Thursday, May 27, 2010

For Good

I love the song from Wicked titled "For Good". The words are:
I've heard it said
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you....

The song finishes with these thoughts;

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better.
Because I knew you....

I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD.

I have been listening to this song nearly every day for a year now and I have pondered all of the many people who have come into my life for one reason or another and have changed my life for good. I could never in a million years list all of the wonderful people who have blessed me but this week I had the opportunity to reminisce two people who have meant a great deal to me.

Jim and Paula Mortimer. Paula was my piano teacher so it goes without saying that she had a great impact on me but I learned so much more from her than just piano, I learned the truthfulness of the gospel from her through her testimony and example which she shared weekly with me. I learned patients and unconditional love. But what I gained the most from her and her husband was a feeling of self worth, for some reason I was special to them and they loved me and went out of their way to care for me. Whether is was attending recitals, wedding dinners, wedding ceremonies, bridal showers, or just a kind word on many occasions they loved me, and I was only one of MANY piano students and youth receiving a patriarchal blessing from Jim who was our stake Patriarch.
Jim passed away due to old age and many sickness last week on my birthday. His funeral was yesterday and I was so grateful to be able to attend. Jim worked for the Deseret News for nearly all of his life, they did a large article about him and his MANY accomplishments last week (I wish I knew how to post it here) and his obituary was the longest I have ever seen because of all he accomplished with his life. He was also a close friend with President Thomas S. Monson. Because of this friendship President Monson attended the funeral and spoke. I can't even convey the spirit that was felt there; when the entire congregation (which was very large) sang all seven verses of How Firm a Foundation I knew I was done for, then each of Jims seven children gave remarks about his life which kept emotions running high. Their testimony of the plan of salvation was so special. Then President Monson spoke and I was overwhelmed with the testimony that he IS a true prophet and man of God. Then the closing song was The Spirit of God I could not even sing due to the lump in my throat. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true!!!! I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and it is correct! I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and I know he restored the fullness of the gospel to the earth. I know that Heavenly Father loves us, that we are His children and that we can be with Him again and there is life after death! I love and am grateful for this testimony!!! I am grateful for how it blesses my life.

When President Monson spoke he said (referring to Jim) "When the Lord provides a model, are we smart enough to follow it?" I hope that because Jim and Paula have blessed my life FOR GOOD that I will be able to follow their example of love and compassion to others, that I will be of service often, and that my hands will be used for good every time the opportunity arises. I love President Uchtdorfs General Conference talk titled "You Are My Hands" when he talks about the statue of Jesus Christ in a German town that was destroyed during WWII, the town was able to restore all but the hands of the statue, after some debate it was decided to leave the hands off the statue as a memorial, under the statue are the words "You Are My Hands" meaning that we have to be Jesus Christs hands here on earth. I hope that I can be! Maybe in that way I can follow the model that Jim (and Paula) have set for me.
Of course the grand highlight of the day was when Grant and I were able to meet President Monson. President Monson put his large hand on Grant and said he looked like a very good boy (I said he was) and that he looked like a future missionary (I sure hope so!) I sure love my boy and I love President Monson!

What a special day!!!!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Odd Thoughts

I find my day is filled with strange little thoughts - Yesterday I had two that I thought were a bit amusing so I would share.
The first was while I was putting on Brandon's shoes and he was telling me that his shoes had tongues- So I thought, if our shoes have tongues does that mean the hole they come out of is the mouth of the shoe? and if so does that mean that every day we are putting our foot in our mouth?
The second thought was while I was sitting on a chair outside and Brandon was pulling the wagon around the chair, the wagon wheel got caught on the leg of the chair, which made me wonder, if our chairs have legs does that mean they have feet? and if so does that mean we have been on our feet all day regardless of whether we have been sitting or standing?

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Reading Railroad

Our library story time is the best!!! Miss Sally is so much fun to read stories, sing songs, play games, and do crafts with. Yesterday for story time we took a trip on the reading railroad (Heber Valley Railroad). Normally a train ride would cost anywhere from $20-$40, we got tickets for $6.00 YEAH!I was babysitting McKell while Dana is on a trip to NYC so having three kids was a bit of a challenge but I survived and I must admit I was pretty proud of myself. ( I know most of you have more than three kids but I don't - yet - so it was an adjustment)Not only did we get train tickets but they also gave us snacks and conductor hats, Brandon and McKell looked so cute!The kids were so excited when they saw the conductor outside so when he came inside I thought it would be fun to get a picture with him - the kids did not care for that idea much - Oh well.The train was packed - I am not sure where all these people came from, but we filled all 5 train cars. We had fun singing train songs and pretending to be trains, but we couldn't do stories because it was too noisy.We loved the beautiful scenery outside; barns, animals, the river, lakes and mountains!The kids had so much fun poking their heads out the window - and boy did they look cute!We rode the train with our friends Brock, Allison, and their mom Lorraine -so fun!This is Brandon's excited face every time we heard the train whistle. :)Love living close to the train!We had such a fun day - CHOO CHOO!!!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

NEVER disturb a happy baby

Last night Grant went to sleep at 6:30 and was still asleep at 10:30. So I thought I would be proactive and wake him up to feed him so that he would not wake up me up just after I went to sleep. Well that was a mistake. Grant did not wake up happy and he did not go to sleep - at all! Finally at 5:00 in the morning he was asleep so I laid him in his crib and went to bed, at 5:50 he woke up screaming again, he was back asleep at 6:30, unfortunately Brandon decided that would be a good time to wake up. I convinced him to sleep for an extra hour and at 7:30 McKell was at the door ready to have me babysit her for the morning. Needless to say I am tired!! I have learned my lesson - if your baby is sleeping - Leave them alone!!!! Here's to hoping we have a better night! This is Grant sleeping last night just before I woke him up - what was I thinking?

Happy Anniversary


Nine years ago yesterday Jared and I were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. I love reminiscing our wedding day and celebrations! This year for our anniversary we left our children with Wyn and Dee Ann and went to The Anniversary Inn, it was wonderful! I got a full nights rest without any interruptions, and a nap!!! It was so nice being pampered with breakfast in bed and luxurious accommodations! It was a great way to celebrate nine happy years! Love you Jared!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Grant's Baby Blessing

Jared blessed Grant this Sunday in our ward. We were so grateful for the wonderful men who came to stand in the circle; Justin Keller, Grandpa Ron, Grandpa Wyn, Grandpa Johnson, and Uncle Dwight. I love these good men and I am so grateful for the influence for good they are to our family and my two boys! Thanks Guys!!!Grant was a very good baby for the blessing and for the party afterward - Love that boy, Thanks to Dad, Natalie, Jodi, and everyone else for holding him and feeding him so that he would be agreeable and I could enjoy the company. :)Taylor is such a cute uncle and I was finally able to get a picture of him holding Grant and with a true smile - YEAH! I was so grateful to Wyn and Dee Ann for coming up from California and Jodi and the twins for coming down from Idaho Falls. They were such a great help - vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, dusting, bathing Grant, and preparing the food - Thanks for coming and helping and being so wonderful to us!! We love you!My Grandma Osborn, Uncle Dwight and Aunt Chris also came - I think they are wonderful! My Grandma Osborn had hip surgery recently but it hasn't stopped her from making our family feel special and loved, and it was so thoughtful of Dwight and Chris to come out of their way for me (one of their many nieces)!! We love the Keller's! Thanks for making the hour long drive - I love that our families match (husband and wife with two boys ages 2 and 0) and get along so well!! And of course the party would not have been a success without the yummy turtles!! Now would you please move to Heber!!!My parents and Grandma and Grandpa Johnson also made the trip for which I am very grateful, and the food you both brought was SO yummy!Love my siblings Scott, Natalie, Taylor and Lindsey! Thanks for coming and thanks to Lindsey for providing entertainment to Brandon, Jack, Chandler, and Nate - they had a great time!!!!The boys also provided us with a great impromptu ribbon and stick program full of pokes in the eyes and slaps on the back. :)The random game of fishing was also a lot of fun! It is a lot of work to have to entertain your family and friends but so worth having the fun company! I would do it again and again! I love my family and friends so much!!!!!!!

Brandon's broken arm

On Sunday the 25th of April we had a family dinner at my Aunt Kris' house. Less than 1/2 an hour into the dinner Brandon fell off the slide and broke his arm. The other kids came running in to tell Jared and me that Brandon was hurt and we both shrugged it off thinking he would be fine quickly just like he always is - well after another 10-15 minutes or so he was still crying hard so Jared went to comfort him with little luck. We finally loaded him into the car to watch Finding Nemo (Yeah for cars with built in DVD players!!) and drive home. That night he seemed to be much happier and he moved his arm occasionally so we hoped that maybe it was just sprained and it would be fine in the morning, it wasn't, he woke up holding his arm like it was in a sling so I scheduled an appointment to have it checked out. The poor kid dealt with a broken arm all night and we did nothing to help him - mean parents! He was so tough!!! That morning before our appointment he was still climbing on the bed and up on chairs, and he was still playing with his toys only occasionally complaining about his arm.He had a soft cast put on until Friday and then Friday he got the hard cast. He was such a trooper while getting his arm exrayed and getting the soft cast on. While Dr. Berg was putting the cast on he told Brandon how cool the cast was because it was red like lightening McQueen, Brandon was quick to respond - "It's Not COOL!" - I thought it was funny.Friday when we were getting the hard cast was better, he was just interested to see what the doctors were doing and didn't cry or seem bothered at all, it was great.So now we get to endure four weeks of a nasty little arm cast and baths with bags on his arm - no fun, but at least it happened before the weather improved and summer came. :) I love my tough little boy!

Getting Cuter Every Day

I just love this little boy, and we are having so much fun now that he is starting to smile and giggle! My favorite thing about this cute boy is when he smiles just before he falls completely asleep. The other night during one of our midnight feedings he not only smiled before falling sound asleep but he also did a full belly chuckle in his sleep it was so cute - I wonder what he was laughing at?

Love the Zoo - Miss the animals!

We have always loved the zoo and we have always had a membership. The last time we went we were not able to see the elephants, rhinos, bears, zebras, and penguins - fortunately we did see the baby Giraffe just before he passed away. We will be so happy when the arctic exhibit is finished and there are lots of animals again!

Who Says You Can't Build a Snowman in April or May?

I love our colorful spring snowman! Just when I thought we would not be able to build a snowman this year it snowed - AGAIN - and we got a second chance. Brandon loves his snowman!