Happy Birthday Jake!

Just a quick note, (Jake hates it when I gush about him). Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband! Next year the big 30! I love you with all my heart. Thanks for being everything you are to us. You are the best!

Conference Ideas

There was a great article in the Ensign this month about preparing your family for Conference. Jake shared some of these great ideas with us the week for FHE. We tried to implement them and I have to say that after one day of conference sessions behind us I was pleasantly surprised at how well they worked. I have always thought that my children were too young to participate in conference. But I was wrong, and as the article suggested it is never too early to teach your children the importance of conference. So I thought it important to share.
1. Begin the week before to express excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to listen to conference.
2. Explain to your children what will happen.
3. Plan fun treats/food to have during conference. Have a picnic in the family room. We let Luke go to the store with Dad this morning before conference and help pick out our picnic foods.
4. Play games.
* Our primary provided us with bingo cards with pictures of gospel topics on them. Luke really enjoyed listening for the words and waiting for a bingo.
*Other games suggested were to let your children cut up the previous conference Ensign and find then match the pictures to the prophets speaking.
5. Between sessions do something active, especially with little ones. We had a wrestling match.
6. Follow up conference by expressing your testimony to your children and bringing up a few specific points your family can remember.

We were discussing with some friends about how challenging it can be to try to listen and be spiritually fed while your toddlers are tugging on you and squealing as they play etc. I really felt like we were blessed to be spiritually fed, but also able to make conference a family activity. Not just a time to try to keep the kids quiet so we could listen. Because of our preparation Luke said this morning, "Let's watch conference!!" I was so happy to see that he was excited. He was learning the prophets names and he loved listening for the words on his bingo card. Sometimes he caught words I didn't.
I have always loved conference. But today was really great. I am grateful for a living prophet. I am also grateful for a worthy priesthood holder who advised our family and enriched our experience.

Life is Never Dull

enjoying the nice weather...while it lasted. It snowed yesterday...boohoo.

Friday night Luke came downstairs and announced that he and Ty were ready for Church. Luke had dressed them both up. So cute!

Notice the swim trunks and bow tie, interesting ensemble.

Wednesday night Luke came running in with a pair of clean underwear on his head and carrying Ty's dirty (not poopy thankfully) diaper in his hand. Next came Ty completely buck naked courtesy of Luke. We couldn't help it, we laughed so hard. Then we had to chase Ty down and put a diaper on him before he made a mess. They crack us up!

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

Jake had to work really hard, the wind was not cooperating very well. But he did get it to soar pretty high a few times.

Luke trying it out.

Saturday we went to the park and flew our kite. I really enjoyed it and so did Luke. Truthfully I had to coax Jake a bit to go along, but I think he enjoyed himself. It was such a beautiful day. We have a great park within walking distance of our house. I am loving the wonderful spring weather we are having. I just hope it holds out. Utah can be so fickle in Spring.

St. Patricks Day Fun

Green punch with green ice cubes.

Garlic and cheese mashed potatoes (green), cabbage and Steak. Next year I plan to try real corned beef.

Chocolate and Mint cookie dessert. This was the boys favorite part. Luke really did enjoy all of the green food. He helped make the pudding and the green ice cubes. We had fun. Next year I want to get "Darby O'Gill" on DVD to watch. Also, I need to get some of the fun Irish songs my Dad used to play when I was a little girl, (I thought of it too late this year).

Against All Odds

On our 7th wedding anniversary (February 2) we received one of the biggest shocks of our life. I had not been feeling well for a while and with each day it was getting worse. The day before we decided that I should go see the doctor. We knew one of the first things they would look for was if I was pregnant. So sure that I wasn't we took a test to rule it out. Surprise of all surprises it was positive.
For those who do not know our history that probably doesn't seem that shocking. We spent the first three years of our marriage trying to have a family. No one could figure out what was wrong. Finally I saw a fertility specialist. He was finally able to diagnose what others had missed. Testing, procedures and lots of money later we finally were pregnant. Luke's pregnancy was filled with complications and heartache. We lost Luke's twin at the beginning of my second trimester. Finally my beautiful little boy made it here safely. It was then that we really started to grasp the fact that we would not have the big family we always wanted. When he was one we felt strongly it was time to try for a sibling. We again met with our fertility doctor. After several months of the same procedure it took to get Luke we were left without another baby. My body was not responding to the treatments. We began to worry that we may not be able to have a sibling for Luke. They began to talk to us about more invasive, costly and emotionally and physically draining procedures. We prayed and decided to try one more month. My doctor agreed that he would give it one more try. At the end of our hope we got pregnant a second time. From that moment on we felt complete. We recognized the blessings from our Heavenly Father as miracles. We felt content for the first time. Our family was not what we had envisioned in the beginning, but it was beautiful and wonderful. We closed that chapter in our life and haven't looked back. We decided that we would not go through anymore treatments. We were happy and we were done.
So now imagine our surprise. The doctors had given us a less than 6% chance of ever having a baby without intervention.
Yesterday as I sat in the doctors office and saw my third little baby moving and heart beating I was overwhelmed for the child I never thought I would have. I have been so sick and I have been struggling with not being able to care for my family the way I am used to. It kept my mind at times focused only on now and not what was to come. But yesterday I felt such a connection to my third little angel, our third little miracle. I feel humbled that Heavenly Father has seen fit to answer our prayers. As my OB in Illinois said " You are very lucky so many women with [my struggles] never get any children." My children are my joy and I could not imagine life without them.
I am due September 24. Just 2 years and 3 weeks after I gave birth to Ty.
I would be remissed in all of this to not mention the outpouring of love and service we have received over the last month. There were days I couldn't keep anything down and could not care for my two little boys. I have been cared for and my family has been cared for. Thank you. Also, thank you for your emotional support through our life's journey as we have tried to build our family. We are so lucky to have our friends and family in our life.

Friends are Lifesavers!

My dear, sweet, much missed friend, Becca came to see me in February. I just love her and her family so much. It is funny that we only spent a few short months together but bonded so completely. It was so rejuvenating to see her and sweet Lilly and Gracie. Luke was so excited. He has missed them all. Even little Ty kept running up to Becca and giving her hugs. It was hard to see them leave, but luckily they have family here and visit fairly often. Miss you all. Thanks for spending a great day!

18 months

Ty is 18 months old. I can't believe it. He is really starting to talk. Probably no one else cares, but since I use this as my journal, here are the words he can say:

mama

dada

more

snack

again

moo

meow

quack

cat

sock

shoe

hi

bye-bye

night-night

GO! (one of his favorites)

yes

no

down

banana

get him (all one word to him. He says this while watching Batman with brother)

Saw wah! (translation Star Wars! Go figure)

Batman (can you see brothers influence? Notice who he is holding in the picture.)

WOW!

He makes a clicking sound with his tongue when he is hungry. It is pretty funny. He looks more and more like a little boy instead of our baby. He loves to wrestle with Luke, read books, throw balls and watch shows. He is the loudest kid I have ever met!! Wow, does he have a set of lungs on him. I love his little run. He is very mischievous and quite a handful. We love you little Tyger...what would we do without you?

Spring Fever

Today was such a beautiful day that the boys and I got some lunch and had a picnic at the park. I wish I had taken my camera. Ty was not so fun to corral on the jungle gym. He was completely fearless. Any size slide, any stairs etc. Every time he went down the slide he would say "again". I didn't know that he even knew that word.

Happy Valentines Day

I feel like I have so much to be thankful for on days like today. I am surrounded with people I love and that love me. I neglected to post on our anniversary...7 years and still no need to scratch! Jake is the best husband. He works so hard to provide for us. When he comes through the door at the end of the day he is always happy and excited to see us. He never brings stress home with him. Our home lights up when he is here and everything feels complete. I could not ask for a more loving, nurturing, hard working, best friend, companion and love of my life. I am truly blessed. Thank you Jake for loving me.

Thank you also to all my wonderful friends. Some of you I am privileged to call family, and the rest of you mean as much to me. I have been showered lately with love and service. I could not meet the challenges of life without all of you. I love you all!

To my sweet little devils! Luke and Ty you fill my life with excitement, joy and hugs and kisses. xoxo to you both!

I hope you all have a day where you are reminded of all that is wonderful in your lives. Happy Valentines Day!