Photogenic.

Yesterday before church I attempted to take some shots of the kids for our chrsitmas card and wanted to share a few of my favorites.

10 Things I am Thankful for...

1.My Mitchy

He has given more than I can even express. His love, his support, he has given me strength and been there for me when no one else was. He loves me for me. Which says alot! He has been my best friend for over 16 years. He has been my love for almost 14 years. But most importantly, he helped give me my greatest blessings...

2. These guys.


3. My Family
( I dont have a picture of all of my family together because well, that has never happened!)
My parents who brought me into this world and have been such good parents to me, my siblings, my grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, in-laws... So many people who have contributed to my happiness. People I look up to and love and would do anything for.

4. Jesus Christ and the gospel

I love my savior. I know and feel his love for me. I feel very grateful to have the knowledge ands testimony that I do. I am blessed to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that without it I would have nothing. It has been my guiding light especially when times have been hard. I see what a difference it has made in mitch's life and in our children's. I believe in it and I know it is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. My trials
I never thought I would be grateful for hard times. But I really am. I look back at the trials that I have faced, and I have learned and grown so much through those expereiences that it helped shape the person I have become and have yet to be. I am grateful for those lessons in life. Another reason I am grateful for Jesus Christ, he has helped carry me through those hard times.



6. Opportunity
The opportunity I have had to serve, to learn and go to school, to be a mother, wife, friend, and to have some great experiences in life so far. We live in a country where everyone has the chance to be someone and to experience life to the fullest. My Heavenly Father for giving me those special opportunites in life. I am thankful for HIM.


7.Love

Because it does make the world go round.

8. Forgiveness

I love this quote because it does take strong, loving people to forgive. You cannot have love if you do not forgive. They go hand in hand with eachother. They work with eachother. I know that if we dont forgive those who have hurt us, then we wont be forgiven for our mistakes that we have made to others. What a powerful gift we have been given.

9. Memories
All we end up with in the end is the memory of our life. Its a very precious blessing.


10. Compassion

Simply because.

Update on the procreation...

I had another ultrasound yesterday and this little pea is growing big. She was almost 3 pounds already! So they pushed my due date up to Valentines Day! Too bad I know I wont have her that day because my doctor will schedule my csection a week before sometime. So...just wanted everyone to know she looks great and getting big. She already looks like a little Lybrook kid. Same little profile and nose as the others:))
I am betting on having gestastional diabetes. Just think that something is up because I dont have big babies and so I am concerned as to why she seems to be getting big so fast. Hopefully I dont but I will find out soon.
We still dont have any names picked out. Not even one that we agree on or even like. Mitch isnt allowed to talk about names with me anymore. I fired him for suggesting such bad names. Sorry honey but you know I still love you. Our child will someday thank me for not allowing you to name her!

Why I am getting excited to have another girl...

Because these two are so lovely~!

I love the look on Brynley's face in this one.




Cute Aubrie and her missing teeth;)

A Fall FHE

Made these cute little guys for FHE last night. Thought they were just so cute, had to share the idea with all of you. So easy and the kids thought it was very clever of their mom to come up with such a brilliant idea. Too bad I didnt come up with the idea, took it from Tip Junkie.


Yesterday Mitch and the kids thought it would be a good idea to rake up the leaves on the grass in the backyard. Even little Brynley got in on the fun.

What Matters Most

Enjoyed this brief thought on gratitude by our dear prophet Thomas Monson. If only our whole world followed this wise and yet simple counsel... What a change that would sweep across it. Its less than two minutes and it can change your whole day around:)
(Click on gratitude)

Gratitude

99 days...

I hate being pregnant. I hate women who say "I just love being pregnant!" I didnt knw that throwing up, getting fatter, having aches and pains in places you shouldnt have them, swollen feet, gas, bloating, acid reflux, and mood swings was something to LOVE! They must not have three other kids, go to school, clean their house,have a husband that works 12 hr. shift work days, take care of an ailing father in law, cooks their families meals, do 8 loads of laundry a week, wash cars, pay bills, workout, play with their kids, have a crazy church calling, etc,etc,etc. I havent enjoyed this pregnancy like I did when I was pregnant with Caleb. Maybe its because I am older and fatter and just plain tired. The only thing that is still the same is, I still find myself thinking about this little pea. What does she look like? Will she look like Aubrie or Brynley or have her own look? Will she be a good baby like my others or cry all the time? Will she be small or big? What color will her eyes be? Hair? No, my kids dont have hair, scratch that one:) What kind of kid will she grow up to be? Is she going to be healthy? Tall? What kind of person will she be?
No matter what kind of pregnancy you have, you still have the same thoughts, fears, dreams, that you had for your other kids. I love having those dreams. I want to see my kids happy and healthy and living good lives. Caleb is so smart, I wish for him to go on a mission, college and find a career he will be good at. Something awesome, unique. He once told me he wanted to be an engineer and build roller coaster. Cool!
Miss Aubrie is such a good dancer and singer. I hope she finds joy in those talents her whole life and passes them onto someone else. She says she wants to be a dentist when she grows up. And then there's Brynley. She dances and sings all the time. She cares for animals and is so compassionate with them. Maybe she will be person who goes and saves animals. Mitch thinks she should be a surgeon since she loves blood and guts and loves to destroy things and then try to put it back together again.
I hope they all see the dreams and potential I see in them. I want them all to be able to experience being a parent. I dont think a person truly grows up and becomes unselfish until they have a child of their own. I have seen it in myself and in others. It is one of the best gifts we are given in this earth! So even though I may hate getting fat, having breakouts, feeling sick, having my feet hurt, going through delivery...I will take it all just to get to experience what happens after birth. Thats when the journey and fun begins. So here is to 99 more days of hell, for a lifetime of bliss.

Scary Faces

Looking their very best...