Christmas 2014

It's well past Christmas, but I wanted to record a few thoughts from those past few months. This was my 3rd year in a row to have a small baby at Christmas time. I felt exhausted and overwhelmed a lot of the days. But, I felt truly happy. Happier than I've ever felt in my life. We had a really bad year financially-- so many things to pay for, so many things break, car problems, etc. Every month was a struggle to make ends meet. But, every month it worked out. Even with a little extra for Christmas. I felt so loved that Christmas. Not just from my Heavenly Father, but from family, friends, and my boys. Jackson was so into the "magic" of Christmas- the decorations, the suspense, the activities. It was fun to always go along with his ideas and talk about how exciting Santa is. Tommie and Dallin were old enough to get excited for the different activities and just be happy doing whatever. It was a simple christmas but so special. Both James and I remarked that even though our year had felt so challenging and frustrating, we felt so incredibly blessed. We knew Heavenly Father had looked out for us more times than we could count. 

Hiking hole in the rock on Christmas Eve day. 

Obviously the kids favorite part was all the ducks swarming our picnic lunch.

For 2 years in a row, we have had Christmas Eve with a fire pit in the back yard. I added some glowsticks as a present to open and the kids had a blast. Who cares if it looks more like new years eve? :) 

Our earliest Christmas morning yet ... 5:30 wake up from tommie and jax. 

Our Anderson family party was a hayride through lehi with a hot dog roast at the end. It was SO much fun.

We were also lucky to spend some time with Neil and Megan and their kids. They came for Spencer's farewell talk in our ward. I loved that both Jax and Kade had ugly star wars pjs - both hand me downs from neighbors :) These boys got along so good - I haven't forgotten how they used to fight :)  It's crazy to see how alike they are now.  

Bryce's baby blessing

Today, Bryce was blessed. It was the same sunday that Spencer gave his farewell talk. It works out great to have Wilford and Neil in town as well. Honestly, it was a chaotic sunday for me. I remember as James started the blessing, he was saying that Bryce has such a calming influence. I was by myself on the row and Dallin and Tommie were full out wrestling and yelling at each other while Jax is mad they are kicking him. The crackers they were fighting over were getting thrown everywhere. I remember laughing out loud while trying to get my boys to calm down. I tried really hard to catch the blessing but it wasn't happening. I am so grateful Kathleen emailed me the notes :). I hope that's not an omen for bryce's life. But, I love that he is willing to put up with it all. I also love that Bryce was blessed to understand truth. He somehow makes me think about what really is important every time i am alone with just him. 

Notes from the Infant Blessing given to

Bryce Clayton Andersen

Dec. 28, 2014

Mesa Vineyard Ward, Mesa, AZ

Dear Heavenly Father, by the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood which we hold, we give this baby a name and a blessing.  The name we give him is Bryce Clayton Andersen.

Bryce, We are grateful you are here at this time.  We bless you to know that your Heavenly Father has sent you here to do special things. 

We are grateful for the peaceful feelings you have brought into our home and for the calming influence you have upon your parents and siblings.

We bless you to know of our love and gratitude for you at this time. 

We bless you to be a leader among your friends and family.  People will look up to you as an example and for your calming influence. 

We bless you to use this influence for good.  We bless you that through your influence you may bless others around you. 

We bless you to have a seriousness about the gospel.  We bless you even at this early time with a desire to keep the commandments and covenants of God.  And because of your obedience, we bless you to be able to return to live with your Heavenly Father.

We bless you to have the strength to avoid temptation.  We bless you with sound understanding.  We bless you that your mind will be able to understand truth.  We bless you to gain a knowledge of the principles of the gospel and of secular knowledge.  We bless you that you will learn and grow. 

We bless you that you will be able to serve a mission and that you will bless those you come in contact with. 

We bless you that you will be married in the temple and make covenants and have the strength to keep them. 

We bless you to feel love for the Savior and gratitude for the blessings He has given you. 

We bless you with a desire to learn and understand the priesthood.  We bless you that you will see it as a gift and a great blessing to be able to serve others.  We bless you to be a blessing to those around you and that through your use of the priesthood worthily you will bless others for good.

We want you to know of our love for you at this time.  And we say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen

 



Why is it so hard to just get a good picture? :)  Oh well, these show how the day REALLY went!

Spencer did such a great job on his talk. He seemed so old to me. I loved that he had a few days to spend with my boys again. Honestly, I started crying when I said goodbye to him. He will be a great missionary and is so lucky to go to rome. But, I recognized that I really appreciated all he did for our little family. I realized how much my boys looked up to him and how much I already missed having him live with us.

Happy birthday to Emily!

When sunday family dinner was cancelled, James and I decided to have Emily over for an early birthday party. Even though her birthday isn't till this wednesday, we tried to play it up a little - and it was a success. She seemed to have lots of fun and it was good to see her laughing. She was a trooper to put up with us and Shaela's family. It was definitely loud with lots of little kids - but awesome! :) 

Happy Birthday Em! We love you! 

Random thoughts from the past 2 weeks

Well, we had a little bout of stomach flu - or food poisoning. Even James stayed home throwing up - that's not normal. Tommie threw up the next night, all over james' side of the bed. I kept trying to wake james up so he wasn't laying on it but he kept telling me he didn't care, it wasn't bugging him. Let's just say, that come morning, he wanted to know why his clothes were crusty and what that smell was! come to find out, he didn't remember any of it! And, after tommie had thrown up on me, I had cleaned up my side of the bed and rolled all the dirty sheets over to the middle- putting down new ones just for myself. You could tell that james thought I looked a little selfish! Ha! I am SOOO glad we have a king bed - do they make any wider to handle all the kids at night?? :)

Jackson had his franklin winter sing - held at Westwood's auditorium.  I'll admit that we were running a little late so james dropped me and the kids off at the front and went to find a parking spot. After he got in and sat down, Kristen Millet walked by and wanted to see the new baby. We looked around and couldnt find him. Turns out he was still in the car! James ran out to go get him and we both realized we weren't quite used to the 4 kids things yet... :) But, jax had a little solo part of Alvin from Alvin and the chipmunks. Actually, there was a little group of Alvins - but somehow he was the only one who said anything at the right time. He had the whole audience laughing and really did look so cute. He is a smart - quick boy. He had enunciated the words "i still want a hula- hoop" so clear that the "p" sound was so loud "puh". He said, "I guess everyone thinks the "p" sound is funny". Ha - he really makes my day. His whole life is surrounded by babies - but everyday he finds ways to get them all laughing. I will really miss the day he recognizes that staying home with me is not the coolest thing ever. He is really thinking through things lately. He spells out so many words and writes me so many letters. I posted on Facebook his latest discovery. "Jackson figured out why all the other reindeer didn't like Rudolph- "because mom , his first name was Rude" ha! Merry Christmas! " 

Tommie is fast lately- and so curious about everything. I had made a box of mac and cheese - which we really never have. Everyone was so excited, even James. When we sat down to eat it, it was so nasty. I realized that Tommie had dumped a serious amount of garlic salt in it when I put dallin in his high chair.  I am also now missing all the spices from my spice cabinet. While I answered the door for the neighbors (wanting to borrow something), he opened each jar and dumped it out -- luckily not in dinner though!

I left the family room to put dallin in the bathtub yesterday. His diaper had leaked everywhere. I got the feeling to go back and check on bryce. He was acting weird on the ground. I picked him up and discovered he had a mouthful of at least 6 raisins. All shoved in there by little tommie. "He was hungry mom" Tommie smiled at me.  I said a prayer right then thanking Heavenly father for whatever angels are assigned to watch out for bryce. He could've choked so easily.

Bryce is the easiest baby. I struggled those few days with balancing out my milk for him - i obviously have oversupply and his poor stomach was struggling. But, then we got it all worked out and he sleeps so good. He falls asleep on his own and sleeps 4 hour chunks at night. It is incredible and I love him for it. I still don't sleep well at nights, but dallin is trying harder to sleep through the nights. Tommie has been waking up at 4 lately so we really need to get everyone on the same schedule :) But, I am back walking and trying to be more active- so i must be feeling better.

The best news of all - the yukon is finally fixed and back home. We all drove out to queen creek last friday night to get it from the repairman. Can I just say what a difference it has made in my life?? Amazing. I love having a big car that fits everyone. I love that no one pulls my hair while i drive or kicks my seat. The kids love seeing out the window and I am just a new person. Because of that- I now go places with all the kids all by myself. Call me super mom! :)

Eternal love

Is this not the sweetest picture of Grandma and Grandpa Bennion. I love that he has 3 pens in his pocket - and that his keys are hanging out. I love how it shows both their personalities. But, I thought about something when I saw this picture--- I really hope that someday, after living with James for YEARS, I can look at him, quirks and all, and just have plain happiness and love on my face. Not that I don't NOW -- but we have our days where I think - man, marriage is work. :) It's definitely worth every little bit of effort I put in to it- but still- I hope that our relationship can become as strong as theirs still is.