OuR CuTiE PaTtOoTiEs

Jarin was in the garden helping me harvest carrots (at least I was harvesting carrots, he was harvesting worms).

"Look mom, can you see their faces? They are beautiful. The worms like me. "

(So what does that say about me when he says, "Mom, your beautiful."? Hmmm...)

Emilie has a big Tootsie Pop sucker, while Jarin has a small dum dum sucker. When Jarin noticed the difference, the conversation went like this...

"Em-a-lay? Did you make yours grow? Make mine grow too."

Yea...the potty chart has been filled, and now Jarin earned the right to go to school and to get his back pack. Now I guess I have to live up to my end of the bargain and find him a school. So...that day we went to "library school" (a.k.a. story time at the library). Every fun activity, we can just add the word "school" onto it, and I've got it made! Pretty tricky hu?!

I haven't posted any pictures of my sweety baby in a while, so I'm adding a few in here just for fun. If we can't use our blogs to show off our cuties, then why have a blog?

Love this seat. He's just starting to have enough control to sit in it... I think it will be a mommy favorite.

Tummy time - the smiles only last a couple seconds when he's on his tummy - then the tears take over.

One can never have too many frog jammies!

Way cute quilt my sister Kim made for Kam.

Kamdens growing up way too fast. A month ago we had his 2 month appointment, and he weighed in at a WHOPPING 14 lbs. 3 oz. (90 % on the charts). This picture was taken after immunizations - poor little guy!

What is there to explain?

I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

As promised on my last post...(you know, the part where I was going to laugh more, instead of stress out?) Anyways...I tried to enjoy the moment of Emi sliding down the hand rail at the church after she was baptised. I enjoyed it long enough to get a picture, then I made her stop. Changes usually happen in baby steps, right? This was my baby step to relaxing a little more!Emi got to share her baptism day with her new baby cousin (Desmond) blessing. That made it extra special. This picture is baby Desmond with his siblings, and Emilies two brothers.I sing this song to my kids from the time they are born, and I'm singing them their goodnight song. It is the song that comes to my mind when I see this pictures (below) of my beautiful children.

I wish I could remember

the days before my birth,

With all my friends and family

before we came to earth.

Was I a child there?...

Did I walk with God?

Where is Heaven?

Is it very far?

I would like to know if it's

beyond the brightest star.

I've a feeling

that it's not so far.

When your with the ones you love

it's right where you are!

When your with the ones you love...it's right where you are!

September 27 was one of the most special days Emilie will have in her life. At the tender age of eight, she was baptised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and then received the special gift of having the Holy Ghost with her to help her. As a mom, it is such a comfort to me to know that even though I can't be by her side every second of every day to help her make right decisions and comfort her in times of need, the Holy Ghost will be. I know that she won't remember very much of this day, so I want to write my thoughts about it for her. It was a very beautiful, warm day. She was so excited, she could hardly wait until 11:00, so she could go to the church and get dressed up. Before we left, we had a special family home evening, where we talked about what the Holy Ghost will feel like to her. I gave her a special "comforter" blanket that I had made for her. We talked to her about how the comforter makes her feel warm, and safe, and how another name for the Holy Ghost is also "The Comforter", for the same reasons. I think she loved her blanket, she has wrapped it around her and slept with it ever since.

She had lots of her family, and some friends, and primary teachers who all came to support her on her special day. When she walked into the baptisimal font dressed all in white, her dad was standing there all in white with his hand stretched out to help her. I hope that she will know that both her parents will always be there with our arms stretched out to help her through life. Ira then, using the power of the priesthood, baptised Emilie and then confirmed her, and gave her a special blessing. Emilie was all smiles. I hope as Emi grows up, and she looks back on this day, that if she ever questions her decision to be baptised, that she will remember the scripture in the Book of Mormon that is found in Moroni 10: 4-5. "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Emilie doesn't have to just take our word for it, but she can find out for herself if the Book of Mormon is true, and if she did the right thing by being baptised. If she really wants to know, she can pray and ask. Heavenly Father will always answer her prayers.

We love you Emi!

Emilie with some of the people who love her most - her parents and Grandparents.
The special comforter I made for Emilie.

My 3 white dresses

Emilie and her friend Lindsay will be sharing their baptism day. Since they are such great friends, we decided that we wanted them to have pictures together for their program. We started out at Mack Park, and spontaneously ended up at the temple. Not only did we get some beautiful pictures of our beautiful girls, but I had several "deep thought moments" while there. There is a poem which says something about "my 3 white dresses." Both of these girls were eternally joined with their families at the temple as babies, in their white dresses. Then at the age of eight, they find themselves again at the temple, dressed in white. They ran and played and giggled without a care in the world (as their moms kept panicking about them not getting their white dresses dirty). They were mezmerized with a couple that had just been married, and were getting their pictures taken. They would watch this couple, and follow them around, and squeal with "Eewww gross" when they would see them kiss. Yet, as they would watch them, I could see the light in their eyes, with the thought of hoping that would be them someday. As Emi watched that couple, I watched her. I watched my carefree daughter running around the temple grounds in her white dress, and it seemed like yesterday that I was holding my baby daughter at the temple in her white dress. I couldn't help but to think that in a few short years, I will again be with my daughter at the temple in her white dress. This time it will be to marry her eternal companion, and she will be gone from my home. I know I am looking down the road a ways, but when that day comes, and I look back on today - it will seem like yesterday that I sat and panicked over my daughter getting her white dress dirty. I realized that time is WAY too short to be worrying over silly things like keeping dresses spotless, or keeping my house clean, or my yard weed-free, etc. In a few years from now, I don't want to look back with regrets that I missed all the care-free times of my children. I hope to look back on these years with fondness and laughter, and not regrets. If that means rolling down the hill in a white dress - then I hope to join in the laughter instead of fighting it (OK, so that is stretching it a bit! - does it HAVE to be white?) The point is...time goes way too fast, and I don't want it to slip away with me always worried about the things that have no eternal significance. So, if you see grass stains on Emilie's white dress - you'll know that we had a great laugh!

The girls got into a giggle-fit (as we all know that young girls are famous for). They are actually some of my favorite pictures, because when all is said and done - it's those giggles that I can still hear in my memory.

1...2...3...

We have these dear friends in Salt Lake who are kinda like another set of grandparents to our kids. Every birthday, Chuck & Irene Brocka send our children cards that have money in them. What makes these cards unique is that they send the amount of money that they are old. For example, Emilie turned eight years old. In the mail comes this very heavy card (which our kids are so thrilled to receive something in the mail). In the card was 8 dollars, 8 quarters, 8 dimes, 8 nickels, and 8 pennies, taped all over the card. Jarin received his, and there were 3 of everything. I think this is such a clever idea, and one I don't ever want to forget...therefore BLOG IT (this is my journal)! Thank you Brockas for being such great friends, and helping our children feel so special.

CRAZY...INSANITY...

Crazy...insanity...total NUTSO...call it what you will! One birthday party, two birthday girls, about sixteen 7-8 year olds, two 3 year old siblings (Jarin had the world record for longest temper tantrum - lasted the whole two hours!), and 2 infant siblings (who were LESS than thrilled to be there), with two sets of parents to chaparone. Did I mention that we were at a park, a.k.a. wide open spaces, with no walls to confine? When all was said and done, we have four parents who are a bit frazzled, and two very happy little girls. Isn't that what it's really all about? Emilie and one of her best friends, Lindsay Johnson, have birthdays one week apart. They will be getting baptized together, and wanted to have their party together. Over the last couple of weeks, they have been preparing by going shopping for party favors, stuffing a pinata, blowing up balloons, and filling out and delivering their invitations. They commented that "having a party is a lot of work" - lesson learned!

Emi is always asking this neighbor for gum - NEVER AGAIN! Now she has her own

380 pieces to last her at least a week!

Jarin's two hour melt down!

The smile below only lasted long enough to take this picture.


I can hardly believe it has been eight years since Emi came into our lives. She wasn't able to join our family for another three weeks from now, due to legal reasons (long adoption story - maybe I'll blog that story another day, when I've got lots of time). But she was part of our lives, and in our hearts before we were able to actually meet her. Our lives before Emilie must have been really boring - she is certainly the life of the party, even when there's no party going on! She is such a great help at home, and she wants to make everyone around her happy. Emilie is full of spunk - and is such a happy girl. Emilie is definently one of a kind, and I mean that as a positive thing. We love you Emi, and hope you have a wonderful day!

3 months old


At the temple, right before Emi is to be sealed to our eternal family.

LOOKING BACK 15 YEARS AGO...

If I could hop on a time machine and travel to any one day to do over again, it would be this day 15 years ago - September 10, 1993. I wouldn't wish to re-do this day because of any regrets I've had, or changes I'd make. If I could live this day again, I would live it exactly as it happened. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day. I remember driving with my parents from Preston, ID to the Logan LDS Temple. The temple sits up on a hill overlooking beautiful Cache Valley - and you can see it from miles around. As the temple came into view, I remember the feelings of excitement and unbelief that I felt. Today was the day I had waited for for as long as I could remember. Today was the day I was going to "marry my Prince in the castle" (that was how I viewed it as a little girl). In reality, the princess was marrying the prince, and it was in a castle. But what I now understood (which I didn't fully comprehend as a little girl), was the most important part. I was marrying my prince for time and all eternity, not just "till death do we part."

The day was magical. When I arrived at the temple, Ira was no where to be seen. I was sure that he had changed his mind! About two minutes after I arrived (which seemed like a LONG time), he walked through the doors, looking so handsome with his new haircut, and great big smile. Any nerves and anxieties I had vanished, and I knew he would always be there for me from that day on. We then went our seperate ways for one last time before we were to be sealed together as husband and wife. I was escorted by my mom to the brides room, where she helped me get all dressed in my white dress. I loved this time with my mom. I was then escorted back to my waiting husband-to-be, who was also dressed in his whites. We were allowed a few minutes to be alone together, and talk about our feelings of the moment before we were again escorted to a room where all our friends and family waited. It was such a wonderful feeling to walk hand in hand with my best friend, into a room full of people who loved us. The presence of some of our family who had already passed to the other side, could be felt so strongly in the midst of our families. The sealer said many wonderful things, but the one that stands out the most, which we use in our marriage quite often is this: "What are the three most important words in a marriage?" Ira very sheepishly answered, "I Love You." "No" came the reply. (although they are very important too). However, the three most important words are this, "You're probably right." Those three words have seen us through many conversations that could have otherwise been not so pleasant!

The last 15 years have proved one thing...Ira is still my Prince in shining armor. I thought my heart would burst then, but I had no idea how much more love one heart can hold. Fifteen years, four children, a graduate degree (for Ira), a house, many new friends, many tears and many more times of laughter - I find myself still walking hand in hand with my best friend through lifes journey. Sometimes our hands are joined by little hands between ours, or a wink across a crowded room, but we are still connected as one - forever.

Wow - we were just kids (Ira looks about 15 years old!)

Remember...this was the early 90's - give us a break for the styles!

Look what my sweetheart brought home. I love them, and him!

Heavenly Home...

My day old child lay in my arms

With my lips against his ear

I whispered strongly, "How I wish-

I wish you could hear;

I've so many wonderful things to say

(a tiny cough and a nod)

Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow

So I can tell you about God."My day old baby's mouth was still

And my words only tickled his ear

But a kind of light passed through his eyes,

And I saw a thought appear:

"How I wish I had a voice and words;

I've a hundred things to say,

Before I forget, I'd tell you of God -

I left Him yesterday."

This is one of my favorite poems that I think of often when I hold my babies. I know that Kamden is much older than a day old now, but he is still so close to that Heavenly home that he recently left. Ira was priviledged to give him a blessing in church yesterday. I still look at my little guy, and can't believe that he is real, and that we have the priviledge of raising him!