Moving, Pregnant..... WHAT?

So life has been changing and we are starting a new chapter in our life......For all of you who think I am pregnant from reading my face book status, NO I am not. Would I really face book everyone and tell everyone like that? No way. I barely am ever on face book as we speak anyways.

And yes, we have moved again. Marking almost 5 major moves in our 4 years of marriage.

So to make the story short and to the point I will back up to a few weeks ago. Our new friends from our pretty new ward, the Clary's , who moved in close to the same time we did around August/ Sept  came over for dinner and right off the bat we liked them and totally clicked. Both wives and hubby's totally get along and like each other a lot- which is a bonus. Well they have been the assistant managers for a Storage unit and the managers where moving out and they are now the managers. The assistant manager position became available and we thought it would be wise to apply and see what happens. Well, happily we got it, thanks to them for putting a good word in for us. With this whole job/ move  I completely put it in the Lords hands and said I would love to move if it was his will for us. I am seriously to the point in my life where I can be happy just knowing I am where God needs our little family. Even though we hadn't sold our contract with our other place, we moved and are still looking for someone to rent out the old place. I know it will happen, I just hope soon. So we moved into the house and are in a much nicer place with an extra room for Rachel(more sleep for daddy and I), and a lot more living space. It has been recently renovated and the windows have a great view of all  the storage units- it's sweet, ha ha! After almost 2 weeks  now, we are moved in and have already had my first day as assistant manager. It is freaking awesome, I stay upstairs and have the phone forwarded up to me and then customers just ring the bell and I go down. It is sweet and we get to pay a low amount on rent and save for a house eventually. We love our downstairs friends. We see them everyday and I just love that we live by such great people that we really enjoy. They have a little girl that James gets along with, so that is another bonus.

Well.... how good of friends are they really?

That is the question.

We didn't have Internet hooked in yet so I went down to use theirs. I checked my face book and left. Well Sunday at church I have a few of my friends congratulate me. I thought they were congratulating me on my new Young Women's calling. No..... on being pregnant.

"What?" I responded.

Ya. They tried to convince me that my hubby probably did it. No way, he's never on Face book.

So with Josh's phone during Sunday school I was checking it and there were like 12 comments on my status. Come to find out it said; "I guess sometimes God has an unexpected plan for you. Looks like we are getting another bundle of joy to add to our little family. Talk about a leap of faith..."

Ha, Ha, Ha I guess the joke was on me. It was the Clary's. They though that maybe we were mad. No reason to be mad........but revenge is mine! So I spent that night making sure everyone knew the truth. Family was just hurt that I wouldn't tell them first before the whole world. It's true fam, you are my number one and you will never find out more info on face book then by speaking to me- don't worry.

Now we live upstairs from these crazy new friends and we just love them. Thank goodness God puts people in your life that you can just connect with, laugh a ton with and have fun together.

Even though life has been a bit crazy and we are now in a new place, I am excited to be where we are and who knows what will come into our lives this year.

I am sure we will be here a year from now, but I really don't plan on getting pregnant for a long time. Rachel is still my baby. I am sure we will have many pranks and laughs, yet we may even experience tears and trials. Life is full of mystery and that is why I am glad God is on my side and with me everyday, and all the time.

Remember to Laugh.

This is what keeps me Happy.

I am so glad I married someone with a sense of humor, because I can honestly say that he makes me laugh everyday, even if it is over something silly and of no worth. Life is to short and it is what we make out of our lives. We are the ones who make our lives the way they are.

So I am making a choice now.....  to make everyday better then the last and to take more time to laugh and be silly.

Today James, Rachel and I were dancing all over the house, making funny faces and getting dizzy. Rachel just smiled the whole time as we blared the music and got jiggy with it. We also made a fort with blankets and our kitchen table. I love hanging out with my babies and creating these kind of moments- seeing James's smile and excitement over something so minimal made me want to be a more adventurous and exciting mother.

Finding the Magic in Christmas

Once James saw Jesus in the hallway, as we peeked out of the door asking daddy if it was okay to come out, I held both my babies as we walked down the stairs.Rachel was smiling like usual, but James was not sure what to think. Once he saw even more presents than the night before, he became more excited when we told him he could open them.
The magic of Christmas was found in our home through our curious, excited and appreciative James and being in the presence of our baby Rachel.

We briefly talked about baby Jesus and than told James that "Santa is like Jesus and is the spirit of Giving" and that Santa brought all of these presents to us. This is our Christmas tree, the part that is in the back that is not really seen. I had James decorate it so that he wouldn't be as tempted to grab my decorations off. It worked like a charm. He moved about 5 of mine the whole time it was up, but  never broke one. Everyday he would look at his decorations and take them off. Then place them back on. It was like everything came alive and new. He found so much joy with his imagination and was so interested when I would teach him something new about Christmas.

That magic that had faded a little each year since I was a child, was lit again and through James I felt that little Christmas magic that I had felt as a child.

 A few of his favorite things this Christmas were:

• Christmas trees and Christmas lights
• Unwrapping presents
• Playing with the nativity set every single day. I had it placed up on the table and he would always ask me if I could bring it down. He loved unwrapping each piece each day and I would have to put an end to playing with the pieces, or he could have gone on for hours.
• His "choo choo" which is really cars on tracks, that he plays with all the time.
• His grandparents and Nana who spends so much time with him when they see him.
• His mommy and daddy who he knows loves him and is always there for him. 
• Candy, or anything sweet
• Buzz and his new toy REX from Toy story. His new favorite thing is dinosaurs. He carries 3 of them around everywhere he goes (along with Buzz of course).  

I loved hearing him say "dang do" after each gift he opened. He has really become a well mannered boy, since we are so persistent on thank you and please.  I just hope he does it when we aren't around too.

 Yet his biggest, most adored gift was his baby sister...........

........because she's the one who will be played with more than any toy this coming year. And she is the one who will smile at almost anything he does.

 

Yes, James doesn't know it yet, but one day he will look at her and say "I LOVE YOU". 

This year was a lot more quiet than we are used to, yet this was a Christmas we will never forget. It was the first Christmas we had all to ourselves. We created traditions as a family and enjoyed all 4 of us. We all looked through our stockings and unwrapped the gifts from Santa. Then James handed our all the gifts to each one of us. Watching James unwrap some of his gifts, and then taking a brake and playing with what he got and then returning again to finish more, allowed the present unwrapping to last longer and therefore Christmas lasted a while even at our house. I made breakfast and then we just played some more and James was sure to unwrap Rachel's when she fell asleep. We talked to our family and found out what everyone did and got, while wished everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

 We got together with all of Josh's sisters(brothers live in Nevada) and mom and pa. We had a scrumptious dinner and then had a program at Jessica's house. We had a story of the nativity, a talent show and white elephant gifts. It was a hit and James had a blast with his cousin, while Rachel was held and kissed by everyone. I couldn't ask for a better extended family. They are so much fun and they are not only Josh's family but mine too. They are a true blessing in my life and the magic is knowing you can have 2 families that are yours and love you just the same.

May each Christmas become a little more magical than the last, through our little ones who make it possible. 

Here comes Santa Clause.....

..........Right down Santa Clause Lane.
Rachel and James couldn't wait to get  their Candy Cane.

James waited in line patiently to sit on Santa's lap. Yet once we got there he wasn't quite sure what to do. He let Rachel be help by Santa first and then he knew it was okay. He told Santa he wanted a "choo choo". Then when I asked him to smile he would not look at me at all. So these are the best pictures we got. I think James knows more about Santa this year then last, yet I don't know if he really understands Santa's big job during Christmas time.

As for Rachel, she did an awesome job just sitting in Santa's arm looking cute in her Christmas dress before and after. Yet, once she looked up to see who was holding her........she changed her mind and started to cry. I think it was all the white hair and glasses. I would be scared too. 

Rachel at 5 months

16 lbs 8oz

25. 5 inches

In the 75% range

Growing healthy and is completely happy.

Rachel you have made us so happy and have made the adjustment to 2 so easy.

You are such a smiler. 

You will be crying in your bassinet and I will come up to see if you are okay, and when you see me you stop crying instantly and give me a gummy big smile. 

When I walk into a room, you know exactly who I am and just keep staring at me and even sometime start fussing until I hold you. I believe you are a  mommy's girl.My favorite thing to see is when you wake up in the morning and how you get so excited when you see me. Your smile is to die for. 

You love touching anything your hand can get a hold of, mostly my hair (which we find everywhere, even in your diapers) and while I nurse you, you love putting your fingers in my mouth and have me nibble on them. I love that too though,I think it is a form of security for you. 

I have loved loved nursing you so much. You are so good at it and I just love having that one on one time with you in bed and every 3 hours during the day. It makes me stop everything I am doing and really focus on you, my little angel. I really feel a bonding between me and you. 

This Christmas was really magical, even though you had no idea what was going on. You made it special, being our baby and talking about baby Jesus. You loved to look at all the Christmas lights and I know you were curious as to what all the hype was about. Happy 1st Christmas sweetie.

Now that you are five months, you love to sit up in a bumbo or highchair. 

You have been teething for the last month and are a big slobberer. You love your little fingers or anyone elses that will let you gum them. You have never been a big binky baby. 

Today you found your own thumb (I must admit it was adorable to see you sucking it, but I don't want that to become a habit). I can feel two teeth on the bottom coming through. I use oragel on your gums and you seem to really love the taste off it and how it feels, because you always give me a happy face. 

 You are wearing 3-6 month clothing, but I can tell they won't last you long. You are a growing little girl. You have the cutest thighs. They are so rolly and your skin is super soft. So many people who hold you always comments on your soft skin.
You laugh so hard when mommy or daddy tickle you on your thighs, tummy or armpits. It is the cutest thing- watching you squeal. You are a big baby talker too, you love making noises and you can go on for a long time.
Whenever James is around you, it seems like you want his attention. When you gives you kisses or shows you pictures in a book, you smile so big. I really think you love that boy already.

You are trying to sit up by yourself, but usually can't keep your upper body from falling over (your top heavy). You roll a lot and you love your little toy dangler thing that you lay under. It keeps you very occupied. You hate the car seat and let us all know it.
Sadly, I can not say that you sleep through the night yet. You gave me a few great nights, but now you wake up every 4 to 5 hours. I don't know what happened this last week, but you were waking up every 3 hours. Please snap out of this and sleep more just for your mommas sake. I feel exhausted and totally tired all the time.
You started eating rice cereal and love it. You are pretty good at keeping it down, but you are always pulling at the spoon, wanting to do it yourself. You have a pretty great grip too.
You are adorable and such a wonder to have in our lives. You make me realize everyday, just how blessed I am. I love being your mommy and I just love how much you always want me or need me, but you go to strangers pretty easy too.

Just a side note:
On the day mommy and daddy spoke in church, you were fed and taken care of and I thought you would sleep through all of the sacrament meeting like you usually do. Well, about one minute before we went up to speak you freaked out, so loud even the person conducting made a comment that you didn't want me to speak. Thank goodness to my friend, she took you out and was able to calm you down. But I honestly had never seen you so frustrated. Perfect timing I guess- ya right. I felt so bad.
Cries, no sleep, poopy diapers: I wouldn't change this for anything.

We've got Talent

Our family has been in the circus for the last 3 generations. We train them at a young age.

(joking of course)

For the Christmas parties we attended this year, this was our talent during the talent shows.

The Nights Before Christmas

Where spent:

Hugging

and Kissing

Playing in the snow

Bundling up for the cold outdoors

At Jumping Jacks for a ward activity

Having a little Christmas 2 days before with my few family members. This was my first Christmas ever not being home in Canada with everyone for Christmas eve and day.

Mom and dad gave James a little airplane track that he loves to watch Go!

They gave me angel body butter, leopard print warm PJ's.Josh the game sequence and Rachel a crib mattress. I loved having them stop in on their way to Virginia, to spend Christmas with Stacy, my sis and her family.
Before Christmas Eve arrived, I cooked some yummy meals. We read Christmas books and watched Christmas Story and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. I baked and took plates of goodies and Christmas cards to Friends and Family. We did a Secret Santa and ended up looking for my friends ring  in the snow and ice water from 11:00 pm to 6:00 am. It was a night we will never forget; freezing, crying, praying, helpful stranger, hot chocolate, and finally finding it at 11:00 am and rejoicing.

CHRISTMAS EVE:

Visiting the Salem Pond Lights on Christmas Eve. We tried to go the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights, but the line of cars was hours too long.

James had a great time, especially watching the ducks. Can you believe it, there were ducks out being fed the day before Christmas.

After our little walk, we talked to James about the importance of helping others and how some people just don't have a lot. We got together a bunch of things and food and James helped me place it on their doorstep, and we ran. Then we headed home and unwrapped gifts from Santa's Elves.

 We each got warm Christmas PJ's.

Look at her little booty bear bum. So dang cute!

For the 12 days of Christmas we had opened one piece of the Nativity every night. Whenever James saw the Christmas bag, he knew there would be another piece to add to the stable. For the 12 days I read from the children scripture books the story of Jesus' birth, yet each day I would add on another part, according to which piece he would open. This was a highlight for James. He loved playing with each character and placing them in the stable. Finally on Christmas eve he unwrapped BABY JESUS. James held baby Jesus and we talked about how important he was and that it was his birthday.  From all the many nights of playing with these breakable characters, James only managed to break Joseph's head off. Oh well, the lesson of Jesus is definitely in his mind, and that is what really matters.

 Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

James was excited but unsure what to think, and slept until nine and then woke up in a blink.

Rachel slept snugly and had milk dreams, and gave a big smile all night it seems. 

When up they all got and Jesus appeared in the hallway, wrapped in his cloth and even some hay.

They knew it was time, because JESUS was HERE, and mommy took them downstairs without any fear. 

(To create a main focus on Baby Jesus, more than Santa, I told James he couldn't come out of his room until Jesus was in the hallway.... it was neat seeing James point and say "Baby", then me asking "Baby Who?" and him saying "Jesus". I want my kids to focus more on Jesus, than if Santa came. My kids may be to young to understand, but it might stick some year if I make it a tradition, right?) 

 Santa did find us.......

Tis' the Season...

To be busy during the month of December..........

.........Having Fun!!

 

We played in the snow a bunch, which James just loves. When he sees snow he tries going out without even getting his boots on. He seems to really like eating it too. Who taught him that? 

We made a snowman with James for the first time. His hands got so cold he started to cry. But he quickly returned back to helping us out. His favorite part was coloring the snow and trudging through the snow.

 

We went to Nana's house and made awesome gingerbread houses. Most the candies James was planning to put on our train gingerbread ended up in his mouth instead. His favorite candies were suckers. Nana had a stash of them and he kept on bringing suckers out the whole night. Nana had forgotten she had it and was questioning where they were coming from. Later on that night she figures out that James had climbed up onto the laundry machine to find them.

James had a blast with his cousins Molly and Sawyer. They all get along so well. Sawyer and James always tackle each other to the floor. It is a sight to see. It cracks us all up.

 To end the night with a bang, Nana read them Christmas stories.

Nana always says there is something special between her and James.

He loved being with his Nana that's for sure.

We had a bunch of friend Christmas celebrations.  We would always tell James we were going to a party and he would get a huge smile on his face, because that always meant friends to play with, yummy food, candy and maybe even Santa.

This was a fun night with my girlys and their families.

Thanks to Cam, the man in pink, who made a delicious turkey for all of us to enjoy.We had a great time this night watching our kiddos play, laughing of course (a usual), eating and exchanging white elephant gifts with some of our favorite friends. Here we all are with our sweeties.

Brad and Cassey

Taylor and Curtis

Amanda and Jeff

Stacey and Cam

And of course US.

Here is Rachel surrounded by the biggest studs and her tiny girly friend. 

MEETING SANTA CLAUSE

We went to a bunch of Christmas parties where Santa came to visit.

This was our church ward party. We had breakfast, visiting with our new friends, singing, crafts and Santa.

I wasn't quite sure how James would react this year to Santa, since last year he broke up into tears, but he actually showed an interest and seemed a little interested, but also kind of shy. He was excited about the candy cane, but ready to got off his lap fast.

 

We also went up to a huge cabin in Heber, for a Doterra Christmas Party. There was a chocolate fountain, lots of food, a big theater room, ping pong, pool, hot tubing, gingerbread making, a talent show and Santa too.We even got to spend the night. I love the mountains and being away from all the hustle and bustle.

 We went to our new friends,the Cleary's Christmas Party. Here is my little family hanging out in the kid room watching a movie.

We ate hand dipped and yummy Christmas sweets  Becca slaved over all day, played some games, made a cute craft and mostly visited.

For FHE we read about Baby Jesus and had the little ones act it out. Didn't you know that Joseph had a donkey too? James and Rachel loved holding and taking care of Baby Jesus.

 We loved all the other parties, I just didn't get pictures.  We had another turkey dinner with our Pleasant Grove friends, then the guys went down to the man cave and played their video games, while us girls made Christmas Poo and talked. We also had another white elephant dessert party with a few couples from our new ward. I really believe people add onto the excitement and love that God wants us to feel during this great time of year.

Tis' the season to have so much fun with friends and family.