Bai Boo

Just cause she's cute :) and getting WAY too big!

The Power of Life

I was reading on this blog today and came across a topic that I think is very controversial among women.  Go read #2 on it and read this article as well.  I'm curious to know what YOUR opinions are.  It is not a secret that I had my tubes tied after Bailee was born.  My reasons for doing it are personal and it wasn't a spur of the moment decision.  A lot of thinking and prayer went into it, but I never even realized the Church's stand on it.  If they feel that strongly about sterilization, I think they need to make it more widely known.  I think there are lots of people in the same boat as me, prayerfully making a decision without even considering that the Church might oppose it.  I want to know what you think.

Aquarium

The kids and I took a Friday and went to the aquarium over Christmas Break.  They thought it was pretty cool.  Cole loved the sharks and we were able to see the penguins eat.  Bailee was scared of everything, as usual.  She has to be included in everything though.  If Brooke and Cole are doing it, she has to too.  I'd like to go back sometime when there aren't so many people there.

Christmas

We were able to spend all of Christmas at "home" this year and enjoyed being with our families!  Christmas is such a magical time with children.  I love spoiling them and seeing their joy in every little thing.

Christmas Eve was our traditional party at Matt's parents complete with the Nativity, bell playing, singing, a visit from Santa and the Grinch, Jesus's birthday cake, and bingo!  Karen goes to a lot of work to make it fun for the kids and to be sure they know why we are celebrating and not just focusing on the excitement and presents.  Each year it is tradition for each of us to light a candle and give a gift to Jesus, then we sing happy birthday and the kids blow out the candles.  This year Brooke's gift was to not throw a fit when mom and dad say no.  Cole's was to not kick his dad's seat in the car.  Bailee is going to go nicely to nursery every week ;) (mom helped her).  Matt's gift is to have FHE every Monday and mine is to continue to attend the temple every month.  I love this part of Christmas as it gives us all something to work on, kind of like New Years Resolutions, but they mean so much more.  I love hearing as the kids are getting older that they realize what they are giving Jesus and trying harder to be like Him.  I love hearing each Christmas Eve how our gifts as adults have improved our lives and how each new year brings us something more to work on.

Happy Birthday Jesus

Singing the Christ Child song

Grinch was not such a hit with the kids.  They were terrified.  

The whole nativity

Shepard Grandma and Wisemen David and Cole

Mary and Baby Jesus

Christmas Day

Christmas morning the kids opened their presents from Santa.  Brody and Amber came over and we had doughnuts and opened presents with my family.  We went to Sacrament at my parent's church--- Christmas should always be on Sunday, it was nice!  After we went to Nan and Grandpa's for dinner and more presents.  We were extremely spoiled and feel very blessed to have such a great family!

She only opened one present.
After that if we handed her something wrapped she threw it.
She only wanted toys.

She tore open all her presents and then helped her siblings.

He was content to just open one present and play.
We had to persuade him to open the rest.

Santa baby

Farm

Christmas Day we took the kids out to Blair's boyfriend's farm to see the animals.  They were a little bit scared at first, but Brooke thought it was the coolest thing to see the cows get milked.  Cole liked the baby cows but was terrified of the tractors... they were huge!  Bailee was scared of everything, silly girl.  Thanks Tyler!

Temple Square

Love

**After waking up at 2:00 a.m., not being able to get back to sleep, and then getting text from my mom at 3:00 that Grandpa was gone, I had a bit of a rough night.  It wasn't until I had composed my thoughts and memories that I was finally able to get back to sleep for a couple of hours.  You can see some of my favorite memories of my grandparents here and below are my thoughts on Grandpa.** 

I’m ashamed to admit it, but it took Grandma dying, unexpectedly, three years ago for me to really appreciate my grandparents.  Grandparents are special.  They aren’t something that can be taken for granted because you never know when they won’t be there anymore.  Even though I never thought I was close to Grandma and Grandpa, I realized after Grandma died that they were a bigger part of my life than I realized.  I always knew they loved each of us, I just didn’t realize how much I loved them and how I would miss seeing and talking to them whenever I wanted.

After Grandma died, I promised myself I would do my best to cherish all the time I could with Grandpa before it was his turn to go.  Grandpa changed a little after Grandma died.  We got to see a softer, more spiritual side of him that I never knew existed. 

Grandpa didn’t have a lot of great accomplishments in this life.  He didn’t have a PhD or run a successful business.  He didn’t live in a big house with lots of toys and Mercedes.  But he did have something that makes him special and something that is more important than any earthly treasure.  As I sat in the temple yesterday, I kept feeling drawn to Moroni chapter 7, in the Book of Mormon.  This chapter is one of my favorites and talks about faith, hope, and charity.  Vs. 43-48 really stood out to me.  They tell us that one must be meek and lowly in heart and that we must have charity.  This describes Grandpa to a “T” for me.  He was always doing something to help others.  He could fix just about anything and could most often be found in his workshop building something for one of us or fixing one of our cars.  All you had to do was ask and he was always willing.

Vs. 45 continues, “charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked…”  Grandpa was all of these things.  Grandpa never cared what other people thought.  Having a lot of money or an important social status didn’t matter to him.  He spent his time attending any event his grandkids were involved in, fishing or hunting with his sons or grandkids, or even just making us popcorn as we visited on Sunday nights.  This is truly a good life.

We are taught early in life, not to seek for earthly treasures, but to seek for treasures in Heaven.  Grandpa was able to do just this, by loving his family.  In General Conference in October, Elaine S. Dalton gave a talk called “Love Her Mother,” in which she tells us “The most important thing a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother.  By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion…” 

Grandpa truly loved Grandma.  I don’t remember him ever saying anything unkind to her or about her.  She was his companion and he was devoted to their marriage.  He was so distraught when she died so unexpectedly.  We half expected him to follow her.  But, he was determined to stay a little longer.  I think he knew there were a few more lessons we needed from him first.  At a family party late this summer, he told us stories of when they were young and counseled us to never go to bed without a kiss goodnight.  In a sacred and personal experience, also late this summer, which I won’t go into detail about, he told me that Grandma has been around a lot since she died.  Sitting with him at night and being a source of comfort to him. 

I know this is true, as she’s been a frequent presence in my home too, since Bailee was born.  She so loved holding our babies, I think she just couldn’t stay away.  What a righteous and faithful woman she must have been to have the opportunity to be a ministering angel on earth.  Now, I’m sure Grandpa will be right there by her side, watching over us, loving us, as they’ve always done.

Knowing the end was coming soon,  I made a special trip to Logan Monday night, just to visit Grandpa.  How glad I am that I did.  As hard as it has been to see him suffer through his leukemia the last six months and especially the last few weeks, I needed the closure.  He was laying in bed, frail and weak, but boy was he was full of it.  Story after story.  Each one ending with how much he loved us and what a great family we are.  Memories of Sunday visits, camping trips, Christmas parties, and family get-togethers.  By yesterday morning, he'd gone so downhill, we knew it wouldn't be long.  We wanted him to be at peace, but it is always hard to lose something so great.  Even though he is now gone, his legacy lives on.  He lived a full and good life.  He taught us by example and left us with the knowledge that he knows the Gospel is true, that Christ is real, and that love overpowers all. 

How grateful I am for the knowledge of promise of eternal families.  We love you Grandpa Popcorn!