Easter Weekend 2015

Conference landed this year on Easter weekend so we spent the better part of Saturday listening to the sessions. The boys napped and played with legos so I was able to hear some talks. In the late afternoon we met up with the cousins to do an easter egg hunt. It was a nice warm afternoon and perfect for the kids to hunt some eggs and to play all together. We are so lucky to have all these cousins near by and to do so many things with them. I love getting to sit around and talk while the boys play and the girl cousins take scout and go off with her to give her endless attention.

The next morning the boys slept in which is abnormal but were very excited for their easter baskets. We don't do too large so it takes away the true celebration of Easter but it was fun to munch on their candy while they played with some new ninja turtle toys.

Max really gets the meaning of Easter and has learned a lot about Jesus and the resurrection. He was only slightly confused as to why his Great Grandma Draper who passed away years ago doesn't live with us and he kept telling Great Grandpa Draper that his wife would be resurrected at Easter and come to live with us in our house. He didn't understand why she wasn't here because it was Easter! Such a sweet spirit and sentiment from a 4 year old. We had to tell him that everyone will be resurrected when Jesus comes again, I don't know how satisfied he was with that answer but he finally stopped asking where she was. I love how concerned he is for Grandpa Draper.

I am grateful I get to share my testimony with my children daily of my believe in Jesus Christ, but It is extra special to share it on Easter. It is also extra special when we get to hear the gospel messages from our church leaders on Easter and to hear our dear prophet President Monson speak. He is looking old and tired but still such a love for the members our of church and a stead fast testimony in our redeemer.

Because of Jesus Christ I am forgiven of my sins, because of him I can live again with my family and because of him I can be a mother. I have a burning testimony that Jesus Christ lived and walked on this earth. That he was the perfect example and through him we can all be made whole, all the wrongs can be made right and we can return to live in heaven again.

I hope to teach my children these things, I hope I can help them gain a testimony and to know what a celebration Easter is! I hope that can feel their saviors love for them! Oh how I love this family of mine! Look how big they are getting?!

Max's First Primary Talk!

My baby Max gave his very first Primary talk on Sunday! Oh man makes this mom's heart swell to see him get up there and give a talk. He talked about how families can be together forever in the temple and showed a picture of our family. He was so sweet and did such a great job! I was proud of him he had practiced at home, but then started to get either irritated with me making him practice or something because he started to say he wasn't going to what he had practiced...then he got really upset and said he wasn't doing it when we made him practice for FHE. I backed off and on Sunday he got up there with Larry and did great. So funny how I want him to do well, and he does it on his own. Mom learning moment for sure. Love this boy so much, he is growing up too fast.

 

 

 

Conference Weekend...

It is that time of year again when we get to listen to a living prophet in our pajamas none the less! Larry is gone at school like usual so the honor falls on me to try to get the boys to listen to general conference or at least be in the room for it. My goal is for Max and Noah to remember the prophets name by the weekend!

 

After we got through the 2 sessions we made our way to the dinosaur park and checked it out for the first time. It was their reward for doing so well. It is the funnest park with different dinosaur things and these fun eggs that Max especially enjoyed laying around in. The weather was nice and we had a great afternoon. Let's hope tomorow is good as well. Getting little kids to sit through church at home so to speak is hard, getting them to feel the spirit is hard to but I want them to know it is important and special that we get to have conference 2 times a year and to look forword to it when they are older.

 

Busy Few Weeks...

Some how I got roped in to helping with a super saturday even though I am currently serving as the 2nd counselor in young women's. We wanted to do something different so I said I would do these walking stones that you can make and put in your garden. They did turn out cute, but I had been running errands like a crazy women getting all the supplies for the event on Saturday. My kids were troopers going from home depot to Lowes or Walmart. I treated them to the outside play place at McDonalds after one errand run. I tried to get a sweet shot of my new pink pants I've fallen in love with via a slide at the play place, super glamorous. 

 

We also managed to go to the park one morning as well. I am finding that as long as I get my kids needs met they will happily let me drag them to stores. It is hard fulfilling these church callings with young kids but I am finding joy in serving people of our ward. I hope my kids learn and see their parents serve and will do it as they get older as well. Look how cute that Noah boy is conquering the slide and climbing like a big boy! He can get around the park so well now, I am almost confident that he will not fall. 

 

 

On This Christmas Eve...

I have been really busy this christmas season, from planning parties to decorating, and making so many goodies I might have gained 100 pounds this month. But besides that I really wanted to sit down and document how I am feeling right now.

My house is quiet, the presents are out, the tree is lit, and Santa has come. I feel so blessed and overwhelmed with love right now. I am so excited to have my boys experience Christmas morning tomorrow and later our fun party. But tonight was magical as we sat around our table, in our warm house eating chinese food. I feel so lucky to have my family. We are far from perfect but every year we get together, we get to be under one roof again and It feels so good.

I love this time of year. I love that I get to celebrate the birth of Christ with my family. It feels so right to celebrate his birth surrounded by my family. I am so grateful for my savor and what his life means to me.

I am grateful for Mary and Joseph for believing in the miracle of his birth, and for Joseph being a faithful husband to Mary and finding her a comfortable place to have the baby Jesus. How amazing she was to have a baby in a stable, what peace she must have felt knowing she was being watched over by a loving Heavenly Father, as she brought his son into this world.

Even though I have been busy, I feel like the true spirit of Chritsmas has really seeped into our house, as well as our hearts. I can't help getting choked up when I hear a song, or see Max playing with his nativity. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Eve, and day filled with love, family, and the spirt of Christ in your homes. Let us all remember the true meaning of Christmas.

General Conference Weekend.

When the first weekend of October rolls around millions of LDS members gather to watch Conference over a 2 day period. This might be my favorite thing our church does twice a year. I love General Conference! It renews my faith and makes me feel like I have the capability to continue on and be a better person! It always makes me feel like I am doing things right but I can always aspire and reach to be a better wife, mother, and sister within the church.

I feel so united with other members of the church, and always am flooded with emotions about how grateful I am to me a member and to know the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I feel am overwhelming love for the the Prophet, and the general authorities, and I love how organized and set up our church is. I am just one member of the church, but when I watch and listen to conference talks I feel special, and loved. I know that I am a daughter of God and that I have a loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ who know me, and want me to have a happy life, as well as serve others and bring them into the faith.

I hope that everyone that watched General Conference this weekend felt the love and the spirit in your home. I know for me, it always helps me to hear that I can do better. I know even with my little kids running around,and, through the loudness and busyness of our home the spirt was stronger this weekend and will reside in our home for a long time.

Noahs Blessing.

I didn't get too many pictures of Noah's blessing but it was a nice evening. We had some friends and whatever family was around come over on Sunday night and had root beer floats after. I like blessing my babies in our home, or with family around not in church. I am not a fan of blessing babies in sacrament meeting I want a more intimate place. Larry gave Noah a sweet blessing of being a good brother, serving others, and being an example in others lives. I also didn't do the traditional all white outfit because I didn't have Max's (it was in storage) and really I am low key about these things I'd probably not do it at all if Larry didn't insist. Here are some pictures of the day and a few cousins that were in town! I should have snagged a family picture but once again I forgot...next time! 

Oh sweet noah, you might not be the most photogenic baby but we love you! 

Later that night the boys hanging out once everyone left. Sometimes it is crazy that we already have 2 kids before Max is even 2! Time flies! 

 

My Thoughts On Motherhood...

"Let every mother realize that she has no greater blessing than the children which have come to her as a gift from the Almighty; that she has no greater mission than to rear them in light and trust, and understanding and love; that she will have no greater happiness than to see them grow into young men and women who respect principles of virtue, who walk free from the stain of immorality and from the shame of delinquency.... I remind mothers everywhere of the sanctity of your calling. No other can adequately take your place. No responsibility is greater, no obligation more binding than that you rear in love and peace and integrity those whom you have brought into the world."-- Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote and I thought it was fitting for the events about to unfold in my very boring but wonderful life. Tomorrow morning is the big day. I will be a mother of two if everything goes good tomorrow with my induction. I am so happy to be done with this pregnancy and to meet the little guy coming into our lives. I have had bitter sweet feelings about it all day as I played with Max and took care of him. I feel bad for him having no clue what is happening. Tomorrow night will be the first night I have left him and really it will be the longest time we have ever spent apart, I usually only leave him for 2 maybe 3 hours. Its going to be rough on him and on me. I get upset thinking about leaving my sweet little baby and then bring another one home...its weird, exciting, emotional all in one big package. Anyway wish me luck, for some reason I am a lot more nervous the second time around then the first time :) I keep praying its quick and painless like the last and that everything goes smooth, and that he is healthy and happy little boy!

Sunday Best

It is so hard to get a good picture of this kid! I have a 100 of him running toward the camera, making a weird face, eyes closed, you name it and it's NOT photogenic...He's a really cute kid in person though. We love Sundays around here. Playing at the park in the morning, taking a nap and off to church which can be torture for a toddler and a pregnant mom just trying to make it through 3 hours tantrum free for the both of us! My favorite thing about his church attire is his cute little black church shoes. He looks like a little man all dressed up it's so cute.

Our Weekend.

We are watching General Conference all weekend. What are you guys doing?

Also the season has officially changed. The weather is sunny, cool, and I bought some pumpkins today to put on the porch. My favorite season has arrived and I love that it always starts with a great weekend of conference. How great is it to get an excuse to do nothing but sit and listen to uplifting talks most of your day? I always feel so grateful and privileged to be a member of such a true and wonderful church.

Sunday Message:

"Two of the vital pillars that sustain Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness are marriage and the family. Their lofty significance is underscored by Satan’s relentless efforts to splinter the family and to undermine the significance of temple ordinances, which bind the family together for eternity. The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment in mortality."

-Richard G. Scott from April 2011 Conference-

I become more and more grateful for the sealing ordinances as the years go by. This is such a sweet talk about family and marriage. I love my husband and our growing little family. Sunday Best? We keep trying to nail a good family portrait, maybe next week!

Inspiration

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows." - President Thomas S. Monson

I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Only one week left and Larry will be done with his first year of law school. I can do this! He can do this! My family is coming to visit tomorrow and John will get to finally meet Max. They share a common trait of beautiful bright blue eyes and I am so happy to be together with my family again.

We had a fabulous weekend...how about you?

We had a great weekend of doing a whole lot of nothing. Actually Max didn't leave the house the entire time, that lazy baby. We watched conference all weekend and it was really amazing. I don't know if that sounds dorky or lame but it was a spiritual boost that was greatly needed around here.

I especially was touched by Elder Cook's address to mothers and women of the church and Richard G. Scott's talk about his sweet wife and their relationship. I also really loved at the end of the last session when Jeffery R. Holland talked about president Monson. I loved just hanging out listening to amazing men and women talk and being with my max and Larry. Each time we have conference it strengthens my testimony and assures me that I know the church is true.

The sad thing about moving out of Utah and not having BYU channel means we have to hook up Larry's computer to our TV and watch it that way, making me miss my favorite parts of the entire weekend all the interesting things that the church puts on between the sessions. Luckily the world report was on and Mormon messages so we were able to see that. I love the world report it talks about the good things members our doing and I love seeing it all.

Here is whats for dinner tonight its a classic in our house.

Honey Mustard Chicken:

1/2 cup honey
3 tblsp spicy brown mustard
1 1/2 tblsp flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2-4 chicken breasts

I cut the chicken breasts in half, salt & pepper them and brown the chicken on medium high heat. Once they are golden brown I pull them from the pan and set aside. In a bowl I wisk together the mustard, honey, four, and broth. Add to the skillet and bring to a boil. Once the sauce thickens add back the chicken and cover on low for about 10-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. Serve over rice.

It's that time of the year...

when the world falls in love with conference! I am so excited for this weekend. To hang around and get some inspiration and pack my little heart out. We will be moving in 22 days and it is starting to really heat up around here making it impossible to want to stand in our tiny apartment for more then 2 seconds, so we are optimistic the weekend will cool off so we can listen to some sweet stories from president Monson and guess where the new temples will be announced!

What you don't do that?

Last night we blew the breaker in our apartment, sad thing is we have to call someone each time it happens so they can go fix it because the box is not in our place, reason #5122 we hate it here. We rolled around in the dark though for a while and surprisingly Max was just as wild in the dark as he his during the day, it makes me wonder what he does in his crib when we think he is "sleeping" reason # 6454 I love being a mom.

A face only a mother could love.

seriously what is that face he is making??

Happy Family

Sundays are awesome. We get to go to church, we get to eat, we get to take long naps.

Love it!

Happy Sunday Everyone. Looking for some inspiration? I read this talk about Young Mothers and it made me cry. Somedays being a stay at home mom to a small child is discouraging because no one sees you actually doing it and sometimes I feel like I could die and no one would know until Larry came home hours later because its not like you see many people during the day. And lets face it if you don't show up for work, no one is going to call home looking for you...right?

Well this talk made me feel so great...really being a mom is so much better then any nursing job I could have. {even though many tears were let out during school to actually get the degree}

Sunday Best?

Well we try at least.

Thoughts

I've been thinking a lot. Life is hard, and I am a little sick of it.

As I was sitting in my bathroom crying last night while my sweet Mr. was putting the baby down I realized so many of my fervent prayers have gone unanswered. I feel lost and a little alone. I've been frusterated and feeling like I am losing my faith a bit. I understand that not all my prayers will be answered but at the moment I feel like they are being ignored.

My husband has given me many O talks about prayer and faith but really I don't want to hear that, I just want everything to work out..is that so hard to ask? We do EVERYTHING I feel like we are suppose to do and try our hardest so where is the love?

I know I know I am healthy, I have a healthy baby and a roof over my head and food to eat but I just want to catch a break...ya know? And on top of that I feel emense guilt for not being grateful for that and just that.

Anyway these things have been weighing on my mind. Its hard. Life is...really if I knew mortality would be this way I am not so sure I would have chosen this plan :)

Am I alone out there? Does anyone cry on their bathroom floor from time to time? Does anyone feel like what the heck am I doing here?

One last thing. Today in church this women spoke about a storm coming in your life. Bad things happen whether it be a long drizzle or a down poor it comes. I thought dang that is right...My life is a long painful drizzle at times and she mentioned that some blessings don't come till after this life...oh boy. I don't know how I feel about that.

more to ponder about I guess...and keep praying even if they are being ignored :)

Chruch and such...

I love our new ward. We have hit the jackpot it really has been fun and everyone is so friendly. It makes me look forward to Sundays and I actually know peoples names and phone numbers haha. Sounds dorky but when you move to a new state, ward, city your ward becomes your family and is a great way to meet new friends and Im just so excited and feel blessed. This entire San Diego thing might work out minus the heat its time to stop with that :)

Funny things this week...

Max found his feet and likes to hold them

Max rolled over!!

AJ Martin was born...so excited to see the new baby this week

I picked larry up from a study group...3 girls and larry haha they all held Max and loved him up and were super sweet, good thing I am not a jealous wife :)

Larry bought me season 5 of BONES...so happy

I had a huge melt down consisting of late and missed Dr. appointments for Max resulting in me thinking child servises was going to come pick him up...im a little tired and emotional.

Max has decided to stop sleeping well and wants to be up 2 times during the night..DISS like!

Max's Baby Blessing

After going back to San Diego for the first 2 weeks of school we are once again back up at my parents house for Max's blessing. We decided to have the blessing be with Johnny Martins baptism because we knew everyone would be there for that including Larry's parents from Utah so it all worked out just great. I am planning to stay with my parents for another 2 weeks and then go back down to San Diego in the middle of September. Its just been so hard for me with the move and a new baby and a husband that need to concentrate on studying the law.

The blessing Larry gave Max was short, sweet, and simple just like us. I am so happy it worked out and it pleased everyone which is what I am all about! Truthfully I could have cared less if we did one, I felt it was not worth the stress with the move and our whole life changing but Larry's parents were shocked when I had mentioned that so onward we went, the things I do for other people sometimes :) Its okay though I am sure looking back we will be glad we did it.

LDS Gems

LDS Gem of the day...sign up on the church website to get them sent to you daily!

“Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life.”
-Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin-

{ Fun day at the zoo spring 2009...oh to be skinny again}