Goodbye 20's.....

Hello 30's!!!!! I dare say, that my 30th birthday was my very best one so far! I wasn't expecting much, but Aaron went all out to make it the most memorable birthday ever! The day started out with going as a family to the Draper Temple open house.

Wow! It was incredible! This is the first open house I've ever been to, so it was such a special thing for me to be with my husband and children. Hannah kept saying "we're going to Jesus's house", to everyone she saw. We got to ride a bus up to the temple and that was most exciting for a 3 year old. The temple was stunningly beautiful. 5 million+ people are expected to come through the open house. It took us 3 hours to go through it due to the volume of people there that day. There is such a peace and serenity found in the House of the Lord and even with so many people, the reverence could almost be cut with a knife. It was wonderful!

So, on our way home Aaron said, "when we get home, go change because you have to go pick up Suzanna". Suzanna is my dear friend. So off I went to pick her up. We went out for ice cream and then back to my house we went. She stayed with our kids while Aaron and I went out to dinner and Trafalga's! Yahoo!!! Ok, so Trafalga's is a special place for us because it was our first date. It was so fun to feel like a kid again. We went to eat at Panda Express (yum!) and then hit the video arcades and race cars.
Aaron beat me by one point at Air Hockey, but I wooped him on the race track! LOL





It was so much fun to be at Trafalga's again. It was our first time back since that first date over 5 years ago. Hooray for that date! :o)

We needed to head back home since I had been gone from Abigail for over 3 hours. I was so worried that I'd walk in to a screaming baby and a very exhausted friend (she was watching my 3 plus her 2 kids.....5 kids 4 years old and younger....what a great friend) but what did I walk in on instead.........






I was soooo surprised! Aaron had me so fooled all day with planning little surprises for me that I really didn't expect a surprise party. It was so fun! The rest of the shots are just random pictures I took of the kids. They had a GREAT time as well! All I can say, is I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be married to such a thoughtful and loving man and to have friends and family that also are so wonderful! Thanks to all who helped plan the best birthday ever!!!



This is too funny! One of the kids took a bite out of the candle. Hmmmm....

52 Blessings/ Week 7: Heroes

So, my title for this week is in part dedicated to two very special mothers who are AMAZING women! I sure hope they don't mind me sharing them a little. April and Amy are two of the most Christlike people I've ever known. The funny thing is, I've only actually been in their presence a handful of times. We bought our first home from April and her husband. They now live in Idaho, so we don't see them, but we've kept in touch. April inspires me to be a better wife and mom. She lives her life to the fullest and has a true understanding of the purpose of life. She is a gift to so many. Reading her blog each week is humbling beyond belief and touching to the point of tears. Aaron can always tell when I've been reading April's or Amy's blog.

My sweet friend Amy is the wife of an Elder who served as an assistant to my father when we lived in Oregon. She married a great man, but I think he married an AMAZING woman! Amy has a sense of humor that is so fun! For those of you who know what I mean by a yellow personality, that is Amy! She too lives in Idaho (what is it with Idaho women?) So I never see her either, but reading her blog does the same for me that April's does. Amy and Ryan face challenges and meet them head on because they have complete trust in the Lord. These two women inspire me so much. When I'm having a bad day or particularly bad day with my children, all I have to do is think of one of these dear sisters and I am quickly grateful for my children and for the blessing and privilege it is to be "their mama", as April would say.

So Ladies, I dedicate this weeks blessing to you and thank you for being a part of my life.

Abby at 2 months

10 lbs. 9 oz. 22 inches long. She's in the 25% all around. Still a little runt. All of my kids have been. That said, she is growing fine and is healthy. Can't complain.

Valentines Day

I think this was my best Valentines Day ever. I woke up to beautiful roses. (I should add that I got to sleep in until 9:30!) We stayed home most of the day as a family and for dinner I made homemade pizza. It was so nice to just stay home. Attached to the roses were little cards that Aaron had made. Each card had a different coupon for me to redeem. Some included, foot rub, clean all the bathrooms, put the kids to bed while I take a hot bath and read a book, etc. So sweet and so thoughtful! I sure love my man!

Friends

My greatest hope is that my children will be friends with eachother. When I was younger I would fight all the time with my sisters. My mom would say to us that someday we would be the best of friends, so stop fighting! Well, at the time I couldn't imagine that that could be true, but like everything my mom has told me, it is true.

Hannah and Nathan have their fair share of fights, but ocassionally we'll catch them being sweet to eachother all on their own. One thing that we've discovered is that regualarly we have to go in after the kids have fallen asleep and move Nathan back to his bed. He loves to get in bed with Hannah and fall asleep. She doesn't seem to mind it either. We're glad they love eachother.

Our Little Ones

We think he's a stud!


Abigail has started smiling at us. Here she is smiling in her sleep.



Hannah with her cousins and friend Chadley.

52 Blessings/ Week 6: Love Unfeigned

I went to a Relief Society Enrichment meeting on Saturday. It was SOOOO good. One of the speakers talked about love unfeigned. I guess I never knew exactly what that meant, but he said it means it's not phony, or fake, but that it's true love.

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith about how the Priesthood should be used only in righteousness. This is what He said, "No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion (communication), by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile- Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upone by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy".
D&C 121: 41-43

I've thought a lot about these words the last two days. To have love unfeigned means to forgive, to put your feelings aside, to show forth more love for another than for yourself. I dare say, that I haven't mastered that. I can say I have that kind of love for my husband and children, but I'm not sure I've always exercised this with everyone. What a blessing it is to know that we can become like our Heavenly Father, through our Savior. I'm so grateful for His love that is perfect. I chose this as my blessing for this week because I have been the recipient of this kind of love and consider it to be one of the greatest blessings of my life.

Bugged!!!

My sister Carlee tagged me to write 10 things that bug me. Hmmm....only 10? LOL

1. A floor that needs to be swept. Can't stand seeing crumbs on the floor.
2. Ironing bugs me to no end. I do not like to iron! Poor Aaron's shirts. LOL
3. Toothpaste that spills out of the lid and makes a mess.
4. When Nathan or Hannah lose their blankies. Unbelievable drama!
5. being tickled.
6. Whining
7. Petty problems. Too many to go into detail.
8. Selfishness
9. Greed
10. Unfinished projects!

Baby Blessing

Yesterday, Aaron blessed Abigail. She is such a sweet little baby and Aaron gave her a beautiful blessing. I'm grateful that my family was able to be there. Standing in the circle was: Aaron, my Dad, Trent, Travis, Tyson, Mike, Jeff Nielson, and John Whitehead (he was the missionary who taught Aaron the gospel 12 years ago).
A friend was thoughtful enough to write down some of what Aaron said in the blessing and gave it to me afterwards. This is what she recorded.

*Father We ask thee to bless this child with strength and health throughout her days
*Endow her with courage of heart and strength to carry the mantel as she shares the gospel.
*Endow her with an understanding of the teachings of the gospel.
*Bless her as she learns and accepts the principals of the gospel.
*Help her to abide by the principles we teach her.
*We plead with thee Father to protect her and keep her from harm.
*Help us look after her in this world and keep her safe.
*We love thee Father and are grateful for this child.
*Bless her to be a light and guide to those seeking the gospel truth.

I feel so privileged to be my childrens mother. I feel that they are choice spirits of our Heavenly Father. I am humbled beyond words to be their mom. I feel the great responsibility everyday, to teach and nurture them.

52 Blessings/ Week 5: Sleep

Me and Hannah zonked out on my bed one night and Aaron took this of us.

Ever since I can remember, I've LOVED sleeping! I love "the bed" as I refer to it. Well.....having children has altered to some degree, my time in "the bed" so therefore, sleeping has become all that more precious to me. This week has been HORRIBLE in the sleeping area of my life. My sweet little baby has been sleeping better than my other two children, who I've always prided myself on being AMAZING sleepers! Since we moved into our new home, Hannah and Nathan share a room together. For the most part it's been great. This week however, twice they've woken up in the wee hours of the morning and will not go back to sleep! I can hear them playing in their room. After 1 to 2 hours of persuading and threatening them to go back to sleep, mean mommy had to come out and get real serious. (I had to take away their night light). If only they could understand just how much sleep means to mommy! LOL I'm happy to report, last night was heaven and they slept without any interuptions and my precious baby only woke me up once. Hooray!

I'm so glad when daddy comes home, glad as I can be!

I have to admit that it is a happy time for me when Aaron walks in the door each night. After my fill of fun with the kids for the day, (lol) he comes to my rescue and plays with the kids. This is my time to clean up, rest if I want, and sometimes, I even join in the fun. Hannah and Nathan LOVE it when Aaron comes home. Games usually include, hide-and-seek, reading books, making forts, or tickle tortures. He gets them all wired before bed. It's great! I don't know how he has the energy to play after a long day at work himself, but he always does.

52 Blessings/ Week 4: Freedom

How could I not write about this wonderful country this week? I am so grateful to live in America and to have the freedoms we enjoy. Having lived outside of the U.S. for a time, I really saw first hand just how wonderful our country is. I realized while I lived in the Netherlands that our founding fathers were truly inspired by God to create a declaration that would allow for mankind to live with the ability to use their God-given agency to dictate their lives. What a blessing! I pray that our freedoms will always be protected.

Walking with Dinosaurs

Aaron took Hannah on a daddy/daughter date last week to walk with dinosaurs. Literally. I dropped Hannah off at her daddy's work where he then took her out to dinner, then down town to see the show. She was soooooo excited all day to go with her dad. A couple of times she said, "the dinosaurs are going to eat me". I laughed and told her that her daddy would protect her. She was satisfied with that.

I guess the show was incredible. Life size dinosaurs that looked so real. Hannah wasn't scared at all until the very end when the T-rex came out. Aaron said it was as loud as Jurassic Park. Very thrilling! Hannah was a little nervous by that, he said. However, daddy did protect her. :o)

Thank you Trent & Cheryl for giving Aaron the tickets. Both dad and daughter had a wonderful night out.

52 Blessings/ Week 3: Friends

I consider my friends one of my greatest blessings in my life. From childhood, to adulthood, I've made great friends along the way. I think back on my childhood friends that would play "house" with me, or "dolls", or sell lemonade with me outside. Good times! Then during my teenage years my friends were so very important to me. I look back and am so grateful that they never asked me to compromise my standards or beliefs. I can remember one time in particular when one of my friends had just gotten her drivers license and so we went "cruising" while listening to church music. Yep, that was the extent of my "wild" days. Boy my parents had it easy with me! LOL When I went away to college I made my lifelong friends. One of those gals just left my house and I'm so bummed that I forgot to take a picture with her. These women have molded me in a very real way. They are women I look up to, respect, and deeply admire. I continue to meet wonderful women and am truly thankful for each one of you ladies. Thank you for your friendship. I hope and pray that my children will also be blessed with wonderful friends.

My Best and Eternal Friend

My dear friend, Suzanna

I'm happy to say that my brothers and sisters are some of my greatest friends

Highschool friends

College Friends

Terrible 2's

How did we go from this....


to this...



He was always my sweet, cuddly, happy little boy! Now he is independent, screams at the drop of a hat (and might I add that his scream is just a few pitches higher than a high C), he likes to go around pointing his little finger at me and say "dop" for stop as he looks at me real stern like. Quite honestly, I can't help but laugh at this little one, but I am sad that he's hitting this 2 stage 6 months early. Just means that my babies are growing up and I don't like that one little bit! From time to time, my sweet little boy will come out and want me to hold him and rock him. I live for those times. Thankfully he still wants his mama when he's sick, hurt, or sad.
Here's just a few more pictures of this little guy that I soooo LOVE!!!

52 Blessings/ Week 2: Dave Ramsey

Ok, I know I should probably think of something more sentimental, but really I am so thankful for this man who preaches to whoever will listen, about the importance of living on a budget and how to get out of debt. Aaron and I started listening to him on the radio a little over a year ago and I'm here to tell ya, he's fantastic! His philosophy is easy to follow. The tricky part is being disciplined enough to stick with it, but we are here to tell ya it works if you stick with it. So, it is deffinately a blessing to be on a budget and also, if you've not heard of him before, he is my gift to you all to start out a wonderful 2009! Happy New Year!


This is what Dave Preaches
Get out of debt the same way you learned to walk, one step at a time. Dave has taught these principles to millions via radio, books, Financial Peace University, Live events, and online:
1- $1,000 to start an Emergency Fund
2- Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
3- 3 to 6 months of expenses in savings
4- Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
5- College funding for children
6- Pay off home early
7- Build wealth and give!

For those interested, check him out at daveramsey.com

Abby at 3 weeks

Some Pictures of our House

So, this is for you Grandma Rietfors. I've been meaning to post some pictures of our new house, for quite some time now and keep forgetting. Here are just a few. Sure love and miss you.