Christmas Ornaments

When Chris and I were growing up each family had the tradition of getting new ornaments every year. We have decided to carry on this tradition with our family. We've decided we like the "classic" looking ornaments. Here are some of our favorites when we were little:

I loved this horse growing up. I think it was the first one I got.

I made this one in Kindergarten and LOVE it!

Here are Chris' favorites:

Below is an ornament Chris got from his grandma. He tried eating the arms but discovered they didn't taste like a cookie; we both love the story behind this ornament.When we got the ornament below from his grandma this year I asked, "Do you think the wafers are real?" His response, "I don't know they look real but last time I ate an ornament I thought was real it tasted awful." Needless to say he didn't try it, the boys did that for him and this time they were "real" cookies!
This is the ornament we gave the boys this year to remind them the year we went to Hawaii. The santa is a star fish, very cool.Last Friday we went over to our neighbor Terri's house for her tree trimming party. We had dinner, drank egg nog, and decorated the tree. She has a ton of ornaments and alternates them through the years.And boy does Chicago have some carolers. These guys were having a good time and good with brass instruments and all. Loved it, it was just too bad I had just laid Jared down for the night:(

Hope your enjoying your holidays:)!

Laughing, Screaming Boy

Saturday Chris watched the boys and my friend Karyn's kids while a few of us FINALLY went to see Twilight. Chris Captured a few moments of Spencer that I thought were funny. The second clip is even better. I don't know what was with him but it makes me giggle when I watch them.

As for Twilight, I had a hard time not comparing it to the book. Loved the characters Charlie, Mike, Eric, Jacob, Billy, and the bad vampires. I was okay with the Cullens but not crazy about them. As for the main characters Bella was too nervous for me and Edward was not suave and confident enough for me. But I will see it again, I just didn't love it. I could write a whole post on what I liked and disliked abou the movie but I will leave it at this for now.

Happy Birthday Jared!!!

"Sleepy-Birthday Boy"

Jared is all about trains, cars and planes these days so I've known what Jared's cake would be ever since my mom got me a train cupcake mold earlier this year. I knew it was going to take me awhile to complete but I didn't think I'd be going to bed past 1:00 the night before his birthday (birthdays are only once a year so it's totally worth the time!) The cake is by no means perfect but I felt pretty good about it and Jared loved it as well making it totally worth it! I really wanted to have the house decorated for when Jared woke up so after I was done with the cake Chris and I started blowing up balloons. We maybe did 30 and I started to get light headed and seriously thought I was going to pass out. I was so exhausted from only 3 hours of sleep the night before and then staying up late again I opted to going to bed. I wish we could've had the whole place decorated though cause Jared was seriously excited when he saw all the balloons. I can only imagine his face if he saw all the streamers.
We started the morning off opening presents and it took several hours before he touched his choclate chip pancakes because playing was much more fun.

Later in the morning I finally got round to finishing putting up streamers and blowing up balloons.Downstairs was my favorite! (the stairs have the streamers hanging down and we're still having fun with them:) Now Jared has been asking for his birthday since June and upon coming to Chicago we've already attended two birthday parties and Jared has been asking for his as well so there was no question that we would have a party this year (his first ever!) Above: Jared anxiously awaiting his guests and eating the strawberries.

Chris was able to come home after a meeting and it worked out perfectly. He supervised making sure the kids were safe while I got to enjoy the company of my friends:)

Jared, Bryker, Anna, and Alli (with the hat)

Linsey, Karyn, and Missy

Ruby
Asher and Mo Kristal and Ollie Ashley and Lily

Spencer didn't attack is own cake for his first birthday but he downed two cupcakes! Then the following day Jared got out the leftover blue icing and Spencer got his hands on it. What a mess! I was shocked when I first saw it I had no idea what it was. Luckily warm water works like a charm for frosting.

And Jared had fun with the markers he got and went to town. We were even in the same room and I had no idea he was decorating himself. Chris was the one who noticed when he came home from work. Oops!!!

Jared's birthday was a success! I worried about him being possessive of his things at the party but he did better than I ever anticipated. And he loved all his gifts. Since his birthday he's slept with George every night, played with cars and airplanes non-stop, the elephant is relentless in its roaring:), and I have read and re-read all his new stories. Thank you everyone for making Jared's birthday one to remember!

Faith

Almost three years ago in January my dad suffered from a massive stroke. I remember walking into his hospital room overcome with emotion. There laid my dad motionless and very ill where only less than a month earlier he was holding my new little Jared and enjoying being a grandfather. The doctors were confused as to why this had happened. He used to have high blood pressure, and high cholesterol but had been able to control it through diet and exercise. His veins had little to no build up but somehow a single little clot was able to wreck havoc to his entire body. How could something so harsh be done to such a wonderful man? He loved life, he wanted to serve missions, he wanted a wood shop to build his grandchildren toys. The week or maybe even the night before the stroke he told my mom, “I love life! I love my grandchildren, I love my calling (1st counselor in stake presidency), and I love work!”

The stroke was on the left side of his brain where his speech and right arm were affected the most and also his right leg. This left him with little movement of his arm and severely limiting his speech. Being optimistic, we asked the doctor when he'd get better, what to expect. His reply, "You're lucky he's even alive."

I remember making several trips home during the first month following the stroke and becoming overjoyed with each accomplishment he was making (swallowing, making vowel sounds, standing with support and many other small simple things). During these visits I was also overcome with emotion by the amount of support we received. Countless visitors, cards, phone calls, meals, ect came forth showing their love, support, and respect for my dad.

One evening in particular I remember I stayed the night in my dad's room so my mom could go home and sleep. While sitting by his bed I could tell he was trying to tell me something but I couldn't understand him. Finally I knew he was singing I am a Child of God. So then through tears I sang with him this beautiful children's song. He bore to me a powerful witness of his love for the Savior and of His love for him. I felt and knew of my father's testimony and knew he was feeling the Savior's presence throughout this ordeal.

We were going to beat this! And through love, faith, prayers, and lots of support we would tackle the giant that laid in front of us.

I wanted so badly for a instant miracle to come and heal my dad. I think secretly I was hoping by the coming September he would be able to stand before the stake and speak to them one last time before being released for the 11 years of service.

But September came, he bore his simple, strong testimony in his limited speech and sat down. Why wasn't he being healed? He definitely was making progress but he was so limited! How badly I yearned to talk to my dad and hear his voice and counsel. The way his voice sounded before the stroke still rings crystal clear in my head and how I miss it!

Faith is such an interesting topic. Did my family not have enough faith? I didn't question my father's faith so why wasn't he being healed? I struggled for awhile until October '06 I gave a talk in sacrament meeting and based it off of Brother Simmons talk "But if Not...". What a powerful talk and how perfect for me to hear/read.

Below is a portion of the talk:

We must have the same faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not … . He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. … He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, … we will trust in the Lord.

Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. … He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. … We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, … we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has.

The Lord is all powerful and all knowing. If it was his will to heal my dad I know it would've happened. It's like the saying my mom has on a picture that goes something like, "Sometimes the Lord calms the storm and sometimes the Lord calms His child in the storm."

I think we all came to a point where we still knew our dad could be healed if that was God's will but we accepted the fact that he may not. I think especially as time goes on we've accepted that maybe all the "big" miracles have happened (and many did occur).

But the miracles did not stop. Over a month ago after my parents story was told to the Temple Square president the president told them to put in their papers and they would be called. Obediently they put in their papers and requested the Temple Square Mission. As my mom filled out the paper work she said she marked no on almost everything of my dad:"Can you stand for long periods of time?" "Can you Speak?" "Can you write?"...

Awhile later they received their call to the Family and Church History Mission in Salt Lake and were to report on December 5th.

Today my parents talked in church before leaving for their mission. I was unable to attend but all through my meetings my heart and mind were thinking of them and the spirit of today. Who would have thought my dad, after his stroke, would be serving a 23 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Miracles are still happening and will continue to happen for this wonderful man and woman. It has been a TougH journey for them! I'm so proud of their examples and commitment to the church and their family.

I may not have been able to be there in person today but I have felt the spirit witness of their testimonies and spirit. I love you mom and dad and am SO proud of you: your continual faith, hard work, dedication, and love for each other. I know you guys will be awesome missionaries and Salt Lake is lucky to have you. I'm greatful for your examples and I'm sooooo glad you're my mom and dad! I love you!

Ouch!

For the record we almost had Jared's second set of stiches yesterday. He fell walking up the stairs getting to the train and gouged his chin. We went to some friends in the ward who live downtown who is a doctor and he said it is a good spot to get a cut and we could do stiches but he thought he'd be ok. Hopefully when Jared's older he'll be ok that we didn't get stiches:)

Haircut

Spencer's curls are gone:( Wednesday morning after Chris left and Jared was still asleep I sat Spencer in front of the bathroom mirror and got out the scissors. I thought I was leaving his hair long but I guess not long enough. The curls are kind of there when it's wet but it doesn't take long for it to go wavy.

He's still cute but I do miss the curls.

Before:

After:

And yes I got his picture taken Tuesday, the day before the

cut

Sleepy Head

It's been awhile since Jared has forgone his naps, and that's for good reason. When Jared does nap it means LATE night for mom and dad so I'd rather he just didn't nap. Well one day he fell asleep in the car. I tried waking him up to no avail. So I ended up leaving him on the couch and made noise just like usual. I think he slept over an hour and wasn't happy when he woke seeing he rolled off the couch, Oops!

Spencer kissing Jared

Babysitting Group

We've got a little group together (3 couples) where we trade off a weekend night to watch each others kids and this week was our week to watch the 6 kids (2 kids per couple). The ages range from almost five to one and it's great!

During the night I had to change Ruby's diaper and after we were done she sat on the counter and looked at herself in the mirror. I played with her hair for awhile and then asked her if she wanted me to braid it. She quietly said, "umm humm". I started to french braid her hair on the side and since she was being so good I continued the braid around her head. She was so cute and good it was fun to play with hair and this time it was appropriate (not one of my boys:).The night had few problems and even those were solved quickly. Below are of the group (minus Spencer) watching a little bit of Sleeping Beauty. The witch was coming out and Anna was scarred hence the hands up by her mouth. (Left to right Ruby, Anna, Alli, Peter, and Jared)