Thank you so much!!

Today was a great day. Fasting wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. Normally I am only able to fast for 1.5 meals. I usually feel so sick with a headache and shakiness. Today was great. I was hungry, obviously, but I didn't have any of the usual problems that I do and I fasted the entire time.

I've felt at piece today like everything is going to work out. Not sure exactly what that means because what Heavenly Father has in store for us might be the complete opposite what we want but I know that we are going to be okay. I just need to have faith that he has it all worked out.

The stress has definitely been getting to me but today I have felt at peace. The stress in my jaw and neck is gone. It is a great feeling.

Thanks so much to everyone who fasted with us today. I truly felt the support and love from you. It is amazing how many family and friends supported us today with our fast. We feel blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people in our life.

Fast

Danny and I are having a special fast this Sunday to help us with our job situation. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome. Strength in numbers, right? I just wanted to give everyone a heads up so that you could be a part of it if you'd like.

Thanks for all your prayers and support for us during this difficult time. We love you!

Our sad news...

A week before Christmas Danny found out that the warehouse that he works at is closing. =( After working straight for 19 years Danny will officially be unemployed as of January 29th.

We have applied to many jobs for him (like 10-15) and haven't heard a thing. It is pretty depressing.

So please keep us in your prayers because we need it right now!

New Year's Eve

This New Year's Even we had the opportunity to spend it with The Huber's (and Danny Stocks) in Trukee at their beautiful cabin. We had such a great time.

We had chili chicken casserole for dinner and then we had munchies. We celebrated the New York New Year with the kids and then we played the marble game and then celebrated our New Year.

We had a great time! =)

Clemmons' Christmas night

This of course is my favorite part because I finally get to spent time with my family. It is the best way to end Christmas.

My mom always makes the BEST Christmas dinner. We always have pit beef with a salad bar, cheesy potatoes, McClintock's beans, and pull apart Paranese rolls. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

I never get the many pictures of Christmas with my family because I'm always wrapped up in conversation and spending time with them. Since this always happens I went around before everyone got there and took pictures of my favorite things in my Mom's house. Most of these are memories from when I was a kid. Enjoy!

Christmas Morning

We have traditions on Christmas morning.

First the kids find their Santa gifts and then we open all the rest of our presents. Then it is off to the stockings.

I always try to find matching Christmas PJ's for my kids to wear on Christmas.

Then after we open all of our presents, Danny makes an amazing breakfast. This year we had biscuits, eggs with cheese, sausage, and orange juice. It was yummy.

After the kids play with their gifts for a little bit we head to Bakersfield for Christmas night.

Brandow Family Christmas

We have traditions during Christmas Eve that I love.

First we always have a great dinner with my favorite potatoes that Vola (my Mother-in-law) makes.

Then we had a great Christmas program to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. This year the kids were the nativity while Les (my father-in-law) read the story in the scriptures.

Then we bust into the millions of presents under the Christmas tree.

We always have a great Christmas Eve.

2009 Christmas Card

We finally have a new family picture. Since I am the one who takes the pictures all the time I never have a great family picture. I begged Brenda, thanks Brenda, to take some pictures for us. She, of course, did and they turned out amazing. =)

Here are a few of my favorite along with our Christmas Card. Enjoy!

Chase's Christmas Program

Chase's drawing of a Christmas tree.

During December Chase had a Christmas program at his pre-school. He was so cute!

When we first got there he showed us around and showed up different things that he does in the morning when he goes to pre-school. He wanted Daddy right by his side the entire time.

Then he had his program. He was so blessed to have Grandma Hockey, who came all the way from Bakersfield and Papa Tractor and Grandma Cookie, who just came back from Hawaii the day before, there!

Chase was Mr. Jokester as usual throughout the entire program. I wasn't surprised at all! As you can see in the 6th picture, it started right away! As the program continued it got a little better but that is our boy. =)

After the program we all went to lunch at the Elephant Bar. It was a great morning.

Christmas Traditions

I LOVE TRADITIONS!!!

NUMBER 1: The first Christmas tradition that we always do is trim the tree as a family. I love our Christmas tree. It is full of ornaments that mean SO much to our entire family.

NUMBER 2: Another Christmas tradition of ours is to look at Christmas lights. The kids love this and can't wait! THis is by far the best house that we saw this year or any year. This was a great evening. We even got to share it with Auntie DeeDee. =)

NUMBER 3: Every year our family does the 12 days of Christmas for another family who needs a little extra love during the Christmas season. This year we did it for Isabella's church teacher, Sister Cahill. She ended up finding out it was us but we still had tons of fun spoiling her. Isabella loves her so much!

NUMBER 4: We always have Christmas Eve with Danny's family (The Brandow's) and Christmas morning at home and then Christmas evening with my family (The Clemmons'). I am so thankful that we are able to spend Christmas with everyone!

Isabella's 6th birthday

For Isabella's 6th birthday party we had a Scooby-doo swim party. Isabella had to have Scooby-doo. She actually wanted it last year but I put it off until this year. It turned out to be TONS of fun but we had a lot of drama to start out the party.

When we got to the indoor swim pool there was a sign on the door that said, "Pool is closed due to chemical imbalance. We're sorry for the inconvenience." You can only imagine the sick feeling that I had when I read that sign. I was honestly hoping that it was from the day before. Then the pool manager came up to the door and asked if I was Misty and told me that the chemicals were all messed up and he was doing his best to get us in there in about an hour and a half. (As you can see in the last picture, the chlorine was very strong!) That was totally messed up my plans but at least we would get to swim. I then called Little Caesars Pizza to change my pizza order to right then and we had pizza, cake, and presents first even though I wanted them last. Everything turned out great and the party was a success. The kids LOVED to be able to swim in November, including Isabella.

Isabella wanted to invite her entire class at school. This is another reason why her birthday party had to be somewhere where we could accommodate everyone. She had a great group there. She was also spoiled with her gifts which by the way the thank you will be out soon.

We had tons of family that traveled really far to be there to make Isabella's day very special! My brother and his family came all the way from Bakersfield. I was shocked when I saw him walk up. It was a great surprise! Then my cousin and her family came from Fresno and my Sister-in-law and her family came from Fresno also.

The cake was made by a really good friend. She did an amazing job. I couldn't have asked for a better cake. It also tasted wonderful!!

I made sugar cookies for the favor. They turned out yummy too. It was so much work...never again.

After the party we had tons of family over to our house and then went to Tio Pepes for dinner. It was a wonderful day but I was exhausted!

Promotion Ceremony at Gym Stars

When Isabella turned six she had a promotion ceremony at Gym Stars with Miss Jessica. They make it a big deal at six years old because they go from the kiddy gym to the BIG gym. Isabella got a medal, certificate, and a poster to hang on her wall so that when she passes off skills she can put a sticker on her poster.

We were so excited too because Miss Alesha added a six year old class to her classes. Isabella had her class for three times and they cancelled the class. =( We had to switch teachers which was a total bummer. Miss Alesha was a little teary eyed even when we saw her the next week. She still talks about how much she misses Isabella.

All About Me

At the beginning of November Isabella had "All About Me" at school. We filled out a poster at home and brought in fun things for her to share with the class. It was fun doing this poster with Isabella. Ribbon is my FAVORITE embellishment so I had to find a way to add it to her poster. Check out the top right of her poster. =) It is even her favorite color.

Halloween

Halloween just wasn't the same this year since Chase was so sick. I'm glad that we were able to go trick or treating. First we got in our court to our neighbors. We always go to Ronna and Chuck's (aka Grandma's). Then we get in the car and head to Manteca to see Grandma Cookie. My Mom is usually here so she gets to be apart of all the festivities.

I added a new tradition to our Halloween Day, chili! I made a pot of homemade chili (that had chocolate chips in it) and it was WONDERFUL! This is going to be something that I do every year. It is nice on a cold Halloween evening. I even made cornbread muffins.