Bishop Gibb

Last week we had a Christmas party at our old Bishop's house. We loved our old 169th ward and our bishop - Bishop Gibb. It was so good to see him and all of our other friends who have either moved or got sent to another ward in the split. We learned so much at our time in the 169th ward - it made Provo feel like home.

The whole group (Upper left: Spencer and Anna Bardsley, Kordel Braley, Sam Curren, Craig Lindsey, Sarah and Wes Jones, David and Sarah Lee Gibb, Heather Braley. Bottom left: Nathan and Brianna Rollins, Jess Curren, us, Candice and Josh Kvavle, and Karen Bourne, (and the kids))

The kids: Rachel, Noah, Brock, Grace, Ethan, Kimani, Shane, Andrew, Corinne, Kyrsten, and Ella

Me and Heather nursing our little ones.

My day

I came home from running errands with the boys to find this on my front porch.
Ooh flowers - who could they be from and why? (The table was put there to make room for our Christmas tree)

They were from my wonderful husband, just because. And to top it off it came with a box of chocolates!

Then for a family Christmas activity we made sugar cookies. Now I am aware that my sons are only 19 months and 3 months, and there would not be much participation - but I had something a whole lot different in mind. I bought a bunch of icing tools to make them pretty and sprinkles and candy... they were going to be great. After 5 minutes of decorating I had NO cookies on my tray - every time I finished one - either Brock or Jason had eaten it - not to mention Brock ate pretty much the whole bowl of yellow frosting. I said, "forget it" I hurried and did a quick slab on each cookie and called it good. I think this is what I have in store with my life of boys - I think I need a daughter.

What I had in mind

What I got...pathetic

It's Begining to Look a lot like Christmas

As mentioned in the previous post - Brock loves this whole Christmas thing. (Unfortunately I don't think he knows it is temporary). We watch "Frosty the Snowman" about 5 times a day. This morning as soon as he woke up he wanted to watch Frosty. He got his Santa Hat (that he wears all day (even if we leave the house)), his Santa toy, made me turn on the Christmas tree lights and watch Frosty. I opened up the window and found that it was snowing. It was such a great Christmas feeling morning. Frosty, snow, Christmas lights, a little boy in Pajamas and a Santa hat... what could be better??

Great's Santa Party

Every year my Grandma (their Great Grandma) has Santa come to her house to see all of the grandchildren and give them presents. He has each child on his lap and he reads about their accomplishments in the last year, asks what they want for Christmas, and gives them a gift. Both my kids liked Santa - actually Brock has become quite obsessed with the whole Christmas thing. He says "Santa", "Snowman", "Reindeer", "Frosty", "Santa Hat", "Elves", "Baby Jesus", "Mary Jesus' Mother", "Joseph Jesus' Dad", "Angel", "Star", "Donkey" and "Manger". He was SO EXCITED to see Santa. (Although you would not know it by the pictures - my serious Brock)

Noah, Brock, Audrey and Brad with Santa

Still no camera...

Still no camera - and I am in the mood (and have the time) to post, so I was going through my pictures to see if there was anything I wanted to post about and I realized I have some identical pictures of Brock and Noah. They are almost the same age in these pictures as well.

Do they look alike? I say yes - but most people say no.

Noah

Brock

Noah

Brock

Noah

Brock

Noah

Brock

Funny that I have the same pictures. I did not do it on purpose - I kinda knew I had the pics of Brock - but I just wanted some in the bath and towel and stuff.

Brock was such a serious and deep baby and child. Noah and Brock are night and day when it comes to their demeanor. Noah is always so happy and smiley, you can just tell he is an optimist, and while Brock would smile and was NEVER angry or mad - he just always looked like it. Funny how kids come with their own personalities.

No Posts

For the most part posts with out pictures are boring - I try to not do them very often. But my camera is lost and has been since Thanksgiving. So... no posts - sorry.

• Noah laughed last night
• We put up our tree - my dad and brother cut it down themselves!
• We all have had the flu for a week and a half
• Today is my birthday

People in my life who have inspired me

Karli Bell - She is truly my inspiration in life. Almost everything I do that is hard in life I start by telling myself "Karli did it" or "Karli could do it". I don't do it on purpose - she is my best friend, so I don't want to compare myself to her or make our friendship into a competition - but I decided long ago that if i could figure out how to be half the woman/mother/wife she is than I would consider my life a success. Almost any good habit I have I have acquired from her. I have had to stop trying to live like her though - we are just too different. Karli goes a mile a minute doing everything and does it all seemingly perfect - and I just can't do that - I need sleep, I need down time - she just doesn't need those things (well her "down time" is organizing or something that is productive). Her life always seems to be in a perfect balance (I know she is reading this thinking I am CRAZY and that her life is CRAZY - but it really isn't). I could go on forever... but I will spare you - she is wonderful and I learn something new from her every time we are together. I SERIOUSLY EVERYDAY look to her for inspiration and the desire to keep going and organize my life better.

Don Pendleton - Don was my boss when I was working before I had my kids (oddly enough I still think of him as my boss - I think he always will be). I cannot put into words the things and values I learned from him. On a professional level - I grew so much and discovered so many talents of mine from being his assistant. I became more confident and realized I could do anything. If I ever have to go back to work I will be confident in my business skills to go after and get almost any job I want. He taught me so much. On a personal level he taught me so much about integrity and moral character and how you can and should use them in your business dealings. I will always look back on those years from NET and working with Don as some of my best "self-discovery" times.

Char Smoot - Char was one of my friends from work at NET. Char taught me the true definition of a mothering heart. Char was the mother of the whole office. She always made sure everyone was taken care of every way possible. She was only a a few years older than most of us - but she was much wiser. She had three kids of her own at the time and she was working full time - but she always found the time to make me (and bring me) lunch when I forgot mine, or find dinner recipes for me when I was complaining about not knowing what to make. She picked people up from the bus stop when their car broke down, and ALWAYS let everyone know when there was extra food in the office. She always put everyone before herself - just like a mom. After working with her I truly discovered that as women we have an opportunity to be mothers to everyone around us.

My mom and dad - I (as most people) have come to appreciate my parents more as I have gotten married and have kids of my own. Obviously my parents have taught me a lot and I could go on and on about them, but what I have used most recently in my life is the "just do it" attitude. I never realized my parents had this attitude until just recently. My dad always worked so hard for us - when I was young he was working between 60 and 80 hours a week and was getting his MBA at the U at the same time. I know it was hard - but I don't remember it looking like it was hard. While doing all of that my parents had 5 kids - so it was pretty much all up to my mom to take care of all of us and the house. I never remember her fighting with my dad about how he "never helps" - they both had a lot to do and they both just did it, and appreciated what the other one did - they did not compare or keep track of who did what. Granted I was young - and there was probably a lot more going on behind the scenes that I was not aware of - but I do know that we were well taken care of. I do know that my parents strongly believed in having my mom stay home with the kids and they were willing to give up anything to make that happen. I appreciate that example more than they will ever know. Even when all of us were in school she still never went back to work - I love that. It was such a comfort and blessing to know that she was always there - to bring my homework in case I forgot it, or bring us lunch on our birthday, or come get us when we were sick. Her children are her life. She has talked about going back to work now that her youngest is soon going to be out of high school and going on a mission. I told her that she was still my mom and shouldn't work. I love knowing that any day I can go to Salt Lake and she will be there - I would hate it if I needed her help and she said, "I can't I have to work", I never had to hear that growing up - and I don't want to start now. (I am being a little sarcastic - I am a big girl and she can work if she wants too). And for all of this I am grateful for my dad who worked so hard to make sure we had a mother at home. They have inspired me to do my part in my own family. To be the mom and take care of the kids and the house -because that is my job. I remember my mom saying once that (I am paraphrasing) "a lot of women think that parenting and the house should be 50-50 - but that is your job - just like making the money is his job. Sure he should help when he comes home - but it is your job."

Kim Olsen - She was my young woman's president when I was growing up. I have thought of her several times since I have left my home ward and have received callings of my own. I truly saw her magnify her calling. I felt like she gave 100% of herself to the young women. I have tried to take that same approach in whatever calling I have.

There are more - and I might add some others later - but I have been thinking about these 5 lately and wanted to publicly express my gratitude.

Winter sicknesses - round 1

My boys have had croup this last week (Noah did not officially have croup because he is too young - but he had the virus that causes croup)- so while it has been a (maybe our last) week of nice weather we have been stuck inside - it was torture. To pass the time Brock and I sure did bake a lot of cookies, blow a lot of bubbles, throw A LOT of balls, read a lot of books, color a lot of pages, and take a lot of naps. I really hope that this is not a precursor to the rest of our winter. Brock did not get sick at all last winter - and I plan on keeping the same track record!

By Friday they were both doing better so we made a quick run to the park. Brock LOVED being outside - he did not waste any time - he got right down to business.

Noah was great too. He just sat in the sun and looked around. It was a good day. (Except for the fact that we went to the grocery store and bought a whole cart worth of groceries and when I got to the counter and they told me how much it was I realized I forgot my WALLET (not to mention both the boys were screaming)! It was so embarrassing!! - Everyone looked at me like "oh that poor woman with those 2 young boys - her life must be so crazy she can't even remember to take her wallet to the store." I really never do things like that - so it really bothers me when I do.)

I believe

I am sure many of you have heard this quote in the past few weeks - it is on several blogs. It is so prophetic and inspiring. I love Elder Maxwell - he had such a wonderful way of putting things - and I love when they make the gospel black and white. The past few weeks many members of the church have tried to make things look gray - but lets remember what faith really is.
(I bolded some of my favorite lines)

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life.' This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions. Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as un-trendy and unenlightened.... Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"A More Determined Discipleship", Ensign, Feb. 1979


He tells us to leave a record. Here is my record. I stand with the church in all things. I am a believer, therefore I will act like one. (1 Tim 4:12)

Yesterday morning Jason says to me,

"Why don't I take the boys all day and you can go do what ever you want."

Wow! Unfortunately I could not take him up on it - but I definitely got a rain check. What a nice guy! Then when I got home from a family party that night he had done the dishes and the laundry.

Say "cheese"

Noah is starting to smile a lot. I tried to capture it - but was unsuccessful. But some still turned out cute.

Brad's Blessing

My sister blessed her baby last week. These two are 3 weeks apart.

Trying to get a good picture of 2 new born babies is hard.

Me and Katie with our boys

Out and About

Since I knew the nice weather would soon be gone - we went on some sort of outing everyday for the last 2 weeks. One was to the duck pond.

Noah is starting to like having his head out - it is making it a lot more fun to take him places.

Then we took a picnic lunch to the temple. I was determined to have Brock identifying temples by the time we left. I took some other pictures of temples with us. It is still 50/50 - he says "temle" (no "P") when he sees the Provo, Washington DC, and Jordan River temples. It was a beautiful fall day. I had only planned on being there a half hour or so (I did not think it would hold his attention), but we ended up being there for two and a half hours. It was a lot of fun.

Fun with the Hanna family

On Halloween day my sister and I took our kids to Kangaroo Zoo. If you dressed up you got 50% off. I decided to do a "family theme" - I wore Jason's high school football uniform, Brock was a basketball player, and Noah was a baseball player.

It was pretty fun. I am glad I went when it was 50% off because Brock needed help to do pretty much anything. I think I will go again when he is two and it will be more worth it.

Then we went to my brother's football game. I had a great time - as you can see both my kids are being occupied by my family. Thanks!

**Note: My sister Ashley is WONDERFUL! I could not have survived this last year with out her. She took such good care of me and Brock when I was on bed rest - and now she ALWAYS takes Noah for me when I have my hands full with Brock. She is the best aunt and sister ever! Both my kids love her. Thanks for all you do Ash.

How Brock plays with Noah

I was making Brock's breakfast and when I went back into the living room Noah's swing was full of balls.

Halloween

This was carving the pumpkins. Jason believes that Brock and Noah should decide where the eyes, nose, and mouth go. We sat there holding the pumpkin up to Noah until he waved his arm around and touched the pumpkin in 4 places.
Brock was a mouse - and after taking 8 pictures - this one turned out the best. This is the same costume that I wore when I was his age (same with all my brothers and sisters)

Noah was a pumpkin (but for only a few minutes - he had a hard Halloween)

Brock with his spoils. (actually mine and Jason's - he does not understand that it is candy and actually did not eat any, he just thought it was fun going to the houses.)
Not the best pic of me - but it was the only one of the whole family!

The Bells

So the Bell's are probably my favorite people in the whole world. Karli has been my best friend for years, then she met and married Skyler and him and I got along great - then I married Jason and he gets along great with Sky and Karli. It is not often you find couple friends where all 4 of you not only like each other - but genuinely get along and have fun. Then we started having kids and things just got better. (It was rough for a few months when Payton wanted to play with Brock but he was too young - but I think we are out of the woods now.)

Karli and I try to do something with the kids once a week (it turns into once every other week). Last weeks we went to Cornbellys at Thanksgiving Point. It was probably the funnest activity so far. We were there for 2 1/2 hours - and we could have been there for 2 more. Noah was fussy - but Kar stepped in and really helped with Brock (she is LITERALLY wonder woman/mother!!)



Despite ALL the fun things to do - leave it to Brock to find the one ball. He would have been here all day and hit this ball. It kept coming back and hitting him in the face - he would look at me and say "nose". But then he would hit it again.

The next day we went to Tucano's. It was just the 4 of us (it was like we were newlyweds again!). It was fun - we have not been together without kids since Payton was born. We had a great time. They talk as if they are going to leave Utah when Sky graduates - I pretend as if it will never happen.