My Heart on Christmas

Tonight as I think back on this beautiful Christmas season and especially today, my heart is so full. Scott and Ihave tried to male this year's Christmas more about Christ and giving than about Santa and receiving.  I think we came a little closer this year. 

We tried to read each night from a book I found on pinterest called The Christ Book. It gives a short lesson each night of December on Christ's life, especially focusing on His birth. It has been perfect for the kids and I.  Yesterday we went around town and handed out soda and popcorn at some Redbox's as our random act of Christmas kindness.  I only hope the kids remember how it felt handing out the gifts and not so much the waiting in the car with everyone hungry and wanting to get to grandma's for dinner. 

Well,  we got to grandma and grandpa's house. We had a wonderful dinner, the kids acted out the Nativity,  we watched Mr. Krueger's Christmas and we finished the evening with pie. It was a wonderful evening. 

Last night as Scott and I were playing Santa, I couldn't help but feel so happy.  I love creating Christmas magic for my beautiful babies.  I love the joy that comes from being the mom to such amazing kids.  Before going to bed,  we had the chance to read the Christmas story together.  How blessed I am to have a Savior,  that loves and knows me. 

This morning Scott and I were upwell below the kids, just waiting in bed for them to wake up.  I was so excited I woke up about five times last night.  I really love this day! We heard the kids coming up, Scotty and Jane trying to explain to Parley why she needed to hurry - they were so sweet.  Seeing the looks of amazement and joy on their faces was the highlight of my day.  They were all so excited both for their own tips and for each other to get the toys they wanted. To make the day even more magical was our very own Christmas miracle of about five inches of snow through the night. It's been way too warm for snow the last few weeks, so we were all especially happy about that.

Scotty got a remote control helicopter,  clothes, and a math board game. Jane got a 'pony that walks by itself, as per her request to Santa.  She also got clothes, some cowgirl boots and a stick pony. Parley simply requested a present from Santa, he brought her singing stuffed Anna and Elsa dolls. They were a big shit. She also got a few dresses, and some puzzles. Annie got a new baby doll and a Fisher Price singing toy. I made each of the kids some pj pants for our Christmas Eve tradition, as well as some pillows for the girls and stuffed rhinos for the boy.

Scott bought me new dishes to match the four piece set I have already,  lots of chocolate,  but my favorite gift was my new temple dress. I love wearing it, knowing he picked it out (he gave it to me early since we went to the temple last week). I gave him a charcoal chimney and a Dutch oven lid lifter.

I feel terrible that I didn't get a lot of pictures today. Although I guess I didn't think to grab the camera because we were having such a great day. We had cinnamon roles and candy from our stockings for breakfast (and lunch), crepes for dinner as per Scotty's request. Scott took Scotty and Jane out to shovel a few neighbors' driveways. We flew the helicopter, put together puzzles and bracelets, played board games, drank hot chocolate, played peek a boo with Annie, sang Frozen songs, read books, Scott and I snuggled while the kids played. Today was perfect. I was sad for it to end. 
I want every day to be like today. Not because of all the presents, but because of the love and joy that was felt. The love and joy that comes from learning of the Savior and the gift that He is. I pray I can keep this amazing spirit in our home always.

P.S. The picture is from the night of the 23rd, the kids sleeping under the Christmas tree - except it was a little too exciting for Parley. She finally came in bed with me, sweet girl!

A Gift

Tonight as I was putting the two 'big kids' down for the night, I had the most amazing experience with them. As usual these days I was a little rushed because sweet Annie was fussy. So I had told them we would sing a Primary song instead of reading from the scriptures. I suggested "A Child's Prayer", which is Scotty's and my favorite. As we sang, Scotty more like screamed it to Annie trying to get her to laugh - which he loves to do.

Afterward the following happened:

Me,"OK guys, we just sang a song about how Heavenly Father hears and listens to your prayers. Now I want you to say your prayers, and as your pray I want you to know that Heavenly Father is listening to your prayer."
Scotty then knelt in his bed and said such a sweet and said such a sweet heartfelt prayer thanking Heavenly Father for his family, each by name, and then for Paxton and Aden. After his prayer he looked at me in such sweet innocent awe and excitement and while toughing his heart he said, "Mom, I can feel the Holy Ghost in my heart!"
Me: "I can feel him too buddy. I am so glad you can feel him! It feels wonderful huh?"
Scotty: "Yeah."
I then prompted Jane to kneel and say her prayers as well; "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for my family. Thank you for Jesus and Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." Beautiful Jane.
Scotty then asked if we could sing the song again, which I of course agreed. We sang again, this time though it was softer, closer to that sweet Spirit we were speaking of. As I finished, Scotty again looked at me in his innocent wonder and said "Mom, I can hear to Holy Ghost telling me Heavenly Father loves me and Heavenly Father loves you mom."

I can't put into words what I felt right then. My sweet boy, right before my eyes is gaining a testimony of the Holy Ghost and the love that our Heavenly Father has for him and all of His children. I thank my gracious Heavenly Father for letting me be apart of that.

As my sweet Jane is listening in to our conversation, learning from her big brother, she innocently asks, "Mom, does Jesus sit on my bones?"
Slightly confused and not sure that I heard her right and asked, "What?"
"Does Jesus sit on my bones?"
I had to think for a moment what was going through her sweet four year old mind, and then I put it together, "Do you mean when you feel him in your heart?"
"Yeah." she said shyly.
I was then able to explain to her that Jesus has a body just like we do and that if He came to our house, she could touch his hands and skin and he would feel just like Daddy. I explained that what she feels in her heart is the Holy Ghost, and he doesn't have a body, but he talks to our spirits and tells our spirit and heart that Heavenly Father loves us.

We ended the night with kisses and with my heart full of love for those sweet babies, learning to feel and speak of their Heavenly Father, of their Savior, and of the Holy Ghost. I am a blessed mom, with a very grateful heart.

Annie's Birth

Today my little Annie is one week old. As I am holding her now I think back over this past week And can't believe so much has happened in a week.

At my 37 week checkup with the midwives we were told that she was breech and we'd need to have a version done to turn her. This was the first experience I had had with any of my kids with complications during pregnancy. I know how blessed I am that I can say that, but at the time I wAs just terrified. Two hours after we found out she was breech, I was in labor and delivery at the hospital getting ready for the procedure.
To say it was painful would be putting it lightly. It was excruciating! The first two times the doctor (bc the midwives can't perform that procedure) attempted it, she would go right back. It was only after my amazing husband looked me straight in the eyes and with complete love and support asked me if I wanted to have this baby vaginally, that I could push past the pain and fear of the pain and let the doctor try again. Thankfully the third time she moved and went head down. That was amazing the feel, by the way. Aside from the terrible pain I was in, actually feeling the baby do a summer-salt inside me was pretty cool.


After the version was done all of my Braxton hicks, that had been so prevalent throughout my pregnancy seemed to literally vanish. It was weird. She seemed to like it in there at that point. Then on Saturday, August 3rd I had another pregnancy first. I had false labor. It was weird. With my first three, I went into labor, I knew I was going into labor and a few hours later, the baby was here. Not with Annie! :)


Scott spent the  morning at the concession stand since we had a tournament that weekend. My contractions got closer and closer and when they were painful enough and 3-4 minutes apart, we took the kids to Steve and Brittany's and went up to the hospital. About 10 minutes before meeting with the midwife to check my cervix, contractions stopped. I couldn't believe it. I thought that with my fourth child, I would know the difference between real and false labor. I guess not. And every pregnancy, labor and child is different. One thing that makes me believe that I was meant to have false labor and go through all that was that when we dropped the kids off, Brittany suggested Scott Nd Steve give me a blessing. I of course agreed. In the blessing it was said that I would have a healthy baby girl and that I would recover and we would both be fine. Since my first three babies had no complications, I didn't realize then how much those words would comfort both Scott and I in the following days.


I left the hospital on that day frustrated and disappointed. I wanted my baby, and I didn't want to be pregnant anymore. It wasn't until almost a week later that I would feel another painful contraction.
On Friday the 9th, scott and i had gone to lunch. We went to get the kids from the Porters and spent about an hour there, chatting and letting the kids play in the sprinkler and on the trampoline.  I had one decent contraction, but didn't think anything of it. I was so used to being uncomfortable at that point that one contraction was nothing to pay attention to. Rhoud made a comment at some point that I needed to have that baby soon, to which I assured him that the baby was not coming that day and they shouldn't expect her the next day (my due date) either.


We got home, relaxed with the kids a bit and I noticed my contractions were starting to increase. We continued with the nightly putting kids to bed and around 8, we called Susan to see if we could call her that night if needed (more of a heads up than anything). At 8:30 I knew I thought I was in labor and called my midwife Nicole. She suggested I take a hot shower and see how things progressed from there. After 3 contractions in the showers I then knew I was in labor. We called Susan around 10pm, asked if he could come over. She got to our house at 10:30, I had two more contractions and we left for the hospital and Scott called Nicole on the way there to let her know we were heading that way. He also called Katherine (who was coming from Boise) to let her know we were going in. When we heard she was only just leaving Boise, we guessed she would miss the birth, but hoped she would make it.


When we got to the hospital (about 11pm)  I was in a lot of pain, and started to really fear the next few hours. I knew what was coming, wanted it to come, but was terrified of it coming. We made it to labor and delivery and were met by Nicole, and a few nurses. After I received the pointless antibiotic for the group b strep (pointless bc of the length of my labors), Nicole checked my cervix and I was dilated to a 5 and I was finally able to get into the tub to labor. It was my first experience laboring in a tub, and wished I had done with all of my kids.


The water was distracting and comforting to the point that I thought I wasn't progressing. After about and hour in the tub I had Nicole check me again, I was dilated to an 8, and she said she could feel the baby's bag of water was really low. I had another contraction in the tub, mostly bc I really didn't want to get out, but bc of hospital rules, I couldn't deliver in the tub, so I had to get out. I moved to the bed where I was told I only had a few more contractions and she would be here. I was convinced I was being lied to, that the pain would never end. I had 2 (I think) contractions where I pushed, but only half heartedly, bc I was afraid of how much it would hurt if I really pushed. The plan had been for Scott to catch the baby (which had also been the plan with Jane and Parley, but bc I couldn't physically let him go, he had missed the chances) so a nurse stepped in for me to hold onto, which I really didn't like, but more of me wanted Scott to catch the baby, so I let her step in. As a second best thing I simply looked to Scott. I just watched his eyes, which brought such amazing comfort. Just having eye contact with him, we were communicating and his strength was there. His eyes would look at me and then for the baby, and that was enough for me. I knew he was where he needed to be, and that helped me to find the strength in me to push the baby out, although I did use the nurse apparently as well.


I remember having another contraction, during which I mentally refused to push, although my body took over and pushed some without my permission. After that I finally determined that I would do what it took to get her out. 
With the next contraction I pushed, and I finally felt like she was coming out of me. Feeling the ring of fire start, and the contraction end, I pushed even harder to get as much from that contraction as I could. And with that, I felt her head slide out, a brief break in the pressure and then her body came out. A second later she was on my stomach and I was awe. She was here! My beautiful girl was here! The pain was over (at least that's what I told myself) and my baby was in my arms. Scott caught our little angel, and I was holding her. We had done it. For a few moments, I was in Heaven.

Thank You

We have been doing an (almost) daily activity of being thankful for this month. Last night our FHE was on being thankful for and towards Heavenly Father. I gave our short lesson (always short due to their attention spans) from this

Who Is Heavenly Father?
BY PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER
PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES
The Father is the one true God. Nothing will ever change the relationship that we have with Him.
Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it.
You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit.
He is the Father. He is God. We revere our Father and our God; we worship Him.
Just as all life follows the pattern of its parents, so can we grow toward the image of our Heavenly Father if we will live righteously and be obedient to His commandments. 

(Feb. 2012 Friend, Who Is Heavenly Father?, Boyd K. Packer)

I always get teary when I talk to the kids about things of a spiritual matter, I just want them to really know the truth. After our lesson, we put Parley down for bed and the kids wrote Thank You letters to Heavenly Father. Scotty was especially excited about it. It is always wonderful to sit with my kids and talk about Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ. I love that they are developing their own testimonies of Them. 

This past testimony meeting at church, Scotty's friend Libby got up to bare her testimony. Scotty has seen her do this before, but this time he wanted to get up himself. Scotty was too nervous to walk to the stand on his own, so I walked him up there, where Dad met him (since he was on the stand already). Scott helped Scotty bare a beautiful testimony of the Book of Mormon, of his family and of Jesus. it was touching to watch the two of them; Scott, a sweet father helping his son to grow in the gospel, and Scotty, wanting to be like his sweet friend and share his testimony of Jesus. The best part was when Scotty walk back down to me. He beamed with pride. It was beautiful. His sweet smile was huge as he, folding his arms and trying to be reverent, walked/ran back to me and gave me a big hug. The whole this was like a gift. 

It's times like these that I become so overwhelmingly thankful to my Heavenly Father for entrusting me with these beautiful babies, to have for all eternity. What a blessing they are to me! 

Jane's Thank You card to Heavenly Father

Scotty's Thank You card to Heavenly Father. (p.s. that is Heavenly Father)

Instagram

Looks like I need to switch it up a bit with my Instagraming...

Masters of the Universe

About six months ago, Scott introduces He Man to Scotty - and he loves it. He was absolutely hooked the first time he watched it. He literally watches is everyday. And, since Scotty was loving He Man so much, it was only natural that Jane should be introduced to He Man's sister, She Ra. Now I have He Man and She Ra running around my house multiple times a day. With sword (or bat or stick) in hand, they'll shout "for the honor of grey skull!" - although it sounds more like "grey scale". It is adorable to witness. I love this age. I love that these two are best friends and love to play with each other.

With Halloween here, it was only natural that the kids dress up as their own alter egos. So, Scotty is He Man, Jane is She Ra and Parley is Orko, He Man's alien magician side kick.

It was fun making the kid's costumes this year, even if Parley wasn't really crazy about hers.

Later that night, after Trick-or-Treating.

Score!

My little soccer players are getting so good! They are having so much fun with their Dad and I love watching as their confidence grows, along with their talent! 

Scotty playing with Grandpa during Jane's game.

 My little soccer star! Look at all those boys she is totally smoking! Towards the end of the season she was scoring 4-10 goals a game!! Parents from both teams would comment on how good she was. She ate it up!!

 How many goals so far Jane??

Go Scotty!! Scotty is getting so competitive! It's fun to watch him play with Kevin, the two are so cute together! Scotty scores between 2-10 goals each game he plays, he love it and I love that he is having to much fun. I look forward to watching both of them progress through the years!!

Happy boy after scoring some goals!!

Happy Helpers

I knew we had a busy day ahead of us, so this morning when we woke up I sent Scott in to make breakfast while I went to clean the bathroom. I thought he was going to make eggs so I would have a good 15 minutes, but instead he pulled out cereal. So after cleaning the sink and sweeping the floor, I stopped for cereal. After breakfast I went back, only to be followed by my best little helpers, Scotty and Jane. Scotty scrubbed the toilet (his favorite) while Jane grabbed a baby wipe and washed down the tub. Both needed constant encouragement / supervision, so mopping was on the back burner till they lost interest. At this point little Parley wanted in on the fun, so she would crawl all over the very small floor half observing, half playing. Eventually the older two decided to go find out what dad was up to and left the bathroom, leaving Parley who wasn't too happy. As she crawled out to a new baby adventure, I grabbed the baby gate and hurried to mop while the kids were gone so none of them stepped or crawled on the harsh chemicals. After a few minutes, the kids saw the gate and were immediately insulted at my lack of desire for their help. At which point, Scott asked me to come help him. I left my half mopped bathroom to go help him pick out a shirt, which he didn't like and decided on another one anyway. I went back to mopping, now with a curious and impatient audience.

Down on my hands and knees, scrubbing who knows what off that floor I smiled as the thought came to me "I am so needed". It sounds silly but I could not stop smiling at the thought of my sweet husband and three adorable babies needing and loving me so much. I turned to Jane, and making sure dad could here me, I said "I have four dependents, don't I Jane ?"  I love it. I love our crazy life. And I love that my kids and husband love me so much. I am so grateful to them for their love. I am a very blessed woman!!

Happy Birthday Sweet P

We call her Sweet P - just looking at that face, you can see why. Love her!!

Today is Parley's first birthday. I know I say it every time, but I can't believe my baby is one! Time with her in our home has flown by. Her sweet nature and incredibly patient demeanor is amazing. She is such a good baby. Anyone that holds her or watches her always comments on what a good baby she is she rarely cries, well unless she is being held by someone and I walk by - which I like anyway. :)

Parley  has the cutest little brown curls. We have decided they must have come from Rhoud, because no one else has curly hair. Is it bad to be jealous of your own daughters hair? She has five teeth in that sweet little mouth of hers. Oh my word, I love everything about this little angel. It is so funny when she doesn't like whats going on, she will put out this little squacky growl, that is just so cute. The kids love playing with her, as she is learning to say words. Their favorite is telling her to say "dada" when I try to get her to say "mama". She'll usually do it anyway, which is funny by itself, but the kids are convinced that they are teaching her to do it, so that just adds another level of cuteness. 

Parley is not quite walking, but she wants to be. She loves grabbing mom or dads hands, pulling herself up real quick and then walking as fast as she can... Oftentimes her feet get ahead of her body, and it's a good thing she is holding on. She might not be walking, but she is definitely zooming around on all fours. When she doesn't like the feel of the floor, she will go up on her feet and hands with her cute little bum up in the air. It's pretty adorable.Parley has five teeth, three on top, and two on bottom. She says Mama (every now and then) and Dada (for dad and mom, and a bunch of other things), but mostly just sounds and growls. 

Stats: 
Weight: 17 lbs 10 oz (4th percentile)
Height: 28 1/4" (22nd percentile)
Head: 17 1/2" (30th percentile)

Today to celebrate Parley's birthday, we went to McKee's petting zoo, fed some pigs the leftovers of Parley's apple and did a little swinging - which Parley loves! Then we went to Tastee Treet for an awesome lunch. Although she is technically one, we are having her wait till Saturday for her first bite of ice cream. We are so mean!! 

The kids chose a dinosaur princess theme for Parley's birthday party. 

I think it will be fun.

 
                    

  

Tonight after Parley went down, I was super tired, so the kids and I had a slumber party in the living room. Scotty was so excited about it. He kept asking me different things like "are my friends coming?" and "are my pj's going to get wet?" and "where are we going?". I made them hot cocoa and popcorn. They both thought it was pretty cool that I was letting them eat/drink it the living room. We watched Balto, which they both loved. Jane got a little scared, but I don't mind a little extra snuggling from my girl.

I sure love my kids. Thinking about this past year, three kids, a new job, Scott being in the bishopric, my various callings, soccer, t-ball, dance... I'm amazed we made it through. I am just so happy. I love where I am in life. I love my kids.

My Love

Scott is awfully feisty tonight, so this is for him. 

.I love this man so much!! My life is complete with him and the little rascals we call kids.

Last night:

Me: "Why do you love me today?"
Scott: "Because you surprised me with a gorilla suit in a tree, it was romantic"


I love it when he falls asleep when I ask him that question. Love you baby!!

Like a while back he said, "sometimes I take drugs to make me love you". That was awesome. 

But sometimes it's romantic, like when he said "You and I, and that painting were meant to be." - he was awake for that one.

I guess I should mention the painting he is talking about. Before Scott and I met a friend of his did a painting for him, it is gorgeous. He hung it in his living room. The first time I came over to Scott's house I saw the painting, immediately loving it, mostly because I had seen it before. Not realizing it was an original, I asked Scott where he got it. He told me I was mistaken, that I hadn't seen it before because it was one of a kind. I didn't say anything else, but knew he was wrong. Later that evening I realized I had seen in before, in a dream. Parts of the painting, the hands, the pearl, the mountains, I had seen them. I didn't know I was going to marry Scott, but this realization was huge for me. I don't really believe in dejavu, but I do believe that God has a plan for all of his children, and for me, this was His way of letting me know I was on the right path. I was amazingly comforting. As I look back, I see this as one of the many reasons Scott and I are meant to be together.