"Me" Time

 I really love doing artsy and creative things. In fact I notice that if I go to long without having some kind of creative outlet I start to get really irritable and depressed. So with that said I just wanted to share my latest painted rocks. Enjoy!

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

 So last night (July 28) we were trying to get Kilian to go to sleep but he was so riled up. He kept dancing and jumping on the bed and laughing. Then all his silliness and rough housing came to a halt when he did this little jump he wanted to land on his knees and for the most part he did. But his head, particularly the corner of his eye smacked the edge of the window sill. I felt so bad, but had a minor panic attack when James said he was bleeding. I rolled him over and sure enough right there by he corner of his eye he had a big gash. I felt so bad for the poor little guy I held him tight and rocked him while he cried the hardest I;ve heard him cry in awhile. I tried to get a good look at his eye but I struggle with blood and being the former medical professional in the house I turned to the former MA to see just how bad it was. I was about 95% sure we were going to have to make a trip to the ER because I just "knew" he was going to need stitches. But after James got a good look at it he said it was ok and he didn't think Kilian needed stitches, but we needed to watch it to make sure. So I just sat there holding my poor little guy while James cleaned and dressed the wound. After awhile Kilian had calmed down and was just doing his little gasping cry. I wanted to just sit and cuddle him but as James was cleaning him up and getting him bandaged up I could feel the blood draining from my face and the cold sweats setting in. I held him till I started to see black at the edges of my vision and had to hand him over to James in case I passed out. I really hate that I get so faint with lots of blood and bad wounds. I feel like that's when my little boy needed me the most but I couldn't comfort him the whole time like I wanted too. Well needless to say we got him calmed down, gave him some Tylenol for the pain; my fainting spell also passed and I could feel the blood returning to my face. Kilian laid down beside me in bed and we snuggled together till we both fell asleep. However we had to document the trauma first and do a little video of Kilian telling what happened. Afterwards he was more concerned about the blood on his shirt then the bulging band aid on his eye. But the bleeding had stopped and we were sure he wasn't going to need stitches.

This morning when we woke up the poor little guys eye was swollen shut and he has a huge shiner. He points it out and talks about what happens but it doesn't seem to bother him. I have been giving him some ibuprofen to try and help with the swelling. It has gone down quite a bit since this morning but it still looks pretty ugly.

There is Beauty All Around

 I am so truly blessed to live here. Often I am in awe of the beauty that this place holds. Everyday we get to see another masterpiece of our loving Heavenly Fathers artwork that he has made just for us. 

Baptism Day

I cannot believe this day came! We have been talking about it and "planning" it for over a year now and today was the day. Last night Avery was so excited it took awhile for her to finally fall asleep. But we woke bright and early at 6:15 AM to get ready. We made sure everyone was cleaned and dressed in nice clean church clothes. Then we made sure we had everything we needed to take with us to the church and I still had time left over to fix up my crepe batter for the brunch afterwards. We headed out and made a stop by our church to meet Brother Edwardsen so that we could print off the programs and then off to the Stake Center. What a beautiful morning and day for a baptism, it stayed fairly cool and pleasant. After everyone had arrived and I figured out how to get onto Facebook Live so that family out of town could still participate we began. We started out in the pavilion and sang When I am Baptized and then had an opening prayer. After we all donned our masks and headed into the church. It's amazing how different Covid-19 has made all this and yet how beautiful and simple it all seemed. Anyway we met the Primary president inside where she gave Avery her jumpsuit. We headed into the "mothers lounge" so Avery could change into her white jumpsuit and then met James in his white shirt and pants for quick pictures. Then they headed back into the font. Avery looked a little nervous and scared but mostly excited. She was all grins until she got into position with her Dad, then she was all business. :p She listening carefully to the prayer and was already plugging her nose and ready for the plunge. After she came out of the water she gave her dad a hug and headed up the font stairs. I went back into the mothers lounge to help her out of the wet jump suit. When I met her in there she was all smiles and the feeling of peace washed over me. It was amazing to see such a new bright sparkle in her eyes. It hit me once more that I have an 8 year old who was just baptized. I helped her out of her wet jumpsuit and into her brand new white dress. She looked like such a cute little angel. We headed back out to the front of the font to wait for James. Then all the Melchizedek Priesthood holders gathered around and laid their hands on her head. James was then able to ordain her a new member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and then bestowed upon her the gift of the Holy Ghost. He then gave her a blessing, I wasn't able to hear it all but what I did hear is that he told her that her Heavenly Father loves her. He also told her that the Holy Ghost will be her constant companion from this day forward and that she will have the ability to recognize his still small voice. He also council-ed her to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. After the conformation and after quick hugs to dad. We all headed back outside to the pavilion for talks. We just had 2 short talks one from Grandma Earl about baptism and how all our sins are washed away and how we can keep ourselves clean and free from sin through repentance. Then Nona talked about the Holy Ghost and how he is now a friend that will always be with Avery to help her and guide her. After Brother Edwardsen welcomed Avery as the newest member into the ward and he also told her that her baptism day is a day that she was always going to remember and he knew that because he was baptized 60 years ago and can still remember his baptism and how he felt. Then we sang I am a Child of God and Avery wanted to give the closing prayer. The rest of the day was full of fun and family. We invited everyone over to our house after for a crepe bar brunch and the day was spent playing with cousins and chatting with family.
Later after everyone went home James and I were talking a little bit about how we felt today. I have felt the spirit so strong today as well as an amazing sense of peace, hope and love. I can definitely see a change in my little girl. She wasn't changed physically, but today especially after her baptism there seemed to be a glow about her. She seemed to radiate joy. I cant even begin to express my love for her and the rest of my family. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who helps show us the way to return to live with him as individuals but especially as family. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and the atoning sacrifice he made so that we can repent of our sins and be clean again in hopes to continue on the path to perfection and exaltation. I am so proud of my little girl and her choice to be baptized today.

I know God lives! I know he loves us! I know Jesus is the Christ and through his we can be saved! I love my father in heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ. I know this to be Christ true and restored church here on this earth. I am so grateful to be a member and to have gained such a rock solid testimony and knowledge of my Redeemer. I know the Book of Mormon is true. This is part of my testimony In the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pioneer Day

 So to start I want to be honest. Between Covid 19 and trying to plan Avery's baptism while working nights. I had no intention really of doing anything for the Utah July 24th holiday Pioneer day. The kids really wanted to watch fireworks though and I really wasn't sure how I was going to be able to do that or have the energy to do it. But we got a call from Mom A to come over for a BBQ and they said their neighbors had been having some really awesome fireworks shows so we night get to see some. I will have to admit that I was actual a little relieved to get a "free Pass' so to speak and be able to celebrate without to much hassle. It was actually very pleasant. Bob, Ilia, and Lucas were down for Avery's baptism and staying at mom and dad's house. It was nice to visit with them and as always the food was amazing and mom wasn't joking about the neighbors putting on a pretty good firework show. Plus Bob and Ilia had brought poppers and sparklers for the kids. Overall a very nice and relaxing holiday.

Happy 4th of July

 Well I didn't get a lot of pictures today. With this Covid virus running rampant our holiday has basically been ruined. We still tried our best and had some fun. Bob came down with Lucas and we went over to Nona and Grumpy's and had dinner and played  a couple games then went out on their back patio to watch the fireworks. This is going to be the last time we can do this because Nona and Grumpy are going to be moving to their new home next weekend.

Kids being Kids