Jelly Belly, Camping, and Surfing Oh my!

My mom and my cousin Sydnie came to visit us after our fast trip to OC. While they were here we went to the Jelly Belly Factory, the girls camped in the backyard and they went to "Dream Extreme" which is an indoor wave machine.

Swimming at the Lee's house

Our friends Katherine and Steve Lee live in Bakersfield, and on this trip to OC we stopped to visit them so that we could break the drive up. Here are some pictures of the girls swimming in their pool.

Trip to OC/July 2009

Here are some random pictures of the kids playing in the backyard at my sister Jennifer's house.

Avery and Brendon playing tag.

This is little Logan. So cute!

Avery and Brendon playing in the little pool.

All the grandkids on the "Nowack" side of the family. Savannah 11, Brendon 4, Avery 3 and Logan 5mo.

Avery's new haircut

I was getting tired of Avery taking her out of her ponytail everyday because it's summer and she loves to go swim. So I made a comment one Sunday afternoon that I would like to cut her hair because it looks so "ratty" when she pulls it out. Next thing I knew she was upstairs and brought down my haircutting box and said, "Here is the stuff to cut my hair." So, here is the finished product.

Avery playing with her cousin Brendon

Grandma, Grandpa and cousin Brendon all came in town from Utah for Savannah's 6th grade promotion. Here are some pictures of Avery and her cousin playing. They have so much fun together. I wish they lived closer.

The trash man came while we were out playing and he got out of his truck and brought the kids lollipops.

Savannah's 6th grade Promotion

Where has the time gone. Savannah is 11 now almost turning 12 and has promoted from 6th grade and will be moving on to Junior High. Scary!

Savannah gets award for 4.0 grade average

This is Mr. Sutter, Savannah's 6th grade teacher.

Here are some of Savannah's other classmates that got a 4.0 grade average also. To the left in turquoise is her good friend Hannah Montgomery.

While the cats away.................

The rat came out to play...........

I'm sure the cannery can't wait to have his busy little body back there working.

The Fair.

A massage.

My sister in law Amanda sent me these pictures with that exact caption. I am glad my husband worked so hard while the girls and I were gone in Utah. :)

2009 Fun Run

This year at Savannah's Elementary school, all the Fun Run proceeds when to "Locks of Love."

This was a charity that was very near and dear to the school this year as the Secretary of attendance for the school was diagnosed with cancer and has missed most of the school year. The kids love Mrs. Rohlfing and she is greatly missed on campus.

Every year the kids are the ones to design the shirts for the Fun Run. This year Savannah's design won and was placed on all the kids t-shirs. She was so proud.

Our trip to Orange County

We went down for a quick trip to OC in February for Eric's sister, Jessica, who was graduating from Sargeants school in the Marine Corps.

After the Graduation we spent a few days with Aunt Kathy at her house in Fallbrook. The girls loved the horses AND Savannah especially loved being able to drive the golf cart around the property. A kids dream!

Jennifer's baby Logan

My sister Jennifer had her baby in February when we went there to visit. Here a couple pictures of him in the hospital with the girls, and another one my sister sent. So cute!
His name is Logan Charles Adams

Avery my little "Fashion Diva"

This is the cute little outfit she finally decided upon after trying on about 6 other outfits and throwing them all on her floor.

Avery's first day of preschool

The Prophets B's

Here is Avery being Savannah's little helper as she gives the FHE lesson President Hinckley's B's.

First day of Gymnastics class

This was the first day of Avery's gymnastics class. We had a really fun time sitting and doing nothing but watch all the other little girls have fun for 6 weeks. Poor Avery! Just too shy to participate.

Ducks with cousins

Avery loves to feed to ducks, or all animals for that matter. Anyways this day we went with Cousins. Notice the duck with the red eyes. They nicknamed him the "Evil duck"

Gratitude for my life although not perfect

It has been along time since I have posted, and I do have pictures and things to post about, but for right now, I wanted to just write about this blog that I read.

It is about a family from Arizona. (Although they have since sold their house and have moved to Utah) The mom and dad were in a near fatal plane crash. The dad has done really well recovering from his wounds, but the mother has had a rougher time as she was burned more severely. She has 4 young kids and now she uses her blog to update everyone on her recovery.

Anyways, she is an excellent writer and many of her posts are so heartfelt. This morning I was catching up on some of her posts as I have not read anything for almost a month. I spent the morning crying and felt so grateful for my life even though there are always things you wish were different.

You have to read these posts. April 6, March 31, and March 23.

I think the one from the 23rd made me cry the most, but they were all touching. Start with the April one and go back. In her post on the 23rd, she writes about Lucy, who her kids call mom. This is a family member who has helped raise the kids while she was in the hospital fighting for her life.
http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/

Try to imagine being in her shoes, and being her young children. Heartbreaking. I was so full of love and gratitude this morning. I was grateful for the small things like being able to pick up my little one and hold her.

Then, I went out the garage to vacuum out my car and clean it out and my little one let the dog out and our dog runs the street when she get's out. I found myself losing all of the feelings of gratitude I felt this morning and reverting back to my old self.

I came in, re read Nie Nie's posts, cried all over again, and realized that I am so thankful to be a mother and I don't want to take any of that for granted. BTW my little one is sitting here at my side trying to bang on the keyboard while I type and she is whining she is hungry. I have a smile and I am loving it!

Stephanie Nielsons posts:

Monday, April 06, 2009

Nie: on being alone
Lying on my bed tonight I type to the sound of the dryer pounding away. My room is musty. Mr. Nielson just bathed Jimmy tonight and he is now curled up near my side of the bed drying.He stinks.I returned home from another day at the hospital. My burn therapists and doctor examined my body like it were a piece of meat. Jabbing poking, peeling and smelling my wounds. My doctor spoke of my upcoming surgery in two weeks.That news hurts my ears.During the examination my eyes would sneak from my doctor to Mr. Nielson sitting near the bed I was laying on. He was there and that was all that mattered. I felt comfort in knowing he was there to help me make hard decisions and care for me the way I needed. I would never be alone with him near by. You know how sometimes you can be in a room with a million people and yet feel so alone. Never with My Mr. Nielson. And that is how it should be.We are really good for eachother.Sometimes we say the exact same things at the same time, like today we both said mouthwatering at the same exact time. Who says that word (besides a commercial for shrimp or something like that) let alone at the same time!?It's awesome.I got a plate of homemade oreo cookies today. It was a beautiful treat and they were delicious. My cousin Katie brought her famous chocolate/chocolate cookies yesterday. Another beautiful moment. But best of all, I got a hand-written note from her and him...my favorite second cousin and one of my beloved friends announced their engagement. Very exciting. I hope I am invited to the wedding(I'll come to NYC, I will!! on a train though)Now, the children are in bed. It's my turn.My mind will now reflect on life before me as I lay in the dark. I will think about my upcoming surgery. I will think about how I may be down for weeks. Burns are a very difficult balance. Just when you think you are making steps forward you take some back while you are at it. It makes me nervous thinking that all this progress I have made will have been for nothing being laid up with more surgery. But I am reminded and tenderly assured that I am not alone.That is truth beyond measure.I remember as our plane violently crashed to the ground, I tucked my head down on my knees and prayed. I was not alone then. I felt rather calm in a very troubled moment which seemed to last forever. The plane whistled fast downward and in my head I saw my children. I saw them laughing and smiling. It was touching in such a dramatic time yet another peaceful reminder that I was not alone then, and certainly not now.I am grateful for my relationship with my Maker. He has preserved my life, given me a second chance and presented me with new challenges that I am ready to face here on this beautiful earth. All that I am is for my children and for my husband but espcially to my Father in heaven. I am trying to live selfless in a selfish world and it is hard, espcially when I'm the one with the problems.I feel your thoughts and prayers and I certainly know I am never, ever alone.Thank you.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Feeling good.
Its been awhile since I posted. I should post more often since I've been feeling good these past couple days. By feeling good, I mean eating some good quality chocolate, spectacular Mexican food, and love e-mails from so many people. It helps.But what really has helped has been my faith (that I am trying to muster up everyday) in my recovery process.It is the prayers on my behalf and the solid love my family, particularly Mr. Nielson has given me everyday. I will now happily name a few reasons why I am feeling good. They are also called "second firsts" to me- like, I have been able to wipe myself (and everything that entails). Showers are becoming easier, preparing food-well, OK like pouring the milk in the cereal seems doable enough. I am definitely getting better.This past weekend, we were invited to "5 guys burgers and fries" family/friend party. I invited my brother Andrew, his wife Megan and their children. Boy was it hopping. They just opened up in Orem. The fries were endless. A dinner dream come true. Everyone was so kind and that place is very kid-friendly, another dream come true. Andrew said the burger was "awesome". Since I don't eat meat I had to get an opinion. When you go, (because you should) ask for "Jeff".A delightful piece of chocolate cake was shared after hours at another restaurant with Andrew and Meg while their oldest babysat the gang. (thanks chick!)This evening, Mr. Nielson finished up our wallpaper in the entry-way. It looks fantastic. As he was working a whiny Nicholas pulled on his pant leg repeating something over and over again. I could tell my sweet husband was getting frustrated and Nicholas sensed it as well. He started crying and that's when I came in. I told the little man to follow me to the couch where he climbed up and I gently PICKED HIM UP!! Folks, did you hear that!It was another personal wonder in my recovery book.It is a detail in a mothers life that seems very everyday, but for me, it kept me up at night after the accident. I couldn't see myself ever being able to do that again.He lay his head down on my bony shoulder as I walked around the house once.(maybe twice next week?!)After I couldn't hold the little cherub anymore, I sat down holding him. My heart nearly jumped out of my skin. I was so privately pleased with myself (and also because Nic is a very heavy kid).I helped the girls do homework and Oliver asked me to itch his back-I think we all need a good itchin' now and then don't you?Spiritual Enlightenment...go here.Everything is going to be OK. I know it.

Monday, March 23, 2009

A mother.
Last week was hard. I mean like every breath was painful with sadness and depression and I was feeling slightly misunderstood.When the sun fades my heart sinks. Nights are hard.One night in particular was hard. Looking in the mirror gives me instant frustration because the questions begin in my head like: Who am I? Is this what I will look like forever? Will I ever truly love the way I look again? Do I love myself? Then I cry. Then Mr. Nielson holds me tight and repeats loving and calming words that slowly work their way in.A cry downstairs. Must be Nicholas. I look at Mr. Nielson and tell him I really want to go and put him back to dreamland. My boys devour Christian all day long like he were a ice cream cone. They can never get enough. I used to be that ice cream cone. The accident changed that. Getting Ollie to hug me is like pulling teeth. Nicholas wont have anything to do with me so when he began to cry I jumped at the opportunity to lay beside him.Tears dropped as I walked down the stairs to the boys room- anything could happen. He could scream for his Dad or mom (lucy) and push me away. Inside Nicholas sat up next to a sleeping brother (who by the way was wearing a Zorro mask) I lay beside him on he bed repeating soft words to him just as Mr. Nielson had done for me moments earlier.Nicholas cuddled up to me. He stopped crying. I was shocked. For a moment I felt like myself-a mother. I think that cured our relationship.Just today he asked for his mommy then curled up on my lap, rubbed my scar filled face and said to me:"bites mommy...ouch"Now he likes me. Just like that. It just takes one day at a time.Saturday I woke up and I was happy. My body felt like it was full of sunshine. No pain. I got up early and said my prayers then I turned on my music and opened the blinds. I ate breakfast with Nicholas while the other sleepy-heads slowly walked up the stairs for their morning nutrients.Again it happened, I felt like a mother. It's coming back.

Valentines Day

The girls at the breakfast table.

Daddy dancing to his card.."You're simple the best. Better than all the rest."

My gift from Savannah. This was rolled up and wrapped in about 9 seperate pieces of tissue paper.

Can you roller blade and scooter at the same time...

Avery is attempting it..............

Mom, I did it all by myself..

Okay, so I thought I would let Avery try to do the bagel all by herself. She is actually pretty good at doing alot of things. So, since she already knows how to toast the bagel, lets see how well she spreads the cream cheese.

Some may say she WAY passed! Others, including her Mom, say she still needs a little help.

Why did Jesus leave this...

The other day when Avery was emptying the dishwasher she said something about this skewer and Jesus, but I dismissed it until today. She was putting the can opener away while we were preparing dinner and saw the skewer in the drawer and said:

Avery "Why did Jesus leave this at our house?"

Mom "What is that?"

Avery "A candy cane."

Mom "What does Jesus do with a candy cane?"

Avery "He holds it in his hand."

I think she is remembering at Christmastime when we talked about the signs of Christmas and the candy cane that represented the shepherds. It's cute that she can picture in her little mind this skewer representing something that Jesus would have held.

The Quick Cleaners

I am beginning to really like it when Savannah has friends over. They get her to work harder than normal. So, yesterday I found this sign hanging in the kitchen.

So, I got my living room and family room carpets vacuumed. I got all the tile up the entry way in to the kitchen and family area and bathroom all vacuumed and mopped, and I got the downstairs bathroom cleaned as well as just a couple of small odd things.

What did this cost me?? The cost of the two of them having lunch at Carl's Jr. They spent around $11-$12. It was worth it to me!

Lesson on getting along..

It seems like Savannah and Avery have been arguing much more lately than normal. It does not happen daily, but it happens enough where I have noticed a difference in how they speak with one another, so I was trying to nip it in the bud.

Tonight I had a discussion with them from Mosiah 4:14
"And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel with one another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness."

So, I discussed with them my role as a parent, and how I need to teach them ways that they can better handle situations that arise, so that they do not fight and quarrel with one another. We role played many scenarios where Avery might do something to upset Savannah and then I reacted in 2 different ways to let her see the difference of how situations could be handled better. I think the points were well received. I thought that if Savannah knew that it was in the scriptures that we are not to fight and quarrel that she would be much more mindful of her reactions to her sister.

We discussed how satan wants us to be unhappy and fight and quarrel. That makes him happy. But we do not serve satan, we serve our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and there way is better and leads to peace and happiness.

Hopefully, things will go better. Not perfect, but better.

Randomness......

Scary with his cool orange ING sunglasses.

Daddy helping Avery climb a tree.

Savannah's soccer team at year end party.

Savannah with her coach.

Sister Abakite

Here is a picture of Savannah with Sister Abakite. We have fallen in love with this missionary. We love all the missionaries, but this one we just developed a special bond with. Eric told her we will go visit her island when she gets off her mission in 18months. She was CRAZY excited. So Kirbati (pronounced Kirabas), here we come!

Here is a little glimpse in to her life and living arrangements. I loved it when she would always want to sit on our floor because they don't really have chairs and couches where she is from, and she would complain about how much her back hurts from sleeping on a mattress. She is used to sleeping on the ground and they use leaves to make "cushiony" mats to sleep on. She would talk about how they like to just go out fishing and then eat the fish raw. Such simplicity. So gross to me, but so simple. When she got sick on her mission, we wanted to take her a little treat, and I almost went to the store and just bought a raw fish to give her because she was really missing that.

I am just in love with the humility and am so fascinated with the difference in the way of life. We are so richly blessed here in America. Our house is like a palace to her.

Alexandra's Baptism Day

Saturday, January 31, 2009, My friend Alexandra decided to get baptized. It was a wonderful day! What a sacrifice she made to join our church. Her father told her that she would be taken off their family bible and that he would not speak to her again, but she knows that it was the right thing to do to join the church anyways. I am so proud of her for her strength. This is a picture of Alexandra with her kids Benito and Cevanna, our family and the Sister missionaries that taught her, Sister Turley and Sister Abakite.

Savannah's first sewing project

She did such a good job sewing straight lines. I was very impressed. She did this all by herself. We did have to undo some of the stitching when she was sewing on the trim because it got a little crooked, but other than that, this pillowcase if perfect. (It even has french seams)

Here is Avery's pillowcase. Notice she picked out helecopter fabric. Mom had to sew hers though. Here she is showing it off.

My sweet daughters.

This is what I found yesterday morning as I went in to the bathroom to get dressed for the day.
I love to get their random little notes. Most of the time they are sitting on our pillowcases when we go to bed, so this was a sweet surprise.

"Mom, Do I look pretty?"

How could I possibly say anything other than, "Yes, you look beautiful."

A bib?

Avery felt like the dog needed a bib on today before she ate her food.

My downstairs Baseboards are clean!!

Today Savannah had a friend over and they were dying to ride their scooters up to Carl's Jr for lunch. I was a little hesitant at letting them go up to the Carl's Jr, but Eric thought they would be fine as long as they took a cell phone........

The problem was they didn't have enough money to buy lunch. They had managed to scrape up about $3-$4 though somehow and then came down begging to do some chores around the house to make some more money.

How could I turn that down. I filled up 2 buckets with soapy water a washcloth and a scrub brush, and off the two of them went to clean the baseboards. (Isn't it only fair that kids do this anyways because they are closer to the ground.)

I paid them $5. I don't know if I was cheap or generous...but they were happy. (I would never clean baseboards for $5)

Anyways they came home and said they enjoyed sharing a 9pc chicken stars, a large fry and a shake.

Carl's Jr is so expensive! They were happy though, and that is all that counts. AND I am happy because I have clean baseboards.

Welcome Kale'a Nikole Quinn

My new little Niece was born on Tuesday to Alysia and Sean Quinn. (This is Eric's sister)

She was 5lb 13oz and 19" long.

Okay, I have to say this absolutely gives me that itch to possibly want one more. How could I be guaranteed a boy?

She is so little and cute. I can't wait to hold her. Too bad they live in Idaho.

ERIC

**Isn't that first paragraph totally Eric**

You Are Gracious and Amicable

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

JANIS

You Are Level-Headed and Trustworthy

You are fair, honest, and logical. You are a natural leader, and people respect you. You never give up, and you will succeed... even if it takes you a hundred tries. You are rational enough to see every part of a problem. You are great at giving other people advice. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Avery learned a new Primary song...

This song has been being sung since we walked in the door. It is so funny how they pick up on those catchy phrases.

Again, no it is not the normal to have a bike in the house banging in to furniture. It was just another reason to pull the camera out to see her singing as she was going "onward" on her bike.

Thank you to everyone who is giving Avery new experiences in Big Primary this year. Thank you to her new teachers, Brother and Sister Stewart who have been fabulous with her and to Sister Lewis who is so great with music.

Thank you also to her old teacher in Nursery, Sister Old Mc Donald, who she loved. We were pointing out to Avery her new teacher during Sacrament meeting the first Sunday back in January, and she said, "I don't want that teacher. I want sisser Old Mc Donald."

We are grateful to everyone who puts the time in to teach our kids at church.

Christmas

HOW VERY SAD! NOT ONE PICTURE FROM CHRISTMAS EVE OR DAY!

It was a wonderful Christmas though. Avery was so fun this season. She was excited at everything. She is at the perfect age for taking in all the fun of Christmas.

We spent Christmas eve with our friends, Scott and Jennifer Martin. They were having the missionaries for dinner and we joined them with our friend Alexandra. After dinner we did 2 nativity readings. One we just about killed all the songs we sang, but we had a good laugh. When we got home, the girls got to open up their jammies and off to bed they went.

Christmas morning we woke up and the girls got to open up their stockings. We had a breakfast of stickey buns and abelskivers.

Our family's favorite Christmas story is The Christmas Orange. I decided this year that I would give Savannah an Orange in her stocking and have her fill out a sheet I made before she could continue with opening presents. I think it was a nice reflection for her that morning to contemplate the many blessings she enjoys in her life. Below is the form she filled out.

Savannah got a Nintendo DS for Christmas and her stocking. She got money from Grandma and Grandpa, a gift card to Target and a Webkinz from Nana, and a Webkinz from her cousin.

Avery got a stroller from Grandma and Grandpa that she just adores, and a medical kit from her sister, plus her stocking. I had 2 other gifts for her under the tree, but she was so happy with her other gifts that I returned one of them, and I am saving the other for her Easter basket. She also got a helecopter from Nana. She is one happy camper. Since Savannah got a DS, she gave Avery her Nintendo advance gameboy, and Avery loves it and goes around calling it her "DS."

I am thankful for this holiday season and for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my parents who kept Christmas simple and instilled in me an attitude of keeping the season simple. I am thankful for my husband and children who are grateful and appreciative for the things they do receive, even though the numbers of presents may be few and the amount may not be lavish. I feel like I am so blessed and I am so happy to have the husband and children that I do. What more could I want for Christmas? (Oh yeah! A dining room table)

Avery Miscellaneous

This is a picture of Avery who came downstairs so proud of herself because she said, "Look Mom, I can braid all by myself." She had the rubber band all ready for me to put on the end to finish it off.



This is a picture of one of the nativity sets on our entry table. I always would move the figures out a bit, only to find them right up against the edge of the stable again. I think AVERY thought they couldn't see baby Jesus how I had them. So, I ended up just leaving it this way.

The Bell Family

Here is a picture of Eric's sister Larissa (in black) and the family that adopted her little girl Thalia. Larissa did a wonderful job picking this family for her little girl. The family looks just like Thalia and they are totally in LOVE with her.

The Bell family is from Oregon and they have been wonderful in sending pictures to Larissa and this Christmas they even came to California to meet all of Larisssa's family. It was a great evening.

Thalia was certainly an answer to prayer for this great family, and she is going to have a wonderful life.

Auntie Amanda gets married

On November 22nd, Eric's sister was married at the Sacramento California Temple. Here are some pictures of the wonderful day.

Christmas Sunday...Before and After

This is what the girls looked liked when they woke up...



This is what the girls looked like as we walked out the door to church..

So cute! Notice that Avery's little dress came with a matching dress for her dolly. I couldn't resist it when I saw it.

The answer is 15...

How many "Clorox Disinfecting Wipes" does it take for a 3yr old to wipe her bottom all by herself and get the toilet clogged so it won't flush?

Yes, that would be 15.

It has been a couple of months since I have used the flushable wipes with Avery. So, imagine by surprise the day she is calling me to the bathroom because the toilet "wont work."

I was proud of her for trying to wipe herself though. (By the way the clorox wipes are kept in a hanging basket on the door. I have since moved them up to a higher basket.)

Alexandra has agreed to be baptized.

We had a wonderful night with 4 sister missionaries, and I think they were surprised at how often Alexandra reads the Book of Mormon and how ready she is for the Gospel. They asked her if she could commit to baptism on January 3rd. Alexandra was surprised at the offer because she thought she was suppose to study the Gospel and know EVERYTHING before she could be baptized. She was really excited to learn that once she felt like the Book of Mormon was true that she could get baptized. The missionaries explained to her that this is just a step, and now she will have the Gospel, the Holy Ghost, and she will continue to learn and grow "line upon line, precept upon precept."It was a wonderful night.

Her baptism will not be on the 3rd though, because that is not the week that she has her kids and she wants her kids at her baptism.

The Field is White Already to Harvest....

I have to say that I feel like the Lord is using me as an instrument in his hands yet again.


Back when we were in the Laguna Creek 2nd ward when it was HUGE and bursting at the seams, I was in the Relief Society Presidency. I was over Enrichment nights. There was a gal in our ward name Kelli Edson who would bring a lady from Germany with her. Her name was Alexandra. She loved coming to church and really felt the spirit but was threatened by her husband and his family, who are Catholic, to stop going to our church. In the meantime she stopped talking with the missionaries and Kelli had since moved to another state.


It was over a year ago and I was at the park with my family and Alexandra was there. She recognized me immediately and spoke to me about how much she missed the church and how much her kids missed primary. She said she felt so much peace and happiness when she would go to our church.


We exchanged emails and phone numbers and have kept in contact off and on over the year.


About 2 months ago, I saw who I thought was Alexandra on my street, but I didn't stop because I wasn't for sure it was her or not. After a couple of days it was really on my mind and I wasn't getting any responses to emails I sent her.


I finally went to the house that I saw her at, and come to find out, her in-laws are my neighbors and they babysit her kids after school.


This is not a coincidence that we have moved on to this street. The Lord has put us Alexandra in my path yet again.


She came over to my house the other day (while I was horribly busy with the wedding and my family just getting in to town) and she was crying and just needed someone to talk to. She is in the middle of a divorce and she works for her in-laws. It doesn't make for a great situation for her. Anyways, I told her that we would pray for her and for opportunities that she may find another place for employment and that she would have the courage to stand up for herself and to do the things that make her happy and to not feel bullied in to making certain choices because she is afraid for her job.


She called just the other day and told me that her ex husband has agreed to the 50/50 custody and visitation and he told her that if she wanted to attend the Mormon church he was not going to give her a hard time. She was so happy and so at peace.


She is so excited to start coming to church again, and I am so happy for her!

Christmas Elf

Eric's Mom bought us this last year and the girls have really enjoyed it. The girls named the elf "Bubbles."

They can talk to the Elf and give him messages for Santa, but they cannot touch him and he cannot talk to the kids.

Every night, the elf fly's back to Santa and tells Santa whether the kids have been naughty or nice and gives Santa any messages from the kids.

Then he fly's back and lands in a new place for the kids to find him each day.
It is a fun little tradition.

**More Christmas traditions**

We wrap up books both sprititual and non spiritual, then each night the girls get to pick a book each and unwrap it so we can read it. (I have to be honest and tell you that this year I did not wrap the books though. TOO lazy. The girls are still having fun going through the basket and picking a book to read though.)

We read a scripture, sing a hymn and read a story each night for the 24 days of Christmas.

We make Jesus a birthday cake or cupcakes (normally cupcakes) to sing to him for his birthday. The girls get to blow out the candles. It is just a fun way to remind the kids what Christmas is about.

Every Christmas eve we read the account of the Saviors birth from Luke and sing hymns.

Every Christmas eve the kids get to open up 1 present. It is always their Christmas jammies. This way they have new warm jammies to sleep in and they look cute the next day for pictures. :)~

Skate Park

We went to the skate park tonight with Uncle Steve and a couple of cousins. They have been teaching Savannah to "drop in" the bowl at the skate park.

Here is Savannah doing it how it should be done........

Here is Eric......OOPS!

Savannah doing another "drop in." She is going up the banks the shorter distance and is going back and forth up each side. You really have to watch for the light helmet to see her going back and forth because it was very dark out there, even with our lantern.

Here is Eric again...He really is trying. Too bad I missed his 3rd attempt which was the fall that has him in pain this morning.

The girls dancing

Savannah is our un-shy and total performer.

Avery on the other hand is our more shy child. This morning they were dancing to the Hallmark snowmen that sing. Avery let me come in and video tape her. This is my first ever video of her dancing.

Meet Carl.

Here is the newest family member, CARL.

This fish was one of the center pieces at Auntie Amanda's wedding on November 22nd, and we became the newly adopted family.

Avery loves Carl. The problem is Mom hasn't quite fallen in love yet, that is why it is still in it's plastic container from the store.

Do you know that these Beta fish have to be in PURIFIED water. You supposedly cannot use Tap water. PLEASE! Come on! I either have to buy a tank with a filter, or buy filtered water every time we clean his bowl.

I asked Avery if we could let him swim in the toilet today, and she absolutely said, "NO" She did want to feed him goldfish crackers today though. Eric just asked her if we could cook CARL for dinner, and she said, "No, no, no, no one can do that. It would be yucky."

I guess we will be buying CARL a new bigger bowl and possibly a filtered tank. I am going to put Eric in charge of that.

I will try to be more open minded like my friend Jennifer, and embrace animals, lots of animals. Maybe next I will have a rabbit, a cat, a snake, a rat. Yikes. Maybe that is going too far. I have along way to go to be that nice.

THANKFUL

As I contemplate this past week, I wanted to express some thoughts I had.

I am so thankful for my husband, who works so hard so that I am able to stay home with my kids and be a Mom. I am thankful for his willingness to do whatever I ask of him. This past week, I was out flat on my back and he was there "waiting" on my every need. I am so thankful his job allows him to work out of the house. It is wonderful to always have him around.

I am thankful for my parents who love me and who love my husband and kids unconditionally. My kids know they are loved and can turn to them for anything.

I am thankful for my siblings who are all far away, but in my heart, I love them and am thankful for the part they have played in my life.

I am thankful for Savannah, who loves life and loves to play. She doesn't sit still much, but when she does, she is cuddling her little sister as they watch a movie, or cuddling with me as we watch a movie. She is great at always wanting to be the "reader" when we do scriptures. I hope she will always be a leader and a good example as she grows older.

I am thankful for Avery who brings life to all of us. Her cute little dimples when she smiles, her sweet little "sorry's" and her wonderful hugs and kisses. She can't stay upset long, especially if you give her a funny look. She loves to be happy and she is the ultimate joy to have around.
Her newest thing is to sing "I am a child of God" throughout the day, and I tell you it melts a parents heart.



I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes life seems hard, but the Lord is with us in every step. He suffered greater than we have and He is there to uplift and support us always.

BLING

My sister in law opted out of the beautiful wedding shoe and purchased some canvas platform heel tennis shoes.

My task was to make the shoes look pretty. I may have gone a little overboard. But once I started, I couldn't stop and I covered the entire shoe. It is covered in pearls and sequins.

I can't say that this would have been my choice for a wedding shoe, but she wanted to wear something comfortable all day, and I think that I did a good job with what I was given.

Notice how I gave her some new shoelaces too.

The right place at the right time

Yesterday night I went to Walgreens to get some toenail polish for the wedding. As I left Walgreens, I decided I would go home up Laguna to Harbour Point and go all way across to home instead of the normal up Franklin to Elk Grove Blvd. The interesting thing is Avery kept asking me, where are we going? I told her we were going home. She would say, No this isn't right. But for her it was just a way she has never been. (What a smart little 3 year old.) Anyways, as Harbour turns in to West Taron, you begin to enter the housing development. Right after the first stop sign, I noticed a man, who I thought was crippled walking the same direction as I was driving, but on the other side of the street. He seemed to walk as if he had cerebral palsy or something of that nature. The problem was it seemed like his hands were just flailing around too much. As I past him, I kept watching him from my rear view mirror. As I approached the next stop sign, I saw him fall to the ground.

There was a car going the opposite direction as I was, and went right past him and did not stop. I flipped my car around and drove up right by him and rolled my window down. I was a bit nervous because it was dark and it was just Avery and I in the car, but as I spoke to him, I asked him if he was Ok and if he needed an ambulance or the police. He said, "Ma'am I passed out and I'm really hurting. I hit my head when I fell. I live right here on Ruddy Duck, can you please just go get my family." I felt horrible leaving him there, but I hurried in my car and got his family. They rushed over in their car following me. We helped the man up and in to the car of his family.

Now, I share this story because I got home crying because it felt like the story of the good samaritan. I left this man for at least 2 minutes as I went to get his family, and when we got back to him, he was still laying in the gutter of the street. I really thought when we got back to him that there would be someone else pulled over with him. I saw 2 cars proceed through the stop sign as I was making my way back to him after getting his family. I found it so sad that no one stopped to help this poor man.

Were they too busy? Were they in a rush? Did they not see him? I will never know.

Was I inspired to go home a different way? I will believe, YES.