ABC Soup

Kellen and Jane are so cute together these days.  She is old enough to be his pal now, and he's still young enough not to care that she's a girl, and three years younger.  I know it's a fleeting time, but for now, I'm really enjoying it.  They make each day so fun.  What a blessing to be home with them every day.

I'm trying to figure out the technology here, and it's not really working.  I can't get the pictures in the order that I want them to go with the song, and the photos are a bit blurry.  Oh well!  Here it is, for now anyway.

Jane's First Haircut

Ready to go!

You'll notice it was kind of looking like a mullet.  It was cute in ponytails, curls, piggies, etc., but overall a bit of a hassle.

 I couldn't get her to pose for me after the hair cut because she was in hysterics about all the fuzz on her skin and in her eyes, which she kept making worse with all the rubbing.  She looked adorable, though.  Thanks, Aunt Taneea!  You're the best!

Here are a few different looks:

We don't flip it out very often, but it was fun for a change.  I couldn't really get Jane to focus on the camera for me.

This look happened when she jumped out of the tub and got too busy running around to let Mommy comb it.  The result was a wavy look which turned out to be pretty cute with her bangs.  Honestly, this little face makes any do work.

My favorite look happens when I blow dry her hair and slightly curl the tips under with my straightening iron. It frames her face perfectly, and she looks so classic.  Unfortunately, this usually only happens on Sunday mornings or other special occasions, in which case we are hurrying to be on time and not thinking about Kodak moments.  You know how it is!

Happy 5th Birthday, Kellen!

Jan. 29th, 2011
Here are some pictures of Kellen's birthday.  I've got to admit, it was a rough one for Taylor and I.  We had just lost the baby, and really didn't feel like going anywhere, but we wanted Kellen to feel special and know his family loves him.  He really wanted to go to "the birthday place", AKA Red Robin.  (He calls it that because they have balloons there, and the employees are always singing happy birthday to the guests.) 
I'm glad we took the time, regardless of the circumstances, to celebrate the birthday of our sweet boy.  He really is a fantastic kid...

• He has such a big heart.  I've never met a more loving individual.  He's always had a very mature ability to sympathize with others, and try and make them feel better.  I don't know what I would do without his cheerful smiles and wonderful hugs and kisses.
• He is so kind to his little sister, always considering it his responsibility to take care of her and teach her the ropes.  
• He's a total clown, just like his Daddy.  
• He loves to learn!  He wants to read science books at bedtime, and he actually remembers the things we read about.  He can read small words, do small math problems, and count to 100! 
• He can draw like a pro, sing really well, and he's a great little athlete.  
• He is a friend to everyone whether old or young.  
• He's learning to help out around the house, and takes pride in doing his part.  He's been making his own bed every day, cleaning his room, and helping me with the dishes and the garbage.  
• He has a real testimony that is growing each day.  He wants to get up and share it every fast and testimony meeting, and because he can do it all on his own, we let him from time to time.

We love you, Kell!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I think this picture is so cute.

I really didn't feel like having my picture taken...

But for Kellen, I succumbed. :)

When we got home we found a card from Great-Grammy and Poppa.  It had a Super Hero on it, a "I'm 5 Today" sticker, and a five dollar bill.  Perfect.  He felt soooo special.

I went back and forth trying to decide if I should post this one or not.  I'm not really sure why I finally want to three months later... I guess it's because I'm doing better with it now and I want it recorded as part of my life, although forgive the lack of title.  I just couldn't think of the right one.
As many of you know, I was pregnant... and I'm not anymore.  I was ten weeks along and started bleeding.  I went to the doctor for an ultrasound, and the baby had only developed to six weeks.  With the baby that small, we couldn't detect a heart beat.  The doctor told me there was a chance my dates were wrong, and that I was really only six weeks along.   Either that, or I was going to miscarry.   I knew my dates weren't off.  I was sent home and told to return in two weeks.  If the baby was still alive and growing at that point we would be able to hear the heart beat.  Hoping my dates were wrong, but really knowing they weren't, I went home and stayed in bed, praying for some resolve.  I wanted my baby, but in my heart I was pretty sure that I had already lost it.  So I stayed in bed, with my mind in the worst, most crazy place it could possibly be--- Limbo.
Finally, after three days, it happened.  I miscarried the baby.  I won't get into that.  I know many of you have had similar experiences and know how awful it is.  Not my best day.  However, I did felt an overwhelming sense of relief.  I could stop wondering what was going to happen and start to grieve.  I could also get out of bed and take care of my family, which I so wanted to do.  The Lord was truly with me.  I knew he had prepared me for this loss with the feelings of doubt I'd had before.   It sounds weird to say that -- they weren't welcome feelings, but after the fact, I was grateful for them because they prepared me for what would have otherwise been a completely unexpected and devastating blow.
I've since had another miscarriage, which came as a complete surprise because I didn't think I was pregnant in the first place.  Strangely, I don't feel worried... Well, that's not completely true...  The worrier in me can always be unleashed if I go there, but the smarter side of me, the side with trust in an all-knowing Heavenly Father, feels a sense of peace.  I know that everything will turn out as it should.  The Lord isn't withholding children from me because I can't handle it, or because I'm not ready.  (I struggled with those thoughts for a while.)  I don't understand why things happen the way they do, but I still feel peace.  I do know that I have more children to come.  When and how they become a part of my family is yet to be discovered.  Hope you'll forgive me for getting so personal, but those of you that know me well know that's just the way I roll.  
Just like all times of trial in my life, I've felt an outpouring of love from friends, family, my Father in Heaven, and my Savior.  I've also gained a stronger testimony of the Lord's plan.  Best of all, my love for the family I have with me now has deepened immensely.  I can hardly look at my wonderful husband or two sweet kids, without feeling my heart begin to burst with love and gratitude.  I have been given so much.

Fire Station

Our preschool coop took the kids to the fire station for a fieldtrip.  Those firemen are awesome, and soooo cute with the little kids.  We had the whole station ready to welcome these six preschoolers.  The kids felt so special and thought the fireman were total superheros.  It was great.  I was pretty busy with the rest of the moms, keeping the kiddos where they needed to be, so I didn't get the greatest shots, but here's a few anyway.

Always a ham.

Jane loved the red stairways.

The kids got to sit on the windowsills of the upper level and see a truck leave the station with sirens blaring.  They were all very excited about that.  Jane liked her perch so much she hung out there for a while, while the older kids listened to a safety lesson.

During the lesson the kids got to hear what a home fire alarm sounds like.  I thought this picture was cute of my friend Tracey and her cute kids.

Then the kids got to practice crawling under the "smoke".

Then we got to go down to the garage and see all the different types of vehicles.

Lastly one firefighter put on all of his gear so the kids could get a good look at him, and hear his strange sounding voice with his gas mask on. 

High fives at the end.

For any young moms who haven't already done this, I would recommend a visit to your local fire station.  If not with a school group, I'm sure they would do it for any small group.  They told us that they wished more kids could come in.  Not just for the important safety information, but also to let them see the fireman's gear, masks, etc.   Apparently, they've had little kids actually hide from them under beds and things, not understanding that this scary looking creature was there to protect them.   I'd never considered that before.   Kellen idolizes these guys, and I know if he saw one at our house he would feel safe in their care.

Gina's Christmas Tea

Every year my good friend, Gina, has a Christmas Tea.  It is her gift to some of her closest friends.  She sets her table with her beautiful china and glasses, she cooks up a storm, creating the perfect tea foods, and she lays it all out in this beautiful way.  She has several different types of herbal tea for us to sample, which is something one doesn't get to do very often.  We feel like elegant English ladies being completely pampered.  Gina's daughters act as little waitresses, while we talk and laugh and just have a great time.  This year I took some pictures, although I missed  some, and my shots hardly do anything justice.  It was really much prettier.

The table setting.  As you can see, we each have a peppermint stick to stir into our herbal tea.  Yummm.

On the bottom tray were cucumber sandwiches on crust-less bread, and Hawaiian rolls with egg salad.

fruit cups with fresh whipped cream.  The glasses in back were filled with water, and just a touch of herbal tea to add color, but not really flavor.

 I didn't get a picture of my favorite, which was an amazing tomato bisque soup.  It was sooooo good!   She also made scones and a beautiful lemon custard to go on top. The tea was really good too.  She had the best brands you can buy.  One was sort of chocolate flavored!  Everything was delicious.  We each had just a bit of everything, but it was enough to fill us up.

Little ciche cups (in back) and baguette with fresh mozzerella, basil leef and sated veggies on top.  A-MA-ZING!!!

Kristy, Brittany, Lisa, Joyce, Marie Gina, Sarah, and Lara

After the tea we did an ornament exchange, where you could steal from each other, just like a white elephant game.  The afternoon was wonderful.  I really love each of these ladies.  I feel extremely blessed to live here and have so many wonderful friends. 

More Tub Time

With the Fam (Nov. 2010)

Juders and Janers

Jude and Great-Grandma Huish

My beautiful, kind, amazing mom.

A crazy picture of the Huish Family (missing Jordan)

Books from the Halloween Witch

At our house the kids get a Halloween pillow case to keep on their pillows for the month of October.  After trick-or-treating they get to stuff a ziplock sandwich bag full of their favorite candy, and the rest is poured into their pillow case.  We than hang the pillowcases (usually on the back porch, but this year was particularly windy, so we hung them inside).  At night the Halloween Witch rides her broomstick to our house, and using her witchcraft, she turns the candy into an awesome BOOK!  The kids love this tradition, and so does Mom! 

Heading downstairs to see if she came...

Looks like there is something in there...

A Halloween book!

This was a cute book with different Halloween masks.

Jane got a Berenstain Bears book.

Birthday Girl (Oct. 2010)

We had the Starkey family over to join us in a small celebration for Jane's 2nd birthday.   The Starkey girls have become "big sisters" to my kids.  They all truly love each other, and it is such a blessing to us.  It's so nice to have friends close by who's company is natural and easy, like real family.

The Starkeys gave Jane ballerina Build-a-Bunny.

She was very excited. :)

Mom and Dad got her a dollhouse.

Just look at those eyelashes!

Blowing out the candles.

Happy Birthday Janers!  We love you!!!

Ward Halloween Party (Oct. 27, 2010)

We hung little glow-in-the-dark skeletons and beads in the hallway.  At night they looked like they were just floating.

My little witch and Jedi knight, all ready to party!

Tay was away so I had to take a picture of myself, and this was as far away as I could get.

At the party a friend got all three of us, but Jane wasn't cooperating. 

Here are the affects of a night of games, fun, and trunk-or-treating.   Kellen was trying to scarf down just a little more sugary goodness and falling asleep at the same time.  "Must... stay... awake... more.... can....deeeeee...."

My little witch was sleepy too.