July 13

The girls love their time with Dad! They don't see him very much during the week, so everyone...even ME....looks forward to when Wes and the girls go out! He took them out for breakfast and I went back to bed to continue my beauty sleep...it felt glorious! Physically, I feel GREAT during this pregnancy (starting my 26th week on Monday) but I do get tired and need more sleep. This past week my hormones have been a bit crazy and all over the place, so the extra sleep was very much appreciated.

A few weeks ago we purchased bunk beds for the girls room...they have loved them and have been sleeping on make-shift mattresses ever since! Finally, we went to go get some basic twin mattresses at the Brick and made up their beds! Their room is coming together and just a few more touches and it will be good to go! They love their beds, they love to climb the ladder, and they love sharing a room.

Wes and I were able to find a babysitter (miracles have not ceased) and we went to a BBQ and then I got to go to a baby shower.

Wes got to try to keep the girls in bed while he had correlation with the Elders.  The girls pretty much went to sleep when the elders left. 9:30 p.m. Sacrament meeting should be fun! ;)

Freedom!

I am just sooo happy that the Dayhome is done. I love having the freedom to just do whatever we want! We come and go as we please, we get up when we want, and stay out during the day as long as we want! I absolutely love it! We also love the weather!...we've spent as much time as we could outside, playing at parks, and exploring (Olivia loves to pretend she is Dora and is leading us on an adventure). 

Sweet Sunday

[June 3]
As we were sitting in Sacrament meeting (trying to keep our children reverent), a Bishopric member was released and a new one was called in! The new one wasn't Wes...(i was feeling a touch grateful for that), but we was called into something new (I won't post what is is now in case the word gets out before he's sustained next week). Personally, it came as quite a shock to me since I felt he had something really good in the EQ Presidency...but, I guess it's time for him to move on.

Sacrament meeting was good...the bits and pieces that I heard, anyway! Our amazing stake President (Pres. Thomas) is absolutely loved by every single person who has crossed his path! He bore his testimony and spoke about the [many] different bishoprics he's served in, and now as the Stake Presidency. He spoke about how his children have been blessed for his service, how his wife was often alone with small children and never once complained. Never once. Rather, she told him she wouldn't have it any other way. She was grateful that he served and wanted him to do so...even if that meant they barely saw each other! I was inspired and felt the desire to be more like her! The Lord blesses us for our sacrifice WAY more than we even sacrifice. We never give Him more than He gives us. Those moments when I wishing or thinking about how convenient it would be for me to have Wes home (rather than to attend to his duties), it is purely for selfish reasons. Overall, I'm quite happy when he's serving in his calling, but there have been a few moments when I had other plans. He loves the Lord and is happy to serve Him. I am very grateful for that and for the example he is to our little family.

A Saturday

[June 1]
Normally, Olivia has soccer. But, to be honest...she just isn't liking it and doesn't care about it. She is 3. This is her first time playing, and we're sort of feeling that it is a waste of time. So, we didn't go today. She only has 1 more week left and then the season is over. I feel good about that.

Wes decided to go into finish a job today...he's been working at a big house in Bears Paw. After seeing the home (but mostly the area) "living on an acreage" has gone back on the Vision Board. It is soo peaceful, soo far from your neighbors, so much grass, so much space, so lovely. Yup, we visited him a few times just to be out there.

The girls and I did chores around the house today, mowed the lawn, did some baking, and hunted for bugs in the back yard. It was nice. A nice, productive, yet relaxing Saturday at home. I was even able to make up a meal-plan for the following week AND go grocery shopping with no children. Both accomplishments are a huge deal!

Wes called me from work saying the Executive Secretary from church called and said the Bishop wants to meet with us at 8:30 Sunday morning. He added, "and, it's a doosey!". I thought the E.S. could be joking around and that it would really be "a doosey" after all,  Besides, how big could it be if the Stake wasn't meeting with him?

"Making Something"

[May 17]

We were eating pizza for dinner and Aubrey saw that mommy didn't have a spoon to eat with. So, she took it upon herself to leave the table, walk to the drawer, get a a "spoon" (whisk) and brought it to mommy. How sweet. Olivia came downstairs, saw the whisk and realized she need to "make something". So, she grabs the bag of hot chocolate out of the pantry, and asked daddy for a bowl. She takes a spoon and scoops out hot chocolate into the bowl. Then grabbed some salad dressing and squirts in it. Then, decided it needed sugar, so she adds that (it was actually salt...from the salt shaker) and mixes it in. Then, she grabbed the goji berries and dumps the [entire] bag in, hands an egg to Wes  and says "daddy, we need to "cratch" an egg (daddy helped) and then Olivia stirred the egg in. Daddy asked if they were done, Olivia said, "no, we need to cook it". Daddy stuck it in the oven and told Olivia it will be ready in the morning.

Sounds delicious!

Update time!

I can't believe it's been SO long since I posted last. Wow. Times sure flies when you are having FUN! 

We've been busy and trying to keep up with it all. Our girls are as busy as ever and thoroughly enjoy being mischievous together! Aubrey is now 19 months, old, but I have her own "18 Month" post to put up...stay tuned for that. 

I was released from the Primary Presidency last week. I felt it coming, but it was more emotional than I expected it to be. When I was called, I was very pregnant with Aubrey. It has been a wonderful experience for me to work with the children in a different aspect (other than a Primary teacher). It was fun being behind the scenes as well, organizing, planning, coordinating. Heavenly Father loves His children. I know that for sure. I loved being in there with Olivia for a few months, but I think it's best that Mommy isn't in there with her. I was distracting her too much! 

We took a family trip to Vegas in January! A little cooler than the last time we were there, but we had a lot of fun and I will post a few photos of our fun times!

Wes and I have taken a leap of faith. He had intended for his career at SCM to be long-tern.  However, over the last year it has become very clear that he was not supposed to remain. Un-expectley, Wes got the impression to call his former boss, Dalton. Wes used to paint for him in between semesters while he was attending Univeristy. Dalton eventually offered Wes a partnership in the business (around the time we were married) but it just didn't feel right at the time. So, one day he tells me, "I'm thinking of calling Dalton to see what he has for me". I agreed he should call him if that's how he felt. We hadn't seen Dalton since our wedding reception! A few days later, Wes "runs into" Dalton. Really. They got together to discuss plans. After much prayer and fasting we knew what we needed to do. Wes resigned at SCM and has opened a division of Hardings Painting with his focus being in Airdrie. He works for himself, with the support of a trusted, well-known company. He has control over his future, his income and the direction he wants to go. This is a huge blessing for us. 

My NuCerity business is going really, really well!! A lot better than I even expected, only being in it for 7 months. I had no idea what was going to happen with this, but what I did know is that if I didn't do it, I would absolutely regret it. That was the best $59 decision I have EVER made! We are so grateful for this and the blessing it is in our lives.  

Our children are beautiful and healthy! Looking forward to when the snow melts (for good) and the green grass and flowers come up! 

Anyway, that is all for now! More posts to come soon! :)

Some Thoughts...

Life is hard. Life is exciting. Life is a roller-coaster. Life is a blessing

There are a lot of different things that keep me busy in a day. Am I focusing on what is most important? Am I teaching my children enough? Am I loving them enough? Am I keeping the proper balance in my life?

I've been "tearing up" a lot lately. Not really sure why. Some are happy tears, some are grateful tears, some are from feeling the spirit. Some are sad tears.

Experiences happen for a reason. Things happen that I have no control over...good or bad. Although, the "bad" things aren't necessarily bad, but are given to us to teach us. Sometimes it takes me longer than I'd like to learn or understand the "whys", but they will come. I know that.

My girls are beautiful and precious. I love watching them. They are sweet, special, and happy. They have changed me. They are such a blessing to me. I am honoured to be their mother.

My husband is amazing. He is so wise, so insightful, so stalwart in his testimony. He is confident and sure of who he is. He leads our family with love and righteousness. I admire him.

I've been thinking about the atonement. I am working on understanding it better, so that I can use it more effectively...so that I can become a better person. I thought about when I have a headache...and, how awful that is (I am a wimp! ha!). I thought about giving birth...that is even more painful than a headache! I thought about when my feelings have been hurt; when I have felt alone; when i have felt rejected. I thought about the pain I have felt when losing a loved-one, when I watch someone who is suffering, when my children are suffering....You get the idea...the list goes on and on. Our Savior knows just how we feel. He knows exactly how to succor us, He can relate to us. My knowledge and understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ merely scratches the surface of all that it is. What I do know is that it is real, He is real, and with Him I can do all things. A friend of ours invited us to learn more about the Atonement (via a certain way). We are excited about this journey, excited to come to know our Savior more and to understand His love more.

That is all. :)

January

our happy girl!

Olivia LOVES having baths! I plop her in there several times a week and she is absolutely in her glory!

Playing dress-up!

Sisterly Love

We like to build tents!

In dreamland...

Playing in the snow...( just love her round face)....this winter has been surprisingly pleasant...it's been feeling more like spring, but we have had snow a few times

Princess!

This kept her occupied and happy while I prepared dinner...works for me!

She is getting so big!!!

This is a project I worked on during some "me" time....photo canvases. They were super easy and it was awesome to just set the time aside to do something I wanted to do ;)

Play-time with daddy!

Can't get enough of her cute-ness!!! :). She is super slobbery, but no teeth yet.

Good morning Olivia!

Our Favorite Reader

So, we have a favorite blog reader....really.

any guess???

our absolute FAVORITE reader is

AUNT MONICA!

she actually comments, she actually cares. 

So, thank you Aunt Monica. Thank you for caring. We love you! :)

Children are Miraculous

Adjusting to our NEW life

Wow...what a couple of weeks this has been!! We are adjusting to being parents of TWO and still have  a long way to go. Wes has been home this week which has been a DREAM. I'm really not sure what I'm going to do when he goes back to work on Tuesday. He has let me sleep in every morning and happily gotten up with Olivia.  When Aubrey's awake in the morning I've usually passed her on to him so I can get at least another hour in. I CAN'T BELIVE HOW TIRED I AM! (But, that is to be expected when I don't sleep a lot during the night). He has taken Olivia on several outings, and has taken care of a lot of things around the house for me. We have has so many people bring us dinners, which has also been a huge blessing! Olivia has been a bit of a Wild Child and really acting out, including hitting Aubrey and not obeying well. Thankfully, church started 2 hours later today or there is not way we would have made it on time! haha. Anyways, we are loving life and are SO HAPPY to have TWO beautiful, healthy, and mostly happy girls! Life is good! We will get a handle on it one of these days....

Brotherly Love

This is how much Brandon loves his younger bro, Wes:

Yes, that is right....Brandon hit Wes with a baseball (using a bat)....

Thanks Brandon.

haha! Of course it was an accident, but still looks PAINFUL!!! 

Although, I'm sure it's not as painful as child birth!! Something I will be experiencing 43 days from now (hopefully sooner!). And I CAN'T WAIT!!! :) :)

A Million Dollars and Seconds of Time

I really haven't been in the blogging mood lately, but I came across this today and that it was so cute...and, felt like sharing it:


"A young man once asked God how long a million years was to Him.  God replied, "A million years to me is just like a single second in your time."  Then the young man asked God what a million dollars was to Him.  God replied, "A million dollars to me is just like a single penny to you."  Then the young man got his courage up and asked:  "God, could I have one of your pennies?"  God smiled and replied, "Certainly, just a second."  :)

Catch-up time!

Al-righty.  This blog just doesn't update itself, so I guess I had better do it. One more post for December, leaving one more left for December.

Just a bunch of photos taken throughout the mont that I wanted to add into our journal.  Enjoy...

My little baker:

And taste-tester:

A visit to the Mall. The funny this is, we didn't even have to turn the ride on...and she LOVED it! haha!

Checking out the light show at the Mall.

Playing with daddy

She LOVES to color...and probably loves to eat the crayons just as much!

I really should have washed her face. Whoops! 

She walking everywhere! I still can't believe how many times a day she falls, and sometimes I feel bad for her, but she always just gets right back up! That's our girl!

one more post coming of the holidays!

P.S.: I ASSURE you, I was "around" during December. How come no one ever takes pictures of the mothers? haha.