Love Weighs More Than Gold

Not much has been going on around here the past few weeks. We've been doing a lot of relaxing...

Except for Jake who was pretty busy at work and had long days.

Christmas Eve we went to the temple to see the lights. I am still not used to seeing palm trees decorated with lights. It just doesn't seem like Christmas to me.
the boys seemed to enjoy themselves. This was Xander's face pretty much the whole time. He does have rather large eyes.
This was a fun family outing and I think it could become a very nice tradition. It made it even better that we accidentally met some of our friends there so we were able to enjoy walking around the grounds with them.
We wanted to get ice cream afterward at one of our favorite places but it was closed so we opted instead for stopping by the grocery store. a bowl of ice cream and a movie was our entertainment of the evening.
I was having a bit of a hard time this first Christmas Eve away from home. My families tradition is to have a big Christmas Eve dinner. Picture, at least 25 people (half of that kids) shrimp, crackers, chips, dips, at least 3 different meats, salads, and more. You can, I'm sure, imagine the fun, chaos, and full bellies. After dinner everyone finds a spare bed, couch, or bit of floor to sleep. The adults finish wrapping presents and the next morning a big breakfast is served before anyone can open presents (much to the annoyance of the kids). It is always a lot of chaotic fun.
We weren't able to get a tree this year so this was what our Christmas corner looked like. In fact, the only decoration we had was a piece of ribbon thumb tacked to the wall with Christmas cards we received hanging on it by clothes pins.

We were able to talk to the Stevens family via Skype Christmas morning.
Kaleb really didn't care about opening any presents so I ended up unwrapping everything I had wrapped.
Thank you Grandma Stevens for the boys presents. They loved them. I still need to go shopping for Grandma Scofield to get presents from her for the boys (I swear that made sense). I find it funny that Kaleb's favorite present is the simplest one. He got these barrels that stack inside each other and he will sit and play with those for a long time. It is so amazing to see how quickly Kaleb has grown and developed. How much easier it is for him to figure things out now, stack things, creative imaginative play, pretend to use a phone, etc. (BTW random, but he is getting another tooth on the bottom, YIPEE! although it has made for a very cranky boy who doesn't sleep very well)
Despite our quiet Christmas it was a really good day. I am excited for the next few years when Kaleb will be old enough to finally get it and then I know Christmas will be more of a magical time.


















Despite our not giving presents to each other I was able to give Jake a quilt I have been working on for awhile. About three years ago Jake went to the fabric store (I'll let the shock sink in) He chose fabric and asked me to make him a quilt. He drew a tweaked design on some graph paper and I got to work. Well, as you know babies came, we've moved 4 times, 3 different cities. Life just kind of moved quicker than I could quilt and this quilt got majorly pushed to the back burner. I was so excited to finally have it done.
This is a close-up of the border.
And our bed is finally complete. The quilt is cream, plum purple, black, and ruby red. Boy colors if you ask me. I really like it though and I think Jake can pick out my fabric anytime.
Christmas night we were able to take our dinner to some friends who were unable to go visit family at the last minute. We were grateful to have them share our dinner. Christmas is always better with more people.
The day after Christmas we were supposed to have some friends over for another nice dinner but one of them got sick last minute. We went ahead anyway and made it a date night for us. After the boys went to bed we sat down to our table. Candlesticks, china plates, crystal goblets, even a tablecloth! Jake prepared a delicious herb crusted roast, I made rolls, and we had other such things. It was a really enjoyable evening being together.
It has been a nice Christmas time despite being away from family. I am so grateful I had my three boys to share in this special time of year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

True Happiness

I finally got Alexander in to see the specialist. I was told much about the same thing as the other three doctors. He has a major case of acid reflux (being a portion of my family and Jake's it is expected). There isn't much that can be done except wait and he'll eventually get over the major spewing part (I doubt he'll ever get ever over the acid part). The doctors in UT wanted to rush him in for x-rays and ultrasounds and the doctors here in CA all say there is no point. The specialist did recommend him to do a test but I think we are opting out. I really don't want to put him through anything else. I am done, and I'm sure he is also. For now he is on very expensive medicine to help with the acid part (does no good for the spewing). As long as things aren't hurting him then I guess we'll all just deal with the mess and do a lot of laundry.

Alexander and Kaleb are starting to interact more, it has been so much fun to witness. Subtle things that Kaleb does sometimes just melts my heart, and I'm sure he doesn't even realize what he's doing, then again, maybe he does.
One day Xander was sitting on the couch crying, before I could get over there Kaleb had found a binky and was trying to give it to Xander.
The boys have been taking a bath together. I put a washcloth over Xander so he doesn't get cold laying there. I had just washed Xander up and turned around to grab a towel to pull him out of the bath. I had set the washcloth aside since he was getting out. Kaleb grabbed the cloth and draped it back over Xander.
I am excited to see their relationship grow. It will be fun when they can really start to play together. I know it won't always be roses, but, thorns are expected between siblings at some point or another, aren't they?
They are both growing so quickly! Xander is rolling over now, not completely but he'll roll from back to front, or front to back. Right now our struggle with Xander is getting him to take a bottle. He had decided I will be his only food source and is refusing it any other way. It is really annoying and I hope we can figure this out real soon.
Kaleb is using more words and communicating more in his own way to let us know what he needs. He is such a happy-go-lucky boy and so fun to have around.

We officially have a walking toddler. Kaleb walks about 90% of the time now. It is so funny to watch as he stumbles around and waddles here and there. I love when he is trying to go straight and suddenly his legs are turning him in a different direction from his body.
I can't believe how quickly my baby has grown up. Good thing I don't have time to be nostalgic and miss my baby, it might make me want another one...oh wait...ha ha ha



Yesterday I was officially sustained as the Relief Society 2nd counselor. They set me apart during Relief Society, that was a bit different. The blessing was just what I needed to hear and confirmed to me (and Jake as he later told me) that this is the calling for me and I know why I was called and what I need to focus on. Funny story I was told about this calling. Shortly after we moved in the RS president told the Bishop I was the one she wanted to call. He told her he couldn't do that to me. I was pregnant and had a young-ling. The president waited and asked Bishop again. Now I had a new baby and a toddler, he would feel bad asking me to take on a calling. Then I went away to UT for 1 1/2 months. The first Sunday we were back I was pulled out of our second meeting and told I couldn't hide any longer, my maternity leave was over. After all this waiting to ask me there was no way I could say "no".
The Bishop still seemed hesitant to ask me but I assured him I am excited for this calling. I am more than ready to be put to work in this part of the Lords vineyard. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be an instrument in the Lords hands and I pray I can fulfill my responsibilities to His standards as I start this new calling.

We had some friends over last night for dinner Bryan and Tanya just moved :-( We became friends in our past ward. We will miss them but still plan on getting together as often as possible. We won't let them get away (evil laugh). We are so grateful for their friendship. It has really meant a lot to us. Especially when we first came here with no family or friends the Lows immediately took us in and helped us feel loved and welcomed. Thank you for everything and good luck in your new house (YIPEE!) and new ward, they are lucky to have you.

Screech

Life quickly died down. Back to our same ol' daily routine. Routine is nice though.
I wanted to pass on some holiday cheer...



Try not to let the corners of your mouth twitch as you listen to a little one full out laugh. This is the true joy of life...these precious little ones. As tired as I am and as hard as it is sometimes to be a mommy I am so grateful to be a mommy. Life is good.

Today has been such a fantastic day. Church actually happened today. Kaleb took a perfectly timed morning nap. We were able to go to all three meetings with mostly happy boys - yippee! It didn't take them long to give me a calling, they were waiting until one of the boys was headed to nursery...but shhh...I'll post next week about that when I get officially called and set apart.
Xander is still sick, yeah, I guess you could call it sick. He spits up a lot, and doesn't sleep well, and other such woes. I have a refferal to see a specialist, a gastroenterologist, how's that for a mouthful? Now I just have to wait for insurance to approve it, send me the paperwork, then I can call the Dr. I hate waiting and watching my little guy be in so much pain. I hope something can be done to help Xander. Aside from the enormous mess that it is to have him constantly spewing all over everything, I don't want him to dislike eating since it hurts him.
Things are going, one day at a time. Some days, one hour at a time. I feel so blessed.

Lastly...a huge happy birthday to my young mom (tomorrow!) I wish I could be there to help you celebrate. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with the 5 weeks I got to spend with you (never enough time I tell you). HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom I love you so much. Thank you for all you do for me, I should say us (me and my crew). You are so amazing and wonderful and the best example.

Whoosh

This post will be all about pictures, a picture explosion. I am indecisive and couldn't decide which ones to post, why not just post them all?
46 days and 500 pictures later (no I am not posting all of them!), I am back in California. The trip to Utah went by way too fast. I came home with one boy who can mostly walk, (he prefers crawling). He can also go up and down stairs. Another boy that is laughing and almost rolling over.It was so nice having lots of people around to hold babies, they didn't seem to mind one bit!
Last Friday two of my sisters came for a sleepover and to help me work on a quilt I'm trying to finish for Jake. Jake came home with the fabric for this quilt he wanted me to make for him. He drew up an altered pattern on some graph paper. I quickly got to work...and then got sidetracked, and then got babies, and then realized it's almost 3 years later! It will be done in time for a Christmas present!

My niece Sabine also joined the sleepover

This past Tuesday my mom, dad and I were able to go to the Draper temple. Thank you sister Emily for babysitting! Unknown to me, smaller temples don't rent the clothes...ack! Now I know for any future visits.
Jake left right after work on Tuesday and arrived in Utah around 2am.
We spent Wednesday and Thursday at my parents house. Thanksgiving was at my parents with just my immediate family, 25 people! We were even missing about 6 people. That's what you get when there are 8 kids, their spouses, 14 grandkids. I made a pecan pie and rolls and helped with various other things. I love cooking for a crowd, I think it's fun and exciting.
What an exhausting day. Xander fell asleep in the bathtub. You can't see the water but he kept rolling half his face into it. Wish I could have let him sleep.

Friday and Saturday was spent with the Stevens. Friday we gathered for family pictures. We took them outside so it was quite chilly.

Jake and his siblings.

"Jesse, let me tell you how it's done, I've had a lot of experience"










One of the highlights of the week was blessing Alexander and his cousin Jesse. I am so grateful for the Priesthood in our home and that Jake is able to bless us in so many ways.
I have to say, thank you Anne for this outfit. It was perfect for this special occasion!

Xander was blessed by his daddy Jake (if you didn't figure that out already)Jesse was born the end of July. It was so fun to be able to bless them on the same day.

He was blessed by his dad Cameron. It was so nice to see Cam again. We haven't hung out since before Kaleb was born!Thank you so much to all of our family that was able to come and support us on this special day.
After the blessing we had lunch and just squeezed in as much family time as we could.



















Sadly, after this we had to pack up the car and head home. We had to tie the stroller to the roof of the car since we had more stuff than we came with. It was an uneventful drive and we only had to stop a few times. We arrived home around 6:30am exhausted. The boys were ready to start the day. Kaleb was excited to see his wooden truck. He seemed unsure of what to do and where to go, or where he even was. Church didn't happen but I'm excited to go next week to see everyone. Now if only I can find the will to unpack and clean up our mess.
Thank you again to all our family for letting me stay with you and putting up with loud, puky boys. We love you so much and are so grateful for you and for all you've done for us.
I miss you already!