Peace of Mind

My friend forwarded this video to me today and I have watched it several times. It brings me lots of peace of mind. I have overwhelming feelings of joy and love and excitement about being a mother but every time I am pregnant, always in the back of my mind is the fear about what a great responsibility it is!! I often wonder if I am doing enough to help my children to realize the special things that they are here to accomplish! I want them to be descent good people who are happy and strong and stand up for what is right! Sounds more simple than it is :) For some reason when I get pregnant I get an abundance of "worry juices" along with my influx in hormones! ...the election, prop 8 passing in California and the havoc that has stirred up, the downward spiral the economy is taking.... it just feels scary sometimes to be raising a family in the world today!! I am so grateful for the daily reminders that there are many GOOD things all around! This video clip is just what I needed and is another evidence to me of the reality of tender mercy's!! Neal A. Maxwell gave this talk THIRTY years ago!! Did people know back then that what he was talking about was really going to be happening so soon?? We are given instruction and guidance TODAY by living prophets! The gospel can bring us the peace and hope and strength that we need! what a tremendous blessing it is to know that we are being watched out for, that there are many good people in this world, and that if we do all that we can... everything will work out!! There is no need to worry!! I am grateful for this Thanksgiving week and the opportunity that we have to celebrate our freedoms and our blessings....
they are countless!!!!
(don't forget to pause my music player so that you can hear this clip)

Happy Birthday !!

Last year was the big THREE-FIVE for Glen. I had recently started this blog and was excited to have a way to give him a tribute and to tell all the world... well, at least some of it anyway... why the Birthday Boy was so Special!! I wrote a straight from the heart list of 35 things that I love about him!! Well... I've been wondering what is different but just as nice as a list of 35 things that you love about someone? 36 things? I thought about adding one more thing to the list each year? maybe I should hit 100? (heaven knows that still doesn't even come close to covering it!) I thought about making a little (yeah right!) video of some of my favorite memories with him?? I even thought about recording myself and professing my love and devotion to him? Hmmmm...There are lots of really great things that I should have done but I am not in creative mode and only have a few minutes to do SOMETHING on this blog??? So here goes, after very little creativity I thought I'd just refer you to my older posts (specifically his birthday last year) if your interested in knowing what a great catch that I think Glen is! If you know me at all, it is no secret how I feel about the Birthday Boy though!! I'm just going to share a few of my favorite things about my husband that are most near and dear to my heart lately!!

We recently moved, leaving a place that we LOVED!! We had wonderful friends there, I loved the great shopping, my fun calling in church, visits to look forward to back and forth with my family, Glen's VERY flexible job, etc... We love that we are now closer to more of our family and we love this area but honestly this move has been a bit hard. I think it's more the timing than anything!! Glen is always positive. Sometimes to the point of annoying! :) He Never complains about anything or anyone... he has a way of changing things around so that it's impossible to see what was wrong in the first place... He always tries to get me to laugh when I'm down in the dumps... it drives me crazy, because it usually works.... I like to think I'm not too pessimistic, but I know that Glen is my saving grace... he keeps me looking ahead and HAPPY!!

ok maybe I should just make a new list?? See how I can go on and on...

NO, not enough time... I will just get to the point... Basically...I'm pregnant, cranky, tired, have been yucky sick recently, change is hard, the economy stresses me out, a church calling in Primary with a 15-17 month old running around with no nap is hard and feels pointless, Christmas is in the back of my mind and coming quickly, I really wanted to lose about 25 pounds BEFORE I got pregnant again, I have nothing to wear... you get the picture... all about ME!! Man, maybe I am a pessimist?? I definitely have been lately!! Well my dear sweet husband, the Birthday Boy... HIS life is all about me lately too! He is my friend especially when I have been lonely. He never complains when he comes home from work to a messy house, no dinner, and his wife laying on the couch... NEVER! He has been making dinner, bathing Gabe, totally doing the bedtime routine, I can't stay awake past 9:00 Pm because of the whole pregnant- tired thing! He stays up late cleaning! I wake up EVERY MORNING to a clean kitchen!! he's been doing the dishes EVERY NIGHT because he knows how they nauseate me!!! He picks up all of my slack, and it's a lot lately!! He has been the best support. So kind!!- he always is, and I'm not exaggerating...but it just means so much right now because I feel so guilty for letting all my responsibilities go to pot as a wife and mother, and the fact that he refuses to see it that way... makes me the luckiest girl in all the world!! He has been the dad and the mom and he still likes me through all the hard times... that is true love! And I just want him to know that he is my true love too! I am so so lucky that I talked him into marrying me! And all this is just one more example of why this Birthday boy is SO special!!
Happy Birthday Baby!!

Below are just a few of my favorite pictures because I think they say a lot...

me and Glen in Hawaii 2005. Not the best photo of me (all naturell...) but it reminds me of how wonderful it was to be alone together, late night walks on the beach, swimming in the ocean all day, exploring together.... It was one of the best times we've had !!
Glen loves babies... not just ours... no, any baby!!
Here he is with Gabe on the day that he was born! Lots of guys like little kids, I know, but not many love babies. Glen does. He has gotten up in the middle of the night for months with all of our babies to give them a bottle when they are new born. I loved hearing him talk to them, soothe them and sing them back to sleep! He looked forward to those quiet times at night alone with our babies... Seriously, what a sweetheart!

Easter 2007- Rolling Easter eggs as a family! Glen loves his family and doing fun traditions together! He makes anything that we do more FUN!
Glen is thee BEST dad! When we told everyone that we were having a third boy (Gabe) My sister told me that the news was great! She said you have the perfect husband for a bunch of sons!! It is so true! Glen is a boy at heart. He loves to play games, set up train tracks, marble roller coaster runs, build Lego cities, play G.I. Joe adventures, etc... He is my boys favorite playmate.

Glen and Evan playing football 2005
Glen built this fort out of a cardboard box and they played cops and robbers for hours
2004
The boys love to curl up and read a good book with their dad. he is a great teacher, always explaining things and making sure they understand!
Glen teaching Eli how to ride a bike (2004). He is SO patient!!
This is one of my favorite pictures of my handsome BOYS!! Easter Sunday 2008

So I guess this years Birthday tribute sort of turned into a modge podge of.... things I love about Glen, pictures and favorite memories too! I'm sure you get the general idea... I love this Birthday Boy and anyone who knows him can't help but love him too!
We are so lucky to have him!!
Happy Birthday Glen-o!!
XOXO!!

P.S. Happy Birthday today to our two cute nieces Emily Ruth who's 14 and little Ruby Jane who is two. I think you picked a pretty special uncle to share your day with!! Love you!!

Fall Picnic

When my little sister Julie was here with her family a few weeks ago we decided that there probably were not going to be many more days that would be nice enough for a picnic in the canyon!! My Grandpa must have been thinking the same thing because he called everyone in the family and planned a Saturday outing at Tony Grove up Logan Canyon!!

Evan and Eli adore little cousin Ruby Jane. We all wish that she lived closer!!

She and Gabe are the best of friends and couldn't get enough of the dump trucks!! Fill them up with rocks, dump them out... fill them up, dump them out... They pushed them EVERYWHERE!!

It was a beautiful day, just a bit chilly!! There was actually SNOW in some places!!!

My mom couldn't resist building a mini snowman right on the trail to greet everyone!!

Of course Grandpa brought his fishing gear along and everyone was able to reel in a few fish!!

It was one of those perfect days...beautiful surroundings, wonderful weather, yummy food and great company!!

World Famous Chef...

Evan received this chef hat and apron sewn with love from my mom for his birthday, along with an Easy Bake Oven!! He has been wanting an Easy Bake Oven for about two year now. Last year they were all recalled and not for sale anywhere due to a safety hazard. I thought he'd forget about it but as soon as they were back on the shelves and for sale this year, that's what was at the top of his birthday wish list!!

Evan's interest in cooking comes from the encouragement of my mom! She is so good at teaching my boys how to cook and bake, anything with Grandma is always more fun, right?! I have been trying to be better about having them help me make things too... I remember when I was little, loving to measure and pour and stir and then to taste the finished product that I actually had a part in, was great!! I wish it was still so exciting to cook!! I asked Evan why he wanted an Easy bake Oven and with a sparkle in his eye he said "because mom, then I can bake a cake all by myself anytime that I'm hungry for one!" I could just see him imagining endless mountains of cakes just for him to eat !!!... He even wore this cute little set to career day at school with a badge that said "world famous chef" So he's gone from dreams as a semi- truck driver (since he was about three years old) to a chef...We shall see??

We captured his first experience using the East Bake Oven oven on film! Of course, I couldn't resist what a cute little chef he makes!! Eli was his assistant...

First step... plug in the oven for preheat and coat the pan with cooking spray.

Every good chef follows the recipe
(well ok, the really GOOD chef's just make it up as they go...)

Next pour the mix into a bowl. Add a little water

Then spread the mix into the pan. Slide the pan into the oven. Cook for 8-10 minutes

While it's cooking, prepare the frosting by adding water to the dry mix.

once the cake is cooled spread frosting over the top and don't forget the sprinkles!!

Ta-Da!!!
a perfect little cake.... and a proud little chef!

Everyone was anxiously awaiting a taste of the finished product... Tea party style:)

Gabe thinks it's pretty tasty!!

The Chef gives it a thumbs up!!!

The real test came when we loaded into the car and drove to Great Grandma Evan's house
( about a week before she passed away) Evan saved her a little sliver and took one for my mom who was there too!! He was so proud when they both said it looked lovely and that they couldn't wait to try it!! Evan has made some cookies and another cake and is anxiously waiting to try a pizza next!!

The Next Craig Jessop?

Glen or I sing to Gabe each night as we rock him before bedtime. He loves it, just like our other boys did when they were babies. Gabe loves music, so it is especially exciting to him when we all gather for Family Home Evening and sing a few songs together. He usually just sits back and smiles and sways his body a little. Church music doesn't have much of a beat:) but that doesn't stop him from feelin' it!! That boy cannot hold still when he hears music... He reminds me of Baloo the bear on the movie The Jungle Book...and my dad!! Anyway Gabe usually watches the boys take turns leading the music, but last night he decided that he wanted to be the conductor. He knew just what to do...climb up on the stage (fireplace) hold the wand (ball-point pen) and conduct away! It was so cute I just had to take a little video... and just so you know... this is about the only cute thing he did during our Family Home Evening! The rest of the night he was rolling around on the floor, throwing the couch pillows at everyone trying to get them to play or trying to rip up the lesson!! Does Family Night still count if by the end of it you have to wonder if anybody got anything out of it???... and you've yelled five times during a lesson on finding Joy and being Happy??? Oh...I hope so....

Witches, spiders, pumpkins....spooky

Gabe is at such a fun age!! He'll be 18 months on the 11th. He is talking like crazy and has just started putting three words together. Some of his most common are... "no thank you" and "go away Eli" He speaks very clearly and it's fun to ask him to say anything and he can!! When I started pulling out the Halloween decorations this year Gabe started to get very concerned. I took him to Target awhile back and was showing him all of the talking pumpkins and goblins for sale and he was so nervous. I didn't think he'd get the whole spooky thing but he definitely does!! We have this childrens Halloween pop up book that he is terrified of... I opened it a few times and he would cover his ears (???) and run away. He is also pretty nervous about our large Halloween spider decorations and the skeleton. The first few days he'd say "move guy" because he wanted me to put it away! Now he likes him and calls him "telton." He carries him all around the house, even giving him rides in the doll stroller!! I also have this giant book of witches spells and potions. When you open the cover there is just a big spot to put candy in but each time it opens some creepy witch says several phrases and laughs... Gabe figured out there was candy inside so he always wanted to open the book for a piece but was torn because he was so scared of the "witch inside!" Anyway it was pretty funny to see him so interested in Halloween stuff but hesitant at the same time... He keeps us laughing all the time and is pretty much completely adored around here!! It seems like every time I finally remember to video him I just can't get the perfect performance. But here is a little piece of some of his cute Halloween words. of course he wouldn't say Happy Halloween like he usually does and there is no evidence of his cute "trick a treat" but it will have to do! My favorite is his impression of what a witch says....
( don't forget to pause my music player so that you can hear his cute sounds!)

Trick or Treat

It was such a nice night for trick or treating! You never know with the crazy weather here!! I have many memories of trudging through snow on Halloween night... but this year it was very nice! Still too cold though for Gabe's thin ninja suit and it's no fun to wear a coat over your costume, I used to hate that!!! So I pulled out this old frog suit that belonged to
Evan thinking it would have to do and I fell in love with my cute baby as a frog!! We quickly taught him to say "ribbit" and to hop around like a frog. He loved looking in the mirror at himself! and I especially loved when he'd say "bibbit bibbit" "Babe (Gabe) fwog "

cute little boys

Grandma and Grandpa always give out yummy drinks... a nice change from candy!!

isn't he cute?... pretty irresistable if you ask me!! He held tight to his pumpkin and LOVED getting "Halloween" his new word for candy??

We went to our first trunk or treat this year! It was in our church parking lot and I have to say I didn't love it!! It seemed so impersonal and quick. Most of the kids didn't even say "trick or treat" they just walked by in big groups holding their bags open for candy. I was hoping more people would have decorated their cars too!! Lots of people say they love it because it's fast and easy and you just get it done and go home... what??? I like Holiday's more than most people I guess... I just remember the good old days where Halloween was one big day filled with excitement and fun. Now it last about 2 weeks with carnivals, costume parades 13 times, tons of candy and treats and parties... that's all fun... but I think that by the time Halloween rolls around everyone is just tired of it and so that's why they want to do this trunk or treat thing and get home and done quickly!! I thought trunk or treats were for people in big cities, spread out who don't know their neighbors... Anyway, next year I think we'll avoid the trunk thing and go back to the traditional fun of Halloween
(I'm a bit onery and hormonal, can you tell??:)
Glen did a great job of cranking up our Halloween CD on the stereo
and spooking out the trunk too!! ...Maybe it was just strange because we're new here and most of the people who were there we didn't really know? I was just thinking it would be different
than it was... I guess?

My boys have this tradition when we get home on Halloween night!! They dump out all the loot, separate it into "categories" line it up seeing who can make the longest train, count it,
and trade it!

That's a lot of candy!!!... We decided this year that the boys could choose a few pieces everyday... at this rate it will last till next Halloween!! I gotta get rid of it though before I hit the feel good part of my pregnancy (I thought I was there ... but it only lasted about a day)

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween too!!

Privacy Please

On KSL channel five news last night they did this special report on blogs! I saw it advertised during the week and was anxious to watch it... and deep down I knew what they were going to say. I fight the private thing because I like to check out other people's blogs and find old friends that way and I know lots of extended family checks in every once in awhile too and old friends but I justified it saying that I am careful with the info that I give out... blah blah... but I now realize that you can never bo too careful and it's pretty important to protect my family and our privacy! I am not easily freaked out but after watching what several families here in Utah have had to deal with because of their blog. I decided that it is just smarter and more safe to know who is checking out our family. According to the news... There really are no laws yet to protect people from things that can happen on the internet. Some of the dangers that they mentioned specifically were... people taking photos off your blog and distorting them and using them on other sites, having count downs to baby due dates or family vacations, photo's of the inside of homes, last names and birthdays... etc... just an easy target for wierdo's or identity theft.... SO.... anyway we are making our blog PRIVATE and if you want to keep checking out our blog just leave your email address in the comments and I'll send you an invitation! Even if I may not really know you, but you check our blog every once in awhile.... just let me know who you are and that your not too crazy and I'll email you!
Hopefully we'll be private sometime in the next few weeks!!

P.S. due to computer trouble when we moved I lost lots of email addresses from my girls in Lehi! so even though you may think I have your email, I may not... so send them my way and lets keep in touch!!!

Family Halloween Party....and a bit of good NEWS too!!

Every year for the past oh... maybe 17 years? My mom's family throws a big Halloween Party. We love getting together, seeing all the funny costumes that people come up with, eating the traditional potato bar meal,
and playing lots of Halloween games!!

This year Evan was once again( third year in a row) an army guy. We've definitely gotten our money's worth out of this costume!! Eli was a slightly injured ninja.

I bought Gabe the cutest little ninja costume this year and Glen and the boys taught him how to kick and punch while yelling "hi-ya"
Cutest thing I've ever seen, well one of them anyway...
There was too much excitement at the party and the last thing Gabe wanted to do was stop for a picture. We tried to force him to a few times and then we got the result shown below.... so I didn't even get a good one and some setting was wrong on my camera so the pictures I did get did not turn out very good.... so the pictures do not even give the party justice, you'll just have to take my word for it that we had a great time!!

I got about 15 shots like this of Gabe turned side ways or running away from me... oh, well!

Gabe adores his "papa" even if he was dressed as a devil

My mom's costume was perfect for her... an angel!!

I didn't get many other pictures of all the creative costumes. there were the 3 pigs, a safari tour guide and his animals, the Beverly Hillbillies, characters form Star wars etc....I dressed up as a cow but I looked too much like the real deal (I keep trying to justify it as a bad camera angel?) that I had to delete the evidence and Glen was a farmer. But the award for best costumes goes to... (drum roll please....) my grandma and grandpa who came as Sonny and Cher!!

Some of the games we look forward to each year are the fish pond, a bean bag toss into a jack o' lantern face, and pictionary. Evan is shown below after playing the mummy game. With a partner and a roll of toilet paper the team who makes the fastest mummy wins!

cleaning is fun when it's giant piles of soft toilet paper

Donuts on a string is definitely a favorite game too!! it was especially for Gabe this year... He'd walk right up, grab a donut and take a bite. My little sister Julie and her family were in town and able to come to the party too!!! I really did a poor job as photographer... anyway the adults in our family had a competition of donuts on a string. In order to win you had to be able to whistle... I also had to delete the evidence of this... I won and I'm not sure it's something to be proud of, maybe.... if I wouldn't have felt like such a COW already!

And the big news of the night was this little dessert that we brought.... (which might also explain my negative COW thoughts)

Yep, that would be me... I am going to be a new mummy!!
I am 12 and a half weeks along... due in May...HORRAY!!
We are so excited!!
I just want to officially apologize to those of you who I have completely ignored the past few months... phone calls, e-mails, thank you cards etc....that I have not returned, responded to or sent out... it has pretty much been all I can do to function on a daily basis. A few days have been better than others, but for the most part... I have been constantly nauseated, with a headache off and on and SO TIRED... so there you have my excuses and my heart felt apology... now that I've hit the twelve week mark I can tell a bit of an improvement and am hoping it will just continue to get better!! I will give more details about how we told the boys, our families etc.... and post some cute ultra sound pictures soon too!!