Christmas Break

This Christmas we took a major road trip. A 1,700 mile, each way road trip. I was pregnant and we had two children under 3. Man, I feel like I need to make commemorative shirts or something. But we did make it.

My siblings had planned a big surprise party for my dad, my extended family was having a party, and Matt's family hadn't even seen Samuel ( well most of them) so we decided to try and make it.

Glad we did. We had fun visiting with old friends! Making family memories and just being with family. We weren't planning on coming back til jan 1 but I was too exhausted. Being pregnant does take the adventure side out of you. I'm so sad I did t get to see some friends, Amy and Erica, and didn't even to temple square lights. :( But we were snowed in one day so I can't blame being lazy, we just couldn't get out of heber. :(

But we are so grateful now to be at our house and in our own beds. Samuel hated the pack n play, Joshua loved cuddling with Dad and I just missed my bed.

We had a good year full of major changes but are excited to see where we will be in a year. Happy New Year's Eve!!!!

A car after 1,700 miles in a wind storm and across snowy roads.

The cutest wiseman.

Poor uncle Craig didn't see how much energy his nieces and nephew had.

First time bowling. Joshua actually beat me. :( not my sport.

First BFF Briley.

Dependent...

My iphone died.

I cannot believe I feel like my whole life is over.

We are about 6 months away from qualifying for a new phone.

When did I get so dependent on a phone?

Probably doesn't help that I've been stressed getting ready for Christmas stuff. And it probably doesn't help that I am pregnant and my emotions are literally, a roller-coaster, set on super fast, and I have no control over them.

I spent 3.5 hours at the mall today between apple and AT&T and neither could magically make my phone work. :(

I dragged two children to the mall and they didn't mind the wacky chairs at the apple store's kid table, with an accompanying ipad, but it still wasn't ideal for them. After some time spent at the mall's play area we went to AT&T and my son ended up laying on the gross mall floor carpet while we waited for some kiosk AT&T worker to do what he could. I felt so bad letting my child lay on the floor but at least he had an iphone to watch a movie on.

Everyone stared at him and then looked at me like I was a crazy mom. I know, I feel horrible, but what do you want? I already have one growing in me and one strapped in my ERGO carrier...there really isn't room for one more.

So good-bye contacts and notes I made about lists of Christmas stuff to do before Christmas. I know I should be grateful we are all okay, but I am so exhausted and so tired of being hungry, that losing the extra appendage my phone seems to be, feels like I have lost a war. And then I feel terrible because I'm complaining about an iphone breaking. What is wrong with me!

Oh, yeah, I'm pregnant, hungry, tired, and missing my husband. He has been swamped at work and with his calling. Christmas break can't come soon enough!

Baby 3.0...

With every pregnancy I've gravitated toward a song. I relate too much to music, I know but this is how I cope with things. Aside from shopping :). This time around is

Stronger, by Kelly Clarkson.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller

What doesn't kill you makes you fighter

Footsteps even lighter>

I'd like to think I am a fighter. And I know, that with each pregnancy it has made me a stronger person. A much better person, than anything else could of. I have written so many post about how motherhood broke me. And I don't know exactly how to explain how or when my attitude changed. It was like learning to play the piano. At first it's just painful. Completely new, totally lost, and frustrating. But then after a few years of practice it becomes fun. You want to show off what you can do. You like the confidence it brings you, and although you still have to practice, and the songs get harder and more intricate, the rewards have grown exponentially. I had played with the idea that maybe getting a job would be good for me. But after we moved, I told Matt, "Man, why would I ever want a job? I have the best life! I am so HAPPY!"

I really enjoy being a mother. Joshua and Samuel bring me joy that I can't express in words. I am so proud of them! I am proud of all they can do. We have so much fun playing and chasing each other.

This child was not in the plans, at least from us. We had looked into adopting and foster care. We were on that road and then lightning struck and I told Matt, I know we need to have another baby. He was shocked, and not quite sure if I was thinking correctly. Because, my pregnancies are less than ideal. Zofran is constantly needed, I am emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained. How could I do this with family far away, doctors I don't know anything about, and with two CRAZY boys? But I tried to have faith and just trust that things would work-out, if it really was meant to happen. And it then it happened, and we knew it must of been right.

So I think I am crazy most days, and still cry because it is hard. But between a great husband and sweet boys I am doing okay. I listen to my song, and the YouTube church videos, which always make me cry. But cry in a good way.

I miss UT and the great Dr. Tandy Olson and the great Spence's Pharmacy in Logan. Both were first class in their professions. But I have finally found a great doctor, thanks to our Grandma Fredline, and all seems to be looking good.

Baby looked great today. Was a very active child, so all of our ultrasound pictures are blurry because he/she would not stop moving.

Smith baby #3 is due mid June. Yeah!

A Busy Saturday

This weekend was incredibly busy. We have taken up to bike riding about an hour every other day. Joshua is getting so fast and confident on his little bike. And Samuel loves sitting easy and yelling at his brother if he gets too far ahead of poor mom in the jogging stroller.

We stopped and had a leaf fight on the trail one day. I think that was one of my favorite things to do in the fall. And this Saturday was filled with seeing Santa at Monkeys Trees House and participating in our wards Christmas parade float. It was all exhausting but Joshua and Samuel had fun!

We have had so much fun lately. We have really enjoyed our new home, new ward, and new area!

THANKSGIVING

This year we had a great Thanksgiving! Joe and Michelle came to visit and Joshua and Samuel LOVED having them over. Then for the actual Thanksgiving day we went to a friends home. Joshua is in love with their daughter. We had a lot of fun playing and hanging out with them.

We also had a chance to have Joshua's best friend over to our new house. They had so much fun! We also have been going on long bike/runs. We even ran into the missionaries on the trail and Joshua wanted to race them. He kept up pretty well. My little boys love long bike rides and is doing really well at mastering his bike. It would of been a great picture with the missionaries but they were gone before I realized how cute it was. Maybe next time.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

To Ride...

He did it! He's three and he can ride a bike!!!! I'm so proud of my little boy! We use to live by the best neighbors and they had a little boy who was a crazy avid biker. He helped Joshua want to be fast. And once his friend learned how to ride without training wheels he wanted to be just like him. But we tried gradually lifting up his training wheels and it just freaked him out. So we gave up.

About a week ago he said, mom I want to ride a bike with no training wheels. So when dad came home, off they went. He struggled but actually did a lot better than I thought he would. After a week of trying he nailed it! He loves to ride his bike and LOVES to go fast!

Matt was with him when he finally did it and I was off having mommy time. When I received the video I had the biggest smile on and was jumping up and down! All I wanted to do was go home and watch my little boy ride a bike. I told Matt, I must of crossed over to the dark side now, I'd rather be home watching him ride a bike then shopping.

I have the best boys!!! Here is to some family bike rides!!! Now I really miss Utah!

HALLOWEEN!

It was a fabulous Halloween for us! Joshua was super spoiled with our ward and neighborhood party. Both had moonwalkes and tons of friends and food.

Matt and I can't believe what a great area we moved into. Everyone is so kind here and they are eager to get to know you. Everyone has kids, and lots of them! We all seem to be about the same age and all just happy to live in a safe family friendly area! I feel so blessed we found this house. I was so scared and had buyers remorse. It was a big step but I'm glad we took it!

Joshua wanted to be the same thing he was last year so we were a skeleton again. And Samuel was our morphed monster, thanks to Brooke's hat.

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

First Corn Maze

Today we went to the Rippavilla plantation corn maze. It was great! Joshua and Samuel loved running around and playing with our friends, the Fulton's. We had the boys lead us around with a map that made zero sense. But we all had a good time.

After the corn maze we went on a hayride and played around. It was a great family and friends day!

Prayer

Samuel said his first prayer yesterday! Joshua never folded his arms or wanted anything to do with praying when he was little. We always tried but our efforts were futile.

Samuel however loves to pray and always folds his arms. But yesterday during FHE we asked if Samuel wanted to say the prayer and he nodded. Then he proceeded to repeat what we whispered to him! Ahh! Our efforts aren't fruitless!

Joshua though, has great faith. A few weeks before we moved I caught him muttering to himself and he told me he was praying because his hand hurt and he wanted Heavenly Father's help to make his hand feel better. And the week we were suppose to move it was predicted to rain. I started to feel overwhelmed and Joshua asked me what was wrong. I told him no one would come help us move if it was raining. He then proceeded to tell me, that,'well mom, we should just pray it won't rain and then Heavenly Father won't let it rain. And people will come help.' Joshua then said a prayer to help it not rain so people would come help us move. It didn't rain that weekend and lots of people came to help us move.

I have the best boys!! I'm glad somethings we teach them are being learned. Still working on teaching them not to run away from me in public places though.

Book 18

This book was incredible. I adore C.S. Lewis! I have always marveled at how insightful he is, especially for someone who was not LDS. President Monson & President Hinckley have often quoted Lewis before. His colloquialism is fabulous! I think that is why I like him so much. David McCullough write in a similar style and that is probably why I enjoy all of his writing.

I loved his explanation of how Christiniaty just makes sense. His explanation of the word, begotten, was enlightening and made it much easier for me to understand and explain to my children. He has some incredible deep thoughts, but realizes that they were deep, and simplifies his reasoning in an easy to understand scenario. Basically, I continue to be impressed with the brain of C.S. Lewis. A great book. One of my favorites!

Yeah, 50 books is slowly back on track. Next, I promised myself I will finish my brother-in-law's book. He's amazing and it was intriguing but sometimes I just can't wait for a story to develop and lose interest. But it was entertaining and I do appreciate good, clean literature.

This Is Home...

Twelve moves in six years. We have lived in hovel type homes, really, one of them use to be barn that they had the audacity to turn into a 'home.' One had a flimsy plywood front door and pedophiles as neighbors. But now we will sign away our life and own a home of our own.

Bountiful is a special place. The temple is ginormous, the bike riding trails are amazing, friends are plentiful there, Dick's market is clean/friendly, you have a good chance of running into a member of the twelve while grocery shopping, a General Authority could come to your stake conference or even attend your ward. The community is clean and safe. The community shuts down for General Conference, it almost feels like a holiday. This is probably why I am extremely jealous of friends who own homes in Utah.

But I think this new area comes in a nice second. Our neighbors here are incredible. People have 3+ kids, they came over the first day to see if they could help move us/ buy us dinner. The neighborhood is frequently patrolled, is quiet, is friendly, and clean. The grocery store is close and rivals Dick's in friendliness and cleanliness. Everything we love about Nashville is now 15-20 minutes away instead of 45-60 mins away. Matt has a better drive, being that it is safer but a slightly longer.

This was a really good move for our family. We are excited to be part of a friendly community that feels like what we have always wanted, Bountiful.

Pic of the house, but please don't mind the boxes and 'storage' room. I think every room is done except the 'storage' room (3 bedroom) and the formal dining. Mainly I can't decide what to do there because all I really want is a baby grand piano. But since it will be awhile since we can afford such a purchase, maybe I will just buy an ascent chair or two and a sofa table?

Matt and I are simple when it comes to decorating our home. We don't want clutter. Just clean lines and open space. I am exhausted from moving and never want to move again. At least for a several years.

Happy Conference Weekend!