Kayley and Joey

Introducing Kayley and Joey Huffman. While out today on some errands- we saw the cutest puppies out front of Petsmart. My kids want a dog soooo bad- but for me that is like adding another child to our mix. I always tell the kids that when we are in a house- we may get a pooch. I'm not a huge pet fan- it seems like more work for me to do- but I constantly meet people who have fond memories of their pets growing up. Anywho- Matt was the one who decided that our kids needed a pet... today. So we came home with our two fish. The kids spent their own money to buy them. Keia picked a girl rainbow fish and named her Kayley because one of her best friend's is "Kylie"- so she thought Kayley sounded like their two names put together. Mattix at first said Jo Jo ( I have no idea where that came from), but then decided on Joey because his friend Owen's dog's name is Joey. I guess it starts this young on the influence of friends!!
Do you like the bright exciting colors and decor Matt chose for the fish tank????

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I belong to: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or as many people refer to us as the: mormons. I am hoping that anyone who reads this blog actually knows that I am LDS. There are many important people in my life, close friends and even my own family members, who don't even really know what I believe in. You have probably already noticed the enormous button on the side of my blog under life-changers (I am a Mormon). When you click on the button- my own personal Mormon.org profile will pop up. You might be asking yourself- why are you telling me this Kendra? Well... being a "Mormon" is a huge part of my life and has shaped the person I am today. So if you have ever wondered- why is Kendra Mormon? Or what are some things she believes in... go ahead give the button a whirl. The website Mormon.org answers almost ALL the questions and rumors people have heard about us and tells our beliefs.
Anywho- most of my blog is about my fam and other things that I love the most in this world- so if that is the case I wanted to share what is at the core of who I am: my faith.

NTC

Okay ladies, if you are looking for a change in your workouts, don't have money for a gym membership, or looking to start working out... then you need to download the FREE app: Nike Training Club. It has a bunch of workouts designed specifically for women. They have all levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). You will see serious results from these workouts- go get em ladies!!!

Keia keeps it simple

(This is a picture of Keia and her friend on "Twin Day")

Ms. Keia makes a friend everywhere she goes. She basically only has one requirement- if the person (boy or girl) is around her age- she probably wouldn't go younger than 4 or older than 8. That is all that is required to play with her. Once she makes a friend, she doesn't sit there judging the person if this is someone she could be friends with, doesn't start talking about the other girls in her class...they usually start playing house. She doesn't care what they look like, what they are wearing, or how much money their parents have.

I've decided to be more like Keia. I do have my solid friends- who will be friends for life, but I could probably be more friendly at the park with some of the other moms. I just need to find someone around my age (no younger than 18 or older than 90), and just start talking "house". There are so many lessons to learn from my kids.

The Abundant Life

"The Lord expects our thinking. He expects our action. He expects our labors. He expects our testimonies. He expects our devotion.

To measure the goodness of life by its delights and pleasures and safety is to apply a false standard. The abundant life does not consist of a glut of luxury. It does not make itself content with commercially produced pleasure, the nightclub idea of what is a good time, mistaking it for joy and happiness.

The abundant life is to face trouble with courage, disappointment with cheerfulness, and triumph with humility."
President Thomas S. Monson

...the land that I love...

Okay, it may get old hearing this, but I LOVE the Summer... no schedules, hot weather- which equals the beach and pool. Anywho- as we are getting ready for the Fourth of July, I was thinking back to one of my most favorite ones. It was when we were living in Virginia for the summer. Mattix was 2 and a half months old, Keia had just turned two- Me and my sister Amy took the train to Washington DC and spent the holiday there. We checked in a hotel and watched the fireworks from our country's capital. It was so much fun and I Loved going around seeing the different sites. I am very proud to be an American and feel very blessed to be a free woman who is able to fulfill any dream that I can imagine in this country.

Happy Fourth everybody!! Big shout out to the Troops who have left their families to defend our freedom- we love you!
(Now picture fireworks going off since I just finished my big speech=)

Kindergarten Rocks

It is official- Keia has graduated Kindergarten. They had a really cute ceremony and sang the cutest song, "Kindergarten Rocks". I was really happy with her school and teacher- they were awesome! I am looking forward to my favorite time of year: SUMMER! Going to the beach, the pool, sleepovers at Gran's, and visits to Vegas.

Anywho- We are proud of you Keia!

***Little story- so while all the families were waiting for the kids to come out and go on the stage, and little boy was walking right by the food table and threw up everywhere- it was some chunks mixed with a ton of liquid. We were waiting for the janitor to clean it up, but a girl from outside was running in, Matt actually tried telling her to stop- but it was too late- she slipped and fell hard right in the throw up... disgusting!!!! Kind of funny, but not appropriate to laugh =)

I love Kalli's fake smile here... one proud Daddy!

Teething Camp

I was wondering if anyone worked at a teething camp? It is a place where you take your cranky child, where they are held as much as they want, the workers are patient and find it "adorable" when the babies throw themselves on the floor for a tantrum. They have immense patience for the baby who doesn't want to be held or put down, it is a fun game for the workers! The amazing workers get up as many times as possible through the night to comfort and soothe the screaming baby... anywho- if any of you know of a good teething camp, let me know. Kalli will be sent ASAP- now finally getting her other top front tooth, she will fit right in!

The Chinese Bamboo Tree

As many of you know, our move here to San Diego has been a financial challenge, it can be very stressful at times. Matt and I were reading about the Chinese Bamboo Tree and it helped put everything into perspective:

"After the seed for this amazing tree is planted, you see nothing, absolutely nothing, for FOUR years except for a tiny shoot coming out of a bulb. During those four years, all the growth is underground in a massive, fibrous root structure that spreads deep and wide in the earth. But then in the FIFTH year the Chinese bamboo tree grows up to eighty feet!" Stephen Covey- 7 Habits for Highly Effective Families

Right now we are working underground and it gets frustrating because you don't always see the fruit of your labors, however I know once we get through the "growth" stage, the results will be amazing. Just remember: if you are going through a life change and it is for the positive, just keep working your roots, and when your foundation is strong, then you will see the results and you will be unstoppable.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr.Hyde

My son reminds me of this man lately. Without going into to much detail here is an example that happened this week: We were just getting home from Target and Mattix offered to carry up one of the bags seeing that my hands were full holding Kalli and some other things. So thoughtful right... so I tell him yes, that would be really helpful thinking to myself that I have the sweetest little boy. We get about halfway up the stairs and he starts "the whine". The bag is all of a sudden too heavy, so I say he is strong like batman and can do it- the next thing I know he is screaming and throwing my Target bag up and down hard against the floor, eventually throwing it on the floor and walking away.... ummm, what just happened.
The reason for this post is that I was reading in "Love Languages for Kids" and it has a whole chapter on Anger. It said many of today's problems and dysfunctional relationships would be diminished had people been taught while they were young how to manage their anger. To feel angry is unavoidable, it is how we handle our anger that is the key.

The book states: " How your child learns to handle anger will largely influence the development of his personal integrity, one of the most important aspects of character. Train your child to manage anger appropriately and he will then be able to develop good character and strong integrity."
We did a whole Family Home Evening on Anger. I checked out a book from the library to read to the kids and we talked about the appropriate ways to handle our anger.

Let's just say after Mattix's tantrum I taught him the wrong way to handle his anger from my example! At least we are aware and will be working on it so we don't see as much Mr. Hyde around the Huffman House.

Happy Birthday Buddy

Keia had just turned 4 when we moved into our apartment here, and now Mattix is four!!! I freaking love this kid! He is the perfect middle child, he lets Keia get her way 90% of the time, and he is always helping me with Kalli- he is literally the only person who can get her to laugh really hard. Here are the top four things I love about this rascal:

1-He is extremely sensitive, but with that he is super sweet. He will randomly tell me or Keia that we are pretty, or just out of the blue tell me he loves me. He lets me know when the flowers are growing by our door... I know I should expect more toughness from our only boy, but it is too cute! (I guess I should add that he thinks "tooting" on his sisters is funny, constantly poking or pushing Keia is funny, and pretending to pee on someone is funny... that makes him a boy, right?)

2- He can be really easy going- he is not demanding at all for my attention, sometimes our days are based around Keia's schedule, but he never complains. I would take him grocery shopping with me any time- the girls, not soo much.

3-He is ALWAYS the first to tell us to pray, and he gives the BEST prayers of anyone in our family!!

4-He is really smart, he has learned a lot from watching Keia, but holds his own.

We love you sweet boy, even when you test my patience, I am so glad you are in our family.

Opening presents with my fam.
One
Two
Three
Four- at his Monster party with his Joy school friends.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

I could pretty much write one word for Kalli... Happy. First of all, I really can't believe it was a year ago that she joined our family, she has been a dream baby. I don't know if it is me really cherishing every age with her, or if it is her easy going, funny personality. Without over doing it, let me just sum up my thoughts on Kalli in ONE thought (since she just turned one):

You know when you have moments when it seems like everything has gone quiet and Heavenly Father is showing you a moment of how great your life is... Kalli gives me those moments often.

I love you sweet baby.
Kalli's first time having ice cream, and being a girl, it won't be her last!