Back in the saddle again

I have written many posts this last year.  Yes, it's been a year since my last post ACTUALLY posted.  I'm excited.  That last year was full.  I am sad that I lost so much of my thoughts to the black hole of blogger!

2011:
Jan:  Walt had a birthday
         We really got nervous about whether our home would sell in time
Feb: We found out that I was pregnant (we were so excited)
Mar: Drove to Utah to check it out, and see some houses.
         We lost the baby in a miscarriage (we prayed a lot)
Apr:  We got an offer on our house
May: We found a house online that we wanted and put an offer to buy without seeing it in person
          Laurel turned 6, and she had a "Fancy Nancy" birthday party (so fitting!)
          I flew to Utah, and was there for only 16 hours to make sure that I actually wanted the house
          Walt and I got away to Florida for a few days (Thanks to my sister, Andrea!!!!)
Jun: My mom and dad came up to Washington to help us move
      The kids finished up school
       We moved the next day
      We closed on the sale of our Washington house, and signed our lives away to a new one in Utah
Jul: Walt worked from home while waiting for the completion of Sawtooth's office remodel
       Aaron turned 2!
     My parents were with us through most of the month (they get parents of the year award from us!)
Aug: Cameron (and I) had a birthday!  He turned 8!
          Went to Vernal, UT to check out the dinosaur fossils.  Our only vacation in the summer.
         The kids started school, with exactly 2 months of vacation.
Sep:  Cameron was baptized!  My parents, Walt's parents, and Walt's brother, Craig's family were  able to attend.
         Luke turned 4!!
         Then I FINALLY potty trained him.  It was me not ready to do it, not him.  He was amazing!
         Walt applied for a Master's Program through Northwestern University.
Oct:  Ethan turned 10 and hit 5' 1" about the same time.
         Halloween was fun.  2 Darth Vaders, a Lego Ninja, a pumpkin, a pirate, and a puppy dog!  I was tired and didn't dress up this year.
Nov: Walt was accepted to the Master's Program!!!
         Thanksgiving at our home with Craig's family and Walt's parents.  Our niece Courtney even showed up!  It was fun to have everyone here.
Dec:  Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!!  It was busy and fun.  We celebrated the birth of our Savior!

Wow!  These are just the most memorable things that happened during our year last year.  Again it was a year of emotion.  We are stronger and better for it.  Our faith has deepened, and our love has been woven stronger.  We are grateful for the prayers said on our behalf, and the great out pouring of love from all those around us (especially our families).  2012 has already been here for over a month, but I feel it will be a good one.  There will be hard times, but I hope it's all the good stuff I remember most!

I will be working on getting some current pictures up soon.  That is the real intent of this blog is to provide my mother with current pictures of my children.  I have failed in that mission, but I am excited to be sharing again.

Time

Walt and I have been talking about where the time has gone. I realize that time truly is constant, but our perception of it's passing can be so different. Sometimes it goes too fast, and other times it seems far too slow. This last year has been one that has both been too slow and too fast. Our children are growing faster than we can keep up with. Waiting for change has been terribly slow. Soaking in every precious moment has been delightful. There has been much time spent on my knees. Far too little time crafting or reading for me. Cleaning seems to be what most of my day revolves around. But the love in my heart is constant for the blessings of my home, family and testimony. Life is going, and the time passing. I hope that I am better for it.

Joyful

Well, here it is! The family picture for 2010. I thought that we would probably forgo the picture taking for the entire family this year, as my dearest and talented friend moved this summer. I had not put too much (but just a little) thought into how we might get a picture when another wonderful friend called and offered for her husband to take our picture. Love that! An answer to an unspoken prayer!

I have so much in my heart at this time. It has been a truly difficult and heart breaking year for Walt and I, but I am indeed grateful for so many blessings in our lives.

I am thankful for a husband who is brave enough to love me in my entirety. A whirling ball of emotion in the way of my life. I feel things so deeply: sadness, compassion, anger, love, and joy. I'm glad that Walt is ever loving and truly knows me best and is encouraging. He is my best friend...forever. Hooray for that, FOREVER!

I am also grateful for this trying time in my life, for it has shown me where I am weak and where I am stronger than I ever knew. I have fully relied upon my testimony of the Savior. While I have felt pain and grief, it is He who has borne all pain and grief and can best comfort my soul. My heart is constantly swelling within me to feel the mightily love of my Father in Heaven. I know he is there. He is evident in all that surrounds me. The beauty of the earth, the sweet faces of my children, and the beautiful music of this Christmas time.

I am striving this Christmas to seek the Spirit of Christ. I am ever seeking to be like the Savior, but with each passing year I gain new understanding and recommit myself to celebrate His birth and life and not just go through the motions. "Joy to the World! The Lord is come." Let us truly receive Him, and let His love and atonement heal our pains and glory in our gladness.

My Luke!

Just a few words about Lucas. He turned 3 at the beginning of September. He is adorable and difficult all rolled into one. He is FIERCELY independent, but loves to be doted on. He is a bundle of opposites; he is a toddler turning big boy.

Now that the three oldest kids are in school, he is just loving "his" time. About a week or so ago, as soon as Laurel got on the bus, he turned and hugged me tight and said, "My mom!" I replied, "My Luke!" That has been an ongoing sweet moment with him nearly everyday. Now daddy has joined in on the fun and Luke will say, "My dad!" But ever so often he will tease Walt and say, "My mom!"

The child is just in the last 6 months starting to really talk. Sometimes he just won't say the simplest of words, but then something like, "That tastes disgusting," will exit his mouth. No, "I'm sorry," or "I love you," but "Where's daddy? He at work? He come home now." Although, he doesn't say, "I love you," he does say it and show it in his own way.

I love you, my boy! You are something else, but we love you for it! You are going to be an amazing man, but not too soon...I am enjoying my Luke for now.

Ballet and Photoshop

Laurel saw these brightly colored petticoat tutus at Costco a couple of months ago. She HAD to have this one. "It's a rainbow, Mom!" I insisted I could make her one that was cuter (at least in my opinion). Nope. She really wanted this one.

When we got home she was all smiles and ready to dance. Funny how the bright colors and gerneral availability to the public first turned me off to this tutu, but I figured out it was just perfect for my little sunburst. She really enjoys "balleting" around the house. I think I may look into some real classes for her soon too. Have I mentioned how much I love that she is a girlie-girl, most of the time.

As for Photoshop, I've been playing around a bit. I don't know if it really makes my photos look better, but it sure is fun.

Laurel in Wonderland

It's no secret that I spoil my kids on their birthdays. I love to make cakes for them and please them as best I can. Sometimes my cakes turn out to be family masterpieces, other times they're alright. My kids appreciate them whatever they seem to look like.

This bit of creative craziness around their birthdays makes me feel like I am creating a magical atmosphere. My mom seemed great about doing this at Christmas every year, and I remember a birthday or two with that same special feeling. I think everyone has their own times and abilities that make those "magic" moments for their family.

This year, Laurel has been enamored with "Alice in Wonderland". She really wanted to dress up just like Alice. I was out to do my best. I bought a pattern for Alice, but it turned out to be women's sizing. Oops! I picked up the wrong package. Rather than get a new one, I just altered a different girl's pattern. The apron I had to completely design myself. I think it all turned out quite well.

Making an "Alice in Wonderland" cake was going to take a little more interpretation. I made an inspired by cake. It was a lot of fun for me. The house was a complete disaster, but I loved the outcome and so did Laurel. We didn't have a birthday party this year. After the dress and the cake I just wasn't up to it. Besides with trying to sell the house I didn't want to worry about new toys. I talked with Laurel's preschool teachers and they graciously allowed me to take this beauty to school on her birthday for the snack. Perfect! She was with all of her friends, I had no clean-up, and she was the star of the show.

She was just beaming all day. Here she is eating her cake at school.


Later we still had the bottom round of cake left, so I put her preschool crown on top and her painted rose, and she blew out the candles for a second time. For some reason my children think that they turn the next years age right when they blow out those candles. It's funny to me, but I guess it helps them mark that change in their minds. So for a second time, Laurel was 5 that day. I think the day was pretty special, and the magic was definitely in the air!

The Derby (dar-bee)

Pinewood Derby was a greatly anticipated event in the Williams' household. Walt and the kids started a month before. So great was the excitement that not only did Ethan make a car, but Cameron and Laurel each "needed" one of their very own. That's right 3 cars.

Walt let each child pick and draw their design on a paper that he cut out and then cut the pine with. Ethan did all the work on his car except the cutting of the wood. It was truly HIS car. He loved it.

Unfortunately, even with starting a month earlier than the race we ran into some snags. Ethan was sick. He got sick the week before the race, when they planned to have all the painting and wheels on, pretty much done. Then Ethan and Walt were going to test the car and tweak it. We he just didn't feel up to it. So the car didn't get finished until the night before.

The morning of the Pinewood Derby Ethan woke up sick. Really sick. His throat hurt. I took him to the doctor to find out that he had strep throat, again. Normally, I'd have made him stay home. But come on, the kid spent a whole month designing and building his 1st car. Not to mention the years of watching previous derbies. Oh the anticipation was very high.


So this was our solution. I gave him 2 doses of antibiotics and he wore a mask. He had strict instructions not to touch anyone or any other car. He washed his hands about 10 times (I exaggerate, but it was a lot) during the event. To my knowledge, no one else got sick and Ethan enjoyed himself immensely! He also took 3rd place, of which he was pleased. It was a fun night, even if he was sick. Success!