I love my family

I'm so grateful to have such wonderful families surround me and lift me up.  This weekend I took the girls (I mean kids) to Portland while James stayed home and worked on the staircase.  We had cracks in the stairs, staples from when there was a rubber, remnants of the mat and glue stuck to the stairs and more.  It wasn't pretty.  But James removed the staples and rubber, sanded the stairs, filled in cracks and replaced the broken step.  Then he painted them black and did a fantastic job.

In between paint coats James went fishing.  He even caught a beautiful Coho that he prepared to dinner the night we got back from Portland.

Meanwhile,  The kids and I stayed with Auntie Tessha and Uncle Patrick.  Saturday I dropped the girls off with Grandma Sharolee so they could go to Cousin Charlie's birthday party while  Tessha and I went dress shopping.  We found the perfect dress and had fun trying on others just for kicks.

Charlie's birthday party

Sunday we spent the morning playing with Evan and Anderson at Tessha's house.  Then we went to Church and Grace took a nap while Gwenevere played at Grandma Sharolee's house.  I had the chance to call and talk with Tanya which was amazing.  I love that lady so much and wish we lived closer.  She uplifts and brightens my days.  So glad to have her as a friend.

Monday morning we made our way over to Rebecca's house for some cousin time/craft time.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE family time.

Cousin time: Charlie, Grace, Chloe, Lexi, Gwenevere and Kaden

Best part: hanging out with these ladies: Rebecca, Elizabeth Stephanie, Kim

 After a morning full of cousin time, we went to the mall to meet up with Auntie Tessha, eat lunch and of course, GO SHOPPING!  The girls loved all the jewelry and accessories.

Grace trying on an adorable bow

We also met Santa   

After shopping at the mall for hours we went to pick up my wedding ring that I was getting fixed, we ate dinner and tried to nurse Everett.  Everett was cranky like he normally is at 7pm in the evening, so after a failed attempt to nurse him I decided it was time to get on the road.  We drove about 3 miles and Everett was still crying, (he usually goes right to sleep when we are in the car).  So we made a 8pm stop at the Portland Temple Visitor Center, Luckily they are open til 9pm.  The sweet sweet Sister missionary who greeted us took the girls under her arm and showed them around while I calmed Everett and nursed him to sleep.  We watched a movie about familes, looked at temples from around the world and touched the marks on the feet of the statue of Christ.  Gwenevere walked away from the visitor center and said "I feel happy".  I was so glad she had felt the spirit.  I explained to Gwenevere that feeling was the Holy Ghost barring Testimony that what we had seen and heard was true.  It was a great way to end our awesome weekend.  

Everett fell asleep and all three kiddos slept the entire way home.  

But the family fun doesn't end there.  Last night Rebecca and Max came up to visit us while Max did some more firefighting orientations.  They got in late last night but we played all day today.  

Max left early to drive up to Seattle.  While he was away, Rebecca and I took the kids to the library and park.    

When we got home Gwenevere changed Everett while Rebecca and I got lunch ready.

 Gwenevere is a great big sister, and she loves taking care of her baby brother.

We had quiet time and play time, dinner time and then BATH time

then it was time for Rebecca and Max to go home.  

I love my family and I'm grateful I can see so many members of my extended family as often as I do.  I'm grateful for James and all that he does for our family.  We are blessed and we are grateful for those blessing.

A letter from Grandma Thomas

Good morning everyone, 

I hope I didn’t wake you. :-)

Actually, I been thinking about each of you this morning and wanted to share some of my thoughts.  First of all, I LOVE each of you!!  I am so grateful to have such strong, righteous people in my life. 

This morning I was reading Sister Stephens conference talk, Do We Know What We Have?  and I was impressed with much of what she had to say.  I especially enjoyed the following comments, “Sons of God, do you know who you are?  Do you know what you have?  Are you worthy to exercise the priesthood and receive the power and blessings of the priesthood?  Do you embrace your roles and responsibilities to strengthen homes as fathers, grandfathers, sons, brothers and uncles?  Do you show respect for women, womanhood and motherhood? 

Daughters of God, do we know who we are?  Do we know what we have? Are we worthy to receive the power and blessings of the priesthood?  Do we receive the gifts given to us with gratitude, grace, and dignity?  Do we embrace our roles and responsibilities to strengthen homes as mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts?  Do we show respect for men, manhood and fatherhood?

As covenant sons and daughters, do we have faith in our Heavenly Father and His eternal plan for us?  Do we have faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement?  Do we believe that we have a divine nature and destiny?  And in our efforts to achieve this destiny and receive all that the Father has, do we understand the importance of receiving priesthood ordinances and making, keeping and renewing our covenants with the Lord?

As I read this my thoughts were on myself as well as, each of you.  I have much work to do to answer these questions in the way I wish to do but I am so impressed with each of you.  I love the way the men in our family love, respect and honor their wives and women in our family.  I love how they tend to and provide for their families!!  I love how they honor their priesthood and serve wherever called.  They are a great example to our grandchildren (much like Dad was/is to each of you).  Great things come from good fathers and I know that because I know Dad and I know each of you.

I love the way the women in our family respect their roles as wives, mothers, homemakers, sisters and service providers to so many others.  I love how they tend to and encourage their children!!!!  Each of you provide so much goodness to your families and to each other.  I love how you honor and respect your husbands and support them in their endeavors.

Although we may each have areas which we are aware of and are working on, I want to thank you for who you have become.  You are an inspiration and example to me and I love you for it.

Always, Mom

At our last midwife appointment Everett weighted 11 lbs 8 oz.  We took pictures and footprints (of all the kids)  and discussed a plan of medical care for Everett and myself.

I am grateful for wonderful midwives in my life Charlene Campbell,  Sarah Simmons and Terah Lara

Our Happy Little family

Each day I tell myself I want to blog.  So much is happening and Everett is changing so much but time keeps slipping away and I don't blog as often as I do in my head.  So instead of making the 20 plus blog posts I have imagined I'll quickly post some of my favorite pictures and hope that I can blog in detail soon.

 When I drive into our driveway and see the home James has worked so hard on, my heart is filled with love, I truly am grateful for so many wonderful blessing.   I love this time of year and I'm grateful to be reminded of all the good in the world.

Little Grace, oh how I love you silly.  You make me laugh and I love your spunk.  The other day we were driving in the car, You, Me and Cater our friend.  It's not often that I get time with you and not Gwenevere, Gwenevere loves to dominate our car ride conversations and we both don't mind.  But on this day, You were the center of attention.  You sat in the back seat singing to me and Cater.  First you song "down by the station"  And then you switched to "I am a child of God".  You sang this song over and over and over again.  It was fun seeing your faith.  Keep it up little one, you will someday be a great missionary.

Everett, i love you.  It's fun to have you in our family.  The girls just adore you and love to bring you toys to play with.  By next summer you will be chasing after your big sisters ready for lots of fun.

Everett, you have had a hard time finding comfort.  Both Papa and I have struggled to help you feel happy.  But when you do settle down and sleep we all rejoice.  You are a great night time sleeper, you go to bed around 10pm you wake up around 2 or 3 to eat and then you go right back to sleep and you sleep until 5-6 you eat again and then go right back to sleep until 8-9 when the girls wake you up.  I don't even change your diaper at night but you are really soggy in the morning.  

Our Bishop and his wife gave us this cute little outfit.  You are a handsome little man and I just love this outfit on you.  

Papa made this bracelet for Gwenevere.  

Somedays are just rough around this house.  But we get through it with lots of cuddling.  I don't remember why Gwenevere was so upset this day but taking pictures made it all better.

Morning sunlight and some halloween candy make for a perfect picture.  

thanks Gwenevere for this wonderful picture.

I love my little man.  And I must say, Boy clothes are so much better than girl clothes.  I love LOVE the simplicity.  

Smiles and floor time after morning breakfast. 

It doesn't get any better than this

Grace just being Grace.  She wants to put on her Pirate shoes but won't let anyone help her.  

"I do it myself"

I love her sense of independence.

Everett is getting better at finding his fingers to suck on.  He doesn't really care for a pacifier but he does like his fist.  You might be our first thumb sucker.  

My house is often a mess, I don't usually wear makeup, I'm socially awkward when first getting to know someone, and possibly even after we've been good friends for a while.  But I'm happy, I love being married to James and raising three terrific kids.   Self portraits aren't my thing.  lol

Gwenevere self portraits might not be your thing either.  hehehhehe  You are the best 4 year old a mama could ask for.  When toting around 3 little kiddos I'm glad to have you on my side.  You are a great helper, and mood lifter, and an angel in disguise.   

Just a little Halloween treat

Everett trying out his bumbo.  Not quite ready for this big chair but getting closer. 

I found Grace holding Everett's hand in the car the other day.  

Best Friends

This is how we make it through the day.  

Everett I pray you will feel better and that you outgrow your reflux soon.

Life is hard but with Family all can be alright.

talking with a 2 year old

Grace: "That's for babies"  pointing to the wipes Papa is pulling out to change Grace's diaper.
Papa:  yeah, babies poop in diapers, big girls poop in the toilet.  Are you a big girl or a baby?
Grace:   "I am a baby."
Papa:  When will you be a big girl?
Grace : On Saturday.  And I'll be a ballerina.
Papa:  "Do ballerina's poop in the toilet?
Grace:  Yeah,

hmmm it looks like we could try and potty train on Saturday, but am I up for it?