A happy family, is but an earlier Heaven...

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Going to Heaven


Crystal has been learning about the Joseph Smith story for the past while is has been pretty fascinated with it. Along with that she also likes talking about Heavenly Father and Jesus.
Last night when I was tucking her into bed she looked concerned and said "Mommy I don't want to go to heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus." I asked why and she said "Because then I will be lost!" So I told her not to worry and that we would all be in Heaven together, and that she would be with Mommy, Daddy and Seth too.
She then replied: "We're all going to the forest then?"
I then realized that because we've taught her that Joseph Smith went to the forest when he saw God and Christ, that she connected Heaven with being in the forest. I told her that Heaven wasn't in the forest and that it was a different place, and that we would all be there together one day, which made her happy, and I figured she understood.
As I kissed her goodnight and walked out the room, I heard her saying as I closed the door "We're all going to a different forest, okay Mommy?" lol. I think I'm going to have to show her some more pictures of Heavenly Father and Jesus in other places besides the Sacred Grove.
It's so much fun to watch her learn about the Gospel. I just love my little girl!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Independence Day

What a fabulous fourth of July weekend! This was the first independence day we spent with Scott's family, and it did not dissapoint. We went up to Aunt Jill's house in Layton to hang out and have a barbecue. After we ate, we went up to a nearby park and had a huge family game of softball. Yes, even the wives played, and it was fun.



After that, we took a break back at the house and Crystal played on the slip and slide with Her great aunts Jill and Cathy, and great uncle Michael.



When the slip and slide was taken down and put away, everyone played a whole lot of volleyball.



Then we went to watch the fireworks show:

Then we went back to the house yet again to use some of Todd's "Special" fireworks to blow up some tennis balls, and after that we played games until 3:30 in the morning. It was a super long day, but a lot of fun! Hope you all had a happy fourth!

Monday, June 30, 2008

MY WONDERFUL WIFE

I would like to express my love and appreciation for my wonderful wife. She is a great mom and she does so much for this family. She always knows how to help the children and how to help her husband. She just gave birth to our second child and there isn't another person that I would rather have taking care and raising our kids. She is so great with Crystal and Seth. She is also a wonderful wife. She always makes me feel better when I am down, she supports me when I change my mind on things (which I do often), and she puts up with my flaws. I love her and appreciate everything she does. She is the greatest!

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Smile Seth.

It's really hard (at least for me) to catch a newborn smile on camera since they just randomly appear, and usually when their asleep, but look people, he has dimples!! (Sorry it's a little blurry...I had to be quick to push the button)


You can't see his dimples in this one, but he's still one handsome little man:

I freakin love this kid!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Hope you all had a great Fathers day!



YES, I REALIZE FATHERS DAY WAS A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, but I'm still figuring out a routine as to how to take care of two kids so I'm a little behind on everything.
Even though my husband already got his Fathers day gift- an iphone...oh and a son too (; I'd like to do one more thing and give 10 reasons in no particular order as to why I love my man:

1. He cooks dinner. I'm a scavenger eater, meaning I fish around and pick at foods throughout the day rather than make my own meals. I'll make a small meal for my daughter for lunch, but I'm really lazy when it comes to dinner. If it wasn't for Scott I'd starve.

2. He tells me he loves me several times every day. Who doesn't want to hear that they are loved? The other thing he does everyday is he thanks me for cleaning the house.


3. He always makes time to play with his kids when he's home from work and tired.

4.He can fix almost anything that's broken. Before I was married I used to make fun of men for thinking they can fix everything...but he really does fix everything. The treadmill, the computer, my phone, the closet door, the vacuum, my brothers xbox, etc. The list goes on and on.

5. He's patient. This is a requirement since he's married to me. You people have no idea how much patience I require. I can be pretty difficult.

6. He makes me laugh. It helps that we have the same sense of humor. Our favorite movies to watch together are comedies, we watch those more than any action movie or chick flick together. For us, it's all about laughing at goofy things, including ourselves.



7. He makes sure that I get out of the house frequently. If it weren't for him I'd be cooped up at home all the time everyday. He always makes sure I get to go out to a movie with him or out to eat, or visit with my family. He makes sure that I make time for the fun in my life.

8. He's a wonderful father. There's nothing he wouldn't do for the happiness of his kids. When he's home from work he sits Crystal on his lap and asks her questions about everything she did that day, and he's her big tough hero. Whenever she's afraid she runs to him and yells "Protect me daddy!" She knows he will keep her safe.


9. He's the money man. Not only does he support and provide for me and and our kids, but he manages all the bills and organizes our budget. He makes sure we always have enough money to provide for our needs and still be able to buy things we like just for fun. He's practical when it comes to money, but not cheap. It's because of the way he manages the budget that we're able to live the way we do, and not get into debt either.


10.He's my best friend, and the best friend I've ever had or will have. I can tell him anything going on in my sometimes crazy brain. I can confide in him, trust him, depend on him, and enjoy his company. Without his company or having him to talk to I would be completely miserable. I depend on his voice, his touch, his laughter, his playfulness, and his personality with all his ups and downs to be happy. I need him, and I'm so so glad that he's mine.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Chillin in the "tanning" bed


Well for the second time in a row, we have a case of Jaundice. Since Scott and I have conflicting blood types and our little munchkins always end up with his blood type, they end up with Jaundice, and have to stay in the lights in the hospital, AND we always end up having to bring a billibed home for him to continue treatment out of the hospital. On the plus side, he's doing great, and improving much faster than Crystal did, and he's handling the bed really well. On the downside, it's affecting his sleeping patterns, which Mom and Dad have to suffer for. Oh well. He's still cute.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Meet Seth!

When I went to the Hospital this morning I was already dilated to a four. Within three hours I was completely dilated and pushing. He came out so fast that his face was pretty bruised up, but he took it like a champ! He weighs 7 pounds 12oz and is 19 inches long. Considering that I was in labor 11 hours with Crystal, the time flew by so fast that it was a totally different experience than last time in every way. All I can say is I am so thankful for the invention of the epidural! We love him so so much! Having a baby is complete proof that there IS such thing as love at first sight! Crystal loves him. She cried and cried that she couldn't take him home with her yet when grandma and grandpa were leaving with her.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Congrats Matt!!

Lisa's youngest brother, Matt, graduated from high school today! He's officially a legal adult AND a high school grad now. Good job on graduating Matt! Now you have a whole summer to celebrate. Whoo hoo!

Ready to pop.

Doc says I could go at any time. This baby takes up much more room than the last one. Here are some words to describe how I'm feeling right about now:
Huge. Gigantic. Jumbo. Massive. Oversize. Stupendus. Enormous. Full-fledged. Eruptive. Blow up. The list goes on and on. Due to the fact that my stomach is bigger than it's ever been, I'm in a lot of pain. This little guy needs to come out soon. Someday I'll be glad I posted this, but right now I look at it and cringe. I think I'll go run up and down the stairs a few times and see what happens. lol.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

This guys amazing!

Anyone out there ever watch "So you think you can Dance?" If so did you see this guy last week?? Incredible. He's the best popper I've ever seen! (Paula, Leigh, Cathy...I KNOW you'll appreciate this from our early days at UVSC hanging out with "the breakdancing boys" and going to clubs with them to watch them dance...lol.) Good times people. Anyone who knows anything about break/pop dancing can tell you how amazing this is. Just watch:


Brings back a lot of memories, doesn't it Paula? lol.

Monday, May 19, 2008

"E. A. G. L. E. S. Eagels!!!"

Scott is getting Crystal all ready for football season this year. Get a load of this:



Not bad for a two year old, eh?

Monday, May 12, 2008

I love being a Mom!


These are just a FEW of some quotes that our modern day prophets and apostles have to say about being a mother. There were so many more, these aren't even doing it justice:

"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world." -David O. McKay

"God bless you, dear friends. Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days. I hope that when that occurs you will not be led to exclaim as did King Lear, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (King Lear, I, iv, 312). Rather, I hope that you will have every reason to be proud concerning your children, to have love for them, to have faith in them, to see them grow in righteousness and virtue before the Lord, to see them become useful and productive members of society. If with all you have done there is an occasional failure, you can still say, “At least I did the very best of which I was capable. I tried as hard as I knew how. I let nothing stand in the way of my role as a mother.” Failures will be few under such circumstances." -Gordon B. Hinkley

When I reflect upon the duties and responsibilities devolving upon our mothers and sisters, and the influence they wield, I look upon them as the mainspring and soul of our being here.” -Brigham Young

“I have learned to place a high estimate upon the love of mother. I have often said, and will repeat it, that the love of a true mother comes nearer being like the love of God than any other kind of love.” (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 315.)

“Talk about sacrifice! Why the sacrifice of the women of this Church and their devotion are beyond the power of pen and tongue to pay tribute.” -Heber J. Grant

“… I think you will agree with me that seldom may be found in this world a great man who did not have a great mother.” -George Albert Smith

"I have marveled at Mother’s forecast that a child would break out with measles or chicken pox well before my trained medical eye would have so predicted. I have watched the incredible calm of Mother when her child experienced a convulsive seizure. So much is expected of a woman.Often she is a detective; she must search for lost articles and solve on a daily basis baffling “who done it” mysteries.
Frequently, her eager audience requests her talent as a musician by calling upon her to sing—any time, any place. She is an artist, using crayons and coloring books, needles and thread, or other means to create works of art by her own hands. During the early life of most children, a woman is the principal disciplinarian. She treads the tightrope of judgment between being too strict or too permissive.Mother is “secretary of labor” for her home. She teaches the work ethic with its responsibilities and rewards" -Elder Russel M. Nelson

"A mother’s nurturing love arouses in children, from their earliest days on earth, an awakening of the memories of love and goodness they experienced in their premortal existence. Because our mothers love us, we learn, or more accurately remember, that God also loves us." -Elder M. Russell Ballard

"...may I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are magnificent. You are doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you. He knows that your giving birth to a child does not immediately propel you into the circle of the omniscient. If you and your husband will strive to love God and live the gospel yourselves; if you will plead for that guidance and comfort of the Holy Spirit promised to the faithful; if you will go to the temple to both make and claim the promises of the most sacred covenants a woman or man can make in this world; if you will show others, including your children, the same caring, compassionate, forgiving heart you want heaven to show you; if you try your best to be the best parent you can be, you will have done all that a human being can do and all that God expects you to do." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"I wish to say without equivocation that a woman will find no greater satisfaction and joy and peace and make no greater contribution to mankind than in being a wise and worthy woman and raising good children." -Spencer W. Kimball

I'm so thankful that I'm a mom! It has it's good days and not so good days, but I love my little girl, and I already love my little boy who will finally make his appearance.
I'm thankful for the sacrifices of my own mom...who was one of the first members of the church in her country and came here not knowing English, and being willing to stay at home to take care of me and my siblings.
I'm thankful for Scott, who is supportive of my role as a mother...(and I'm thankful for the Huge Lazy boy recliner/rocker that he bought me to help me with that role for mother's day!) lol.
What a wonderful world it is with Motherhood in it! Hope you all had a great Mothers day and that those who are mother's don't let themselves feel too overwhelmed, and get some rest once and a while!

Friday, May 9, 2008

Tagged: Small glimpse in my life

20 years ago I...
1.Was 8 and a half years old
2.Was living in a town called Fetcham, In Great Britain, England.
3.Went to a private school where I had to wear a uniform very similar to the catholic school girl outfit, only in dark green.


10 Years ago I
...
1.Was not wearing Braces anymore
2.Was a senior in High school
3.Was offered to go on a trip to Santa Cruz, Bolivia for two months as a graduation present, which I happily accepted.

5 Years ago I...
1.Was a returned Missionary for almost 6 months (and still missing mission life).
2.Was cleaning teeth, taking x-rays of mouths and filling out paperwork everyday.
3.Loved going dancing on the weekends, (and eventually met my husband while doing so).

3 Years ago I...
1. Was married for only 5 months
2.Had finally learned that "The Hulk" at Universal Studios Islands of adventures in Florida, is my favorite roller coaster ride ever.
3.Would find out soon that I was already pregnant.

1 year ago I...
1.Was watching my year and a half year old learn to speak...(not knowing that once she did she would never ever stop again).
2. Went on a vacation to a Beach home on the East Coast, and saw Spamalot on Broadway in New York.
3.Went to see Spiderman 3 at the movies because we were so excited when it came out.

So far this year I have...
1.Survived most of another pregnancy, with a boy this time, and hope to go on a nice vacation in the fall when he's out and a few months old.
2.Begun the long process of potty training a my 2 year old, which I'm still working on.
3.Celebrated with Scott when after graduating he found a "real" job with "real" income, and continues to get "real" opportunities.

Yesterday I...
1. Was really happy because I wasn't in as much pain as the day before
2. Watched the season finale of "30 Rock" with Scott.
3. Decided to take a day off from housework and just rest, and loved the fact that Scott made dinner. (What a man!)

Today I...
1. Forgot to eat breakfast.
2. Finished reading another book. ("The Host" by Stephenie Meyer)
3. Went on a date with Scott since it's the weekend.

Tomorrow I will...
1. Sleep in
2. Not forget to pay the rent
3. Take a long bath before bed

In the next year, I plan on...
1. Living on the East Coast
2. Being mother to 2 kids instead of one
3. Being back in shape

Thanks Cathy...I really liked this one since I've never done it before, and I loved reading yours! You're grrreat!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Which will be more cool?

So the movie Iron Man came out this past week, which is getting pretty good reviews and since it's pretty much the first of the summer blockbusters released, if you go watch it you can catch the previews for two of the most anticipated blockbusters this summer.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and The Dark Night.
The two of us have been discussing which movie will be better. So far its a tough decision.
On one hand, everybody loves Indy. He's a character much like Jason Bourne, James bond, etc. who has his own fan base and who is legendary in the eyes of many.
On the other, Batman Begins was a big deal for Batman fans and Christian Bale does a great job...also the buzz about Heath Ledger's performance is said to be equally impressive.
So below I've pasted the movie trailer for both and would like anyone with an opinion to watch and share what they think, and which movie they look most forward to seeing this summer.

Indiana Jones...(sorry about the subtitles)



The Dark Night


So what do you think? Which one seems like the cooler movie?