Cleaning and Scrubbing Can Wait 'Til Tomorrow

The other night I was showing my kids pictures from my childhood Christmases.  Something about this photo caught my eye:

As sweet as it was to see my grandpa building Legos with my oldest brother, what caught my eye was the hanging on the wall.  My mom had this on display in our home for many years.  I think I have the words memorized:

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow
So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

This has been a good reminder for me this Christmas season when it seems the to do lists are endless.  So if you are coming to visit us in the next few weeks, I will promise clean sheets on your bed and a roll of toilet paper in the bathroom, but don't be disappointed if you find dust on the shelves and dirty floors.

Water

I am grateful for WATER!! I don't know why Sarah and I have our grateful moments in the shower, but as I was showering I couldn't help but be grateful for water.  It blesses my life throughout each and every day.  There is something so calm and peaceful about water.  And who doesn't love a hot shower.  I love rain, again it is peaceful and cleansing.  Some of my most favorite memories have been watching my kids play in the rain.  There is nothing like hearing kids giggle, dance and splash in the rain.

(I know I am wasting water having the sprinklers running while its raining, I promise I did turn them off after I took this picture).  

I also love the beauty of lakes and rivers. How beautiful are Gods creations!  

(included is the creation of that sweet little boy)

I love the recreation that water provides. I have great memories of growing up playing in pools and lakes with my parents and siblings.  These are also some of my kids favorite times.

As it starts to snow sometimes we are inclined to complain.  It is not fun to drive in, I get that, but it is so pretty.  I also am grateful for the water the snow provides.  I love being able to water my lawn in the summer and have it nice and green. Hopefully you wont hear me complain once this winter about the snow because I really am grateful for water and all the blessings it brings into my life.  

More Gratitude!

After reading Sarah’s blog post I decided to accept her invitation to blog about what I am grateful for. So many different things came to my mind and I didn't know where to start. Should I be humorous, or do a more obvious but serious one? I decided that I would state the obvious! I am grateful for my wonderful parents! They are my greatest advocates, my teachers, my examples, my rock, and some of my best friends. I am so grateful for the things they have taught me in my life. My mother taught me how to serve others, she was always doing something for someone and I hope that I can continue on like her! My father thought me how to work hard! There were many mornings when my dad would wake us up around 6:30 to go out in the yard and work, I might have complained way too much but I hope that I have learned the lesson of hard work that he tried to teach me, otherwise there were a lot of early mornings wasted. Lastly they both have taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ!  I am so grateful for this most of all. Because of this I have been able to gain my own testimony. I am also grateful for their example of serving a mission. I don’t know where I would be without my parents. I only listed a few of the things they have taught me. The list goes on and on, as I am sure all of my siblings would agree!

Gratitude

This morning I was in a bad mood, the kind where life seems hard, and you don't know how you're going to deal with the pressures, and stresses of the day ahead of you.  I just wanted to climb back in bed and ignore the sink full of dirty dishes, the 10 loads of laundry waiting to be washed, the appointments and commitments I had made.  As I was in the shower mentally thinking of all I needed to do and not wanting to do any of it I thought of this quote I had recently seen from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a leader of our church.

This was a day changer for me.  I started to think of the many things I had to be grateful for.  By the time I got out of the shower, I was feeling "true joy and great happiness".  Life didn't seem as overwhelming, in fact I realized how easy my life really is.  During this month of November, the month we celebrate Thanksgiving, I'm going to consciously look for things to be grateful for.  I'm hoping all of my siblings (I consider my in-laws siblings too) will join me and post something on this blog that they're grateful for this month.  Some might be obvious, humorous, lengthy, short or take a little more thought and be quite profound.  

I'm going to start with an obvious one:

I am grateful for these three, who fill my sink with dirty dishes, throw their muddy, grass stained clothes on my laundry piles, fill my calendar with appointments and commitments, and who fill my home with laughter, and happiness.  Life is wonderful, especially when we take the time to stop and recognize all that we have been blessed with.

Happy Birthday, Anna!

I longed for a little sister and was so excited when you joined our family. You have always been so easy going, happy, and fun to be around.  When you were little, I loved doing your hair, getting you dressed up and pretty much having a live doll. 

 As you have grown up, it has been fun to have our relationship change from you just being my little kid sister to you being a true friend.  You are such a good, kind person and I love spending time with you.  I love you Anna Banana!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Look out Richard Simmons

I love this fall weather!! My kids could play outside for hours, they aren't too hot or too cold.  The other day the kids all came home from school and ran to the backyard for a game of soccer.  This actually makes me wonder why we even register for Rec sports, we have a team at home.  At first Sam did not join them, he was holding his favorite spot on the couch.  I said, "come on Sam, lets go get some exercise."

A few minutes later he came running out with his headband and said "I am ready to exercise!"

I haven't even pulled out "sweatin to the oldies" for quite some time so I am trying to figure out how he associated exercise with headbands.  Gotta love kids and the funny things they say and do.

Happy Halloween!

Here are the top three reasons why I love Halloween...

 

1. Costumes. I love dressing up for Halloween. When I was 11 or 12 my mom bought me a cat mask and even though I hate cats, I liked it because it was such an easy costume. So naturally, I was a cat for Halloween that year and the next, and the next, and the next. To make up for my years of lacking creativity I've tried to stop costume repeating.

 

 

2. Trick or Treating. The only day of the year that it's socially acceptable

 to knock on someone's door and demand candy.  Maybe I'm a little to old for that now....

 

 

but I'm not to old to run around the neighborhood in a costume right? A couple years ago we ran a Harry Potter 5k and if all goes as planned we are doing one this year too!

 

Don't worry, we didn't trick or treat. Okay, maybe just at one house.

 

3. My aunt's annual family Halloween party. Every year she sends out invitations and throws the BEST Halloween party. She decorates her entire house, feeds us lunch and there are always lots of games and yummy treats. I hadn't lived close enough to go until the last few years, but it's now one of my favorite traditions.

 

Last year...

 

 

 

 

and this year...

 

 

 

Check out their awesome family costume. The cat in the hat and things 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

If there had been a costume contest I'm sure they would have won.

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Little Bit of Me

Hello, here's a bit about me...

Me(right) and my sister Anna(left) on campus at the U

 

I'm an undergrad student at the University of Utah. When I was little I knew I wanted to grow up to be a mom and either an artist or a teacher (just to clarify, I'm none of these yet). I decided to get my degree in Elementary Education which is what I'm working towards now. I've taken a few art classes that have me thinking about becoming an art specialist in an elementary school. But for now, I'm too anxious to finish my degree and start teaching, so if I go with the whole art thing it won't be until after I've graduated and taught for a couple years.

 

  I’m the youngest of nine and I think this does a good job of explaining how I feel about it.

 

Okay- I'm kidding. Really, I'm glad my parents didn't base their decision of how many children to have on this because I'm sure they would have stopped before getting to me. I actually do love being the youngest though, and I love being in a big family with lots of people who love and take care of me. I've been an aunt since I was little kid which has been the most fun of all :) My nieces and nephews played a big role in me choosing Elementary Ed. and they continue to bless my life.

 

I also like cooking, running, and fun with family and friends so you might get to hear more about all that if you decide to read my posts!

-Rachel

 

 

Siblings

One of the best things about siblings is that from the moment you are born you have instant friends. You may not always realize you are friends, but in the end siblings really are the people that know you the best.  Who else understands the pains of growing up wearing homemade underwear, getting fined for talking back to your parents, or how much you hated getting up early every day in the summer to do yard work?  Who else remembers the excitement of Christmas mornings (even on years when most of your gifts may have come from the thrift store) and also knows the rules to your own modified versions of games like tag or hide and seek?

My older siblings (Sarah, me, David, Rebecca)

Siblings are the ones who have sat through miles of road trips with you, singing “My Dame had a Lame Tame Crane”.  They know all your deepest secrets, like the fact that just maybe you had to sleep on your parents’ floor until you were thirteen years old.  And while your siblings can tease you relentlessly about things like this, if anyone else teases you they had better watch out.  Because even though he’s only in first grade, your little brother will beat up the third grade boy that chases you at recess calling you “Red Rooster”. 



My favorite playmates (Matt, Dan, me)



If you are lucky enough to have siblings quite a bit younger than you, you get lots of good practice with kids so that you aren’t terrified of changing a diaper when you become a parent.  These siblings are the best self-esteem boost because they look up to you and think you are cool just because you can drive a car and take them to get an ice cream cone.  They also make it possible for you to prolong the fun of childhood.  When you are too old to go trick-or-treating, you still get to go collect free candy, because after all, someone has to take the little kids.

My three little buddies (Top: Jacob & Me, Bottom: Me, Rachel, & Anna) 

Despite having seen you at your best and worst moments, somehow siblings are the ones who end up loving you through it all.  While growing up, there are days you think you can’t wait to move out and be on your own.  Then when that day finally comes, you find you actually miss those crazy siblings and get excited when family get togethers approach. It is great to be with people who know almost everything about you and laugh together about the good old days growing up.  You sometimes even find yourself reverting back to your childhood roles and some of you might gang up on a sister to throw her in a lake (only now you are mature enough to at least give her a life jacket first).  It is then you realize that not only are these people your family, they are also your best friends. 

-Elizabeth

Happy Cranioversary!

What is a cranioversary you ask? Well it is like an anniversary in that it happens once a year, and the cranio part of the word is for craniosynostosis. So putting them together means that we have hit our one year mark since Kason's cranio surgery. Whoa! Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday it was October 22, 2013 when he was just 9 weeks old and we were handing him over to the anesthesiologist for brain surgery. As I think back on that day, to me, my life seemed to be shattering into pieces uncontrollably, and there wasn't anything I could do to stop it. I was angry, sad, stressed, and above all, scared.  I was scared out of my mind. I didn't feel old enough to be the responsible parent signing surgery consent forms and getting insurance squared away. I felt like I should be the kid and my mom should have been taking care of all of that.  But no, I was the adult with the new baby.  I was the new mom who didn't have a clue as to what was going on, I was the new mom that was angry that it was her baby who needed major surgery. I had no idea what to expect.  I haven't spent too much time in hospitals, I have never had surgery, it scared me to not know what was going to be happening to my sweet baby boy. So there we were shiny brand new parents sitting in a hospital waiting room while people who were complete strangers operated on our baby. Don't get me wrong, our surgeons were wonderful, and we had heard great things about them, but we really didn't know them or know their ability to operate on such a fragile human being.  And that was scary to me. I spent the entire hour and half hoping and praying that they were skilled surgeons and that they would see my baby through. And they did.

 That night I spent in recovery with Kason was probably one of the longest nights of my life. I have spent many nights before and after that night with Kason, but none have compared to that night.  Only one parent could stay the night. I knew that parent was supposed to be me, but I have a confession, I didn't want it to be me. I wanted it to be Jake.  I was scared to be left alone with our post-op baby all night without Jake's help.  I was scared to touch or hold him because he was in so much pain. I knew that since I was his mother it was expected of me to comfort him because he was hurting, but I was scared that I wouldn't be able to do that. I was scared that Kason wouldn't be comforted by me and then I would really feel like a failure.  But I sucked it up and stayed the night. I laid awake most of the night listening to the beeping of Kason's monitor that indicated that he was still alive and well. When I did manage to sleep I was either awakened by Kason crying or by the nurses that came in several times that night to give him more pain medications and check his vitals. It definitely was a long night, but it was where I needed to be.

A few hours after surgery

Just after the pain meds kicked in....finally!

This experience  has changed me in a few ways. In my post- "Kason's Cranio" I mentioned that I wasn't grateful for our trial. I wasn't ready to be. But now, I am grateful.  It has made me more grateful in many ways. I am grateful now that it was craniosynostosis. Cranio is very curable, some children and parents don't get that. I am grateful in that it made me realize that I can handle tough situations, especially when they are not ideal. It has made me grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who helps us through those trials.  He comforted me, protected Kason, saw Kason through surgery, and gave us little reminders that he hadn't left us.

Since I am writing as a celebration of one year since surgery, I should probably put in a happy paragraph about Kason now. Kason is now 14 months old and is sweet little guy.  He is still so happy and friendly. He runs around like an Olympic runner ( I can barely keep up with him!) He is doing what little boys do I guess, getting into trouble and getting lots of scrapes and bruises. He still loves playing with balls.  He loves to play basketball with his dad. He also loves anything with a motor, cars, trucks, four-wheelers, boats, and tractors. He loves to make the "Vroom" noise whenever he sees anything that makes that noise.  He is very good at giving hugs and kisses when he is in the mood and slows down long enough to want to. He also unfortunately loves to play in the toilet. Ugh....what a mess! He is so bright and smart. We love him to death, he makes our home bright (for the most part!)

He loves watching Utah football games with Dad

He loves tractors because they say "Vroom!"

He is so big now! Look at the round head!

-Brianne

Car Problems!

In my family I am known as the sibling who has many adventures with cars (some people may call them problems). From flat tires to hitting a dead deer, you name it I have most likely done it! You may ask how does someone manage to hit a non-moving object such as a dead deer, you are not alone. Many people have asked if it just came out of nowhere and died right in front of me. I don’t really have an answer other than it just happened! I have had my car break down on the freeway, run out of gas, car accidents (yes plural), parking tickets, and speeding tickets. One thing that I have noticed though with each of these adventures is that there has always been someone to help me. Whether it has been a random person who stopped to help change a tire, a friend who is willing to come pick me up when my car won’t start or my family who has come to the rescue I have never gone without help.

One incident in particular was a time I was driving back from a friend’s wedding.  I was about 20 miles away from my exit when I looked down and realized I was almost out of gas. I had the thought to pull over and get gas, but rationalized that I could make it home. The thought ( I now look back and realize it was a prompting) came again to pull off at the exit and get gas. Just as I started to pull off the freeway my car radio and lights started to flash and wigging out. As I pulled into the gas station my car slowly died. Luckily this exit was close by two of my sisters’ houses. A cop saw me and asked if I needed any help but I told him that family was on their way to help me. Soon my brother-in-law arrived to help. After he looked at it and talking with my Dad, we soon decided it was my alternator.  We began by rigging up the portable jumper to my battery in hopes that we could get the car to the nearest mechanic. 

Rigging up the battery!

This ended up failing, but we were pretty inventive! While we were thinking of what to do I decided to fill my car up with gas. In the process I ended up locking my keys in my car! Now not only was my car dead but the keys were stuck in it! Soon after, the same cop saw that I was still struggling about 2 hours later. He asked what was wrong and after filling him in on the details he just laughed and proceeded to unlock my car for me! My brother-in-law had me roll down the window as to avoid locking my keys in again. In the end I left my car in the parking lot for the night and went to stay at my sister’s house and charge up my battery so that in the morning I could take it to the mechanic. As we were driving away I was asked do you have everything you need, I confirmed that I did. Because the battery continued to drain as we were there (trying to get my car to start as well as documenting the event) we were unable to roll the windows back up so I wanted to make sure I had everything so nothing would get stolen. About two hours later I was lying in bed and it hit me that I left my wallet in the car! I went into my sister and brother-in-laws’ room and asked to borrow their car to go back and retrieve my wallet.

Parking for the night!

What amazed me the most about this experience is the number of times our Heavenly Father blessed me. On the surface it looked as though it was one big problem after another. But Heavenly Father prompted me to exit, he allowed it to happen close to my siblings homes, my siblings were able to come and help me, the cop was nearby when I locked the keys in my car, and my wallet wasn't stolen. At the time I was really bothered that this would happen but looking back now I can see how I was protected and watched out for. How many times does our loving Heavenly Father place people in our lives to help us? How often does he prompt us with thoughts to make correct decisions that help us?  I think we don’t even realize how many times a day the Lord is watching out for and protecting us. I am so grateful for the tender mercies that he shows to me and all of us each and every day! We just need to start looking for these and we will see them in each of our lives.
-Anna

“Božje Sam Dijete Ja”

“Božje Sam Dijete Ja” is the hymn "I Am a Child of God" in Croatian.  This past summer all of the grandchildren sang this while we were together for a reunion.  I love hearing this hymn sung in different languages.  It doesn't matter where you live, what your ethnicity is or what language you speak, we are all children of God.

If the video above doesn't work and you'd like to see it try clicking on this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-lqHaBfNd1kYXdJZ3hJdVhwUm8/view

Here are the words in English:

I Am a Child of God

1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

[Chorus]
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him once more.

4. I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine 
If I can but endure.

Text: Naomi W. Randall, 1908-2001. © 1957 IRI, Music: Mildred T. Pettit, 1895-1977. © 1957 IRI

- Sarah

A Glimpse of Heaven

I was going through some pictures and came across the day Daniel was born, almost 1 year ago. One of my favorite days in my life. Right next to it are the days my other 7 kids were born. There is nothing like the birth of a baby (maybe that is one reason I have 8!) The moment’s right after my kids were born are some of the most spiritual, sweetest moments that I will never forget. I forget a lot of things, just ask my kids, it’s almost a joke around here how forgetful I am. So to have such powerful memories of these moments means something for me. I can remember how I have felt connected to each one of them and the instant love and bond we have. I can remember how I feel of their pureness and the sweet spirits they possess. I can remember the pressure I feel to do my best and not let this little one down. I remember committing to doing everything in my power and within my ability to teach, protect, meet their needs and love unconditionally. Right after I think about my favorite 8 moments of meeting my babies I think about the moments following, watching Jon meet our babies for the first time and experience similar feelings of love and feeling the strength in the pureness of a baby straight from Heaven. My third favorite moment on the day of birthdays is when the other kids come to meet their new sibling.

Oldest Two Meeting Our third

Brothers!

I have two pictures that are my favorite, and totally candid. They speak to me. In fact I have titled them in my head, I have them framed and see them and reflect on them almost daily. I have titled them “Reunion” As I look at these pictures I see earthly siblings being reunited. One of my favorite primary hymns pops into my head:

I lived in Heaven

1. I lived in heaven a long time ago, it is true;

Lived there and loved there with people I know. So did you.

Then Heav'nly Father presented a beautiful plan,

All about earth and eternal salvation for man.

2. Father said he needed someone who had enough love

To give his life so we all could return there above.

There was another who sought for the honor divine.

Jesus said, "Father, send me, and the glory be thine."

3. Jesus was chosen, and as the Messiah he came,

Conquering evil and death through his glorious name,

Giving us hope of a wonderful life yet to be--

Home in that heaven where Father is waiting for me.

Words and music: Janeen Jacobs Brady, b. 1934

(c) 1987 by Janeen Jacobs Brady.

I love this message. The message I take from this hymn is that we lived before we came here. My kids have each come with such different personalities and traits that they never learned from me. I learn from this song that we knew each other. I know my kids knew each other in Heaven before they came to earth, these pictures are evidence of this. When my days get crazy and I feel overwhelmed I take comfort in the fact that we have a purpose we came to earth for, and these family units we are in help us through this life and the purpose we are here for.

This third picture is not so candid. It hit me one day, when I only had 7 kids, I have these pictures that mean so much to me but only 6 kids were in them. I needed one of Abby (maybe another reason I have 8, she couldn’t be left out of my favorite pictures). On our way to the hospital to have Daniel, I stressed to Jon how important it was that we get a “Reunion” picture of this new baby with Abby, so my collection could be complete. Throughout my labor I think I only brought it up 20 or so times. And then just before the kids walked in I may have reminded him how important it was to me to get a picture of Abby with the baby, in their first earthly moment together. Even though it was planned, the look on their faces are that of familiarity. They are being reunited to go through this life together as siblings!

One last picture that I have grouped in my head with these pictures is one I have seen from my growing up years that has always stuck with me, it is me with my older brother. I may not be moments old but close enough.

This picture teaches me the same things as the ones of my kids. We knew each other. I could write story after story, and one day I might, of my older brother. Of the times he protected me, laughed with me, fought with me, and taught me. He is truly one of my best earthly friends, as are all of my siblings. I am happy to know that we are on an earthly journey together that we started long before we were born.

-Rebecca

About Us-Jacob and Brianne

Hey there!

I just wanted to post a little bit about us , Jake, Bri, and Kason. 

Jake and I met in April of 2011. We were engaged by June 2011 and were married on October 15, 2011 in the St. George LDS temple. We are coming up on three years next month, I know it isn't exactly 50 years, but we are pretty excited!

Jake is in his senior year of college and is currently studying Accounting. He will hopefully be working on his MAcc (Masters of Accounting) degree in January. Jake enjoys golfing, playing basketball, and going to the lake.

I stay at home with our son Kason. I graduated in 2013 with my degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in ESL. I spend my days chasing Kason around the house and picking up after him. When I am not chasing after a busy toddler I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, quilting, and doing anything outside.

Kason is one year old and busy as can be. He loves balls, trucks, rocks, and cars. He enjoys dancing, and running around outside. He is a chatterbox and loves to babble at anyone who will listen. He is such a sweet boy, and keeps our home a lively place.

Stay tuned for more posts on our life!

Here we go...

Anna had the idea to start a family blog to keep in better touch with each other, family and friends. She’s been working hard to put things together and we’re excited to start posting… get ready for some serious blogging. Here we go!