Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Austin's 19th Birthday (December 8, 2014)

This birthday was bittersweet for me.  It was the first of many that will not be spent with the rest of his family at home.  As he is now out on his own I know that this is the beginning of a different time in his and our lives.  I am so very grateful he is serving a mission for the Lord and I know that the people of South Korea are blessed to have him there just as he is blessed by the many wonderful people he has met there.   
19 things about our missionary
1.  He did not eat spicy food before his mission. At. All!  I don't like spicy so I don't cook it.  He can now handle spicy food!
2.  He has lost some poundage while serving in Korea and is looking quite dapper!
3.  He can speak Korean...I find this amazing.  I know that the gift of tongues is truly one of the amazing blessings that the Lord blesses our missionaries with!
4.  Austin does not have air conditioning or central heating in South Korea! Yikes! He hasn't complained about it all.  
5.  Austin loves to give talks in church even in another language.
6.  Austin loves disney music. :)
7.  Austin plays the piano and has been trying to improve his skills while on his mission.
8.  He loves to sing and has continued to do that while serving the Lord.
9.  He is tenacious.
10.  He wants to do some acting when he comes back.
11.  He is an Eagle Scout.
12.  He is a hard worker.
13.  He is faithful.  He has gone through some hard things on his mission and his faith has never waivered.
14.  He has a strong testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ.
15.  He wants to be an English professor.
16.  He likes Naruto...he will have some catching up to do when he gets back.
17.  He loves reading and is constantly asking for new church books for us to send him.
18.  He will be attending BYU Provo in the fall of 2016.
19.  This may be obvious but, he has dedicated 2 years of his life to serving a mission for the Lord.

We are very proud of Austin and the man that he has become! I am grateful he choose to serve the Lord for 2 years.  I am SUPER excited for February 2016 when I can give him a big HUG!

Noel's 8th Birthday




Noel was baptized this year and it was an amazing day!! 
8 things about Noel...
1.  She is still my big helper!
2.  She has a tender heart and is a very sweet big sister.
3.  She wants to grow her hair out to her feet!
4.  She wants to go everywhere I go. She is my little shadow.
5.  Noel loves to do my hair and her own hair.
6.  She loves gymnastics.
7.  She has a servants heart.  She likes to serve those around her.
8.  She wants to be like Jesus and that is why she choose to get baptized.  She is such a blessing to our family and I feel truly blessed to have her as part of it. She has helped me to be a better mom these last 8 years! We love our NoelyJelly!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Halloween 2014

Our gangster
 Tyler the Thomas the tank engine
 Peter the scooby doo
 Grace the witch
 Noel the gold medal gymnast

October 2014

This little guy continues to grow bigger and bigger.  Time goes by so fast when they are little, especially that first year.
 We went on a camping trip and it was a ton of fun!


 On our way home from camping...we are pretty tired!
 Royals got into the World Series!
 This sweet girl wanted me to sew her this dress for her baptism and I finished it with time to spare!
 Christian has a strong bond with his little brother.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

September 2014



Charity got her learner's permit! YIKES!!! She is actually quite a good driver!!  Here is she is in her brother's car...I am sure he won't mind since he can't drive it for another year and a half! :)
This little boy started sucking his thumb again...so cute!
Why did I post this pic...I couldn't resist he is such a ham and so adorable!
A little homeschooling in the yard with a snake! YUCK!
Joshua is starting to smile lots and lots!
Tyler loves his mommy!
Noel is a mommy's helper that is for sure!

I had surgery on my small toe that I broke several months ago...bed rest for 5 days meant my hubby did a lot of baby holding...he seriously is the bomb!
And of course there has been a lot of schooling going on around here!

Joshua Aaron's Blessing (July 6, 2014)

Joshua was blessed in July of 2014.  It was a beautiful blessing and he looked quite handsome!
Here is the whole crew...minus our missionary!  
 Me being a total goof!
 Sweet little boy!




I really wanted a "sailor" type blessing outfit but didn't want to pay the price on the ones I found. So, I whipped up my version of almost exactly what I wanted.  

Joshua Aaron is here! (May 23, 2014)

Our sweet little boy joined our family on May 23.   It was a good delivery...I decided to get an epidural this time.  My first time ever to take meds during a delivery but, my anxiety was out of control and it was the only thing that helped to keep it somewhat under control.  He weighed in at 8 lbs 11oz.  Not the biggest of my boys but, big nonetheless!  Here are pics of all the excitement!!
Look at those fat rolls on his arm!!! 
He has big 'ole feet!



 

...and hands!

 

The whole crew...minus our missionary who is in South Korea! He won't get to meet the little guy in person until February of 2016.
 
 Charity and Joshua
 Christian and Joshua
 Grace and Joshua
Noel and Joshua
Peter and Joshua
 Tyler and Joshua