Home Again

It has been a busy week for us. We moved into our house last Friday, closed on our house on Tuesday, and had our first party here on Wed (with like 20 kids!). We are still working on making it a home but I think we are making good progress. Lots to do, and I will take my time doing it. I have some BIG ideas and will make sure to update everyone as I do them. We are still waiting for some furniture to arrive but most of the house is put together. We are not sure how long we will actually be living here, it depends on Brandon's job but for now I am so proud of how it turned out and to be a homeowner.
Jackson's roomplay room


lizzy's room
guest bathroom
kitchen

play room to family room

Seeing Purple

In light of recent events my friend Jill wrote a post on her blog today that inspired me to do more. Childhood illnesses have always been a soft spot for me. I used to want to be a pediatrician so that I could find cures for some of these tragic illnesses. I took a different route of being a mom but I know that I don't have to be a doctor to make a difference. If you are interested in learning more check out Jill's blog http://jillcarilli.blogspot.com/ and do something about it. Start seeing Purple and get involved.

Prayers to Heaven

There are trials that all of us go through in our lives. Some seem small compared to others but every trial is difficult. I have been through many trials in my life but none like the 2 my friends are going through this week.

As some of you know one of my dearest friends is going through a huge trial in her life. Tanya recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Violette. Violette is now 4 days old and was diagnosed with Lukemia today. She is going to go through Chemo on Monday and is fighting for her life. I just want to beg everyone to pray for Violette and her family. They are doing everything that they can to save her and it is in God's hands now. My heart is aching for her and I just pray that Tanya and Violette will be strong.

Also, my other friend Angela gave birth to a baby boy, Dash on Thur. She had a late misscarriage and had to delivery a sleeping baby. She is so strong and optimistic. I know that there is a reason for this loss and Dash is now with his father in heaven.

I am so lucky in my life. I am lucky to be surrounded by such strong women and to have friends that are so supportive and positive. They are the light in the darkness and I am honored to be their friend.

My greatest trial was learning to live my life without my father. My dad died 11 years ago today almost to the minute. I remember that night like it was yesterday. I remember the positive outlook I had going to the hospital and I remember the shock and deep depression I felt when I heard the news. I remember the guilt, for not being there, not being able to save him. But I also remember the day that I came to terms with his death and the weight that was lifted from my shoulders. I know that the Lord had a greater plan for him. There was a reason for his early parting from this earth. I may not know that reason now but I will someday and that gives me comfort. I am the person I am today because of his death. A strong, faithful mother who would do anything for her husband and children. I know that the Lord is with us always and he will carry us when the burden is too hard to bare. He is there waiting for us to turn to him.

So if you are going through a trial right now, turn to God, he knows you personally. He knows what you need and he will lighten the burden from our backs so we can move forward with everlasting faith. I love you all and think about you in my prayers every night.

Adjusting

It's funny but I think Elizabeth is having the hardest time adjusting to the new house. Maybe it is the fact that she has constantly been surrounded by people her whole life, or she is just going through a "pill" phase. All I can say it is amazing that I can get anything done around here because the girl has to be held ALL THE TIME! I have been really busy moving, sorting, organizing, and tossing all our stuff around so today I realized that maybe she needed a little one-on-one time with her mom. When Jackson went down for his nap I just sat in her room with her and played. I wasn't thinking about all the boxes that still need to be unpacked or the fact that I should be starting dinner. I just enjoyed being with my baby.
I can't believe she is almost 8 months old already. I look at all her clothes and can't believe that she is moving from the small onesies to the bigger baby clothing. I can't believe she will be crawling soon, is eating solid foods, and is becoming so independent. She is getting used to the crib and all the room she has to roll around and move. She is stubborn but very sweet. And very curious, too curious. . .I know I am going to have to watch her like a hawk. She is always on the move but wants to be with someone all the time. It was so nice to watch her explore and discover new things. There is so much wonder in childhood, and the time is so precious. I think I need to take more time to enjoy the babies and less time worrying about everything I need to get done. The house can wait but Jackson and Elizabeth will be grown before I know it.
Tonight we all read in Jackson's room before bed. Usually Jackson and I read in his chair and Brandon takes care of Lizzy but tonight Brandon went to bed early so it was the three of us. Elizabeth was just hanging out on the floor playing with this talking penguin and Jackson, being the good brother he is, noticed that Lizzy was left out. So he went and sat next to her and told me to come down and sit by him. It was so cute. We read books while Jack fed Lizzy cherrios. He is such a sweet little boy, so considerate of others and sensitive. He loves his sister so much, I am so happy and lucky to have such great kids.

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Happy birthday little boy

We celebrated Jackson's birthday with our family on Sunday and it was so much fun to have him turn 2. Here is the difference from the first birthday,

-he could blow out his own candles and blew them out several times. He actually really likes to blow out candles so we put more than 2 candles on the cake.
-he knew how to open his own presents and appreciated what he found inside them
-he posed for pictures, smiling and saying cheese-he knew that we were celebrating something that was just for him, it was HIS BIG DAY
I made spaghetti and meatballs because that is a no fail meal that Jackson will always eat. We had Texas sheet cake which every bodies favorite. Brandon put together his toys earlier that day so he could play with them. We got him a toy riding car and a wagon for the zoo and walks around the neighborhood. He loves both. His grandma Miller got him a new kitchen for the house and Brandon's grandparents bought him food for the kitchen (and whoever says boys can't have toy kitchens get over it because kitchens are cool). His Grandma and Grandpa Stoker bought him a new ipod because he totally loves ipods and he lost the other one. He likes to put it in his pocket and walk around listening to the headphone, it's really cute. We also bought him some new clothes, a few books, and a few puzzles. He spent the afternoon driving his car and eating chocolate cake. . .it was a great day.

We also had his 2 year checkup and everything went great. He was so brave when he got his shot, only cried for a second. He is speaking more words every day and can say 2-3 word sentences including I want keys, I want water, and I love you. He can name several animals and other objects in his books, calls me mom and Brandon dad and Elizabeth Lizzy. He loves music, Handy Manny cartoons, and playing in the car (with mom or dad of course). He likes being outside the most whether it is mowing the lawn with his toy mower, riding in his car or truck, and just running through the sprinkler. He loves his sister and his always worried about where she is and what she is doing. And he knows when he is in trouble because he likes to give lots of kisses to get out of it.
Here are his stats:
weight 27lbs (50%)
height 37inches (85%)

What a big girl!

Elizabeth is 7 months now and such a cutie pie. She has the chubbiest legs and cheeks, I just love kissing and nibbling on them. I love this age because her personality is totally coming out and it is so much fun to see her grow and observe the world around her. We went to the doctor on Friday for her 6 month checkup (yeah I know I am a little behind but I get to take Jack at the same time which is nice.) Elizabeth had 4 shots and she was so brave. She only cried for a few minutes and then she was back to her cheery big smiling self. She has been wearing the helmet for almost 4 weeks now and she doesn't even notice it anymore. It is working really well too, her head is becoming nice, round, and pumpkin like. There are a few things that I hate about it though. It is harder to kiss her, and snuggle with her and it makes her head stink. But other than that I am adjusting to it too. Here are some other things about Lizzy at this stage:

-she is sitting up unsupported
-she loves real food including fruit, squash, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, graham crackers, puffs, and cheerios. She hates sweet potatoes and peas.
-she loves her brother, especially when he plays with her in the bath or in her walker
-she hates taking naps but will sleep all night (I guess we can't have it all)
-she likes to stand up but hates sitting
-still loves doing Pilate crunches
-she likes playing peek-a-boo and can take the blanket off her own head which she thinks is really fun
-she still has gorgeous baby blue eyes
-if she wants something she will roll all over to get it
-she is mischievous , I don't know how she does it but you have to keep anything at least 2 feet away or she will get it
-she loves her toes
-she loves blowing raspberries and getting raspberries from her mom

She is such a happy baby and we love her so much. Here are her stats:

17.8lbs (75%)
27 inches (95%)
head circumference (25%) *her head looks bigger with the helmet on

An Easter Surprise

Today we went to the park with our friends Lora and Kim and their little kids Tommy and Chloe. Both Lora and Kim are expecting this summer so it is fun to walk and talk with them about getting ready for baby number 2. Having 2 children has been such a blessing in my life and when I see other moms that are expecting a 2nd child I just want to hug them and tell them how rewarding children are. We walked around the park, took the kids to a small playground, and then went over to feed the ducks. Jackson has never fed the ducks before (I always forget to bring bread) but today I remembered and I am glad I did because he LOVED IT! He would throw the bread as far as he could into the water yelling UH, such a boy throwing and grunting. Actually we used waffles that he didn't eat for breakfast so he took a couple pieces and ate them as well.

While we were feeding the ducks a little yellow surprise came waddling our way. The little duckie was so cute following us around and quacking. He walked so close to us I thought I was going to step on him a few times. Jackson thought he was awesome and just wanted to love the little duck and snuggle with it. I think it might have been an Easter duck that somebody didn't want and left it at the park because I didn't see his mama anywhere. Actually I felt so bad for the little duck I sent Marissa and Cameron back to the park later to see if he was still there and rescue him if he was. But no luck, I think someone else must have snatched him up. He really was so cute. It was so much fun to see how happy Jackson was with that duck, PURE JOY. Needless to say we had a great time.This picture doesn't show it but Lizzy loves the swings. She was laughing almost the whole time.

Easter Sunday

Our Easter festivities actually began on Monday night when our family read the story of the last week before Jesus was crucified. We read it every year and observe pictures of the activities that took place that week. I think it is so interesting because every year I learn something new even though it is always the same story. This year I really focused on the Sacrifice. He bled from every pour. I just keep thinking in my mind about all the people that were crucified back then. And how some people probably thought it was no worse than the others. However, the Savior's sacrifice was such an intense pain because he felt every feeling, even injury, every heartache that everyone on this each will ever feel. He knows exactly what we are going through in every trail because he went through the same exact trial during the atonement.

On top of it being Easter weekend it was also Conference weekend for the church. Those of you who don't know 2 times every year the LDS church has what they call General Conference where the leaders of the church give several talks on topics of their own choices. The topics range from general discussions about Jesus or the scriptures, to more modern subjects like families, parenthood, and current trials. It was so fitting to have General Conference on Easter because this morning the talks were all about Jesus' last days on earth and the atonement.

After General Conference we dyed eggs, had a wonderful Easter dinner and waiting for the egg hunt to begin. Brandon's dad always hides over 100 eggs that mostly have candy in them but a few have money. Then everyone tries to find the most. I know, we are old (except for Jack) but the competition is the fun part. It is weird because last year Jackson wasn't even walking yet and this year he was running for the eggs, putting them in his basket, and finding more. We ended up hiding eggs 2 more times after we found them all just because he was having so much fun. I was really proud of him too because he didn't try to eat the candy until the egg hunt was done and he found some really well hidden eggs. He is so funny too. Every time he found one he walked up to it, pointed, and said, AH. Then when we found them all we counted them up (there are always missing eggs, we even found one from like 2 years ago, YUCK), he went over to Marissa and said I want more, I want more. So funny. Lizzy just watched the whole thing from her exersaucer, but she has a blast too laughing at Jackson.

It was a beautiful and really spiritual Easter week.