Family Update

I have become a cooking fiend! Among my favorite & best are: pastrami wrapped asparagus, and homemade sushi.

We've also started to eat more local and organic food. We buy mostly consignment and second-hand, too. Now, I have to say I'm really not concerned about the health effects for me or my family, we're doing it more for the social and environmental impact what we eat and buy has on the world. We compare what we buy with voting. We're telling producers what we would like more of and at a cheaper price when we buy their product thus, what we buy impacts those around us--especially those who have less than we do.
Jim is still free-lancing, but it's actually working out really well. And he's happy at work! Which is a major bonus.
I have been accepted to go back to BYU in January, but we're not sure if we can afford it, but with lots of prayers miracles can happen. I'm hoping to get a BS in neuroscience and maybe go on to get a Masters degree.
Emi and Than love holding hands.


Emi LOVES music! This is her rendition of "Once There Was a Snowman."

And Than is super smart and ridiculously spiritual :)


We are happy as we've been trusting in the Lord and seen miracle after miracle. We've felt like Nephi being asked to build a boat and go to a new land and having no idea how to get there. Other times we feel like Elijah bring fed by blessed birds in the wilderness. We've had so many angels bless our lives and we thank and love each one of you. Know how precious, righteous, loving, and charitable you are to help us in these times of 'refining fire.' We love each of you and thank you all.

Halloween

Halloween was fantastic? The kids were super excited!

Emi was an elephant, and Than was Thomas the Tank Engine.

We went to trick/trunk or treating 4 different times so, needless to say we are up to our eyeballs in candy!
The kids also got to play with dry ice for the first time, it was so fun!

We went a little overboard on our jack-o-lantern's, too. See if you can guess the theme...


Now, for a big hint.

Anyone get it?

Tada! And yes, I know, we didn't do the train, but with all that we did and life being crazy we did not have the time.

By the way, Emi has really taken a liking to her Aunt Trina--she is the only one beyond grandparents and mom and dad that she'll go to.

Forever

It has been forever since we updated the blog and since I am spending most of the day on hold and filling out paperwork I thought I'd take a minute to let you all know how we're doing. Also, check out "This Month's Photos!"

Employment: Freelance...still

Insurance: Fully covered!
Note: Finally.

Children: 2
Note: They have not been sick in the last 6 months! Blessing!

Married: 4 years and super happy!

Status: Well
Note: Living life with an attitude of gratitude is a lot harder than it looks. Nonetheless, we pray, put our shoulders to the wheel, and occasionally have tickle fights.

Blessings: Passes to Thanksgiving Point for $100, Jim just got paid, we have money to get dental insurance, both kids are in nursery, we're making new friends, we have great old friends to catch up with, the Church is still true, I'm finally have a visiting teaching calling (huzzah), the weather is awesome, our public library is within walking distance, etc., etc.

Future: Unknown
Note: Big things soon to come!

The Incredible Emi and Than

So, our son is a genius.

Enough said.

Our daughter is cute


beautiful



and very ticklish.

Swings

I know this is like the third video of Than doing this, but it's just so cute!

Blessings

I'm writing this to give myself a reminder of how great my life is and maybe help everyone else to see how blessed they are. I also had a 'life flash before my eyes' moment with my daughter (she fell backwards off of a playset at the park, but one minute later was happy as could be and got right back on. That's my girl.) so, I thought I should share some of the great blessings I have.

My family
To know that my family will be together forever
Having cuddle moments with my kids.
My husband stealing kisses from me all the time.
The peace and comfort I get from the Lord and trying to do His will.
My amazing friends that I always love to help.
Free packing boxes
My sons smile as he runs through the sprinklers
My daughter grinning and saying 'Eeeee.' for the camera
My parents, grandparents, and ancestors who have made me what I am today
The great sunshine
Really good cake mix cookies
Green smoothies
Good deals at the grocery store
Value Village and consignment stores
Trader Joe's
Checking up on old friends on Facebook
Etc. Etc.

I have no idea if anyone will read this, but I just wanted to remind myself how blessed I am. That despite all our trials and tribulations we're going through right now the Lord is providing for us and blessing us. I've got my testimony and my family and I couldn't be more blessed.

P.S. Check out the new photos under "This month's photos"

A Good Day

Yesterday, I got to just hold my kids and usually they never sit still long enough for me to. But, as yesterday was a bit of a hard day for me, it was great to have such a loving moment with my kids. (Happy father's day to me.)



There was also an amazing lesson taught at church yesterday and I came to realize how this trial of moving to Utah is close to the trial Lehi and his family went through. They were told by the Lord to leave Jerusalem and they had no idea where they were going or what was going to happen, but they trusted in the Lord. I want to let everyone know--if anyone actually reads this--that I KNOW, just as Nephi did, that the Lord will provide for us and protect us as we have faith in His will.

"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
--1 Nephi 3:7

The Lord's Hand

We recently have been praying and fasting quite a bit to understand what the Lord wants us to do. We felt like it's finally time for Jim to really start pursuing his dream of LDS film. So, after much prayer and going to the Temple the Lord finally told us that it's time to head back to Utah when our lease runs out here end of July. Some of you might be scratching your head wondering how we can move with two kids and no job there. Well, I'll tell you: faith. We KNOW that this is what the Lord wants us to do and that he will provide for us and take care of us as long as we do his will. I'm not scared or worried because, I know that if I trust in the Lord and do my part that all will be will .
Seeing as we're facing a huge life change now, I would like to share some of the great blessings we've received in the past two years we've been here.

-Amazing friends that we love and will miss dearly
-I've learned how to push myself and have grown into a strong new person
-We now eat healthy and rarely eat junk or binge (Huzzah for organic, whole grains by the way)
-We've also become more eco-friendly (organic eating, cloth diapers, eco-friendly laundry soap, etc.)
-I've recently lost almost 30 pounds and have confidence in myself
-Emilyne came to us and blessed our family
-Than became an amazing big brother and is now a gentlemen that opens doors and tells me thank you for the fun we have together
-Jim got to baptize a friend of ours into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints



-Our marriage has been strengthened and we really have become one in these four short years
-Our testimonies and our faith have grown to new heights, we trust in the Lord and do not fear
-I have recently become friends with my sister and I am now best friends with my Mom (and I honestly never thought I'd say that)
-I enjoy being a Mom in every way, even the nights I get no sleep or the days where I have to clean everything (even 10 poopy diapers)

In conclusion, I couldn't be happier with my life and family. I praise and thank the Lord for EVERYTHING we have. I want you all to know that I know that Jesus is the Christ and our personal Savior. That because of Him, my family will be together forever and that couldn't bring me more joy and peace. Thank you and we love you all.

UPDATE

Than recently rode his tricycle a whole mile!!



This is his victory dance. So cute.

Emi is more mischievous than ever, as you can see.




And she loves to choose things.


I just recently got a whole new wardrobe. It's a mixture of consignment store shopping and free clothes from friends.


(And did I mention I look fantastic and skinny in them?!)

And here is some adorable video of our kids being cute.

I don't understand, but it's still cute

Funny Happenings

Here's an update on a few funny and things happening in our home:

Than coming out of the kitchen holding a block of cheese to his face and saying excitedly, "Say cheese!"

A car almost t-boned us and I reacted, "What the heck was that?!" Than responds very matter-of-factly from the back seat, "That's a car!"

Emi now says "Hi" and "Uh-oh," and can sign 'more' and 'thank you.' 'More food' is her favorite sign.

Now for the video portion of our presentation.

This video takes some explaining. Than and Emi were racing each other back and forth between the chair and the couch and we were letting them run each other down before bed time. By the time Emi caught on that it was a race, she started to cheat a little. If she started to head to the couch and realize she was going to lose she would immediately turn around and head for the chair. She was determined to never lose. She takes after her Grandpa. :) We didn't quite catch that part on video, but here's the jist of it.



This one needs no explanation, but is a super cute game that Emi & Than came up with all on their own. (I love that Emi is laughing when the lid is on the box.)





P.S. Check out "This Month's Photos," there are lots of new additions.

Old Videos

So we recently got a new camera from Meema and Peepa, which is fantastic! But, we couldn't get the video to work...until now. So, enjoy!

Best Big Brother Continued

New Happenings

We got a free piano!

Emi can wear these adorable pigtails!

And I got a cool, new hat!

Easter 2

Easter

Charlie & Lola Ideas

I did a lot of research for the kids birthday party and come to find there are not a lot of ideas for a Charlie & Lola themed party. So, here is everything I came up with.

There was a great actual party kit that I got on ebay, that was kind of cheap that helped with the decorations.
With this kit I was able to make adorable paper chains and these cute display cards with ideas for food on them.




































This kit had ideas for 'pink milk,' monster faces made with vegetables, and star shaped cheesy sandwiches. (The kit even came with tiny cookie cutters for the cheesy sandwiches.)


I also got all the Charlie & Lola books I could from the library and just used them as a background display.


I had a friend that also gave me some great ideas. I took paper cups, turned them upside down and glued them to the bottom of matching paper plates and tied a ribbon around the middle of the cups.


I also made these cookies that are signature in the Charlie & Lola show opening credits. Really easy to do: sugar cookies, and royal frosting. Then, I just streaked white lines when the pink icing was drying and then zig-zagged it with a chopstick.


Hopefully, that helped someone somewhere, if not then maybe it'll show you how much I love my kids and how much work I put into their patries!

Than & Emi's Birthday!

The kids birthday party was a hit! We had it at Pump It Up and everyone had such a good time.




Of all the presents, here are a few favorites.

Emi got this cute leopard print poncho.

Than got sidewalk chalk that is a HUGE hit!

And thanks to everyone who made the party so fun by helping out and just showing up!

So...

It's been so long since I've posted because, we're having trouble with our camera and formatting it. So, in the meantime I thought I'd give an update on the family.
That does it for me. (Thank you Carol) No seriously, I've been fantastic! The house is clean, I'm almost done decorating (after living here 6 months), I'm cooking all the time now, and did I mention I'VE LOST 20 POUNDS!!!!

See, there's my proof.


Jim is doing well, too. He's still a great Dad and amazing husband. In fact, right now he is working his butt off and spending the night at his job--which let's just say doesn't fill his heart with joy. But, he does it because he loves his family :) His is hoping to get onto the LDS Film scene in a never-been-done-before sort of way.

Also, we recently celebrated 4 years together and can't wait to spend the rest of eternity together!




Emi is getting more and more beautiful each day! She now has 10 teeth and is finally warming up to the idea of a good solid food--not just chips, cookies, and a bottle. She is now one year old, walking like mad, and loves being mischievous with her brother!




Than is a handsome big boy, and cracks us up with new jokes every day. He is turning 3 on Monday and had his birthday party with Emi on Thursday. It was amazing!! (Thanks to everyone who made it so!) He is still so sensitive, loving, tender, and sweet. He loves trying to get Emi to walk to him and playing cars with Daddy. He's also taken a liking to cooking--especially cookies!




I honestly have no idea what I've done to deserve such an amazing life with a loving, wonderful family. But, I thank God every day for them and I'm so thankful for the love that leaves my life cup running over. I hope that as our family and friends we have shared that love and that you have felt it, too.

This One Goes Out to Aunt Trina!

At the nearby Children's Museum there is an are we call the "Handy Manny" area. You build things with very basic simple parts: wheels, 'bolts,' 'nuts,' spokes, etc. Than and Emi now love this area and this last visit, Emi really got into it!

Laughs, Giggles, and...Jibbies?

Our Little Artists

This one of a kind collection can be yours for the small price of one night of babysitting...no seriously...PLEASE?