Rasmussen Family Pics

When I married into the Rasmussen family I could not believe how many pictures they took. For a girl with picture anxiety who comes from a family that hardly ever brings out the camera it took some major getting used to. Over the years I have come to really appreciate it and am almost completely converted to their picture loving ways. So when we sort of last minute decided to take family pictures after Paul's mission homecoming I had minimal picture anxiety. What can I say, I try to grow a little each day.;) It was so hot in Vegas we opted to take them in the house - it was still pretty darn hot with that many people squished together. It added a nice "glow" to my face. :) But I really must brag, we Rasmussens make up one good looking family.

And here you have it, the Garth Rasmussen Family!
I seriously won the jackpot inheriting this wonderful family. I adore them!

The original Rasmussens
The posterity
Our version of the RasmussensAfter our picture taking Paul surprised all the nieces and nephews with matching Brazilian soccer uniforms. How cute is that!??!?!?! What a fun uncle!

They love him.

imagine

Imagine we lived in a world where everyone wore a giant sticker on their clothes stating what their occupation was and that it was common for the strangers they came in contact with to make a comment about their choice of profession. Wouldn't that feel odd. Wouldn't it make everyone feel a little bit more self-conscious as they cant ignore how noticed and judged they are for their choice of lifestyles. Whether the comments were mostly positive or not it would be uncomfortable if we all lost our anonymous status going about every activity we happened to be doing.Wouldn't those same jokes and comments sort of get on your nerves day after day?

That is how it feels for a mother with a lot of children (that are not in school). Everywhere she goes she gets comments. Mostly ones meant to be encouraging but often it just gets old. Sometimes you wish you didn't even have to think about what other people are thinking about you. Sure, we all like a good compliment and heaven knows a stay at home mom could use more then she gets but if I got a dollar every time someone said to me,"Wow, you sure have your hands full." we would not be in financial crisis right now. Then there are the even ruder compliments like, "Wow, you are such a patient mother. wow. I admire you." That may seem nice except that it insinuates that my children are so awful that my ability to not be screaming at them invokes awe.

I know there are worse things in life but just a little FYI to the rest of the world, if it isn't a full on compliment that doesn't insinuate that my kids seem like terrors and you are surprised I am not committing suicide right now, keep it to yourself. Its generally not helping anything by being said.

And there you have my venting about my Walmart experience today! ;O)

Welcome Home Elder!

In July we excitedly welcomed Stewart's little brother Paul home from his mission to Brazil. Serving a mission is a major accomplishment. It is 2 years of relentless work, service, testing of faith, and tons of personal growth. Paul was an exceptional missionary who gave his whole heart to the work and the people of Brazil. I am so grateful for his righteous example he has set for my kids who really look up to him as their uncle. Being all together with Paul felt so wonderful. We love Paul to death and are glad we have him home again. Paul, good job and Welcome home!

The welcoming party!

After being late and missing Liz last summer we made sure to get there early. We were waiting around for like thirty minuets making all the other arriving flights have to walk around us and our giant sign. Fun memories. :)

How cute are these cousins?!?!?!?!
Its the rule, Mom gets the first hug. :O)

Of course followed by Dad. Such a sweet picture.

Its odd to think this might be our last missionary homecoming. I sort of hope we get to do one more for little Miss Whitney. ;)

Dine at the Dump

We live by the Lockwood Landfill. Every year they host a community event of dinning at the dump. What can I say? We live in a very classy area. This year we took part in this fabulous event. Stewart did not want to go but I heard they usually have great food so I dragged him to it. Stewart was glad that the smell of the awesome BBQ overpowered the mild but ever so lovely dump smells.We all had a great time and I could see it was where all the neighborhood hot shots were at. We even got to rub shoulders with the HOA presidents and everything. We're officially moving our way up the Lockwood social ladder. Anyways, we came home feeling rather fancy in the most hickish way. I am proud to say we've dined at the dump. We're so cool.

New Chapter: Super Pregnant Mom!

Ok, so before I got sick preggo I was going to have this super mom summer. I was going to do all these really fabulous things for my kids and get in the best shape of my life while I was at it. Half marathon , preschool time, reading tons of books everyday, limited movie time, FHE's that are super fun and meaningful, lots of park days and swimming lessons,... but that didn't work out. So now I am feeling good enough to start where I left off in a small degree and today I am kicking off my improvised "super pregnant mom routine"! ;) I am really excited about it.

The kids will have a "morning chart "of things we do every morning, except on the weekends of course. :0)

Kids Morning Chart:

- morning prayer

- breakfast, take vitamin

- get dressed

- brush teeth

- help mommy on her jog/walk

- do preschool time

- read books

Today we are making a little chart complete with pictures and everything to hang on the fridge. The kids don't have their real preschool until the afternoon so we'll actually be able to do all these things in the AM. I hope that it gets us going everyday and that the kids have fun checking off everything on their chart! :O)

For me this means I will actually be getting them dressed before noon, jogging everyday, and starting to do preschool time (review speech stuff, homework, and review classwork, and supplement with the cute little workbooks I bought) and daily book reading time - since I have been so tired at night and traveling so much I haven't been good about night time stories so we are moving it to the mornings. I know all these things pay sound simple but for me this is a big step forward. Eeee! I am excited!

Aunt Liz and Uncle Nathan's Wedding

*sorry this is out of order but I finally got the pictures to do this summer post...I'll be moving it to it rightful place soon but I wanted to share it before it got filed away. :)

We were so excited for Elizabeth and Nathan to be married this summer. Getting all our matching outfits ready, making plans to be there, and all the anticipation that goes with it was a highlight of our summer. They had a "preception" the day before they were married and Mom Ras did such a good job at making it beautiful. The kids and I were in town the week before and tried our best to be helps. We got to stay in a hotel with all the other little cousins and the kids thought it was fabulous. Stewart was doing his away rotation at University of Utah so he had to fly in the evening of the reception to join in . The reception day was a bit hectic as it always is but once the party got started it was really wonderful to be with family and friends to celebrate their wedding the next day. The evening of their sealing was wonderful. I have never seen a more full sealing room and a happier bride and groom. They were almost gitty it was too cute. Such a happy day.

I felt so much love for our wonderful Rasmussen family as I got to take part in the celebrations my dear sister-in-law Elizabeth marry a man she adores and realize the eternal blessings they were bringing to themselves and all their posterity. I am so grateful for temples and I am so very glad Stewart and I were able to have been married in the temple too.

Here are some pictures that were taken. I never once got out my camera. I was just too busy running around making sure we were dressed and at places on time that I kept forgetting. Thank you to those of you who took the pictures!
Here we are working up to the last minute! Becca and I left the church an hour before the reception was planned to start. I was so stressed, I had to get myself plus three kids ready, pick Stewart up from the airport, and I was sick preggo. I was obviously late to the reception but considering no shower and no real food and all the stress I think I pulled it off pretty well. But what would a wedding be without a few panic attacks?!?! :)

The reception. It was beautiful! Mom and everyone did such a great job with the decorations.

Still having fun taking down the reception decorations. :)

I think everyone would agree that the highlight of the wedding week ended with their sealing. Seeing them Sealed was wonderful. :)
This picture is for my mother. I am not sure why I am always 17 weeks pregnant or barley post-pardon when a family member gets married but I am and it is not my favorite place to be. :) I was so worried this time around trying to find a maternity dress to wear to the wedding that was red or orange. They just didn't have any! So bless my mother's heart she did all this research to find patterns (long enough to cover my ugly varicose veins, but summery enough to be in a summer wedding, ...) and to get the best fabric (fabric that would be the right color red, not too hot in Las Vegas summer,....) and made the perfect dress for me. Such love from my mom! Mother you have no idea how much that meant to me, Thank you!