My Kids Got a Thing

I am so tired these days that I try to snag any quite moment to get a few minutes of sleep. As I slumbered Stew was studying in the other room. Stew decided Bridger was being a little too quite to be up to any good so he went to check on him. And this is what he found...

He had opened every container of yogurt we owned and even made a nice little pile of the lids. My Bridger really has a thing for yogurt. Good thing Stew caught him when he did because I am sure if a few more minutes had passed without supervision we'd had a yougurt covered living room. I guess we'll be having yogurt with every meal today! ;)

Fire Trucks and Choo Choo Trains

Today at play group we had a tour of a fire station and then the kids got to play on a real life choo choo train. Bridger and Angeli were a little scared of all the fire station stuff but the train, they were all over that. So this is sort of a funny story. Bridger hasn't really cared much about fire trucks in his life so far and all we have talked about them is how they put out "hot hot fires so people don't get hurt". So there is an element of fear there for Bridger. However, the fire station was all good fun until they demonstrated the sliding down the fire poll thing. The way it was at their station was that when they put their weight on the poll the floor opened up beneath them revealing a big whole in which they fell through. When Bridger witnessed the fire man jumping on a poll and a giant hole opening up beneath him swallowing him up he thought he had just witnessed a terrible tragedy. While all the other kids were owing and awing Bridger was in tears. We tried to tell him it was fun but he would have none of it. I told him it was like the polls at the park but I think he could have only thought that what he had just witnessed was nothing like the park. From then on everything was scary. I felt bad because by the end the other kids started to think they should be scared too. I guess Bridger wont be wanting to be a firefighter when he grows up anytime soon! :) Good thing we ended with the train, that was not scary at all. I actually remembered to bring my camera to this outing so here are some cute pics of our fun and traumatic play day.

The Old Train

The Fire Station

Me and My Ensign

My favorite thing to read these days is the Ensign. To be honest it is about the only thing I read besides emails, blogs, and my bills. However, I especially love the conference talks. Today I found a rare moment to myself where I could quietly lay down on my bed and read from the Conference talks published in this months Ensign. I really loved the talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry entitled Let Him Do It with Simplicity. This little part seemed to touch my heart to the point of busting out the highlighter.

"One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: “The best is yet to be” (“Rabbi Ben Ezra,” in Charles W. Eliot, ed., The Harvard Classics, 50 vols. [1909–10], 42:1103). We can’t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

The best is yet to come. I think that has become my own personal motto the past year or so and I will have to remember to keep it foremost in my life perspective. It is my silver lining, my anchor when the storms gather. What a tremendous blessing to know that while we may have to pass through the darkest of times that no matter how dark it gets we have the reassurance that further down the path greater happiness then we can imagine await us.

I am so very grateful for my life and all that blesses it. I have everything I want and more. I am so grateful that I have been given the Gospel. I owe all my joy to the truth of the Gospel being present in my life. And knowing I can give the knowledge of the Gospel to my children is the greatest reassurance to me as a mother. That life, no matter how hard for them, will be joyous too because they know of Christ.

Sick

Its that time of year when the marathon of sicknesses seem to berate everyones families. We are under going some illnesses that I really would rather we weren't. I have had this cold for two weeks now and it seems to be getting worse and worse. But it wouldn't be that bad if I had a good doctor for my kids. I sort of hate their doctor's office. They never seem to follow through with anything and are never open!!! They are closed on Fridays and I really need Angeli seen today. She seems to always get hit really hard with whatever bug is going around and last night she had a really high fever. I am afraid she might be getting strep because she can hardly talk. I hope everyone is well by the time the baby comes. I guess this is why people don't have winter babies.

So after complaining and writing this post a miracle happened. The office was open. I guess they recently changed their hours. We got in and I met with a new lady and I loved her! And the office had all the info I was needing when I got there such as if the doctor will except my new baby as a patient and a referral for Angeli to see a specialist for her leg issues. So that was so nice. And thank goodness Angeli doesn't have strep. She has a really bad ear infection. She has started her antibiotics and should be better soon. What would we do if we lived 100 years ago? Both kids are napping and the world is a much happier place to be in. Yay for us. :)

Its Thanksgiving at Preschool

This week I am doing our preschool lessons. Are we are learning all about Thanksgiving. Today was our Pilgrim themed day. I am not too sure how much they get it but they had fun making their treat and craft either way. I promised some people I would blog some of the cuter things we do so here are our little projects we did today. I stole them off of the websites listed on the side of my blog. They turned out really cute. These kids do great work. :)

Pilgrim Hat Cookies

Pilgrim Masks

Organizing my Brain

Whenever I get too stressed out I make a list of all the things I need to get done and somehow I am able to relax a little bit. So I am making my list of things I want to get done before the baby comes. The other lists I could make would be too depressing to face but this one actually seems fun to me because its stuff I want to do. I know I am a bit of a freak about this getting ready thing. So I totally acknowledge that below is a little of my OCD reveled. The green means I have completed the task. I plan to update the blue as I get things done...

- Get a Crib Mattress (yes this makes our third crib mattress in use, how hilarious is it that we have to buy our third one)... dose anyone want to loan me one? My friend totally brought me a crib mattress today- bless her heart!!! There really are angels everywhere.
- Wash crib bedding and crib. Set up crib
- Barrow a swing
- Barrow a bouncer
- Clean out the garage
- Clean out car, install the car seat for the baby
- Get a Pediatrician for Benjie
- Get a new dresser for Bridger
- Wash and put baby clothes in the baby's dresser
- Set up the baby's pac'nplay/bassinet thingy in my room
- Clean out the fridge
- Clean out the kitchen cupboards and make room for bottles and babyness
- Get gifts for the kids to have when the baby comes home from the hospital
- Buy new nipples, diapers, nursing pads, lotion, diaper cream, extra soft wipes, and pacifiers
- Clean the carpets
- Wash all our pillows from our living room
- Clean our sofa and chair upholstery
- Change air filter to our central air system
- Stock up the freezer with some pre-made meals
- Polish my cupboards in the kitchen and bathrooms
- Pack for the hospital
- Get my pre-new baby blessing from Stew
- Organize and pack away our food storage
- Register at the hospital and I even got my little tour
- Get most of my Christmas orders for my business done
- Wash and scrub down my jogging stroller
- Clean and organize my closet
- Clean and organize Bridger's closet
- Clean and organize Angeli's closet
- Clean and organize hall closets (one down)
- Deep Clean Bathrooms
- Cut everyone's hair
- Make and Burn all our home videos from 2008 - I just need to burn them on to DVDs almost there!

See instead of that making me feel more overwhelmed I actually feel so much better having this all typed out. But honestly aren't I a bit crazy with my readiness...I swear, I really am quite easy going despite all this.

Family Fun in Utah

Spending time with family is one of our favorite things ever and that is exactly what we did on our Utah vacation. We really have no idea when we'll be able to make it back there and so we were so grateful to be able to go now and spend time with so many of our loved ones. We stayed at Jon and Eden's house in Ogden and had a blast, spent an evening with my big brother Bob in Sandy - - my kids thought they had gone to heaven with all the attention they got there, and then we headed to Becca's house for the remainder of our trip where we partied with Becca and LeGrand, Ammon and Kirsten, Grandma and Grandpa Rasmussen, Grandma Larsen, Aunt MaryAnne and Uncle Carl (you really spoil us too much!!!), and the Williams crew. We really didn't want to go home but we hope it wont be too long before we can go back. When we drove away Bridger was crying for his friends and during the entire drive when we told him we were going home he'd yell, "No, friends house! I want Bridger's Friends". :O) Becca and LeGrand, thank you for opening your home to us so graciously! We always feel so at home with you guys.

Here are a million pictures I have to share. I forgot my camera at home and so I wasn't able to get any pictures unless I had Kirsten around to take pity on my camera-less state. So thank you Kirsten for indulging me and helping capture so many memories. We love all of you!!!

The Cousins

This captures my Bridger really well. He is sort of in between all the cousins. The cousins closest to his age are girls and the boys have like four years on him. But my Bridger...that doesn't stop him from making himself park of the action no matter who it involves. Here he is invading the girls princess playing. Poor Brynlee!!!

The littlest cousins haveing a Pajama party getting into the kitchen cupboards.
Oh, and of course Bridger is there too.

The boys.
Bless Brayden and Ethan's hearts for being so sweet to Bridger and letting him be just one of the guys. He loves you both tons.

Hanging With Grandma Larsen

Grandma with some of her Rasmussen grand kids.

We have a special place in our hearts for Grandma, she really took care of us all through our BYU years. We love you!

Grandma and some of her Ras Great Grand kids. So cute!

Their silly picture...I don't think Angeli quite caught on. :)

The Rasmussen-Williams Party

The tiny cousins.
Yup, We're all doing our share to reproduce. ;)

The big cousins. Yup, I'm doing my share to be a BIG cousin ;)

Some of the Menfolk.
The one in the Nike shirt is to die for!!! ;)

Go Cougars!

Grandpa Rasmussen was super thoughtful and gave some tickets to us to go to the BYU game while we were in Utah. Stewart and Bridger were able to go with Stew's big brother Ammon, Ammon's beautiful wife Kirsten and Ammon and Kirsten's studly son Ethan. They had a great time. It was a beautiful day, the Cougar pride was flowing strong, and the Cougs had a great victory. It has been a really long time since Stew was able to go to a BYU game at the Cougar stadium. I know he loved being back on BYU turf. Once again Kirsten took some really great pictures that I am endlessly grateful for. Thank you Kirsten!!! I love BYU and I love that my two favorite boys got to go together! It was Bridger's Second football game, so fun! It was a fun brother and son outing for Stewart. Go BYU!!!

Making Impressions!

I know I complain a lot about my business. I do that simply because it is a lot of work, but honestly while the monetary benefits may be somewhat less then I'd love the blessings like being able to be home with my kids are priceless. I am so grateful that I have my business. I love knowing I have created something. I take a hunk of clay and with little hands and feet I make a "timeless treasure". That is cool no matter how much work it is for me. :O) For the first time we had room in our car to bring my ceramic supplies along on our vacation. Thus, I was able to do many of my nieces, nephews, and cousins impressions while we were in Utah. I am so excited to be able to do something for those cute little ones and their families. I hope they turn out! Cross your Fingers! My endlessly thoughtful sister-in-law Kirsten took some pictures while I took the kiddos impressions. I am so excited to have them, now I can jazz up my website with some "action" shots. :) Thanks Kirsten. Here are some of the cute kids getting their impressions taken. And yes, I am a brunette now. I thought it was time to mix things up with my hair. Eden, thank you for the much needed hair cut and color! I am falling more and more in love with it everyday! :)

Ethan was my first volunteer. He was so sweet to my little kids the entire trip. He is such a good big brother even to his cousins! We love you Ethan!!!

The kids getting in on the ceramic action. I think Brynlee may have some serious ceramic talent.
It was fun to have the kids so interested in my little craft. They made me feel special. Thanks guys!

Some of my adorable audience!Brayden and I capturing his hand forever. He is such a cute cousin making sure to include Bridger in the big boy games. We adore you Bray!!

35 Days to Go and I'm Stressing!

So on the drive home from our wonderful trip to Utah I started to think about all that awaited me when I got home. Lets just say I started to stress. Though I have to acknowledge that the things that I am stressing about are really quite happy things. So yes, I have a great life and I am very grateful for all that it entails. But none the less it is LIFE. So here are my stresses I am feeling the need to purge. :) I have 35 days until my due date. Only 35! I wish I could express how un-ready I am to have this baby. I am not sure how I will ever get everything done in time. I am hoping he will come the day after Thanksgiving. Trust me that is the absolute best time I can think of-- its complicated with Stew's test and all. So that gives me a little over two weeks to get my life in order so I can have a baby with the least amount of stress. I know I am probably just setting myself up for being a week over due but you never know. :O) Then there are the holidays...I haven't done anything for them. Then there is my business. I am so behind with all my orders and I have all these people wanting to place their holiday orders and I am just so un-motivated to even set the appointments with them! I have 16 messages on our answering machine that I am really not wanting to listen to. Ugh! And did I mention the quarterly activity I am in charge of or primary sacrament program this Sunday or the play group I am behind on planning or the pre-school lessons I need to put together for next week or ...

Ok, there is all my stressing. I feel better having gotten that off my chest. Now I just need to focus on getting my fifth load of laundry going, watching the entire sixth season of Gilmore Girls before its due back at the library :) and making a shopping list because we have nothing but condiments in our fridge right now. Will things be more simple after the baby comes? Only wishful thinking eh?!?!?

My Poor Phone

My poor phone went for a spin in the washer last night. I am hoping it will just need a little drying out before it works again but I might just need to buy a new phone. So sad! I just barley started to use this phone! So if I am hard to get a hold of that is why. I guess you can try Stew if you want to get a hold of me. His number is the same at my number except its a 3 at the end instead of a 0. Things like this always happen to my phone right when we are leaving on vacation! Wish my phone luck!

Our Halloween Happenings

We had a very happy Halloween. My good friend was super ambitious and threw a great Halloween party for the little ones. She went all out with little games and stuff. Way to go Janie! Angeli just wanted to play in the back yard the whole time but Bridger was totally into it. I was amazed at how well he followed her instructions. It makes me wonder why he cant be that behaved at home! :O) Stew has a major test on Monday so he wasn't able to stay for the entire party but it made Bridger's day to have his Superman daddy there - not to mention it made my day too! I miss that husband of mine!!! The kids were darling and we simply had a great time dressing up and being together with our friends. I hope you all had a Happy Halloween too!

Angeli as a fairy Princess

Our Super Bridger!

Angeli's Favorite part of the night...driving her hot ride.

Bridger Playing one of the many fun games

One of the cute pumpkin pizzas the kids got to make

I am supposed to be a cat...I was going to draw on a nose and whiskers but I was so rushed getting to the party I totally forgot. :(

Both my boys as superman. Stew was more of the Clark Kent version and Bridger was the full on Super hero. Bridger thought it was great that his dad was "Man Man" too!

Some of the kids at the party heading out to go trick or treating!

Bridger excitedly trick-or-treating. That's so my son!!

We love our ward! They are always up for a party. And these little kids - they make the hoildays so magical again! Heaven bless these adorable little kiddos.