Happenings

Sacrifice

As many of you know...it was a sad day for me a few weeks ago. Spence and I sold our Sequoia. He approached me on a Sunday about selling it since it's an "asset" and we could use the money to help us during this financial difficulty. I got very defensive and upset and said absolutely not. This is my car and I am not selling it. We NEED it. What will we do when the baby is born- strap him on top of your car? I can't take the risk of not having the money by then to be able to purchase another car. I went to bed in tears and with my mind going and going.... I woke up the next day and said "Ok, I will do it." I knew that sometimes we are required to make sacrifices in this life. It's just a vehicle- right? (I think deep down I thought it would be awhile until it sold because of this market...who's going to have money for a car right now?) We contacted a few family members that were in the market for a car. They lived out of state though. Spence's niece said she was interested and would let us know. We sat on it for a day and didn't hear anything. So Wednesday I cleaned out the car and took some pics and put it on KSL Classifieds. I posted the ad at 2pm. At 3:30 I was on the way to meet someone for the first test drive. Two other people called during that time to test drive it. We sold it to the 2nd people that drove it. So by 6pm that night it was sold. And, the lady works over here in Jordan Landing, so I can drive by and see it whenever I want. lol I know that the Lord had a hand in us selling it so quickly to these nice people. They had almost purchased a vehicle the night before but decided to hold out. The lady saw mine on KSL and said she had a good feeling about it. Things have a way of working out.

I have to admit that I bawled while cleaning it out and while driving it the last time, but once we were able to catch up with some bills, that stress relief was worth it. My mom has let us borrow her car for a few weeks to help us out. I hope that we will be able to get on our feet again before baby is born to purchase a new one. (And hopefully the new sequoias won't be recalled anymore because I refuse to purchase a mini-van...)



Pregnancy Update


I will be 24 weeks pregnant this Sunday. I had Claire take some pictures of me last week- so these are when I was 22 1/2 weeks prego. I am doing well so far. Ultrasound last week showed a nice healthy baby boy. I had gained 7 pounds total at time these were taken. (I'm sure it is much more than that now since I have discovered those caramel bites from Del Taco.) I am definitely feeling my age during this pregnancy. Seems I wear out easier and my pelvic bones hurt more. Is it too early to be experiencing braxton hicks- cuz I swear I have them.

I have been very moody the past few months and have been so tempted to talk to my doctor about getting on some prozac. I had to stop taking my normal anti-depressant when I became pregnant. I know I have had some outside stressers that play into my mood swings so I am trying to take that into consideration. I hate to take anything while pregnant- even if it's approved. You just never know....

Claire

Now on to Claire...she just got "Principal's Pride" award earlier this week for being a good student and improving in her reading.

She was given a certificate presented by the principal, along with a certificate for a free kids meal at Red Robin. Why can't they just give them a notebook or something? Now I am required to take her to a restaurant and fork out my own money to eat with her so she can get her reward. I may have to make that suggestion to the school.... I'm sure the certificates are donated so that's why they do it.

Just Don't Get It

I just don't get this: walked into the bathroom and find this.....



C'mon...are we soooo lazy that we can't remove the cardboard from the holder and replace the new roll? I did it in probably less than 3 seconds.

Now this I REALLY don't get.....two days later I walk into the same bathroom and find this....


You can remove the cardboard but then can't insert the new roll onto the holder? I just shook my head in "wonderment." (is that even a word??)

The Black Man Dance

I picked up Logan from school yesterday and asked how his day was. He said it was good. He began to tell me about a dance they were learning in PE. (He has been learning dances such as the square dance...) I asked him what dance it was. He said "the black man dance." Instantly I was trying to think of what kind of dance that might be- african? I thought maybe it's some dance to celebrate Martin Luther King day this next week.

I started asking more questions about the dance. Logan explained... it's this movie where aliens come to earth, but they are nice aliens and these guys in sunglasses and black suits dance and get the aliens.

Ah...you mean "Men in Black."

"Yeah, that's it!" Whew...glad I figured that one out.

One more Logan story....this time I was taking him to school in the morning. We were kind of early and it was cold outside so I asked him if he wanted to just sit in the car and wait a few minutes. He said "No, I will just find a warm spot outside to sit." I asked where he would find one. He replied "In the woodchips under the rock wall thing on the playground. There's only room for one person though, so we do rock/paper/scissors for it. I've only won once."

I envisioned a bunch of freezing little ground hogs or something trying to burrow down into the woodchips on the playground....

and my little "groundhog" freezing because he can't win the game of rock/paper/scissors.

Families Are Forever

December 22, 2009: We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary by being sealed together as a family in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan, Utah. When we got married in Evanston, Wyoming eight years ago it had to be the coldest day ever. That's all our guests remember about our wedding is how cold it was. Well, 8 years later it was a cold, snowy day. I guess it was fitting.

Our friend Emily came to our house a little early to take a few pictures of our family before we left. She rode with us to the temple. Naturally, we were running a bit late. En route Spence realized he forgot temple clothes so we had to turn around. Once at the temple the kids (and myself) were freezing so we did our best to get some pictures. When we were filling out some paperwork, Spence forgot his Living Ordinances Recommend at home. (I just shook my head at this point...I tried to contain my "unkind" feelings in front of the temple workers.) He promised to bring it in later that night. We took the kids up to the room where they would wait. I was worried about Claire because she had been nervous about not being with us at all times, but she walked right in and made herself comfortable. The ladies there were great.

My mom came with me to get changed. It was so special to have her there with me. It was the first time we had been in the temple together. She worked so hard to return and I am so proud of her. So we were a bit emotional to begin with. Then the temple matron spoke to us about what would happen. She bore her testimony and talked about the ordinances that we do in this life starting with baptism and moving up to initiatory and endowment. She said the sealing ordinance was the highest ordinance. I got so emotional at that point. I couldn't believe that I was sitting there in the House of the Lord about to take part in the highest ordinance. I had finally achieved my goal. It took a bit longer and the road was very bumpy a long the way, but I made it. I am so grateful for the Savior- that he made it possible for me to be there taking this very important step in my life.

Next I moved on to the veil to wait for Spence. And wait I did. I was beginning to think that maybe Spence had changed his mind! He finally showed up and we went to the Celestial room. He told me he had been talking to the temple president and asked him if he would perform our sealing. Brother Christiansen (sp?) agreed, but had a meeting until 4:30p.m. Spence told him our guests could wait- it was his day. (Anyone that knows Spence is used to waiting for him.)

When we went into the sealing room it was such a joy to be surrounded by such good friends and family. I can't thank all of you enough that were there for us on our special day. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. Thank you thank you thank you for taking time out of your holiday craziness and driving in the snow to be there for us. The spirit was strong in the room and I felt so safe kneeling across the alter from Spence. He always has a way of making me feel that way. He is such a comfort to me. Our kids were beautiful and amazing when they came in. I love each of them so very much and am so blessed to have them. I'm glad they could be there to feel of the spirit of the temple and I know they will remember it as long as they live. When most everyone had left, Logan had huge tears in his eyes. He was just crying and crying. I asked him what was wrong. He said "I'm just happy." He is so tender.

Afterwards, our friends Sarah and Hyrum, hosted a get together with yummy soup, sandwiches and desserts for all of us. It was so fun. Thank you Molloys for doing that for us!

Claire has really been asking a lot of questions to try and understand the concept of being together forever. She came in on Sunday after church and this was our conversation:

"Mom, if I die will you die too...and the rest of our family?"

"Um, no...why?"

"Because we will always be together."

I tried to explain..."If you die before me, then your spirit will go to heaven and live with family members that have already died- like Grandpa Dee. Then when I die we will be together in heaven."

"Well, when I'm dead will my body just lay there?"

"Yes, because your spirit will be in heaven and it's what makes your body alive."

"Well, will I have clothes on?"

"Um...yes."

Logan and Claire are always quick to remind Spence and I when we may be arguing about something that we can't do that because we went to the temple together. I was quick to remember that when they were fighting and I told them they also went to the temple so shouldn't fight either. :-)

The kids still talk about the temple and want to go back. I pray that they will stay on the right path to return to the temple. I hope that I can be a good example and a good parent to help them in that journey and that it won't take as long as mine did.

Thank you my dear Spence for having such a strong testimony of the Gospel and for taking the necessary steps to have your Priesthood restored and for taking me and our children to the temple. I love you dearly. :-)

(Thank you for the pictures Emily and for documenting our special day!)

Our Newest Source of Contention

Well, my mother bought us a new Yorkie for Christmas. (Don't freak- she called us first to make sure it was okay.) I guess we were caught in a moment of weakness because we said yes- we would take the puppy. He wasn't delivered until 2 days after Christmas. We told the kids about him on Christmas day and showed them a picture. They all screamed in excitement!

On the way to pick him up on Sunday, there was much discussion (aka...fighting) on what to name the new dog. Here are some of the names suggested...
1. Ace
2. Pepsi (don't know who suggested that one...)
3. Koda
4. Obi Won Konobi
5. Bubba
6. Captain Rex
7. Yoda
and I can't remember the rest...

And the winner was: Simon. I guess it seemed appropriate since the kids were playing Simon Says on the way there.

On the ride home there was much fighting on who got to hold the puppy. Naturally, Princess Claire won because she could scream, kick and cry the loudest. Simon has become her new obsession. She carries him around all day. He slept in her room in his crate. She awoke me at 7am to let me know Simon was awake. Let me tell you how fun it was standing outside in the cold in my jammies trying to get the dog to go potty. It is so cold out there that he just freezes up and stands there. So, the potty training is not going so well. Simon is not allowed to walk on my carpet. I don't think he even knows how to walk anyway since he doesn't get much of a chance. I don't need to have a new baby- just a puppy!

Wacky Prego Dreams

Well, I have had a few strange dreams during this pregnancy so far. Here is the latest:
I dreamed that I gave birth to a beautiful little girl. She came out of the womb with a cute, dark haired "bob" haircut, a full set of teeth and could already say "Mama." I went to nurse her and saw the full set of teeth and said "No Way! I will have no part of nursing..." For some reason, we called her Lulu.

There were only two good parts of that wacky dream- it was a girl and she had dark hair.


(I swear- I have not been reading Breaking Dawn recently.)

Peanut Chicken

Here's what I made for dinner the other night that went over pretty well and was very simple to make. I found it in Rachel Ray magazine.

2/3 c chunky peanut butter (I used creamy)
1 c shredded carrots
1 lb cubed chicken breast
1 bunch chopped scallions
brown rice

In small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup water with the peanut butter. In skillet, heat 1/4 cup EVO-oil over med high heat. Add chicken and cook til not pink- 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. In same skillet, cook the carrots and 1/2 cup chopped scallion whites over med high heat 30 seconds. Stir in peanut mixture. Return chicken and its juices to pan and cook, stirring until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Top with 1/4 cup scallion greens and serve over brown rice. Easy Peasy. :-)