Even though we had lots of fun. I truly feel so blessed for my Savior Jesus Christ and the power and love of the atonement and resurrection. I am grateful that through His merits I can be with my family forever. Happy Easter!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter (3 of 3)
Even though we had lots of fun. I truly feel so blessed for my Savior Jesus Christ and the power and love of the atonement and resurrection. I am grateful that through His merits I can be with my family forever. Happy Easter!
Easter (2 of 3)
The adults?!
Egg hunt. Ty found one egg and that was enough. He knew from doing an egg hunt with Grandma before this that there was candy inside. He just plopped right down on the ground and began to eat and much and as fast as he could. But Luke and Kiana did great at hunting for their treasures. Easter (1 of 3)
Egg dying! We had a blast! Callie, Elvin, Kiana and Kaleo joined us on Saturday for egg dying and egg hunt. Ty thought it was amazing every time the eggs changed colors. He would exclaim, "WOW!" every time. He made a huge mess and both he and Mom had green dyed hands the rest of the day. He learned his first color, yellow, from the experience. Luke also loved it and was so careful with his eggs. Mixing colors, putting on stickers etc. It was so much fun!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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!Wednesday, March 18, 2009
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.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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).
Friday, March 6, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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!
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