It's been a while...

I realized today that it has been 4 months since I posted anything on my blog...well, as most of you who read this know that is because I had a baby. My little girl finally joined us Sept. 21st early in the morning. It wasn't an easy process, but she was worth the wait and the work! She has been such a mellow addition to the family, and that is just what we needed. She is beautiful, sleeps well, and is growing way too fast. I can't believe that she is already over three months old. It really does go by faster and faster the older you get...and the more children you have evidently.
So we were able to bless her this last weekend on Sunday here at home with family and a few friends. It was wonderful! What a blessing it is to be able to have the priesthood in my home. To help get you all up to date I'll post my favorite pictures from the last few months!












I believe these are in order newest pictures to oldest...

Benji Boy

So today after church I came home and asked Ben if he had fun in Nursery. His reply was so clear and made me smile. He said "Umm...ya, we read book story, play ring-around-na-wosey, color picture, and eat a nack!" I was shocked first that he could list four different things, and that I was able to understand him. What a sweet boy my little Benji has become. Lately he will be playing somewhere in the house and just decide that it has been too long since he saw or touched Mommy so he will run up and hug, or kiss me and say "Loves you Mommy," and then run off with out so much as another word. Well Ben, Mommy loves you too!

As if I don't have enough to keep me busy these days...

So, about a week ago my boss told me and the two other employees left in our office, that she is letting the lease on our office space go and is moving primarily to a new office she just opened on the other side of town. It's by where I used to live in Summerlin- about a 30-45 minute drive from here. So what does that mean for me? Well, she was trying to find another office space that would be appropriate, and as of yet hasn't found anything. So she thinks it would be a good time for me to "strike out on my own..." meaning get my state and city licenses so that I can practice independently...Just me, no receptionist, no bookkeeper to do billing, just me, myself and I.

So here I am, eight months pregnant and I am scrambling to get everything together so that I can open my own Speech Therapy Office...by September 1st of course. So now there are papers to sign and file, insurance to obtain, supplies to stock and the most imposing of all, an office space to locate and lock down as mine. Supposedly I'll start working for myself come September 1st, just to take maternity leave a couple weeks later (if all goes as planned). If I had it my way I would wait until October to do all this, but as it is, I'll have no office if I wait that long. I guess the timing is what it is- So here goes nothing...Life is always an adventure right? Wish me luck as I try to safely navigate through this one. As if I don't have enough to keep me busy these days...

Preschool Graduation

Well, last night James, Ben and I attended James' preschool graduation. Although he is probably ready for Kindergarten, his late birthday makes him too young- so he will be attending preschool again next year. He'll be a regular "know-it-all" by the time he's done with next year.

So we got to the graduation a little late, but found a seat and began to get settled in. When his teacher put him in line for them the march in and sit in their seats he got this horrified look on his face and told me that he was extremely itchy- this is not the first time he has told me he's too itchy to participate in something. Apparently James gets itchy around the neck and face when he gets nervous about "public speaking/performances." So after a few unsuccessful attempts to persuade him that it wasn't anything to be nervous about, he plopped down next to me and watched most of the graduation from the audience. At the end of the program his class signed the words to "It's A Wonderful World," and for that we were able to convince him to join the class up front. So here's the video and some pictures. James we are so proud of you- you've come a long way, and will never stop amazing us with how much you know and what you are already able to do! We love you our little "Snickle-groober."

A new take on an old parable

As my kids have gotten older I have come to treasure my time in the shower. It seems the quietest part of my day and the time I think the most clearly. It is during these few quiet moments of the day that I often have the most clarity of thought and the strongest impressions from the still small voice of the spirit.

The other day during a rare moment of clarity I had a thought about the Love of our Heavenly Father for us. I guess you could say that I already knew this, but I now feel a deeper understanding and appreciation for this particular insight. the thought occur ed to me just how much our Heavenly Father's love for us has influenced his doctrine and commandments. He doesn't ask us to live our lives a certain way for his benefit, or to add to his "power over us" but because he wants us to be whole so that we can more fully appreciate and feel joy. As I was thinking of this comforting thought the scripture that states that "no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God" popped into my mind. This too is a principle for our sake. It is not because he can not abide living with an unclean thing, but because on unclean thing can bare His presence. As I was pondering this a modern version of the Ten Virgins came to mind and helped me understand this concept so much more fully.

It's like this: Imagine for a moment that a beloved family member was having a wedding- like your sister, or a very very dear friend, and the wedding was a black tie event. On the day of the wedding you lost track of time and rushed to make it there because you had to be there, but as you showed up you look down and notice that your clothes are filthy and your hair a mess. You would want to hide in the corner and leave just as soon as you could. Then imagine how much worse it would be if you were the maid of honor, or best man at this wedding and had to stand up next to the bride and groom for the whole thing- and then to hear your beloved family member tell you how happy they were that you made it there and that you were so loved for showing up...The very thought of something like that happening makes me want to weep. To experience that because I was too busy before hand watching too much t.v., or judging my neighbor, or looking at pornography, or any other sin that we too often are unwilling to give up to get appropriately dressed for the coming occasion of meeting our Savior.

Our Father and His Son loves us so much they just want us to be able to celebrate with them- and they have given us everything we need to get ready. Essentially He has already provided the dress, shoes, make-up and accessories, all we have to do is willingly put them on.

A Responce to the Soap Box

So my sister Cassy recently wrote a post in her blog about how she feels about premarital sex, and called it her soap box. Well, I too have similar feelings about this "soap box" subject. She mentioned how in our society so many take love and sex so lightly. So for the record- I believe that sex is a gift that has been ordained for a man and woman, legally married. Furthermore I believe that only under these circumstances can it give all that it was intended to, without taking away from the individuals and their relationship. I know there are many people who would call me old-fashioned, among other things, for believing this- and that's okay with me. But as I have reflected on my own experiences, sheltered as many may see it, it saddens me as I see the world around us loosing the magic and innocence that should accompany love.

I remember savoring every sweet and precious moment as I experienced my first love. I was 16 and he took me to the homecoming dance. I remember taking a "moon-lit" walk and feeling the butterflies all evening as I anticipated every touch, and every kind word. That night he held my hand for the first time, and I remember the magic of the moment. He was my first boyfriend and we dated for that whole year. We had been a couple for almost 6 months before he kissed me, and that kiss was a simple and innocent act of affection. I can look back at the whole relationship with fondness and no regrets- he taught me what it was like to be loved and respected not for what my body had to offer, but for who I was inside. Shouldn't every girl have the opportunity to experience the sweet taste of love, uninhibited by lust and sex?

What a precious gift my first love gave me, and in some small way continues to give me as I am able to look back fondly at the tender moments and remember the simple magic of the innocence of it all. For that I will always love him. Thank you- for helping me become the wife, mother and woman that I am today.

Homecoming 1999

A couple days on the Sunny beach

A couple of weeks ago we spent two days on the beach in Long Beach, CA.
While we were there we enjoyed one overcast day of seeing the sights, and another day of wonderfully warm sunshine, filled with building sandcastles, and playing in the ocean. It was so nice to just get away and enjoy being our little "Brady Family". The weekend on the whole was just exquisitely relaxing for all of us!


Daddy and Ben in front of the wide open Ocean


James and Ben loved climbing on these HUGE rocks


James picked up a stick just about every time
we left our hotel room...this stick I think was
number three for the day.

My muscle men and their castle (sticks in a pile of sand)

They tried to make it more sophisticated, but it

didn't really work.


James found all kinds of treasures in the sand.

Ben loved having his own shovel and bucket.

What a hottie!!! And he's all mine!

The first venture into the water...they weren't quite

sure if they wanted too, but all it took was one or two

waves and they were hooked!

Recent impressions

In the last week or two I have felt a great sense of gratitude for the blessings in my life. As I have pondered these blessings in the early hours of the morning or quiet hours at night I have realized that so many of these awesome blessings have come to me as a result of following the counsel of the Prophets. For example. I love my job, I love what I do, and the freedom I experience because of my qualifications. It has given me the freedom to supplement Sean's small income as we need. I work only a few hours a week, and so am able to primarily be at home, and yet still have enough money to make ends meet comfortably. All of this because I followed the counsel to get an education...to get as much education as I could. Had I stopped after a graduate degree I would not enjoy the benefits that I now enjoy- in my situation it was appropriate to continue. I know that this is not always the case, but for me, following that counsel has brought such rich blessings. Next, I think about my family situation- I am married and sealed to a man for eternity, not just for this life, a man who loves and is commited to me. I have two wonderful kids and a third one on the way and all with a father that I know has wanted and looked forward to every one of our kids. What rich blessings I have received because I lived the standards of the gospel. I enjoy health and freedom from living the word of wisdom, security at home because we live the Law of Chasity, and temporal abundance as we live within our means and pay an honest tithe- there are just so many wonderful things in my life, how can I ever complain- the Lord loves me, and I feel his hand blessing me and my family as I strive to live the counsel He sends through his prophets. I love the restored gospel, what a great message of joy and happiness it has to offer as we live the standards and let His spirit permeate our lives. Thank you Lord for the richness that thou has given me in my life!

Tubes

As a Speech Pathologist I have recommended to many parents that they get hearing tested and rejoice to hear that a child is receiving bi-lateral tubes to help drain fluid build-up in the middle ear. There are so many good benefits! I have said it over and over again, that the risk is minimal and the rewards are great, especially for speech and language development. So when we got Ben's ears tested and it turned out that the doc. recommended tubes, you would think I would be happy about it...and yet my first thought was "you want to do what to my baby?" I remained calm while I made the arrangements, but I had to constantly reassure myself that it was going to be okay.

A week later we went to the surgery center Monday morning at 6:00a.m. Ben was not happy that I wouldn't give him anything to eat or drink, so we were grateful that he was only the second patient of the day! Things went smoothly until it was time to change his clothes and take his vitals. At that point he wanted nothing to do with the nurse, or anything that the nurse touched...even if she just gave it to mommy. Luckily Daddy was able to slip away from work (just a few buildings over) and his itouch saved the day. We settled Ben down and were able to get the information we needed and the hospital gown on him before it was time for him to go back for the procedure.

When it was time for Ben to go back to the O.R. the nurse came and swept him up in a matter of seconds and whisked him away with no real warning. Ben started screaming and I saw my baby taken away as I heard him screaming "Mommy, Mommy-" It broke my heart, and of course I started to cry. It startled James and he too started to cry, and I had to compose myself enough to calm him down first- I'm so glad that Daddy was there to help all of us calm down.

In the end everything went perfectly and Ben is already speaking more clearly and saying more words. My little baby did however, look so incredibly small and helpless as he was trying to wake up from the anesthesia and crying from the pain and confusion. Once again he was scooped up, but this time it was my arms, and I again shed a few tears as I was glad that I could hold my Little boy. I have decided that I don't want him to ever have another surgery- that is if I have it my way!

Rumors

There have been some rumors going around lately that I might be pregnant...well, I just wanted the clear the air about that rumor. Yes, it is true, I am pregnant again! We are super excited, especially James. We went to the doctor today and got our first ultra-sound. James loved being able to see the baby's head and heartbeat. He was so proud that he said he wanted to keep the pictures so that he could show the whole world...so in a effort to "show the whole world" or at least the whole world that wants to tune in- here is our precious little baby!

Our trip to Granny Franny and Grandpa Red's

When we told James that we were going to visit our grandparents in Idaho he couldn't wait. He wanted nothing more to see snow and to make a snowball! When we got there the weather was wonderful It was like we brought Las Vegas weather to Burley...it stayed in the 50ies most of our visit. Finally on the day before we left James got his wish, and it started to snow. I wish you could have seen the look on his face as he pressed his nose to the window and watched the flakes magically fall to the ground. Isn't it wonderful how seeing things through your children's eyes makes them new and inspiring all over again? So we bundled up and Daddy took the kids outside to play in their new found wonder. They only lasted a few minutes out there before deciding the wind and the cold were not as much fun as they thought, but the still enjoyed it, and James did eventually get to make a snowball and throw it with Daddy!

New Insights

So I think I learned something new about parenting. Since having two wonderful little boys one of my favorite scripture stories is the story from the Book of Mormon about the Army of Helaman. For those who don't know the story. It is about young boys who choose to fight for the freedom of their father's against fierce warriors at the tender age of 13. As they marched out toward the conflicts ahead of them they had no training; only Faith in God and the knowledge that their mother's knew that if they had faith in God, He would help them fight their battles and protect them. They fought fiercely in their first big battle, and thousands were killed on both sides of the conflict, but as their army was accounted for, not a single of these choice young boys were slain. This story brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it. In the scriptures one of the versus says that they often rehearsed the words of their mothers saying "...we do not doubt our mothers knew it."

This phrase plays through my mind often as I think of my precious little boys, and worry over all the good and bad things that the world today has to offer. I want such good things for them, as do all mothers for their children. I often pray and think about what things I need to do for my boys that will help me to be like the mothers in the story, that I can give my boys that kind of gift- to know that if you have faith in Him, He will help you fight your battles. Not that He won't expect you to fight hard right along with Him, but He will be there supporting you in the good and the bad! Well, last night I attended a class on learning to love ourselves as much as we love others. The teacher talked about how we need to reject the lies of Satan that pull us down and belittle ourselves, and start listening to Gods simple truth that he loves us and each one of us is of great worth to him, regardless of the mistakes we make, or how many times we may make that same mistake, or how we think we look- God really does LOVE us! Further more, if we will listen to the spirit when He tells us of God's love, we can feel that love for ourselves through Him.

So to bring this full circle my little Ben fell asleep on my lap today and I was cherishing the few moments of quiet cuddle time I got to have with him. As I looked at him so sweet and innocent I wondered again what I could do to help him weather through this life, and the thought occurred to me- "they did not doubt that their mothers knew it." One of the best gifts I can give to my sons is the knowledge that God loves them even when they mess up, because they will, in one way or another. If I want them to know and believe in the Savior's love and in the opportunity for repentance, I need to believe and know it too. I need to love myself so my children can learn to love themselves enough to turn to God to help buffer the storms of life.

A New Year

So the New Year has come and gone. I have had almost all of my friends tell me that their goal is to simplify or de-clutter their lives, to cut back and just do the basics...well, as for that that seems impossible. The week before the new year I was asked to serve as the Primary President in my ward- how do you add that to your life and still simplify?
Oh well, as always the New Year provides a wonderful time to think about what changes we should make in our life and I have selected a few basic goals to improve on. When I was younger my Grandfather taught a Family Home Evening lesson on setting goals and taught that you should set goals to impove all areas of your life to remain well rounded, the areas he taught included the following:

1. Spiritual
2. Social
3. Financial/professional
4. Physical

So in an effort to follow that counsel I have set some goals for all those areas- my favorite being in the socail area. I have decided that I need to make time for me too- which for me means making time to hang out with friends atleast 1-2 times a month! Sounds like a fun goal, huh? Well I am so excited to start this off with a one day visit with my very best friends in the whole world- my Mom and two sisters. We are leaving kids and husband behind and spending a day just enjoying eachother. I have decided I love making new goals like this one! It makes all the other goals so much easier to work toward.