Our Temple

As a gift for indexing FamilySearch gave pictures. I picked this one because it's "our" temple. I am grateful every day for the joy that comes of knowing I can be together with my family forever because Jon and I made those sacred covenants just as our parents did for us. I am grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ who makes it all possible.

Late summer fun

Dry Canyon was a fun little adventure Jon planned for the kids back in August.  I was still in my first trimester and didn't think I could find the energy to go, but when it came down to it I hated seeing my family leave without me.  So, I grabbed a breakfast drink and headed out last minute to join the troop, so much so that I left with the shoes I had on - dumb move, they didn't have a back and my feet and ankles squirmed all over the trail.  I felt it the next day.  But, it was still a fun activity I'm glad I didn't miss.  The kids loved it too!

This was our first carnival with the kids at the school.  What a fun afternoon!

Another hike, second trimester, much better.  This is Battlecreek falls, in Pleasant Grove.  Really pretty and not hard.  I like that combo!  The kids got out school early in September, so we surprised them and left Anna and Kade with Grandma Lee.  Lauren and Rissie were so cute and had a fun activity with just Mom and Dad.

Birthday's

Jon's Birthday September 17th Camping in Park Valley

Rissie's 5th Birthday July 17th in Bear Lake with the Jenkins

In Orem with the Lee's (G&G Lee's where we are living.)

Anna's 3rd Birthday May 11th in North Salt Lake.  (G&G Jenkin's)

In Orem (G&G Lee's)

Kade's 1st Birthday March 4th  in NSL then Orem.

Lauren's 6th Birthday January 2nd in Chicago

First Day(s) of School

Lauren's first day of school.  1st Grade.  The whole family walked her to school.  She and Rissie held hands most of the way.  At one point, I overheard Lauren say, "I'm going to miss you, Rissie."  Then in her sweet little voice, Rissie replies, "I'm going to miss you."  They are only 18 months apart and are always together.  Anna had a rough morning knowing that she wasn't going to school.  So on the way home, I whispered to Rissie that it was a sad day for Anna and asked if she could be special friends with Anna.  Rissie took Anna by the hand and walked her the rest of the way home.  So sweet.  They played together the rest of the day and have had a chance to become friends while Lauren is in school.

Rissie kindergarten class started a week after Lauren.  It was fun seeing her be so confident and eager.  Sending Lauren off a week earlier didn't make it any easier for me though as I drove away with my heart in my throat.  They both love their teachers.  After the open house Lauren told us, "My teacher is so pretty it makes me want to obey her."  Then just a couple of days ago, Rissie asked me if I thought her teacher loves her.  Of course!!  Who couldn't?

This collage is strictly for my benefit.  This is what I would have put them in on the first day if it had been MY choice, but of course it wasn't.  I couldn't resist the camera as they left for school on these days.  I even had to make a deal with Rissie, as you can tell from some of her expressions, she doesn't exactly approve of the shirt I picked for her.  Lauren on the hand loves her outfit, in case you couldn't already tell. ;)

Grandma Duncan's 90th Birthday

Grandma Duncan's 90th Birthday Book of all her posterity.  

This was our contribution.

These aren't in the right order, but I couldn't adjust it the right way without spending more than the time I was willing to allot to this project.

Park Valley/Lauren loses her first tooth!

 You'd think it was Christmas with all her excitement.  She noticed it was loose just earlier that morning.  Then by the end of the night it was OUT!  Grandpa kept teasing her that he was going to yank it out for her and I think she was more excited about it than threatened.  He started to pull to see how loose it was then just kept going.  It was all she could talk about that night and ever since.

 Jon's Mom's family is from Park Valley, a little town in the middle of nowhere in northwestern Utah.  The kids had a great time playing with their cousins.  We got Braden and Mikell, but by the time we remembered we had our camera Kelten was already napping.  Uncle Jared was usually off riding something...I think that's why he is missing from the pictures too.  Grandma Jane, Aunt Missy, Aunt Andrea, Mikell and Lauren are standing in front of the main house which is now lovingly referred to as "the jail".

The family's property is a little oasis in the middle of miles of nothing.  It's beautiful, but their is a lot of work always needing to be done.  It brings me back to childhood playing in the sticks trying to make wilderness pretty and homelike.  Rissie and Braden are chillin' in Jared's monster-powered golf cart, Jon's showing me his sunburn/muscles, I'm taking Kade and Anna for a little ride, and Mikell and Lauren are coming down from what used to be a bigger pond.  Rissie and I took a similar walk around the pond that still exists behind the house.  She called it our "eventure" and that I shouldn't be worried because the bouquet of flowers I was holding from Lauren would "betect" us.

Kade and Rissie get shots

 On Monday, Kade and Rissie went to the hospital lab to get their blood drawn.  Lauren, knowing how bad it would be, gave Rissie a little pep talk before she left.  All the while they were gone she made a little "I love you" card.  Super sweet.  Then today, Jon took both Rissie and Kade to the doctors office and came home with a very unhappy daughter.  Apparently, when Rissie found out she was getting a shot and the nurse was out preparing them, she cried to Jon, "I don't want you to be my dad anymore.  You just want to hurt me." (Our parenting was obviously slacking with the explanations of the what's and why's the past few days).  There was also something in there like, "Mom isn't going to be very happy with you."  Unfortunately for her, none of these got her out of the dreaded shots.
Later tonight as the aches in her thigh muscles worsened and before the Tylenol kicked in we had a little talk about why good moms and dads let their kids get shots because they love them, etc. even though they hurt.  Then about an hour later, as I was lying next to her to say goodnight she said, "Mom, I am glad you are my mom and I'm glad Dad is the dad." Then she paused for a second and asked, "When is he going to learn how to cook?!"

***

The doctor told Jon that Rissie is anemic and not gaining enough weight.  It's no wonder, that girl is such a picky eater and it's a battle every meal just to get her to eat a few bites.  Ugh!  I am frustrated about it.  Not only does it make me feel like I have failed her in this as her mother, which bothers me the most, but I am also a dietitian (now my personal pride is damaged too!)  SO, based on my expensive education I am not going to be a short order cook for her, BUT I will make more options available at each meal.  Sigh.  Sorry, Sweetie.

***

On a happier note I'll share one last funny of Rissie's.  During this same good-night conversation, Rissie tells me, as I am running my fingers along her back, "Scwatching backs makes humans fall asleep."

Rissie's present for me

Rissie is my little hugger...and sweet kisser.  On Sunday afternoon she woke up from a nap and, knowing I love her hugs, showed up to me with a smile on her face that said, "Hi Mom, I am a present for you."  She said, "I have a present for you upstairs. (The girls room is the upstairs.)"
"You do?!"  I asked.
"It's one of my dolls."  She said her smile still big enough to squint her eyes.  I knew this was pure love for this girl to give me one of her precious dolls.
"One of your dolls?!"  I exclaimed my eyes popping in surprise.
Then she gave me an even bigger smile her arms wrapped around my neck as she prepped me for the climax.  She lingered on that smile for a while her sweet blue eyes sending love right to my soul.  Then she whispered in my ear, "It's me."