Early Morning

It doesn't happen very often that I get quiet to myself and this morning I did. I woke up from a dead sleep after a dream and didn't know why. I checked on my kids and looked at my phone and noticed a text,  pretty random for 5 am, but it was from my bro. He had a lot weighing on his mind as I have  also the last few days, mostly thinking about my grandpa. My kids even have asked questions about him recently and thought about him, I know he is watching over us. It's been 5 years since he passed and March is always a hard time for us with his birthday and passing so close together. As I spoke with my bro it dawned on me how incredibly blessed I am 1- to have known my grandpa 2- the lessons he taught me 3- that at least one of my children got meet him here on this earth 4- that families are forever. As I relect back on the memories of him I can't help but cry and smile all at once. Yes, I get sad sometimes thinking of him but I also become very happy and have a peace knowing I will see him again and that he is ok. He is happy, not suffering, peaceful, learning and teaching as he once taught me and still continues to teach me. I am grateful for the knowledge of forever families, for my Savior and his sacrifice so that I could have so much. Thank you grandpa for laying that foundation for our family. I miss more then you will ever know but I will see you again someday!

Tis the Season

Every year James and I have made it a tradition to trek into the woods to cut us down a beautiful real Christmas tree, however this year James had to go it alone as I am with child and chasing a 14 month old. He did such a wonderful job picking out a big beautiful tree along with 2 others, luckily he was able to take a few young men in our ward (their family wanted one as well) along to help. This always seems to get us in the Christmas spirit and start our season off right and this year was no exception. However with the all the hustle and bustle we tend to loose sight of the true meaning of the Christmas and what the season is all about. Thankfully James was able to come home one evening to share a story that put everything back into perspective, he delivered that extra tree he collected to a family in need. When he came home I was busy cooking, baking and chasing kids but I was able to sit and listen to this sweet story.

A brief history of this family first, the father has been pretty sick and is a single dad to a young boy. With all his health problems it has been difficult for him to care for his boy all the time and to provide a Christmas for him he would have liked.

James was unsure of which house it was to be delivered to so he and another gentleman in the ward knocked on the door to be sure it was the right house before they officially delivered the tree. (the family didn't know it was coming) A young boy opened the door, James proceeded to say they had a Christmas tree for them and noticed they did not have one so it must be the place. The young boy said let me get my father, during this James and the gentleman went to retrieve the tree and bring it into the house to the man's and boy's astonishment in came this beautiful Christmas tree and all the spirit it represents during this time of year. As they brought the tree in the father and boy were so elated that they could receive such a gift. The man replied to his son over and over that they get a tree this year, it has been so many years since we have had such a luxury. Thank you so much he continued as they proceeded to get it into place.

When James came home to tell me this story it gave me goose bumps to think that such a small and simple thing could bring such joy to someone. We take for granted so many times in life what we have and are blessed with. James said it was the coolest feeling to watch this boy and father's eyes light up for such a gift.

I must say it made me think truly what Christmas is about and why we celebrate it. I am truly grateful for so many things in my life and what I have been blessed with.

My Savior

My Family

(it has been a hard year for my mom and I am so grateful she is here)

My wonderful husband

Motherhood (and all its glory :)

Test and trials we are given when we least want or expect them

And so many more

So tis the season and Merry Christmas!

Small Update

So I have been slacking again at blogging but I will try to see what I can do about updating more often. One thing to update is baby ward #2 is on his way. (see countdown on the sidebar) We are anxiously awaiting his arrival in February. It has been crazy to think that we have another baby on its way but it is really exciting. This pregnancy has been about the same as Hartleigh but in some ways so different. He is very active and doesn't like to sleep much lately, which in turn doesn't allow mom to sleep much either. We can't wait to hold him in our arms and see what he looks like.

I also have to say how thankful I am for so many things in my life and Family is the one at the top of my list. My mom has been sick recently and it has made me realize a lot of things in my life and what is really important. Especially during this time of year/season there are so many things to be thankful for. I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving and enjoy their time with family and friends!

6-7 Months

Her Easter Dress

On the phone with Grandma Sue
She LOVES her pillow pet Lilly

She had just woke up! (but I love this picture)

Hartleigh is now 7 months old and it is down right pathetic that I haven't posted about her 6 mth check up and what she is up to. Hartleigh has brought such a joy to our lives that is indescribable and that nothing else can compare! We love her so much and hope to continue to teach her great things.

Stats

Weight: 16 lbs 3 oz (38%)

Height: 26 3/4 inches (69%)

Head Circumference: 17 1/4 inches (76%)

She is a little one but growing lots and has supper cute chubby cheeks and legs. LOVE IT

* She doesn't giggle alot but when she does it is awesome (she tends to let out a very high pitched squeal too)

* She is sitting by her self

* She has been rolling over for about 3 months

* She loves new foods

* She loves loves loves her baths

* She gives very sweet kisses

* She is doing the army crawl ( not sure about all fours)

(She does what she can to get what she wants)

* Still has blue/gray eyes (Big and beautiful)

*She loves to bounce any chance she can get

*She stands on her own while holding on to something

* She is learning to push her self up to a sitting position and pull her self up on things

* She loves her family very much & we love her

World According to Grandpa

Most anyone who reads this knows that my grandpa has Alzheimer's and what state he is in. I get to spend at least one day a week with him sometimes more, sometimes less. During this time he will say some of the darnedest things that make you laugh and cry at the same time. Here are just a few things about how my grandpa thinks the world works.

• All the "ice cream" was gone off the ground (snow)
• The "cotton" in the sky is falling (clouds)
• He thinks it is always raining
• His nose runs out his "butt"
• Hartleigh is a "boy" (he loves her so much)
• The City of Shelley truck was "Shitty of Shelley" and it was not just a work truck it was the "school bus"
• He can never get out of the "car" (when we are in the house)
• He likes to collect rocks "he is working"
• He tries to sing all the time but most times he can't put words together to make a song

I have found one way to get him to do things or not to do things if he doesn't want to listen to you because he is so stubborn and wants to do things his way. Tell him his mom told him or is watching.

The other day we came back from getting a drink at the gas station after we pulled into the driveway while I was getting Hartleigh out of the car he started playing in the water and the snow, so here is how are conversation went.

Me "Grandpa stop playing in the water" (2 times)
Grandpa "I'm not in the water"
Me "Grandpa stop playing in the water"
Grandpa "I'm not"
Me "Voyd stop playing in the water" (he still knows himself as Voyd at least even if he doesn't remember Grandpa)
Grandpa "Ok"
he proceeds to start playing in the snow/ice I didn't want him to slip and fall
Me "Grandpa don't do that you will fall"
Grandpa "no I won't"
Me "Grandpa stop playing in the snow"
Grandpa "I'm NOT!!"
Me "Your mom said to stop playing in the snow"
Grandpa "What?"
Me "Your mom said to stop playing in the snow"
Grandpa "Where is she?'
Me "She is watching you"
Grandpa "Oh Shit" as he starts running for the door to go inside so he didn't get in trouble from his mom

This is not to realize the harsh realities of this disease or to poke fun but to remember what times I have had with my grandpa even though he is being taken away. He is frustrating sometimes but so many days I laugh and cry with him. I love my grandpa very much and so I say to anyone who knows any one with this disease to love what time you have with them and to laugh with them. They need just as much love and laughter in their life if not more because they don't know what is going on.