Philip's First Birthday!

We just finished celebrating Philip's first birthday. Matt and I can hardly believe that we have had him in our home for an entire year...it just goes by so fast.

This last year with Philip has been filled with triumphant highs and desperate lows. He is our leap-of-faith baby and I am so grateful that we took that leap. No matter what, I hope that he knows how much he is loved and that God designed for him to be in our family. Heavenly Father led our hearts to Philip before he was even conceived by his birth parents. When I look back at our path to him, I am in awe of the perfect timing of it. Heavenly Father knew us and all of our trials and He was preparing us for this perfect little boy.

We love you so much Philip and we are privileged to have you in our family.

Happy Birthday!!!


Isn't he cute?


It is hard to be patient when you are waiting for birthday cake!


None of my babies have ever devoured their cake as quickly as Philip did. He certainly seems to be a pro.


Matt, Michael, James, Anne, and Philip


James and Philip


Anne and Philip


Mommy doing her best to wash off all of the goo.


I forgot to take a before picture, but I made a yellow cake with homemade chocolate icing. It had one tiny candle in the middle.


Surprisingly, Philip didn't want very much milk that night. I think it may have had something to do with the enormous quantity of cake he had just consumed. :) :) :)


Goodnight our little one year old. We love you!!!

Angels Cluster Here

My little sister is in the throes of labor at this very moment. She is expecting her third child, a little girl, and her induced labor is progressing really s-l-o-w-l-y.

My heart is aching. Aching for the pain I know she must endure. Aching for her husband in his efforts to support her in this marathon. Aching that I live so far away and that being with her right now, in this moment, is impossible.

I had the sacred privilege of being at the delivery of her first two babies. I drove all day to be with her when she had her son Isaac and when Molly was born she lived in town.

She is a never-ending example of love, kindness, and compassion. Everyone who knows her will vouch for this. I have never known a more selfless person in my entire life. I have always (even when we were teenagers) tried to emulate her.

This quote by J Reuben Clark Jr. sums up exactly how I am feeling and I hope my sweet sister feels it too. "Who will dare to say that angels did not cluster round and guard her and ease her...bed, for she had given another choice spirit its mortal body that it might work out its God-given destiny?”

Brenda, I love you. You are strong. Your body was designed to do this. Soon she will be in your arms. Did I mention I love you?


***Update*** She's here, she's absolutely beautiful, and mother and baby are both doing really well.

Summer Vacation Part 3 of 3

The room at Snowbird has a balcony with a hot tub on it. It has an absolutely gorgeous view of the mountains and the kids loved sitting in the steamy water.


Time for bed. Grandma is the most amazing help and all of the kids naturally gravitate to her.


This picture cracked me up because Anne had her brothers giving her bunny ears in numerous photos throughout the day. It was fairly frustrating to her, but by the end of the day she decided to do a preemptive strike and give herself some bunny ears. So cute.


Here we are all packed up and ready to head home. Philip loved riding in the cart all the way down to the lobby.

Overall our summer vacation was a huge success. The kids were really good, we were able to visit with Tutu and Papa, and the weather was perfect. Now, what do I do with the rest of the summer?

Summer Vacation Part 2 of 3

On Monday we decided to head down the mountain and visit Temple Square. Our first stop was the Tabernacle where we were able to listen to someone play the beautiful organ. The acoustics in that building are unbelievable, especially when you consider how and when it was built. I have never been inside the Tabernacle before and it was really fun to be able to show our kids where they used to have General Conference.


Our next stop was the Conference Center where they can sit 21,000 people to listen to General Conference. The building is beautifully designed and all of the artwork inside is original. Here we are in front of one of the original pieces on display. It is a well known painting of the Savior visiting the America's after he was crucified.


On top of the Conference Center they have planted a massive, yet beautiful, garden. It is full of trees, plants, and water features. Here we are, on the very top, by one of the water features.


Grandma Charlotte was able to join us after we saw the Conference Center. We were able to find a yummy restaurant at the bottom of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Matt and I each enjoyed one of the best turkey and cranberry sandwiches I have ever had. Afterwords, we walked down to the Lion House and enjoyed raspberry iced pull-apart rolls. Yummy! Then we headed over to the temple again where the kids could play in the 'glass' water feature.


Our last stop was at the Church History Museum. It had tons of cool information about the Saints trek to SLC. We spent most of our time in the children's play area and the kids had tons of fun coloring 'stained glass windows' and dressing up like Mary and Joseph.

Except for lunch, everything we did this day was free of charge. It isn't very often that you can go to such cool museums and receive personal tours of buildings without having to pay anything.

It was truly a beautiful day and I am grateful that we could experience it together as a family.


If you would like to know more about Temple Square or anything else about my church, please visit here.

Old Like Mommy

We had Family Home Evening at Grandpa and Grandma's house tonight and after we had eaten a yummy dinner we were discussing one of James' school teachers. Apparently Keith and Mignon had known her when they lived in their old house. In order to clarify if James' teacher was the same person Keith and Mignon knew I asked James if his teacher was old like mommy or old like grandma, to which he replied, "she is old like mommy, you know, around 50 or so."

Cows and Zebras

Tonight, after eating a wonderful dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's, James and Anne decided they were hungry on our way home. Our conversation went something like this:

James: Can I have some cereal when we get home?
Mommy: No James, we just had dinner.
A few minutes later.
Anne: Can I have some cereal when we get home?
Mommy: Anne, I just told James 'no'. You had plenty to eat at Grandma's. We are not getting out more food when we get home.
James: But I'm starving.
Mommy: I'm sorry. You can have as much breakfast as you would like tomorrow.
James: I'm so hungry I want to go buy a gun and kill a cow and eat it.
Anne: Yeah, me too. Except I want to kill a zebra and eat it.

Well, at least my kids are multi-cultural in their hunger.

Missing You

Today is Father's Day and while I get to have the opportunity to express my love and appreciation to my husband and father-in-law, I am also acutely reminded that my dad is gone.

I miss him.

He died from Leukemia almost four years ago. I had a tumultuous relationship with my dad and while I always knew that he loved me, we often took the opportunity to butt heads. The older I get, the more I can see my part.
I wish that I could tell him how much I have grown and changed.
I wish that he could have met Philip.
I wish that I could get his advice on whether or not I really needed new shocks and struts on my car.
I wish that I could buy him a cheesy Father's Day card. (I got busy and forgot to give him one the last year he was alive and I will always regret it.)
I wish that he could have come to Snowbird with us and gone swimming in the pool.
I wish that I could tell him how grateful I am that he always insisted we do "cultured" things. (My kids complained about having to go the "boring" church history museum and I could hear my own complaining to my dad many many years ago.)
I wish I could tell him how much his testimony and determination to do what is right influenced me.
I wish that I could give him a big hug and tell him that I am doing my best to love and support Mom.

I know that I will see him again someday, and for this knowledge I am forever grateful. But today, I miss him.

I love you dad. Happy Father's Day.

Summer Vacation Part 1 of 3

Last week we went on a road trip. We loaded up our minivan with all of the required paraphernalia (cooler of food, 3 suitcases, DVD player, backpacks of toys, snacks for an army...you get the idea) and headed out of town.
Our first stop was Auntie Teresa's. They have a yummy burger place in their town and it has become a tradition to meet them there for dinner whenever we are in town. They have the biggest shakes you have ever seen and a nice shady spot to sit outside. It is always so nice to get out of the car and s-t-r-e-t-c-h.
We then headed up the mountain to Snowbird. My grandparents have a timeshare up there and Matt and I love it. I have been making trips up there ever since I was a little girl. I have many fond memories of my cousins and me sneaking out of the room, while we were supposed to be listening to the LDS General Conference, so that we could play tag in the hallways and stairwells. :) This year my grandparents (Tutu and Papa) did not feel well enough to join us up on the mountain and so on Sunday we headed down to their home and enjoyed the afternoon with them.

Mom and Papa having one of their typical debates over the scriptures. Papa is a Sociologist and he always likes to challenge your ideas to get you thinking.


We were able to convince Tutu to come outside with us for lunch and then James went and found her a stuffed bear so that she would feel better. He is such a thoughtful boy.


Philip loved exploring Tutu and Papa's backyard.


Grandma Charlotte rescued Philip once his exploring turned messy.


Michael had a great time swinging on Papa's swings.


It was a beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Tutu, Papa, and Grandma Charlotte. So far our vacation was getting off to a great start. :) :) :)

Sad

I just received my letter from our local University inviting me to attend the Nursing Program's New Student Orientation. It has information on the type of scrubs I need to purchase and other needed items to start classes in the fall.

I am sad.

Deep down sad. The kind that makes me want to shut my blinds and crawl in bed. I have wanted this moment for so long and now that it is here, I need to wait even longer. If you have read any of my previous posts then you understand that I have made a choice not to follow this path at this time in my life. I feel really good about this decision, but today I am questioning everything I have chosen. My soul is battling itself and I know that in the end I will stick to my choice, but for now...

Pray that I will be able to receive His Comfort. That I will be renewed in my desire to have these little children in my home and in my heart.

Tomorrow will be better.

Flu

We've had the stomach flu at this house. Me, Matt, Anne, and Philip. Need I say more?
Yuckah!!!
I just found out this morning that my mom and my sister (along with her kids) have had it this weekend as well. Oh man, if there is one thing I truly hate, it is being nauseous. Luckily, mine hit before Matt's did and so Matt was able to be home with the kids and do ALL of the work while I laid in our bed for 18 hours straight. Today I feel much better. Not all better, but much better.
So, today I am thankful.
I am thankful for my healthy body.
I am thankful for a husband and mom who so willingly serve.
I am thankful for a tummy that is calm and not bloated out to kingdom-come.
I am thankful for warm showers that wash away all of the 'sick' smell.
I am thankful for washing machines, paper towels, big tupperware bowls, and extra outfits.
I am thankful to be out of bed.
I am thankful for binkies. This seems to be the only thing that has helped Philip while he has been suffering through the same bug.
I am thankful for my bodies' ability to heal. When you stop to think about it, it truly is a miracle.
I am thankful.