grATTITUDE

Last General Conference there were 3 talks that specifically mentioned the importance of following a living prophet and trusting that God’s words were coming through him.  I panicked a bit before President Monson’s talk because I thought . . . “Oh No!  It is going to be something REALLY hard to follow, since there were SO many other apostles encouraging us to follow.”  When President Monson’s talk was about gratitude, I thought “easy peasy J”  But in reality it wasn’t that easy.  He said that we tend to focus on the things that we lack, and thus aren’t grateful for the things we have.   I have read this talk several times over the past 6 months and have really tried to focus on being grateful for the things I have.  There is one major thing our family lacks and sometimes it becomes the focus of my life.  I appreciate the counsel of a living prophet to help me be fully follow the Savior as I focus on all the things I am blessed with!  Here are some things I am truly grateful for in the past 6 months

A job:  I love my job.  It is part time, teaching PE.  It is so fun!  Even though it is only a teacher salary (or half of it)  it is more than I could make doing any other job for 18 hours a week.  I am so thankful that I got paid time off for my maternity leave.  I LOVE having Monday’s off. 

Helpful Husband:  Dave is absolutely incredible.  He is always willing to do more than his share of parenting, housework, and taking care of me.  He gets up at 6 am with Jackson so I can sleep in.  He is patient and creative with his parenting.  He helps me to be a more patient mom and find solutions rather than get frustrated.  He is an incredible support to me.  He works hard to find work, even though it is not what he wants to do everyday.  He stays positive and happy through a very difficult time. 

Health:  Hallie was born right in the heart of RSV season.  So many of my friends have had ER runs, prescription meds, and lots of sick kids.  Hallie hasn’t had more than a little congestion.  Neither has Dave, Jackson or I.  I haven’t taken a single sick day all year . . . even when I was 9 months pregnant.   What a blessing to have healthy kids and feel great myself!

My Parents:  They have let us live in their home for much longer than we originally anticipated.  Not only do they give us room, but they act like the love having us there!  My mom is willing to drop anything to watch our kids and help out in any way.  She makes us meals often and is so helpful.   My dad puts up with an early morning wake up call (the 2 year old) and loves our newborn like no one else I’ve seen.   He can get her to smile when I think it is impossible.

Dave’s Parents:  They have been preparing for their temple mission in Germany for the past 6 months.  They are a little nervous and have had A LOT to prepare to go.  But they are amazing examples of loving the gospel and loving each other.  I hope that Dave and I are able to follow their example someday.  They are so good to let us come to dinner and be our babysitters often.  They love our kids. 

Other family support:

Our brothers, sisters, cousins and other extended family are so loving and kind at this time.  We love having other people around who are supportive and encouraging. 

BYU basketball: Is this silly?  I have loved watching BYU this year.  They have been fun and exciting.  Even though I enjoyed basketball before, this year was especially exciting.  I was thankful to have something I looked forward to each week. 

A little girl:  Hallie is so much fun.  I love the cute clothes, flowers and everything nice.  She is sweet and smiley and has very few crying spells.  She sleeps great (but is getting worse :( )  Another child just adds more love in our family.  I am so grateful for her!

A lack of drama:  I am one who loves a good story . . .but a good story usually means lots of  drama.  I have been out of good stories  lately (except things my funny boy says).  But that means that we have had no car problems, no health problems, no relationship problems, no ER visits, no  . . . well, anything.  It has been a period of peace, calm and relaxation.  Sometimes I wanted more excitement, but I count this as a blessing. 

I am very excited to hear again from our prophets.  I know they speak the words that God wants us to hear and follow.  My life has been blessed from following this counsel.  I can’t wait to hear other ways to qualify for Heavenly Father's blessings.

Funny talk

Jackson is constantly giving us little clues to how his mind is processing life.  He is SO verbal, we really enjoy being able to know just what he is thinking.  It is easy to forget he is only 2 1/2.

Here are some recent conversations.

Me: (after finishing the "I love to see the temple song".)  Did you know that our family is forever because Daddy and I were sealed in the temple?
Jackson:  But Mom, I'm not forever yet, because I'm not married in the temple.
Me:  You are sealed to us!
Jackson:  I want to marry Savanna (a friend)
Me:  She might be a little young
Jackson:  (looking around the living room- see pic below) I want to marry Jimmer!
Me:  Boys have to marry girls.
Jackson: (a bit frustrated):  I want Jimmer to marry . . . Everyone is already married!!
Me:  How about Aunt Melinda?
Jackson: Yeah, I want Jimmer to marry Melinda in the Temple.  Melinda Fredette!

(This is the wall in my parents living room)

(While playing basketball with Dad)

"Dad, you be Jackson (This is said often, no surprises here)   . . . and I'll be JIMMER!  No, you be Abu-o "

Jackson:  Guess what?  Guess WHAT?  GUESS what?  GUESS WHAT MOM!!!
Me (a little distracted)  What?
Jackson: Chicken Butt

Random lines from movies we didn't realize he was learning (Can you guess the movie?)
"Mom . . . . THE MONKEY'S AREN'T WORKING!"
"How low can you go?"
Way to go, Idaho!
Come on, Vamanos . . . Where are we going?
"To Infinity  . . . anbeyon"

One night as he kisses me, he tries and open mouth kiss.  I ask why.
Jackson replies. "That's what that guy did  . . . on the movie . . ."  (He'd seen Aladdin the night before)

Bless-ed

On March 6th Hallie Ann Harper was given a name and a blessing.  We feel so blessed to have her in  our family.  She is a wonderful baby.  Can you believe she is sleeping from 8 pm-7 am uninterrupted!  (I wasn't kidding when I said she was a good baby!)  She gives us the cutest smiles and giggles.  We love her!  The blessing was inspirational.  I hope and pray she can reach her potential in this life.
We are able to have all our in-state- family members and 3 great-grandmas in attendance.  We are so lucky to have family and friends in our lives who support and encourage us!
P.S.  My mom made the beautiful blessing dress!  She is incredible

Bedtime songs

Every night our bedtime routine consists of brushing teeth, saying prayers, reading 2 (unless he can negotiate for more) books and then finishes up with 3 songs (once again, negotiable based on how parent feels and how cute he asks).  We are kind of push overs and it is probably too long of a routine, but  . . . 'Isn't it about TIME?'

I MUST sing these 3 songs and in this order. . .  As you can tell, he has heard them  . . . ALOT!

Here is 'daddy' (ie. JACKSON) putting 'Jackson' (i.e. Dave) to bed.  (Have I mentioned that Jackson likes to switch names up?) 

ABCs

Child of God

(I love how he is scratching Dave's head!  That might be in daddy's routine, but I definitely don't do it :) )

I love to see the Temple (Dave sings one verse and I sing the second verse, so he sometimes gets confused)

    

And I thought she was growing up too fast . . .

Turns out Hallie is LITERALLY growing too fast!  At our 2 month appointment, the nurses had to re-measure several times to make sure the 'off the charts' readings were correct!  Hallie's stats are as follows:

Height:  24 1/4 inches (100%)

Weight: 12 lbs even (90%)

Head:  50%

 She was SO happy at the Dr. Office, thus I had to take some pics, even though she isn't clothed.

   The doctor also mentioned that she couldn't be more perfect . . . and I agree!   She is already in a great pattern, making it SO much easier to get back into work.  For about 2 weeks she has been sleeping 8 pm - 4or 5 am.  Then eating again at 7 and sleeping until 9:30, eating right before I have to leave to work.  What an angel!  We love our Hallie - Gal.

Random Thoughts and Shots

Jackson is potty trained (at least during the day).  I am not sure exactly how it happened, we were on and off for months and months and finally he just started doing it . . . even without my help at all!  It is SO nice!  I love it!  Now for #2 . . .

I love that when I was potty training Jackson he cried and cried one day because he wanted his potty train . . . I'll be sure not to use the phrase potty "train"ing with my next one.


Jackson moved to a big boy bed, he loves showing everyone he knows his new bed (only problem is that it is still located in his'room' (the food storage closet)

 Am I a bad parent if I purposely make my kids look funny so I can get a laugh?  

(If you were wondering this IS Hallie)

 No, but seriously, am I?  

She looks good sometimes!

 Getting exercise with Grandma

 Mr. Potato Head.  Jackson says favorite lines from Toy story, my favorites:

"Way to go Rex"

"anBeyond . . . To Infinity"  (Kind of got it mixed up)

Is the reason that kids clothing companies puts "mommy's sweetie"  or "I love Daddy" or "so sweet" to subtlly encourage you when you are changing the third blow out for the day or swaddling a screaming one?  Such trite tactics to try and remind the parent that this is all worth it.  Even if the child can't tell you they love you, their clothing can :)

This shirt says "happy"  Really?  cause you could've fooled me!

Jack in the box

 


I have had 2 dreams about Jimmer Fredette in the last couple of weeks.  One in which Jimmer recognizes my mad scrapbooking skills online and comes to my house to consult with me as he tried to make a promotional item on himself!  The other, he was at our house to ask my opinion on if I thought he was a good leader (as if he is insecure).  I love BYU basketball!

Happy Valentines Day -Late!

I was hoping to get Valentines day cards out . . .hoping for some great news to include in a letter about our past year . . . but so far we are still fasting, praying and waiting for the great news.  Thanks to those of you who are joining us in our quest for employment.  We love you! But while we are 'waiting' I will post these pictures of our happily growing family. 

Hallie hasn't made her church debut, but I love to dress her in cute Sunday clothes each week!

This is her Santa Claus outfit as Jackson calls it.

Sledding with a very fun Dad

Hi!  Meet Uncle Bob. . . He's a firefighter

I love fires in the winter!

A girl is so much fun!  I love the pink and the headbands (or eye visor as they sometimes become)

Dressed for Sunday (even if you aren't going to church)

We love our sweet girl!