Sleep Talker

We hear things from Jaxon's room almost nightly. Most of the time it's just moans and indiscernible ramblings. One of the nights Jaxon was sick he spent the night in our bed.(Yeah, as if it takes him being sick for us to let him in our bed!) I hadn't fallen asleep yet and was a little startled when Jaxon sat straight up in bed....still very much asleep.

"What's going on here!?!?" He patted his pajama shirt and then let out a long sigh, "Oh, I thought I was naked." Laid back down and continued to sleep.

Just one more random moment in the life of our child.

No! It's a GIRL baby!!!

Much to Jaxon's dismay the ultrasound technician has declared that it is in fact a boy baby. We weren't going to find out, but at the last minute Brian gave the go ahead. Jaxon has said from the first day we told him he was going to be a big brother that the baby was a girl. Never wavering from his position. So, when they showed us the proof that it was a boy, he yelled "No! It's a GIRL baby!!"

I have to admit I was leaning towards a girl. Mostly, I think, because I couldn't see how Jaxon could be wrong. I was disappointed initially and I even shed some tears on the ride home. Then I cried over the fact that I was crying that it was a boy. (Oh, the joys of raging hormones!) I love my little boy and I am truly, honestly, 100% excited that we are having another one!

To Jaxon's question "What happened to the girl baby, mom?" I hope that the answer "I guess she's still in heaven." holds true.

Christmas 2007

Christmas was really fun this year. Jaxon really caught on to the excitement for the first time. He even met St. Nick...yes, the first time. He may be deprived, but what does he know? He can't remember any other Christmas. Besides that, I never had to deal with the guilt of making my child scream on Santa's lap.

We started out Christmas Eve morning with my family. We went to my parents church and had lunch and played. We were able to share it with my dad's brother and sister. With both of my dads parents gone, it doesn't seem like we get together as an extended family often enough. The kids had a great time running wild in all the open space, playing baseball, basketball, kickball, and, of course, tag. The adults played Foosball, ping pong, badminton, and basketball.

Later that night Brian, Jaxon, and I did the traditional Christmas Eve stuff. We ate waffles, sang Christmas songs, read the story of the first Christ's birth, and opened up our presents from the Elves. Pajamas. Would it be anything else?

Jaxon started running a fever that night and we all spent most of the night awake. Since we were all wide awake at 6:30 Christmas morning we decided to get the show on the road and open the presents. Jaxon, though extremely sick, was a riot. Each gift was met with an "Oh, my gosh!" and then after opening it he would say "Is that from mom or dad or Santa?" If it was from either Brian or me he would run to us, give a huge hug, and say "Thank you soooo much!" It didn't last long before he was exhausted and needed to lie down for a bit. You can see from the pictures just how sick our little man was. Later Christmas Day we realized that he had strep. Though the look on his face does not show it, he really was excited over his new tool bench from Santa.

I'm personally not a fan of weapons. However, Jaxon received both a gun and sword...and of course, absolutely loves them. He's done a great job saving us from monsters. Another bonus: my vacuum attachments haven't been touched since!!

Is it sad that the one smile (forced as it may be) came while sporting his new U of U jersey?

What's Christmas without the white stuff? Jaxon got to try out his new shovel Christmas morning. Just hope he doesn't get tired of shoveling too soon. He's got a lifetime ahead of him!

After opening our presents (and shoveling snow) we headed for Perry to spend the day with Brian's family. We had the traditional Ebelskiver (really I have no idea how to spell that....little pancake puff thingie majigs) for breakfast. The much awaited phone call came shortly after finishing breakfast and we were all able to talk to our favorite missionary: Elder Brady.

Mounds of presents later, Jaxon had had enough fun for one day and very bluntly told us it was time to go home. For being as sick as he was he was a great sport and had a wonderful Christmas. I can only imagine how fun it will be next year when he's not sick (knock on wood). The spirit of Christmas comes to life when you watch it through the eyes of a child.

Anniversary

Building a Strong Foundation

by Brent A. Barlow

• Study the Proclamation on the Family. It contains 9 essential building blocks for a successful marriage.



• Keep Marriage a High Priority (D&C 42:22) Eliminate everyone and everything that is not helping your marriage (See Mormon Doctrine pg 188).



• Avoid Apathy in Marriage (1 Nephi 28:21)



• Remember Marriage Vows, Commitments, and Ordinances.



• To Attain Happiness...Keep the Commandments of God. "Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path of righteousness" (J.S. pg 255-256)



• Practice Forgiveness (D&C 64:9-10)



• Resolve Conflicts Effectively and Quickly (Ephesians 4:16)



• Pray Always (D&C 31:12)



• Attend Church Meetings and the Temple Regularly



• Read the Scriptures Often (2 Nephi 32:3)



• Avoid or Reduce Stress, Fatigue, and Over-Commitment (Mosiah 4:27, D&C10:4)



• Take Time for Recreation...Together and Alone (D&C 136:28)

Subtle Hints

I think this was Jaxon's way of telling me that he was done shopping for one day.For the record: he slept from cart to car to couch.

In Memory

Laura Bradshaw Anderson

September 1, 1925 - December 11, 1992

I won't forget my days with you

Your memory will not leave my view.

For you have changed my life you see

And in my heart you'll always be.

Your friendship is my greatest prize

It warms my heart like summer skies.

In darkest moments of the night

Your example brings a guiding light.

And now I see through all my tears

I'll never loose you through the years.

No matter what we'll never part

For I have locked you in my heart.

Jaxon and I went to my grandma's grave site today to visit and leave some flowers on the anniversary of her death. As I parked the car, Jaxon said "Is this heaven?" Close buddy, very close.

Facing Reality

For Sale

Here's the jogging stroller I'm selling on ksl.com. Wish I could say it was a good investment. Wish I could say I used it more than twice. Here's to hoping it goes to a good home and makes someone else healthy and happy. Better luck next time, eh?

I'm facing reality and it sure feels good.

Miracles Still Happen

To say that we pulled off our ward Christmas party would be an understatement. It was fabulous! It was an absolute miracle!!

We were told to plan on a little less than 200 people attending the party. We ordered 200 pieces of chicken cordon bleu from Golden Corral thinking that we would have enough and possibly some leftover. We had set up 192 chairs. Shortly after the dinner began Brian and friends were setting up more tables and chairs (for a total of 220). I watched the chicken nervously hoping we would have enough. The last person to walk through the line had chicken...the very last piece. Nothing but crumbs left over. A miracle.

The play was written by a lady in the ward a few years back. She let us use the play and some of the props. We had 4 musical numbers, Santa, lady being taught the true meaning of Christmas, Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, 2 angles, 2 shepherds, 2 wise men. The only time we could get everyone together to practice was the morning of the party. We went through it once. The play turned out fantastic. Truly a miracle.

In the end we had quite a few baked potatoes left over, along with the butter and sour cream. Brian and I had to drive into Ogden after the party so we decided to donate the leftover potatoes and condiments to the Ogden Rescue Mission. They were so grateful!

When it was all said and done I couldn't have asked for a better committee. They all fulfilled their assignments and were willing to do so much more. Jaxon and Brian are committee members by default and I couldn't have done it without them. From beginning to end they were by my side helping every step of the way.

Jaxon helping dry dishes in the kitchen after the party.

How Do I Look?

The other night Jaxon came out of his bathroom after washing his hands and said:

"Hey, mom! How do I look?"

Wowzers! You think he's drenched? You should have seen the mirror! Why do I even bother?!?

Better Late Than Never

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I still thought I would post a little something. This year we ate Thanksgiving dinner with my family at my sister Kayla's house. They were able to put 3 tables together to create one table large enough to seat all the adults. The 4 "big" grand kids sat at their picnic table which happened to be positioned under a clock that Kayla and Josh had rebuilt.
During dinner the wall was bumped and the clock came crashing down. Fortunately, none of the children were injured. Unfortunately, Kayla's antique clock was in pieces.
The food was delicious, as always, but the very best part of the whole day was talking to Trevor via web cam. Josh and Trevor had set it all up earlier that week as a surprise for my mom. It was the first time I had ever talked on a web cam. The kids thought it was pretty cool. My grandparents didn't quite know what to think of this new fangled technology. Who would have thought that you could see and hear a conversation from Korea to Roy, UT?