Christmas 2014

This Christmas we spent it in Utah.  It had two years since I was in Utah.  It was a blast! Life is so much better when you are constantly nauseated and tired from being pregnant.  Last time I was in Utah I was pregnant with Ben.  

We spent our nights at our resort in Midway and traveled each day to see mine or Matt's family.  It was kind of a pain but I like having my own space.  I think next time our visit won't be so long and I will forgo my space.  Parley's canyon is so long! It was hard to do that canyon about every day.  

My boys loved seeing all of their cousins.  They miss them and talk about playing with them all the time now.  Samuel threw up midway through our trip.  He contracted the flu.  He spent Christmas eve at the resort with Matt sleeping.  He had been rushed to the ER because we were worried about dehydration.  He was able to obtain some magical Zofran and ended up feeling a lot better after that.  Poor guy, was so hungry and was begging for food.  He did really well while puking all over, he didn't panic and tried so hard to hold it in.  

We were also able to see some friends while in UT.  It was a great trip.  

The first night we were there we made an effort to attend a temple session at the Salt Lake temple.  We hadn't been there since I was pregnant with Joshua.  And I hadn't done a session since I took out my endowments.  It was AMAZING! Temple nights are the best date nights.  

We also saw the temple president who is no other then, President C. S. Samuelson!!!! Former BYU president, our BYU president.  We acted like we knew him and he in turn wondered if he knew us.  Doesn't he know all the BYU students while he was president? Haha! 

This time I was able to soak up everything about that beautiful temple and it was incredible! Life seems so much better when you are in the temple.  

After our trip we stopped at Crown Burger and ate some deliciously unhealthy food.  I don't think I will be able to ever give up french fries.  

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I am excited for a new year and more adventures! 

The way WY looked on the way back.  We didn't hit a storm while driving home but there was tons of wind! Which caused all kinds of problems for us.  WE couldn't see the road, we couldn't see other cars because of blowing snow.  I wondered how cars who go stuck in the snow managed to get help because there was no service on my phone during most of the area.  We prayed like crazy and the boys were nervous.  But we made it! 

Joshua's first time sledding! He loved it so much! He was a crazy sledder and after each time he went down we waited for tears, but he was having a blast! He went sledding down the hill I use to as a kid.  One of the best activities we did while in UT.  

Making snow angels in my moms yard.  We built "snow monsters" because the snow was too powdery and wouldn't shape for a snowman.  They loved every second of it. 

Joshua making an ice slide in my parents yard.  He never wanted to leave the snow.  

We had to touch the bountiful temple.  It was freezing and I didn't get a great picture but it's more about the activity right? 

Watching Tv with grandpa.  My little Ben was completely out of his element and people wanted to always hold him.  He was fine, as long as I wasn't an option for him.  He's my sweet mom's boy! He likes people, just not when he's off schedule etc. 

Christmas morning came! Joshua exclaimed, "I must of been a really good boy." 

My family's attempt at a nativity.  Ben made a great shepard while he ate chocolate.  That was the only way he would stay on the stage and be happy.  

WE met up with our friends from Logan and were able to take our kids and play at this place.  They really enjoyed it.  They love these kind of places.  

This is Ben while Matt's mother was singing at one of the visitors at temple square.  He didn't want to be inside.  He was laughing and dancing during the nativity that temple square holds.  He is the happiest kid I know.  Just adorable and gets away with pretty much anything because he's so perfect.  I could hang out with him all day! 

Anxious boys right before we left for UT.  We love Christmas around here! 

Temple square for the first time.  They loved it! We thought we might be able to touch the temple, but I think you now have to enter through the visitor center and it was closed.  I was a little disappointed.  But I think they know how much I love temples.

Thanksgiving 2014

"May God help us to be a little kinder, showing forth greater forbearance, to be more forgiving, more willing to walk the second mile, to reach down and lift up those who may have sinned but have brought forth the fruits of repentance, to lay aside old grudges and nurture them no more."

Forgiveness, President Hinckley 

We have been busy preparing for family to visit us this thanksgiving. We had a full house for several days. But there always seemed like something or someone to play with. My boys really loved having constant playmates from the time they woke. 

I was even able to do two shopping outings without children. It was a very successful week. I love this holiday season! My boys are all ready for Christmas now! We put up our tree the week of Thanksgiving...yup I'm one of those people. My holidays just share time...at least that's what I tell myself. 

Playing at our favorite park with the cousins. 

Joshua made his own little pumpkin pies this year. Aren't they adorable! 

Here is a picture of my turkey! 22 lbs and all! I'm a grown-up and cooked my own turkey this year. It was too stressful but it all worked out. 

Our FHE lesson on thankfulness turned out great. The boys had a blast trying to name all the things they were thankful for. 

I'm Still Here!

Our favorite park 

SAMUEL ran into a rock. Poor guy. It looks worse then it was. 

Family photos 2014! 

Joshua's school Halloween party. 

At the Denver temple. 

It has been way too long since I made a post. Probably because we have been moving and getting settled into our new home. I usually post more pics on my Instagram account these days. 

Well we are loving our new home! Colorado's falls aren't that pretty, compared to Tennessee, so I have been really missing "home." 

Our Ward here has been super friendly. And hopefully we won't be moving for a while. We love living by my brother and his wife and son. 

Here are some pictures of our adventures here so far. 

Touching the Denver temple. 

I think this year we have been to 6 trunk or treats. And at one we got free pumpkins. I remember when joshua was little and we only went to the ward Halloween party and called it good. Man, we've come a long way as parents. 

Matt is loving his new job and we are finally getting settled. We had to add some things to our home, like fans, blinds, storm doors, and my favorite...some French doors! We were able to replace those horrible slidding doors. 

Before 

After. I love them! And it makes the house seem much more roomier! 

Hope you all have a safe HALLOWEEN! 

"But If Not..."

I have felt more than overwhelmed with this move. I have had to move with three little kids. And try and update all our information with three kids. Most days I was moving so fast I didn't realize how tired I was. 

The other day I had a breakdown. In TN there are amazing schools and kindergarten is all day. Joshua would have rode the bus and the school was well staffed with high standards. Joshua's teacher here sent an email out with some of the goals he would meet at the end of the year and I lost it. He was already doing those things. I began to worry. 

After a long talk with Matt and realizing the only reason Joshua is smart is because I TAUGHT him. It wasn't ever a school. I realized that if I wanted Joshua to be stellar I was the one who had to make it happen. A true job requirement of a mother. To teach. I felt overwhelmed at first because I was looking forward to not working with him so much and focusing on my other two boys. But I figured out that isn't how it works. 

I read two amazing talk and here are my favorite highlights from them. 

They knew that they could trust God--even if things didn’t turn out the way they hoped.4 They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.

Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him.

But If Not … 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/but-if-not?lang=eng

President Joseph F. Smith’s counsel applies today: “Do not let your children out to specialists … , but teach them by your own precept and example, by your own fireside. Be a specialist yourself in the truth.”12

“When you recognize the importance of teaching your children, you become humble, because at once you realize that this is accomplished by precept and example. You cannot be one thing and effectively teach another. You must live and study and pray for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. You must purify and organize your life so that your example and leadership reflect the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Fatherhood, an Eternal Calling

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2004/04/fatherhood-an-eternal-calling?lang=eng

Both were an answer to a silent prayer in my heart. Does life ever slow down? Do I ever get to rest? Doesn't he see how exhausted I am? 

I know my Heavenly Father loves me and cares about me. He daily proves that to me. 

Our second weekend here we went to see a national park in Colorado Springs. It was beautiful and everyone had fun. There are so many outdoor things to do here and I am determined that we do some of them. Joshua and I are working on dad to get him to let is rock climb as a family. 

First day of school. He was more than ready and I cried. I'm a softy. 

Everyday we walk to school the skies look like this. But then by 3 o clock it rains. For a desert it certainly rains a lot here. Have loved the cool mornings here. 

Colorado

We made it! 18.5 hours later we are no longer living in the south. All of us seem to be allergic to this new mountain air. Too bad, because it is beautiful here. 

It didn't sink in what I was leaving until we left. I had to move so fast and take care of so much that I didn't have time to think about it. But once we arrived I realized how special TN was. 

But I know a new adventure is waiting for us. I am looking forward to starting those and moving into our new home! Yes, we haven't been here a week and we put an offer on a home. Keep in mind we have been aware of the possibility that we would move since March. We have been searching for the perfect area and house. We have been house hunting everyday since we arrived. 

I have been worn out by the fact that our stuff is illcategorized and I don't know where anything is. I have had to take three little kids around to register for new schools, new license, house hunting, and unpacking. 

Today I decided to would play my piano to get some stress relief. Guess what my hymn book opened too. 

I laughed. There are no coincidences. 

Tonight I took sometime out for myself and it was way overdue. But is it sad I only bought my kids stuff?

Such is a life of a mom. 

Goodbye To The South

We have been waiting for a while to see whether or not we will be relocating. It is with a heavy heart that we would leave all of our friends here. It is the longest places we have consecutively lived. 

When we moved from Utah I was feeling very overwhelmed and realized I was leaving everything I had ever known behind. I knew no one in TN and all of the things I owned were traveling in a Uhaul 1,700 miles to a new home. 

Now we have lived in three wards since we have been here.  We have met so many amazing people. People who feel like family. Ward families are amazing and I know that the organization of the church is proof that it is an organization run by God. 

Upon finally getting the official word to move we were under a time crunch to find a place to live. We were able to call two different bishops and both helped us out in anyway they could. In anyway we asked. 

We have been spending the last few days here doing things we love. We have gone to the temple, the zoo, our favorite park, and played with all of our friends. 

At the temple we did sealings. And on my way out I walked through the sealing room and no one was there. I stopped and soaked up the peaceful feeling. I gave thanks to my Heavenly Father for all that He has given me while I have been away from family. He gave me good friends to help not feel so alone. 

I love TN and love the people here. But I am so excited to be back in the west. Living by my brother and his family will be like nothing we have ever had. 

We will have a couple of hard stressful weeks but it will all work out. It always does. 

So here is to Colorado!!!! 

Ward families

More zoo fun with some of our ward family. 

The zoo here is probably one of our favorite places. 

My children children would gladly be adopted by this family. They love them so much! 

One of our favorite parks. These two boys have been best friends since we moved here. Love our little Luke. 

Neighbors road rally during our polar votex weather. 

We have lived in Tennessee for over three years now. The south is all our boys know. We have loved living here and have made incredible friends. 

I love that where ever you go you have a ward family immediately. You have a bishop and a relief society to help you. 

Our ward family has been fabulous and our neighborhood has been perfect. Completely ideal and I would never want to move. 

I am just grateful for this church and my ward family! 

Samuel doesn't usually get along with people his own age. But this guys is his best friend. They are so cute together! 

Try

"Brothers and sisters, our individual worth is already divinely established as “great”; it does not fluctuate like the stock market." Elder Maxwell (Consecrate Thy Performance)

Wow this is an amazing song and video. I can relate all too well. Love this message love the song! 

There are so many times when I push myself because I feel like my worth is based on the outward. It is so hard to remember that it is NOT. 

There are so many times when I push myself because I feel the pressure to do so. That if I don't do these things then my worth is diminished. Last night I suffered a sleepless night and it was my day to workout. I had spent the day doing extreme entertainment with the boys and was exhausted! Beyond! But I pushed myself to do my insanity workout because I felt like if I didn't then I would gain a million pounds and regret it. What kind of message did I send myself today? That my physical appearance is the most important. I don't like that, but it's hard to remember what really matters. 

I have three crazy active boys and I get plenty of exercise just playing with them. They won't want to play chase forever with Nerf guns so I better do it now and save those long exercise routines for when they stop wanting to play with me. 

I will keep this song around to help me remember what I should value and that my worth is not dependent on my appearance.  

I would never give up my pencil skirts and heels but I don't need to feel bad if I take a break and enjoy the ride.  After all, Blair Waldorf is not a real person and she sure didn't have 3 little boys to take care of! 

The List and a Temple Trip

Last night we had a free Friday. Matt came home early and everyone seemed like they wanted to get out. Where to go on a Friday night as a family? We decided to go to the temple and eat some of our favorite treats on the lawn of the stake center. The boys enjoyed it and then we took them over to the temple to touch that awesome building. 

President Monson said in order to help build a testimony of temple let them go and touch it. Let them be around it. I remeber loving having the bountiful temple so close to me growing up. It definitely was a place of refuge and comfort. I can only hope the boys will be better than me and appreciate it even more than I did. 

Touching the temple as brothers. 

Can you guess whose snack is whose? 

Also, looks like my list if talks is getting too big for me, so I decided to close it off and make another list so I don't lose any of these. 

 

THE LIST 

When you need to know more about how this church views women…

 

Relief society- President Packer

Our sacred duty to women- Elder Nelson

Touch the hearts of the children – Ann G. Wirthlin

The joys of womanhood-Margaret Nadauld

It is not good for man or woman to be alone- Sheri dew

Daughters of God- Elder Ballard

Personal worthiness to exercise the priesthood- President Hinckley

 

When your heart might be little prideful…

 

Greed, selfishness, and overindulgence- Elder Joe J. Christenson

Becomith as a little child- Elder Maxwell

Your name is safe in our home- Elder Kofford

Sanctify yourself- Elder Holland

Gratitude- Elder Steven E. Snow

Our actions determine character- Elder Wayne a Peterson

The tugs and pulls of the world- Elder Maxwell

The challenge to become- Elder Oaks

Discipleship-Elder Perry

Come follow me- Elder Wirthlin

Deny yourself of all ungodliness- Elder Maxwell

Hidden wedges- President Monson

 

When you feel angry…

 

Agency and anger – Elder Lynn g Robbins

 

When you need to be reminded about the value of a good home…

 

The home: a refuge and sanctuary –Elder Ern a Call

The shield of faith- President Packer

Children- President Packer

 

When you see your calling as a teacher as something small…

 

A teacher from God- Elder Holland

To touch a life with Faith- President Eyring

Service- Elder Steven E Snow

True friends- President Eyring

 

When you are feeling overwhelmed and forgotten…

 

Trust in The Lord- Elder Scott

Friendship- a gospel principal- Elder Marlin K Jensen

A handful of meal and a little oil- Elder Holland

Perfection Pending- Elder Nelson

Finding joy in life- Elder Scott

One healed- Elder Scott

The joy of living the great plan of happiness- Elder Scott

Always remember him- President Eyring

This do in remembrance of me- Elder Holland

Perfection pending- Elder Nelson

Finding Joy in Life- Elder Scott

The path to peace and joy- Elder Scott

One step after another- Elder Wirthlin

The atonement can secure your peace and happiness- Elder Scott

Let him do it with simplicity- Elder Perry

 

When you need to a talk to reference the importance of the temple…

Receive the temple blessings- Elder Scott

Redemption of the dead and testimony of Jesus- Elder Christofferson

Children of the covenant- Elder Nelson

The power to heal from within- Elder Bateman

True conversion brings happiness- Elder Scott

Consecrate thy performance- Elder Maxwell

 

Talks on missionary work…

 

Have you been saved- Elder Oaks

What I want my son to know before he leaves on a mission- President Faust

Joseph the man and the prophet- Elder Oaks

Faith of our fathers- Elder Wirthlin

Sharing the gospel- Elder Oaks

 

 

Talks on family and marriage…

 

Marriage and the great plan of happiness – Elder Joe j Christensen

 

 

When you are going through a trial…

An High Priest of Good Things to Come- Elder Holland

Like a watered garden- Elder Holland

The atonement, our greatest hope- President Faust

Fear not; for they that are with me be more- Sharin G. Larsen

He heals the heavy laden- Elder Oaks

Holy scriptures: the power of god unto salvation- Elder Hales

Look towards eternity- Elaine s Dalton

 

Benjamin is 1

Benjamin will be one! I cannot believe it!!! He was born a few days early but I was so grateful to be done sooner than later! 

He is suffering from stranger anxiety but other then that he just loves being happy. He loves to listen to music and his brothers constantly entertain him. 

He likes his giant teddy he got for his birthday. He also enjoys eating--just like his mommy! 

He is such a blessing in my life!!! He is the perfect capstone we needed in our family! 

People when they found out I was pregnant with another boy were so sad for me and kept asking if I wanted to try for a girl. That made me so frustrated! No, I don't see having this healthy baby boy as a disappointment. He is perfect and I am so glad I was blessed to have three amazing boys!!!