Six years ago today, I married my favorite boy . . . .
. . . and he is still my favorite :)
. . . and he is still my favorite :)Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas!!!!
Disclaimer: LOTS of pictures!
Burke read us the Christmas story from the scriptures. This is one of my very favorite parts of Christmas Eve.
As soon as Daddy finished reading to us, we used the Nativity Blocks from Grandma and Grandpa Hill to act out the story.
We left cookies, milk, and letters for Santa.
After Santa came and before the kids came into the room I snapped a picture or two :)
Waiting for Daddy before they attacked their stockings!
Preston just couldn't quite wait!!!
But Dad saw it anyway :)
Rebekah sporting her new baby and stroller. She also got a pack'nplay for a doll bed. She couldn't be happier!
Preston scored a train set. About three weeks ago (well after Santa had taken his order and purchased his gifts) he changed his request from Thomas the Train to "Bob the Builder Machines". I just kept telling him Santa would bring him something he would love, and I was holding my breath hoping I was right. Luckily, he also got some awesome puzzles with building machines from Sheldon and Becki. He said, "Santa remembered!!" It was so sweet.
Our first Christmas at Home has been much anticipated, and it turned out even better than I could have imagined! I have been LOVING every minute of it! It took us over an a few hours to get all the presents open, because our kids were SO excited about each thing they opened that they wanted to stop opening their gifts to try out their new toys! So cute! Their excitement is contagious and I have been reflecting all day on their innocence and joyful delight in simple things. I told Burke last night that I had not been so excited for Christmas morning since I was a little child! I had forgotten (sadly) the magic of Christmas to a little child.
It was beautiful and simple. It felt good to have a simple and uncomplicated holiday with a few traditions that we were establishing for our own family. It was a mix of traditions from my family, Burke's family, and a few of our own ideas. Most of all I have been grateful for the time I have had this season to reflect on the true miracle of Christmas, our Savior Jesus Christ's Life and all that it has given to me. I love Him and I am thankful for his perfect love.
It was beautiful and simple. It felt good to have a simple and uncomplicated holiday with a few traditions that we were establishing for our own family. It was a mix of traditions from my family, Burke's family, and a few of our own ideas. Most of all I have been grateful for the time I have had this season to reflect on the true miracle of Christmas, our Savior Jesus Christ's Life and all that it has given to me. I love Him and I am thankful for his perfect love.
Burke read us the Christmas story from the scriptures. This is one of my very favorite parts of Christmas Eve.
As soon as Daddy finished reading to us, we used the Nativity Blocks from Grandma and Grandpa Hill to act out the story.
We left cookies, milk, and letters for Santa.
After Santa came and before the kids came into the room I snapped a picture or two :)
Waiting for Daddy before they attacked their stockings!
Preston just couldn't quite wait!!!
But Dad saw it anyway :)
Rebekah sporting her new baby and stroller. She also got a pack'nplay for a doll bed. She couldn't be happier!
Preston scored a train set. About three weeks ago (well after Santa had taken his order and purchased his gifts) he changed his request from Thomas the Train to "Bob the Builder Machines". I just kept telling him Santa would bring him something he would love, and I was holding my breath hoping I was right. Luckily, he also got some awesome puzzles with building machines from Sheldon and Becki. He said, "Santa remembered!!" It was so sweet.
Dear Grandma & Grandpa Andrus
Thanks for the very fun Christmas package. Mom didn't take any pictures of us loving the popcorn, or the muffins, or the puzzle, but she did manage to get a picture of us after we made the nativity ornament. It was SO fun! We loved it and it is so special to have an ornament on our tree that reminds of Jesus. We love you! Merry Christmas!
Love,
Preston & Rebekah
Monday, December 14, 2009
Preston-ism
About a week ago I had a disaster with Rebekah's hair. I decided to cut it. I have done this a few times before and had success, but I knew that this cut was one I should take her in for--and I had to--with a train-wreck of a cut. So embarrassing! I was sorely tempted to lie to the hairdresser I had to take her to-- but in the end the whole mess was my fault so I owned it and fessed up that I got in WAY over my head. It turned out pretty cute (if you don't look too close!) So it is funny (er) now than it was then.
A few days ago I was fixing Rebekah's hair before we went out to run errands. Preston came in just as I was finishing. He said, "Oh you look so beautiful Rebekah!" Then he looked at me and said, "You sure didn't ruin it today Mom!"
Friday, December 11, 2009
Just a little frustrating . . .
I've been taking the kids pictures when they are all dressed up in an effort to memorialize the season. And it has gone about like this . . .
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Oh well . . .So I am not really a photographer. We could blame my really outdated cheap camera . . . but I am pretty sure that is not the only problem I have going here! How is it possible, that all of my blogging friends manage to take such cute candid photos of their children? Maybe we truly are just not that photogenic. I say "smile", and I get kids with smiles so big and cheesy their eyes are closed,or they crane their necks so I just get a really cool picture of their nostrils. I say "look at Mom" and they look everywhere but Mom, I take 5 pictures (quickly) and they both say, "too tired" and lay down (top photo no joke).
Silly Kids.
Silly Mom.
Silly Kids.
Silly Mom.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Happy Halloween!!!
We had a fun and simple Halloween! The kids (still) didn't really get the concept of Trick or Treating (We went to our ward's Trunk or Treat) but they had fun anyway! Preston has asked for his "trick or treats" everyday since! It was COLD this year-- I was glad we had warm costumes on hand!
Birthday Fun :)
Burke and the kiddos made my cake this year--I hardly knew what to do with myself--so I took pictures and did the dinner dishes.
Preston told me I could help him open my presents. Rebekah let Dad help her take pictures. Needless to say, most of them were unpost-able :)
I have been wanting a new crock pot since I was still operating off of the one we got when we were married. We have outgrown it to say the least. I also got a new apron, some new piano sheet music, and a new phone :) Also loved all of the cards, letters, phone calls, and messages ;)
I sure love this guy :) He likes to tease me for being "old" this six months of the year, and I have to admit it looked like a lot of candles, BUT I still blew them all out on the first try!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tomato Soup and God's Love
The Lost Lamb by Del ParsonThe last few months have been so seemingly hard for me. Though I have sought to be optimistic and put up a front of all being well, I have been struggling so deeply inside. Though maybe even a year ago I would have told you that I felt God's love for me, I have come to realize that it was easier to believe God loved me when things were going well. However, if we gage God's love for us by this measure, when trials come-- in those moments when we desperately need to feel God's love most abundantly, we will feel abandoned and left wondering why God doesn't love us anymore. Of course this was taught to me differently-- the worth of the soul is great in the sight of God, God loves all his children regardless of what they do, but I didn't really KNOW this.
September was the longest agonizing month for me. I cried nearly everyday. I wanted to know that regardless of the difficulties we were facing God still loved me. And though I knew this in my head, I couldn't feel it in my heart. So I have specifically been practicing opening my heart to receive the gift of God's love for me each day. Some days are admittedly easier than others. And through all of this, I am learning that I have a long way to go before I think like God.So last night I had just finished feeding the kids dinner. Tomato soup with some fresh garlic bread. Preston had left the table, and I had cleared my dishes and was nearby the table cleaning up, thinking how nice it was going to be to see Burke in an hour and then put the kids in bed . . . when the sound of shattering glass brought me back to the part where I still had an HOUR before Burke would be home. (Does the last hour of the "day" drag by so slowly for anyone else?!) Anyway there was sweet Rebekah, still sitting in her booster seat dripping with tomato soup and uttering, "uh oh . . . meya (mess)" while looking down at the shattered glass and splattered soup. Now to be fair, I must say that normally, I would have felt irritated when something like this happens. Something about “as if I didn’t already have enough to do” would wander through my head and I might have even snapped at my little one for being clumsy or careless. But instead I watched for a moment as she struggled to free herself from her chair. When she realized she was really stuck she reached up on the table for a napkin and began to clean up the mess as best she could. But she couldn't even begin to clean the mess adequately--in truth she was just smearing it around and making it worse. I sprang into action. I pulled her away from the dripping table and began to wipe her with warm water and clean rags. I offered soothing words and reassurance when I saw her bottom lip tremble. "You're not it trouble Sis," I whispered, "sometimes accidents happen." By now Preston was on the scene and ready to "help" me clean up the mess. But I realized that even if I wanted these children's help to clean up the mess, they would be in a lot of danger if I allowed them to get down and "help" me clean. They simply do not have the skills or the understanding of the dangers of slimy floors and broken glass to clean the mess without creating more mess or hurting themselves—someday they will, but not today. As I worked quickly and thoroughly while my children sat in their booster seats and watched, I felt a deep sense of joy and satisfaction in caring for and protecting my precious children. I felt more love and concern for them in those moments when I wiped walls, carefully gathered bits of broken glass, and mopped and dried the slick floors before I could take them from their safe perches and bathe them and ready them for bed.
And then I realized that I have been viewing God all wrong. I have made some huge mistakes that have resulted in some of the biggest messes I have ever made. And I don’t yet have the understanding and skills to clean up the mess myself. But I have not allowed God and Christ to step in and clean up my mess because I have thought they would feel irritated and frustrated with me. But the truth is, God doesn’t feel put out when I need help . . . in fact he likes to help me, to care for me, to protect me and help me get back on track. So I will continue to put my trust in Him, relying on His mercy and the strengthening power of the atonement of Christ to overcome all things and to know that God is at helm and all that He does is right.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Growing Up!
This next Sunday Rebekah is officially old enough to go to Nursery. How is it even possible that this girl was born 18 MONTHS ago?! That seems like that took almost NO time! She is clearly showing us that she wants to be a big girl and I am mostly thrilled, but one teeney weeney bit sad. With this "Milestone" I thought I would put up a few current pictures of my darling girl and a few of her antics these days!
Rebekah before church a few weeks ago. I have never seen her give herself such a HUGE self-admiring grin in the mirror as when I put this kerchief on her head! She and I both giggled about it for a while. In the end she was so excited about her "hat" that it wasn't going to stay on for any length of time and I ended up putting barrettes into her hair instead.
Rebekah before church a few weeks ago. I have never seen her give herself such a HUGE self-admiring grin in the mirror as when I put this kerchief on her head! She and I both giggled about it for a while. In the end she was so excited about her "hat" that it wasn't going to stay on for any length of time and I ended up putting barrettes into her hair instead.
Rebekah can now pull herself up to the piano (and everywhere else!) She is really pleased with this newest accomplishment. I have a feeling she will probably have a pretty strong interest in learning this instrument-- she LOVES to sit and play several times each day without getting distracted. (Who does that remind you of Millie?!)
I wouldn't have guessed my high chair would look like this (empty) so soon, but it is true: Rebekah is too good for the high chair. She has been pushing for this advancement for the last few months, and I finally got tired of the fight and asked (told) Burke to bring home another booster seat. When she woke up the morning after he brought it home, I didn't even have to tell her it was for her--she knew! "Mine chair!!" She repeated over and over again :)
Don't let the pacifier fool you-- this here is a big girl now!
She just looks so grown up to me here :)
* * *
Looking around the dinner table with all four of us seated there feels so good to me--we are learning and growing together. We have our ups and downs. We share laughter and tears. We help each other. We work together. We play together. Now we eat together. I guess that makes it official--We are a family.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Happy Reunion :)
Disclaimer: This is long and wordy with more detail than will be interesting to anyone who wasn't there, but I keep this blog more for me than for anyone else so I am not going to change it!!
Yea for family reunions!! We went to Island Park in Idaho-- it was so gorgeous and the weather was nice. I LOVE the mountains. I was so busy having fun, that I didn't take many pictures (which Preston is informing me is a major flaw of mine--I can't help it though-- who wants to stop doing the fun thing to turn every moment into a photo op?! Luckily my Dad posted a few on our family website so Preston feels vindicated and asks me to show him the pictures every day. "Remember when we went and slept in the cabins in the mountains, Mom? Remember how much fun we had? Remember when I rode the horsey? Let's go explore the trails around here (what?!) Remember when I went in the canoe with baby Jake? Can we go back to the mountains next week and sleep in our cabin?" . . . . You get the idea that I have been playing 20 questions everyday since!
Really I loved every minute of it! Burke and I went on a trail ride with Rachel, Matt, Mom, Dad, Brooke, and Harrison. (Thanks to Brittany for keeping Rebekah and Jill and Brittney for keeping Preston!) It had been a L-O-N-G time since I was on a horse and I would be lying if I told you it was easy or that I was not sore for days afterward, but it was super fun!
Preston and Burke went on a short canoe trip on the lake with Tj and Jacob.
Rebekah could not get enough of the pony ride or get out of the "h-rsy's" face. She was not wary at all--she kept trying to get into position to kiss and hug the pony. Pretty cute really if I had not been so stressed that she was going to get stepped on!
Rebekah and the little girls & Jacob had a great time in the wading pool! Cute :) Thanks Jill!
It was so fun to see my cute family and SING with Rachel and Brittney-- our one hour a year practice definitely was apparent, but it felt so good to sing with my girls.
We sat in the hot tub and laughed until our sides hurt.
We ate yummy food, snuggled newborn babies, and enjoyed an actual slide show of the "olden days"!
The talent show was a highlight as always :)
Only two regrets:
(1) Missed Karmen & Camille and their families
(2) Not long enough (never is)!
Otherwise for us it was PERFECT :) Thanks Mom and Dad you are the best!!
Right upon our arrival!! Don't we look awesome after 10+ hours of driving?? (thank goodness we didn't do it straight through!!)
Pancake Grill Master Burke --one fine breakfast (if I do say so myself!)
No smiles for the camera--but they LOVED this activity!
Yea for family reunions!! We went to Island Park in Idaho-- it was so gorgeous and the weather was nice. I LOVE the mountains. I was so busy having fun, that I didn't take many pictures (which Preston is informing me is a major flaw of mine--I can't help it though-- who wants to stop doing the fun thing to turn every moment into a photo op?! Luckily my Dad posted a few on our family website so Preston feels vindicated and asks me to show him the pictures every day. "Remember when we went and slept in the cabins in the mountains, Mom? Remember how much fun we had? Remember when I rode the horsey? Let's go explore the trails around here (what?!) Remember when I went in the canoe with baby Jake? Can we go back to the mountains next week and sleep in our cabin?" . . . . You get the idea that I have been playing 20 questions everyday since!
Really I loved every minute of it! Burke and I went on a trail ride with Rachel, Matt, Mom, Dad, Brooke, and Harrison. (Thanks to Brittany for keeping Rebekah and Jill and Brittney for keeping Preston!) It had been a L-O-N-G time since I was on a horse and I would be lying if I told you it was easy or that I was not sore for days afterward, but it was super fun!
Preston and Burke went on a short canoe trip on the lake with Tj and Jacob.
Rebekah could not get enough of the pony ride or get out of the "h-rsy's" face. She was not wary at all--she kept trying to get into position to kiss and hug the pony. Pretty cute really if I had not been so stressed that she was going to get stepped on!
Rebekah and the little girls & Jacob had a great time in the wading pool! Cute :) Thanks Jill!
It was so fun to see my cute family and SING with Rachel and Brittney-- our one hour a year practice definitely was apparent, but it felt so good to sing with my girls.
We sat in the hot tub and laughed until our sides hurt.
We ate yummy food, snuggled newborn babies, and enjoyed an actual slide show of the "olden days"!
The talent show was a highlight as always :)
Only two regrets:
(1) Missed Karmen & Camille and their families
(2) Not long enough (never is)!
Otherwise for us it was PERFECT :) Thanks Mom and Dad you are the best!!
Right upon our arrival!! Don't we look awesome after 10+ hours of driving?? (thank goodness we didn't do it straight through!!)
Pancake Grill Master Burke --one fine breakfast (if I do say so myself!)
No smiles for the camera--but they LOVED this activity!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
For Grandma Hill
Dear Grandma,
Thanks for this awesome blanket that you made my dolly. I love it so much, and sometimes I even share it with my dolly! I love you and I keep pointing to your picture and telling Mommy your name, "Gramma". I hope she is getting the hint that I need to see you again really soon :) Tell Grandpa "hi" for me!
Love,
Rebekah
P.S. Sorry I was so sad and cranky when we saw you last. I was so happy to get home to my own bed where I could get real sleep!
Thanks for this awesome blanket that you made my dolly. I love it so much, and sometimes I even share it with my dolly! I love you and I keep pointing to your picture and telling Mommy your name, "Gramma". I hope she is getting the hint that I need to see you again really soon :) Tell Grandpa "hi" for me!
Love,
Rebekah
P.S. Sorry I was so sad and cranky when we saw you last. I was so happy to get home to my own bed where I could get real sleep!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The Bookworms
My little kiddos LOVE to read :) I think I have pretty much lucked out on this one-- I love to read and wish I had more time to read for myself, but I am thrilled and blessed that my little ones are so inspired by books and stories. Fruita has a small rather pathetic library, but my kids don't know that and I just feel lucky that I don't have to go far to visit it! We try to visit each week and we had fun with the summer reading program. Preston thought the prizes and books they both "earned" were so cool. When we were in Idaho last week Grandma Hill let Preston and Rebekah both choose several "new" stories from her book shelves. All I did was read the whole way home! The kids were so thrilled with their new stories and I keep finding them curled up somewhere reading to themselves or to each other.
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