My Uncle Steve

Yesterday evening my uncle Steve died at his home from a sudden heart attack. He is my mom's older brother, had turned 50 last month and has 6 kids at home (the youngest being 6), he was healthy and it was completely unexpected. All his kids were at home when it happened. This has come as a complete shock accompanied with a lot of "why?" questions. I know there are no answers to "why", other than the plan of salvation and we just need to have faith in Him and His plans. I am grateful for my knowledge of the gospel, and although it is comforting to know about eternal families and the resurrection, my heart goes out to my aunt and cousins. We love you all so much and we are here for you. I love my uncle Steve and will miss him greatly.

I had 2 friends die in high school just a few weeks before the end of the school year. At year book signing both their year books were there for their friends to sign. Later that night we were all reading what people wrote. In Jara's year book a good friend of hers, Dave Lilenquist, wrote, "work hard." I thought it was such a great message to her, what a great attitude. Dave understood that Ali and Jara were not just up in heaven "flying around and playing their harps", but they would be actively engaged in spreading the gospel and preparing for Christ's coming. There is a lot of work to be done there and just as we all knew Jara and Ali would be a part of it, I know Steve will be working hard, just as he did down here, to build the kingdom and spread the gospel. Dave taught me a great lesson that day about our responsibility in the plan of salvation and our attitude towards death, I have tried to maintain the same attitude since then. So to you, Steve, work hard.

Michael Leaves

My cute Brother Michael left on his mission on Wednesday. It was quite the week. I remember always saying, "when Michael and Daniel leave on their mission...", like it was this thing a million years away and would never really happen, and now he is gone and I still feel like we are waiting for that day. In my mind they are still 4 and 6 playing every kind of sport you can imagine in our yard. I love my brothers so much and am so proud of both of them. They are growing into great young men, and am excited to see Michael's growth in the next 2 years.

So I just have to say that Brock reminds me of my brothers everyday - he is like a carbon-copy. He is just this tan little boy that loves to be outside and play EVERY single sport there is (there will be a future post regarding Brock's sports - just still collecting pictures). Brock got almost all of his DNA from Jason - so from me he seems to have gotten my blond hair - and apparently some of my brothers traits. Everyday he reminds me of growing up with them. All three of them (Michael, Daniel, and Brock) are quite the athletes!

Katie and I are due just 3 weeks apart. I am due September 21 and she is due October 7. But she is going to be induced on September 30. It will be fun to have our babies so close.
I am getting bigger - in this picture I am 36 weeks - almost exactly one month from my due date! When Mike gets back there will be at least 2 more nieces and/or nephews that he will have never met (and at the rate I am going - maybe more :)

Another day at the pool

My friend, Jessica, offered to go swimming with me and Brock. I don't think I could do it myself and she has a little boy, Preston, who just likes to sit and play in the water. So I watched Preston, while she watched Brock. Brock is SO FUN to take swimming. He is such a fish. He especially loves to be in the deep end. He kicks his legs and swings his arms - just like he was swimming. He also loves to jump from the side into my arms and put his face in the water and blow bubbles. It was such a great day. If anyone else is willing to come help me - I would love to go once or twice before the end of summer (the pool doesn't open until 3 now).

Duck Pond

We have a duck pond just down the street from us. Brock and I are there once or twice a week. Last Friday "the kids" (Brock, Mollie, and Maggie Kapfer) were all just "on one." They were fighting and crying and not playing nicely. So Ashley and I got fed up and took them to the duck pond hoping it would help. It totally worked - Ashley and I just sat on a bench in the shade and the kids explored, chased the ducks, and ate some snacks. It was a lot of fun.

It is amazing how by just having a structured activity it can so quickly change a child's behavior. I always find that Brock is more whinny and needy when he is bored - but when I plan an activity - his behavior is almost perfect. I think that will be a big goal of mine as a mom - even though it will be hard with multiple children - I believe it is totally worth it to go out and to an activity - it changes behavior almost instantly.

Farm Country - again

We went to farm country with the whole Bell family fora Family Home Evening last week. It was great because Jason was able to come and Brock seemed to enjoy it more than he ever had. He understood the concept of feeding the animals and had favorite animals he liked to look at (the goats and sheep). Here is some pics.

Swimming

Brock loves to go swimming at the Veterans Pool here in Provo. I really want to take him swimming a few more times this summer - but right now I really don't feel like I could do it by myself. If any of my friends out there (especially ward friends without kids) who have a free afternoon and want to come help me - I would really appreciate it - I'll pay. He is really good - he just likes to go in the deep end (2 feet deep!) and I have to carry him - and I still cannot carry him for more than a minute or so. We could go any afternoon - the pool does not open until 1 - I like to get there right when it opens (it is the least crowded at that time) and then we leave around 3 for Brock's afternoon nap. Give me a call if you are interested.

My decision

So I have been trying to decide how I wanted to successfully carry around 2 children and still go out and do fun activities. (double stroller, Snugly, sling, wrap, make Brock walk everywhere, etc). I really did not want to do a double stroller - they are so big, and I did not want to spend the money, and my friend Karli always just put her second child in a Snugly and that always seemed to work.

Well I made my decision this week. Thanks to my friend Sabrina's Blog - I got a Moby Wrap - I had some hesitations at first (too complicated, will the fabric stretch, is it practical) but the girl came to my house and showed me how to use it - and I LOVED IT! I am so excited to have this baby and carry him around in it. I have a lot of friends having babies right now and I would recommend looking into it. I obviously have not REALLY used it yet - and if it does not live up to my expectations I will let you know - but I did my research and talked to a lot of people who have used them and so far most people love it!

Here is the website I bought it through (she actually came to my house - so I did not have to pay shipping) http://bab-i-licious.blogspot.com/ or this is the "official" site: http://www.mobywrap.com/
I chose a light blue. YEA!

Don't you hate when that happens...

Remember how I decided to make peach cobbler because I was CRAVING it - and then I ate the whole thing myself. Don't you hate when that happens!

(This is not the cobbler I made - just one I found on the Internet to better prove my point)

Maggie's Birthday Party

A few weeks ago our neighbor, Maggie, had her birthday party - she turned 3. Her parents went all out and rented this huge blow up castle for the kids to play in. Brock and all of the other kids loved it!

There were other kids at the party - When I got my camera out Brock was the only one in the castle - the rest were swimming.

Update

I am home from my mom's house Everything is great. I am off of bed rest, but am supposed to "take it easy." Can anyone tell me how I am supposed to do that with a 15 month old?

All my tests came back great and the tear in my placenta has healed. If I don't do anything stupid I should carry full term.

I have some random thoughts about the last week that I am going to put down - so enjoy if you decide to read on. (this is more for "journaling" purposes)

1 - My family was so great!

• Starting with my husband who never complained once or had one annoyed look by having to stay at my parents house for a week. He takes such good care of me when ever I am sick - it's kinda bad because it makes me enjoy being sick because he is SO attentive.
• Then of coarse my family just dropped everything to take care of Brock and I around the clock. They all have such busy lives, but there they were right when we needed them. Our schedule is quite different than theirs (mostly eating dinner) - but my mom tried very hard to keep things regular for us - and was very concerned that Jason get a dinner that he liked and that he had lunch to take to work. She was always trying to make things easier on him.
• Ashley just stepped in and took care of Brock. He slept in her room - and she never complained - which was wonderful because her private space is REALLY important to her, so I am vary grateful that she loves us enough to give it up for a week. I could not thank her enough for being so great about the sitiation and taking care of Brock.
• My brothers have grown up so much. They would get mad at me if they saw me trying to do something, they were always asking me what I needed or if I needed any help. They would play with Brock outside when it was 100 degrees just because he was bored (sometime Jason and I aren't even willing to do that :).
• Thanks Family!

2 - Brock seemed to understand what was going on. Jason brought him to the hospital on Saturday morning to drop off my bag. He (Brock) walked in the room - he did not smile or reach his hands up - he looked very concerned and kind of scared. I smiled and tried to get him to see I was ok. But he was not fooled. Jason picked him up and set him on my bed and he just laid his head on my chest until Jason took him off. The rest of the week was kind of the same. He NEVER reached for me to pick him up - never brought me anything for him to play with. He demanded NOTHING from me. He would just ask my family or Jason. And he was SO attached to Jason. He cred everyday at the window when Jason left for work. I would be right there with him saying, "it's ok, mamma's here" he would push my hand away and reach out the window. If someone mentioned "dad" throughout the day he would go back to the window where he had seen Jason leave and look/cry for him. And he was SO HAPPY when Jason came home from work. He would run to him with his hands in the air and he would not let Jason set him back down. He has never acted like that before. On one hand I was grateful because it would have been really hard if he wanted me to do things for him - and on the other hand it is always sad when your children don't need you.

3 - I had just started my peer parenting the week this had happened. We had met twice and it was going great. We were supposed to meet 3 times this last week. I really felt strongly about peer parenting and felt like it was a great blessing to get to do a case before I had the baby. But I am going to have to drop the case - it will just be too hard on me - especially with the level of need this mother has - I need to be able to really give her a lot of time and effort - and I just can't promise that right now. I am a little discouraged because my/our desire and level of commitment has been so high with foster care and peer parenting, but as soon as we get started something always comes up and the timing is so off. Why does the Lord give us desires we cannot fulfill. "Oh that I were an angel..." I guess we need to take a lesson from Alma.

4 - On Friday (the day before all of this) I had gone to the store and bought TONS of fresh produce - boo. Why did I do that?

5 - They tell my I can't drive. Why? They always say that. I think it is stupid. I am going to drive - it does not take any more energy. (this is a rhetorical question - all you medical friends of mine - please do not leave posts telling me why I should not drive - unless you agree with me, then you can leave a post telling me it is ok to drive :)

Quick Post

I just wanted to post that I will not be posting for a while.

For those of you who have not heard I was in the hospital over the weekend. My placenta started to pull away form my uterine wall - I was bleeding and having contractions. I am staying at my mom's house for a week or so while I am on bed rest. So Brock and I will not be having fun adventures - so no great posts. Once I can tolerate sitting up for a while I will post about some of my thoughts and how difficult it is to be on bed rest with a 15 month old - even if you have your mom's help. Hope everyone is still having a fun summer.

We finally can play with the Kapfer's

The Kapfer's are our next door neighbors. The oldest, Maggie, is 3 and Molly is 17 months. Brock has basically grown up with them as his sisters. The only problem is that their mom, Ashley, has been going to nursing school and working as an LPN for the last 2 years. There dad is at home with them, but with no car. So Brock only got to play with them at home - but they never came on any of our "adventures".
Well last week Ashley graduated from nursing school and is now at home with her girls. She has worked so hard and we are all so proud of her! I am excited to have a mom to talk to during the day (Steve, the dad, although we were together for several hours some days, only said a few words to me the whole 2 years :).

So last week, on Ashley's first day home, we packed up the kids and went to the colonial days on Main Street in Provo.


We went in the morning so it was not too hot, and the kids enjoyed playing together and climbing all over things. We are so excited to have Ashley back home and hope to really live up the next 5 weeks before they move to Minnesota for law school. I can't even think about it - we will be SO SAD when they go!!!!

An exciting development

Background Info: Jason and I have been licensed Foster parents for the past 2 years. Unfortunately we have been unable to take any placements because I keep getting pregnant :). (You have to be able to make a one year commitment and they don't like you to have a brand new baby in the home when there is a placement for adjustment purposes, so we were never "eligible" for a placement). Regardless, we have felt very strongly about foster care and have wanted to be involved and know that one day - when the timing is right - we will take placements.

While We were going through the training I heard about Peer Parenting and wanted to do it "one day". I thought when my kids were all grown and gone would be the perfect time because then I would be "experienced" and have "something to offer".

More Background info: Peer Parenting is a program designed to help families who have either just been reunified, working towards reunification, or on the verge of removal. It is usually court ordered. The Peer Parent goes into the home and works with the parents (usually just the mom) on parenting skills, budgeting, shopping, nutrition, discipline, cleaning, whatever is needed.

Anyways, Peer Parenting has been coming to my mind a lot lately so on Monday I called to inquire - on Tuesday I went to a training course, today I got certified, and I will get my first case sometime next week. I will take on case at a time and work with her for a few months. I am SO EXCITED. While Jason and I were going through the Foster Care training we felt the spirit so strong at all of the meetings, trainings, and cluster groups. We have always felt sad that we have been unable to take placements, even though we knew the timing just was not right in our lives. But I felt the exact same feelings at the training on Tuesday. I get this feeling of, "this is what you are supposed to be doing." I see a vision of the woman I am supposed to be - it is awsome!

I was nervous about being young and with young children, I felt like some of the moms would think, "who is SHE to tell ME how to raise my kids?" But they will pair us up with common life circumstances - they get a lot of young moms with young kids. I will take Brock with me and we can meet at the park, the pool, the grocery store, where ever - they say young moms are the best because the mom's will learn from our example.

For confidentiality purposed I will not be able to talk specifically about my cases - but I will keep you all updated on my feelings as I start this new adventure. Wish me luck!

Elder Hanna

My brother Michael got his mission call last week. He is going to Phoenix, Arizona and leaves on August 20th!! I am so proud of him! I still can't believe he will be gone soon. I know he is making the right decision and will make a great missionary. He is such a hard worker.

For all my ward friends that have moved down there or are moving down there - you better have him over for dinner - :)

Fourth of July

Since we had Jason home on a weekday-day, we decided to make the most of it. We started our day at 6:00 am at the hot air balloon launch in Provo. This was mine and Jason's 4th year in Provo and we had never been - so I thought it would be fun to take Brock.As you can see Brock LOVED it. They let you go right up to the balloons. Brock was very intrigued when they would start the fire. And then when the balloons would take off he would chase after them. Once they were all launched Brock would look up in the sky all morning and point and say "oons". I did not think he would enjoy it as much as he did - especially at 6 AM!

Then we went to the Freedom Days Parade. We live on University Ave. and the parade goes right by our house. For those of you who are thinking "oh that's fun", you would be wrong! Every year we have squatters camping out on our lawn, people lighting fireworks at 2 AM, cars parking in our parking lot, people smoking pot in our stair well, and much much more. But for the sake of the 1 hour parade - Brock enjoyed it.

This is Maggie, Molly, and Brock (Brock thinks they are his sisters). (Brock NEVER took a binkey - however he likes to steal Molly's and chew on the opposite end - weird boy)

This is how Brock spends most of his life - on Jason's shoulders - it is his favorite place to be.
Then we went up to Sundance to play in the river, throw rocks, and "hike" around. This was Jason's first time up with us (we go about once a week). Brock loved having Jason up there - he could throw him around and do "manly" stuff. Jason rolled up his pants, went into the middle of the river to pick up a huge rock just so he could throw it back in the river so Brock could see it splash - Mom does not do stuff like that!


Then we went to a park to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks. Brock had a REALLY fun time (Probably his favorite of the day) . He just ran around and watched other kids play (his favorite thing to do). Unfortunately the fire works got started late this year - so Brock was WAY tired by the time they started (10:15ish[he is usually in bed by 7:30 or 8]), but once the fireworks started he perked up and really enjoyed them. He would point to the sky and just start jabbering - it was funny because it was the tired/delirious kind of jabbering.

All in all it was a GREAT holiday - especially with Jason home. I wish we could spend everyday like that.

Red had a problem yesterday!

Remember when you used to have intelligent conversations with people that did not have to do with your kids, your spouse, or what you are making for dinner? It seems like a lifetime ago - and I am only 1 child into "mommy-hood". Yesterday I was at a party for my friend Ashley when I said to her (and all other mother's there), "Red had a problem yesterday!" Unfortunately she (and all other moms) knew exactly what I was talking about and a conversation ensued about Red's "super big problem".

*Background note: "Super Why" is a children's TV show on PBS. Everyday one of the characters has a "super big problem" that must be fixed. Alpha Pig has most of the problems - but it has been noticed that Wonder Red (the girl with the braids) never has a problem. Well on Monday Red had a problem (her grandma would not let her into her house because her shoes were muddy).

A few moments after I had made the comment I had realized that that was my exciting news for the day, "Red had a problem". Oh well, as hard as I try to stay on top of current events, politics, and anything else actually WORTH talking about, I will probably end up talking about my kids, my husband, and what I am making for dinner - but for the record, there was a time, in my past, that I was interesting and had never heard of "Super Why".

Discovery Gardens

Last week we went to the Discovery Gardens at Thanksgiving Point with Karli, Payton, and Brooklyn. We had a fun time. They have a giant statue thing of Noah's Ark with water squirting that the kids can play in, they have a bears cave, a light house, and fountains shooting out of the ground. The kids thought is was great!
It has been fun to watch Payton's and Brock's friendship evolve. They used to get along great - but lately since Brock is walking and "looks" to be like a big kid, Payton really wants to "play" with him. But Brock still falls over really easy and doesn't understand what Payton is doing. Once Brock is old enough and can actually keep up with Payton it will be great! We are so glad to have the Bell's in our lives!
This is Karli's beautiful girl, Brooklyn. She is the best baby, she is so chill and just goes with the flow. She slept on a blanket for most of the time.