Too many things to list...

What are you thankful for?

"Thank the Lord Thy God in ALL Things"....

Watch: *I Love This!*

It's a small world after all...

(I'm over a month late on this post but ironically TODAY Mickey Mouse celebrates his 81st Birthday. :)

Over Fall Break we went here:

After being 400 miles away, Ethan & Daylan celebrated 1st by appropriately going on "Small World" ride. We met up with Aunt Steph & her boys @ D-Land for part of the day. They have an annual pass as they are now living in Cali. 

Jax taking it all in....

I LOVE DISNEYLAND @ Halloween Time!

This was the Disneyland experience that Kaylea will always remember because she went on all the BIG GIRL rides like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain & Tower of Terror....And LOVED every minute of them. Spencer was of course a seasoned veteran and showed her the ropes.

 Ethan was our "Tour Guide" with his awesome map skills.

ARRRR.......

Pirates of the Caribbean is still my favorite ride!

& this time we got to eat the cool restaurant. (If only Jaxson didn't want to eat right then & Tim wasn't on a long distance phone call to Ireland than it would've been great!)

The BOYZ LOVED the Buzz Lightyear ride.

Walking all day around on a bum foot (from a 100 pound IKEA box falling on it) ....not a great idea.

The things we do for our kids.

Try again...

Um....maybe we'll try later....

We tried again later.... & this is as good as we got.

1 bad foot + A dozen or so  rides +  2 adrenaline pumped kids + 2 tired kids  

=1 fabulous day for spencer & kaylea       

=1/2 fabulous day for daylan & jaxson

=1 long day for me & tim

Dear Mom & Dad,

Thanks for the many times you took us to Disneyland as kids. Now I know how much fun you didn't have while we did. All those visits REALLY were for us KIDS!!

A year ago today...

 My little Jaxson looked like this:

(a little like Pinocchio?...)

And he was this big.

One year later he is this big:

As big as his 7 year old sister.

...okay not really....but almost.

*Happy 1st Birthday Miley*

Well here's the last cousin without a birthday post. 

Happy 1st Birthday to Miley Ash.

Cliche as it sounds... it really feels like she was JUST born. (What a fast year it has been.)

Smiley Miley surely fits her name. She makes me laugh as she always has a smile on her face. Miley could totally be hurt, mad or whatever & still muster a smile. It's super funny.

Miley is walking good & tries to keep up with all her older siblings & cousins. Seeing so many boys around wrestling, she likes to join in & is a little tomboy. Whenever she sees Jaxson, she literally tries to eat him. She'll spot him from a mile away & her mouth drools.

 (March '09) 

She reminds me of Jax in this one..maybe it's the cheeks.

(July '09)

❀Happy 1st Birthday Miley!❀

{Olivia}, Stellan, NieNie & Me...

Ever have days where things just make sense? 

Things just come together....

"Ah hah" moments where you understand what & why you experienced something. What lesson you were supposed to have learned ....and then feel Heavenly Father's love & peace from it all.

Some people may call them coincidences...I call them tender mercies.

I once heard in a Conference Talk from Elder Bednar about these so-called "coincidences":

The Tender Mercies of the Lord David A. Bednar ..."Some may count (this) experience as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence.  I repeat again, the Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence."

And I believe it.

Well today was one of those. Without going into too much detail, the Lord wanted me to say something today when I was Visiting Teaching. I said it.. & it brought tears to all of our eyes. We felt the Spirit & had goosebumps.

My Visiting Teaching partner said: "I'm so glad you said that...I'm supposed to help you with this..."     

And she did. 

You see she had experienced this exact same thing that I have been for a year & a half. Coincidence? I don't think so.  With a smile she calmly said: "It's going to be okay."

{I felt Peace.}

The Lord LITERALLY places people in our lives. We are here to help one another. Yes there are things that we should keep private but there are also things we should not. 

This is why I LOVE Blogging. Connecting with Family, Friends & Others on a personal level....Uncomfortable for some-Of course. And I understand. 

BUT as Spiritual Beings, we are meant to EXPERIENCE this Earthly Experience. We are meant to interact with one another...Sometimes it's hard or just easier NOT to go out of our comfort zones.

We are ALL Brothers & Sisters; ALL Children of a Loving Father in Heaven. He sent us here to experience it together; As families. He didn't want us to be alone. And of course He gave us our Elder Brother Jesus Christ, who literally showed us HOW to Love One Another.

President Spencer W. Kimball said this:

  "God does notice us, and He watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs."

President Monson said this:

"My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us."

...Click to these blogs:

Nie Nie & babyStellan & babyOlivia

Watch & Read their stories. 

Why do our hearts swell with emotion when we hear these stories? Why do we care so much for these "strangers?" People we've never supposedly met?

Because they are our Brothers & Sisters. And we love them. These are the moments where I think we become just a little bit more like our Savior and understand a little bit of that love that He & our Father has for each of us.

"Let your Light so Shine before Men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." 

 ~Matthew 5:16~

Halloween Once Again...

~We began Halloween by giving Jaxson his very first TREAT!....Rice Cereal. Believe it or not be got to 18 pounds with NO formula and just simply nursing...But the time had come where he was wanting MORE. We got a hilarious reaction out of him on the first bite but then I couldn't feed him fast enough.

So here we have:

 "Karate Dude", Scary skeleton hands-scream face mask-Star Wars Guy & "Karate Girl!"

This year was "pick something out the dress up box" year!...& my wallet loved it!

Goodness they're cute...

And I know you just want to pinch his cheeks right now!

Jax was a ________?.....well some kind of animal that we've never figured out. 

Both spence & dude wore this on their 1st Halloweens too.

this one makes me laugh...kaylea's trying not to drop bubby

*We had fun Halloween night & had a yummy chili dinner at Aunt Carrie's in the courtyard as Trick or Treaters came by. The Dads & Grandpa Ron walked the kids around after eating while the Moms gabbed holding the babies.

*All 5 Grandparents got to see the kids in their costumes this year! My kids are so lucky to have Grandparents who love them so much. Even Uncle Danny, Aunt Jozie & Uncle Tommy came over to see the kiddos.

*COUSIN TIME!*

I love that Jax is checkin' out Claire's Princess Leia wig!

Dad & Dude checking out the loot....

Afternoon dialogue:

-Running down the stairs & into the kitchen I heard this from Spence:

"Mom can I have a.....

...uh wait ...

...I was gonna say the initials for After School Snack...but then I realized....."

The fastest 5 Months Ever...

... And a whoppin' 18 pounds!! 

(The other kids didn't reach that mark of weight until: 

                             

                       *9 ½ months (Spencer)

                 *18 months (Kaylea)

                    *8 ½ months (Daylan)

              *5 months (Jaxson)

(The good thing is I think that my kids all stay about 18 pounds for quite a while as they lengthen out & metabolize faster with crawling & walking.....so hopefully Mr. J will be slowing down in the near future.) ☺

Dear Jaxson,

Please stop growing up so fast!

Stay this age forever...

....Sad Story: A couple weeks ago you were really sick & lethargic with a high fever of 103 & had trouble breathing. It scared Mommy and we took you to the Hospital. Your chest x-ray looked good but within a day you were developing Bronchitis & your lungs rattled when you breathed. We did breathing treatments. That helped a little bit, but it was still too scary enough to where you ended up needing antibiotics. You are all better now thanks to the unceasing prayers of your siblings.

Recent Hobbies:

*You Play in the Exersaucer more now that you can actually use your hands to play with the toys.

*You scoot by doing the "Frog Leap" & on the verge of full on Crawling!!

*You eat your toes like they're candy.

*Get constant loves from your brothers & sister...mom & dad too.

photo by Cami Epperson

*Pumpkin Time*

First we Pick Them....

Then we Decorate Them....

 Then we Laugh at Them.....

Jax listening to Elder Holland...

~So a couple days ago I was re-listening to the talk from Elder Holland on my laptop. Jax was laying by me on my bed as I tried to get him to sleep. He's starting to kinda scoot and of course he rolls over now. I thought it might put him to sleep...but nope. He rolled right over, grabbed my laptop and stared at Elder Holland giving his talk...and just watched and listened as if he knew what was being said. I had to grab my camera and capture the moment. :)   

General Conference-Part 2

~Last Saturday & Sunday we listened to our Prophet, His Apostles & others speak about aspects of the Gospel. General Conference is held twice a year & are my 2 favorite weekends. Our kids are to the age where they actually enjoy it, making it easier for Tim & I to get more out of the talks. We get comfy, fill our tummies with yummy food & LISTEN to these important words that the Lord would have us hear as the spirit fills our homes.

This Conference we happened to be staying at Tim's parents Beach House while they were actually attending Gen. Conference in SLC. We got to hear the talks as we listened to the peaceful waves of the ocean. 

As I looked out at the people on the beach I had an overwhelming feeling come over me and felt as the prophet Alma as he declared: “Oh that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!” (Alma 29:1).

If only I could be as the prophets of old and perhaps even stand on a wall and proclaim all that I believed. If only these people KNEW that Jesus Christ was their own personal Savior & KNEW there was a latter day Prophet HERE on the Earth directing Christ's church. If only they KNEW that their Heavenly Father & Brother Jesus Christ loved each of them DESPITE their sins & faults.

But wait...I can do something; not as grandiose but maybe just as significant. As I type my thoughts & testimony on my silly little blog, maybe just maybe, one person might be touched or have their testimony strengthened. Line upon line, precept upon precept...Jesus always sought after the one right? And most importantly, hopefully my life is line with His teachings so that I can be a tool in His hands.

So anyways, we had two days of rest & relaxation & revamping of our spirits. 

And in April we will do it again.

*Playing Bingo w/ candy corn...gets the kids to listen for words from the speakers like 

Prayer, Love, Jesus etc.*

*I LOVED so many of the conference talks....

Here are some that touched me most:

(*Saturday AM session*)

*Elder Richard G. Scott~ spoke about having the spirit with us to personally guide each of us. I loved how he compared the two experiences of the Knowledgeable Teacher & the Humble Teacher in Mexico. The spirit spoke to him more profoundly with his humble, less educated teacher than his more knowledgeable, learned teacher. Are we humble enough to have the spirit be our constant companion?

*President Dieter F. Uchtdorf~ reflected on what others outside of the church might know or think about those of us as members. He resorted to say that what really matters is that they view us as disciples of Christ. He then went on to discuss how we do that. He said: "The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to TRY!"

*Elder David A. Bednar~spoke about demonstrating & expressing our love and testimonies to our family members. He spoke of setting our families & homes in order and even though we feel at times that we are failing; we are not and must be consistent. 

*Elder Jeffrey R. Holland~ (*Sunday PM*) ~declared with straightforward and bold words about the Book Of Mormon and spoke of those who deny it's reality. He said: 'The Savior warned that in the latter days: "Even those of the covenant, (even) the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth."  

He then said this boldly to those taking their membership in the church lightly:

"...And if they leave this church, they must do so by crawling over or under, or around the Book of Mormon to make their exit." He then compared the "Book Of Mormon to what Jesus Christ was said to be; A stone of stumbling, a rock of offense or a barrier in the path of one who wishes not to believe in THIS work."

~Elder Holland recalled words of his great-grandfather saying: "No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it...unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so."

(*Click here to see their talks.)

~And of course I love to hear words from our sweet Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I noticed on numerous occasions this conference that many of the speakers asked us to pray for him & that President Monson needed our prayers. This struck me.  I know he is called of God & I know he receives guidance & direction for the church & those living on the earth in these latter days.

I know these things are true & like Elder Holland I hope that no one can say they knew me 

..without knowing what I believed. 

~General Conference

Monday morning when Kaylea woke up she jumped out of bed and the first thing she said to me was randomly:

"Mom, I'm so excited for Saturday.."     

 "You are?..How come?" I asked.

She replied: "Cuz it's General Conference!"

My little heart bursted with joy & maybe a little moisture might have come to my eyes.

Ok so she was probably just excited about the candy involved but still...Music to my ears.

What's been your favorite TALK so far?

*School Awards Assembly

~I am so grateful to have the kids at the school that they are this year. I really believe that things happen for a reason. Through all our many experiences with different schools, homeschooling etc. I feel that we learned something in each situation, but I think that this year is my year to relax! Both Spencer & Kaylea have great teachers that allow them to grow & learn as fast as they desire which has been a great blessing, allowing me to take a much needed breather! 

*Kaylea's Teacher Mrs. "C" has been wonderful at understanding Kaylea's unique personality & seeing her potential.

At the recent Quarterly Awards Assembly, Kaylea was excited to receive The Student of the Month Award!

Spencer got the Perfect Attendance Award (which is a first for any of my kids) & was on the Honor Roll!

*His teacher Ms. "G" said she can always call on him in class when she wants him to add a fact, date or statistic to the days lesson plan. One day a week he attends the district's ELP class & enjoys both classes.

The Homecoming Dance

Here is my little sis Sara & her date Coe before the HHS Homecoming Dance.

(and No she doesn't have a stair banister for a leg ...or two for that matter.) 

They wore RED Vans to match their outfits.      

Aren't these kids cute? ...Wait! I mean grown-ups!

Sara just turned 18!

Kaylea is 7!

Last year, the month of Kaylea's 6th Birthday she received the present 

she'd been waiting & praying for:

....a baby in Mom's tummy.

This year on her 7th Birthday that "present" was present; her baby bro Jax.

Our little, BIG girl turned 7 on September the 12th! ...and what a 7 years it's been! I've realized that I have probably learned more life lessons being her Mom than from anything else.

It was a busy weekend beginning with treats I brought into her school class Friday: Worms in muddy dirt (gummy worms in oreos/chocolate pudding)

No pink, frilly cupcakes for this girl; She wanted the boys to like the treat too...smart girl. It was a hit.

Saturday morning, her actual birthday, we celebrated with Krispie Kremes & presents. Then the rest of the day was full of Uncle Tommy's wedding events & her last gift of the day:...a brand New Aunt...& a good one at that! 

(Wedding post to follow soon.)

Sunday we had Family Birthday Dinner @ Grandma & Grandpa's House ~Complete with a Barbie Cake made by Aunt Sara.

The following weekend she had a little sleepover with cousin Macey & the next morning got to see the play "Jack & The Beanstalk." 

No friend party this year, but I think she was happy with all the special events of the last few weeks including having her best friend from Mesa, Sage come play.

We Love You Kay Kay...

*4 months already?

Lately a lot of Jaxson's time is spent:

Spitting Up:

Playing airplane on Mom's legs.....

Tummy Time:

Jax is now 4 months old & these last few weeks began fully rolling over. He figured out how to get his arm out of the way & roll to his tummy. He thinks it's pretty cool, especially when we all clap & cheer for him. Jaxson definitely loves being the center of attention...uh oh.

He is finally able to go in the Exersaucer for extended periods of time...well before he starts crying.) Still hanging out in the Bumbo & managing to spend a little time in the Swing a bit...well kinda. We are finding he gets bored easily & likes being entertained... eh em...like his Daddy.

His recent stats:

weight: 15 lbs. 13 oz. -75%

height: 25 in. -50%

(Kaylea weighed a WHOLE pound less than this at a YEAR OLD!)

This kid just makes me smile. I know he has been sent here to our family NOW at this time, for a reason. We just can't get enough of him. Thanks Jax for makin' us smile.

The Jumbo in the Bumbo:

....is saving my poor wimpy arms from exhaustion. 

I mean look at the chunk on those cheeks...He's not exactly light.

Heavy ~but oh so precious.

(My morning crew: We are loving the time the 3 of us are having together. :)

Sshhhh...don't tell him it's purple.

thanks kathleen... :) 

My arms thank you.

*VOTE TONIGHT!!!

for the "FAB 5" on 

America's Got Talent!

~My cute friend Veva & her sisters are in the Finals Tonight so spread the word & 

Vote Vote Vote!

Psstt....Things have been busy, busy so I have LOTS to catch up on Blog-wise....lots of posts coming this week...possibly.?

Labor Day weekend in breezy Flag

We almost turned around and went back home 

when we sat idly & saw this:

But were glad we stuck it through so we could see this:

*Boys & their Toys*

Some quality time with cousins Trenton, Zane 

& Natalie- (who got stung by a wasp while there!...)

And how presh is this?:

Friday night Tim & I grabbed dinner with Brian & Heidi & reminisced in our old home town. We went to Flag High to see cousin Melissa, a Varsity cheeleader (flyer) perform at the Football Game. Oops no pictures of it ...but she was great!  Shucks...and forgot to get a pic of Jaxson & cousin Claire together. Exactly One year apart & the same size!

ACHOO!!!

I feel a sneeze comin' on.....

Ah..

Ahhh....

Ahhhh.....

ACHOOooooo!!!

Aww....  Much better.

Good Bye Hazel....

~The Thursday before Labor Day weekend, we got the phone call that are long time Family Dog "Hazel" was experiencing Kidney Failure. She was at the Animal Hospital and we were told she wouldn't make it much longer. 

~I remembered... picking out Hazel as a puppy at a neighbor's house many years ago. Sara & Phylip were just little kids; making Hazel now a Grandma Dog. I've never been an animal person but nonetheless she was still a part of our lives. And she made my kids, siblings and parents happy. Hazel had lived a good, long life and now was ready to go.

~Hazel was like my kids very own pet BUT without any of the dirty work; the perfect scenario for me. So when we got the phone call, I knew I had to sit the kids down & prep them for the news.

~I said it as gently as I could. It was really hard on Kaylea -my animal lover. While her brothers left the room somewhat melancholy & sad, they still went straight off to play. Kaylea on the other hand, closed her bedroom door & sat in my lap for a long time and cried and cried. It broke my heart.

That evening I took Kaylea (& Jax) down to the Animal Hospital to say our goodbyes. 

Here are some of the pictures:

aw...look at those faces...

Kaylea has always tried to be a good friend to Hazel. 

She said she will miss snuggling with her.

My 2 fav Scouts

*My little brother Phyl received his Eagle Scout Award...which we all know takes hours & years of work! Good job Phyl to-the i to-the p. We recently just celebrated him & his accomplishment @ his court of honor. ~A proud Sister-moment.

*At Phylip's Court of Honor Spencer sang his 1st solo (in front of an audience that wasn't his family.) He sang "Look Around, We Are Free."~ The song I wrote & his Grandma Debbie helped put words to. Spence was a little nervous but did a beautiful job singing and made us all a little teary eyed. 

~A proud Mommy-moment.

(*I heard a statistic yesterday that said: Approximately 90% of all LDS Eagle Scouts go on missions & marry in the Temple. Cool.)