Little Princess Ivers Has Arrived!

Yesterday Nixon and I made our journey to Nephi in hopes that the newest addition to the family would arrive at any moment! Kaydee was scheduled to be induced Thursday, but then the doctor changed it to Sunday. GRR. She got a call Thursday night from the nurse asking why she hadn't come to get induced. It was a confusing situation, but to make a long story short...they woke up the kiddos and drove to Nephi to drop them off with us at my parents. At 5:45 we got a call from Launey saying my mom and I could start heading to the hospital. We got to the hospital 20 minutes later...5 minutes TOO LATE to witness the birth! We were SO bummed. After she got her epidural she went SO fast- everyone was amazed. In fact, her doctor wasn't even there and the anesthesiologist has the opportunity to deliver his FIRST baby!
Little Princess Ivers still does not have an official name yet. She has BIG chubby cheeks (that are softer than a babies bottom)! She also has tons and tons of dark hair. We are so excited for the Ivers family and to have another girl cousin in the mix! 

Congrats big sister!!!

The man who got her here, his very first time!

Formula...notice how it says "For breastfeeding Moms". weird?

Ellie was thirsty and decided to take a drink out of this here water bottle! ha!!

 

A Full Heart.

I am not even sure what I want to say in this post, but I feel like saying something..mainly for myself. Yesterday was our ward conference and we talked about prophets a lot in relief society. Not just prophets but our testimonies in prophets. A couple of stories were mentioned about converts who had the hardest time excepting Joseph Smith and not only that but believing that there is a living prophet on the earth today. The person giving the lesson asked us to think why people would struggle with that. He also asked us to think about how we gained our own testimony on the prophet. I remember going to conference the first time that President Monson had been called to be our next prophet. It was weird to think of him being our new prophet. It kind of made me think a little. I didn't NOT believe, but I did have questions. As he walked out into the conference room and we all stood, I can not describe the STRONG spirit that was felt at that time that overcame my entire body. There was no question that that man standing before me was a  true prophet called of God on this earth today. I am SO glad I attended that session because of how much my testimony was strengthened.

During the lesson we also talked about keeping our testimony strong. He challenged us to read the 5 conference talks from President Monson and to pray about them. If we have a good feeling, it will obviously be a witness to us that the things he has said to us our true and we need to live our lives accordingly. 
So, during Nixon's nap time today I decided I'd make the most out of it. I listened to those talks and I listened and am still listening to different church music online. That is what led me to this post now...because I feel SO good and my heart is so full! I am happy!!! It makes me wonder WHY I struggle with my scripture study and why I don't always put the lord first and try to keep the spirit with me all day everyday. I am crazy!!!

Just from the 2 hours that I have been sitting on my bed listening to music and conference talks my mood has changed 100%. Like I said before, I feel SO happy and so good! How can this not be a true church? How can I feel this way and deny or question? I can't! I am SO thankful for the Gospel. I am so thankful for President Monson and I am also so so so thankful for our Savior and his atoning sacrifice. I am SO thankful. I have made some big mistakes in my life. It is very clear to me that without Christ and suffering for my sins I would not be where I am today. I would not be sealed to the two people that matter most to me in this life. It seriously hurts me to think of me NOT being sealed to Conner and Nixon. Yesterday I was thinking about the day that we got sealed. It was the best day of my life. A year previous when Conner and I got married it was great and happy, but it wasn't complete. The hole wasn't filled. For a year we lived our lives with an empty feeling that needed to be filled desperately. It saddens me knowing that we went 7 months without being sealed to our son. Because of that, I am so thankful for repentance and thankful that we were able to make that step to be sealed as a family. I hope that I can always remember that day. Always remember Nixon being dressed in white as he was wheeled to us in an all white stroller. I can't even describe how I felt when I saw him enter into the celestial room. Our hole was filled, the empty feeling had vanished.

I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love it SO much. I am so thankful for our leaders, for my teachers, and for all of those people who have help strengthened my testimony although you may not even have realized you have.

I loved what President Monson said in one of his conference talks, it sums it up perfectly in my opinion...

We live in a troubled world, a world of many challenges. We are here on this earth to deal with our individual challenges to the best of our ability, to learn from them, and to overcome them. Endure to the end we must, for our goal is eternal life in the presence of our Father in Heaven. He loves us and wants nothing more than for us to succeed in this goal. He will help us and bless us as we call upon Him in our prayers, as we study His words, and as we obey His commandments.

Early Birthday Get Together!

It has always been a joke in my family that when it is my birthday the celebration and 'benefits' last the entire month of January (and sometimes longer!). Not that I am at ALL old (in fact I feel TOO young), but it does seem that the older I get the more it becomes less and less of a big deal. I was just telling all my family how I want to be the good ripe age of 23! For some reason I feel embarrassed when people ask how old I am and I only get to come back with a wimpy little 21.  22 is better, but oh how next year will be brought in with welcomed arms! 
Now on to the get together...
My mom called to tell me the girls in the family were making there way up to the Cheesecake factory to meet me for my birthday. I am usually the one ALWAYS up for anything going on, but I had to turn them down at first. The good wife in me was excited about Conner's day off due to the holiday, so it made me hesitant to leave him. After my mom did some talking, the "ladies party" became a "2 guys and some ladies party". I am so glad we went because not only is the Cheesecake Factory my favorite place it was also so much fun to see me fam. It had been ONE long month plus some since I had last seen them!
We ate some yummy food and did a little shopping at the mall. All in all it was a great day!! 

On the drive there Conner and I found it pretty funny how Nixon managed to throw all five of these objects one right after the other into the same general spot. The bad thing about those shoes is he can take them off by himself too easily. It was a really bad thing when we were walking around Nordstroms and he took off his shocks and shoes to surprise everyone with his nicely painted toenails. (I promise I am taking them off today!)

Nixon says his four cousins names honestly probably about 10 times a day out of no where. You can imagine the excitement when he was able to see two of them, Ehee (Ellie) and baby (Madden).

The crew...

I was spoiled BIG time with such a great present!! My mom teaches a Pantry Secrets bread making class and it has gotten everyone in the entire family baking their own bread. Well, everyone that is but me. I have not even been taught how! Soon I am going to have a class here in Logan so I can really learn how, but until them my mom printed off the directions for me and everyone gave me all that I needed to make the bread, including my very own BOSCH! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! 

I was silently thinking to myself, "Oh crap, where do I even begin!" haha!

The "secret" ingredient

Don't they look so cute? I couldn't resist...even if they are going to only wear them for 5 minutes until they are lost or broken, they had to be purchased!

And for everyone to see, this picture will not come off until my sis decides to update her blog...but she is still a stinkin dang cute 9 month pregnant woman right?! Love ya sis!

Randoms.

Nixon loves helping me with the laundry. He enjoys helping me put the clothes in or out of the washer and dryer. A few days ago I was taking out some towels and noticed a few of his toys made it in to the wash as well! I guess now I've got to always check before I put clothes in! Luckily Mr. Woody still is working!

 Ever since we found out about Cafe Rio's taco tuesday we have NEVER missed out! (Besides the time sushi was 1/2 off!) Even if we have guests in town, we will still drag them there with us! We always order extra so our lunch is covered the next day. You would think I'd be sick of it by now, but the truth is my mouth is watering just looking at the picture and thinking about it! Only two more days!!

Nixon loves to play with the remote. He will press buttons and when a different screen pops up he'll give us the remote and say uh-oh! Today Conner and I were cleaning up the kitchen and at the corner of my eye I saw, "Thank you for your purchase". The little rascal bought a movie!!! To bad we had already seen it!

Okay this may be a bit twisted, well...maybe a lot twisted. In fact every time I look down at his feet it kinda gets to me. I'm not sure what I was thinking but I couldn't help it. Ever since Nixon was a baby I have had the desire to do it, just because I think it looks cute. On girls anyway. Conner was downstairs watching the game when I took Nixon upstairs when temptation got the best of me. I sat him on the toilet seat and went to work. He didn't like it. It took a little warming up. Don't worry...I'll take it off, sometime. ha!
At least it's green right?

 

Daily Doings!

 Life has gotten good for Nixon lately, actually GREAT for Nixon! I have been watching our neighbor a few times a week and Nixon seriously LOVES her so much! He wakes up in the morning saying her name, and wakes up from his nap doing the same and looking around the house for her. He gets so excited when she is here. I VERY willingly volunteered myself to watch her because I knew it would be so nice for Nixon. As for myself, I get some good laughs out of those two, and I am actually able to get a few things done around the house without having Nixon attached to my hip. We are very happy to have G come spend the day with us!!

They LOVE taking baths and can stay in the bath for hours if I'd let them. I have learned to lay down towels covering everything because if not the entire floor will be one huge puddle! Their favorite thing to do is dump water on each other.

Snack time!!

They love watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and dancing to the Hot Dog song at the end!

The morning starts with all of Nixon's toys nicely organized and put away, but at the end of the day it turns into this!!

This little girl is a climber!! She cracks me up, Nixon has never been a climber so I have learned I've always got to keep my eyes on her! Today she climbed on top of the soap holder in the bathroom, it made me pretty nervous!!

Not sure why they get a kick out of throwing all of the books OFF the shelves, but for some reason they do!

Chasing each other around the house is something they do ALL the time!!

Sometimes G will look out of the window looking for her Mom. She points to everyone walking by saying, "I found my mommy!"

     School started YESTERDAY. :S Conner actually has a pretty sweet schedule too! He only has class for an hour each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday which also means he can still keep is work schedule. I am taking two online classes which I LOVE because that means no more going on campus and more being home with my baby! We are so anxious to finish school and move on with life, but until then we have to just keep on keepin' on!

     To keep me feeling like a productive mommy/wifey I have started to try to force myself interested in cooking! I have found over 50 recipes that I am actually looking forward to making. I have even planned out the meals I will make for the month of January. Can you say go getter or what?! ha! Since I just started with that I have only made one of those meals so far...Creamy Lionhouse Chicken Noodle Soup. And yes I will say it was quite delicious! :) 
     Another thing that I just recently started doing to keep ME feeling good and happy is a weekly craft day each Friday afternoon. We are in the middle of a Valentine's craft which has made me realize that I STRUGGLE at making things look 'pretty'! 

     Conner is working hard with work and now school. He is also a gym rat which is good because that is WHY I spend 4 hours a week working in the kids club (it is a trade membership). I love his dedication to work hard. He is such a great helper at home and Nixon totally adores his daddy! Every since we got Nixon a basketball hoop, all he wants to do is play with his Daddy. Conner decided to bring the basketball hoop downstairs so he can 'play' and watch football at the same time! haha! 

Conner is the onion cutter in our house! He thought my glasses might help this time, but they didn't do much. We are thinking of buying some goggles. When I brought the idea up he said, "I bet that is what cooks wear in restaurants!" This boy will think and believe anything!!!

If you know Conner pretty well then you will know he is ALWAYS getting a bloody nose. He thought it would be funny to put tissue in Nixon's nose too. Lets not do that EVER again!

     As for Little Nickel...man oh man he is ALWAYS making me laugh, go crazy, and really really love him all at the same time. How in the world is that even possible? He has been a big time Mommy's boy and wants to be held or at least have my attention directed on him at all times. I should love it but sometimes it gets a bit frustrating, is that bad to admit? When he looks at me with his big sad brown eyes my heart always melts immediately and I forgive him for whatever crazy thing he has done. His new thing lately is to throw EVERYTHING. When he is done with his sippy cup or food he will throw it across the room. So much for no spill sippy cup, that is the biggest load of crap I have every heard!  On the airplane he threw anything that was in his hand at the people sitting in front of him. Talk about two hours of hell. I wish that was the end of it but it's not. Sacrament, yep every time never fails he will throw anything and everything. Last Sunday it was a sippy cup, his pluto toy, gold fish, crayons, and I am sure I left something out. How do you teach a boy when it is and isn't okay to throw things because this kid NEEDS that lesson!! Not only does he throw things, but he has a bad hitting habit. Yikes! Conner (the bad guy) will put him into 'time out' for a minute or two when he does something he isn't suppose to. When he comes out Conner will say, "Nixon what do you say?" and his response always makes us laugh but we have to hold it under our breath. The way he says sorry is the sweetest thing in the world. He says it more like "arie". One funny thing that happened at Church last week was Nixon burping the LOUDEST burp I have every heard from that little guy. The bad thing about it was that it was in the middle of the Sacrament. Even the bishop laughed. We were sitting on the back row and afterwords everyone told us how funny it was and they knew it had to be Nixon. How did they know? His poor reputation is shot to pieces!
   Although he is a little stinker he is also the sweetest little boy! He LOVES giving people kisses rather if he knows you or not. Oh, and it HAS to be on the lips! He is such a loving boy and we are so blessed to have him in our family and to be blessed enough to raise him as our son! Love you little nut cake! 

First Ramen noodle experience.

Nixon's weird thing is to mix different foods together. His yogurt here has some tortilla chips mixed in. YUM Nixon!

One day I sat him on the stairs like this to see what he would do. Think of it as being funny, not mean. He was pretty scared and would not move AT ALL!

He is fascinated with looking out the window. This time he found a big blue tractor out front!

Not sure why it wouldn't rotate, BUT this is what I see when I look down quite a bit. A baby wanting his mommy to hold him!! BAD!

Sorry for the novel but it has been awhile since my last "journalish" post!