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.

Official "BEES"ness

Chey made the Bonneville High School Softball Team

She started with getting into the softball class and that gave her a one up on others that tried out last week. She worked hard, tried her best and we are proud of her. She was very nervous but when the email came it was a relief to know. She made freshmen team which was tough for her to swallow at first, but she has only played a total of 1 year. We think it is awesome (there are only 5 out of 13 freshmen on the team the rest are sophomore's) So it might as well be a sophomore team, there are only freshmen JV and varsity teams anyway. SO HIGH 5 CHEY!!!! She even got her last years number she had down in Utah. Now to juggle the schedule wish us luck.

The rest of these picture are from tryouts I stayed and watched the first night (it was fun) I was way up so I didn't bother or distract anyone so the pictures are blurry or dark sorry. She also wouldn't look at me, surprise surprise!!!

GO BEES!!!!

Just the 3 of us

Two of my cousins and I who are only 1 year apart were pregnant all at the same time with girls this last year. Rachel had Brooklyn in June 2010, Kim had Kloee Sept 2010, & I had Hartleigh Sept 2010 (2 days after Kloee). It was really cool to find out we were all pregnant then to find out we were all having girls was icing on top. Thank you Heavenly Father for sending them all together! We have tried to get pictures of all 3 girls since they were born but have never managed to have all of us together at the same time to get any so at my cousin Kate's wedding (congrats by the way) (Kim sister) we were able to capture the 3 of us and the 3 little girls. It was really cute and fun. However I did feel like we were famous everyone was taking so many pictures we didn't know what camera to look at. Thanks ladies for the pictures you have beautiful babies.

Aug 2010

Michelle Hartleigh, Rachel Brooklyn, Kim Kloee
Feb 2011

Hartleigh and Kloee

Brooklyn and Hartleigh
Jan 2011

First attempt at pictures with at least two of them Brooklyn and Hartleigh

Just my cute little bug!

Just for Fun

Update (BIG)

Ok so I have been slacking BIG time in the blogging department and it shows. I am doing a huge update today but there is a trick I started some of the posts awhile ago so for those of you who want to see what we have been up to lately you will have to scroll down and possibly select older posts at the bottom to see them. (This is for you mom)

I have been so busy lately with recovering from Christmas (it started in November and hasn't slowed down since), working like crazy (love it but miss my family, one of the girls at the office got a new job in the field she studied for so away she went to a wonderful new job) my calling keeps me really busy but I love it. Keeping up with James schedule, work, 3 callings and other activities just adds to the craziness. Does anyone else feel like I'm writing a Christmas card/letter I don't blame you don't want to read on, but this updates everyone and journals for me. Chey is still busy with school and loving it, I think this semester is treating her well she loves it and tries out for softball the end of the month (wish her luck). New friends and boys have started to slowly creep there way into the picture.......Oh BOY. Hartleigh is growing so fast and I love it, she is learning all sorts of new things she can almost sit by herself, loves to squeal still, has discovered her toes and her socks to see how many times she can make mom put them back on for her. She had shots yesterday but was at trooper one little cry, back in mom's arms and just fine (I didn't even cry I was so proud of myself, big clap for me). She is still teething the bottom 2 teeth keep moving up and down but just won't come up for Pete sakes. We started rice at night about 3 1/2 weeks ago and she loves it, still trying to get the hang of the spoon but she knows what it is when she sees the bowl. So now lets see if I can keep up. I need to have one day a week at a certain time I blog or I know I will forget or miss things. WISH ME LUCK!!!!

Christmas 2010

This little girl was the center of all our attention

Where's Harhar?

Hartleigh loves
her pillow pet Lilly

Yummy!

I think James was a little cold

Smile mom!

Christmas this year was so different then the past but as you and your siblings get older things change. Now adding Hartleigh to the mix has changed it once again. She was very little to open presents but she did like to play with and eat the paper. Once her presents were open she loved her toys It was fun and a different experience helping her open them but towards the end she was tired and ready for a nap. We had a tough decision to make this year to stay in Idaho for Hartleigh's first Christmas or to travel to my mom's and we are all so glad we went to my mom's we had about 4 days down there and it was so nice. We did a little shopping on the 24th, our traditional pj's Christmas eve, wrapped presents, ate lots of yummy food, traditonal Christmas village (lights), did some relaxing, played games and just spent time together as a family. Thanks guys it was so much fun, Love ya!

Giving Thanks

First time Doug and Jami got to meet Hartleigh

We were missing Julie Ken and their kids for this picture

Hanging out at BIG JUDS

Uncle Joe and Aunt Wanda (2 of the best people I know)

This year we spent Thanksgiving with James family, everyone was here and it was really cool. It was a very busy weekend but lots of fun. We played games, ate lots of food, laughed alot and ran around like chickens with our heads cut off. Here are a few pictures of the fun. Thanks for a great weekend. We're so grateful for family, friends, the gospel in our lives and our new baby girl.