Merry Christmas!

2009 - Our Year in Rhyme

Our sweet Audrey was born in May,
The 22nd was her birth day.
With bright blue eyes and a dimple,
Loving her has been so simple!
She has a smile that’s super cute,
And watching her crawl is just a hoot!

Daily Caleb learns something new;
Or does some thing he shouldn’t do.
He’s a toddler, yes we know,
Of course his favorite word is, “No.”
But he gives hugs like no other,
And is such a great big brother!

With two kids we spend our days,
Trying our best them well to raise.
Carrie stays home, Jared works at CAT.
We often watch movies, or sit down and chat,
Hang out with neighbors or visit with friends,
Lucky for us the fun never ends!

A golf pass Jared got this season,
He played each time he found a reason
Carrie had less fun than he,
She had to have a surgery!
We both continue at church to serve,
And at the gym work off those curves.

This year we went to Chicago, Nauvoo,
Madison, Wisconsin and St. Louis, too.
Forty-three nights visitors came here,
Friends and family we love so dear.
After lots of work, our basement’s done,
There’s more room now for everyone.

This year we hope the most to send,
A witness to our family and friends.
The newborn babe, the promised Son,
Was Jesus Christ, the Holy One.
We thank Him for the peace He brings,
The Lord of all, our King of Kings!


Merry Christmas!

Love,
Jared, Carrie, Caleb, and Audrey

An Early Christmas Gift

My mother gave us this painting for Christmas this year! We are blessed with her amazing talent as an artist and we are so thankful she loves us so much and put so much time, effort, and love into this painting. It is based on pictures we took on our honeymoon almost 4 years ago in Costa Rica, and we think she did a great job of capturing the beauty there. Thanks mom! We love it!

Christmas Kids

I got the camera out Sunday before church and got these photos. I think they look pretty cute, but then again, I probably should think that since I am their mom, and I dressed them this way. It was a great opportunity to take some pictures though, since they were both happy and clean! We are getting excited about the holidays this year and having fun with all the activities and traditions that come with Christmas. We hope you're having a great holiday season, too!

New Skills!

Audrey can pull herself up to standing, and loves it!


Caleb can feed Audrey. :)

Caleb gets his own snacks! (Sometimes great when I'm busy, other times not so good!)

Audrey sits in a high chair (since she developed the skill of climbing out of her Bumbo chair - don't worry, I caught her before she hit her head on the table).

Caleb eats cereal like normal - with milk in a bowl, with a spoon!

Audrey uses her back to play the musical toy on the fridge.

Another skill Caleb has learned is starting his own DVD or VHS movies. He'll change what he's watching about every 10 seconds. I've learned it's not really about watching a movie, but more about trying to watch a movie, when Caleb is in charge.
Audrey also takes a bath in a big tub now, and enjoys it immensely, and she can crawl well enough to get around wherever she wants to go. FYI, we had her 6month check up this week and here are her stats:
Weight 14 lbs. 8 oz. (13th percentile)
Height 25 inches (15th percentile)
So, we have a little lady on our hands. Maybe once she actually swallows the food we feed her she'll start to grow a bit better, ya think? Right now she sprays it back out and gets a kick out of it! The pediatrician said she has the motor skills of a 9 month old, but is a bit behind in the oral skill area. We'll see if she can catch up!

Audrey Spits, I Mean, SITS UP

While Audrey does do a lot of spitting up, this video will show her sitting up, something she has learned to do in the last few weeks. Caleb will give you the play by play in the video.

Like father, like son. Do we have a future accountant here? I mean, he's obviously very good at math, and very good at saving money.

Funny Kids

The other day I went through a bunch of the pictures on the computer and showed Caleb. When he saw this one, he said, "Mom!" I said, "What?" and he pointed to the statue of a sumo wrestler and said, "Mom." Yep, thanks for that. But, to his credit, when he sees pictures of "Elastigirl" from The Incredibles, he also thinks it's me. Audrey is pretty proud of herself that she can sit all by herself and does it all the time now. She also has found the common favorite baby toy - a cell phone. The other day I enjoyed an oddly quiet shower. When I finished and went to find Caleb, I found him in the garage ready to go on a walk. He'd climbed in himself and even brought toys to keep him busy! I felt bad since we hadn't been out much lately, and this was Caleb's subtle way of hinting he'd like to leave the house again someday! So, Caleb loves this bus. He loved it when he first got it, several months ago, but then we lost it. As miracles go though, a friend at church brought it to him this Sunday, remembering it was his. Now he refuses to be separated from his bus. This is the bus on Caleb's dresser where he placed it today before his nap. He said, "Bus, nap," and placed it upside down (so it could sleep on it's back, of course.)

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
This video was posted on lds.org. It made me smile to watch it. We all have so much to be thankful for! Get ready for a great Thanksgiving week!

This Life

Today I received the tragic news that a dear friend of mine, Tammy, lost her 3 month old baby girl on October 31st, probably to SIDS. I spent the afternoon and evening sobbing as I thought of how she must hurt to miss her sweet baby girl so deeply. She has a husband, and 3 other sons and I can't help but think of the pain they all feel.
I know baby Sabrina is in a better place and I know she is a precious daughter of God who left this world because she didn't need to experience it any longer. But, I still am saddened for those who loved her that she left behind.
When my Caleb and Audrey woke up from their naps today, I looked at them and smiled, and gave them hugs and kisses. They were both needing me - Audrey wanted to be nursed, and Caleb wanted to be held. So, I sat on the couch and did both. I just felt thankful they were there. I realized/remembered that we are on this earth for a time, known only to our Father in Heaven, and He has a reason for everything. Each day with the people I love is a blessing and a gift from God. He is in control and they are here because of Him and can also be taken at the appointed time.

In our April General Conference (A worldwide semiannual conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) there were a few messages that apply here, and it will help me if I go through them here, so here they are:

President Eyring talked about suffering and loss and said, "My purpose today is to assure you that our Heavenly Father and the Savior live and they love all humanity. The very opportunity for us to face adversity and affliction is part of the evidence of Their infinite love. God gave us the gift of living in mortality so that we could be prepared to receive the greatest of all the gifts of God, which is eternal life."

Elder Pino told of a 3 year old little girl lost by drowning when the family went to a beach. The father said, "The moments that followed were extremely difficult, filled with anguish and pain for the loss of our youngest daughter. That feeling soon turned into an almost unbearable torment. However, in the midst of the confusion and uncertainty, the thought that our children had been born under the covenant came to our minds, and through that covenant, our daughter belongs to us for eternity." Elder Pino says this family learned that the only true source of peace is God. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

Elder Scott also taught about finding strength and power in times of need. He said 14 years ago his wife died. He says he has never complained or asked why because he knows it was His will. He said we need to thank the Lord for trusting in us when He gives us the opportunity to overcome trials. (I am really not there yet!!!) He also said that their third child, a daughter, died after living only a few minutes. Then their second child, a son had surgery for a heart defect 6 weeks after the birth and death of their daughter. The operation was declared a success, but 10 minutes later, the doctor came in with the news that his son had died. He said, "That trial has not been a problem for either of us because, when we live righteously and have received the ordinances of the temple, everything else is in the hands of the Lord. We can do the best we can, but the final outcome is up to Him." He goes on, "...when we keep the temple covenants we have made and when we live righteously in order to maintain the blessings promised by those ordinances, then come what may, we have no reason to worry or feel despondent."

I am thankful for these teachings that explain and inspire. These are hard lessons for me to learn though. It stretches my faith and makes me trust in the Lord.
We are praying for Tammy and her family.

Quite A Day

Here is a run down of the day:

I woke up with a headache.
Audrey spit up in my mouth. (Yes, I held her above me, and it landed in my mouth!)
Caleb screamed when I left him in the gym day care.
Caleb crawled under the van to try to get something.
Caleb ate a lot of raisins. (this comes in later)
My aunt told me about a 15 month old killed in a backyard accident.
Caleb snuck to the side of the house and ran the water - twice.
Caleb punched me in the face just like the Jungle Book characters do.
Audrey had a diaper explosion - a big one.
Caleb said his tummy hurt, and proved it with the diaper I got to change.
I spilled tomato sauce all over the kitchen walls, cabinets, floor, oven, and chairs.
Caleb stacked a basket on Audrey and stepped on it to try to reach something on the counter.
Audrey skipped her last nap, opting instead to eat an extra time, and show us she has a cold.

That's the day with the "glass half empty" so I guess I really should show you the other aspect - the day with the "glass half full."

Audrey slept all night.
I got to go to the gym and it didn't hurt to work out.
It was nice enough to go play outside with Caleb.
My aunt called - I love her to death and haven't talked to her in a long time.
Caleb played with me.
Audrey smiled and hugged me.
They both made me laugh.
The enchiladas I made turned out okay, and I made yummy lemon squares.
For the first time, Caleb said something hurt. He's progressing with his vocabulary and his expressions.
I got to talk to my mom and dad on the phone. They always cheer me up and support me.
Jared cleaned up after I cooked dinner, which he always does, and picked up the house!
Jared watched both kids so I could go to a Relief Society quilting group.
My headache went away.

I am really thankful for the day I had. I am grateful for Jared, Caleb, and Audrey. Every day with them is a blessing. I am also very thankful for the things they do that make me learn and change. I also thankful for my parents and siblings and for good friends here that are so much fun and so supportive, too!

Audrey the Picky Eater

Those of you aroung Audrey, will already know she is a picky eater. After going 48 hours without nursing a couple of months ago, and 24 hours a few weeks ago, she still refuses a bottle. In fact, she is more protective of her nursing, and adamant that she eat according to her will. So, no formula and no pumped milk. All straight from the natural source - me. Okay, we accept that, deal with her, and love her.
Also, we have been trying rice cereal to help us at least have some other option. Nope. She won't do it. These are pictures of her just the other night. She did the whole "Gross, mom, this makes me gag," routine 3 times, just like her Dad would do. Then she dumped most of it back out with her tonge the rest of the time. Finally, when I just couldn't resist leaving to take some pictures, I came back and she really had spit up. Oh well, now we'll have to try to sweeten the deal with things like fruits, veggies, spices, and maybe even some sugar. This Audrey can be a stubborn little lady! Wonder where she got that from?