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!