8 years and going strong.

8 years ago Jonathan and I had the start to many happy memories. The foundation to our family had been set. We got married at 9 am on a thursday. As we went into that sealing room in the temple I knew all my dreams were coming true. I hadn't been sealed to my parents. I had dreamed of being sealed to my husband for years and years. I wanted this more than anything. I found a man that looked past the fact that I came from a divorced family. (to other guys that was a deal breaker) My old boss said that the guy that would take me to the temple would see me for who I was, and that is Jonathan. He saw me for me. He loved me more than anyone else could. He told me that he wanted someone that would love him more than anyone else could. I was that person for him. Our love has grown over the last 8 years and it will grow to boundless heights.

I wanted to list major events over the last eight years.

1st year- We were expecting our first child. It consisted of morning sickness, aches, insominia, and emotional craziness. (he still loves me though)
2nd year- Lily was born. We moved to a bigger place but still renting.
3rd year- pregnancy that resulting in lots of preterm labor and 7 trips to the hospital and only the last time Emma was born. Jonathan started to work for Nalco.
4th year-Just going to school and raising a family.
5th year- Moving twice. Disney Land for the girls for the first time. Pregnant again but this time having a homebirth. Can I say I have never felt so much pain in my entire life. Not doing that again. We got our first boy so it was worth it.
6th year- Moved again this time into the addition to Jonathan's parents house. After having our house right down the street to the serial shooters we didn't feel safe there anymore. Jonathan also got a company car. No more killing our own car because of all the miles Jonathan drives for work. I also had a car finally.
7th year- Jonathan started UOP (we had a end in sight). After my 5th miscarriage I found out the reason why, and that each of my three children were concieved with ease was amazing. I found out I have Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrom. Usually women with this fertitily problem can't concieve without the help of medical intervention. Also it gives me a 64% chance of miscarriage. It explained alot. I wanted to get pregnant again so I had to go on fertitily treatments. Luckly I only had to do it one month. We moved into our first house. Lily started school. (lots happend this year)
8th year- Benjamin was born. Emma started school. Painted our whole house, built shelves, and landscaped our backyard.
Now looking into the 9th year this is what we see. Both girls in school full day. Jonathan graduating, and lots of memories made.

Family Temple day.

Thomas my Brother in Law got his mission call to Tacoma Washington. So it was time for him to get his endowments. So since he is the youngest all Jonathan's family was able to be in the celestial room together. That has been a dream of Jonathan's parents. It was very exciting for them and I thought that one day I'll be there with all my children. After I took a few family pictures of the siblings and Margaret and Larry with their children. Then Josephs brother Nathan took it with the Larry's family including the spouses. It was a good night.

James this is for you. Either it's Thomas or James that gives me the what are you doing "glare".

Fun around the house.

Jack suprised us by talking all of the sudden. He is saying Hi, Hello, and laughing. He also said peaka boo, and some other things I could quite hear.


Jonathan and the kids quading in the mud. Jonathan had a blast. So did the kids.



Emma made up this song all by herself. Not to bad for a 5 year old. Good job Emma.

Peter has seen toystory too many times and does this all the time.

Do they mimic everything!

Jack loves this binky. He has seen Benji with it alot so he decided that it's his now. (not like I'm going to give it to Benji now.) Jack will climb all the way to the floor off his cage to get it if he drops it. Funny thing is he is trying to mimic the baby sounds as well. Maybe one day I'll be able to get it one video.

Jack is now laughing at me daily, and he/she (don't know what jack is yet) sings like a opera singer. Jack is better at singing than anyone in this house.

Emma the musican.

Emma has been working really hard on the piano. She even tries to use the proper fingering.

I did what?????

Built Shelves

(I took off my tiara and put on a hard hat)

j/k

We used to have wire shelves that were very annoying. So we decided to change the shelves to wood. Jonathan challenged me to make them by my self. He has been crazy busy with work and school. So if I wanted them done in the near future (now, to me) I could try to do them. I've watched Jonathan do them off and on for years now. So he supervised the shelves in this picture and then I did the shelves in the first picture all by my self with a tiny bit of help from Jonathan.

Jonathan did these shelves with a little bit of help from me.

We are going to put shelves in the girls and boys rooms next during christmas week. Jonathan is taking off work and doesn't have any school as well. I'm very excited to have him home with us.

Lily is innovative!!!

Lily found a fast way of going down the stairs. I find it pretty entertaining hearing Jonathan and his "funny" voice. He does all sorts of voices for the girls. Maybe I should get that on video.

Jack laughing and Benji's first steps

This is a video of our new parrot Jack. He was in a bird store for a year and a half. He was surrounded by lots of other birds so he probably didn't hear much talking. That place is very loud. There are I would say 75 to 100 birds there making noise. (scares the baby when we go)So anyway................ He came to our house not saying anything. I've been working hard the last month getting him used to us and to my suprise he laughed while watching other birds on youtube. I'm very excited to see how he developes in the future.

Benji is a little over 9 months and is already taking his first steps. Just too fast but he does have 3 older siblings running all over the place he wants to keep up.

Christmas tree and the Dentist.

Last night we decorated the Christmas Tree. It was so much easier to do it this year as Lily and Emma could do most of the decorating. They loved doing it so it was a win win for all of us.

Naturally the daddy has to put the star on the top. (at least in our family) I couldn't reach either.

Benji hung out in the tree box. It entertained him for a long time it was great.

Lily went to the dentist on Monday and I thought her smile looked funny after. She has had so many cavities and the dentist is a regular thing. She brushes her teeth just fine, but she has weak enamel. Even though she has been to the dentist so many times, and had to get cavities fixed she just loves going there. Her dentist is just that good. I'm grateful for a good dentist.

12 Blessings of Christmas.

I saw this on my sister in laws blog and thought it was such a cute idea. (btw Maria I was cracking up at Tates questions. I hope you don't mind me stealing this)





12 weeks and Jonathan will be graduated. I'm so absolutely thrilled about this one.



11 brothers and sisters. Even though I never see them I love them just as much.



10 fingers and toes on each of my children. I was blessed with very happy and healthy children.



9 credits till Jonathan is DONE with school. Can't you tell I'm excited. (I couldn't think of anything else)

8 years of marriage this month. It has flown by, and it seems that time is going by faster now than ever. Before we know it, it will be 50.

7 years ago in January I gave birth to my 1st child. What a blessing motherhood is.

6 times we have moved to get to where we are now. We love having our own home.

5 days a week my little girls get to go to school and enjoy learning. I also get special time with my little boys.

4 beautiful children. I am so blessed to have each one of them.

3 pets. we have a turtle and 2 birds.

2 Cars. We have had 1 car for so long so about 2 years ago I got one. I'm so glad that I'm no longer a prisioner in my own home.

1 Happy family. I love that we are an eternal family.

Merry Christmas too all of you and your Happy Families.

Performance video

As I promised here is our performance video. Due to techincal difficulties we only got the donkey song with both girls. I really loved their indivdual songs but oh well. They did a great job.

Christmas Performance.

Jonathan was suposed to be a shepard, but I think he looks like a wealthy Arab.

Peter sang twinkle twinkle little star.

Christina helped out with Benji the whole time thanks.

pretty girls.

So yesterday we had the christmas performance and I think it was the best by far. I decided to make the girls all cutesie, and take way too much time curling their hair. Jonathan found the glitter spray and made them shine. It was fun, and the girls were in heaven. (They love anything sparkley and girly.) I got some video which I'll add when I'm done editing.

Huck is a talker

this is huck our quaker parrot. He is just going through most of what he knows. he's lots of fun to listen to.

Just my thoughts.......

I've decided that I wanted to add my thoughts to my blog. I love putting up pictures and updates about the kids, but I need to express feelings and thoughts once and a while. It does me good as I'm not good at writing in a journal.

As I've come across many people in the last 8 years I have been married I've come to realize something I didn't even know about before the thought of having kids came up.

Infertility............

I have seen so many women that desperately want a baby of their own try hard month after month just to be let down.I was so happy that I didn't have to go through that heart break,  and I got pregnant quickly. We happened to get pregnant about 2 months after we got married, and then lost it. So after another month I got pregnant with Lily. It was simple and many were trying with no luck. I didn't understand their pain and sadness. After Lily was about 10 months I wanted another one. So I got pregnant again 1st try. That one I lost again. So the next month I got pregnant with Emma. Simple again, and still friends and loved ones continued to try. Some were successful just to lose what they have dreamed of for so long. I cried for them, I prayed for them, and I researched to understand why. I saw their strength as they pushed forward. I admired that strength as I don't think I could have handled it. Us as women it should be easy, it should come to us freely, and it shouldn't be so hard. After all that is what we are designed for. But that isn't the case as so many battle with infertility. As my story goes on I had 2 more miscarriages before conceiving Peter. Those 4 losses were hard but I saw that so many were just wanting to see a positive pregnancy test. After I had Peter the shock of having 3 children really made me rethink having anymore, but I knew that we weren't done. I had the feeling to try again when Peter was close to 1 1/2 years old. We tried and just like before I got pregnant, and lost yet another one. I expected it to happen, and just thought this is the drill I guess. Somethings went weird after that, and I went to see the Dr. just to be care full. I had a HUGE shock. I had fertility issues, and I was floored. I shouldn't have had gotten pregnant so easily. People with my problem don't get pregnant without the help of fertility drugs or IVF. I couldn't believe it. I made me even more grateful for the children I had. My Dr. put me on a plan of fertility drugs and medication. I have a disease that makes it hard for me to ovulate, and sustain a pregnancy. I have a 64% chance of miscarriage so I need to take a certain medication in order to keep a pregnancy. So immediately I went on the fertility drug Clomid, and oh boy that was rough. I experienced mood swings, hot flashes, and worry. I had to go into the dr for ultrasounds and get stuck with needles. Something I didn't want to repeat. To my utter joy I conceived that cycle and had to be carefully watched the first part of my pregnancy. After Benjamin was born I resigned to the fact that maybe I shouldn't have anymore. I didn't want to have to try, and go through the disappointment I knew I would have to endure. I know some incredible women that have gone month after month of let downs and sadness just to buckle up and press forward. I know, I know I have 4 beautiful children, and why have more........ Because that is what the Lord wants, that's what Jonathan wants, and I do as well. I'm just scared to learn what those I have grown to admire has learned, Patience. Having another child is way off for us. We are far from ready, Benjamin is still a baby. But I know when the time comes I will have a trial to overcome. I just pray I will have the strength to buckle up and press forward.

Why you may ask that I'm writing such a personal post............ For one I have had this on my mind allot lately as I suspect that my PCOS (the disease I have) is worse. It has been getting worse with every child I do have. So with it getting worse it is a reality that I haven't had time or will to think about. Even though I have 4 children it is a hard reality to swallow. I don't like to think about anything negative. Also I guess I just want others to know that I know that the Lord loves all of us and watches out for us in different ways. So anyone who reads this, and is dealing with infertility.......... all is not lost........... I'm living proof of the loving mercies of the Lord.