Medical Miracles

I'm so grateful for modern medicine and capable doctors and nurses. Adelynn had to be born early because she didn't have enough fluid around her. They could tell this so easily with an ultrasound. Also she was breech, but with a smooth muscle relaxant and well-practiced doctor she turned easily. I needed antibiotics because I'm Group B Strep positive. I was given pitocin to start my labor early. Adelynn had oxygen for a few minutes when she came out and a Vitamin K shot. All these things are so routine and easy now we hardly even think about them. But the fact of the matter is they saved my sweet Adelynn's life and made my delivery routine and easy. I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father to live in these last days when I can have modern medicine and living, healthy children.

Being a Mom is the Best!

I'm so blessed to be able to be a mom. I get to bond most intimately with my children. What other time or phase of life will I be able to care for a newborn around the clock. It is a sacred opportunity! Even when I'm exhausted I feel it is such a privilege to snuggle and nurse this little one. I don't want to miss a minute of her being awake even when it is in the middle of the night.

There just isn't enough time to soak in these precious, fleeting moments. A new baby's sweet little grunts, tiny toes, grasping fingers, rooting mouth, soft breathing, adorable wiggles, etc. I just can't express how grateful I am for these truly heavenly experiences. I'm so blessed to have my sweet children with me all the time. I love being a mom!!

But now I need to recharge my body a bit. I don't like missing anything. There is so much I want to take in and do, but I'm human and my body is starting to shut down. I don't want to get sick, so I'm going to bed early tonight. Good night!

Here is one of those precious moments!

The Plan Worked

Yesterday we had a really good Sunday! I had made a plan and prayed a lot yesterday that we could feel the Spirit and keep the Sabbath day holy as a family. Heavenly Father blessed us with a day that went great. We had family council and scripture study. We studied as individuals, contacted extended family, listened to hymns, sang hymns, obtained a list of the widows in the ward, colored while listening to Conference talks, and walked around the temple. Benjamin did family history work and got several names ready to take to the temple. Of course, we held Adelynn and soaked in the special spirit she brings into our home straight from heaven. We enjoyed just being with each other! We have an awesome family!!!

What a joy Adelynn has been in our family!!! She is so calm and sweet! I just love nursing her and holding her. She is very alert and loves bonding with the family when she is awake. We just can't love and hold her enough!!

Sunday Morning

Beautiful Family

I'm so blessed!!! Jaremy and the kids all help me so much! I don't have to worry about anything.

Poor little Tank is sick with a cough. We are trying to keep him distant from Adelynn. It's a little tricky. We pray she doesn't get sick; it would be so hard on her. But so far so good. I'm so grateful for the herbs, hand sanitizer, a warm home, plenty of clean laundry, and healthy food. We really have it so easy. But I still worry about a tiny baby getting sick even though we have so many things going for us. Heavenly Father gives us so much! I'm so grateful.

Adelynn May

Our sweet Adelynn May was born on November 22, 2011 at 4:30pm in the Logan Hospital. She is so precious and beautiful! She has such a sweet spirit, so calm, so loving. She loves to hear the kids and the hustle, bustle around her. The kids adore her. She seems to just love the attention they give her. She loves to be held. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much by sending her to our family. We are so grateful to have this amazing little soul in our home!!! She is so precious!!!

Thanksgiving Week

The kids only have a day and a half of school this week! Hurray! I love having them at home! We are going to Keller's on Thursday and Sunday and having a party with the Butlers on Saturday. We are going to use the weekend to play with friends, continue to get the house ready for the baby, and enjoy the holiday.

I'm so grateful I get to be surrounded by my children and husband. I am so lucky to be able to cuddle on the couch and read with them. I'm so blessed to hear them joke and sing crazy songs together while they do the dishes. I feel privileged to watch Jaremy dance with the little ones on a cold evening. I enjoy watching my children spontaneously serve each other and our family. I am living with some of the best souls ever. I'm so humbled and thankful!!!

Meaningful Sabbaths

Today in sacrament meeting we were asked to really improve our reverence. We are usually a little early; however, we think we should be a little more earlier. That way we can sit down and truly reflect on our Savior and renewing our covenants. We are going to be better prepared before we leave for church by having family scripture study and listening to hymns. I will make sure I have time for prayers that aren't rushed and time for quiet reflection and repentance. If our hearts are truly broken and contrite, if we are truly focused on partaking of the sacrament our family's reverence with naturally improve.

After naps and meals on Sunday we sometimes go visiting, hold family councils, review individual goals, and/or watch a nature documentary. However, there is still a lot of room for improving keeping the Sabbath holy. Keeping seven children or various ages and stages active in worthy Sabbath activities can be challenging. I would also like to fit in extra scripture study and contemplation on Sundays. So I need to plan better.

This evening Jaremy and Benjamin organized family photos. Jessica, Natalie, Tank, and I worked on humanitarian baby blankets. It was good, but I need to better to involve everyone in a meaningful Sabbath activity. So tonight I'm praying for Heavenly Father's guidance as a make a Sabbath plan. I'm excited! I think we will see and feel a big difference in our family's spirituality as we strive to keep His day more holy. Of course, this excitement and eagerness comes from the Holy Ghost. I'm grateful for the encouragement instead of a feeling a overwhelming.

Hard Night

The last two nights I haven't been able to sleep well at all. Cramps in my legs and tummy haven't allowed it. I haven't even been able to take a nap because of my twitchy legs. But this morning around five my legs went dead. It was wonderful! I was so tired. I slept until 8:30am. Now that's sleeping in around here.

Jaremy go the kids up, ready, and to school. He's amazing and very kind. I'm so grateful I was able to get some good rest so I could function the rest of the day. Heavenly Father has blessed me with the best family and good health.

Today I've just taken it real easy. My tummy and legs have been back at it, so I'm just going slow.

It would be wonderful (if the baby was ready) if I could go into labor today or tomorrow. I know it's not going to happen, but boy, would it be convenient. Jaremy could go to China in a week with his co-workers. Jessica has tomorrow off, so she could help. Jaremy could take off Monday when I come home. Then the big kids only have half a day on Tuesday and the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving. I would have tons of help without making anyone miss school and fall behind. But Heavenly Father knows best. We are excited to have the baby whenever she is ready.

As for right now I'm tempted to get back into some really comfy pajamas to help my abdomen feel better. But it's about time to go pick up the kids so we will see.

Quilting at Kellers

On Monday I took the little kids and we went to Mom's house to pick out fabric for a baby blanket and quilt it. It was a relaxing, nice day to spend with my mom. The kids, of course, love being at Grandma's house (treats, movies, toys, dress-ups, coloring, treats, and more treats). The kids really enjoyed picking out the fabric at the store. Then we visited while we quilted. It was nice.

I'm blessed to have a good mother and father. They bless our lives. I'm grateful Heavenly Father sent me to a family that taught me the gospel and a love of my Heavenly Father.

Comfort Zone

I don't like going out after dark. In the winter I want to just stay at home after 5:30pm. But luckily, I have a family that helps push me out of my comfort zone. We've been going to the Sports Academy in the evenings. Tonight Jessica and Benjamin took a kickboxing class while I watched the little ones swim. Jaremy had Scout meetings tonight. Jessica, Benjamin, and Moroni are still there playing racquetball. We'll go get them in a minute. Maybe Jaremy and I will go back for a workout after we get the little kids to sleep. Or maybe I will just watch the Republican Presidental Debate while I stair step.

Oh, by the way the big kids and Jaremy went to the Sports Academy this morning at 5am, swam, cycled, and played racquetball. Last night Jaremy and I went too for a date. Tomorrow the little kids want to play basketball while I run around the gym. Fun! Fun! It's great to have healthy, active kids. It is a lot of work, planning, and discipline to keep the family healthy and strong. I'm grateful Heavenly Father is helping us and notices our efforts.

Sports Academy

The kid's school had a fund-raiser where you could buy a 2-month pass to the Sports Academy. We bought everyone in our family one because it is getting cold and dark. It is hard to workout outside as much now. With the passes we will be able to swim, play basketball and racquetball, use the track and exercise equipment, take all types of fitness classes, and soak in the hot tubs. Everyone is excited! Hopefully, it will help us get through the winter while improving our health and fitness, versus using the weather and lack of light as an excuse to stop or slow down our exercise program. We have worked hard for five months. We have to keep going now! I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with the resources to continue exercising as a family. I think it is going to be lots of fun!

Whirl-a-Round

It seems we just got back from the Snow Canyon Half-Marathon vacation, but that was 50 hours ago. It seems it's just go, go, go. And when it's not I'm collapsed on the sofa.

The race was awesome. Jaremy, Jessica, Benjamin, and Moroni did great, better than they imagined. It was emotional seeing them push themselves and accomplish a goal that took a lot of discipline, training, and determination over the last five months. They are already planning their next races. Me too, but first I'm going to have this cute baby. I wogged five miles in St. George on Monday. It felt great except I totally biffed it. Luckily, I can't go fast at this point, so I only scraped my knees and elbows.

Benjamin turned 13 yesterday! I can't believe we are the parents of two teenagers already. Time goes so fast. Way too soon they will be flying away to start their own lives. I will miss them so! I just want to soak in every minute I have with them. All the kids are amazing!! I love them so much!!! I'm so grateful Heavenly Father let them come to our family!!!

Independent Will

I've had a hard time these last few months keeping my temper under control. Pregnancy, fatigue, seven children, and lack of discipline have made it difficult. I sometimes feel so out of control and like a victim of my children's disobedience, stupidity, confusion, and messes. The simple noise that usually I love about drives me batty. The whole atmosphere in our home is unraveling. Jaremy and the children don't appreciate it. I am really going to have to exercise some discipline and pray every moment for help. Because there is not a moments reprieve. It's constant "Mom, Mom!," "Tank is smearing Destin all over the kitchen!" "He pulled my hair!" Then there is the constant asking the same question over and over. Some children are a lot more annoying than others. But it all adds up to me feeling like I want to ring their necks. Even while I write this, "Mom, can I go on the treadmill? I'm not too little." for the hundredth time. "Tank is cutting his shirt!" Ella is coloring nicely, so I complimented her.

I must find and encourage the positive. I must be aware of my blood beginning to boil. I must push my pause button and pray earnestly. I must choose the right and good and kind. I must imagine a better solution than anger, frustration, and explosion. I must use my independent will to live that solution. Soon my patience will grow. Soon I will feel the Spirit in our home more. Soon our the atmosphere and culture of our family will change. Mothers determine so much of the mood. That's why we've been struggling. I can change!! I will try earnestly to be like Jesus!!! Heavenly Father is right there to help me!