Lots of Changes

I can't believe it has been June since I have touched this blog. Too many changes have happened, so I will fill everyone in as best I can. First of all, we moved into our new home and have settled nicely. I still fill my time with crazy home improvement projects, although with a new home the projects are small and mostly taken on to simply keep my hands busy (as if taking care of the children doesn't keep my hands busy enough). We love the yard and were able to plant a garden which surprisingly came up exceptionally well.

Aubrey started the third grade this year and loves it! She is the fastest reader in her class (no surprise since she can talk a million miles an hour), has been bumped up to fourth grade math and was first in her class to pass off her multiplication facts. She started gymnastics again with a few of her friends and is doing wonderful. She is a fantanstic friend and amazing sister and daughter. I was given a daughter more special than I deserve, and thank the Lord each night for her tenderness and unique qualities. Her legs are doing much better this year, and we'll see if she needs botox injections again when we visit Primary Childrens in January.

Cameron and Christian are my two very silly monkeys who are as tender as can be. They love their new baby brother and I constantly have to remind them, "He's not a toy, he's a little person. Be Careful!" The biggest problem little baby Dalan has is too much love. Not a bad life I guess. Anyways, we decided to hold them back from starting kindergarten for one more year, since their birthdays are so close to the deadline. I started both of them in a gymnastics, hip hop, breakdancing class and now that's all they do. I think they would eat dinner standing on their heads if I would let them. They both love playing with friends and are the best helpers to me.

Our newest little addition, Dalan came on October 8. It was a difficult time, as the memories of losing Brayden on Oct. 4 in 2003 were close to heart. I was nervous for the delivery and was grateful when Dalan came out healthy and strong. He weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. Although all my experiences with bringing my children into this world have been beautiful, I have never had an experience in the delivery room quite like what I experienced with Dalan. Maybe the spirit was strong with the recent loss of my father and the memories of my son, but it left no doubt in my mind he is a very special little spirit that is most definitely supposed to be with this family.

Alan continues to work very long hours and is gearing up to start his Masters in Human Resource in January. He is beyond excited, as he has wanted to do this for years. I won't see him (literally) for the next 18 months, but am secretly jealous he is starting his masters and not me. My turn is next...

As for me, I was called into the YW presidency and stay VERY busy with that calling. Although the energy of the girls has taken some getting used to, it is wonderful! The kiddos keep me running all day long and although time for projects, girls nights out, and pampering time are few and far between, I know what I am doing now with the children is more important and has greater impact for good than anything else I could fill my time with. I keep reminding myself of this as the urge and desire to dive into teaching tempts me. Christian said to me one day, "Mom, your job used to be to teach. Now your job is to cook us food and take care of us". That made me laugh, then I said , "That's the best job in the world!" And, it is. I love being a mom. I love taking care of my family.

With all that said and done, life is going great. Alan and I were talking the other day about how the Lord has guided and directed our life from the moment we met. We knew we were to get married the moment we met, we knew when to start our family, where to move, even where to go to school. We have both been directed in our education and employment (and some of those jobs have not been fun!). We have gone in directions and traveled down roads we didn't exactly want to travel, but now in retrospect see just how perfectly and exactly they fit into the Lords plan for us. How grateful I am for that. Although our life seems crazy and sometimes out of control, as I always tell the kids, "it's all good". And, it is all good.

Fathers Day

Fathers Day was spent crying and celebrating! I cried all morning for my own father, then spent the rest of the day celebrating the wonderful father my children have and Alan has. We had our friends who own the candy store in town make Alan a rice krispie treat cake...his favorite! She did a fantastic job, thanks again Courtney! Alan's brother Brian and wife Kelli were there, and we had a delicious barbeque in spite of the rainy weather! Cameron got to read the paper with Grandma, his favorite activity, and Aubrey and Christian played in the creek outside. Anyways, here are a few pics of our day spent up at Grandpa and Grandma Gordon's house.

June 26, 2009

Aubrey was baptized a few weeks ago and it was truly one of the most special days of my life. There is nothing in the world that compares to seeing the spirit literally radiating out of one of your children. We are so proud of her for the choice she made!

We were lucky to be able to move into the new house two days before her baptism. So, we moved the furniture in on Thursday and the family showed up on Friday. It was a whirlwind, but wonderful! I missed my father terribly at her baptism, and prayed with all my heart that he was there to witness her milestone. We are so grateful for all the family that was there. We know it was a sacrifce for many to be there, so THANK YOU!

Fathers Day was bittersweet and wonderful at the same time. I am so grateful this year for Alan's wonderful Dad and the way he has truly stepped in and helped during my worst of days. Fathers are great! But, most of all I am grateful for Alan. My children are so lucky to have him, and so am I. The longer I am married to him I become increasingly more grateful for the guidance I received to marry him. I don't know what I would do without him!

The kids are all loving their summer and play HARD all day long. I love it! It's what being a kid is all about.

I had to post a few pictures of my home growing up. Dad took these pictures last August. He was so proud of his work on the pond and the yard. This view of the pond is my favorite, for during my high school years the pond was my place of peace and refuge. I spent many a summer day simply laying on a blanket reading, swimming, tanning, or studying for tests (yes, I took college courses during the summer). I wish now I could simply run down to the pond and escape from things for a while. To say it mildly this has been an emotionally challenging week. But, regardless of the trials I am now facing each day, I still have a beautiful family to raise and try to focus on that.
Recently the kids have taken up rock climbing, with Christian and Aubrey immediately scaling to the top! Cameron on the other hand doesn't like to climb as much as he likes to simply fall from the rope when he's done. Oh well, either way they love the sport! Aubrey continues to amaze us with her ability to memorize, and I was so proud of her today when I saw her stand up in front of her class and recite a two page poem. Of course I smiled from ear to ear as the class started clapping and cheering for her when she finished.
The boys love preschool and so do I...I didn't know I could get so much done in two hours. They are making new friends and always have a great story to share. Cameron has become obsessed with reading, we have to read every sign, every word he sees on a cereal box or food item, and lately we have to read every word he sees on the credits of his movies. He keeps me on my toes. Christian is simply obsessed with the new baby...too bad that won't happen until October. At least he's excited!
Alan unfortunately has had to start layoffs at work. Not an enjoyable experience for anyone. The economic crunch has finally hit us out here, and we are all feeling it. We are both grateful to have jobs where we are free to work all we want.
I am finally starting to lose the morning sickness, and hopefully will not get a rebound here in a few months. I love being home with the kids and cannot express just how proud of them I am for the stregth they carry within. No doubt the strongest of spirits are being held back until today, and they are carrying me more than they know right now. It is because of them I am able to get out and get busy each day. It is because of them I can go to church with a smile on my face, and it is because of them I find reasons to laugh, smile, play and find simple joy in the smallest of moments. My heart aches, and I wonder how long it will be before I will wake up and one day realize that my heart literally does not hurt any longer. I know that the road ahead is not the road I ever imagined I would be traveling down. And yet I found a quote that helped me immensely, "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." Ralph Waldo Emerson
In many ways I am doing just this. I have to figure out where I want to go now, and although I don't know exactly where that is, I can figure it out slowly and carve out a path along the way. Someone else's road to recovery may not work out so well for me, and I have to remind myself that I do have the strength to find out what is best for me and my family. Keep the prayers coming, we sure do need them.

Well, life is busy and we seem to be doing well as a family. I am deeply saddened by the latest gossip that seems to be spreading around Rexburg. Fortunately, in relation to my father, none of it is true and we can take deep comfort in that. Alan is busy with work and LOVES it! He is always involved in some aspect of management and lately has been assisting with the Six Sigma training.

Aubrey had another appointment at Primary Childrens and she found out that she won't have to wear her night braces anymore if she promises to do her stretches. Of course, the doctor did tell us that the best stretch for her legs is to teach her how to ski. I don't know who was more excited about that...Aubrey and I both started squealing with excitement! Who knew, doctors orders to ski! Every child's dream! We are heading back on the 30th for her Botox injections which will make her stretches far less painful.

As for the boys, they started preschool and get so excited to show me what they made every day. Cameron gave his first talk in church (adorable) and wears his CTR ring non-stop. If you ask him what it says, he'll tell you it's his "pick the right ring". Christian is still obsessed with anything superheroes and has energy like I have never seen! The kid is accident prone because he never stops. He decided to take his scooter outside (against my will) and ride it down the sidewalk. Of course, being January the ice is still ever present and our little man took quite the fall. He thought the huge scrape on his arm and elbow was pretty cool until he saw the blood...then he cried. Now we are back to the huge scrape being pretty cool. Boys!

Other than that, we are grateful for the continuous prayers of all our friends and family.

Memories of my Father...

The year ended with heartbreaking sadness, and amid the overwhelming flood of emotions that accompanies the loss of a father as wonderful as mine, I find myself looking back and becoming increasingly grateful for the amazing memories I made with my father. He taught me so much, and became a father and dear friend to Alan. I want to say thank you for everyone who expressed their heartfelt sympathies. I cannot say just how much your support meant to my family. I am grateful for the gospel, for I have felt the sweet hand of the Lord carrying me in many capacities right now. I have had many moments too precious to mention, and know that the Lord is aware of our needs and comforts his children with peace and love during our most trying of times. As the new year begins I struggle to think of any resolutions, as they seem so irrelevant right now. However, I cannot stop thinking about ways that I can improve who I am, and become a better person, mother, Latter Day Saint, and friend because of the influence of my father. There are no words to explain just how much we will miss him. But we will always share and cherish the memories we made. Thanks Dad, you were more amazing than you will ever know. We ask that if any friends or loved ones have memories to share, please post them at keithmsteinermemorial.blogspot.com.