A great day at church

President Thomas S. Monson, stated: “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.” That's what being a mother is, it's service. That's why it brings so much joy. So tonight, when you've had a long day and your kids are on your nerves, realize how much different you would be without them."

National Volunteer Week

This week is National Volunteer Week. I was able to attend a volunteer appreciation luncheon at Gardner Village. Every week I get to spend a few hours in the NICU. I help check parents in, a little bit of office work, attend parent support group meetings, and my favorite part: passing out NICU parent survival kits to all of the new parents for the week. I get to meet amazing moms anywhere from amazing miracle micro preemies or full term 40 week babies having a few issues. I am so thankful to try to help them through such a difficult time. I also work with the most amazing group of people. They will be life long friends.

Last week I was helping out in the NICU and the lifeflight team came to transport a baby. They stopped and had to wait a few minutes at the front desk. I recognized the lady because she is the blonde in my picture. Her name is Linda. I pulled up the picture and showed it to her and was able to say thank you to her and the entire lifeflight staff for saving my son's life. She was so happy and wanted me to send her a few of my pictures. I love what I do, I love giving back.

The following poem is why I volunteer. My favorite part is in bold:

I have sat in the NICU and waited.

I have cried and prayed.

I have endured.

Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.

I will notice everything about my child.

I will take time to watch my child sleep, explore and discover.

I will marvel at my surviving miracle every day for the rest of my life.

I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold and feed him and that I am not waking to a nurse taking another

temperature, an alarm going off, another round of meds or because I am crying tears for fear of the unknown.

I will be happy because my baby is alive and crying out for me.

I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child that my friends will not see.

Whether I parent a preemie with physical challenges or medical issues, I will not be careless with my love.

I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend and sister because I have known pain.

I know disillusionment as I have been betrayed by my own body.

I have been tried by fire and hell many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.

I have prevailed.

I have succeeded.

I have won.

So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself

discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs. I listen.

And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely. I have learned the

immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they

learn to accept the harsh truth and when life is beyond hard.

I have learned a compassion that only comes with walking in those shoes.

I have learned to appreciate life.

Yes I will be a wonderful mother.

Video Link:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=15506071

Austins first ride

Austin's first time on a horse!

Daddy took him for a small ride. He actually enjoyed it.

I took Azzie around for a fun ride.

Azzie and her horse chick.

Playing fetch with duke and hank

Trevor and his dad practicing roping.

Hoppy Easter

We had a great Easter and also conference weekend. We colored Easter eggs, did Easter egg hunts, and had dinner with family.

Austins a walking

The Canyons

This was the first time that I was able to take my kiddos skiing/snowboarding. I use to work at the Canyons a long time ago. It is one of my favorite things to do. I don't get to go much because it's expensive and hard to get a babysitter. We got some tickets from a great friend and grandma watched the other two kids. I HAD A BLAST!!! It was 70 degrees!

This was Carli's first time up the chair lift. She did so amazing. By the end of the day she was going down blue intermediate runs. She is a natural.

Trevor took Kaden down some harder runs. I love this man.

Kaden has been a few times and is getting pretty good. We all had a good time, and can't wait to go again next year.

Spring Break

We had a great time in Moab. We went to Canyonlands National Park

Amazing views

Hiked up Mill Creek Falls

Spent some time at Arches National Park, this is double arch

balance rock

but the best part was relaxing by the pool in the 76 degree weather.

March

What we've been up to:

Austin is getting into everything. He has taken a few steps, likes to play in the toilet and pull the toilet paper off the roll. He smiles all the time.

Azlyn likes to tease her brother. She never shares with him. Watch out Azzie one day he will be bigger than you. She also loves playing with her friends and riding her bike.

Carli had surgery on her finger. She had a cyst removed. She handled it very well and got a extra pack of cards for her favorite game Killer Bunnies.

Kaden is so busy. Here he is at his choir concert. He joined the track and field team at school and runs after school. Then in the afternoon he goes to Babe Ruth Baseball for a few hours. He is one busy kid.

Gone to soon

It's been a rough week. We will miss you Baby Lainey.  I'm so glad for my knowledge that families are forever.  Although we didn't get to see the miracle on earth, I can't wait for the miracle awaiting for her mom in the next life. Sending lots of love to my dearest friend Stacie.

http://ssfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/03/lainey.html

How to be a pirate

Carli got a part in the school play, How to be a pirate in seven easy songs. She worked so hard and was so excited.

The day before the play she lost her costume before school. She came home from school broken hearted. It took her hours to make her turquoise beard. Also her birds name is Budgee and is very special because it is her great-grandpas. The next day we went to the school and spent hours looking for it. I told her to pray that we would find it and about 30 minutes before the school play, another kid found her costume. So not only was she the cutest pirate in the play, we learned a lesson that big or small he answers prayers.

Orange, turquoise, and sparkly beard. Carli's best friends Jaden and Chloe

Austin's Nicu Buddies

My dearest friend Coleen hosted a party for her daughter Gracie and all of her NICU friends. Gracie was born early and weighed only 3lbs. We spent a lot of time together in the NICU and she was so helpful. Now I am looking forward to working with her as a volunteer. We also got to hang out with Walter and Bryson, who were also in the NICU. They all turned one in the same week. Happy 1st Birthday. I am so thankful to meet such amazing moms. We laughed and cried together. They helped me get through such a hard time.

Happy 1st Birthday little man!

I am in love with this guy.

Austin, I love your dimple on your left cheek, I love how you growl to get what you want. You love cars, balls, the johnny jump up, but out of all of the toys my makeup box is your favorite. You started crawling around on new years day and love to follow me around everywhere.

But the thing about you that I love the most is how much you have made me realize to be more loving, more compassionate, I enjoy life everyday. Your birthday will always be a little bittersweet. It was honestly one of the scariest days of my life but I'm so glad we got through the tough times! You will always be my miracle baby no matter how old you get.

Happy Birthday! Although I don't think he really was into cake and presents, but the rest of us had fun! He was featured on Good Things Utah, and we went to Leatherbys.

Merry Christmas

We had an amazing Christmas. It was actually more like a one month celebration!

I went with my sister to see David Archuleta at Abravanal Hall. It was an awesome concert and neat to hear him announce that he is going on a mission.

We went to Winder dairy and got scones, drove down the Christmas street, and went to Hardware Ranch to see the elk.

We had a family party at the peak and enjoyed playing in the gym.

Austin loved his first Christmas!

We visited Temple Square, The Conference center, The Church museum.

We enjoyed grandpa's famous reindeer pancakes and hot chocolate.

Kaden went ice fishing with his uncles and cousins.

Famous white elephant party.

Dressing up for the nativity scene.

But my favorite part was spending time with my ENTIRE family! I have the best family in the world and it has been years since we all have been together.

I felt like a kid again and it was MY KIND OF CHRISTMAS!!!

The big game

They did it! 2011 Midget Undefeated Eastern Continental Division Champions

Kaden was so excited to have so much support, even his young men leader showed up. He thought that was really cool. Many Aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and grandparents were cheering him on. It was freeeeezing.

Off to a slow start, Brighton is a tough team.

Kaden has the best football coaches, team mom, and teammates. We love our football family

Congrats Kaden and we can't wait until next season.