Joseph Smith III

Spencer recently had the opportunity to play Joseph Smith III in a performance of "My Servant Joseph" which Aubrey and Ashlee's student ward sponsored. It was so fun to see him practice his part and go from embarrassed and unsure about it, to confident and ready.



He had a solo singing part as his only actual 'spoken' lines, and he was only in three scenes total, but he had a great time, earned some money (we paid him for every time he sang his lines, and so he went around the house with a little note book making tally marks each time he sang it), and gained a little more appreciation and a greater testimony for the prophet Joseph. It was an amazing first performing experience! We are so proud of him!


Spencer with Nate and Erica as Joseph and Emma Smith

Olivia and Matthew were so excited for Spencer!

...and we have a thumbsucker!!

Nothing says innocent and precious as a thumbsucker. I know I will probably hate it when she's older, but right now it just makes me think of my baby. And Baby Girl, stay that way!!

April Fool's Day!

This was the April Fool's joke we had played on us this morning. 8 inches of crummy snow! We didn't think it was very funny!

watching Avonlea grow

From the bottom left: newborn, 1 week, top left: 4 weeks, 8 weeks

I'm going to pay more attention this time. Because she's our last? Maybe. But I should have slowed down with the others as well, and I didn't. And I really can't this time. But I'll try. Already I can see a difference, just in eight weeks. It doesn't seem fair, that they grow up so fast. I think of the almost ten years that we have had Spencer, and how fast they went. These next 10 years are going to go just as quickly and then he'll be on his mission, and Olivia will be 15, and Matty won't want to be called "Matty" at 14. Jacob will be just about to receive the aaronic preisthood and begin passing the sacrament. And Avonlea will be ten. In just ten short years. I have said before when asked why time must go so quickly, Heavenly Father misses us so much, that pregnancy seems to drag on, and then the years just fly by so that he can get us back with Him. That's what I think anyway.

sweet Avonlea's blessed day

Blessing a new baby is always such a neat, nerve racking and busy experience, and preparing for Avonlea's was all of those. And perhaps more. It was our last one. I needed everything to be perfect.








Perfect dress, perfect luncheon, the kids all on their perfectly best behavior, the weather needed to be perfect. Everything. So to make it that way, I spent hours working on her dress and blanket. We carefully planned the menu for the luncheon (although it was more a dinner since our sacrament ends at 3:30 in the afternoon), we sent out the announcements, cleaned the house, the clothes were coordinated, ironed and ready.




Olivia, Avonlea and I all had matching bracelets, and matching hair bows for the girls. The boys all in their black dress pants and shoes, with white church shirts and ties. And John always looks so handsome in a suit. The food was bought and prepared and the RSVP list long - a possibility of 82 people!



So did it turn out perfect? No. Matthew and Jacob both came down with ear infections which were draining out their tear ducts, and they looked awful. Olivia had pneumonia in both lungs and ear infections, and she felt awful. I completely lost my voice. And because the kids were sick, I spent extra time taking care of them and the house no longer sparkled like I wanted it to. The gravy for the hawaiian haystacks didn't thicken. I forgot the butter for the rolls, the salt and pepper, and although we had cups to drink from, I forgot the drink and ice. But those are the minor things and our family rolls with the punches. No one seemed to care that there was no ice and we found pitchers at the civic center and served water.





The important things were perfect. The family all came. An impressive 12 honorable priesthood holders stood to give Avonlea her blessing. And it was beautiful! Avonlea was perfect, never made a sound even though she was hungry. She slept quietly as though she knew how important this day was. She was blessed to be close to her brothers and sister, to develop a close friendship with them and help each other, as there is strength in family. She was blessed to listen to her parents,, to choose the right, follow the commandments and to be obedient with a desire to do what is right. She was blessed to choose good friends and to be a good friend to which others will come to for love and strength. "Blessed to recognize the goodness, strength and beauty of your mother, whom you are named for, and to be like her in many ways". She was also told to seek education, wisdom and knowledge and to recognize the importance of these things, to strive to do her best in all things, and of course to marry a righteous "brother" in the temple. There was such a sweet spirit as that blessing was given! John made sure I saw him hold Avonlea up at the end of the blessing as is tradition, and I appreciated that. Our last baby blessed. I hope to hold that image forever as John lifted her up and smiled. So sweet!
So in the end it wasn't all perfect, but the important things were. The important things still are. Family is together, the gospel is true and we have blessings that I wouldn't trade for anything. It was a perfect day!

Easter Party with the Jenkins Family

We so enjoy the traditional Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa's house. The weather was beautiful, the eggs were plentiful, and the golden egg was well hidden. Lynette brought a parachute to play with, and it was definitely a highlight. We also met the new twins Aaron and Carly and had lots of fun with so many babies to pass around. It was a great day!
Oh, and apologies to Carly for the punches to the face. I'm sure it won't be the last fight between these two!

Avonlea at 1 month!

Avonlea is one month old! Where does the time go? Faster and faster with each child, I tell you! She is sleeping between two and four hours at a time at night and all day long except for nursings every two hours. She can hold her head up really well now, has started smiling at us, and at her two week appointment, she weighed 7 lbs 3 oz! Lost weight down to 5lbs 8 oz in the hospital, and then gained it back PLUS 1 pound by two weeks! Way to go Baby Girl! Just don't grow up TOO fast!