From Our Home to Yours

Ok so we can't say it's a white Christmas here in Houston (it's probably 70 right now), but we did get a dusting of the white stuff a few weeks ago.

Santa Clause may be coming to town but Gideon sure doesn't want any of it.

What $1 will buy you the day before Christmas Eve (just the tree- not the presents or the clothesless children who spent the morning jumping in mud puddles and needed mid-day baths)

Merry Christmas to all!

Our Christmas Miracle

I usually don't post things terribly personal on my blog as this is the world wide web we're talking about here. Anyway, I feel compelled to share with you our Christmas miracle, albeit one from three years ago. The story begins many years previous... after over four years of marriage and a couple of early miscarriages I wasn't sure motherhood was a prospect for me. During a routine physical exam, my doctor referred me to an infertility specialist thinking some of my physical problems were due to infertility. Months later, my appointment for the specialist finally arrived and during the routine course of the appointment they did a pregnancy test. And yes I was pregnant- but just barely. In fact I was so early that the doctor was able to give me the medication I needed so I wouldn't miscarry this baby too. I was overcome with joy and thanksgiving for this miracle. A few months later I got the horrible call at work that the routine genetic tests came back positive and my baby had a very high risk of being down syndrome. I'm not sure how I made it through the remainder of my workday. Because of that test my doctor began monitoring me closely with numerous ultrasounds. These ultrasounds revealed a few weeks later that my baby wasn't growing very well at all which put me on modified bed rest. Then finally after another ultrasound (the bad kind when the tech leaves the room to get the Dr.) I was informed I no longer had any amniotic fluid and that I had to go right home and stay there until they could arrange for this baby to be born. Sierra was born two weeks later on December 15th. My only concern was that she was healthy. I didn't care about size, hair, even gender at this point. When she was delivered the operating room was eerily quiet. She finally made a little peep and I became completely overwhelmed knowing that a miracle had just occurred. I got to see her little face before they whisked her off to the intensive care nursery. She was placed in an oxygen bubble because her lungs weren't developed sufficiently yet. So for nine days she lay hooked up to all sorts of wire in the neonatal intensive care unit. When we brought her home the day before Christmas Eve we brought home a healthy though tiny baby girl. She has a small hole in her heart and a slightly deformed heart valve but that is it. I can still remember that Christmas day thinking that there was nothing in the entire world more than what I then had that could make Christmas better. Sierra continues to light our lives. She is such a happy girl with a spirit that just shines. The Lord was so gracious in allowing her to come to her family. She just turned three and as Christmas approaches I once again am reminded of what a blessing she is.

Finally- A House of Order!

Last week I decided that enough was enough. We are living in an 800 square foot apartment with all our furniture and stuff from our 2,000 square foot house + garage. Every closet was filled to the brim and every nook and cranny was filled with stuff. We decided not to move forward with the building of a new home so this apartment will be home for the foreseeable future. So I went to work and opened all the boxes (some I hadn't looked at for over two years) and went through them all. It's been a little chaotic but having a closet you can actually use is so worth it. I have sold lots of stuff on Craigslist (my new favorite thing!). We even got rid of our huge dining room table and replaced it with a more reasonable table that gives us some breathing room. We are still pretty crammed I don't have boxes falling all over the place. I didn't touch Craig's Star Wars collection but he knows that is coming some day soon...

Rainy nights

Late last night as I was laying in bed, I couldn't help but listen to the rain outside. It wasn't a horrific storm or anything- just a rain shower not unusual to Houston. It was so comforting to be in my cozy bed and know that my family was safe from the rain. My little ones didn't even know it had rained. They were truly sheltered from this little storm. As I lay there, I began thinking about how I wish I could protect my children from all the storms of life. Physical protection seems so easy compared to the protection of worldly influences. I sometimes struggle knowing what is the best way to teach them what they will need to help them through the storms of life that surely lie ahead. I'm amazed of how pervasive and influential worldly influences are. I know that right now during the early years of my children's life I'm laying the foundation for many things to come. I sure hope I'm doing all I can to provide them with the protection they will need. I know there will be many more sleepless nights ahead as I wonder what I can do for them. Oh the dilemmas of motherhood!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is just two days away- hope everyone has a day of fabulous feasting and gracious gratitude! The weather is finally turning fallish so it's beginning to feel like the holidays. My sister and her three children were planning on coming for the holiday but they got hit with a stomach virus and are staying home. Sharing something like that would make for a memorable yet very miserable time. We'll just have to eat all the foods ourselves or find someone else to fill their spots. The rest of my family (well most of them) are gathering in Ogden, Utah for my grandma's 85th birthday. She is a remarkable woman who will always welcome anyone into her home, feed them and send them home with food. She has taught me how important it is to focus on your family and to make serving them the highest priority. I've learned from her the sacredness of quiet time together. I sure wish I could be there but I am trying to honor her by learning from her example.

My parents recently received a call to serve as missionaries in Guadalajara, Mexico. They will be helping college aged men and women with their educational needs. They don't leave until the end of March so hopefully we can visit them before they leave for 18 months.

Tonight as I was getting the kids ready for bed Gideon came walking into the family room with his arms folded and knelt down next to me all ready for family prayer. It was the cutest thing to see this little toddler recognizing the tradition of praying as a family before going to bed. I love my little boy!

Yesterday a little boy came to play that Sierra hadn't played with before. They were happily playing in her room while I visited with his mom when a very loud argument erupted. When I went in to see what the commotion was all about I nearly burst out laughing. The little boy was adamant that he was spider man and could climb on the walls, the bed, etc. Sierra who hasn't been exposed yet to the wonders of superheros was vehemently telling him that no he wasn't spider man and there was no way he could do those things. Neither could be convinced they were wrong. Kids just make me laugh.

Last weekend we went camping to a nearly state park that is also an alligator refuge. It was a pretty cold weekend (by Texas standards) so we weren't able to spot any gators. We did have a great time snuggling in sleeping bags and huddling around a fire. Here are some pictures.

Searching for gators on a cold Saturday morning.

Smores anyone?

Gideon got his two top teeth while camping so he wasn't quite a happy camper but he did chow down on graham crackers and chocolate.

supercalifradulisticexpialidocious

Happy Halloween!! Mary Poppins and Bert the Chimney Sweep made a few appearances at the Zoo, the Children's Museum, Trunk or Treating and a fun party at Craig's work. It's been a busy holiday. Sierra decided on Halloween morning that she wanted to be Cinderella so she wore her little dress up clothes to the park where we watched the play "Beauty and the Beast". The clothes are a little small and barely covered her so I made her take them off when we got home. I guess I got busy and didn't realize she never put clothes back on and next thing I knew my 25 pound bag of flour was used to create her new costume- a ghost! Those pictures are not suitable for publishing cause remember she had nothing on but lots and lots of flour. If only I could have snapped to get that mess cleaned up.

Count Your Blessings

It's been a tough week economically for most of the world. Watching the stock market stumble has caused me to pause a number of times and count my blessings.

We get to buy a house! Last month we contracted to build a house in beautiful Fall Creek. It's a cute 3 bedroom house with a playroom and a nature reserve behind us. It won't be ready until next spring so in the meantime we are just grateful to have an apartment to live in that is finally bed bug free. Little side note on the apartment living... this morning Sierra decided she needed to go to the apartment office to get a cookie. She got on her shoes and walked out the front door- by herself! Fortunately, though I was rocking Gideon to sleep, I heard the door open and quickly brought her back in. She was upset and told me that her "Big Self" would be ok going to the office without me.

I am grateful for libraries! Each week I get to take my kiddos downtown and browse through books, music, magazines, movies and take home whatever I want for free! Reading to my children everyday is something we all look forward to and having new books each week sure makes it fun.

Lastly, I'm grateful for nap time and the chance I have for an hour a day to read my scriptures in a quiet home. I know that both of them won't nap at the same time forever, but for now I'm grateful for the time to reinforce an eternal perspective on life and all it's craziness.

Gideon is One!

My baby turned one on Friday! It's so hard to believe that a year ago I snuggled a tiny infant in my arms. Now I'm lucky if I can catch the wiggly guy long enough for a quick hug and kiss.

5 things about Gideon that we love

1. He is utterly unpredictable. He'll laugh with you or just screech. You never quite know what he'll do. He often greets people with these awful grumpy eyes but just as easily he'll give a big nearly toothless grin.


2. He wakes up incredibly happy. When his eyes open his mouth turns up in a smile and he is ready to play.


3. He adores his big sister. If he wakes up from his nap first, he'll go wake her up too so they can play. When they shared a bed they would often end up just giggling together.


4. He is fascinated by things that move and can be manipulated. With amazing focus, he will sit and watch something move or attempt to manipulate something into action.


5. He is a sensitive boy who lets us know when he's had enough. He helps keep me focused on the simple (often quiet) things that bring happiness.

I know this next year will bring many changes as he totters on two feet for the first time, utters his first words and begins the process of emerging into a little boy. I'm so grateful for this little one in our home.

Gideon devoured his first chocolate cupcake. It was love at first taste.

He (and Sierra) have had so much fun playing with his new Little People Fire Truck.
Sierra and Elia (a Thunderbird friend that is now a fellow Texan), having too much fun!

Mighty Ike

The forces of nature are humbling to say the least. From business as usual last week to survival this week, I'm in awe at how quickly this city has changed. I've seen enough since Ike wielded it's fury to reevaluate my 72 hour kit and move food storage at the top of my to do list. We are very very fortunate in that our power wasn't out for even 24 hours (our milk was still fresh). I think that is because we are right across the street from Reliant Center which is the FEMA headquarters. What a blessing to have air conditioning, cold food, lights and a zillion other things we take for granted. We ventured out today and witnessed first hand the empty grocery shelves, the long long lines at gas stations and the devastation of the wind and rain. A scripture has come to my mind throughout this, "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men"

Ike

When you live near the gulf coast you can expect for some excitement in the fall and it's not typically the back to school kind of excitement. It seems like tropical storms and hurricanes have been in abundance this fall. We lived in Houston during 2005 when Katrina and Rita hit the coasts. When Rita threatened Houston, we took advantage of the unexpected time off work and headed to Disneyworld. We had such a great time we always said we'd do it again for the next one. Well the next one is here and we are in Hutto, Texas, a suburb of Austin. We were planning on coming here anyway this weekend to pick up our furniture Craig's brother has been storing for us. Now we get to stay an extra day. Guess we'll do Disneyworld for the next one. Hopefully the storm isn't as bad as they say but if not, we are here safe and sound.

Great Advice

Be forewarned this post is not for the squeamish! Last Thursday I went into the kids room to check on them before I went to bed. I usually just peek in, but that night I walked in because Sierra was sprawled out on the floor and I noticed one of her dolls in Gideon's bed- too much bedtime fun I thought. I reached in to retrieve the doll when I noticed that Gideon's skin was crawling with bugs. I screamed and woke up the entire house- wouldn't you? We moved the kids to our bed and got them back to sleep then went about the horrible process of discovery hundreds of bed bugs bedding with my children. I was beyond grossed out and literally felt sick thinking about them crawling all over the kids at night. It's been a nightmare since then trying to eradicate our home of them. Before the exterminator could come, I had to wash every article of clothing in our home and bag it up (yes, winter clothes, blankets, towels, everything!), and move everything from closets and bedrooms into the living room. Ok, we live in a 800 square foot apartment- the closets were stuffed full and the living room was filled with our couch. It was pure craziness doing it all, but we did it and the exterminator came Wednesday. Thanks to our T-bird friend Clint who let us stay with him while the bug juice filled our apartment (and Jen who offered her home). I've been slowly trying to get things back in order but the thing is I keep finding more bugs. We called the guy back and asked if it was normal and he said no and that he would be back today. So now I've halted all unpacking until I found out what to do next. I have a feeling this will be a long process. It's staggering to think about the costs of all this. We had to throw away one mattress, Gideon's bed, Sierra's beloved doll house, lots of toys, sheets and baskets. The bug guy alone cost $485 (yes, the apartment refused to pay for it saying it was an "unusual" bug and they only treat for usual ones). The biggest cost has been our peace of mind. Sierra constantly talks about bugs and won't sleep in her bed (so we gave Gideon her bed and let her sleep in a chair). It's all just so disgusting. Hopefully by next week I'll be able to see a silver lining in all this. The best advice I could give anyone right now is ALWAYS check for bed bugs when you sleep in a motel- no matter how nice it looks, and especially if it looks crummy. If sheets or mattresses have little spots on them (fecal matter and blood), or you wake up with little red bites get out of there quick.

Sierra and Gideon were good sports about spending ALL day in the laundry room. Drowned bed bugs from Gideon's bed.
The kids having fun in the midst of major chaos.

Saturday is a Special Day!

Saturdays have become my new favorite day of the week. A whole day to play with Craig! The kids are always so excited when I tell them daddy doesn't have to work. Today his work sponsored a day at the downtown aquarium. We had so much fun playing (for free!). Sierra rode the carousel four times then later in the evening Craig went back with just Sierra and rode some more. I stayed at home for the evening jaunt with Gideon who is finally teething and not feeling so hot (yes he is a little late- 10 1/2 months and finally getting his first tooth).

Gideon enjoyed the carousel as well.
In Sierra's words, "The Ferris Wheel was super fun!"
Yes that is my husband with a pink butterfly painted on his cheek. The things dad's do for their little girls!

Last Saturday we had the incredible opportunity to wander around the temple in Houston for a while. Though it was a steamy hot afternoon, we walked all around admiring the beautiful building and the gorgeous grounds in full summer bloom.

Sierra loved the fountain and watching a bride in her beautiful dress.

Gideon just wanted to explore everything he could- including the leaves on the trees.

Sweet & Spunky Sierra

So I thought I'd blog about my kids today since it's a rainy day and the kids are taking extra long naps. (thank you tropical storm Eduardo).

Five things about Sierra we love!

1. Sierra is a social butterfly. She loves to play with anyone and everyone. She asks nearly everyday if she can play with friends. I think she loves church just because she gets to go to the nursery and play with other children.


2. She sings all the time even if it's often in a very high pitched tone that isn't' easy on the ears. On a little road trip to Austin last weekend she was singing a song from the musical "South Pacific". She loves musicals. Hands down this girl would rather watch a musical than any cartoon or kids show. Her current favorite is "Sound of Music".


3. She is a happy girl who rarely has a bad day. She giggles and smiles all the time. She gets very concerned if others are sad. She often puts her arms around someone who isn't happy and asks them what is wrong (usually Gideon).


4. She is very inquisitive. She wants to know what everyone is doing and asks lots of questions about the people around her. The train is especially fun for her because there are so many people to ask about.
5. She truly has an innocence about her. She wants to do the right thing and has no guile. She is an amazing example to me already! We love having her in our family!

Sierra riding the little train around the park.
My little artist painting away with water.
She embraces her femininity fully!

Sierra singing to her animals and dolls.

Families are Forever

Friday morning I was taking the metro rail home from the children's museum when my outlook on the day changed pretty drastically. A young family, mom, dad, three small children, boarded the train at the medical center stop. The father was holding a little girl about four years old who was obviously very ill. The whole family was very subdued and just sat in silence the entire ride. I then noticed that in the fathers hand was a pamphlet entitled, "What is Cancer". My heart just sunk. Tears came to my eyes as I thought about the difficult road this family is on and what could possibly be ahead for them. I know that modern medicine does amazing things but that life is also very fragile. The possibility of losing a young child would be devastating and especially so without the understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ that teaches that this life isn't the end. There IS more and families CAN be together forever. Watching this little family reaffirmed the deep gratitude I have for my testimony of this important principle. I wanted so badly to share my beliefs with them but I wasn't sure how. They got off at my stop and just before my apartment, I paused and talked with them for a moment. I gave them a card and invited them to call the number on the card to learn more about the importance of families. I finished my walk home feeling glad that I'd done something but still felt somewhat inadequate to what was truly needed. I just hope and pray that they are able to eventually find the comfort and peace that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Beach Trip

I love the 4th of July! I love the patriotic songs and the beautiful fireworks but most especially I love that I most often get to spend it with my family. This year I was blessed to spend the holiday with my Texas siblings. My brother from Austin and my sister from Kingsvale met on the beach in Corpus Christi. We spent the holiday together with our little ones (eight of them 4 and under). It was such fun to create happy memories of being together. I am so grateful for families!

Gideon is my nature boy who loves being outdoors. The beach was no different. He LOVED everything about it- the sand, watching the birds, and listening to the waves come and go.
Vacations are such a great time to really focus on family without the distractions of everyday life. I loved the afternoon we spent at the beach with just our little family. This is the group! There was never a dull (or a quiet) moment with all these little ones.

Two Rules

There are two rules you must abide by if you are going anywhere in Houston- check the weather and check the traffic before you leave. I broke both those rules on Sunday and boy did I pay for it. I had to pick up Craig from the airport and I thought I'd leave a little early and go to the arboretum for a little walk with the kids. It was overcast when I left our home but by the time I got to the park, big juicy raindrops started falling so we didn't even get out of the car. We then got back on the freeway which quickly turned into a parking lot because of the storm and flooded frontage roads. So instead of a nice Sunday afternoon walk in nature we spent all our extra time in the car. Sierra just sat in her seat and sang songs about silly cars swimming in the water while Gideon just cried- I think the very loud thunder and heavy rain scared him a bit. We were sure happy to get to the airport. Anyway, next time I pack the kids in the car and plan to go more than a few miles I'll follow the rules.

Yummy! Gideon loves to eat!

Sierra showing off her new hat from her Grandma that she LOVES!

Being a mom

"Remember dear friends, that you are now doing the work that God intended you to do. Be grateful for the opportunity." Marjorie Hinckley

I've thought about that quote a lot recently because of the veracity of that statement. I truly feel that being a mother right now is the best thing I could be doing. I have been much more content with life than I did when I was focused on a career. It's a personal thing of course, but for me this is where my heart is. It's been especially nice to have my own home to look after again. I actually am enjoying the domestic side of staying home these days but I especially love playing with my kids. There are rough moments and not so rosy days, but overall it's great. Sierra is 2 1/2 and in the last two weeks since we moved to Houston, three new molars made their appearance. The teething and allergies triggered some bad asthma that is finally under control- yipee! I love having my happy imaginative child back. Gideon is almost 9 months and is now rolling over and starting to crawl. He is getting his first tooth so the teething rounds begin again. He is a sensitive boy but also very playful. A huge thunderstorm came through today and he was just mesmerized by the wind, rain and thundering skies. I thought it would frighten him but he just sat in front of the window and took it all in.

We live across the street from the light rail so we take the train often to the library, museums and to visit Craig at work. Gideon does great for about 15 minutes every time, then he just loses it. Sierra on the other hand loves riding the train and talking to all the people who get off and on. I enjoy not having to worry about parking, driving on roads with crazies and paying a ridiculous amount of money for gas. We did use the car to take a little road trip last weekend and drove to Austin (3 hour drive) to visit my brother and Craig's brother. Grandma Forbush was also in town to help with the the new baby Craig's brother's wife had. Sierra couldn't get enough of being with her Grandma. It was wonderful to be around family again.

Happy Father's Day!

Gideon and his new cousin Owen, just 5 days old.

My brother has two little girls that Sierra loved playing with- they are all such little princesses.

Texas

We are here in Houston, Texas now. Some observations:

• Cockroaches are big here! Especially the kind that habitat in crummy motels where we are currently staying while we wait to get into an apartment.


• Blond haired kids must be unusual because everywhere we go someone comes up to Sierra and talks to her and usually touches her. I'm not accustomed to complete strangers hugging and kissing my children. They love the attention thank goodness.


• Flying with children sure beats driving but it's still makes for a crazy day. Gideon woke up everyone in the Phoenix airport with his screaming when he dove out of the stroller and landed face first in Sierra's pizza. Sierra was content nearly the whole way playing with a Mary Poppins Barbie doll.


• Gas is still expensive here as well, even though we can see where it is being refined.


• There are wonderful people in the Summerwood area where we used to live. Attending church yesterday with them was a fulfilling experience.


• Saying goodbye to family in Nevada was much harder than I thought it would be. It's especially hard to hear my little one ask over and over to go to Grandma's house and to play with cousins. We're going to have to make a trip to Austin and Corpus Christi to see family soon.


• Humidity makes for some fabulous feeling skin and outta control hair.


• Being together as a family and having full time employment is such a wonderful blessing.

Gardening with Grandpa. Yes it was cold enough for coats.

Playtime with cousins.

Gideon & Sierra love to swing!

He did it!

Craig got a job!! After many months of unemployment post MBA graduation, we are thrilled with the opportunity for employment. He will be a financial analyst for a software company in Houston. He is excited to be moving back to Texas to the state he loves, though I know he would be even more excited if the job was in the oil/gas industry. He and my brother-in-law are leaving Friday with the U-haul for the trek. We decided driving 4 days with two little ones wasn't such a great idea so I'm flying with the kids next week. It's happened so fast that my mind is just whirling with the things to do- find a place to live (anyone know of a great place in Houston?), pack our stuff, prepare the children, spend time with our families before we move far far away, etc. It's a little overwhelming but I'm happy to be overwhelmed for this. We lived in Houston for two years before he went back to school, and Houston is where I served as a missionary so I am very familiar with the area. Nonetheless, it'll be an adventure I'm sure.

My sickie kids are doing much better- hallelujah! Gideon ended up with RSV (and unfortunately passed it on to his 7 week old cousin) and double ear infections. Sierra's asthma is under control and we are slowly returning to normal life- whatever normal is for us anymore.

Sickies

I've spent the last two days laying on my bed with two sick kids laying on me. I've watched more TV in these two days then in the last two months- ok not quite but it feels like it. It's days like these that I'm grateful I get to be home with them and especially grateful that we have insurance now (it only took 4 months) so a doctor visit is possible. Sierra has a respiratory infection which triggered her asthma. I've suspected she's had asthma for a while, but now that I have an official prognosis I can treat her more effectively- bring on the breathing treatments! I haven't taken Gideon into the doctor because what can they do- he throws up everything that enters his mouth. I just heard the finishing beep of the fourth load of throw-up laundry today. Craig has been out of town- he always seems to be out of town when the kids are ill. He was in Colorado last week and is in Texas this week. They can't be sick forever and the down time has been relaxing but I'm ready to get out of this room!

Play Time

Last week my little brother and I got the bright idea to jump out of the two story barn onto the trampoline in my parent's backyard. Well it was super fun but we both felt it afterwards. I want to be able to do crazy things even as I get older so I thought I'd better get in shape. So this week I started doing yoga every morning. Well I hurt more from the yoga than from my jumping. I should probably just give up the yoga and play more.Spring is here which means you never know what the weather will bring here in northern Nevada. It was a particularly nice afternoon so I took my four charges outside(two of mine and two of my sisters). We lasted just long enough for a breath or two of fresh air and a picture before meltdown occurred, which happens often with 4 babies (2, 14 mo., 6 mo., and 3 weeks). Gideon is getting so big! He's seven months old today. He sits up like a champ, is sleeping mostly through the nigh and is really beginning to be a happy boy. We love having him in our home!
Sierra got to enjoy some four wheeling fun with her Auntie who spent her spring break with us.
My nephew turned six and had a party at my parents house complete with a pinata. Sierra played on the trampoline and in the bounce house with the group of rowdy boys like she was one of them, but when it came time to hit the pinata she couldn't bear to. Of course, she had no problem eating her share of candy that came tumbling out of it.

Giggles

There are so many moments throughout the day when I am just filled with the joy of motherhood. I love being home with my children! Motherhood was a long time in coming to me and I spent a number of years on the "career track". Perhaps that is why I can honestly say there is nowhere else I would rather be. I've been deeply saddened as I've contemplated returning to that working world again as Craig looks for a job. What would I miss- everything! The other night I was putting the children to bed and I began singing to them and Gideon just bursts out laughing (Craig is the one with the good voice in the family-not me). Well that sent Sierra into fits of giggles, which made Gideon laugh even harder. It was a priceless moment to listen to these two little ones giggle like crazy. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Happy Easter!

We had such a wonderful Easter. Little children truly make holidays fun and exciting. Sierra was thrilled with her easter basket which contained snacks for church and books. I made her a little "Jesus book" that she thinks is a singing book. I had to take it away during church because she was singing a little too loud at all the wrong times. She also got two easter dresses (thanks Grandma Miller) and had to model them before choosing which one to wear. She is such a little girl! We got to eat two delicious dinners- the advantages of having both our families so close by. Saturday we dyed eggs and had an egg hunt at my mom's house. Sierra was more interested in the swings and just wandering outside than in finding easter eggs so my 5 year old nephew and I got to enjoy the hunt all to ourselves.

Last week I was also able to visit with some of my high school friends Laney and Holly. It was so fun to chat and catch up on our lives that have gone in such different directions. I am ever so grateful for friends who help us through the many stages of life. What would life be like without good friends?

We also welcomed two new boys to our family last week. My brother Josh and his wife Juli who live in Austin, Texas had a little boy- Stewart last sunday. Yesterday my sister Allison who lives here in Sparks had a little boy- Isaac. There's nothing like new babies to celebrate springtime.