The 169th Ward

This post has been a long time in the making, I planned on writing it when we left Provo, but I think now will do. It has probably been obvious in my blog that Jason and I are very ready to leave Provo and get on with our lives (it should also be obvious that is not happening... I digress). But despite our current attitude we have had some conversations about the past 5 years that have inspired me to post this now.

Despite our negative attitude about Provo as a whole, our hearts will always be here for one, wonderful reason - the 169th ward. I don't even have words to describe the impact EVERY SINGLE PERSON in that ward had in our lives. We were all put together in, hopefully, some of the hardest times of our lives. We were all students, newly married, poor-poor-poor, many far away from family, and many with young children, or trying to decide to have children; and trying to decide what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives and we were pulled together by a faith and a love, stronger than any of us, to serve each other and love each other, and we did.

Even now, we have all been pulled to opposite ends of the country, some even around the world (Greaves), and still I have noticed that we are usually the first to comment on each other's blogs when something is wonderful, or something is terrible, or when something is... blah. When I had my "faith" posts, the people to mostly comment were my wonderful 169th ward friends, and I knew they would be. It is funny, we never knew each other before we were married, and for some, we only knew each other for a few months, and only with-in the walls of our Relief Society room, and we will never see each other again; but I believe we will always have a special bond that connects us, for we knew each other as the women/wives/mothers that we all wanted to be, who we truly were. We didn't know each others past mistakes or shortcomings, we didn't know the history behind our, sometimes, difficult courtships and engagements and what our family and friends may or may not have thought of our spouse or marriage. We were all just there for each other, expecting the best in each other, we expected everyone to serve and love and help, and we did. We saw each other in a different light then the rest of our families or friends did, because I think we saw each other's potential as a woman in Zion, and each of our desires to do the best we could.

There are people who have changed mine and Jason's lives forever, simply by their example, or friendship or comments. Many of them probably don't know that they have touched us for we never spoke much, some of us will always have a strong connection - even though we may not see each other again, and some of us will be lifelong friends. Despite the "different" categories - all are deeply important to us and have touched our hearts in different ways. I have heard some bad stories about married student wards (especially at BYU), and I didn't believe them because ours was so great - I figured all were like that, but now having gone to another BYU married student ward I know ours for some reason was really great and really special.

I have been pondering why ours was different. And I don't really have an answer, I know that most everyone honestly cared about their calling and really tried to magnify it and we served one another. I can remember so many Saturdays (mostly in April and August) going from apartment to apartment with 6-10 other women cleaning sister's apartments who were moving (Sarah Jones, Leah Allred, Abbie Lamb, Jerilyn Anderson, Karen Bourne just to name a FEW), I can remember sisters without kids trying to come early to sacrament or Relief Society so we could fight over who got to sit by the families with kids so we could help out - and begging them to let us babysit (for free, of course) so they could go to class, the temple, the grocery store, a date, etc (Heater Estep, Jessica Bond, Amy Layne, Holli JoKlein, Me hehe). There were several sisters who CONSTANTLY volunteered to do anything (clean, cook, babysit, give rides), who were in desperate needs themselves, for about 2 years I was the Compassionate Service Director and I remember being humbled every time I saw one of those sisters names on my list - they needed more help than anyone, and here they were trying to do more for other people.

I remember sisters taking the calls as "greeters" - close to their hearts and loving every minute of it (Julene Kaufusi), I remember two sisters excelling in the role as Literacy Specialist (Emily Call and Jessica Bond) and inspiring us all to do better. If I ever get called as a RS secretary I will know what to do because of Heather Braley. Our Relief Society Presidents were amazing -they gave all their hearts: Lindsey Clark, Candice Kvavle, and Sabrina Millar - all of which I had the opportunity to serve closely with - they have taught me more about selfless service and true genuine charity for sisters we serve, than they will ever know. We had great enrichments and strong traditions (ward campouts, Super Saturdays, mothering classes, aerobics, etc) and we had good to great attendance at most our activities. Our visiting teaching was strong, I can name off every single one of my visiting teachers (Emily Haws, Rosie Thornock, WhitneyAndrews, Heidi Summers, Danielle Jeppson, Jessica Christensen) - they always came to visit, and many did much more than that.

I think we were also successful because we had several STRONG women (and families), who truly loved the Lord and every member of the ward. You always knew they would be at church and all the activities, you knew they would always do their calling and follow through with assignments, and that they would not be cliquey and welcome all the new people. There were several of these throughout the years -but if any of you are still reading this (and I am sure only 169th ward people are) we are all thinking of ONE person... Melissa Lindsey (and Craig for that matter). I don't have the words to describe them and their influence, not just on me and Jason, but on the whole ward. I remember when I got called to Compassionate Service, Melissa was called as Primary President, she told me that she was worried about her new calling taking her away from the RS, because she wondered, "who would love the sisters?" This just describes the Lindsey's - they deserve all the blessings in this world and in heaven. I/we love them dearly.

For the sake of record keeping I have listed everyone from the last 5 years who have impacted our lives. I never want to forget them - I am sure I will forget names, but hopefully I will remember faces, but I know I will always remember their influence. I wanted to write next to each name something about why I love them - but many just came out as, "so wonderful and inspiring" or something to that effect and I didn't want it to start to seem insincere- so, it is just a list of names. It is in order from what year they moved in/were put into the ward directory, that is what I used as my source.
I tried REALLY hard not to forget anyone - I pray I didn't - if you think I did, please let me know.

Thank you all for being such wonderful friends - I hope some of you feel the same way I do.

(2004) BISHOP: Lee and Sharon Fransis, Matt and Shannon Allen, Jon and Leah Allred, Bryan and Jerilyn Anderson, John and Dana Anderson, Shane and Amy Andrews, Wade and Whitney Andrews, Brock and Kim Blake, Kevin and Karen Bourne, Kordel and Heather Braley, Brandon and Emily Call, Ben and Emily Castleton, Nathan and Lindsey Clark, Sam and Jess Curren, Fernando and Heather Estep, Dan and Shelly Graham, James and Megan Greaves, Spencer and Brittany Haws, Adam and Emily Hendrickson, Bernell Hofheins (high council), Steve and Ashley Kapfer, Teni and Julene Kaufusi, Alan and Aimee Kennington, Reed and Stacie Kennington, Peter and Abbie Lamb, Tyler and Tasha Langston, David and Cassie Larsen, Craig and Melissa Lindey, Benjamin and Jen Lowry, David and Melissa Mallett, Matt and Celest Millett, Jeremy and Jamie Morriss, William and Nerissa Murdock, Brandt and Amber Palmer, Matt and April Thorpe, Grant and Elizabeth Vincent, Shelton and Angela Weech

(2005) BISHOP: David and Sara-lee Gibb, Jason and Alexis Bergman, Ryan and Jessica Bond, Mason and Amanda Bradshaw, Cole and Michelle Chamberlain, Sean and Jo Edmunds, Dave and Heather Gooch, Ben and Emily Haws, Erik and Carolyn Heppler, Sam and Vanessa Huntington, Wesley and Sarah Jones, Jonathan and Elisabeth Kendell, Marcus and Rebecca Khong, Josh and Candice Kvavle, Brian and Candice Lee, John and Marielle Melling, Sean and Angela Morton, John and Mallory Parry, John and Tiffany Ransom, Brian and Rosie Thornock, Jerr and Dionne Ward, Mike and Kari Waters

(2006) Erica and Russ Allred, Ty and Amber Andrews, Aaron and Lauren Barnes, Louie Maxwell and Paige Clark, Hiram and Laura Conley, Dan and Jamie Cook, Mithch and Shannon Cornelius, David and Heather Dayton, John and Elicia Dusbabek, James and PJ Eager, David and Kate Ensign-Lewis, Kenneth and Celeste Estes, Matt and Nicole Evans, Dana and Ruth Jensen, Brad and Danielle Jeppson, Eddie and Breanne King, BJ and Becky Kirk, Brett and Sabrina Millar, Devin and Laura Nielson, Jason and Rachel Palmer, Lars and Jessica Richings, Chris and Cheri Sharp, Doug and Jena Sivula, Justin and Ashleigh Smith, Mike and Ashley Smith, Tom and Tristan Stanley, Mike and Natalie Stephens, Nate and Heidi Summers, Justin and Marin Sweeney, Steven and Alicia Taylor, Jared and Jessica Walker

I lost my ward directory for 2007 - but I still had a RS one - so only sisters, but we did love your husband's - sorry
(2007) Janene Anderson, Laurel Armstrong, Angela Baarz, Anna Bardsley, Alta Bills, Sara Brewster, Meghan Caldwell, Bridget Carn, Rebecca Carter, Jessica Christansen, Haley Ellis, Nicole Evans, Kristen Foster, Dawn Freeland, Mary Gavilanes, Brandi Hales, Gaby Hansen, Gloria Harris, Laura Hawkins, Emily Hilton, Lacey Holman, HolliJo Klein, Amy Layne, Nicole Lloyd, Amanda Mason, Meredith Maxfield, Ashley McGinn, Keshia Meikle, Corinne Myers, Amanda Nordquist, Amber Powell, Nicole Rasmussen, Janice Richardson, Brianna Rollins, Whitney Royal, Carly Smith, Suzanne Tuttle

I love this stage

I absolutely love this stage 12 - 18 months. These were my best memories of Brock and I am just starting them with Noah. I just can't seem to take enough pictures at this stage. It seems like for these 6 months - everytime you look at your baby you have the realization that they are no longer a baby - but turning into a toddler... and some days a kid! And with this realization I have to grab my camera and try to capture my baby one last time before he is permanently gone forever.

I spent some wonderful, precious moments with Brock during this stage. He was my first and I was pregnant with Noah and was trying to "live it up" before we didn't have this alone time. I really want that special time with Noah as well, to make those same wonderful memories.

Not to mention they start getting all these new facial expressions around this time - and I just want to capture them ALL.

TV

I enjoy sitting down in front of the TV and relaxing when my kids are down for naps or at night once they go to bed (my main reason for feeling like I will never live up to Karli). I am a succor for syndicated sitcoms (Friends, Seinfeld, That 70's Show) and Jason and I enjoy a few new comedy shows together (How I met your Mother, Rules of Engagement, 30 Rock). But it has been a while since I have gotten excited for a new season of a show to start.

The last few weeks I found myself getting increasingly exited for The Biggest Loser. I am not sure why. I have watched it casually for the last few seasons, but never got exited about it or cared to really be home to see it. But when I started seeing the previews for this season a few weeks ago I got butterflies in my stomach. I think it is for 2 reasons: 1)I watched the end of last season with my friend Corinne and enjoyed talking with her about it, now she lives in Seattle, so I guess it makes me feel like we are still neighbors. And 2)I guess I don't really have anything else real exciting to look foreword too - life is great - but pretty mundane - so I guess this just boosted the anticipation factor.

It is funny that I watch The Biggest Loser - I have not really gotten into the reality shows (I have gotten into the Bachelor a few times) but I hate the drama - it makes me sad and very uncomfortable. On The Biggest Loser I like to watch the challenges (if they don't get too competitive) and the weigh-in's - I don't watch the work-outs because I don't like when Bob and Julian (the trainers) yell at the contestants and I NEVER watch when they decide who gets voted off - even if it is about people I care about (or don't for that matter). It just makes me so sad - I turn it back on at 8:57 - so I can see who went home and what they look like today (because then I am happy that they are still working hard and I get over the fact that they got their feelings hurt at the ranch by getting voted off). I just LOVE the fact that these people are doing something that they have tried to do their whole life and continually failed - I LOVE to see that accomplishment in their eye's and in one moment (when the number pops on the scale), they are brought to tears with joy and pride in themselves (which for many of them it is the first time they have felt that way). It is SO inspiring.

New beginnings

Yesterday Noah decided his main form of transportation is walking...
Toddlerhood is beginning in our home.

Tonight Noah learned how to put balls into our basketball hoop. He stood there and "dunked" balls all night. Brock stood and cheered him on while getting more balls for Noah to shoot...
Brotherhood is beginning in our home.

The many birthday parites of Noah

It seems that we can never get both our families together for birthday parties. Maybe it will be a tradition, our kid's first birthday will always have 2 separate parties - one for each family.

Noah's first party was last Sunday at my parents house. I made a turtle cake because Brock was giving Noah a stuffed turtle to sleep with. It was cute - but not very good - but that's OK.



Noah thought the candle was really cool and was way jazzed that everyone was singing to him. Brock was really good about being excited for Noah and understanding it was Noah's cake and Noah's presents - but in the end Brock had to help Noah blow out his candle - which Brock was more than happy about.

Noah got to eat the turtle's head. Noah seriously dove right in - he loved it! He had it everywhere - up his nose, in his ear, down his pants... it was so funny.

His favorite present was probably this ball my sister Ashley gave him (you'll see it in both pictures - he carried it around the whole night). And my parents gave him this cute turtle car.

We gave him this awesome dinosaur ball thing that I scored on Craigs List for 10 buck! Both my boys LOVE it.

Then on Saturday we had the Herberts over to our house for Noah's next party. I made Herbie Special (a Herbert favorite). Noah was a little more leery of the candle and the singing this time - I think it was more because I wasn't holding him. And again... he dove right it - but he wasn't so messy this time - I think he learned his lesson.

Matt and Janina got him this really cute book that sings to you - it has only been like 12 hours since we got it and they haven't put it down - they both dance and march to the songs - super cute. Grandma and Grandpa Herbert got Noah a foreword facing car seat - yea!! Although it will be a while before he can use it. But surly all this cake and ice cream had to put on a pound or two... right??

We love you Noah and are so happy you are in our family. We can't believe you are almost a toddler! You started to really walk this weekend (taking 8 to 10 steps at a time). Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives!

Noah's Birthday - day

On Noah's actually birthday we went up to Bridal Veil Falls to... well... throw some rocks in the river. It was a lot of fun - they both could do it for hours. Brock was thrilled to have Jason with us because Jason picked up HUGE rocks and threw them in, making HUGE slashes - the boys were in heaven (all three of them :)

This is how Noah hiked

Noah sat on this bank and threw rocks in the whole time - when he would run out of rocks he would try to lean over and get more.

Brock and Jason searching for good throwing rocks

Noah is One!

My baby turned one last week! I cannot even begin to describe my little Noah-boo and the joy that he has brought into our lives. It is funny that I was so nervous to have him because I didn't know how it was going to all work (having a second child) - and life just seemed so normal and great with Brock - but now I can't even remember our family without him - when I look back it just seems like it wasn't complete.

Favorite things:

• Noah has been happy since the day he was born. He smiled at us from the first day in the hospital. His smile is one of those that light up a room - you know it comes form pure happiness and joy - it warms my heart every time I see it. As a disclaimer - he has not been a happy baby lately - a lot of tantrums and whinny - but that is just true to his age - hopefully it will pass.
• Noah loves singing - especially finger-play songs, and loves to read books. He loves to turn pages and lift flaps. He loves to dance to the song your singing or to any music he hears. He loves to play catch with anyone that is willing. He mostly just loves one on one attention.
• He also appreciates his "alone" time. He likes to lay in his crib for about 15 minutes after he wakes up and just looks at the ceiling and plays with his toes, if he doesn't get this he is grumpy the rest of the day. He also likes to be left alone for about an hour a day to just crawl around the apartment and on the balcony and play with what ever he wants - he doesn't want me or Brock involved. I can't give this to him everyday - but if he goes 2 or 3 days without it - you can tell.
• He loves water and isn't afraid of much. He is not a timid child - whatever it is he will dive right it. He loved to splash and get wet, he loves loud noises and animals, nothing seems to scare him or make him nervous.
• He thinks he is Brock's age. This is one of the main reasons for his current tantrums. He absolutely thinks him and Brock are equals and strongly feels that he should get to do everything Brock does or have everything Brock has. This is especially hard because Noah doesn't really have any teeth and can't walk - so Noah gets frustrated often throughout the day. He loves Brock and tolerates him very well - Brock is ALWAYS tackling him or throwing balls at him, and Noah never minds, he just sits there and takes it. It is so funny.
• He is EXTREMELY attached to his mother right now. The only other person he willingly goes to is Jason. If I leave the room he screams or if anyone even LOOKS like they might pick him up - he screams. Sometimes - even if strangers in the super market smile at him he cries and reaches for me. The upside is I can leave him with baby sitters ok - he cries while he sees me leave - but they say within 2 minutes he is fine. I do take him to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and leave him there - so he does get over it.

Our last Brighton Football Season

My littlest brother, Daniel, is a senior this year - and as such this is our last Brighton football season, so we are going to try to make it to as many as we can. Fortunately for us Brock
L-O-V-E-S football (any sport for that matter). He will just sit and watch - and he totally knows what is going on - in fact he prefers to watch sports to any thing else on tv - it is really frustrating when my 2 year-old makes me watch sports!

Anyways - Brighton is doing great so far - they have played 3 games and shut out all 3- I think their combined score is like 112 to 0 - way to go Bengals!

We might have a hard time with Noah - the games are right during his bed time - but after he gets past tired/cranky stage - he gets pretty happy in the "delirious" stage.

My great aunt Pat with Amellia and my mom with Noah.

My aunt Leslie with her newest little girl - Amellia

After the game the boys went down on the field to play some football.
Let's just say Brock was IN HEAVEN!

Farm Country... again

Noah liked the horse way more than Brock - especially at this age.

Our Cabin

My family has a cabin up in Idaho on the Teton River. My great grandpa built it and the whole extended family shares it (great aunts and uncles, second cousins etc) - it is a beautiful place, but sadly this was only the third time in my life I have been up there. I hope to start making it a tradition.

I went with my family and took the boys (Jason had to work) - I as a little nervous taking Noah because he is in the stage right now where he just wants to be down all the time and the cabin is not really suited for babies - but he did awesome and it was pretty easy and really fun.

There is this beautiful tall grass everywhere - it makes me want to run through it!

My grandpa and grandma, my mom, my little sister, me, Brock, my older sister, Noah and my niece, Audrey.

Brock, Noah, and Audrey

The River
We have a little motor boat to go out on the river. It was so breath-taking - the water is so clear, you can see right down to the bottom and can see all the schools of fish! I wished I could just take the boat out on the river and read a book and just drift - it was so peaceful!

This is the best picture of my Grandpa - he is so wonderful and hard working. I have such a deep love and respect for him.

Brock did great for about 15 minutes - then he just wanted to get in.

The Slides

We go up to this girls camp past Driggs. It has these HUGE slides (sadly no pictures) and fun swings and teeter-totters. It was a blast - I do remember these from my childhood.

Me and the boys on the teeter-totter - Noah absolutely loved it!

Then we did my boys FAVORITE thing - throw rocks in a river - they could both sit on a river bank and throw rocks into it for an hour.

Fishing

Everyday my dad and grandpa went fishing out on the river - and the kids were always sad they couldn't go - so they took the kids to this great children's fishing pond. Within 10 minutes we caught about 7 fish - it was a great experience. Brock was stoked - until the fish died - he wasn't really expecting that - then he got scared and wanted nothing to do with it.

I don't have any pictures of Noah doing what he did at all these events - mostly because I didn't want to document my failures as a mother - but who cares - I am who I am... right? Noah basically crawled around in dirt the whole time eating rocks, mud, and I am sure a few bugs. I just had to let it go if we were going to have any fun, my motto for the week was, "if it was ok for the pioneers it is ok for me!"

Summer Fun

I am officially depressed that summer is over. I know it is still nice outside - but the most telling part that summer is over in Provo is that they close the Veteran's pool. This is my favorite place to go in the summer - it is right up the street, really cheap, and lots of fun. I had all these grand plans to go several times a week - but it rained most of June, we were sick most of July, so all we really had was August. We went about 6 times - and 3 times just last week.

I was nervous at the beginning of the summer to take the boys all by myself - I didn't know if they would stay by me. So my mother-in-law went with us the first time so I could get the hang of it - turns out they are super easy and really good (as always) - so I was able to take them by myself the rest of the time.

Not great pictures - but best I could get with my horrible camera!