Our Great Christmas!

This year was full of a lot of joy and love!For Christmas, we stayed at Grandma and Grandpa house, which was a lot of fun! Justin definitely loves his grandparents and being at their house. Here are some pictures of our holiday!


One funny moment was Justin getting his potty chair for Christmas. He loved it and he was excited to sit on it. He took off his diaper and sat on the chair in front of everyone. He just sat their and did his business while others opened their presents.

Ben surprised me with wonderful gifts. Here is a picture of me with my nice new pots. Now I can get rid of our old hand-me-downs.


Picture of grandpa opening his gift.


Grandma smiling at the camera. She was excited to get new silverware.

UFO ENCOUNTER!

Ben and I have been watching UFO hunters on the History Channel. We think it is funny that these guys go on investigations about real UFO encounters. On the show, people send in terrible videos that have eye witness accounts of UFOS (we also love to laugh at). So Ben I decided to do our own video. This is “our UFO” in our backyard. ENJOY!


Here is a picture of the UFO at a far distance.

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Here is a picture of it coming closer to us.

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Getaway Weekend

Grandma and Grandpa watched Justin while Ben and I got away for the weekend. (Grandparents are great!) Ben had a work Christmas party at the Grand America Hotel which was beautiful. I truly felt like a princess. We stayed the night across the street at the Little America. It was also beautiful! At the party we had so much food, I feel like I gained another 10 1bs!

Picture of Grand America

Inside Ballroom

Ben and I inside Ballroom

Picture of our room

Name Meanings

I was curious to see what our names mean:

Ben:
Hebrew for "son of the right hand"

Steph:
Greek for "Crown"

Justin:
Latin for "Just or true"

Gold Medal

Today was Justin's last day of Gymnastics class. Here is a little medal he received. He was so excited he would not take it off.

Our First Big Snow Storm!

We were excited to see lots of snow outside today! Justin was curious to see what snow was and what it felt like! It only lasted 5 mins and his hands became frozen.

Here is Justin trying to help dad shovel the driveway.

Here is Justin getting mad because he wants to do it by himself!

We are still keeping our fingers crossed for a white Christmas!

I am a proud WIFEY!

Here is a picture of my handsome Bennie and the reward he received today! I was so proud of him! It was for having Outstanding Performance in the Facilities Department. I am grateful for him and the hardwork he puts in for our family! THANKS SWEETHEART!

Most Memorable Christmas

Today in Relief Society a question was asked, “What is our most memorable Christmas?” I could not think of mine right away, but as I got home, I realized what mine was.

Here it is…

Our son, Justin just had been born and we were up against some hard times. We had bills to pay such as rent, emergency room visits, and other utility bills. We had to choose between paying our tithing or for some of our bills, but regardless we still didn’t have money for groceries (and my husband loves to eat). And so we paid our tithing knowing we still didn’t have money to pay for the other things. We then decided to fast and pray for help and guidance from the Lord. We told our landlord that we wouldn’t be able to have rent to him on time at the beginning of the month and that we could get it to him towards the middle of the month and he said to us better yet how about I give it to you as a Christmas gift free this month and he asked if there was anything else that he could do for us. We were hesitant to ask, but then he said, “On Christmas everyone is family” and he wrote a check to us to cover our bills and allow us to put groceries in our house. All I could remember was hugging Ben with tears in my eyes and thanking the Lord for answering our prayers.

This experience truly taught me the importance of faith and relying on the Lord. I love this time of year and I don’t ever want to forget what it is truly about!

Gymnast

Because our little J-man has so much energy, we decided to put it to good use and enroll Justin in a tumbling tots class. At the gym, there are bars he can swing on, trampolines he can jump on, tunnels he can crawl through, and things he can jump off. His teacher is really nice also. At the beginning he was a little scared of her, but that did not last very long. When it was time to go, he started to cry because he was having so much fun and he didn't want to leave!

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving we decided to do just the three of us. For our first year we went to Golden Corral. For our second year we were in the hospital with Justin, and for our third year we had Thanksgiving with friends. So this year was a nice change. It was definitely a nice and relaxing day!

This is a picture of my first turkey! I was nervous that it wouldn't turn out, but it did...horrray!

Here is Bennie carving the bird
Justin enjoying his 3rd Thanksgiving

I am Thankful FOR my FAMILY

Things to be thankful for:

Being Thankful for a life you live.
Being Thankful for those who give.
Being Thankful for a child's smile.
Being Thankful for everything is worth while.
Being thankful for our loving Father above.
Being Thankful for the ability to love.
Being Thankful for blessings that come each day.
Being Thankful for all simple things, is the greatest way.
Being Thankful for family and the love they send.

Being Thankful for the hands that others lend.

Being Thankful for a loved ones touch.
Being Thankful for all things, means so much.

I am thankful for my little family! They always keep me happy and smiling!

Today, I went upstairs to get Justin's clothes and this is how I found him when I returned.I asked him what is he doing and he replied, "reading scriptures." I am so grateful for my little missionary in training.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN!

Justin opening his Tonka trucks!

Today was Justin's 2nd B-day! Ben took him out this morning to a gun show while I went shopping for some gifts. Justin did not understand what a birthday was, but he loved opening presents and blowing out his candle 5 times.

Here is what Justin got for his birthday:

• Firetruck
• Helicopter
  
• Books
• Small trucks
• No mess coloring book

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FIRE STATION

Justin loves firetrucks so we decided to take him to the fire station today. He definitely had a blast! Maybe he will be our little fireman someday.

Our little driver who did not want to get out of the front seat.

Dad and Justin inside the fire station

Curious George

Justin and I were at the mall a while back and I decided to take the elevator. While inside, Justin was curious to see what was behind the small door that had a picture of a phone on it. I was thinking about something and I was not paying attention to Justin in his stroller. I guess he pushed a red button that called 911. While inside the elevator, I heard a voice say"Dialing rescue services..help is on the way." I looked down at Justin and all he could do was smile at me(just like George is). I started to panic and as soon as the elevator door opened, I sprinted to the mall main offices. After I told them the story, they thanked me and told me everything will be taken care of. Never again will I take my eyes off my little Curious George. :-)

Did I say being a mom is great?

Yesterday little J-man surpised us when we walked into his room after his nap. He took off his diaper and smeared his poo everywhere even all over himself. His room smelt so bad that my gag refelx kicked in. Ben was sooooooo kind to help out with most of the cleaning. Yeah for DADS!

Christ's Love

This picture is one of my favorite pictures of Christ. I also love the story behind it:

Del Parson says:

"For a long time, the idea of painting Christ with a smile has been in the back of my mind. I’ve wanted to show a very friendly, personal, and loving portrait—one that children especially can relate to.
One Sunday, our ward was having the Primary Sacrament meeting program. The children were singing and reciting their parts and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a man with this wonderful smile on his face. That smile just drew me in. After the meeting, I looked back and said something like, “I noticed your smile.” I told him that was the kind of smile I was looking for to use in a painting. I don’t even think he realized he had been smiling, but he told me the story behind his expression. His little boy had been afraid to go up on the stand and participate in the program. He was scared to sing and do his part in front of that big congregation because he was new in the ward. The father knew his son was afraid and didn’t want to go up there, but he did it anyway—and he did a great job.
That man’s smile was a very genuine, loving smile. It was a father proudly watching his son accomplish something that was very difficult."

Propostion 8

Even though our pick didn't win president, Ben and I are so grateful for the passing of Proposition 8. Our stake advised California members to help in calling centers and to support the amendment. We were told that if it didn't pass it would have a ripple effect across the nation and our families will be affected. Many took the challenege and stepped up to defend the family. I know that it passed because of many who helped, fasted and prayed. I also know that Heavenly Father was with us!

Here is a quote I like from ELDER OAKS that sums up Same-Gender Attraction:

"God loves all of His children. He has provided a plan for His children to enjoy the choicest blessings that He has to offer in eternity. Those choicest blessings are associated with marriage between a man and a woman by appropriate priesthood authority to bring together a family unit for creation and happiness in this life and in the life to come.
We urge persons with same-gender attractions to control those and to refrain from acting upon them, which is a sin, just as we urge persons with heterosexual attractions to refrain from acting upon them until they have the opportunity for a marriage recognized by God as well as by the law of the land. That is the way to happiness and eternal life. God has given us no commandment that He will not give us the strength and power to observe. That is the Plan of Salvation for His children, and it is our duty to proclaim that plan, to teach its truth, and to praise God for the mission of His Son Jesus Christ. It is Christ’s atonement that makes it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins and His resurrection that gives us the assurance of immortality and the life to come. It is that life to come that orients our views in mortality and reinforces our determination to live the laws of God so that we can qualify for His blessings in immortality."

YEAH for ELECTION DAY!!!

WHAT A GREAT RIGHT THAT WE HAVE IN AMERICA!!! I was so excited to vote today!! I was in and out in 5 mins. So that was great! Ben and I are now anxiously waiting who is going to win!

Our New Foundation

Ben and I came up with this foundation for fun:

Our home is infested with many species of spiders. We would like to start a foundation that will help protect these creatures from becoming squished and eventually terminated by harmful chemicals. Your sponsorship donation of $25 or more helps care for one of the spiders at Arachnid Sanctuary. When you sponsor a spider, we'll email you his or her bio along with a full-size, high resolution photo that you can print. It's a great way to make a friend -- and make a difference! The $25 will cover bugs for food and a cage for the spider to live in if injured or released into neighbor’s yard. It will also receive the love and affection it needs. Your kind donation will give this eight legged friend another chance at life. Just choose a spider you would like to save.

Featured Spider of the Month

Our sweet Danny is a very sad case. He was found in our back yard by our 2 year old son. When our son brought him to us, Danny was unfortunately missing a couple of legs. This friend is in desperate need of help. Please help this 3 legged friend to stay hopeful and to stay ALIVE. The difference between life and death is in your hands! For more information email us at

ArchnidSanctuary@spiders.com

Willie the WOLF SPIDER

He has a very aggressive personality.

He likes to eat bugs around garden area.

He was injured by a shoe.

Harry the HOBO SPIDER

Very Shy!

Poor eyesight and poor climber!

We can’t find him any more.

Besty the BLACK WIDOW

Very outgoing!

She likes
to hang out around our backdoor area and in
our storage closet.

Carl the COMMON HOUSE SPIDER

He likes to sneak through door cracks.

He was almost sucked up by vacuum cleaner.

He needs extra TLC.

Happy HALLOWEEN!

Halloween was fun this year! Justin had a blast running from door to door gathering up candy. He loved being a Teletubby. It is also great having a stash of candy for when I crave a treat!

Ben had fun this year pretending he was a fake monster. He would wait until the kids were close enough and then lash out at them!

2 Questions

Our Little Big Foot
Justin's feet keep growing like a weed! He is now in a size 8 1/2 . Is that big for his age????Hopefully he will be able to grow into them by growing taller.

Pregnancy Forgetfulness

So I was putting groceries away and later that night for dinner Ben was trying to find where I had put the bag of salad toppings. I could not remember for the life of me. We searched and searched but still could not find it. Then, Ben decided to look for the bag of salad toppings in the freezer and found it. I had also put other food items that didn't belong in the freezer. Is this me loosing my mind or can I use the excuse that it is pregnancy forgetfulness?

Crazy 8 Tag

I've been tagged by my sister-in-law to make a Crazy 8 list, so I guess I will do it.

8 Favorite T.V. Shows

1. Jon & Kate plus 8

2. Baby Story

3. The Amazing Race

4. Extreme Home Makeover

5. Sand Hogs

6. Cities of the Underworld

7. Fox News

8. Survivor

8 Favorite Resturants

1. Bombay House

2. Costa Vida

3. Los Hermanos

4. Olive Garden

5. Tucanos

6. Macaroni Grill

7. La Vigna

8. China Buffet

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Watched Curious George with Justin 2. Went to mothers group at the park 3. Went to the library4. Read Justin some books 5. Made dinner 6. Went on a walk 7. Exercised to a video 8. Talked to my mom on the phone.

8 Things I Love About Fall

1. The weather cooling down2. The leaves changing colors3. Wearing sweatshirts and sweaters4. Sipping a hot drink 5. Getting into the Halloween spirit6. Making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas7. Going on hay rides 8. Making warm, hearty meals

8 Things On My Wish List

1. To build our dream home 2. To have 4 kids. To be completely out of debt4. To visit Ireland with Ben 5. To live a long, healthy life6. To watch my children grow up happy and healthy7. To have a good pregnancy/delivery experience 8. To be a great mom!

8 People I Tag

How about any 8 people who see my blog and want to :-)

ITS A GIRL!!!!!

We are excited to announce we are having a little girl!!! We decided to name her Brooklyn Marie.

Justin will definitely be sad to not have a baby brother to pick on and play with, but then again, he will be able to protect her from other boys when she gets older.

Here is an ultrasound picture of our little one. Ben thinks she has my chin:-)

Pumkin Carving!

Halloween is almost here so we decided to carve our pumpkins. This is Justin's first pumkin carving experience. He had fun putting the seeds back into the pumkin rather than helping mom get them out. Justin also loves pulling his pumkin around the block in his wagon.

Here are some pictures.

Dad looks very excited about getting his hands dirty:-)

Me and Justin

Mommie Stuff

Fall is in the air and everyday I get more excited to have our new little one! I miss having a newborn in our home. Justin and I are trying to get through each day by finding things to do. We try to go to the library, Bean Museum, parks, mall, momies group, and go for walks. It definitely is a fun, but busy job being a mom. Here is a list I made up on the differences between first and second pregnancy:

Justin's Pregnancy

• craved fruit
• threw up until he was born
• lots of morning sickness
• felt small movements 18 weeks

2nd Pregnancy

• craved sweets
• didn't throw up
• little bit of morning sickness
• felt small movements 16 weeks
• have to pee mutiple times an hour

Here is a picture of Justin helping me vacuum up the floor....they say teach them while they are young!