Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for.  I have been mulling a list over in my mind I have so many blessings how could I list them all so I will list a few.  
1.  I am thankful for my husband.  I am far to lucky, blessed, and graced with his wonderful presence in my life.  He is not perfect but he is definitely perfect for me. 

2. Rachel-- She is the sun in my house since she has graced us with her sweet spirit.  She has helped me through the darkest days of my life.  She is so happy.  (except when she is not--Derrek says she is digital all on or all off)

3. Jacob-- My sweet son.  He is so thoughtful.  He is also a tease.  He makes my days better.  His prayers are angels words.

4. Shelby-- She is such a good help.  She is constantly doing little things to make my life easier.  She is a good cook, a good babysitter, a good house cleaner, and a good laundress.  She also has started listening to the radio and has brought a lot of fun music to our home.  She is a good shopper.  I am not.  She is such a wonderful daughter. 

5. My parents.  They are great.  I am privileged to live close to them.  My children are privileged to have them as grandparents.

6. My in-laws.   They are perfect.  They are helpful and fun to be with.  There  talents are different from my parents but just as needed and loved.   I am blessed to be included in their family.

7.  My nieces and nephews.   I have 26 of the most adorable, good and kind nieces and nephews.  I have two more coming in the next year.

8.  The church I belong to.  This is a little far down for this to be in order of importance.  I love the gospel and the hope and peace it has brought into my life. 

9.  Joshua-- What an experience it has been to have been an angels mother.  From high to low to mellow I am grateful for the perspective he has brought to my life.  I  feel blessed to have had experiences I would never have had without experiencing his untimely death.

10.  Our new baby coming in April.  I feel like a new 1st time pregnant person.  I am excited, and scared over every new change.  It has been great to see the baby healthy and doing well.  I am praying this continues until we can hold this sweet addition in the spring.  Truly a miracle, an answer prayers, and hope to its parents. 

Catch up (again)

I have been a little preoccupied these past days and I have not blogged our real life for a long time.  Here area few highlights of the last 15 weeks.  

First day of School:  Can you believe a 7th grader, a 4th grader, and

3 year old preschool.  Oh I am not old enough to have children this old.  I am sure of it.  I am still in my 

early 20's right.....  Maybe I could convince someone.......

 Braces:   Shelby now has a necklace on her teeth (Rachel's description)  She is loving them (insert sarcasm)

 Peach Days:  Derrek marched with the Veterans, and Jacob marched with the scouts.  Jacob's picture didn't turn out very good but he did a great job. 

 Rachel and Jacob climbing on the real rocks.  Scares me to death.

But they are always safe and come back with thousands of exciting words about how fun it

was to go up and up and up. 

 Halloween.  Our annual pumkin carving.  I really am an amutur compared to my children and my husband.

Every year they carve these beautiful creations and I just take pictures and help here and there.  Derrek uses the Dremmel. Even Rachel caught on this year and she did the majority of her pumpkin 

(minus the sharp knife ) this year.  Oh well my front porch always looks fabulous thanks to their great work.  I love the fall. 

 Costumes:    Rachel was  Minnie Mouse.  She was so so adorable.  I haven't had a little one for many years and she was so funny.  All day Friday, Saturday and Sunday she ran around our house saying "Happy Halloween"  Is it trick or treat time?  She had us all laughing and giggling all day long.  It was really really really fun.  Trick or treating was fun also.  She would go up to the house and say either thank you or trick or treat and then alternate the ending with whichever one she didn't say first.  Hilarious.  Jacob and Shelby had fun with friends and left us in the dust for the most part.  Which is appropriate but I do miss going trick- or -treating as a family.  Jacob was a Roman Solider/Moroni depending on who was asking.   Shelby was a beautiful witch. 

Announcing......

We have great news on this great few days before Halloween.  We are 14 weeks along with a new baby.  We have experienced every emotion on the face of the earth.  We feel very blessed to have this miracle come into our lives.  We are grateful to our doctor who continues to monitor, plan, prepare and calm our nerves.  We have had 3 ultrasounds and everything looks perfect.  We hope and pray this continues and we get to bring this little sweetie home in the spring. 

The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why

Humm   Music is so important to me so I have been thinking very hard about this and I think I have decided.
1. Hymns and Primary Music are soothing and wonderful to me.  So I cannot choose one.  I have most of them memorized so if I just had the books I would be good to go.  If not I would just sing them from memory which I am sure would be changed over time.

2.  Waiting Room by Jonny Diaz--  This song refers to us accepting God's will.  It talks about us praying and working to get our yes and sometimes the answer is no.  But always God is in charge.

3. You're my Home by Billy Joel-- Our song.  If Derrek and I have a song this is it.  He truly is my home.

4. My children's songs, An Innocent man- Billy Joel, The Riddle- Five for Fighting, The Book of Love-Peter Gabriel, and This is the Time by Billy Joel.   Each of these songs remind me of my babies and the time I spent with them at home when they were newborns.

5. I really ate up all the numbers in the last one but I would have to have Angels Among Us by Alabama because truly we do have angels both living and those from the other side who help us out on a daily basis.  If only we knew and appreciated them more often.

Something that inspires me

I have many things that inspire me. But my children inspire me to improve.  Each one of them has provided unique experiences for me as a parent and in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  I want to be with them forever and ever and so I work to do the right things for them and with them.  Shelby is so like me that I see many of my faults in her.  Not really fair to her -- She is beautiful, bright, and full of faith. She always strives to do her best and hates to be wrong.  Jacob is amazing.  His scripture reading has been an example to me in obedience.  He is obedient to a fault. Rachel is full of happiness and sunshine.  She loves life and everything that comes her way.  She has a very stubborn streak that is difficult but for the most part she is a joy.  Joshua gives our family somethings to work towards.  He is/was perfect and is with our Heavenly Father and Jesus.  No empty chairs in our heavenly home.  We have an empty chair here and so I am looking towards no empty chairs in Heaven.  Conference today was also very inspiring.  It was great to hear so many great talks on a variety of subjects.  Our family had a great two days listening to the prophet.  I cannot wait to read and reread the talks. 

Busy, Busy-Guilty Pleasure

My life has taken on some new complications lately and I feel like I am spinning my wheels and wondering where I am going to come out. Between work, my responsiblities to my children(they are older now what was I thinking easier-- NOOOO), and primary presidency I am sleepy.  My children and husband are as always supportive and helpful.  They are far to  perfect and I am amazed at them daily.   I found this on a blog and thought it would be fun so Here goes.  It is going to be posts for me not days.  So you can join or not but I just wanted to. 
Here is the challenge:

Day 01 - Guilty pleasure
Day 02 - Something that inspires you
Day 03 - The five songs you would have with you on a desert island and why
Day 04 - What you imagine paradise to be like
Day 05 - A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life
Day 06 - Earliest thing you can remember
Day 07 - Favorite cover of your favorite song
Day 08 - Someone you think would make a good president
Day 09 - Five things you want to see change Day
Day 10 - A dream you had this past week described in detail Day
Day 11 - Favorite picture ever taken of yourself Day
Day 12 - Your favorite musical artist’s life story
Day 13 - A memory that never fails to make you laugh
Day 14 - Best mashup you’ve ever heard
Day 15 - A moment, phrase, or song that has changed your life the most.
Day 16 - Something that you want to do within the next five years.
Day 17 - What you want to remembered for.
Day 18 - A picture that makes you feel
Day 19 - A passage from a book that has touched you
Day 20 - A band that you immediately liked and the song that made you like them
Day 21 - Your favorite medium of art.
Day 22 - Someone you would give your life up for without question.
Day 23 - Most awkward first impression you feel you’ve ever given
Day 24 - Something you did as a child that other people remember you for.
Day 25 - Something you would do if no one stopped you or if you knew you wouldn’t fail.
Day 26 - Your definition of love.
Day 27 - Your definition of the meaning of life.
Day 28 - A moment you remember being completely happy in and a description of why you believe you were. What is your definition of happiness
Day 29 - What you live for.
Day 30 - Ways you believe you have grown over the past thirty days.



Post 1:   My guilty pleasure is  reading.  I love to read.  I can sit down and read/reread for hours on end and truthfully disappear and escape.  When my children give me books for Christmas or my birthday they give me a day with dishes and laundry and the cleaning done.  So thoughtful and kind.  They know me so well.   This summer we had afternoons where we all sat and read for a few hours.  Of course Rachel read a book and ran outside and then would come back in and read and then go to nap.  It was so fun.  I loved every minute of it.  

More Beautiful You- Official Music Video

Shelby just got back from a workshop for young women the age 11-15 in our area.  They have focused on resisting peer pressure, hair, nails, inner beauty, making and keeping friends, resisitng drugs, drinking etc..., self-defense, and how to study.  Very timely as she starts school in a few weeks.  This song was one they used as they were discussing peer pressure and she shared it with me.  I wish all women thought of themselves and the beautiful Daughers of God that they truly are.  The times in my life I have struggled the most are when I forget that or lose sight of truly who I am.    Hope you enjoy as much as I have.  Kappy oh the song is by Johnny Diaz
 

Brigham City Temple Ground breaking

The rendering of the Brigham City Temple.   It is going to be beautiful. 

The official group  (Elder Nelson, and Elder Packer in the middle

The had former Stake Presidents come and dig so my dad got to go up

Shelby and Rachel having thier digging turn.  They invited all t he children up

Our family had the wonderful opportunity to attend the ground breaking for the new temple here in Brigham City.  The anticipation and excitement in our little town has been so fun.  My children and I ran around the site Friday night and then early Saturday morning we went and attended the event.  We were able to obtain tickets and we feel very blessed to go with my parents and sit very close to the front.  Our Rachel has been dancing around the house singing I love to see the temple and saying "We are getting our temple". 

Me taken by Jake (Derrek was in the Unitas finishing his 50 mile hike with the Teachers)

Close up of grandpa

Joshua

Happy Angel Day my sweet son.  God be with you till we meet again. Mom

July Fun in Pictures

We have had a fabulous July with Family Reunion, 4th of July, hikes and life.  

Shelby and Great Friend Em

Rachel swimming outside!

Stripling Warriors (costumes made by Grandma Ruth) Aren't they adorable!

Great Wagon Ride through the streets of Midway.  Fun Fun

Captain Moroni and the title of liberty!

Theme of the reunion compliments of Mom

Hiking at Bridal Veil Falls!

My beautiful children!

Shelby

Rachel-- Miss mischief.  She is so fun We are so lucky to have her!

14 years together

Today is our anniversary.   Derrek and I were married in the Logan Temple on a beautiful, hot July day.  It has been the best choice I have ever made.  He is such a wonderful husband, father, and friend.  I tell him all the time he is my dream.  You all know the dream of the perfect husband, (prince) the whole of your life.  Well he is mine.  He is perfect for me.  Patient, kind, hardworking and fun to be with.  Love you dear. We have had many ups and downs and a lot of fun. Here a just a few pictures from the last 14 years of our life. 

Father's Day, Grandma's funeral, Memorial Day, and Misc other things.

Father's Day:   My sweetheart is the best husband, father in the whole world.  He is an incredible father.  He loves each of his children and  I have enjoyed watching him teach, play, read to, and discover each of our children.  He is very good at pointing out the good and encouraging each child to do the very best they can.  He truly is a blessing to me and to our children.  He has been with me every step of this parenting adventure.  His patience and guidance helps me daily.  I cannot imagine trying to raise my darling children without his calming influence. These pictures are from a quick trip we took to Park City for a "free" weekend with the timeshare for a condo there.  Other than listening to the presentation and them changing our room 4 times we had a great time and ended up with a fabulous room with a hot tub off the deck and a spiral staircase leading to a loft room for Shelby to have to herself.  We went on the alpine slide and coaster and had a fabulous time together.  Great way to start our summer.

Memorial Day:    We took flowers to Joshua's grave as a family.  Rachel fell asleep on the 5 minute drive to the cemetery and so she was grouchy for pictures.  We also went to see Derrek's grandparents new, beautiful headstone picked by his aunt. 

 

My beautiful, angel Grandma Rushton passed away a short five days from my last visit with her.  I was not particularly sad.   She lived a beautiful, great life full of service and happiness.  I hope to have such a great resume of happy children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who serve the Lord when I pass away.  She finally got to go home which was her deepest wish.  She will be reunited with her son she lost many years ago and always missed.  My grandfather wanted his oldest granddaughters to be the pall bearers.  Scary and very nontraditional but we didn't drop her as you can see by the pictures.  The final picture is my brothers and sister and my parents.  I am truly blessed.  We also have a few sisters-in-law.  The rest of the kids and spouses were gone by this time.