Bedtime and Naptime...

To most mothers the words "bedtime" and "naptime" are music to the soul, I know they are for me! BUT today for various reasons maybe like peeling cheese, duct tape and other unidentifiable objects off my carpet while vacuuming or scrubbing toilets with a screaming baby in my arms all while trying to not get plastered in the face with toilet water, I have thought a lot about what it means to be a "Mother". The familiar quote came to mind "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it". It truly is worth every second.

Nathan turned 5 months old today and I know we hear it ALL the time, but time really does fly. I can't believe how big is has got. Not only is he growing in leaps and bounds (or maybe I should say rolls and crevasses) but his sweet spirit is growing more mature everyday. He is such a delight to our family!! I love Hillary Weeks, she sings songs that I can relate to and apply to my life one of her songs says:

If I only had today

I'd hold you and listen

I'd memorize every detail of your face

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

I wouldn't let excuses get in the way

Then I'd remind you of forever

And how our love would never change

If I only had today

Sometimes I overwhelm myself with useless things and very rarely do I pick my battles wisely!! More often than not I find myself lying down and night rehearsing ALL of the MANY things I have done wrong and then end up pleading with my Father in Heaven for help and forgiveness hoping for a better tomorrow. But in the end I know I am human and am thankful for another busy, crazy, wonderful day with my children.
Speaking of which I love to hear my kids talk and believe me they do a lot of it. I love to hear them be excited over something silly or simple, but rather large to them. I love to learn from my kids. I know the is a reason why we are counseled to became as little children. In Alma 7:23 he gives a list of things we should do. All of them describe my children. M. Russell Ballard also gave some advise on motherhood. He says:  "Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction...families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."

I have learned and continue to learn that "extraordinary moments happen in the middle of ordinary days" like today. In a book called Bedtime and Naptime by Hillary Weeks she writes: "I will spend eternity knowing my children as adults. But today, right here, right now and for the next few precious years, I have the rare privilege of knowing them as children." How true and how heart stirring. I will MISS these days!

Another quote I have loved is by Julie B Beck. She said:

"When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children."

How reassuring it is to know that God is on our side and is our biggest fan. He is cheering us mothers on everyday whether we have babies, toddlers, teens or adults as children. He knows what a powerful works we have chosen to participate in and knows it will take every ounce of strength we have to make it through some really difficult days. 

Here is a song that I love and listen to often: (the video is not my family obviously, but cute none the less)

So for today I will believe in what I have been called to do and believe that I am entitled to make mistakes. I will testify to my children of their infinite worth and hope that I can make a difference in their lives. I will believe that underneath the apple juice spills, the scattered toys and the never ending laundry there is a purpose more divine than I can comprehend and that in the end EVERY moment will be worth it.

Our 2011 Summer Staycation: (A story of pictures)

This year I have decided to do Summer Fun Days  with my kids. We have made a "Staycation Calendar" and try and do something fun everyday (except Mondays...cleaning day for me):

Our weekly schedule usually goes something like this:

Monday: Cleaning Day
Tuesday: Piano Lessons, Swimming Lessons, Craft Day
Wednesday: Library Day (we have signed up for the reading program in Blackfoot and it is amazing this year-My kids Love it!
Thursday: Movie @ the Theater, Swimming Lessons
Friday: Day with Daddy or Baking Day with Mommy

I have had alot of fun doing this, it keeps us busy and having fun and I get to spend time with other Moms. Here are some pictures of our adventures.

Piano Lessons:

 Ocean day:

We made scubba gear and an indoor ocean while listening to Knee Deep by the Zac Brown Band. Afterward we watched Disney's Ocean movie. Oh how I wish I were on the beach swimming with my family!!

Also, this year I decided to try a square foot garden in my backyard. It is convenient, NO weeds, easy and my kids can learn and watch it grow everyday.

The moon was SO beautiful!!!

On Saturday we decided to go on a family picnic. We headed to the BIG Southern Butte: It was a really pretty day. 

Ben and I were talking about Rattlesnakes and then we saw one crossing the road. By the time we backed up to see it he was slithering away into the bushes...YUCK!!!

Nice roadside scenery. It cracked me up for some reason, I could totally see myself using this as a landmark in the directions I give to someone...."Next you'll pass a really old chair on the side of the road..."

SOOO scared of rattlesnakes, we picniced in the back of our Durango.

"Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons"-unknown

Line of Authority

Last week was a bittersweet week for our family. Ben was released from being Elder's Quorum President to being ordained as the Ward Clerk. The Stake President asked me to bear my testimony in Elder's Quorum and I of course I started crying. I was happy that Ben would be home more often but sad that is was losing something he put so much time an effort into. Ben is such a good example to our family. He is a great leader and put a lot of time into training his counselors and going on visits with them. I can recall many times that I walked in on Ben down on his knees praying over someone in his quorum. I know he really grew to love them. This week Ben was ordained a High Priest and is really excited about that. He was ordained by his Dad who gave him a really special blessing.

SO...the reason for my post is to get any ideas of making a NEW Line of Authority for Ben. I have one already but I kind of would like to change it up.

Here is is current one (which made a really fun Father's Day gift a few years ago):
It is not very good photo quality here, but it turned out pretty once it was printed and framed.

 After this week I am just so glad he was not called to be a High Councilman, sacrament meeting alone would NOT be fun, so I admire young mothers who do it every week!!

Out with the old...

Ben and I recently decided it was time to upgrade to a larger vehicle. Although I absolutely LOVED our Honda, it didn't fit our family comfortably. We found a family (who were so awesome and SO nice) in Idaho Falls who were selling their Dodge Durango. It was a steal of a deal and had everything I wanted in a car. I will miss some of the little features the Honda had, but I know we will have fum making new family memories in this new car.

ALSO, and on somewhat of a sad note-My baby is 3 months old today. I can't believe how fast time flies!!
Here are some highlights about this little Chubba Wubba (aka: Nathan):

• Sleeps from 10 pm-3am. I have loved having him sleep longer at night! He also takes a longer nap in the afternoon and a couple cat naps in the late afternoon, early evening. He loves taking naps in his swing!!!
• He loves to eat, if you can't tell by the Chubbiness. We have let him taste watermelon, pineapple, pickles  and chocolate frosting. He has liked them all.
• This boy is either ALL smiles or really mad. He has severe acid reflux and it really acts up at nighttime. I hope he grows out of it soon. 
• He loves people. Especially his sister and brother. When they are around he is usually smiling at them whether they are looking at him or not.
• Today I weighed Nathan and he was a little over 15 lbs. Cute huh!
• He loves to talk. He often tries to talk back to us when we are talking to him.
• He loves standing up. I can't wait until I can break out the "Johnny Jumper"!!
• He is very alert and is always looking around or watching the tv if it is on.

We love this kid!!!

Kindergarden is the place for me...

Yesterday was Emily's Preschool graduation. It was a bittersweet moment for everyone. I am so glad that I don't have to drive 24 miles everyday and all of the time involved in that, but I am sad to see her head off to kindergarten. I can't believe she is old enough to be getting on a bus like a "big" girl. She told me she wanted to stay in Preschool FOREVER...if only life was that easy!!! Emily recited Little Miss Muffet and did a great job, ironically we often call her Little Miss Muffet.

I am so proud of her and what she has learned this year. When I pulled her out of school for a month after Nathan was born, I asked her teacher what I could do to help her while she was absent and her teacher told me that I had no reason to worry because Emily was one of the top in her class and was ahead of most of the students anyway. I wish I could take credit for this, but I am afraid I can't. Ben works a lot with Emily on various things and Emily also demands to be taught. She is always wanting to learn and to teach. I love this girl!!!

Also, one last note: Ben and I have decided to upgrade/downgrade or car. We have outgrown our Honda and bought a new Durango. This not only will allow us to have TONS more room for seating our kids but will also allow us to be DEBT FREE in a couple of months (a goal we have set for the past couple of years). If anyone knows a friend, family member, acquaintance or ANYONE looking for a nice car please tell them about us. I have a blog they can go to if the are interested:

http://08hondaaccordblackfoot.blogspot.com/

PS: Here is some cuteness to share with you...

YOUR WELCOME!!

Rainy Day Pictures

I know I am NOT a photographer or anything (I just like to take pictures....LOTS of them too), but I sure did enjoy taking some pictures of my kids yesterday. The lighting was awesome, they were outside playing AND in great moods. So......this is what became of it:

My bUsY, cRAzy, bEaUtiFul LiFE!!

I would really like to update according to the week but my weeks are so blurred together I have no idea what week it is. Maybe I will try to figure that out for my next post...we'll see!

This past month we have celebrated and celebrated! We have so many birthdays in March, 3 of them being my children, 2 of our Grandmas, and 2 nephews. IT IS A CRAZY busy month.

On the 17th we celebrated Caleb's 3rd birthday. We had a small birthday for him, but it was fun for him. We ate hot dogs and made a Buzz Light-year cake. He got Tinker toys, a water gun, A Lightning McQueen car, a car poster and new McQueen swimming trunks. He also got MANY toys from family.
One funny story about Caleb...My Mom gave Caleb a Buzz toy that talks. One of the things Buzz says is "Star Command...do you copy?" After Buzz said that Caleb looked at my Mom and said "Grandma we don't drink copy" we laughed so hard! I am so glad he has listened to some of what we try to teach him!
One other story about this boy...the other day we we going to Idaho Falls and I sent Caleb downstairs to get dressed. When he came upstairs he had on jeans, a polo shirt and a white undershirt. I told him how nice he looked and he smiled and showed me his undershirt and said "Look Mom, these are my garments." So cute!

On the 30th we celebrated Emily's birthday. Most of our family came over for her birthday. She is cute because she enjoys her Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunt and Uncles almost as much as new presents. She got new playdough, new clothes, a princess poster and a stuffed animal lobster. And MANY great things from family, including Tangled. I LOVE that show!
A cute story about this girl...A few months ago we watched The Incredible Mr. Limpet she LOVED it. On the show it has a crab named Krusty (She thought it was Rusty) and Crusty would say "Flatbush" and it made Emily laugh every time for some odd reason. So for her birthday she wanted that crab. I did my best and settled for a lobster. She loved it! We often call Emily "Giggle britches" because she laughs so easy and it is so contagious! We love this girl!

In the picture below Emily is modeling her new clothes and play make-up she got for her birthday. I thought she looked WAY too cute!

One other highlight of our lives is Nathan's Baby Blessing. Ben blessed him last week at church.It was special. For Nathan's blessing outfit he wore Ben's blessing outfit,, a sweater and booties my Mom crocheted and gorgeous blanket my Mom also crocheted.  THANK YOU MOM, I LOVED THEM! One day they will be as special to him as they are to me! He looked so handsome and his blessing was very special, Ben did a great job!

In this picture I had just picked Nathan up and he was so excited to see me, it made me so happy!! We love that boy.

Thats is all for now...coming next post, our trip to Bear World and LOTS of Baby Smiles!!!!

Finally...

Introducing

Nathan Robert Willoughby

March 1, 2011

12:39 pm

8lbs. 2ozs.

21 3/4 inches

We welcomed this little guy into our lives on March 1st. So that makes him 3 weeks old today...sniff, sniff! This sweet boy had a rough start but is doing well. 

Here is a little picture story to share:

We got to the hospital around 9:30 am and started the normal routine of C-sections (observation, consultations, etc.) Here is me before I got dressed down (I was HUGE): 

  

While in the observation room I learned that my cousin Heather, who was due a day later than me, was in dilated to an 8 a couple rooms down from me. I was so excited to have babies on the same day. Heather and I are only 1 month and 2 days apart in age and I thought this was a once in a lifetime experience! Here is Heather and her cute little family. Jane was born at 1:24 pm and she is adorable!!! 

 

So right before Nathan was born I heard the Dr. say "We are ready to go..." and seconds later I heard a screaming baby followed by the Dr. say "This little guy has the shoulders of a linebacker." They struggled to get him out and in the process he inhaled amniotic fluid. As they sent him through a window to the nursery I could hear him screaming and screaming. I was happy he was okay or so I thought....when I finally came out of the recovery room I learned that he was having trouble breathing and I wouldn't be able to hold him or take him back with me. It was really sad and hard. 

We finally got to go back to the NICU later that night and see Nathan. When we got there the were doing an echo cardiogram on his heart to make sure there were no serious problems. I was totally freaked out!! I sat there and cried the entire time, it was horrible! Luckily they ruled out his heart and took some x-rays of his lungs and did some blood cultures and found he had problems in both of those areas. While we were watching him get his ultrasound he was breathing anywhere from 165-180 breaths a minute. It broke my heart to watch him struggle so much! They ended up putting him on antibiotics and oxygen. They kept him sedated most of the time so his lungs could heal. Here is one picture I took:

To make a long story short, they finally let us go home one week later (barely...story for another time, hence the oxygen going home with us). I have to say that I had THE BEST nurses and staff to take care of me and Nathan. I got to stay at the hospital with him and they would call me when he needed fed. They worked so hard to get him better and I can never thank them enough!!

Going Home:

We are so happy to have this little guy in our family! We love him SOOOO much and are so happy he is doing well. Here are some random pictures I wanted to share (it was hard to just choose a few):

Meeting Emily and Caleb:

 It is always a fight over the baby:

Total sweetness!

 LOVE this boy SO much!

So now back to my crazy, beautiful, wonderful life that I absolutely love...most days ;) !!!

P.S.-Thank you, thank you to everyone who helped take care of my family!!! I could NOT have done it emotionally or physically without them. We are so blessed with close family and friends! We are also so blessed to have the gospel in our life to turn to and find strength in. 

US-Week 9

We honestly did nothing this past week.

Ben: Once again put together another piece of furniture for our new baby. I think we are pretty much done with that! I am sure Ben is tired of being bossed around. He has been a good sport though!!

Jessica: The highlight of my week was a date Ben took me out on. We went out on Saturday and enjoyed our "last" alone time for a while. We went to Johnny Carinos and it was oh so wonderful!! Then we went shopping together-not too exciting necessarily, but it was fun to be together...alone! I love how Ben loves me unconditionally all the time and makes it a priority to spend time with me. I couldn't ask for a better man!

Emily: This girl really didn't do too much this week. Her highlight has to be a new dress her Grandma Sheri bought for her. Ben's sister Stephanie is getting married in June and Emily got a "fancy" new dress to wear. She looked SO beautiful and just like a princess!!!

Caleb: One cute thing Caleb did this week-We were watching Facing the Giants and the end was a happy that makes you cry ending. Ben looked over at Caleb and he was on the verge of crying and Ben said "Whats the matter Cabbie?" and Caleb said "Na-ting" but I knew it touched him. A few seconds later he was watching the couple and then started saying "Don't Kiss, Don't Kiss" So cute!

Baby Boy: Ready to make his appearance!!!!!

This week we watched 2 different movies as a family. Facing the Giants (as mentioned above) and Fly Away Home. Both were such good movies and we were able to enjoy the fact that they were adult movies, yet my kids could watch them with us. I love being able to teach Emily about feeling the spirit and feeling good from bad. It was nice to not have to worry about what words they would or would not say and so on.

Anyway this is my last night as a pregnant girl and I am excited and very nervous! Ben gave me a blessing tonight and in it he blessed me that I would be surrounded by angels and have faith that everything would go well. I love that man!!! Adios Amigos! Next post will be pics of new baby!!!! Yay!!

US-Week 8

We had a pretty typical week. Not much of anything, but every day is new and fun in our household.

BEN: I think Ben had a pretty fun week this week. Friday night he had a Wii night with the Elders in our ward, he said it was a lot of fun. On Saturday he went to the Gun Show at the Shilo Inn with Caleb, my dad and Ben's friend Kieth. Afterward they went and shot guns. I am glad he got to do something "manly" and fun before the baby is born!

JESSICA: This week was a busy week of running errands, cleaning, shopping and working on Young Women stuff. On Saturday while Ben was off doing "manly" things I kidnapped my Mom and took her all over Idaho Falls. It was so much fun-at least for me. My poor Mom got stuck helping find a new pair of shoes (which I am so picky about)! We got so much accomplished. While we were driving home it started to snow and the snowflakes were seriously the size of golf balls, it was crazy! Thanks Mom for going with me.

EMILY: This week she got to do a few fun things. On Tuesday she had her friend Violet over to play. This was fun for me because I met Violet's mom Vanae in Preschool in 1986 and we have stayed good friends ever since. It was fun to see our little girls play together like we used to do and I also got the chance to sit and talk with Vanae for a couple hours. Adult conversation can do wonders for pregnant women (which we both are). Emily also got to go to the dentist on Wednesday and then shopping with Mom and Grandma on Saturday. I enjoyed spending time with her!

CALEB: The highlight of his week was going "gun shopping" with Daddy and Grandpa Empey. He is such a boy and loves guns. I think he even got to shoot of couple of guns while he was with daddy. Very scary thought! Caleb also got to go have his teeth cleaned for the first time. He has been 1 time before to have his teeth checked, but this time they cleaned and polished his teeth and gave him a fluoride treatment. Plus, he had X-rays taken. He did so good and held so still. I had a hard time not cracking up the whole time. By the time he was done my cheeks hurt from smiling so much!

Baby Boy: Still in the oven....

That was pretty much US in a nutshell. And JUST IN CASE I haven't said it enough....ONLY 8 MORE DAYS (hopefully less)!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!