Things I am thankful for...

...a warm dry place to spend the day.
...family close by.
...Mom's sugar rolls (she is the sticky bun lady!!)
...my kids and husband who were great today.
...having the missionaries stop by and share their experiences of being at a missionary conference with Elder Holland. (We have two really great missionaries serving in our ward right now.)
...that we are all healthy and have thus far avoided all the various flues out there.
...reading Hannah's blog and what my kids are grateful for. (Man I love those kids!!)
...living in this country.
...having the gospel in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!! Here come the holidays!! Millie

My Testimony

Today I had the opportunity to teach in Relief Society. It was on the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. In preparation for today I read a few different accounts of what it was like for the Saints and Joseph at that time. I read a lot about Emma. I don't know how she did it. It made me very proud to be a member of the church. And it made my testimony of Joseph Smith and the things he did for us even stronger. And my feelings for Hyrum Smith and the man and brother he is are over whelming. They were both great men and gave their lives for what they believed in and knew to be true. I want to be like that. I do have a testimony of Joseph Smith and that he was a chosen prophet of God to bring to pass the restoration of the gospel in this dispensation. He saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He translated the Book of Mormon and restored all the priesthood keys that make it possible for us to have temples and be sealed as families for eternity. I am so grateful to Joseph Smith and for all he did so that I can have the blessings of the gospel and the temple in my life. Millie

Do I look old enough to have a 21 year old daughter?

I do in this picture!! Hannah turned 21 this week. It is hard for me to believe my little girl is 21 and considered an adult in the eyes of the world. She is still my baby girl. We had waited what seemed like a long time to get her here and it seems like such a short time ago. The day she was born I went to work and the ladies kept telling me it looked like the baby had dropped. I said I did have a back ache. Rob was concerned so he picked me up for lunch and wanted to take me by the hospital to be checked. Just a few days before the doctor told me I would be back in the next week because the baby was not close to coming. I told by supervisor I would need to take my breaks and lunch together to give me enough time to get to the hospital, be checked, and get back to work. I was having contractions but nothing steady. At the hospital they checked me and said I was in labor and told Rob to go and check me into the hospital. I said I could not stay I was on my lunch hour and had to get back to work. The nurse just laughed. Rob had to run home and get my bag. I was even wearing my safety glasses!! I had to call work to tell them I would not be back in. They had planned a surprise shower for me the next day! Hannah was born at 6:55 that evening. There were some complications and her heart beat was dropping so the doctor had to use forceps to get her out. The blue team whisked her away to the nursery and Rob went with her. She was in the baby neonatal unit for 4 days. She got to come home just in time to visit with Grandma Julie!! Now here are a few pictures of the many faces of our Hannah!!





This is us at home enjoying Hawaiin haystacks (Hannah's favorite) in celebration of her birthday even if she could not be with us!!



We love you lots Hannah!!! Mom

David's Birthday and Halloween

October 31 is Halloween but more importantly it is David's birthday. (I believe this is a self taken picture of said boy.) David is now 15. We celebrated on the 30th so he could have a day to himself and not have to share with Darth Vader (Luke) and some other dude (Isaac). The year David was born it was cold and wet and rainy. We could see the trees blowing and the rain coming down from our window. He was 10 days overdue. My other two had both been 2 days early so we were expecting the same!! We have not made that mistake with David since!! We had to drive to Sunny side which on a good day without traffic took about 50 minutes. When we got there they kept telling us about the baby that had been born in the parking lot that morning. They did not want to keep us because they said the baby was too high and would not be born any time soon. But because we came from so far they let us stay and walk around and such. David was born about 4 hours later!! He was my no epideral (?) baby. When he was born he was a bit blue because the cord was wrapped several times around his neck. The doctor said it was the longest cord she had ever seen and it was a good thing or it would have choked him to death. The blue team came in to look him over and gave him an okay. Grandma Julie brought him a clown outfit and we took him home in it!! Now he is 15, a freshman in high school and taller than me. They grow up so fast.

We all gathered in the living room and David began to open presents from the birthday basket.

Here we all are waiting with baited breath for what the boxes would reveal!!

Ainslee not looking very excited!! But she had a fun evening playing with the boys.

David's friend James came home with him from school to celebrate with us. Here they are comparing wallets. Hannah gave David a new one so he could throw his old one, that he had duct taped together, away.

Here is David's prize. He kept telling me to tell people if they asked that he just wanted money so he could save up to buy an electric guitar. His dad found this one for a good price and could not resist. His farmor and uncle Jeff and aunt Carol pitched in. Now he spends lots of time in Hannah's room, which he has taken over until she gets home, playing the guitar.

All in all it was a good haul!!

Raelynn thought so too!!

David with his cake. It looks like it is on fire!! We had enchiladas for dinner because that is what David requested even though we just had them on Monday with the missionaries!!

Isaac and Luke all ready to trick or treat!! Isaac had quite the time deciding what to be on his last Halloween for trick or treating!! He settled for wearing really big clothes and a mustache!! Don't ask me!! I am just along for the ride!! Luke was trying to decide between Darth Vader and Clone Trooper. Darth won out because we could find his mask!!


After trunk or treating at the church we convinced the boys they would rather get some pizza and go home and watch a movie (The City of Ember) than go to some neighborhood for more candy.

Our two lone Jack-o-lanterns. Now Halloween is over and we are looking forward to Thanksgiving!! Millie