Ward Family Year in Review

I really had every intention of making handmade Christmas cards this year. I've been itching to craft. But....well, I don't sit upright for very long without feeling sick or losing my breath. Baby boy is really low and loving every chance to rumble and tumble. Makes me feel super happy to be laying down...which I do often.

So, there goes the idea of sitting up and crafting dozens of handmade cards this year. Let's see if I can even make it as far as getting this post written to share our year with all of you.

I know it's cliche, but this year really has gone by fast. So much has blessed us and challenged us this year, but we are strong and loving every minute of our lives.

David is in his 14th year of Active Duty Navy service as a Musician. In the spring he was finally promoted to Petty Officer First Class (E-6). This has been one of our biggest blessings this year. Three more test cycles (about 2 years) without a promotion and the Navy would've said see ya to our entire career. The fancy name for it is "higher tenure". We dodged that reality for a while anyway. Now, we are planning for our next 6 1/2 years of military service to fly by like the last 14 have and RETIREMENT here we come!!! After 20 years of moving and military life, we're not going to look back too long on our way back to settle in Northern Utah.

David has been released as the Unit Leader of the Navy Rock Band at Naval Station Norfolk. This has been his job for the past 4 years (+2 yrs at the same job in Newport, RI). It's a difficult, time consuming and stressful job, but he's shined in all aspects of his service. Now, he is the "go-to" drummer for ceremonies and such. He does the happy dance when he gets home at noon instead of the usual 5 or 6 pm every night. He's enjoying the change of responsibility for sure.

David is serving at church as a primary teacher for the 9-10 year old children. He's also a Webelos Leader in the Cub Scout program.

After 5 years of wondering why we couldn't have another child, we found out on our 14th wedding anniversary in June that we are expecting. We feel very blessed to be bringing another baby boy into our family. Number four is expected to arrive in late February. However, he is already showing his size in ultrasounds and weighs almost 5 pounds already! So, we're counting on an earlier birthday. Not only because he's big, but because his mother...is going to go crazy if I have to be pregnant much longer. Even though this is a great blessing, I've been horribly sick and not enjoying much of any of it. No matter what, we feel very blessed to have this opportunity again.

We will name him Eli Howard Ward.

I was released from being the Relief Society President back in August. Now I am thrilled with my new responsibility which is teaching Sunday School for the 16-17 year old kids. They challenge me with their knowledge, but they are quick to learn and I love sharing the Gospel with them.

Jacob is quickly becoming a tween. He turned 12 in September and was ordained a Deacon in the Priesthood. Grandma and Grandpa Bee got to come out from Arizona to visit for this occasion and we are all very proud of Jacob. He's also working very hard in the Boy Scout program and just finished his First Class Ranking. (Too many campouts for my taste, but he enjoys it!)

Jacob is in 7th grade, loving pretty much everything except Math, and is blossoming on the piano! He's also playing the drums and looks like he will follow in his dad's footsteps, he's got a gift!

Abigail turned 9 in March. She's our resident crafter. Since I don't craft much these days, she takes over in that department and is always making lovely crafts for everyone. Abby is also doing wonderful on the piano, she's our best practicer, always sitting at the piano. She wasn't too thrilled at first with the news of another brother, but she's finally starting to see the benefits of being the only girl. (I've already promised her a mother/daughter trip to New York.) Abby has been a huge help during my pregnancy. She has learned a lot of cooking and cleaning skills and helps whenever she can.

Abby is in 4th grade and excels at pretty much anything I put in front of her. Fractions have given her a challenge this year, but she's working hard at it.

Jackson is our little comedian. He's always saying funny things. He continues to earn his nickname of "Action", always going and doing and playing. He loves the computer and the Wii and the iPod. I have to keep telling him that he has to take breaks from electronics so his brain doesn't ooze out of his ears. Jackson has been the most excited for the new baby. He's right at the height of my belly and can always be found trying to talk to the baby and feel the kicks. He turned 6 in August and started his own piano lessons in September. He feels very grown up that he gets to do lessons along with Jacob and Abby. He loves that he knows some new notes and keys and he's pretty good about practicing.

We received new orders earlier this year. We are slated to return to Newport, Rhode Island in June, 2013. We are actually very excited to return to Newport. We loved living there, have many dear friends there still and can't wait to have some normal seasons...aka...snow! We have missed Rhode Island, and we look forward to going back. If we get our way, this will be our last move before retirement.

We have all been taught by the Spirit of the Lord in great abundance this year. Our trials and blessings have given us a glimpse of heaven working in our lives. It's truly a blessing to know that the path we are on is being guided by our Father in Heaven.

May all our dear family and friends know how much we love and miss you all. Merry Merry Christmas!

Big Surprise

20 Weeks of pregnancy. Halfway there. We've been waiting patiently for the ultrasound to make sure all is well. What we didn't expect was the surprise we got.

We're having a boy. Baby boy number 3. Big sister hasn't taken the news too well. We were all sure it was going to be a girl. Not just because we have two boys and one girl, but because we truly felt this was a girl.

Well, big surprise when the ultrasound showed boy parts very clearly! We are happy, excited and I'm seriously counting the days. I've been horribly sick. I don't remember being this sick with any other of the kids except #1. But, I'm an old lady now, so I guess my body isn't as well prepared for all this. Oh well.

Now I get to go find all the boy stuff packed away in the garage, And try to make my only girl feel that she was so special that Heavenly Father needed her in a family of boys. I've been promising girls shopping trips and nights out in the future and how fun it will be to be just her and me. She's starting to come around, but slowly.

I made a deal with David that if it was a girl (because I was so sure it was!) that I would name her and if it was a boy, he would name him. Well, daddy is the big winner and told me he wanted to name him Ruen. I vetoed that right away, and luckily he was joking. But now we have a great name that is starting to make things real. But, that's a secret I'm going to keep for a while longer!

Can't wait for the holidays, hopefully the business and excitement will help things go by faster. I want to enjoy the holidays, but I want this "experience" of being pregnant for the fourth time to be over. Can't lie about that. I am getting excited to meet our baby BOY!

Number FOUR

Little man, Jackson David will turn 6 years old next month. When he turned one, we started thinking about baby number four. After very spiritual promptings and feelings, we were sure there would be one more in our family. So, we didn't delay and started trying.

Two years ago, after we moved to Virginia, I started doing tests in the fertility clinic at the hospital because nothing was happening in the baby department. Apparently, after 1 year of trying, it's considered infertility. So, we did just about every test imaginable. Super not fun.

In March of this year, we got to a point in the infertility process where we didn't feel that we should continue. We felt that we had put our faith in our feelings, and that we had done all we could medically to figure out what was hindering this process. So, we stopped.

The day we decided to stop, I got in the shower in the morning and cried. This wasn't the first time during this trial that I've done that, but this morning was different. It was over and I didn't know that it would be that painful. I have three amazing kids already and I can't say that I love being pregnant, so I was actually trying to get in a good mental place to be able to move on, get my body in shape, and focus on the three kids and amazing husband I already have.

For the past few months, I've been cleaning out boxes and boxes of baby and kid clothes. I've kept pretty much everything for both boys and my girl over the past 12 years. There were pounds and pounds of baby clothes. I went through everything, put away a few things in a special keepsake box (their blessing outfits, special memory outfits), and closed up shop. I took bags and bags of clothes and baby toys to the local thrift shops and gave away to friends expecting babies. The day I dropped off clothes at the thrift shop, I fought back the tears all the way home.

After being so sure about baby number four, I had a hard time with this "closure" process. But, I finally was getting to be okay, although I feel like I would always wonder why. But I have faith. I know the Lord is in charge of my life and I would figure out the why's eventually.

In June, the morning of David and my 14th wedding anniversary, out of nowhere, I took a home pregnancy test and quicker than I expected, TWO POSITIVE LINES showed up. I was STUNNED.

I have realized that Heavenly Father is definitely in charge, on His time. I don't know why this miracle has been offered to us, but I am overwhelmingly grateful.

I am now almost 10 weeks along, feeling huge already and nauseated ALL the time. I've forgotten. The kids are excited, already drawing pictures of our family with baby in the sky (or in Jackson's pictures, the baby is on the floor next to the dog.) We are planning for Number Four to make an appearance in late February, and we are feeling very blessed.

The Sun Rises Again and Again

Do you remember the line in the movie "Castaway", when Tom Hanks' character is talking to his friend about surviving for so long on the island. He said to himself each day, "I have to keep breathing, because tomorrow, the sun will rise. And who knows what the tide will bring". 

I've been thinking a lot about that one-liner during the trials we've faced over the past little while. We have had long hard days and dark nights, but every morning the sun rose again, shedding it's warmth and light over the earth, the animals, plants and people.

Because our trial is still ongoing and involves the Navy, I can't write the novel about it that I want to, only about some of the things we've learned.

The things I've learned are centered on the gospel. Imagine that, everything we go through can be made more brilliant by the teachings of Jesus Christ. I know this, I knew this two weeks ago, but I think I will now have it embedded in my heart very deeply.

One thing we've learned is that it pays to live the word of wisdom. When others have been accused and have admitted to intoxication on duty, my husband was able to say, "NO, I was not drinking. EVER."

Another thing I've learned is that prayers ascend to heaven quickly and are heard and acted upon by our Heavenly Father. We've had so many of our family and friends praying for us and we have literally felt the power and strength from these prayers.

Learned thing #3. The power of the priesthood is in our home and in our family and blesses our lives daily and even from our earthly fathers, who don't live in Virginia. The Lord gives powerful spiritual tender mercies when we don't have physical access to our parents and our siblings, who would otherwise be at our doorstep ready to assist in blessings and support.


Number 4. The relationship of Husband and Wife is powerful, a great blessing, and the most important relationship we have on earth. We need each other, we have to support and love each other and we absolutely must rely on the help of heaven to make this earthly relationship worthy and able to stand in the eternities.


Number 5. The sun will rise again and again. Even when the night brings fear, solitude and tears, the morning always comes and new blessings await. The SON is always there even in the dark, as we go to Him and put our trials at His feet, He has promised to be yoked WiTH us to walk through the trials with us.

Matthew 11: 28-30: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Our burdens have been made light. We are getting some rest, in our souls and in our bodies. We saw blessings during the trial and continue to see them now that it's winding down. I know the things we've learned were given to us for a reason. Preparation is also a tender mercy of the Lord.


I am so thankful for the prayers of family and friends on our behalf. I'm thankful for the SON who gives us hope, faith and knowledge that the sun will rise again and again.

Time Out For Women Albuquerque!

Don't you just hate it when you plan for a vacation for so long and then BOOM, it's over and you're looking at the pictures wondering if you were really even there?

I'm still trying to catch up on all the sleep I didn't get while I was in Albuquerque this past weekend. And, I'm looking at the pictures not believing that I was there, with my mom and sisters.

It was an amazing few days. From start to finish. Other than the major wind and stormy weather that kept my sister Sara in the Albuquerque airport FOURTEEN hours longer than scheduled. (She finally made it home around 3:30 am on Monday!) I just missed that weather, by a tiny amount of time. I made it home as scheduled.

And, poor Jana got the flu on the last night. Luckily she just slept in the back seat of mom's van the whole way home. But she was a trooper.

Friday, I had to wake up at 3:30 am to catch my 5:30 am flight to Houston. I was on just about the tiniest plane in the world it felt like. Made it to Houston and connected to Albuquerque. As soon as I landed, Marisa was texting me like crazy. They pulled up to the airport from their 4 hour drive from Clovis, right when I landed.

We had to wait a few extra minutes for Sara's plane to land, but we were all reunited at baggage claim! It's been almost 5 years since I saw Sara and Jana and about 10 years since I saw Cassie.

We drove around (well, I drove...Mom is terrified of driving in big cities, and since I'm a big city driving "pro"... ha ha...I drove THE van). We had dinner at Macaroni Grill. Yummy!

We checked into the hotel and had a blast visiting and then went down to the first session of Time Out For Women. We got to see Jenny Oaks Baker, who was just nominated for a grammy, and Dean Hughes, the author of one of my favorite story series about World War II. It was a fantastic evening. One of the greatest moments was when I looked up from where I was sitting and saw an old friend, Kristine Lines, standing right there. I think I probably scared her when I called her name, but wow, talk about small world. Very cool.

We spent the rest of the evening visiting and laughing and staying up way too late.

We got up early and had breakfast in our rooms and then headed down to the Covention Center again for a day full of Time Out For Women!

We had so much fun during the day, listening to presenters, shedding some tears, laughing out loud, shopping at Deseret Bookstore, getting a yummy lunch at the hotel, and taking pictures together. It was just a day that I needed so much.

All the messages were inspiring, and exactly what I needed this weekend. I think we all got an amazing dose of the Spirit, the power of women, and gratitude for each other and the time we got to spend together.

After Time Out was over, we went down and stood in line to get our pictures taken and meet the presenters. We got to meet some inspiring women, Mariama Kallon, Wendy Ulrich, Laurel Christiansen, and Hillary Weeks. Just amazing.

We went out for a while after the conference. We drove up to see the Albuquerque temple. It looks like a rose coming out of the desert. Beautiful.

Then we went to Deseret Book and spent more money! :) Then we found a little hole in the wall New Mexican food place...well, I couldn't go all the way to New Mexico and not have New Mexican food.

I thought I'd get crazy and get red AND green sauce. I guess it's been a while that I've been out of the line of fire of hot New Mexican chiles, but wow...I had to beg the waiter not to keep laughing at me while he got me a cold glass of milk to calm the fire coming out of my ears and the tears streaming down my face. Crazy hot...to me anyway. Yes, there were many laughs directed towards me, but that's okay. It was yummy and fun.

We made our way in the evening to Old Town Albuquerque. We found some fun little shops and one very old church. We decided to head back to the hotel and spend the rest of our time together talking. It's such a blessing to me to have these friendships with my mom and sisters.

I had to get up early to catch an 8:30 am plane. After saying goodbye to my sweet sisters and mom, I was honored to ride the airport shuttle with Laurel Christensen. What a woman. I was honored and thrilled to meet her and even visit with her a bit!

I made it home after a long day on airplanes. It was a treat to see my kids and husband with big smiles on their faces when I came out of the airport. I missed them so much!

Now back to the usual. It feels like a dream, it went by so fast, but totally worth every minute, every laugh and every picture.

I'm so thankful for this time to spend with my sisters and mom. What a blessing to have the opportunity to attend Time Out For Women with them.

All around, it's a trip I won't soon forget. And now...pictures!!!

I'm goin' Home

I grew up in Roswell and Clovis, New Mexico. Yes, New Mexico is still in the United States.

Eastern New Mexico is brown, flat and smells like cows. I don't know of any other place I would call home though.

I grew up in a town with one high school, one marching band, one football team, one mall, one Wal-Mart, about a hundred feed yards and dairy's, one rodeo every summer, a million cows, a bunch of horses and a few scorpions.

When I left home, I couldn't wait to get out of that small town, but now, sometimes, I just can't wait to get home. The house I grew up in is still there. Someone else lives there now, but every time I go home, I drive by. I also drive by the schools I went to and my old church building. I have a lot of great memories in my hometown, and a few sad ones.

On Friday, I get to fly to the Land of Enchantment for the weekend. I don't get to go all the way home to Clovis, I'll only make it to Albuquerque, but I'm so thrilled to be going "home".

I get to fly to Albuquerque to meet 4 of my sisters and my mom for a girls weekend and Time Out For Women conference. I'm the oldest sister of the group and the farthest away. But, the girls surprised me and bought my plane tickets. I'm so touched that they wanted me there. I just can't even wait for Friday to come!!!

Even though I haven't been to New Mexico in years, and I won't ever live there again, pieces of my heart are there. Especially those pieces that belong to my family and friends still there.

I'm so thankful to be looking forward to this trip. When I return, the blog will be updated with pictures! I can't wait!!!!

Albuquerque here I come!!! (Yes, I have to stop and make sure I spell it right every time I type Albuquerque...)

My blog background is a picture of the way my hometown looks. Nice and flat and plenty of amazing blue skies. I love New Mexico!

The Family Theme

You know how some families have a family theme? A clever saying that can be put on a wall somewhere. A few words to "describe" what all a family would want to accomplish in a single long year.

I've always wanted to come up with the perfect family theme. The saying to beat up all the other sayings on the walls of families I know. But nothing ever "fit" us. Nothing was good enough to cover all the words I have for my family. (Good words of course, duh.)

It was my turn to provide a lesson for our family night. I wanted to talk about goals. I wanted to talk about our family theme. THE words that would inspire us ALL year long. I tried to think of the most clever, wonderful words; the words that when said, would amaze my family and all those who see the words on the wall (or whatever I decide to craft them to).

The perfect words just wouldn't come to me. Nothing was perfect. Then...
My husband David, who hadn't said anything up until this point, burst out with his idea of the perfect theme. Without any mention of brainstorming or moving around the right words to make them perfect,or looking in any book/scripture. He just blurted it out...

"Let's Get Down To Business"

It was perfect. After the .7 seconds of jealousy that he was able to do in .2 seconds what I couldn't do in .25 minutes, I voted yes and now our family has a theme.

There are many reasons why this theme fits us this year. We have a lot going on. We have a lot of unanswered questions, we have a lot of things we should remember to be thankful for. We have A LOT.

We want to take part, in a brilliant way, in all the jobs, callings, responsibilities and plans that we have. We want answers to 4 years worth of unanswered questions and we just don't know how to get the answers or if we'll ever get answers or if we're ready for the answers we're going to get.
We want to grow by leaps and bounds and find ourselves at the end of another year with me writing an amazing "end of the year" letter accompanied by a poster family picture with a beautiful Christmas tree background.

We want to move and breath and live.

For me, "Let's get down to business" means that I have to work each day, each minute, at the small things that make big things possible. It means that I need to do the things each hour that my Heavenly Father has promised me..over and over again...will bring the results I want (and some that I didn't even know that I want).
It means that when I get down to business, I focus on the business and not whether there will be profits.

The business is my husband, my children and my God. The business is the moments when I get on the floor and wrestle with my five year old (because when he's not five anymore, I'm going to horribly miss his 5-year old self). The business is actually looking at my 11 year old when he's telling me about the book he's reading (for the 1000th time) so that he will never forget my eyes looking at him with love and admiration.

The business is giving my 8 year old daughter the time to show me her ideas and creations, so that she gets from me the most ginormous amount of self-esteem anyone could have.

The business is not being able to find ONE SINGLE thing that is more important than time with my best friend (that would be my husband).

The business is pondering and studying the written words of God, so that I know who I am, why I am here, where I am going and knowing all about those who came before me, those who held to the same iron rod that I'm trying to be super-glued to.

The business is LOVE...TIME...Deep Breaths...

So, here's to family themes, craft projects waiting to be made to proudly display the family theme, the 2012 year in review that will kick butt, and the business that makes life worth living.