There's Snow on the Ground, Does That Mean It's Too Cold to Feed the Geese?

My mom and dad came for a visit last week for baby Jackson's blessing. The day of the blessing came and everyone was coming over to my house, where the blessing was going to happen. We looked outside to see if anyone was coming and much to our surprise, there were five or six ducks on our doorstep. Naturally we fed them and the kids made new friends that day. I didn't get any pictures of that because I was holding Paityn and she was ENTHRALLED to say the least. But after the blessing, we all went out and fed the geese. It was so fun and the kids really enjoyed it. We love living where we do. We are in a primo location. Ducks, geese, park, parties... we got lucky with this house. We really do love it here.

Riley feeding the geese

Cami LOVED feeding them. She kept wanting more and more bread to share.

Trevor kept getting a little too close and the goose would try and nip at him through the fence. Trev didn't care though.
Have you ever noticed just how ugly a gooses face is. Not pretty. Scary actually.

Hubba Hubba Three Red Heads in the Tubba!

My kiddos are so STINKIN cute it kills me. I LOVE this picture. One morning they were all in the tub, because of course if one of them wants a bath then so do all the rest of them, and I looked at them and noticed how much alike these three look. It's crazy. But they also have their own look to them as well. It's so funny. I am one blessed momma.

"Phase One" Has Begun

Do you ever wish money grew on trees? Or how about not having to pay for things like getting teeth pulled or stretched or straightened? Well I have and I am wishing so hard right now to no avail. Riley went to see Tad the orthodontist and he said that she needs work done right now. She had to have two more teeth pulled bringing the grand total up to 12 teeth pulled for this girl. As soon as the permanent teeth come in, she will have to get an expander put in her mouth as well as braces on her 4 adult teeth. Yikes! Then when phase one is complete it'll be onto phase two. Why can't insurances cover more then they do? Ours covers a limited amount of one person's expenses but ONLY after having the coverage for two full years. We got ours in January. Maybe they meant two full MONTHS instead of years. Bummer right?Oh well. At least Riley will have more room in her tiny little mouth for her big beautiful teeth and that's all that matters.

After her teeth were pulled. Ouch!! She hurt for a little while afterwards and was so uncomfortable. But she handled it like a champ.

See? All smiles again.

Professor King, PHD

Yes I made Chad pose professor-like for this picture. No he is NOT really a PHD. I am so proud of him though and excited for him. He and a friend from work were asked to teach a few classes at the U of U this week. I know that this is a big honor because not just anyone gets asked to teach a college class. Chad is so good at what he does at work and I know it's paid off because his boss and coworkers recognize it and know they can turn to him for help, questions or assistance anytime and Chad will know exactly what to do for them. He is so smart and I am so excited to see how this new adventure pans out. Way to go Honey! Go Utes!!

"You Got The One You Prayed For"...Yes I Did!!

This is more of a journal entry then a blog post. I just want to be sure that I never forget what happened to Chad and I on Sunday and also that I never forget the things that were told to me. On Sunday, Chad and I went to the stake center for our first bishops training course. We met with the other members of the new bishopric and their wives, and also the stake presidency and their wives. We met all together at first and learned some things about just what a bishop and his counselors do and the job of each counselor. It was a tender experience and the spirit was so strong I just couldn't help but smile. My testimony has been strengthened a hundred times over just from these past two weeks. Being in the presence of the stake presidency, seeing the change in Jake and Chad and Brian, having my eyes opened to see the hand of the Lord blessing me and my family and feeling in his presence so much. I have been truly touched and inspired. After meeting with the men, us women split up and had a chance to be taught by the presidency's wives. What an experience. These women have been taught by members of the seventy and their wives. The quotes they shared with us, the stories, the love and support was second to none. We talked about the 25 section in the Doctrine and Covenants where the Lord speaks to Emma Smith. Sister Thane, the stake president's wife, who is in our ward, spoke to us about how the Lord told Emma that she was an elect lady. Sister Thane told Lea and Deeanne and I that we are called to this calling just as much as our husbands were and that we were chosen because we are elect women. That touched my heart so much. She also told us that our biggest part that we will play will be to comfort our husbands. Just as the Lord told Emma,"and the office of thy calling shall be for a comfort unto my servant, Joseph Smith Jun., thy husband in his afflictions with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness." This humbled me so much. I am not a very meek person. I struggle with that so much. While I tried to support Chad in his last callings in the bishopric, this is his third time called as the second counselor, I was never very meek.The definition of meek or meekness is: A disposition to be patient and long-suffering. Two things that I struggle most with. When they were speaking to us about how we need to be meek, my heart sank and I instantly remembered times that I was not so "meek". I really need to work on that and I know that I will need help beyond my power to assist me.They closed with verses 14 and 15 which say, "Continue in the spirit of meekness and beware of pride. Let thy soul delight in thy husband, and the glory which shall come upon him." "Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shat receive..." I was so touched by the words that were taught to me by these wonderful women. I will never forget the feelings and emotions that I had while in that meeting. The last thing that Sister Thane shared was this, "You got the one you prayed for." I truly did. Chad is an amazing man and I know that he is forever destined for great things. I can only hope to be able to hitch a ride on his coat tails and take the journey. While I know I have so much to work on, I know that I have the support of these women to help me. I have the support of the wives of the bishopric. I have the support of my amazing husband to help me learn and grow and be strengthened by this calling. And I have the support of the Lord and I know that he is so close to me and I will never stop asking for help because I know that I will need Him every second of the day especially if I'm going to have to be meek. I cannot wait to learn and grow. This has already been an amazing experience for me and it is only the second week. What an amazing time. Third times a charm right? Here's to being meek.

Life is Not Measured by the Breaths You Take But by the Moments That Take Your Breath Away!!

I am in a reminiscent mood today. I am feeling so overwhelmed by the blessings that have been poured onto me in my life recently. I would be ungracious if I didn't at least attempt to make a journal entry of what I am feeling right now. So here are my top ten moments in my life that have taken my breath away:

Getting accepted to then Rick's College with a full ride scholarship to play basketball. Basketball was my first love and I practiced hard to get better at the game and it paid off.

Meeting the man of my dreams. Chad played basketball at Ricks as well and his last year was my first year. We met and then 9 months later we started dating. I wasn't very "eye-catching" what can I say? I knew he was the one for me the first time I laid eyes on him.
The day Chad proposed to me. I remember the day so clearly. Mesa Falls, snow on the ground, ring in his pocket. He told me to sit down on the rock and the moment I did he was on one knee asking me to marry him and my life changed forever.

The first time ever going into the temple. That day was UNFORGETTABLE!

Our wedding day. It went by way too fast and I wish it would've slowed down. I LOVED that day. Everything was PERFECT. The weather, the flowers, the food, the limo... everything was just perfect.

The day I ran and finished my first half marathon. A fuse was ignited in me that day. What a feeling of complete and utter satisfaction in accomplishing something like that. Running 13.1 miles is not something that you can just go out and do one day. You have to train for it. I trained and I set goals and on this day I accomplished those goals and it was such a great feeling.


First off, don't judge me and my looks. I had just had my first baby and I looked TERRIBLE. The day I had my first baby, Riley, that day was life changing. I will never forget the moment they held her up and I got to see her chubby little face for the first time. I became a mommy that day and I am so blessed to have had that moment.


Baby number 2, Camden. Our second little girl and first red head. Oh she was a blessing to our family in so many ways and still brings little reminders to us each day of how blessed we are to have her.

Having our first baby boy, Trevor. He was a tank of a baby and has always been all boy. I felt a connection with him as soon as I saw him. This boy has taught me all sorts of things. The ones that top the list are patience and unconditional love.

Having my fourth baby, Paityn. What a joy she was from the get go. She has blessed our lives with peace and happiness and I remember the first time I held her I felt so close to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I am so thankful and full of emotion for all of these moments and so many others that have blessed my life. There are so many blessings that go unnoticed or are forgotten or are taken for granted. I hope that from here on out, I can have my eyes wide open to take in every single blessing, no matter how small, and give thanks for them in my life.

Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day!! This year Valentine's Day was all about family for us. I made pancakes for Chad in the morning before he went to work, then again for the kids when they got up. The kids opened their Valentines from Chad and I and loved their new little toys. It was hard for Riley to get ready for school because she wanted to play instead. Chad brought lunch, Costa Vida, home for me and the kiddos and it was so tasty. I LOVE Costa Vida. We then went over to Chad's parents' house for dinner because Kelly, our sister in law, was in town from Wisconsin for a visit. It was a lot of fun getting together and visiting with her.We had a family night via Skype with Tyler and the kids.After that, we came home, put the kiddos to bed and Chad and I enjoyed some awesome chocolate dipped strawberries that I made and sparkling cider.It was a great day and we're not even done celebrating yet. Chad and I have a dinner date this weekend since we couldn't go last night. Yeah for delayed celebrations. Twice the fun!

I made each of the kiddos a valentine's day shirt. It was a lot more work then I anticipated but I LOVE the way they turned out and the kids loved them too.

Paityn in her Valentine's Day attire! Isn't she so cute?

Riley with her valentine from Mom and Dad

Cami with her valentine

Trev got an airplane and LOVED it

Paityn with her new little doll for her valentine's day gift

This is all of Riley's valentine's that she got from her friends in her class. She had so much stuff.

Chocolate dipped strawberries...One word...YUMMMM!!!

Nothing says a special occasion like sparkling cider. It topped off the night!

And So It Begins...Again!

What a week we've had! What a day we've had! Today has been such an awesome day. Last week, Chad got a call for an appointment with the Stake President. Uh-Oh! So we went and met with the Stake president and it was a wonderful meeting. He said some powerful things to both Chad and I and I am so thankful for the things that he told us. He got to know us a little better as he asked us questions about our childhood, education, callings, marriage, family...and so forth. He then extended a call to Chad to be the second counselor in the bishopric. I had a feeling that's what was coming. Today he was set apart as the second counselor and what's really neat is that our new Bishop who he will be serving with is our neighbor and great friend, Jake Shepherd. We are so excited for this new calling and the opportunity to grow. It has been a very spiritual day and I am so excited for the future of our ward and family.

I wanted to take pictures of us all today so that when Chad's call to serve in the bishopric is over, we can look back and see how much we've changed.

Riley- 8 1/2 years old

Trevor- one month away from turning 3


Paityn- 14 months old

Camden- 5 years old

We Caught The Fever...BIEBER FEVER!

Yesterday a group of friends and me and Riley and Cami got to go see the Justin Bieber movie. Now I'll be the first to admit that I have had Bieber fever for a while, but after seeing this movie I am twitterpated. What an amazing talent. He's pretty amazing and I don't care how much that makes me sound like a cougar. My girls had fun with their friends and so did I. I wouldn't mind seeing the movie again or owning it. It is definitely worth seeing.

Justin Bieber Never Say Never...Ahh Yeah!!

Riley and Cami in their new Justin Bieber shirts.

Cami, Riley, Kelsey, Brooke, Hadlie and Kaycee. These girls are such good friends and all Justin Bieber fans...even Kaycee admitted she thought he was attractive.


Me, Shauna and Allison. All throughout the movie, the fans at the concerts or wherever Justin was would flash this heart sign with their hands. So naturally we had to show our adoration as well.

Paityn is MOBILE!

Oh my Paityn Lola, how fast you are growing. I love this girl so stinkin much. She is such a funny girl and has such an easy going personality. But she sure does know how to hold her own with her big brother. She really started walking about a month ago, maybe earlier then that even. But she didn't really start taking off and go nonstop until about 2 weeks ago. She just is walking all over the place. Which only means trouble, because now she can get into anything and everything. But it's so cute to see this little tiny girl walking around. She loves shoes. Everyday, she goes into her closet and she'll bring out all of her shoes, then we get to pick which ones she will actually wear that day. She's so fun and I am so excited about seeing her grow...not that I am trying to speed things up at all though.

What a cutie! Here she is putting her shoes away after choosing to wear her nikes for the day!

So cute I can't even stand it!

She is such a ham! She smiles with her whole face. She wakes up this way too, just so happy to start another day!

I couldn't resist putting in just one more of her cuteness!

New Beginnings!!

My brother Andrew and sister in law Jenny welcomed their new baby boy, Jackson Andrew Baker, into the world on Saturday the 5 of January. What a sweet time it is in a person's life to welcome a new spirit straight from Heavenly Father into their lives. What a blessing it was to be a witness to this special time. I was able to be in the room as Jackson took his first breath. Giving birth is a miracle to me and yet I never noticed it until I was able to watch my sister in laws have their babies. I will be forever grateful to my sister in laws for letting me be in attendance to watch their sweet miracle children be born. Thank you Jenny, and congratulations to you and Andrew.
I also have to say thank you to Dr. Sumsion for letting me put on some gloves and become an "assistant" of sorts in the delivery. What an experience. It was a dream come true.

Jackson Andrew Baker! 7 lbs. 10 oz's. and 20 inches long. He has changed so much already. What a cutie!