have, of course, been several things that I could've blogged about within the past 5 or 6 months, and yet did not take the initiative. So today will be a photo montage because, let's face it, we all like to look at pictures rather than read my ramblings.

Halloween Night!! Emma was a ballerina, and Wes was a "Rockin' " Spider!!

We spent Halloween trick-or-treating with 4 other families and their kids. It was a blast! We loved being out in our own community. This a picture w/ Autumn and Josh. None of the big group pictures I took came out.
Emma and I went to see the Broadway version of "The Lion King" at Music Hall in Dallas on the 13th of October. We'd had our tickets for a whole year, and Emma had patiently waited. It was well worth the wait! We loved it! It is so neat to be able to share these kind of things with her, and to watch her light up with awe and feel inspired together.

Twin Day at school!
This is Wes' "Gang" of trouble makers! Thank goodness we have a backyard!!!!

The pumpkin patch at the Arboretum

I took Emma to the mall one night before Wesley's birthday so that she could buy him a present. As we walked around we passed by the Godiva store, and Emma nearly broke her neck looking back over her shoulder at the chocolates. I took her into the shop and the chocolatier let us sample a few pieces. She then asked Emma what her favorite kind of chocolate is, and Emma told her that it is chocolate with chocolate inside. We picked out 3 different truffles to take with us. As the shop-girl was packing them for us, Emma gazed in wonder at all the many chocolates surrounding her, and then looked at me and asked in an awe-struck voice, "Mom? How do they make chocolate?"

And just by chance, the Arboretum has an entire exhibit, that is running through December, all about the "Chocolate Tree"! We discovered where chocolate comes from, how it is made, and even got to sample some.

I've been taking Wesley to an hour long class on Tuesday mornings at the Rec Center. He gets to play, sing, dance, jump, climb, and play with a giant parachute! And we love his teacher, Mrs. Morales. We even had her oldest daughter babysit for us one evening. It was our first "real" babysitter. The kids loved her, and we will definitely have her over again. (That was the night of the infamous Oct 27th post!)
Wes turned 2 on October 7th!! We were at G & Papa's house for General Conference that Sunday, but between sessions we did a little celebrating. Wes wanted a Frog cake, and this was the best we could do:

Brittany and Emma made up party games and everything, with just a little help from G. They played pin-the-heart on Wesley, roll the pumpkin with your nose, and of course the spoon and potato race!

Emma decided that she wanted to cut her hair. She's been growing it out for almost 2 years so that she could have hair like Rapunzel, but she made the choice herself and Aunt Krista gave her a very cute new do!
We got Wes a Tee-ball set for his birthday, because we felt bad that he and Josh had to find creative ways to play, like this:

Oh yes, that is a football in a flower pot being hit with a shoe bat.

I thought that was pretty clever!

These are pictures from our end of summer, High School Musical 2 party!!

I just really liked this picture:

If it were up to Wes, we would be at the zoo everyday, and he would live with the Giraffes and Elephants.
We took family pictures while in Katy with Mark's family this summer. Apparently my children's eyes are very sun-sensitive. Who knew?
I really like Mark's smile in this one.

Here is the whole Don & Jeanette Phillips clan:
This was a big year for Emma. She turned 5 this summer, and we celebrated with every princess we know!

Mark stayed up all night before the party, painting our living room. It was our first party in our new home, and we did it in style. There was princess freeze dance, princess bingo, pin-the-crown on the life size Emma, and of course an all out princess treasure hunt. All the princessess arrived in full royal attire.

This one is just in here for the "cute" factor.

We went on our first annual trip to Blueberry Hills Farm with Molly and the Harris family. We had so much fun picking blueberries, and Wesley discovered that blueberries right off the bush are the best!!! There were so many more berries that made it into his mouth without even a chance of making it into his basket.

So, there it is. A slightly encompassing retrospective of the last 5 months. And for those requesting an "all about Tonia" blog, ask a question and I will answer, but I don't volunteer that information. You've got to be specific.

Why do I blog so little?

Why, oh why, did I post just 3 words last?
Maybe because the time was past,
Maybe because I felt too ill,
Or perhaps I had yet to finish my meal.
The reason could be that blogging felt "old".
But you want the truth so it must be told.
I wrote those three words and the bed had been laid,
So the love I professed had to be "made"!!

I love Mark

VICTORY!!!

Today I claim VICTORY!!

I feel 100% better than yesterday, thanks to my awesome support sisters, and because all school supplies at Target went on sale 75% off today!!!

It was just the BEST day ever.

Witness my $35 plunder:

For anyone who doesn't know me.... I LOVE school/office supplies! My husband even got me a bouquet of fresh pencils one year for Valentine's Day. Seriously, I have a problem.

But check this out; I went to Target first thing this morning after taking Emma to school and I just happened to get there as they were finishing the mark-down. I got backpacks, pencil boxes, tape, glue, stapler, markers, crayons, scissors, spiral notebooks, folders, drawing paper, white out, dry erase board, etc, etc, etc. I took Emma after school and she picked out a backpack for next year. I was able to fill it with 80% of what she will need for 1st grade, and put it away for next school year! Wesley even got a lunch bag to take when we have lunch with Emma at school. Like I said,

It was the Best Day!

Non-Blog

I'm supposed to blog today, and I've been catching up with my friends' blogs this morning, so I thought I better go ahead and add something while I'm on the computer. The only problem is that I'm not sure what to write about. Oh, I have plenty of thoughts but they are a big jumbled mess that will not form into coherent patterns of any kind.
We have a lot going on, but nothing that excites me or is accompanied by any feeling of accomplishment. So I suppose this a depressing rant. I have been feeling rather "BLAH" lately. I've been having all the unproductive thoughts of, "If only....". I could do so much, if only......
What a crock! Where's the magic that I'm known for?(known to whom, I'm not sure) The ability to create something from nothing. I've lost it as of late. Any suggestions? The other depressing news.......The Energy
It's gone, wilted, and sad. This used to happen every once in awhile, but was just a precursor to an explosion of positivity. I'm hoping that this is just a longer stint of the aforementioned situation, and all will be mended in no time.
Think good thoughts. Think good thoughts. Think good thoughts.
And now I will feel awfully guilty for posting such a blog, because my life is filled with so many blessings. But I do think that sometimes we're allowed to feel this way. Am I right? You see, now I need justification for my negativism.
Please feel free to share your positive affirmations with me. Thanks.

A Shout Out

Ok, Ok, so I fooled you all into thinking that my blogs would become more regular. I apologize for the deception, and am here to try and rectify my misdeeds.

I've included several pictures, with the intent of providing some interest. Let's dive in:

This is a picture of the "work" Emma came home with on her first day of school. She drew her friends Autumn, Ella, and Darcy in the bus windows along with herself.

She drew this next picture on the back of the page. Emma's little friend Darcy moved away, far far away to the vast lands of Missouri and Emma really misses her. She knows Darcy isn't old enough to go to Kindergarten yet, but she wanted her to know that she was thinking about her. Emma is in the red and Darcy the purple.

Sadly, this is the only picture I found of Darcy w/ Emma and Wes. This was from May '07 on our way to the zoo. But, I'm pretty sure the elephant hat may have given that away. I did find several out-of-focus pictures that I took one day when Darcy was over to play. I apparently didn't realize the need to use the flash.

This is a glimpse into Wes' new morning routine. Our good friend Autumn comes over in the morning to ride to school with us and usually helps to wake up Wes. Notice the subtle and gentle awakening. Thank you, Autumn! She can really get him going. She is one of Emma's best friends and Wesley loves her too.

These next two pictures were taken one day last week. They are an ode to the many wonders of paper. Mark helped the kids make a paper sword, and a princess hat. Then he and Emma designed their own paper house.

The house is complete with a bed, blanket, and pillows, a tree that houses a flying butterfly, a sun atop a mountain, and a fast car. This is a totally "green" house. That's right, 100% recycled products.

Yesterday Wes wasn't feeling very well, and Mark had to take him home early from church. We're pretty sure it's just his allergies, but he has been feeling congested and has had a very yucky nose. When Emma and I got home, she was very concerned about her little brother. Mark headed back to the church for meetings, and the kids immediately changed into their pajamas. Emma was so sweet, and gave Wes her stuffed puppy to hold while she "read" him stories to help him feel better while I made lunch.

I think it worked, because later that day I got the call..."Mom! Come see. We have a surprise for you!" And when I turned the corner from the kitchen, this is the scene that met my eyes:

The "Booty" dance!! on the couch, even! And now I have to take a moment to thank Emma's good friend, Miss Luella, for introducing us all to the "Booty Dance" this past summer at a sleep over Emma had in June. She is the true Booty Master! Just check her out in action

And as you can see, it works wonders! Just look at those happy faces.
To really make this "shout-out" post complete, I have to tell everyone about my good friend Farrah's incredible business she has started. I am so proud of her, and inspired by her tenacity and perserverence. Please check out her site at http://www.sweetpapery.com She is very talented and will only continue to grow this venture with the many creative ideas that she has. So, to my peeps..."What's up!"