Our Little Brave

He has arrived!!!!! This little brave took his time to make sure he was ready for the world, 10 days late. His birth was quick and beautiful and hard.

The evening consists of getting Jane to bed, cleaning the kitchen, doing the checklist of making sure we're ready when he decides to come, talking wih James and other do-dads. This night was much like all the rest. Except we were naughty and stayed up late. Then in the wee hour of 3:15 am I woke up to use the restroom and felt some pretty strong and consistent contractions. I had already experienced a few contractions throughout the last two weeks so thought maybe it was yet another false alarm, but no! These were consistent and strong. I tried going back to bed for a bit but they were not letting me. Attempting to wake up James I realized he'd need strength to help me when it got too hard, so I let him sleep for another half hour.

Timing began to get very close and I told Mister it was time to prepare to go to the birth center, around 5:45. I did not want an awful drive too late in the game plan. So we called my sweet neighbor who was to watch Miss Jane and she came over to take Jane for the day once she awoke. We informed the midwives that we'd be on our way and we packed up. The drive was beautiful. A glorious Idaho sunrise lit up the sky as we drove to bring a new little man into the world. Oh how lovely was the morning...William came into the world.

We got to the birth center and waited for a bit in the car as our great midwives traveled to meet us. Contractions were getting quite strong and close at this point and sweet James was my anchor. Once in the birth center I stood through all the first waves of pressure, leaning (hanging) on James or the bed. Then I got into the warm water of the bath. We had thought about a water birth and decided we would really like to experience and try it. The warm soothing water seemed I really help take the weight off of my aching limbs and soothed the pain. I hung over the edge with James right by. Then things started to pick up and we changed positions with James' legs in the water, sitting on the edge of the tub. It's amazing how long it feels for that opening to get big enough for he pushing to begin. Patiently breathing and relaxing is key, and is hard to do. Keeping focused is so important!

Then I felt the strong urges of pushing. Women who have had a baby naturally can relate to the excitement and utter exhaustion of this step. It takes EVERYTHING you've got to keep pushing through the pain and working with your body. I felt extremely exhausted having not slept a ton or eaten in a long while (both of which I learned a lesson from to never do again). But the mind is powerful and the woman's body is incredible. The desire to end the pain and to meet my little brave pushed me through (no pun intended ;), or maybe intended). I was hanging in James' arms and he truly added great strength and confidence in one of the hardest moments of my life. Good Husbands and Fathers are so important to Wives and Mothers! They truly add a strength just by their presence and touch. How grateful I am for my man.

Having William born was amazing, when you feel the body of your baby finally exit it is the most relieving and spiritual thing. He was born at 9:30 and was a little angel! He was peaceful, alert and perfect. I can't believe he's mine! I just kept telling him he was handsome, perfect and a brother! And I couldn't stop thanking James!

James got to clamp and cut the chord which was awesome. His chord was perfect and was the neatest twisty shape, we even got to feel the pulse of the blood still going to William. Placentas and chords are incredible, they provide life to a baby for 9 months!!! They are heavenly made for sure. It took me a while to "birth" my placenta because I was so exhausted and supposedly a water birth can make it take a little bit longer. But once that is out you feel empty and free. James got to have some sweet holding time while I got all washed up and then we both got to just be with William for a bit.

James went and got us breakfast sandwiches at Subway and I fed little William, who has a mighty good latch! It was special to just lay there and take him in. The midwives checked me and decided I'd need a few stitches, ugh. So I got to get all shot up and sewed which isn't the funnest, but a necessary evil after birth sometimes. Then it was time for the new born exam.

We were quite impressed at how calm little William was. He got his feet stamped, his body tugged and measured and weighed. He was a whopping 9 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess that's what we get for a late baby, I was shocked he was that big. He seems quite grown up already and is so very alert and mature seeming. We love and adore this sweet bundle! We all took a little nap and then packed up to go home. So from beginning to end it was about a 12 hour process from start to finish of being back in our own home.

Our sweet neighbor brought Jane and dinner over and we got to introduce Jane to her baby brother. It was really sweet and she kept waving and saying "hi" to him. I hope and pray that they will be the best of buds! I also got a hand delivered beautiful bouquet from James' mother which made me feel so special!! It was a special little homecoming.

Little William fits right into our family and we love him so much already. He instantly captured his Daddy and Mommy's hearts forever!!! We love you our little brave boy!

My Misters Love

My mister surprised me with a few sweet surprises this week. It has made me feel so special during these last few long days of waiting for baby William. First he walked home from his little office and carried a beautiful orchid home for me. I have never received an orchid before and it is beautiful!! It really was the sweetest thing to open the front door for him and see him holding them. Flowers somehow make a woman feel so special and loved. I don't get them very often and so when I do it means all the more!!

Then in the mail today he sent me a beautiful silver heart necklace that says, "A Mother understands what a child does not say!" I can't wait to wear this sweet reminder of motherhood every day. I firmly beleive in the power and importance of motherhood and do feel that this little saying is so strong. Mothers are connected to their children in a very special way and they care so deeply about this little ones hey carried. I pray that I will always be a mother that is in tune to the spirit and to my children to help them throughout their lives. I love Jane, know I'll adore William and know that the children we continue to be blessed with will be so important to me. How grateful I am for a husband who supports and upholds motherhood and makes me feel loved and special!

EGGS!

So we have been wondering if we should pluck and cook these silly hens because they just haven't started producing eggs for so long. But we've been patient and feeding them and waiting and waiting. Well Monday when I was refilling food and checking in them I noticed 4 eggs!!!!!!! They were all at the bottom of the coop broken on the ground! At first I was elated and so excited, and then realized what a bummer it was we didn't get to enjoy them. 

We have neglected making them little nesting spots for quite some time and I think the poor ladies have just been waiting. So I finally poked Mister and told him we HAD to get that in for them. So yesterday we helped each other construct their little egg couch :) (that's what James called it). And this morning an EGG was in it!!!!!!! Our first (unbroken) egg.

I can't tell you how many childhood dreams came true as I opened the hatch and their was an egg! When I was young I always fantasized romantic things and egg collecting was definitely in the list of fantasies. There is a part in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" where the girls mention egg collecting and I always loved that part! It's such a romantic idea to me, a thing of the olden days. So the Lady Hens are safe, I guess James will have to be content wh store bought rotisserie chickens for now ;). We are really excited to keep finding eggs throughout the summer and hope to keep these ladies comfy and happy to keep laying!! Hurray for home grown eggs!!

Bathing Baby Bums

Bathing Baby Bums.

Bubbles and baby bums in a bathtub really can make your day! I probably shouldn't take photos of her nake but that little bum is just so cute!!! I love bath time with my little Jane. She makes the greatest of noises when she's in the tub and right now just chatters away. There is something special about bath time and the memories it holds in childhood. I'll never forget some of the funny memories I have of bath time. Our favorite toy was this silly little frog. You would pull a bug that was hooked to a string in his mouth and he would wiggle his legs and swim to eat the bug. I loved that toy! Another fun memory was making waves with siblings. Watching and feeling the water slosh around us. Screaming under water. Floating just on top and listening to what sound was like underwater. There are so many little things I can't wait for Jane to experience and so many I love witnessing right now with her. She is a very curious, fun and friendly young lady.

The Family is of God

There is no doubt in my mind that the Family is being attacked and undermined in our great nation and world. Many proclaim the right of freedom, of choice, of allowing their own opinions to dominate millions of traditions that work. There is much that is good but there is much that is changing the way the family is viewed, how it functions, how it's protected and why it's important. I could go into many topics, public education, non-married couples, media, "selfi-ism", gay rights, divorce, abandonment, abuse,  abortion...the list could go on. But the most basic and essential topic is that of gender and of families: a man is a man, a woman is a woman, both are needed in a family, and that is ESSENTIAL in the plan of God.

"Essential" is not a light word. When we are told by prophets that gender is essential, than it IS! When we choose to disregard that fact it is like saying a body doesn't need food. Or a world doesn't need water or sunlight. Those things are essential, period. Within the Family Proclomation, a piece of modern scripture, there are key phrases that the Lord uses to enhance this importance.

Quotes from "The Family A Proclamation to the World:"

- marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God

- the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

- Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

- God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

- Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.

- Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.

- Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.

So, no wonder the adversary of our happiness is trying so hard to break apart this ESSENTIAL part of Gods plan for us. The family unit is what holds societies together, it is what strengthens nations and brings order and peace to this earth. There is no other unit that can teach individuals better principles than in a home. You gain so much knowledge in a home and family. If we do not protect this unit in our society we have been told by prophets of calamities that will ensue. That is also a promise. We cannot break commandments of God and escape the consequences. Even though our society has lost the concept of responsibility and has forgotten that EVERY choice has a consequence. You cannot (shouldn't!) kill without consequence. You cannot (shouldn't!) steal without consequence. We have certain laws in our society that have consequences and so does God. They don't just disappear because we are a "modern age" or because "our choice" is more important. A good home has rules to keep order and a good parent doesn't let those slip just cause they love their child and they're cute as pie so let them get away with it. No. That is where disorder and disintegration occurs. We need rules, laws and guides to keep us protected and happy.

I have a firm belief in a Heavenly Father. I know there is more to this life than just living and dying. I know that Gods laws are the highest order of happiness. I know that the family is to be led by a man and woman and that the sanctity of hat Union is crucial! I know that children are essential and need to be protected. I know that all these truths must be protected.

The prophets and the Lord have asked us point blank to protect these teachings. In the Proclamation it states, "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." And so I will defend the family with all my heart and soul to the best of my ability!

Some great Talks to listen to:

"Defenders of the Family Proclamation"
       https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/defenders-of-the-family-proclamation?cid=HP_TU_7-21-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

"The Family is of God"
       https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-family-is-of-god?lang=eng

"Filling our homes with light and truth"

       https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/filling-our-homes-with-light-and-truth?lang=eng

To read the whole Family Proclamation go here:
https://www.lds.org/ensign/1995/11/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng

"Oversexed"

I have been thinking about this a lot, especially this morning...why is it that our nation is so oversexed? We care more about a man/woman change, gay rights and celebrities opinions than adopted children stuck in other lands, babies being killed, and families being undermined in our society. In the movie "Chicken Run" the wise old rooster even comments to the yank about it. We are an oversexed and selfish society. Don't waste time on such filth. Don't watch it, don't listen to it and don't encourage it.

I have never really listened to Taylor Swift before but have heard so much good about her. She seems like a very sweet girl that sincerely cares about her fans and has fun spreading joy to those who need it. I think that's awesome. However, when I decided to finally listen through one of her songs on the radio I was shocked! 

"Blank Space"

"Nice to meet you, where you been?

I could show you incredible things

Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Saw you there and I thought

Oh my God, look at that face

You look like my next mistake

Love's a game, wanna play?

New money, suit and tie

I can read you like a magazine

Ain't it funny, rumors fly

And I know you heard about me

So hey, let's be friends

I'm dying to see how this one ends

Grab your passport and my hand

I can make the bad guys good for a weekend

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space, baby

And I'll write your name

Cherry lips, crystal skies

I could show you incredible things

Stolen kisses, pretty lies

You're the King, baby, I'm your Queen

Find out what you want

Be that girl for a month

Wait, the worst is yet to come, oh no

Screaming, crying, perfect storms

I can make all the tables turn

Rose garden filled with thorns

Keep you second guessing like

"Oh my God, who is she?"

I get drunk on jealousy

But you'll come back each time you leave

'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space, baby

And I'll write your name

Boys only want love if it's torture

Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya

Boys only want love if it's torture

Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya

So it's gonna be forever

Or it's gonna go down in flames

You can tell me when it's over

If the high was worth the pain

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

'Cause you know I love the players

And you love the game

'Cause we're young and we're reckless

We'll take this way too far

It'll leave you breathless

Or with a nasty scar

Got a long list of ex-lovers

They'll tell you I'm insane

But I've got a blank space, baby

And I'll write your name."

Not only is the Lords name taken in vain (the basic and first commandant), but it teaches some of the worst morals I've ever heard. This is the idol and the music our girls/society loves!? Why do we stoop to this level and act like it's ok? No. Even if the beat is awesome to dance to, and the tune is catchier than baseball, do you care what it's teaching you!?

This goes the same for television and movies. Many a time in conversations I will have to sit out cause the topic turns to TV shows and Mister James and I don't really watch any. Many a time I'll listen to the plot line of some of these series and be in awe that individuals and couples can spend so many hours entertained by them. They are packed with acts that would normally make one blush or turn in horror. Why do we spend hours of life watching such things?

Now, I am not saying music is bad, tv is bad, movies are bad....we all need to be Amish. Even though that does seem tempting sometimes ;), probably cause I served a mission amongst them and admired them in many ways. However, have some discretion and class to what you allow to fill your lives and your children's. There is still much on the note of good entertainment and I'm one who loves a good movie or song! We are greatly affected by what we see and hear and taking a good analysis of our intake is important. So go out and listen to, talk about and view good!!!

Happy Pioneer Day

Happy Pioneer Day! Today we honor the faith, courage, sacrifice and diligence of the early saints. We watched "17 Miracles" and were reminded of the amazing journey these early settlers of the west took. The things they experienced and went through are awe inspiring to me. Great sacrifices were made for their faith. How grateful I am to belong to a long line of pioneers that showed strength beyond compare. One of which was Hyrum Smiths wife, Mary Feilding Smith. Soon after the martyrdom of her husband she walked the plains with her children all on her own. There are many stories of this amazing woman that I am grateful to know. We got to see the home she built when they reached Salt Lake City last month. She built it all on her own with her children. What a strong and faithful woman she was!

The things we wore today for a Pioneer Program all have a little meaning behind them. I'm wearing a bonnet I bought as a little girl in Nauvoo where both of my Grandparents served missions and many of my cousins. And my apron is one that my Grandma Priscilla wore when she worked at a dairy. Jane's bonnet is from my wonderful Aunt Ramona. 

James is wearing a hat from his Grandad, Frank Heaton. His heritage came from the green lands of England and they settled in Canada. They were not part of the pioneers crossing the plains for their faith but pilgrims of courage making a new beginning for their families.

We are so thankful for the heritage that makes us who we are today. It is so important to not forget the past and to hold our ancestors dear. I'm grateful we have a day to honor them in our religion. The men, women and families of the past are beacons to light the way our families need to continue in!

Parenthood and Responsibility

Stripes and babies. This little fella is enjoying time in mommy and making his sister wait to meet him. We are so excited to have this little man in our family and are so proud of his decision to come to this earth. This beautiful, interesting, cultural, and amazing world!

I recently had a friend say, "You are brave for bringing a child into this crazy world." This world is a little crazy, I agree. There are things that happen and are thought that make my head spin sometimes. Recently the biggest one has been the topic of abortion and selling parts of the babies bodies. This is wrong. As a pregnant mother of a 1 1/2 year old it makes me sick to even think about. While I have watched, read and listened to arguments and defenses on both sides I feel strongly to stand for life and humanity. People walk a fine line when they are determining when life "begins" and when something is truly "human." No matter what stage a fetus is in, it's human, sorry! Then there is the whole freeedom of choice and protecting people's rights. If you don't want to have a child, then that is YOUR choice and you need to make the solution affect YOU. Get your tubes tied if that's your decision. Don't go and get pregnant and then decide if another human being gets to live or not. Responsibility has been overrided by "pro-choice." Many say, if a woman is raped or didn't choose to get pregnant it's her right to end the pregnancy. But two wrongs do not make a right! These are children and human beings we are deciding to kill. The name of the company targeted with this subject is called, "Planned Parenthood" which I think is funny and ironic because you "didn't plan it", "don't want it", or are "getting rid of it." That doesn't seem planned at all, and you're denying a child of parents, "parenthood."

Parenthood is a great responsibility and if you choose to become pregnant and don't want to step into that role than give the child for adoption to those who do. You should not be allowed to kill a child just because it's not convienant timing, or you don't want to take the responsibility, or you weren't prepared to be a parent yet. You're dealing with someone else's life at the point you conceive. Don't be selfish and act like it is just yours!

My mind turns to the great singer, Andrea Bocelli. His mother had encouragement to have an abortion and she chose not to. How thankful he must be for a mother who chose life!! And how thankful I am that he lived to share his talents with this world. I may not be the smartest chick in the flock and I know there are cases where abortion may be the only option for safety of a mother, but I can bet that is EXTREMELY rare. For the hundreds of abortions happening why is that the decision? Is it teen pregnancies, is it women who just didn't plan on this 'inconvenient' baby....whatever the case, these women are putting their lives above someone else's that they decided to create. Take responsibility. If you're so pro-choice and life than make sure you make the choice not to get pregnant if you don't want a baby!!!!!!!!!!

So, my dear friend may be right about this crazy world and who knows what it will be like when my children are older, but they will KNOW the power of their choices. They will know that there are bad and good choices. They will know there are consequences for your choices. And I pray they will always choose the right way and then learn when they don't. We all do have the power to choose, but that doesn't make every choice right. Abortion is wrong, in my opinion, and our society needs to teach the importance of responsibility more!! We need to fix the roots of problems and if there are so many women with unplanned, unwanted or unintended pregnancies, why!?!? Let's fix THAT instead of killing the fetus/child that was created as a result. Be responsible people of the world! Take care of human life! Have dignity for the precious and beautiful process of bringing a human into this world! You were once conceived and grew within a womb, all of us were, don't take that away from 100's of other humans!

Books are Delightful

Today Jane and I took a trip to the local library. We love the kid area and the fish pond. Each time we come this is our schedule: return books, see the fish, go and read! Jane absolutely loves the big reading worm/snake. The front bumps are too tall to get into but that little tail is just right. She'll sit on down and bounce away and then grab a book to enjoy.

From the time Jane was about a week old I have read a book (or many more!) daily with her. I love that she has found a love of books early in life. She is such a joy and books really bring excitement to her. I created a little "book nook" in her room. We moved her bookshelf into her closet so that, hopefully, all of her many books will stay in one spot. It's fun to watch her climb into into her closet to pick a good read out. And then we moved the couch into her room to be the reading couch. All her fun animals sit on it and some fun classic story art pieces hang above (Peter Pan, Pinnochio, Cinderella). I hope that she will always enjoy reading and find joy in books. They really can take you to a new world and teach you so much. They also make you slow down. I think that's one really important aspect of reading that I need more of. Just being still. Time to go read a few more with jane :)!!

Be Brave: the Nursery

I just had to put up a sneak peak at the nursery I've been putting together for Sir William who (hopefully) will be arriving any day now. The name "William" means strong willed warrior, and so I themed his room with arrows and antlers and all things 'brave.' I am so excited to meet this brave little soul that is stepping away from heaven to come to this earth. There is greatness in him, I already know, and I am so lucky to be his mom. I feel honored to be blessed with a son and know that he is going to be a wonderful addition to our family and to this world.

I hand painted and created everything in his room with some little special details I'll tell you about. The first project was his "Be Brave Little One" the board used was saved from my college days and the frame was one I bought at a thrift store in High School. I love this strong and bold phrase! The arrow cross is sticks from our backyard and I handmade the clay tips. He curly feathers are from Mister James' first duck hunt! 

The large arrow has some unique feathers in it. It carries a few more duck feathers, chicken feathers from our coup, and emu feathers Jane and I collected at the Idaho Falls zoo! Quite the array! 

The fun feather wreath was one I bought many many years ago in High School. It just fit so perfect! I handmade a baby mobile for Jane and my sweet niece Nora and decided to do one for William. His is a little unique because it hangs on the wall more like a dream catcher. It's wood from our yard and the feather beads are ones I've had and saved for years! They finally found a purpose. I love how it turned out!

The last main piece in his room, thus far, is his big "W". The antler is from his uncle Matt and I was so excited to finally get it hung! I hand cut the W out and painted it up. These pieces have been really fun to create!!! Mostly done during Jane's naps, late nights waiting for James to be done with work and all in between. I am so excited for little William to see it and to explore and grow in this beautiful world. I feel that the theme of a room has an effect on the individual. The whole idea of what you surround yourself is what you become ;). So I like to really make sure that my children's rooms eminate good things. Janes was a "Beatrix Potter" feel and she loves books and animals. I don't know if that is because of her rooms theme but I like to think it had a little influence. I want William to stand strong for truth, to be brave in times of trouble and to fight for the right. He is going to be such an awesome kid and I can't wait to meet him!!

Dates

I got to go on two dates with my favorite people!!!! Last night James and I went by ourselves to an outdoor little concert and then ate at Pachangas. It's a fabulous little Mexican restaurant in old downtown and their food is always good! James said his Fajitas were the best he'd ever had. It was really special to be with just my mister man and to have some time to just be together. We read a little of our birth prep book together as well and talked about baby boy coming soon! Crazy we'll have two littles in our home sometime this week!!!!!

Then today I got to go on a little mini date with Jane. We aren't really mall shoppers and don't spend lots of money. However, miss jane really was in need of some good shoes that fit and so off we went. This was one of my to-do's before baby William because I wanted to make sure jane had comfy shoes for her cute feet. It was really fun being together and trying on shoes. She picked out the white ones! Literally she grabbed them off the shelf! We shared some pretzels together as well. I love this sweet, tender, spunky, fun and adorable girl of mine. She is quite the buddy and soon she'll have a buddy to share with!! Hurray for family and dates!!! 

Eat Mor Chikin

Yes, we did. We took full advantage of the free Chick-fil-A day! Mister even wore overalls and was our farmer :) and baby Jane and I were the cows. She looked so adorable. We love the standards and manners of this great chicken eating restaurant. It was so fun and nice to get free meals. And we tried frosted lemonade...you need to go have one of those on a hot day, so yummy!!

I love having a little family to do things like this with. We rarely eat out and so it was a special treat. All we had to do was make a few signs and spots :). Hurray for chicken!! I should have gotten a whole body shot with this big almost having a baby belly and my spots, sign and cowbell. Yes I wore a cowbell ;)!

Standing for Something

I recently saw an image of someone waving a blank white flag and the statement attached was something to the gist, "we stand for nothing, we didn't want to offend anyone." This made my heart sad. I love and cherish the Stars and Stripes of this nation and what this country was built on. We are losing national pride and replacing it with "freedom pride." We are a blessed people to have SO much freedom. It is not common in this world we live in and should not be taken forgranted and misused. There is an overwhelming amount of "me-ism" in our society that makes individuals think that they are the center of the universe and all their needs, wants and desires should be met or exceeded (for free too!). We are losing touch wih foundational truths that make a society strong and successful.

I had the opportunity to sing the Star Spangled Banner recently in a meeting and loved that the words "in God we trust" are in there. Do we still trust in God? Do we still strive to be a nation founded on principles of faith, trust and reverence? Children no longer know the pledge of allegiance, why? There is much in this great nation of America that is good, so good, but I fear the overwhelming voice and opinions of the "me-ism" crowd is quite loud and listened to. They become the majority of thought when they are heeded above all other voices of reason.

For our recent Family Home Evening (a night we dedicate to being together and having a lesson and activity), we did clay creations. We then read this great talk on the potters clay in the scriptures. Link: https://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/01/the-potter-and-the-clay?lang=eng. It went along quite nicely to all I've been thinking about lately to. In this talk President Kimball concludes, "When a person is miserable, wretched, and unhappy in himself, put him in what circumstances you please, and he is wretched still. If a person is poor, and composes his mind, and calmly submits to the providences of God, he will feel cheerful and happy in all circumstances, if he continues to keep the commandments of God."

One of the great men of our day said, “We’re losing Christianity. It’s the worst thing that could happen to a nation. And we’ve got to find a way of rekindling it. Not only with the people we contact, but with the opportunity to reach out to others. We’ll see a deterioration in this nation unless we do. The conscience of the world depends on religious faith. And we’ve got to rebuild that confidence in the world for religious faith and just spread it throughout the people. And when they start seeing the contrast, the contrast between good and the bad way, then we’ll see a change.” - Elder L Tom Perry

I believe in God. I believe that as we live His precepts we become a happier and stronger people. 

Big Girl!

Big girl big girl what do you see.....this young lady is sure growing up and taking on big sister stuff quick. I brought her baby doll out again this week and she has been so sweet with it. Wrapping it in blankets, rocking it, kissing and hugging it and just being darling.

She has also had three successful naps and one nights sleep in her big girl toddler bed!!! I've been apprehensive about starting her in her bed because I still want her to sleep ;) cause I need a break during the day. But she's done really great with it. It takes a little while to get her to settle and calm down in it, but once she does she's set (so far). Hopefully we can keep practicing this habit so she can have an easy transition when William arrives.

Another big girl moment happend today: new car seat! We are getting ready to give her seat to William and so needed to make sure she had one to be in. She loves playing with the buckles and I think she feels pretty cool in it! Sure is wild to think of my little girl being so big and becoming a sister so soon. She's going to be awesome at it! Sure love my baby jane.

Beautiful Bed Head

Do you ever wake up and go, "woah!" when you look in the mirror? Lately I have had some crazy hair and miss jane to! This was Sunday's sweaty due after her nap. Her hair was awesome!

I have never been one to really take care of myself in the beauty world. I rarely do my hair and its a miracle when I actually get make-up on. I don't get frequent haircuts. I have had one pedicure in my life (given by my sweet mister!). And I haven't bought new makeup since I've been married (besides a new bottle of mascara), 3+ years. Sometimes I realize how little I do but I've never really wanted to spend tons of time and money on looks. I'd rather spend it on chocolate ;) or an outing or a little something for mister. But lately I have also been thinking about how much I want Jane to know she's beautiful and worth so much! And that has caused me to ponder on my lack of "beauty time."

Taking time to feel beautiful is not wrong and feeling beautiful is important. I have never really felt that in my life and I don't want my daughters to feel that way. Knowing you're special and pretty is important to a girl and I want them to feel that! As I put a little make-up on this past Sunday (I taught in front of my Relief Society, so I took a second to look somewhat presentable) Mister James held Jane in the hall and said, "Do you see what moms doing? She'll teach you that someday!" I responded with a roll of the eyes and, "I'm not the one who should teach her." But then I thought, "well yes you are!" I demonstrate the worth of a woman to my children daily and I need to make sure it's the correct view. There is a lot in our society today that is false and wrong. Woman are not portrayed as real and the expectations put on them are unattainable and fake. A mother is a second rate job to many and not accomplished like being in the work force. There is comparing beyond measure. We need to stop that!

We are all beautiful and accomplished in our own ways. We are all important in the duties we perform. We should all look to one another for support and encouragement in the great path of womanhood. I pray that my daughters can learn from me what makes a beautiful woman and a good woman is. And that I can take the time to feel that about myself and to stand each day and feel it about me!

Happy Birthday America

Happy Birthday America, land of the free, home of the brave. We are so grateful to be blessed to live on your soil and thankful for the lives of so many to being this great nation it's freedoms. We are grateful for the Stars and Stripes and the red, white and blue! We love our star bangled flag and in God we trust!!!

Jane got into the same romper as she did last Fourth of July! :) Just a little more snug around those cute rolly polly legs. We went and joined some sweet friends in a close by neighborhood for fireworks on the 3rd. It was so much fun! I enjoyed doing it the night before and not romping through crowds on the 4th. Jane wasn't sure about the fireworks at first but then really loved them and she'd say "Boom" when they went off. It was really fun watching her and witnessing the magic of a baby's firsts.

It was really adorable because she kept pointing at all the kids and saying "baby" and wanting to go by them. We finally got off our seats and let her join their blanket and it was adorable! She went right up and said "hi" with enthusiasm to all of them. She'd copy the way they were sitting and stare at them with an excited grin when a firework would go off. Little social bug!

We really are thankful for this great nation. I made blueberry muffins for breakfast and we went off to the small neighborhood parade right down the road. My favorite float was one made by an LDS ward about Family! On the fourth we also cranked homemade ice cream and invited our older neighbors over to enjoy it with us. This is a tradition started by my dad and mom and one I hope to continue in our little family. There is so much to be thankful for in America! We are a very blessed people and we need to strive to live up to those blessings and protect the freedoms so tirelessly fought for. The founding fathers and settlers of this nation amaze me! May we hold our heads high and make them proud.

Growing!

Children grow so very fast. It's actually quite amazing! They learn to see, hear, walk, talk, eat, and explore all within roughly the first 18 months. Jane knows so many words now, is super independent and is able to communicate with us so well. It's so fun to see her grow and learn! I'm looking forward to all the stages of her sweet life ahead! Here are a few updates in our little Miss Jane:

Fun fun fun fun fun! Jane is wearing her very first pony in her hair. I finally tracked down some $1 elastics and got to try at a pony. It sticks straight out and is simply adorable. She wasn't quite sure what to think when I put it on her though ;). I'm so in love her sweet golden hair! And can't wait for it to keep growing so we can have fun hair time.

Her new favorite way to eat breakfast is mixed. She'll poor all her cereals (in this case Kix) into her smoothie. Usually it all stays in the cup and she'll dig it out with her hands but this morning she managed to spill it all in her tray like a soup.

Today I asked her to grabs tissue and down the hall she came with a trail behind her :). It was adorable! She understood my request and delivered. Mister measured her and then she had fun continuing the process. It looks like she is almost 30 inches tall!!! What! Crazy how tall she's getting.

Jane loves to dance and shake her booty, laugh with tickles, poor out water and splash in it, read books, play with other kids, watch Curious George, run around like crazy, slide, eat cheese, slurp through straws, spin in circles, say "hi", give hugs, put on shoes, wear hats, her "meme", and to be awake and playing!

She knows or can identify;

Animals: fish, duck, turtle, rhino, whale, buffalo, chicken, horse, pig, cow, goose, wolf, dog, cat, bear, bird, squirrel, crab, butterfly, moth, bug, bee, monkey, gorilla, giraffe, elephant, tiger, moose, snake, hyena.

Body: elbow, teeth, hair, head, ears, mouth, feet, toes, fingers, belly button, knee, nose, eyes, arms, legs.

Food: smoothie, banana (nana), apple (bapple), cheese, Kix, Cheerios, meat, broccoli, spoon, cup, beans, milk.

Words: hi, eeeew, uh-oh, no, please, more, slide, swing, meme (binki), k, wall, door, bed, ball, sprinkler, trees, sky, cloud, bike, home, car, tissue, thank you, bless you, chair, button, window, diaper, book...I'm probably missing some cause she's got so many right now.

People: dada, mama, William, Jesus, guy (this funny little cowboy that was at my Aunt Julie's that Jane calls Guy, she loves him, her first crush), bop, Grammy, kade, Matt, mols, Gia(Andrea), Paige, MK, girl, baby

In just a few short weeks she'll be a big sister! My first born won't be an only child anymore and she'll be sharing me with her brother. I'm so proud of her and the girl she's becoming and I know she will be a wonderful big sister. My little Jane girl, I love you!!!!