A Tender Reminder...

So do you ever have one of those experiences where you just think, 'Thanks Heavenly Father, I needed that.'  Well, I had a little one the other day while I was busy running around like a mad woman! I had SO MANY things to do and I had hardly accomplished anything.  Jade had gotten sick and so that kept me inside with her for several days not able to do much at all.  SO finally she was well enough that I could run some errands and I started thinking how much I had to do and how I was so not happy that I hadn't 'worked out for a few days, and needed to go to the gym but didn't know when I would have time... This was all going on in my head when I was leaving Costco with a large load of food, gifts, etc.  I came out and it was SO cold and windy and snowy and there in front of me trying to make his way was a young man (probably around my age) who had artificial legs and with crutches was trying SO hard just to walk.  It looked like he probably was injured somehow (lost his legs) and was relearning how to basically move.  It was painful to watch him! He moved so slowly as it took SO much concentration and effort for him JUST to take ONE step.  As all the shoppers just hurriedly rushed by him I couldn't help but stop and watch him.  I wanted SO badly to run over and lift him up and carry him to the car.  Carts were running into me so I made my way out of the front entrance towards my car and loaded all my stuff in and Jade and Grace and finally took off.  As I was driving out of my parking space towards the street, there he was, STILL slowly, painfully making his way ALMOST to his car (which was parked in the front handicapped spot).  It had taken him THAT long to get that close to his car and I just started to cry. I had realized how selfish I had been and my thoughts had been centered on ME and what I wanted and didn't have.  I felt terrible as I slowly drove away, the image of this young man still in my head.  I drove all the way home tears streaming down my face as I thanked my Heavenly Father for my Blessings! The fact that I could walk, I could run and take care of my husband, my two girls... and could do these things WITHOUT crutches and without painful movements.  I came home and shared my experience with Jason.  I think seeing this Young Man at Costco has really had an impact on me as I have gone about things with a little different attitude.  

Christmas Fun...

Jade received so many fun things from Grandma and Popie (my parents). She loved her new snow pants, which she can't wait to try out.  We had a blast Christmas afternoon with my family eating a delicious turkey dinner and playing games (thanks Mom and Dad)!!!
      Yes,  you are seeing EDWARD... Rachel, my little sis, woke up to this on Christmas!
               Jade had to put on all her presents when she opened them... this is her at Jason's family's house on Christmas morning.  Thanks everyone for everything!
     Pajama party on Christmas Eve with Cassi, Emily and ME ... Jason was taking the picture, but for SURE participated! Nick and Carrie had to go back home but we missed them! 
Jade's debut as a 'star'.  She did so well and every time the word 'star' was mentioned, she held it up high... then her arm would get tired and she'd rest it on G'pa's head. So cute! This was at the Baird family Christmas Party at Scott's office.
After dinner one night, Jade went in her room and found her towel with a hood in it, and put it on and brought Jason a towel from the bathroom and said, " you be Joseph, daddy, and I'm Mary."

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We sure did and enjoyed every moment! It seems since we have little ones around, they bring out all the fun in you! They really remind you that simple things can be so exciting and fun.  Jade loved reading books about the Savior's birth and every time she saw a Nativity or a little baby, she would say, "it's baby Jesus".  She always wanted to dress up like Mary, and hold her baby doll and tell us it was Jesus.  It was so cute! We loved most of all being able to spend time with Family!!! 

TOP 10 OF CHRISTMAS:

1. Spending SO much time together! Never getting sick of hanging out, playing games, or talking.

2. Family parties/ Family NIGHTS- my family had a special family night that all centered around Christ and it was a reverent and special evening! Scott(Jason's dad) planned a wonderful Family night and Christmas party where we acted out the Nativity and ate yummy soups!

3. SNOW - it's about the ONE time I enjoy seeing snow on the ground and all around!

4. Good Treats- Our neighbors are so wonderful... it was awesome to have so many fun treats and and notes, reminders of what CHristmas is really about!

5. SERVICE- we were able to do some fun things as a family and have others do things for us too! (a teenage girl in our ward came over the day is snowed like 10 feet and shoveled our whole driveway and walkway by herself! She didn't even ask.  It almost made me cry b/c Jason was sick and Jade and I couldn't leave to go out and do it myself because I was holding jade all day and she just came over and did it!! So awesome!!!

6. NATIVITY- Jade just lOVES the nativity story and acting it out.  She got to debut as a 'star' in two nativity's this year... she loved every second of it!

7. MUSIC- I love Christmas music and I LOVE to play it constantly! It is a perfect reminder of the reason for the season... 

8. Pajama Party- Jason's sisters came over and we played Rock band and talked and stayed up WAY to late.

9. PRESENTS- Giving fun things to people, shopping for them, making them, receiving wonderful thoughtful gifts... 

10. Celebrating Christ's BIRTH- This Christmas has just been so special this year.  We had a lot of good family nights, and opportunities to teach JAde what Christmas is all about. It has made our thoughts centered and more focused around HIM, and because of HIM the Greatest GIFT we could ever receive! 

ODE to ChOcOlaTe~

Dearest Chocolate,

          It's breaking my heart that we can't be friends.

          With each neighbor gift, it's chocolate they send!

  Don't you know, that I am TRYING hard to resist

          Are you mad, that you're not on my christmas list?

You would be, you know that don't you?

Breastfeeding little babies... OH the things we DO! 

Perhaps sometime SOON her tummy won't mind,

AND THEN I WILL EAT ALL THE CHOCOLATE I CAN FIND!!

DISCLAIMER:  So that's my poem I thought of at 3 AM last night as I walked back and forth trying to work out Grace's gassy tummy! I saw these cookies staring at me yesterday afternoon, and I thought, "maybe her sensitivity has gone away."...  I tried ONE chocolate cookie yesterday and I paid for it! No more... 

         

A TWILIGHT POLL

Not everyone is in love with Edward? What? Yeah, that was my reaction as I've heard different opinions about Edward vs. Jacob.  So I want to know how many Jacob lovers there really are... or does Edward still shine (no pun intended)! SO CHECK OUT THE POLL! 

So the movie I thought was really good! It was hard of course to make a movie after such awesome books, but they did well, in my opinion. I loved each character and thought they hit that right on! 

A NEW BLOGGING PLEDGE

Okay, so you can hold me accountable for this one! I WANT to be a better blogger! I Will! I Will! I really love reading your cute blogs! This is going to be my 'journal' so be prepared for RANDOMNESS of Emily's head! YIKES!! Sounds scary, huh? 

What a great weekend this will be-

The much awaited Twilight coming to theaters! I can't wait to see it with my mom and sisters! Then, football is almost over with the most exciting game of the season... Go COUGARS!  Just when you think it couldn't get better, 24 on FOX is having a 2 hour show on Sunday!! The return of Jack!! Okay, and to top it off, turkeys, and food and more food are just around the corner with fun filled days of complete laziness and fun! I LOVE this time of year!! 

OCTOBER 2008 WRAP-UP!

We had some fun in October and here is "October in a nut shell!" 

* Birthdays - Jason's mom, and Mikee

* Baby Showers (YEAH for Katelyn, Bonnie and Joel's adorable new addition)

* Family VISITS from Maine- Carol and Gerald (Dad's brother and sister)

* Family Game NIGHTS- lots of phase ten, and a game where Jason ended up dancing on the floor using only his bum,and balancing a pickle on his nose. I know you're DYING to find out that name of that one!! It's called WOULD YOU RATHER

*BYU GAMES-  Go cougars!

*More FOOTBALL GAMES

*Political news watching- Vote McCain, Vote Prop 8 in California! 

*Gardner's Village- We went up and saw the witches displayed! It's super fun and cute! We laughed at my Dad's brother as he posed with all the witches! JAde rode the pony, I learned a few new farm animals.... (what the heck is an EL PACO)

* Vineyard- We went through the maze -actually Carrie hung out with me while I made an emergency breast-feeding stop on a hay stack (boy the things we do)!  

* HOGLE ZOO- It was super fun! That place is awesome... it's cheap, the kids love it, they have all the animals they would see at the San Diego zoo, and they can see it all in a few hours! Mom and I took some of the kids... Mom is awesome! She is a kid at heart and all the Grandkids LOVE her! 

*HALLOWEEN- We had a few parties and ate yummy soups and did the home made costume thing... AGAIN! 

This is the fun carousel they have at the zoo! 

The crew @ Vineyard.  Dad, mom, Carol, Gerald, Jenny, me , Jade, Gabriel and Mia (Grace is sleeping in her stroller
                               Jade riding the pony.  She choose the BIGGEST one to ride on!
                       Mia, Gabriel, Jade and Gerald with some witches.
                  Jade, Grace, and Rachel @ Vineyard

Gracie just being CUTE! She makes me SMILE!!!
JADE waiting for Story Time to start @ the Library!
Mom with a few Grandkids! We took them to the ZOO! Super fun!! She's amazing and has more energy than ALL of us combined!
Jason was a 'blind referee' and I was a basketball player, and Jade was a 'pretty witch'.  She did not want to be a scary witch!
Jas is calling a FOUL on me! I'm being hmm... Kobe Bryant the biggest whiner in NBA history!

"I" have been tagged.

I am:  a lucky wife and mommy

I have:  the best family in the world

I had no idea: library books are so expensive, when you lose them!

I am: taking a break from cleaning

I think: I am good at making friends

I know: Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers

I want: 75-80 degree weather all year

I have: a sleeping baby in my arms

I dislike: dishonesty 

I am surprised:  I had a baby 'natural' and liked it 

I fear: losing my husband and little girls

I feel: fed up with politics

I smell: baby burts bees lotion

I crave: exercise

I cry: at sad commercials or sappy chick flicks

I usually: plan out my day and stick to it

I search: for yummy and new recipes

I wonder: where i will be in ten years (how many kids?)

I Regret: being a quitter (piano, violin, gymnasics, b'ball)

I love: to have parties and play games! :-) 

I Care: about birthdays!

I Always: Tell Jason and my girls I LOVE them everyday

I worry: about everything

I am not: good at Math

I Remember: phone numbers really well

I Believe: in people

I Dance: with Jason and Jade almost every night

I Sing: terribly

I Don't: remember song lyrics 

I Argue: less and less as I get older (that's only with my bro-in law)

I Write:  out each word when I give a talk

I Win:   games sometimes 

I Lose: patience to easily

I wish: for good health for my family

I dont: like waking up in the morning

I listen: for gentle promptings

I don't understand: the stock market

I Can usually be found: at home, at the park, at mom's house, Target, Gold's gym

I am Scared: at night when Jason 's out of town

I need: a really good massage

I Forget: to tell my mom how much I love her

I AM HAPPY!   

I tag everyone... if you read this... copy it and post it on your blog!! :-)

JACK IS BACK (real quick)

It will tease, torture,  and yes the suspense will eat me alive! So they decided to do a ONE NIGHT 2 hour special on NOV. 23rd. (OH what a wonderful weekend.... 24 premier, and TWILIGHT movie! Geez, can life get better)? But the bad news, the season won't start until January! Ahhh... killer! So, we watch the premier, and then we have to sit and wait a month and a half for it to RESUME??? What were they thinking? Well, I guess they knew crazy fans like me couldn't resist and will for sure be waiting for the return of JACK!

Stewart Falls Hiking Adventure

Last Sunday we were out on a walk enjoying the beautiful weather, when we realized we have not been hiking in awhile.  Now that Grace is a little older (almost 3 months) she can fit nicely into the Baby Bjorn and Jade can ride with Daddy on her nice pack (thanks to Jen).  So... we decided let's GO!! We hiked to Stewart Falls which is up Provo Canyon past Sundance.  It was BEAUTIFUL! The colors are amazing as all the leaves are changing.  The hike took longer than we expected, but it was worth it! The weather was perfect and the fresh air was so satisfying! We had a BLAST! We were tired and dirty as we made our way back to the car.  We can't wait to do more camping next summer and enjoy the wonderful, amazing surroundings we are lucky to live around! Isn't it gorgeous? What a beautiful earth we have! 

Training 'em when they're young...

Don't call 'child protective services' ... she VOLUNTEERED to do this!! Yeah, it's great! Jade loves to help clean. So, I gave her the scrubber, and said, ' have at it'.  She did a GREAT job! :-) She also does dishes, and puts them away in the correct cabinets and drawers and everything (we'll see how long it lasts)! 

Finally some more PICS!!

Yes, I am terrible at taking pictures! I think I need to take a photography class.  I would enjoy that.  But, I had my neighbor take some photos after church last Sunday.  They both had these cute matching dresses (thanks to my friends in my ward) and Grace is already busting the dress at the seams! So, we had to take a picture before it was TOO Late! Jade had a little trouble holding on to her (poor Jade, she's almost her size already)! 

And She's OFF...

The other day Jason came home for lunch and Jade took his cell phone, found a tie in the closet, and grabbed his work badge and headed for the door.  She even remembered to say, "See ya later, drive safe, love you" a phrase which she says EACH morning as Daddy leaves for work! 

                

I finally got a few pics of baby Grace as she was prematurely awakened from her BEAUTY SLEEP! She is doing well and almost a whopping 10 pounds! We haven't done her pictures yet because of the terrible 'baby acne' that HAS to show up RIGHT when we want to take some pictures! Geez! Go away! :-) Maybe this will mean she'll bypass the teenage acne phase!

Aww...CUTE!!!

IS this not the cutest picture ever!?? We had a BBQ party to celebrate Scott's (Jason's Dad) birthday at our house.  I looked over and saw them all sitting together and HAD to run inside and grab a camera! Funny how life changes so fast... and now Scott's a Grandpa and Jason and his little bro Nick are FATHERS of their own! :-)

SUMMER LOVIN'

Well the weather has been SO HOT lately and every single store was SOLD out of all the kid pools!!! What's up with that? There is still another MONTH of summer!?!? All that is at the stores now is 'back to school' stuff! Some of us are STILL ENJOYING SUMMER!! I called every store in the valley and no one had ONE little pool left! Then one night we went to Toys R Us to look at something, and lo and behold... ONE POOL LEFT!!! It even has a slide! PERFECT!! :-) Jade had so much fun! 

Grace Elizabeth- Is Here!~

JULY 8th, 2008 (1:52 a.m) 

Gracie entered the world a little late (6 days) but for sure, worth the wait! She is a doll and we apologize for the lack of pictures.  We are getting some professional ones done very soon and will post them.  She was 8 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches long. 

THE BIRTH STORY: 

Well, I didn't want to get induced so that is why I let myself go over the due date! :-) I wanted my body to just do it on it's own and see what happens! It was hard being over due but I was lucky and was not that uncomfortable! I have good pregnancies.  So, on Monday around 4 pm I started having contractions about every 3-5 minutes apart.  Finally right after dinner, I told Jason we needed to go to the hospital.  We got there around 7 and they checked me and I was dilated to a four. So around 8 pm they admitted me and hooked up the IV and antibiotics.  My AWESOME sisters (Carrie, Jenny, and Heather) were there and my FABULOUS mom and mother in law.  Each of them helped SO MUCH!! I wanted to do it NATURAL (no epidural) and without their help, never would have made it! They each helped me by fanning me, giving me ice chips, pressing on certain spots to help the contractions... etc.  I basically just dilated to a 6 by midnight and went from a 7-10 in about 30 minutes.  She came after only a few pushes and it was amazing to see what your body does... on it's own! It was crazy! Did it hurt? umm.. yeah, but I felt so great afterwards! Gracie came out wanting to eat right away and being SO alert! I have to thank my sisters and mom and mother in law again because they all stayed up late with me and helped so much! Some of them even had to go to girls camp the next day! :0)  LOVE YOU GUYS!  

MY AMAZING HUSBAND:

Okay, so I HAVE to put a special note about Jason! I don't know HOW I got so lucky to be married to the 'perfect' husband ever! He was so comforting during the 'labor' and so attentive to me.  I remember one of the nurses afterward telling me "you married an Edward"! (all Stephenie Meyer fans will get it).  Of course I already knew that.  He took the week off work to help me and to spend time with his #1 fan... Jade!!!!! She had so much 'daddy time' she was on cloud nine! He also cleaned the house constantly, did laundry, helped with the baby, did all dishes, and found time to care for me! What a sweetie! Needless to say, Jade and I both cried when he went back to work.... love you, love you xoxoxo

More Pics

Jade adores her new sister and loves to help out mom! She is having fun taking care of 'her baby doll' while I feed and change Grace.  It's so cute! Thanks Grandparents, Jenny, Carrie and Nick for helping with Jade and taking her to the park and the library! We appreciate everyone! :-) Here are a few pictures we've taken since we got home! (Except the embarrassing picture of Me in LABOR with my 'BIRTHING TEAM' taking good care of me! )