Day 9, Grateful Journal

I figured I could count last post, "Happy Thanksgiving" as my day 8 :)

1. Today, I am grateful for the spirit of Christmas that comes when we unpack our Christmas decorations.   We completed our Christmas decorating today, and as the kids were putting up their nativity scenes, I got to read a little bit to them from Luke (so nice to have the scriptures handy in my cell! - hey, I could use that for another "grateful" item :)  It was nice to bring that spirit of Christmas into this home for the first time, for our family.  Lance and Kyle got to read a few Christmas books with me today.  I love this time.
2. I'm grateful that we got to have Thanksgiving dinner yesterday with Jared.  He was working, of course, and we got to meet him at work and enjoy lunch with him.  I have to say that, honestly, I wouldn't mind doing it that way all four years that we are here.  I got to enjoy the morning with my kids, putting up the Christmas tree, instead of cooking like crazy.  Then, after the delicious all you can eat turkey dinner, we picked up our plates and threw them away.  NO DISHES!  I was about to wipe off the table when Jared reminded me, "They'll get it".  See, that's what I'm talking about!
3. I'm grateful to have had this amazing Gramma in my life.  Here is a poem that she wrote and gave to her dad, Harold Walter Miller. The date on it was 11 May 1949. She wrote, “He must have thought enough of the concept to have kept it all these years.” She found this poem among his things after he died.  Grampa put it in the program for her Memorial Service.

LOOK UP...WEEP NOT




When the candle of my life is blown out,

Don’t bury me in the cold, dark ground.

But take my ashes to the highest hill,

Where below the countryside,

Nature in her wedding gown is peaceful,

Yet alive with the beauty of existence.

And my loved ones, left behind to weep,

Will lift their faces to the heavens

Where the sun

And the wind

And the rain

Will mingle with the tears and loneliness

And wash them away,

Leaving only happy thoughts

Of days that were and are to be

For both the left behind and the gone beyond.

I want no hanging heads

Or tears wetting the bleeding hearts

That cover a mound of earth.

I want no gravestone, hard and cold,

Keeping my spirit down.

I want to fly with the skylark,

And run with the weaving brook.

I want to dance with the blowing trees

And sing with the wind and rain.

Lift your face

And heart

And soul,

For I am not gone forever

But have changed my garments of worldliness

For the cloak of godliness.



~Janet M. Tilton~

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm so grateful for helpers in the house!

A few pics I took this morning in spirit of the day:

Cami was so excited to get ready for today.  She even picked out her outfit.  I'm so grateful that I have cute clothes to dress my children in.






Catch!



Love at home.  I am grateful for siblings happily playing together and being best buddies.



More loving siblings.  Tuesday at the railroad tracks by Kyle's preschool.  The only picture I got before we headed back to the car.  Brrr!  We'll come back in the spring.





Last night's shelves.  I bought these at a yard sale months ago, and couldn't decide exactly where, in Cami's room, I wanted to put them.  I finally decided that I've gotta get these up before we move again.  I am really happy with how they look here :)  I'm so grateful for my handyman!



Day 7, Gratitude Journal

1. I'm grateful for school being out and more time with kids and a more relaxed schedule.
2. I'm grateful for the public library system and free movies and books to borrow for the holidays.
3. I'm grateful to be able to witness Cami singing, "I am a Child of God." by herself.  Tonight, Dad was putting up shelves in her room, and she sat on the rocking horse and sang.  It was the cutest thing.

Day 6, Grateful Journal

1. My Gramma passed away today.  I am grateful for the knowledge that, like Jesus, she lives!  And she would laugh at having her name so compared with Jesus.  Last Thanksgiving was our last time together.  There was a feel to our hugs and goodbyes at the end of that trip, something in her misty loving eyes, that told me that I might not see her again in this life.  How I loved sitting next to her, laughing at her quips about this or that.  She has an incredible talent with humor.  If you walked into her house, you would see where her heart is.  There are pictures of her family, children, grandchildren, everywhere.  There's a really cute one of her and her eternal companion, Grampa, when they were dating.  She made sure that relationship ended with the two of them.  She calls herself a "Jewish Princess" because of what a wonderful husband Grampa is to her.  Oh, how I miss her!
2. I am grateful for the gift of prayer.  I know I'm not s'posed to say the same thing again, but last time I called it, "power of prayer".  Today it is a gift.  Last week, the kids were playing capture the flag, the flag being Lance's camoflauge jacket "because it's easier to hide".  I told them I didn't like it, but if they were sure to bring it back inside, they can use it.  Of course, the friends that were here that day had left when I called the kids in for dinner and the rest of the evening took our minds off the camo jacket that was still sitting out in the dark somewhere.  The next day, Lance could not find it.  It's been about 4 days, and by this time, Lance wanted to play capture the stick.  I told him that he could play it after he looked again for his jacket  and said a prayer.  He looked, but wasn't big on the prayer part.  After a bit, he came back to me after having said his prayer.  He was bummed that, although he had said a prayer, he still hadn't seen it.  However, he was excited that now he could play the game and move on to other things after doing what was asked.  A few hours later, I happened to glance outside in the backyard.  There, in the middle of our yard, was Lance's jacket, as if it had landed there from heaven.  I asked all the kids if they found it, and none had.  Needless to say, Lance was pretty excited to have witnessed this gift and miracle from prayer.
3. I enjoyed a good conversation with Grampa this morning.  He told me that Gramma's been in a great deal more pain lately.  She even woke up yesterday while her Visiting Teacher was with her and, dissappointed, asked, "I'm still here?"  Even at a time like this, she's making us laugh.  In our family and couple prayers, we've been praying that Gramma might have the desires of her heart.  But later today after talking to Grampa, I said a pleading prayer.  "Please let Gramma be relieved of this pain."  Hours later my mom called me with the news.  I'm so grateful that she is no longer suffering.  I love thinking about the reunions she is having with so many, including our Evan!

Day 5, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for Primary music that helps our Sunday mornings run more smoothly.
2. I am grateful for missionary work, and the opportunity that I have to share it with others that have not had the blessings of this gospel in their lives.  One family, that the sister missionaries introduced me to, came to church today for the first time.  It was a different experience for the father, and the mother absolutely loved it.  The kids got to meet my children, who have been anticipating this during the week.  They have a little girl that overcame cancer, so our kids have this little bit in common that not too many others have.  It is such a joy to look into their eyes and see the happiness they are feeling through experiencing the gospel for the first time.
3. I am grateful for ward choir and singing Christmas songs.  It's fun :)

Day 4, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for my garage, that in the winter time when it's snowing outside or frozen, my car is ready and waiting for me in the garage.  I gave a ride to a  friend today that is in an apartment and only has a carport for her car.  The ride I gave her was to the store to have an automatic starter and remote for her to use this winter.  She is a single mom with a daughter.  I'm grateful that my garage saved me from even having to consider such expenses.
2. Plus, I'm grateful to be a mom with a good husband.
3. Warm soft socks.

Day 3, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for the power of prayer that has blessed my life, even in the simplest ways.  Today I got a spoon stuck in the disposal.  I tried to free it.  I tried and tried to get it out.  I got it to move a little, but it was determined to stay put.  Jared wouldn't be home until the next day after working all night.  I was pretty sure he wouldn't be excited to already have an urgent, "To Do" list when he got home.   I just wanted to have my kitchen clean so I could move to the next item on my list!  It was quiet time, so the kids were all in their rooms.  I got on my knees and said a quick prayer.  I stood back up, reached my hand in, and pull it out.  Seriously, just like that.  What a blessing to have the gift of prayers in my life.
2. I'm grateful for my health, and my family's health.  I have not gotten sick at all since we've been here.  The kids have been doing great.  It seems like we got sick a lot when we were in that tiny apt. breathing the same air all the time.  I'm knocking on wood, but so far, so good...
3. Modern technologies, like Skype.  Jared's Dad sent us the equipment, and last night I was able to get hooked up and had my first "in person" conversation with my father in law since we've moved.  I'm excited for the kids to use it.  They have really been missing their families in UT, and it will be so much fun!

Day 2, Grateful Journal

1. I am grateful for my children. 
2. I'm grateful for Jace.  He is an incredible helper, especially on Sunday mornings with the kids in the morning rush before getting to church.  He reads long stories to them at night (during my one-on-one time with, you guessed it, the kitchen), and they love it. He even began putting Cami to bed after reading her bedtime story. He continues to excel in school, getting better on the violin, likes his teacher (even makes her laugh sometimes!), and is actively involved with his friends both in school and in our neighborhood.  Their favorites to do together are: soccer, capture the flag, wrestling, and baseball.
3. I'm grateful for my Evan Angel, and the opportunity that I had, and continue to have, to raise him in the next life.  His laugh and stomping feet as he runs throughout the house are the most missed. I look forward to the day that I can watch him laugh again with his brothers and sister, and run with those thumping feet.
4. I'm grateful for my Lance.  Lance has an amazing amount of energy that has been used, a lot of times, to help mom out around the house. If he had a slogan, it would say, "Get the Job Done". He does it! If there's something in the house I really want to have done, he's my man! I call him my "super duper cleaner". He is also beginning to write and read, and loves making things out of paper with drawings and scissors. Currently, he's been making tons of turkeys by tracing his hand and decorating it. I didn't know this until yesterday, when we were filling out his spotlight for Primary at church: When he grows up, he wants to be a clown because he wants to make people laugh and he wants to be in the circus.
5. I'm grateful for Kyle.  Kyle is my cuddler. He is full of love for anyone around him. A common thing that he and I say is, "I want you, " usually followed by a cuddly hug. It began a long time ago when he was supposed to be taking a nap, but was being unhappy. I asked him, "What do you want, Kyle?" And he replied, "Mom, I want you." In the mornings, he and Cami are the best of buddies. In the afternoons, during Cami's nap, he and Lance play like they haven't seen each other in days instead of a few short Kindergarten hours. Today Lance had a friend over, and Kyle didn't mind a bit that they road his Power Wheels monster truck that he got for his birthday, and didn't mind being on his own team for "Capture the Flag", or even being the scary monster - which I objected to until he assured me that he really wanted to be the monster. If Cami is throwing a fit about something, he'll just give her what she wants. Pretty much same goes for Lance, although he does hold his own if he needs to.
6. Cami is a joy. It is so different having a little giggly girl around. She usually has a doll in her arms. Totally and new thing to us. Unlike her mom, she loves to shop. In the stores, she seems to like all the attention she gets, like her mom :) When we're checking out, while I'm busy with the cashier, she's charming the person behind us. In the mornings, she actually lets me do her hair and likes to check it out in the mirror afterward.

 Okay, so maybe I went over the three for today, that was fun. I'll try to follow directions better tomorrow!

Gratitude Journal

Tonight we had a Relief Society Dinner at church.  We got to enjoy a delicious meal and then listen to a phenomenal speaker that shared a motivational lesson about how we can have an "Attitude of Gratitude" through recording the things we are thankful for each day.  "Gratitude Journals" were available for us to take home, inside which we were to record three things each day for one month ('til Dec. 16th) of those things we are thankful for (Rules: you can't use any of them twice! and it has to be positive).  I forgot to bring one of those cute journals home, and so my trusty blog gets to pick up for my slack :)

So here goes:

1. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his atoning sacrifice for us.
2. Today, and everyday, it easy for me to remember how grateful I am for this nice house Jared found for our family.  It's always there for me to look at!  The kitchen is my favorite room in the house (besides the front room and family room :)  Most nights, I am able to have one-on-one time to thank my kitchen as I load the dishes and wipe the counters.  It's my chance to give back a little for what it gave our famiy throughout the busy day.  Sometimes, when I'm too exhausted, I thank it in the morning.
3. I am grateful for my busy husband, who isn't always there for me to look at.  In fact, one morning as we were leaving for church, he got home after working all day and night before, and the kids were shocked to see him.  Lance asked him, "How did you get home so early?"

Which brings up my children, but that's for another day...

Like You

It was evening and we were bustling about with the regular chaos that goes on with more than one kid, when I realized that I hadn't heard or seen Kyle for a bit of time.  I did a quick check in all the bathrooms, downstairs, bedrooms, even my closet!  (I'm hiding some Christmas gifts in there).
I finally found him quietly curled up with a book on the love seat in our front room.  I gave him a hug and told him I was looking for him and was happy to see him reading a book.  He said, "I can't read it."  And then he took my face into both of his hands, looked me sincerely in the eyes, and said intently,
"I want to turn into you."

It was the sweetest moment.  All he really meant was, "I want to know how to read like you," but I will not forget this time when my youngest boy cradled my face in his hands and told me from the bottom of his sincere heart that he wants to be like me.

I'm "Mommy-like"

Tonight after our Halloween party, 10 yr. old Jace said, "I had a good time. I thought it was going to be a little cheesy, but it was actually fun."

"Why did you think it would be cheesy?"

"I thought you were gonna be all mommy-like."

Happy Halloween!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I Love This Song

We have a wonderful Primary presidency here, and the primary has been working hard to prepare for its upcoming program on Sunday.  This is one of the songs they will sing.  I just love it.  It came out in the Oct. 2002 Friend magazine, and again in January 2010, for all the primary kids to learn.  When I hear it, it reminds me of our awesome primary presidency and leaders back in UT.  They put a series of songs, including this one, on a CD for each child, and we played it every time we went anywhere in the van.  When it came on, I could picture our primary music leader, who is a dear and beautiful, talented friend of mine with a crystal clear voice, leading the children to this sweet song.  Lance and Jace know it.  When I asked them tonight, they agreed to help Kyle learn it tomorrow night during family night and throughout this week before our Primary Program on Sunday. 
It is called "I Know That My Savior Loves Me." by Tami Jeppson Creamer and Derena Bell:


A long time ago in a beautiful place,
Children were gathered ’round Jesus.
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.

I know he lives! (The children sing it just like this. You don't have to be in the primary room to hear it):

I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.

Now I am here in a beautiful place,
Learning the teachings of Jesus.
Parents and teachers will help guide the way,
Lighting my path ev’ry day.
Wrapped in the arms of my Savior’s love,
I feel His gentle touch.
Living each day, I will follow His way,
Home to my Father above

I know he lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.

Kyle's 4th Bday Party

Kyle is FOUR!!!

Make a Wish! 

Kyle was his Daddy's FIRST and Mommy's FOURTH delivery




    

 

Kyle is such a huggable, loveable, silly little tiger!  This is a typical "Kyle" look, taken the day he began riding his bike without training wheels.

   

Kyle's support group waits with him at the hospital, on his birthday, after breaking his collarbone 2 days earlier after a fall from a LaZ Boy recliner onto hardwood floor.  The children's hospital here was awesome, and not only spoiled him on his birthday, but showered his sibs with gifts as well.  FYI- the break wasn't a bad one, the bone is still alligned, and is healing perfectly, according to the 2nd Xray taken on his birthday.

Video taken on his birthday, for the grandparents, just reassurance that Kyle is okay :) and bounced right back to riding the scooter and throwing a fit about the other scooter in his way on the sidewalk that he would like to have removed.

Happy Birthday, Kyle!  We are so grateful to have YOU and all the smiles and laughter that come with!

Jared Got a Straight!

Today Jared delivered 6 BABIES! And he got a "straight 5!" (He delivered the babies in Rooms 4,5, 6, 7, and 8. The sixth one was in, like, room 10 or something.)
This is the most babies he has delivered in a day.  He said one resident that worked call, 24 hours, delivered 24 babies.  Not one each hour, they come in clusters.  (i.e. one after another: the resident delivers the baby and gives the medical student the remaining jobs, like delivering the placenta, while they go deliver another baby after which they assign a med student to deliver that placenta and on to the next...).

Also, he won a gift certificate at work for collecting the most umbilical cord blood. Way to go, Jared!
I made him pose one morning before work because he was wearing his coat, about Lance's birthday time.

Here's what it says, isn't that great?!

Come on, Mom! Work It!

We got a treadmill today free on Craigslist.  Jared asked me to watch for one; he's been wanting to put one in the basement to use.  So today Lance and Kyle were taking turns on it, and while Lance was running, he said,
"I'm gettin' the fat off me."
I told him, "I don't think you have any fat on you."
He asked, "Do you have any fat on you?"
"Yes."
"Mom, you should really get on here!"

Mom's Helpers

I Get to Go to School Today!

Hurray, Hurray, Hurray! Kyle before his first preschool class

This is the poem we learned from Lance's Kindergartin class, and kept repeating Tuesday morning as Kyle got ready for his first day of Speech Preschool. Kyle has been wanting to go to school since his brothers began. I remember one day that I told him how much I love having him home with me and when I asked him if he loves it too, I got a, "No! I want to go to school!"
Kyle was in a Mommy and Me speech class in Utah for the last 2 months that we lived there that I absolutely loved. The teachers were phenomenal and everything they did had to do with the sounds they were working on that day.
So after contacting the school district here and going through a series of testing hearing, vision, and speech, he received a Missouri IEP (Individualized Education Program) stating that he qualified for this speech class with 3 other boys his age with similiar speech impediments. It is twice a week for an hour and a half. There are 4 students and 2 speech pathologists. They have circle time, centers, and all the regular preschool gadgets, only the focus is on articulation of speech. It is in the same school district as his brothers, so they are all on the same schedule, making things really great for mom :)
Plus, Cami loves it, too, because we go shopping instead of going home, since it's 15 minutes away. I have yet to learn about all the great stores in this neighboring town. :)

Yay for great programs!

Hurray, Hurray, Hurray!

Sweet Music

This music is amazing. It is called "Gracie's Theme" from the album, "Sacred Piano". I want this CD for Christmas if anyone in my family wants to know (hint, hint). It's been out for a while, but I was just browsing on the composer, Paul Cardall's website just now. He was here in St Louis last week visiting a girl at SL Children's Hospital with Congenital Heart Disease, which he was also born with.

I had the privilege of hearing one of Paul Cardall's firesides with my mom about 10 years ago in Utah and knew I wanted to hear more. Years later, I got to know Paul's mom through working with her in the Relief Society Presidency. She was our Stake Relief Society President, and was such a joy to work with and cry with. I love her! For Christmas, she gave me her son's CD, "The Christmas Box", along with the book, "The Christmas Box" by Richard Paul Evans. (Another fav book I have!) And if you haven't read or heard either of those, I highly recommend them. In fact, if you're my neighbor, I'll give you one for Christmas, 'cuz I have a whole box of them that I bought just for the occasion :)

I know I may be sounding like an advertisement, but I really like both of these artists' work. Paul Cardall also just came out with this new book. The following quote is a press release about his latest book titled, "Before My Heart Stops".

"Doctors told four-time Billboard charting pianist Paul Cardall without a heart transplant he would die. And if he was fortunate to live long enough to receive one, he would most likely not survive the surgery.

...Tens of thousands of fans offered support, but it was the love of his three-year-old daughter that motivated him to endure countless painful procedures which gave him a second chance at life....

Cardall now shares his story in a new book, Before My Heart Stops, offering insights and wisdom into matters of love, gratitude, overcoming trials, and fulfilling your destiny. After reading his story, you may ask yourself, “what do I need to do before my heart stops?”

P.S. "Living for Eden" is also another really great album that he wrote and I really like but don't have yet ;)