It's always tough getting back in a routine after a long holiday break. This time was especially rough because I'm starting a new position as Sales Manager at Brighton Homes along with my normal model home agent position. I'm excited for the opportunity and more excited for the health care benefits. Our healthcare costs were going from $1,000 per month to $1,500 per month this year so the timing couldn't have been better.
This past week my heart has been filled with gratitude for so many blessings. Above all of them are the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of my family. I love the peace that being obedient brings. I love the spirit that surrounds quality family time. I'm grateful for healthy and beautiful children and am forever grateful to be married to the woman I love with all my heart.
Heidi is starting to get used to her CPAP machine. That along with a new mattress seems to be helping her back some as well as her overall health. I'm so grateful my health is such that I have strength, energy, and the ability to take care of her and the family. I can't imagine being in constant pain. Last Sunday Josh Clark, who I home teach, asked me to give him a priesthood blessing. He's also been in severe pain with a bad back and rotater cuff. He's been getting only 2-4 hours of sleep at night. Unfortunately he's still in a lot of pain so my fast was dedicated to him. I hope and pray he finds relief soon.
It's funny how routines and work - or this case school - can actually improve your mood. Benjamin and Jacob have been harping, teasing, whining, crying complaining, and arguing with each other this holiday season. Now that school has started back up they are getting along much better, and this Sunday was a rare Sunday in that we were able to spend it with just our family. It was awesome! We played Uno, spoons, pull-off socks, home base hide and seek, and pulled out my latest Christmas toy - a slot car racing track. We ended the day watching 17 Miracles - such an amazing move about the Willie Handcart Company and their trek west.
Savannah received for Christmas the present she was begging and pleading for the last few months - her very own cell phone. While Mother and I were dreading it, we do feel like Savannah is responsible beyond years.
I relistened to Elder Holland's talk (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng) and love when an Apostle of the Lord expands scripture. In this case he talks about the man who has a disabled child and asks the Savior to heal him. When the Savior asks if he believes, he says "yea Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief." He does believe but acknowledges his belief is weak. Still, the Lord heals him. Elder Holland talk about the importance of leading out with your declaration of belief, not leading out with your unbelief. He also gives insight to how we don't have to have a perfect knowledge of the faith to move mountains to witness a miracle. But we have to start with faith, or belief. I love it. Sometimes I feel like I'm not worthy to ask for the miracle, or that my faith isn't strong enough yet. This was a great reminder that we can (and actually must) rely fully on the grace and mercy of Christ, but to offer up the faith and belief we do have.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Utah Utes - Foster Farms Bowl!
Utah Utes - Foster Farms Bowl!
Fun week! Benjamin and I flew to San Fran to cheer on our Utes against Indiana in the Foster Farms Bowl! I absolutely love spending one on one time with my children. We hit Ed's diner for a yummy breakfast, the pep rally on Tuesday, drove the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park, strolled along the beach, ate DELICIOUS Seniore's Pizza, passed the football around at the park, visited the Intel Museum, went swimming, and of course rocked the Utah football game, which came down to the wire but the Utes pulled it off!
Of course, we did run into our fair share of grief: After waking up at 3:45 am to catch our early flight, we arrived in San Fran only to realize I left my debit card at the SLC airport. We finally made it to our rental car which stunk of smoke but we were too tired to really care. During the pep rally someone broke into our rental car and stole my laptop, my suitcase with all my clothes, and Benjamin's kindle. Returned the rental car on Thursday at 7 am only to find out they charged me a $300 cleaning fee for the smoke smell! Unbelievable. Still fighting that charge.
Happy New Year - 2017
Happy New Year! Sunday, January 1, 2017
The Christmas season has come and gone, and our attention is turning to the New Year! Time to renew our goals and resolutions, and push for that continual personal and family improvement. I'll admit, I haven't been as excited to set new goals this year. I'm not sure why - I think part of it was that 2016 was such a great year in so many ways it will be hard to beat. But we had a good priesthood meeting today in which we talked of the importance of sincerely trying and putting forth an honest effort in improving.
I shared a quote in priesthood that my brother James shared with me from CS Lewis: "The right direction leads not only to peace but to knowledge. When the man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left within him...when a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less." (The Great Divorce).
Needless to say the lesson was just what I needed to motivate myself in creating this next year's resolutions. While tomorrow we will conduct a family night putting together our family's resolutions, tonight I will focus on my own resolutions.
Fortunately I had written down goals recently for my 40th birthday, so now I can just expound on those some:
New Goals:
Spiritual
1. Daily Personal Prayers and Scripture - 30 minutes
2. Daily Family Prayers and Scripture - 10 minutes
3. Monthly temple attendance
4. Weekly family night
5. 100% Home Teaching
6. Magnify YSA calling by getting to know all YSA in our ward
7. Daily reflection and improvement
Physical
1. Dinner with family each night
2. 60 minutes daily exercise
3. Weekly random act of service
4. Fried food no more than once per week
5. Daily vegetables and fruits.
6. Monthly one on one dates with Savannah, Benj, and Jacob
7. Lose 10 pounds to 185 lbs
Career
1. Excel in sales management position
2. 30 Minutes per day continued education (5 days a week)
3. 3 sales per month
4. Temporally secure
5. Build 2 spec homes
6. Purchase rental property
The Christmas season has come and gone, and our attention is turning to the New Year! Time to renew our goals and resolutions, and push for that continual personal and family improvement. I'll admit, I haven't been as excited to set new goals this year. I'm not sure why - I think part of it was that 2016 was such a great year in so many ways it will be hard to beat. But we had a good priesthood meeting today in which we talked of the importance of sincerely trying and putting forth an honest effort in improving.
I shared a quote in priesthood that my brother James shared with me from CS Lewis: "The right direction leads not only to peace but to knowledge. When the man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left within him...when a man is getting worse he understands his own badness less and less." (The Great Divorce).
Needless to say the lesson was just what I needed to motivate myself in creating this next year's resolutions. While tomorrow we will conduct a family night putting together our family's resolutions, tonight I will focus on my own resolutions.
Fortunately I had written down goals recently for my 40th birthday, so now I can just expound on those some:
New Goals:
Spiritual
1. Daily Personal Prayers and Scripture - 30 minutes
2. Daily Family Prayers and Scripture - 10 minutes
3. Monthly temple attendance
4. Weekly family night
5. 100% Home Teaching
6. Magnify YSA calling by getting to know all YSA in our ward
7. Daily reflection and improvement
Physical
1. Dinner with family each night
2. 60 minutes daily exercise
3. Weekly random act of service
4. Fried food no more than once per week
5. Daily vegetables and fruits.
6. Monthly one on one dates with Savannah, Benj, and Jacob
7. Lose 10 pounds to 185 lbs
Career
1. Excel in sales management position
2. 30 Minutes per day continued education (5 days a week)
3. 3 sales per month
4. Temporally secure
5. Build 2 spec homes
6. Purchase rental property
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Eve of 40th Birthday
Yes...I officially turn 40 years old tomorrow. Never did I imagine I would ever be this old. Or maybe I did imagine it but that I would have had everything figured out in life. Well, I certainly don't have many things figured out, but wow has time flown by. It seems like yesterday I was graduating from Olympus High School and heading to Capistrano for Senior trip. Since that time the concept of time has sped up exponentially. Here's a quick timeline going simply from memory:
1995 - Summer: Senior Trip to Capistrano, Family trip to Hamburg to pick up James, summer working at Dr. Tidwell's Dental office, start fall semester in Mining Engineering at U of U, fill out mission papers
1995 Dec - 1998 Jan - Serve in Russia-St. Petersburg Mission
1998 - Return home, start back immediately at U of U, try to figure out how to adjust back to normal life as well as what to do with my life. Start dating...
1998 - June - Heidi Lynn VanWagenen shows up at my door. Aaron and I go on double dates, he takes Heidi and I'm wishing she was my date all night long. I ask her out the next day.
1998 - August - I propose to Heidi at the top of Little Cottownood Canyon, just as the sun is rising. We dance to her favorite singer at the time Celine Dion on the top of the mountain. She says yes :)
1999 - 2001 - Marriage, work, finish up schooling at BYU, join Army
2002 - 2004 - Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Advanced training at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Bought 1st home in Kearns for $114,000. Deployed first to Ft. Lewis in Washington, then to Ft. Drum, NY. Worked as Dental Technician.
2005 - Returned to remodeled-by-Heidi house, finally conceived and had SAVANNAH!! Sold home, moved in to rental property with Grandpa and Grandma Van, changed profession to Real Estate.
2006 - Bought 2nd home in Woods Cross
2007 - Benjamin born!! Nearly lost both Heidi and Benjamin due to full ruptured uterus and artery. Doctors worried about permanent brain damage.
2009 - Start building new home in Kaysville
2010 - New home finished on Heidi's birthday, Jacob born April 3!! (only 4 lbs 11 oz, 6 weeks early)
2011-2016 - LOVE RAISING THIS FAMILY!!!
Back to my imminent 40th birthday. While it does seem like 40 is over the hill, I've decided I certainly don't feel old and this is a perfect time to re-dedicate myself. I'm going to start fresh, so to speak, and recommit myself to the things that matter most.
Today while at dinner at my parents, I asked my dad for a Father's blessing. It's been several years since I've received one from my father. It was a great experience. Part of what made it great was to have all three of my children see their dad receive a father's blessing from his father, just as they've received from me. I hope it's something they always remember so that as they grow older and become parents, they too will continue to ask for a father's blessing.
New Goals:
1. Daily Personal Prayers and Scripture
2. Daily Family Prayers and Scripture
3. Monthly temple attendance
4. Weekly family night
5. 60 minutes daily exercise
6. 30 Minutes per day continued education (5 days a week)
7. Weekly random act of service
8. Temporally secure
1995 - Summer: Senior Trip to Capistrano, Family trip to Hamburg to pick up James, summer working at Dr. Tidwell's Dental office, start fall semester in Mining Engineering at U of U, fill out mission papers
1995 Dec - 1998 Jan - Serve in Russia-St. Petersburg Mission
1998 - Return home, start back immediately at U of U, try to figure out how to adjust back to normal life as well as what to do with my life. Start dating...
1998 - June - Heidi Lynn VanWagenen shows up at my door. Aaron and I go on double dates, he takes Heidi and I'm wishing she was my date all night long. I ask her out the next day.
1998 - August - I propose to Heidi at the top of Little Cottownood Canyon, just as the sun is rising. We dance to her favorite singer at the time Celine Dion on the top of the mountain. She says yes :)
1999 - 2001 - Marriage, work, finish up schooling at BYU, join Army
2002 - 2004 - Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina, Advanced training at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Bought 1st home in Kearns for $114,000. Deployed first to Ft. Lewis in Washington, then to Ft. Drum, NY. Worked as Dental Technician.
2005 - Returned to remodeled-by-Heidi house, finally conceived and had SAVANNAH!! Sold home, moved in to rental property with Grandpa and Grandma Van, changed profession to Real Estate.
2006 - Bought 2nd home in Woods Cross
2007 - Benjamin born!! Nearly lost both Heidi and Benjamin due to full ruptured uterus and artery. Doctors worried about permanent brain damage.
2009 - Start building new home in Kaysville
2010 - New home finished on Heidi's birthday, Jacob born April 3!! (only 4 lbs 11 oz, 6 weeks early)
2011-2016 - LOVE RAISING THIS FAMILY!!!
Back to my imminent 40th birthday. While it does seem like 40 is over the hill, I've decided I certainly don't feel old and this is a perfect time to re-dedicate myself. I'm going to start fresh, so to speak, and recommit myself to the things that matter most.
Today while at dinner at my parents, I asked my dad for a Father's blessing. It's been several years since I've received one from my father. It was a great experience. Part of what made it great was to have all three of my children see their dad receive a father's blessing from his father, just as they've received from me. I hope it's something they always remember so that as they grow older and become parents, they too will continue to ask for a father's blessing.
New Goals:
1. Daily Personal Prayers and Scripture
2. Daily Family Prayers and Scripture
3. Monthly temple attendance
4. Weekly family night
5. 60 minutes daily exercise
6. 30 Minutes per day continued education (5 days a week)
7. Weekly random act of service
8. Temporally secure
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Brotherly Elders Quorum
November 6, 2016
Brotherly Elders Quorum
I'm continually impressed with the amazing insight I find in our Elder's Quorum. I've never felt more charity in a quorum before, meaning insights and comments are shared that truly seem motivated by pure love - love of the Lord and a form of brotherly love towards each other.
Today Jordan Stephenson opened up about the challenge he personally has been facing with a daughter who has an un-diagnosed neurological disorder. We were reviewing Elder Ballard's general conference talk "To Whom Shall We Go?" (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/11/sunday-morning-session/to-whom-shall-we-go?lang=eng) . There is a paragraph in there that compares life to a steep climb, and that many of us may need to take a rest, re-evaluate, and reconsider our pace. But he urges us to stay on the trail. Jordan was working two jobs after his undergraduate degree, then started the master's program and was called into the bishopric. He had always believed that you always accept a calling because the Lord will provide a way to accomplish and fulfill it. After a while the Bishop called him in and said he felt like Jordan needed to spend more time taking care of his family and that he was going to release him and not give him a calling for a while. I felt this was a perfect example of what Elder Ballard was referring to in his talk.
Brotherly Elders Quorum
I'm continually impressed with the amazing insight I find in our Elder's Quorum. I've never felt more charity in a quorum before, meaning insights and comments are shared that truly seem motivated by pure love - love of the Lord and a form of brotherly love towards each other.
Today Jordan Stephenson opened up about the challenge he personally has been facing with a daughter who has an un-diagnosed neurological disorder. We were reviewing Elder Ballard's general conference talk "To Whom Shall We Go?" (https://www.lds.org/ensign/2016/11/sunday-morning-session/to-whom-shall-we-go?lang=eng) . There is a paragraph in there that compares life to a steep climb, and that many of us may need to take a rest, re-evaluate, and reconsider our pace. But he urges us to stay on the trail. Jordan was working two jobs after his undergraduate degree, then started the master's program and was called into the bishopric. He had always believed that you always accept a calling because the Lord will provide a way to accomplish and fulfill it. After a while the Bishop called him in and said he felt like Jordan needed to spend more time taking care of his family and that he was going to release him and not give him a calling for a while. I felt this was a perfect example of what Elder Ballard was referring to in his talk.
Bedtime Chats
November 6, 2016
Bedtime Chats with Dad
One thing I know I will miss when the kids have grown out of this stage are the nightly chats at bedtime. While Benjamin and Jacob's nightly chats are aligned with the simple goal of procrastinating going to sleep, Savannah's have evolved into thought-provoking discussions.
Tonight she was letting off some steam about how her friend Edi doesn't act like much of a friend at all when Edi's other friends are around. The discussion evolved and I felt impressed to share with her the importance of controlling where and what we want to focus on within ourselves and in others. We talked about Mom's back and sickness problems and how if that's all we focus on, the relationship gets worse and life gets harder and more miserable. Or how we can focus more on Jacob's fun, excited, and humorous attributes rather than the constant barrage of whining.
We talked about Mark and Ali, and Ruby who has cancer. Mark and Ali seem very happy and have joy in their life. They are happy because Ruby appears to be acting like a normal active 3 year old and isn't lying around sick in bed all day. They are happy that they have had (and continue to have) time together as a family. It would have been easy for them to get mad and complain about how life isn't fair, interrogating the world of justice with the "Why me?" rhetoric. But instead they are experiencing the joy and peace that comes from choosing the right, having faith, and living the gospel.
Bedtime Chats with Dad
One thing I know I will miss when the kids have grown out of this stage are the nightly chats at bedtime. While Benjamin and Jacob's nightly chats are aligned with the simple goal of procrastinating going to sleep, Savannah's have evolved into thought-provoking discussions.
Tonight she was letting off some steam about how her friend Edi doesn't act like much of a friend at all when Edi's other friends are around. The discussion evolved and I felt impressed to share with her the importance of controlling where and what we want to focus on within ourselves and in others. We talked about Mom's back and sickness problems and how if that's all we focus on, the relationship gets worse and life gets harder and more miserable. Or how we can focus more on Jacob's fun, excited, and humorous attributes rather than the constant barrage of whining.
We talked about Mark and Ali, and Ruby who has cancer. Mark and Ali seem very happy and have joy in their life. They are happy because Ruby appears to be acting like a normal active 3 year old and isn't lying around sick in bed all day. They are happy that they have had (and continue to have) time together as a family. It would have been easy for them to get mad and complain about how life isn't fair, interrogating the world of justice with the "Why me?" rhetoric. But instead they are experiencing the joy and peace that comes from choosing the right, having faith, and living the gospel.
Monday, September 19, 2016
When the going gets tough...
Here we are at the end of another Summer. I would say Fall, but it doesn't really feel like Fall here yet. Although I have watched You've Got Mail a couple of times already and it feels like Fall so it might as well be Fall. The colors in the mountains are changing and I am hoping we can get up there to see them up close and personal before it's too late.
We had quite the eventful Summer. It was a short one(not quite 2 months) because the kid's school is transitioning from Year Round to traditional. My siblings surprised my Mom and Dad in Disneyland to celebrate their 50th wedding Anniversary and it was the best time ever. Really and truly. Everything went off without a hitch and it was two days of pure Van Wagenen family happiness. Holly, Mindy, and I shared a hotel room with Scotty and we had such a great time. Good, good, memories. Hmm what else? We went to Bear Lake with the Thackeray family and that was Heaven. Literally, that trip helped get me out of a dark hole that I had fallen into. Figuratively speaking of course. It was beautiful, the kids LOVED spending time with their cousins and it's safe to say that now two years and counting it's going to be a very loved family tradition. Immediately after returning from Bear Lake my back decided to not cooperate and I was down for about two weeks. That first week was also the first week of school so thankfully I have a very loving husband, Mom, friends, visiting teachers, who stepped in to take care of meals and house work during that time.
The kids have great teachers this year. All three of them. As a mother you have many worries about your children, but the time they are not physically with you tends to be the most worrisome. How are they being treated? How are they treating others? Who are their closest friends? Are they good influences on them? Are they making good choices? The list goes on and on really and I have to say that is what keeps me awake at night. And as they get older that worry doesn't ever really go away. It just changes the way it manifests. And I know it only gets more difficult and complicated from here.
Savannah is involved in Ballroom at school, ballet, piano, and tumbling. But it's tumbling that she loves the very most. And she's very naturally gifted. Her ankle has been hurt on and off for the past three months and she is getting really frustrated with it. And because she's frustrated and hurting, I'm frustrated and hurting. I recently heard the phrase, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." It really is so true. When they have triumphs, you are on top of the world. If they are sad, it causes you to be sad.
Benjamin is currently in the throws of competition soccer and loving it. It took us awhile to get that fire burning in him but he plays well and loves it. I couldn't have hand picked his team and coaches more perfectly. Salt of the earth kind of people. Benjamin is my child that is my tester. My smooth talker. My stubborn one. I think his mind often times goes faster than he is able to process and respond appropriately so on most days I try to my best to be patient. And it really pays off. Patience can be exhausting though. But, he knows how to melt my butter. And for 3 years running, I have had his Primary teachers tell me how much they love and adore him.
Jacob, my 1st grade boy! He is learning and growing so fast. His whining, after 4 years, is starting to decline. He's our funny boy. The one who likes to tell a joke or tease you and tries to keep his best poker face about him. He is in his 3rd year of recreation soccer and with Benjamin's help, has become quite good. He continues to be a really good artist and pays great attention to detail. He also LOVES his kisses and snuggles and has from the day he was born.
I'm doing okay. Was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and will be on a Cpap machine forever more. I'll keep you posted on that in the future. Signing off for now....
We had quite the eventful Summer. It was a short one(not quite 2 months) because the kid's school is transitioning from Year Round to traditional. My siblings surprised my Mom and Dad in Disneyland to celebrate their 50th wedding Anniversary and it was the best time ever. Really and truly. Everything went off without a hitch and it was two days of pure Van Wagenen family happiness. Holly, Mindy, and I shared a hotel room with Scotty and we had such a great time. Good, good, memories. Hmm what else? We went to Bear Lake with the Thackeray family and that was Heaven. Literally, that trip helped get me out of a dark hole that I had fallen into. Figuratively speaking of course. It was beautiful, the kids LOVED spending time with their cousins and it's safe to say that now two years and counting it's going to be a very loved family tradition. Immediately after returning from Bear Lake my back decided to not cooperate and I was down for about two weeks. That first week was also the first week of school so thankfully I have a very loving husband, Mom, friends, visiting teachers, who stepped in to take care of meals and house work during that time.
The kids have great teachers this year. All three of them. As a mother you have many worries about your children, but the time they are not physically with you tends to be the most worrisome. How are they being treated? How are they treating others? Who are their closest friends? Are they good influences on them? Are they making good choices? The list goes on and on really and I have to say that is what keeps me awake at night. And as they get older that worry doesn't ever really go away. It just changes the way it manifests. And I know it only gets more difficult and complicated from here.
Savannah is involved in Ballroom at school, ballet, piano, and tumbling. But it's tumbling that she loves the very most. And she's very naturally gifted. Her ankle has been hurt on and off for the past three months and she is getting really frustrated with it. And because she's frustrated and hurting, I'm frustrated and hurting. I recently heard the phrase, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." It really is so true. When they have triumphs, you are on top of the world. If they are sad, it causes you to be sad.
Benjamin is currently in the throws of competition soccer and loving it. It took us awhile to get that fire burning in him but he plays well and loves it. I couldn't have hand picked his team and coaches more perfectly. Salt of the earth kind of people. Benjamin is my child that is my tester. My smooth talker. My stubborn one. I think his mind often times goes faster than he is able to process and respond appropriately so on most days I try to my best to be patient. And it really pays off. Patience can be exhausting though. But, he knows how to melt my butter. And for 3 years running, I have had his Primary teachers tell me how much they love and adore him.
Jacob, my 1st grade boy! He is learning and growing so fast. His whining, after 4 years, is starting to decline. He's our funny boy. The one who likes to tell a joke or tease you and tries to keep his best poker face about him. He is in his 3rd year of recreation soccer and with Benjamin's help, has become quite good. He continues to be a really good artist and pays great attention to detail. He also LOVES his kisses and snuggles and has from the day he was born.
I'm doing okay. Was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea and will be on a Cpap machine forever more. I'll keep you posted on that in the future. Signing off for now....
Monday, April 25, 2016
Tap, Tap, Is This Thing On??
Long time no talk!! Yes, it's me, Heidi, the originator of this Blog. I'm laying on my couch with an injured back writing my Sacrament Meeting talk for Mother's Day, and I decided to pull inspiration from my Blog. Turns out, there's some good stuff in here. The last Blog Book we had printed was back in 2011, so I am going to find a way to have a book printed until we are all caught up!
In case you're wondering, I'm 39, will have been married 18(!) years this year and feel like I have grown a lot over the past few years. I still love Indian Food, think my kids are great and love where we live. We have now been in 3 different wards since we moved here six years ago and so much has changed about our neighborhood but I still love it. Jacob started Kindergarten this past fall and I now have(or should have) 3 hours to myself every day! Having my last child go to Kindergarten was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. I spent the first few weeks spending those hours outside of the home so I didn't feel the obvious void of being the only one in the home. Now that we are approaching the end of the school year I find that I am enjoying the quiet more and more. But that's not to say it's quiet all of the time. I find that my time is not only filled with motherly duties, but helping my neighbor and good friend Nanny, by watching her kids as well as helping Holly watch the twins. I figure this is a good time in my life to serve others and I LOVE the baby snuggles I've been able to get.
Over the past few years I have struggled with not being able to have more children. And I mean struggled. I've looked into adoption (too expensive) and fostering(that's still not out of the question), but the older Tom and I get, and the older our children get, we are finding that we are settling into being a family of five and being content about that. Not to say that I don't miss having babies in my home, but I also don't miss diapers, juggling small children in the store, and wiping children's bottoms. There are positives and negatives to our family makeup, but I'm choosing to view the positives more and more.
What else? Hmmm why don't I catch you up on each child:
Savannah(10 almost 11) is my biggest helper and will always be my favorite girl. She is kind, making lots of new friends, and has really come out of her shell this past year. I owe a lot to her teacher Mr. Nash, who has really been an answer to prayers. Good man and amazing teacher. Savannah is learning about making good choices on her own and that the 5th grade isn't too early for girl drama which she tries to avoid. Recently, Savannah has expressed an interest in returning to tumbling. She went to a class so they could observe her skills and immediately put her in the advanced tumbling class. She taught herself to do an aerial and within one tumbling class learn to do her whip(basically a back handspring without any hands). This girl has a natural born gift and she is SO HAPPY and excited about tumbling. As not to overwhelm her, we are weighing our options and will decide what to do about her other two extracurricular activities, piano and ballet. But for now we really feel like she needs to cultivate her talents in tumbling.
Benjamin (8 almost 9) is a very self motivated boy. He keeps his room clean without being asked, does a lot of his homework also without being asked and loves to play basketball and soccer. He is excellent at math and is the fastest and most accurate at his math facts in his class. Benj is OBSESSED with sports. Whatever sport is in season(right now the basketball playoffs are happening), he keeps current with each team and where they are ranked. This is something he is able to bond with Tom over and he loves it. When Benj isn't being a stinker, he is very loving and thoughtful. He comes into my bedroom every night to give me a hug and a kiss and to tell me I'm "the best mom ever". He melts my heart every time. He can be stubborn and we've had our share of battles over the past few years, but we have worked together and he has worked really hard on keeping his temper in check. Usually all he needs is food and a good sleep to stay happy. At the heart of it, he is such a good boy who wants to do the right thing.
Jacob(6) is extremely affectionate. He LOVES kisses and hugs(both giving and receiving). He still can be a very picky eater but has grown out of his title as "pasta boy". He HATES yogurt and even being around the smell sends him into a tail spin. We have been trying to get him out of his whiny stage for a good 3 years now haha. He IS getting better, albeit VERY slowly. His favorite thing to do right now is to try and get people to laugh. He thinks he is hilarious and full of mischief. He still loves anything Mario brothers and recently had a Mario Themed birthday party which was a hit! He is physically becoming an equal match for Benj and they can often be found wrestling and kicking each other which always ends in Jacob crying. My hope is that one day Benjamin and Jacob will be the very best of friends. Last June 13, 2015 Jacob offered the following prayer:
"Heavenly Father thankful for this, WAIT! I didn't eat dinner!"
Tom: "We can talk about it after your prayer buddy."
Jacob: "Please bless that Millie can throw up outside and not in the house but it's okay if she throws up in the garage because we can wash it off when we step in it. And please bless, wait, Dad! Do Benj and Savannah have school tomorrow?"
Tom: "No, buddy."
Jacob: "Then bless that we can have a good day at church tomorrow in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.:"
Classic.
In case you're wondering, I'm 39, will have been married 18(!) years this year and feel like I have grown a lot over the past few years. I still love Indian Food, think my kids are great and love where we live. We have now been in 3 different wards since we moved here six years ago and so much has changed about our neighborhood but I still love it. Jacob started Kindergarten this past fall and I now have(or should have) 3 hours to myself every day! Having my last child go to Kindergarten was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. I spent the first few weeks spending those hours outside of the home so I didn't feel the obvious void of being the only one in the home. Now that we are approaching the end of the school year I find that I am enjoying the quiet more and more. But that's not to say it's quiet all of the time. I find that my time is not only filled with motherly duties, but helping my neighbor and good friend Nanny, by watching her kids as well as helping Holly watch the twins. I figure this is a good time in my life to serve others and I LOVE the baby snuggles I've been able to get.
Over the past few years I have struggled with not being able to have more children. And I mean struggled. I've looked into adoption (too expensive) and fostering(that's still not out of the question), but the older Tom and I get, and the older our children get, we are finding that we are settling into being a family of five and being content about that. Not to say that I don't miss having babies in my home, but I also don't miss diapers, juggling small children in the store, and wiping children's bottoms. There are positives and negatives to our family makeup, but I'm choosing to view the positives more and more.
What else? Hmmm why don't I catch you up on each child:
Savannah(10 almost 11) is my biggest helper and will always be my favorite girl. She is kind, making lots of new friends, and has really come out of her shell this past year. I owe a lot to her teacher Mr. Nash, who has really been an answer to prayers. Good man and amazing teacher. Savannah is learning about making good choices on her own and that the 5th grade isn't too early for girl drama which she tries to avoid. Recently, Savannah has expressed an interest in returning to tumbling. She went to a class so they could observe her skills and immediately put her in the advanced tumbling class. She taught herself to do an aerial and within one tumbling class learn to do her whip(basically a back handspring without any hands). This girl has a natural born gift and she is SO HAPPY and excited about tumbling. As not to overwhelm her, we are weighing our options and will decide what to do about her other two extracurricular activities, piano and ballet. But for now we really feel like she needs to cultivate her talents in tumbling.
Benjamin (8 almost 9) is a very self motivated boy. He keeps his room clean without being asked, does a lot of his homework also without being asked and loves to play basketball and soccer. He is excellent at math and is the fastest and most accurate at his math facts in his class. Benj is OBSESSED with sports. Whatever sport is in season(right now the basketball playoffs are happening), he keeps current with each team and where they are ranked. This is something he is able to bond with Tom over and he loves it. When Benj isn't being a stinker, he is very loving and thoughtful. He comes into my bedroom every night to give me a hug and a kiss and to tell me I'm "the best mom ever". He melts my heart every time. He can be stubborn and we've had our share of battles over the past few years, but we have worked together and he has worked really hard on keeping his temper in check. Usually all he needs is food and a good sleep to stay happy. At the heart of it, he is such a good boy who wants to do the right thing.
Jacob(6) is extremely affectionate. He LOVES kisses and hugs(both giving and receiving). He still can be a very picky eater but has grown out of his title as "pasta boy". He HATES yogurt and even being around the smell sends him into a tail spin. We have been trying to get him out of his whiny stage for a good 3 years now haha. He IS getting better, albeit VERY slowly. His favorite thing to do right now is to try and get people to laugh. He thinks he is hilarious and full of mischief. He still loves anything Mario brothers and recently had a Mario Themed birthday party which was a hit! He is physically becoming an equal match for Benj and they can often be found wrestling and kicking each other which always ends in Jacob crying. My hope is that one day Benjamin and Jacob will be the very best of friends. Last June 13, 2015 Jacob offered the following prayer:
"Heavenly Father thankful for this, WAIT! I didn't eat dinner!"
Tom: "We can talk about it after your prayer buddy."
Jacob: "Please bless that Millie can throw up outside and not in the house but it's okay if she throws up in the garage because we can wash it off when we step in it. And please bless, wait, Dad! Do Benj and Savannah have school tomorrow?"
Tom: "No, buddy."
Jacob: "Then bless that we can have a good day at church tomorrow in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.:"
Classic.
Monday, August 17, 2015
First Thackeray Family Council
Held August 17, 2015
Under the recommendation of our stake presidency, our family held our first family council today. In attendance were Mom, Dad, Savannah (age 10), Benjamin (age 8), and Jacob (age 5). Millie's attendance was sporadic and Nanny Bayles attended the concluding 10 minutes.
Conducting: Dad
Opening Hymn: Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (Jacob)
Opening Prayer: Savannah
Grievances:
- Leaving the lights on (Dad)
Commitment: Turn off all lights when leaving a room
- Leaving cloths (dirty and clean) on the floor (Mom)
Commitment: All clothes to be in the laundry, dirty clothes, or dresser if they're clean
- Being nice to each other (Savannah)
Commitment: Try and compromise when disagreeing over something, like which movie to watch
- Playing nicely with each other (Jacob)
Commitment: Include each other and play nicely
- Cleaning up after yourself (Benjamin)
Commitment: Always clean up what you're playing with before getting something new out
Successes
- Minding the computer rules and enforcing those rules with friends
- Family trips to Lake Powell, Bear Lake, California, and Pine View (favorite of kids was California)
Closing Song - Families Can Be Together Forever (Benjamin)
Closing Prayer - Mom
Family Night Treat: Fresh peach cobbler made from peaches from our trees - Yummy!!
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Benjamin's Baptism Day
Benjamin - 8 Is Great - Baptism Day!!
August 1, 2015
Today was awesome! Benjamin chose to follow our Savior's example and be baptized - becoming officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so happy to see him following his older sister Savannah's example. I felt an incredible out-pouring of the spirit while performing both the baptism and confirmation, which was an answer to my own prayers.
Benjamin: I felt warm inside and good when I was baptized.
Savannah: I felt warm inside. I feell like Benjamin made the right choice.
Jacob: I felt good when he was baptized. I also want to get baptized when I'm 8.
August 1, 2015
Today was awesome! Benjamin chose to follow our Savior's example and be baptized - becoming officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am so happy to see him following his older sister Savannah's example. I felt an incredible out-pouring of the spirit while performing both the baptism and confirmation, which was an answer to my own prayers.
Benjamin: I felt warm inside and good when I was baptized.
Savannah: I felt warm inside. I feell like Benjamin made the right choice.
Jacob: I felt good when he was baptized. I also want to get baptized when I'm 8.
Friday, September 20, 2013
The Role of Soccer Coach being played by Tom
After six seasons of soccer I finally convinced Tom to coach Benjamin's soccer team. It has been a good experience and Tom has learned a lot. Like how he does not want to coach soccer ever again. Although he has FULLY enjoyed spending time with Benjamin, it has proven to be a task that has been difficult for him. I say, WAY TO GO TOM!!!! And as demonstrated by the look in Benjamin's eyes, it is clear who his hero is.
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| Cousin Burgandy even came to a game! |
Potty Training- the final installment
I'm just gonna say it. I wasn't ready to potty train Jacob. Was he ready? Sure, but I wasn't. Had I had my fair share of changing poopy diapers? You betcha. Was I ready to say good-bye to that last thing that defined him as a baby? Nope. I know, I know, I'm weird. But in my defense I was also afraid of the drudgery that is potty training. I really only experienced it once with Savannah, but she was a girl and was good to go in a few days. Benjamin was an anomaly and potty trained himself. Yes, I am ashamed to even admit it for fear that I will be cast out of the club of parents who have rightfully earned their badge of honor. Did I deserve a child to give me a run for my money? Probably, and I thought that it would be Jacob.
When we took him to the store to pick out his "big boy underwear" he wouldn't even look at them. Straight up, turned his face in the other direction and closed his eyes. Right then, I knew I was in for it. After a couple of minutes he decided to look in the direction of the underwear and a few seconds later he was clinging to his super hero friends with his "tiny Yoshi" in the other hand.
It was a few days before I mustered up the courage to actually begin. I prepared myself for the worst. And yes, the accidents did happen. But I could probably only count them on two hands. And yes, there was a bit of fear and resistance, but not much. Now, two and a half weeks later, I am proud to say that we are a diaper-free family. How did that happen so fast I ask myself? I know I only have three kids and five years between them so I have that going for me, but really, where did the time go? My heart hurts just thinking about it. I never experienced years and years of sleepless nights (that'll come when my kids are teenagers). I never experienced toddlers smearing the contents of their diaper all over the the walls (thank goodness). I never experienced children who were hard to contain in their crib (Jacob still sleeps happily in there). And I never experienced having to purchase a diaper bigger than a size 4. But really...where did the time go?
Jacob then...
Jacob now...
When we took him to the store to pick out his "big boy underwear" he wouldn't even look at them. Straight up, turned his face in the other direction and closed his eyes. Right then, I knew I was in for it. After a couple of minutes he decided to look in the direction of the underwear and a few seconds later he was clinging to his super hero friends with his "tiny Yoshi" in the other hand.
It was a few days before I mustered up the courage to actually begin. I prepared myself for the worst. And yes, the accidents did happen. But I could probably only count them on two hands. And yes, there was a bit of fear and resistance, but not much. Now, two and a half weeks later, I am proud to say that we are a diaper-free family. How did that happen so fast I ask myself? I know I only have three kids and five years between them so I have that going for me, but really, where did the time go? My heart hurts just thinking about it. I never experienced years and years of sleepless nights (that'll come when my kids are teenagers). I never experienced toddlers smearing the contents of their diaper all over the the walls (thank goodness). I never experienced children who were hard to contain in their crib (Jacob still sleeps happily in there). And I never experienced having to purchase a diaper bigger than a size 4. But really...where did the time go?
Jacob then...
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Something's Gotta Give
Before the school year started, Tom and I sat down with the school counselor and psychologist to get their opinion on miss Savannah. We made sure that Savannah had the best teacher for her when it came to helping her to overcome her anxiety. Savannah met her new "friends" as she calls them on back to school night and they spent the first couple of weeks at school building a rap ore with her and establishing trust.
After the first couple of weeks of school had gone by with zero improvement, I knew that this was bigger than I could handle. At the risk of sounding dramatic, my heart was literally walking around in her anxious body. It was more than I could handle, and I was praying and hoping for an answer that would help ease her pain. Tom and I both had the feeling separately that we should ask her to take a break from one of her extra curricular activities, and that we should give her the choice. When I asked her to decide, there was no hesitation in her voice when she chose gymnastics. I was actually quite surprised because this is what she was "good" at. This is where I "saw" her excelling. But ultimately, her welfare is our top priority and if that was the choice she was going to make, I knew that we needed to support her.
We now take each day sometimes an hour at a time and I am grateful for improvements as small as they may be. Savannah is learning breathing techniques that have helped her, and she is even excited to go to school on some days. She now calls her stomach aches "butterflies" which for some reason helps me to handle them better than a doubled over stomach ache accompanied by uncontrollable weeping. All of these are positive steps forward. In watching her I sometimes wonder if I was given certain tools to help with me with my nervousness, would things have been different in my life? I am hoping that this will just be a moment in time for Savannah and that she can use this to help her with challenging things throughout her life.
After the first couple of weeks of school had gone by with zero improvement, I knew that this was bigger than I could handle. At the risk of sounding dramatic, my heart was literally walking around in her anxious body. It was more than I could handle, and I was praying and hoping for an answer that would help ease her pain. Tom and I both had the feeling separately that we should ask her to take a break from one of her extra curricular activities, and that we should give her the choice. When I asked her to decide, there was no hesitation in her voice when she chose gymnastics. I was actually quite surprised because this is what she was "good" at. This is where I "saw" her excelling. But ultimately, her welfare is our top priority and if that was the choice she was going to make, I knew that we needed to support her.
We now take each day sometimes an hour at a time and I am grateful for improvements as small as they may be. Savannah is learning breathing techniques that have helped her, and she is even excited to go to school on some days. She now calls her stomach aches "butterflies" which for some reason helps me to handle them better than a doubled over stomach ache accompanied by uncontrollable weeping. All of these are positive steps forward. In watching her I sometimes wonder if I was given certain tools to help with me with my nervousness, would things have been different in my life? I am hoping that this will just be a moment in time for Savannah and that she can use this to help her with challenging things throughout her life.
Savannah's Desk
Savannah has been wanting a desk in her room for the past year and we got one just before school started. Our neighbor who refinished furniture painted and distressed this cute desk and I think it goes perfectly in Savannah's room.
1st Annual Thackeray Back to School Feast
I had heard of other people having a back to school dinner and honestly I have never had it in me. Just getting my kids to school prepared with all of the supplies and back to school clothes was good enough for me. Then our sweet Savannah started demonstrating some anxiety and I thought what better way to kick off the school year than with a good dinner and Family Motto?
This year's family motto is:
"Remove any of fear with faith.
Trust the power of God to guide you".
M. Russell Ballard
We are hoping to recite this motto during every family home evening and I've already asked a family friend to work her calligraphy magic and put it on a paper so we hang it in a prominent place in our home.
First Day of School
California Road Trip
Shortly after we got back from McCall we were up and running to CA. It was just my mom, me, and the kids. Aside from losing the air conditioning in my car on the way down there in the middle of death valley the trip was a bit of fresh air. I got to visit new baby Noah, and some of my oldest and dearest friends. It was a good trip.
A little slice of Heaven
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