Our Family: January 2015

Thursday, January 29, 2015

It's the little things

Why do we buy toys and dolls and such for our young ones to play with? Their

interest and curiosity is much more focused on household goods like Tupperware, dishes, spatulas, or things like... Pulling silverware out of the dishwasher while mommy is loading it.

How can you not just let her do it? I mean.. I just can't say no to this cute little smile.

I need a cuddle

One of our favorite things to do is make forts.

The kids made forts in each of their rooms this past week and have been wanting to sleep in them. We convinced them to have a sleepover on a night that's not a school night.

Tonight.. We sent them to bed and I told them I would cuddle after Reagan was asleep.

20 minutes later, we hear the inevitable footsteps trotting down the stairs and into the living room.

KennaDee says, "Mom- I made a bed in my fort and Nico came in because he wanted to cuddle with me. He fell asleep on my floor."

My little boy just couldn't hold on any longer for cuddle time so he went to his sister. I love that she can give cuddles just as good as mama.

Best 3 words ever

Today my 4 year old calls out from the living room, as he's waiting for his older siblings to play wii,

"mom?!"

"Yeah bud?" Im thinking he's gonna ask for a snack as he always does or for help in the game but no...

"I just love you," he says.

My heart melt.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

A simple act

It's inevitable that our kids will grow up. My worry as a mom is if I'm teaching them enough to become good, caring, genuine, loving people.

Today was a day when I witnessed just that.

Our bus comes at 8:33 every morning. Our neighbor friend, also a classmate of KennaDee's, knocks on our door every morning between 8:28 and 8:30.

Today was raining. KennaDee and Jackson both grabbed their umbrellas. Our neighbor didn't bring one.

As they started down the driveway, KennaDee looked at her friend, took one step closer to her, and put the umbrella over her.

An act of kindness. An act of love. An act of consideration. A simple act.

And there's just something about watching my children walk down the street.

Friday, January 9, 2015

So I picked up the kids from school today and our conversation started out the same as it always does, "how was school today?" "Good," said simultaneously by both kids. Then the conversation between my oldest and I suddenly took an unexpected turn.

Somehow KennaDee got on the topic of games she had seen on the iPad and this is how it went:

KennaDee: I saw this comment on the iPad that said a 15 year old girl wanted to have a baby. That is NOT going to be my life. I will not choose to have a baby at 15. No way. I'm gonna wait to have a baby until 2 years after I'm married. Wait- when did you have me mom?

Me: you were born 9 months after we were married.

KennaDee: oh. I'm gonna wait 9 months after I'm married to have a baby. But... You don't really get a choice do you? The baby just comes? Or can you choose?

Me: well, yes. You can decide when and if you want to have a baby.

KennaDee: what? You can? How do you choose? Do you just go get a shot?

Me: no. You don't get a shot. Well I guess in some cases you don't choose to get pregnant but it happens as a surprise but for the most part you choose. (As I'm not thinking this through, I realize I've just confused her even more. YAY! Mom of the year award already won this year!) I finally say, as I have 3 other kids in the back seat, this really isn't something we can talk about right now but when it's just you and me I can explain it to you.

KennaDee: you can't tell me in front of the boys? (She got a sheepish grin as if she gets in on a little secret. and is excited to find out. Haha!! Wonder if she'll be as excited after she finds out how it happens!)

She's only 9. But it's time. To have the talk. The talk about how a girl becomes a young woman. And the talk about the birds and the bees.

I always thought the second coming would happen before I had to face this. Sigh.

My Jackson

As I sat here nursing my youngest I couldn't help but to snap a couple pics of my Jackson.

My kids often have a hard time sitting at the table through a whole meal. They will eat a few bites then feel the need to get up and go do something then come back for more. They don't always do that but occasionally they do.

Tonight... Every time Jackson returned to the table he popped up on the bench and tucked his feet underneath him. It's a little hard to put into words the thoughts and feelings that went through my mind but how interesting it is that he just plops up there and pulls his feet underneath him. Such a boy little move. This little guy has SOO many characteristics of our Savior that stand out so clearly. He LOVES pleasing others yet he STANDS for what's right. He LOVES helping others and lifting them up when they are in need. He SACRIFICES for the happiness of others. He FORGIVES so quickly. He is OBEDIENT.

I love my Jackson.

This is us!

Welcome to our Family Website! We decided to start a family website so that our family and friends will be updated on what we're up to over here on the East Coast. Brian and I met in October of 2003 and were married in August of 2004 in the Vernal, Utah Temple. It was a beautiful wedding and we still have pictures up on the walls of that very special day. We didn't wait long to start creating a family. We welcomed KennaDee in our arms in May of 2005, Jackson joined us in November of 2007, Nicholas "Nico" arrived July 30, 2010 and our baby girl Reagan joined our family on January 17, 2014. As a family, we enjoy going to the park together, visiting new sites, watching movies, cooking, playing outside, and basically doing anything as long as we are together. We moved to Virginia in November of 2007 and we really like it here. It is very green and beautiful. Everyone needs to come out and experience it. We love the ward we are in and hope to stay in the ward boundaries for a long time. We love attending church and learning more about the gospel and how we can strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We continually have to thank our Father above for the sweet blessings He has given our family.

Brian

Brian graduated from Brigham Young University in April of 2006 and started working as a Public Affairs Specialist for "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. in June of 2006. He loves it. It is a perfect job for him. He loves music and we are able to attend all the concerts the Band puts on. The public affairs office is in charge of several things but to sum it all up in a short and sweet sentence: Brian, basically does all he can to promote the Band. He deals with media, publishes articles about the Marine Band and has recently been given the title "graphic design specialist."

Apart from his day job, he is working on writing a children's book which the children themselves are helping him illustrate and write. He is also improving on his photography skills and hoping to get his own website built for his free lance design work.

Shara

I graduated from Utah Valley State College in April of 2007. I graduated in Elementary Education and love teaching children. Right now, I am enjoying staying at home with Nicholas and Reagan. There is just no other job that can be so fulfilling emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I don't know who is learning more...me or them. The great thing is, is that we are learning and growing together. During the day, we love to play at the park, cook, clean house (Nico really likes helping - I hope it sticks with him for years to come), read books, do puzzles, watch movies (mainly anything with power rangers, swords, or fighting).

I am also a member of Herbalife Inc. I enjoy helping others develop a nutrition plan so that they can not only get to the weight they want but mostlyto achieve healthy, active lifestyle. I strongly believe that if you are healthy and active, you tebd ti be a but happier with life in general.

KennaDee Joy

KennaDee was born on May 21, 2005. She has become very active and loves to run around, play outside, watch movies, help me cook and clean, and play with dadda. Since she has been born, she has lived in 7 different homes: 2 in Provo, 1 in Orem, 2 in Maryland and 2 in Virginia. She has quite the personality. Upon meeting her, she seems very shy but once she gets used to her surroundings, watch out! She can be demanding, but she is very sweet and already has her daddy wrapped around her finger. She is very smart and knows it. KennaDee is a joy in our lives. We absolutely love and adore her. She is a precious daughter of Heavenly Father and we hope to teach her all she needs to know to develop her own testimony of Jesus Christ and be able to withstand the temptations of Satan that she will be faced with.

Jackson Brian

Jackson was born November 23, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland, although we were living in Woodbridge, VA. He is a joy in our family. He loves his siblings so much and adores his older sister. Although it is hard for him, he is always willing to sacrifice for the happiness of others. He is considerate, patient and VERY loving. He LOVES to rub your neck and cuddle and give kisses. He also loves playing sports, watching super mario bros, and wrestling with his brother. He has many characteristics of Christ that we all admire.

Nicholas James

Nicholas was born July 30, 2010. This boy is a firecracker. He knows what he wants and he is always determined to get it. He is not afraid to stand alone and I'm hoping that will carry with him throughout his life. He is stubborn and hard headed yet at the same time he ALWAYS thinks of his siblings and wants to be with them all the time. He is very picky about his friends but once you make it on the list, he's completely loyal to them. We love him dearly and are grateful he was sent to our family.