The Big 3-0!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JASON!!!
Well, it finally happened. Jason is no longer a young adult. He is just a plain adult now that he has reached the ripe old age of 30. J/K. I was having fun teasing him about this yesterday due to the fact that I have a few more years until I reach this point. It's amazing to think how much time has passed since I met him when he was 23, crazy! So many good things, great things, fabulous things, and some heartbreakers, but that is life and I am sure glad he's been there to experience them with me.

For his birthday dinner of choice he picked pizza. So after pizza he got to go to mutual and supervise the deacons per usual, but once he got home we opened presents and had some cake. For all of you who know Jason you know that he is particular in his gadgets. I always want to get him something he likes, but it won't be a secret because he has to pick it out himself. His gadgets are beyond my understanding. I gave him a deadline to let me know which tools he wanted so I could order them, but alas, he could not find one he really liked. So he had to settle for less exciting presents.

Jeffers couldn't be bothered to participate due to the fact that I finally let him watch t.v. It had been awhile so he had to watch every single second.
He got some new work shoes since the ones he wears were hurting his feet. Jefferson promptly put them on.

He also got some work pants. I know, I know you are jumping at the excitment aren't you? However, the favorite was the mag light. Jason has wanted one for awhile and Jefferson thought it was magic or something.

He wouldn't give it back and he kept trying to shine it in our eyes. In about 10 seconds he figured out how to turn it on and off and that it makes cool shapes on the wall. He is going to be smarter than me in a couple years.

And here is the apple spice cake. It looks a little droopy, but it tasted good. Happy Birthday Babe!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL MY LADIES OUT THERE!!

Here is one of my favorite Valentines. However, I don't think he was all that happy about being put in this embaressing shirt. I just couldn't resist. He is absolutely so darn cute.

Since the holiday is on Sunday, (and let's face it, we wouldn't have gone out anyway) I decided to make one of our favorite meals with a little twist. We had meatloaf and garlic mashed potatoes, but as seen in the picture, I shaped the meatloaf into hearts. I was so proud of Jefferson because he is such a picky eater and he ate dinner with his fork and he ate it all. It was so nice to not try to force him to eat. That must have been his valentine present to me.

These are the cupcakes I made for my Sunday School class. I teach the 14-18 class and they chowed down. One of the smaller boys in my class ate 4. They were really great today. I had a lot of fun. For our dessert Jason picked strawberry shortcake (shocker right, he is all about strawberries) but I haven't made it yet, hence the no picture.

And, lastly, these are the beautiful roses Jason bought me. Aren't they great? I hope everyone is having a great day and reminding all those around you that you love them. And know that I love you all too. Happy Valentines Day!!

Some Reflections

For the two months before James was born I often wondered what life was going to be like when I wasn't pregnant anymore and didn't have a baby to care for. How would I feel emotionally? physically? spiritually? I never really asked the question "why?" because what good does it do when you know the Lord has a plan and that sometimes we hurt and cry, but in the end we are blessed. I guess that is what I really want to talk about in this post. The fact that never once through out this whole experience did I ever doubt this was how things were supposed to be. It's hard, but the Lord never left my side and I guess that is why I am happy. I think that some people look at me and wonder why I'm happy after all that we went through, but they don't understand that I know that this was the plan for our family. I guess it does sound a little wierd, but I don't think I would trade this experience for anything.

No foot is too small to leave an imprint on the world.


Just like any other trial, it is afterwards that we see the blessings that were bestowed upon us, so I would like to share some with you. Some are small and silly, while others meant a great deal. My doctor decided to do the ultrasound for the gender four weeks early- we were able to find out about the problem a few days before Thanksgiving instead of a few days before Christmas. This gave us a good amount of time to prepare and somewhat understand what we were going through. My parents moved to Sandy from Wyoming. They were close enough to lend the much needed support that we needed. My mother told me that even before she knew I was pregnant she felt prompted to start putting our family on the prayer roll at the temple. I have a faithful husband that was able to give me blessings that sustained me through physical and emotional stress. My doctor is LDS and was able to understand my viewpoint and gave us a wonderful option when I had no hope of one. Volunteer groups helped us to celebrate instead of grieve. I have never felt such an outpouring of love than I felt that first week afterwards. My testimony has grown tenfold it seems. I have witnessed the miracle of life, but also the peace of death. The Lord has his hand in both and He never left my side.
I still have times when I feel that someone is missing, but then I remember where he is and I am grateful. Because of James I have found a strength in myself that I never knew I had. I have found greater love, faith, testimony, and many more things because of him. I was very blessed to be able to be his mother.

I don't want to sound too preachy, but these things have been on my mind and since tomorrow is Fast Sunday I wanted to write them down ( I cry way too easily to ever say these things out loud) I would also like to leave a quote that hit a note in my heart the other day. I have been reading a book called "21 Days Closer to Christ" and it was remarked that "To know the voice of the Shepherd is a privilege and a blessing. Setting aside time to listen to the voice is our responsibility." I am so glad that instead of turning away, I turned towards. No matter how hard this time has been I know it would have been so much harder if I had turned the other way. So tomorrow in church just remember to listen.

Random Holiday Pics!

So, with everything that was happening with James and such, I never got a chance to post our Holiday pictures. We did have a very nice Christmas and New Year. We spent it with family and friends and enjoyed the time to relax (and shop ofcourse)

Here are my beautiful blue eyed boys. I love their eyes. I am so glad Jefferson got Jason's blues instead of my greens. They are so handsome!

You just have to love this kid. You can't help it.
For Christmas the big present from us to him was this rocking chair. It took me forever to paint it, but I think it turned out really cute. He sits in it sometimes, but most of the time he likes to push it over and use it as a jungle gym. Oh well.


Jeffer's cousin Ada got this microphone and once he saw it Christmas was over. He couldn't have cared less about his presents. He took it and walked all over saying, "hello" into it and then holding it out to the closest person to say it back. It was really cute the first 10 times. After that it was like, "Get that slobbery thing out of my face man." We did end up getting him one of his own though.



Sweet little guy!
Like I said, you gotta love this kid.
Jefferson inhereted my need to be clean and so he really likes to sweep and vacuum. It drives my mom crazy because he can open the closet door now and he is always trying to pull the vacuum down the stairs. Here is when we had just put away all the decorations and he was helping my mom clean. He had a blast.

It really kind of tuckered him out. He looks so cute though.

Jason's mom got him this remote controlled car and once Jefferson saw it, it was immediately under his control (atleast when the battery is in) He loves the thing so much. It was really funny to see his reaction when it first started moving. He is so used to cars he has to push that this was the best show on earth.