National Junior Honor Society

YAY Abigail! Abby was initiated into the National Junior Honor Society last week. It is a great honor and you have to have above a 3.5 GPA and maintain it. Many of her friends were there too. We are so proud of her, she works really hard in school.

Girls date

Last week Brook and I had a girls date. I wasn't able to go to my sisters weekend in Palm Springs and was having a hard time with it. So, Brook took me out. We ended up going to Costco for a minute and ran into Rachelle so she joined us for a while too. We went and got our free cupcakes (every Friday Sweet Tooth Fairy has them for America First Credit Union members), then went to Gardner Village and saw the Elves and went to Cafe Rio for lunch. It was a fun morning.

While in Gardner Village I saw this in one of the shops. It has a new meaning these days and I had to donate something :)

NotMe

Our Elf has decided to be a littler more creative at times. Our kids LOVE this tradition and can't wait for him to come visit us each year. He has been having fun while they are sleeping :)

 Yep - he TP'd the Christmas tree!

 One morning we found him reading to his friends.

 I am so glad he knows what Christmas is really about :)

 He must have REALLY wanted s'mores.

And, oh what a stinker. He switched out the kids stockings for their underwear!!!

We are so glad we have NotMe. He makes Christmas time a lot of fun.

Elder David A. Bednar

HOLY MOLY! Yes, this is my family with Elder David A. Bednar in our home!!!! Elder Bednar is one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ. It Bible times he would be Peter, James or John. And he came to visit us. This just does not happen - to any one! Well, to very very very few people. Ever since he was called to be an apostle 8 years ago and first spoke in General Conference he has been one of my favorites! I love his stories. Now he is definitely my most favorite!

So, here is the story: Our Stake Conference is this weekend. It was announced about a month ago that Elder Bednar and Elder Allen (of the Seventy) would be coming because our Stake Presidency was being released and a new one called. Apostles do not always make this change - we are very lucky to have an Apostle coming to our Stake. So, yesterday about 2:15 our Stake President, President Tindall calls John and asked if he and Elder Bednar and Elder Allen can come visit our family. They would be here in 30-45 minutes. AHHHHHH! Yes of course they can come. We were all home except for Abby who was babysitting at Jeff and Rachelle's. John shaves and puts on a suit and asks if kids should change into church clothes. I said no, they were fine.  Then 5 minutes later freaked out and thought more clearly and said "YES, kids go put on church clothes". I was literally in sweats and had been cleaning and organizing all morning. I change fast and get ready and call my sister in law Brook to see if she or Dave can go babysit so I can pick up Abby. I run over to pick her up and tell her to change fast. We are all ready and it had been 28 minutes.

One thing that had happened that morning was Jeff asked to borrow the Suburban to go pick up some couches. I was supposed to take the kids to DI to drop some stuff off and let them do Christmas shopping for each other. But, I thought no big deal, we can go next week and I let Jeff take my car. Gratefully, or else we all could have been gone when that phone call came.

Also, I firmly believe this is the reason I have kept a clean house my whole life. My house was totally clean. I did not even think, "oh no, we have to vacuum or dust or do dishes or make beds". Every thing was clean and totally fine for an Apostle of the Lord to be in my home. I did not have to hide anything or throw anything into closets, it was clean and I was so glad. I was so thankful in the moment for my parents who taught me to be clean.

The kids got antsy waiting and they came about 3:15. Isaiah was being very shy and kept saying "I don't want to see him". And he covered his eyes. I think he was overwhelmed by the spirit and did not know how to react. He would not even shake Elder Bednar's hand or give him "knuckles". He sat by me and then president Tindall asked Isaiah to come sit with him and he did, he sat in between he and Elder Allen the whole half hour they were here. Elder Allen rubbed his back and tickled him and played with him. It made his day and Isaiah was happy. Now, I do have good kids (for the most part), but they do not like to sit still. OH MY - for half an hour they were perfect. They sat and listened and did not get up once (other than Abby whose contact was falling out). They were reverent and respectful and happy.

I can not describe the feeling and the only way I can is to say that the spirit was stronger than being in a temple. We all felt it and felt the peace. Elder Bednar shook all the kids hands and asked them their names and ages, Elder Allen shook their hands and asked their names and Pres. Tindall shook their hands and gave each of them a compliment. Then Elder Bednar chose to sit on the piano bench right across from John and I so he could face us. He looked at John and said, "so, how goes the battle?" John told him how it is going and how his side effects have been minimal and how he feels like he is being refined for whatever the Lord needs. Elder Bednar asked him about the prognosis and John said that with a couple of stem cell transplants he has a 1 in 3 chance of being around long term. He asked John if anything has surprised him about him and what he has been able to do. John talked about his faith being strengthened. He then looked at me and asked me the same question. I said I have been amazed at the strength I have been blessed with to do everything I need to. He then talked about the atonement and how it is not just for bad to be made good. But for the good that is true grace.

President Tindall talked for a minute and thanked us for letting them come and said we are blessed. Elder Allen then looked at me and said, "Noelle, I can't stop thinking about you". He said sometimes we don't know who we really are and our challenges make us who we are. He said I was a choice daughter and I can do this. I was crying the whole time as he was looking in my eyes talking to me. Then Elder Bednar looked John and I in the eyes and said, " The Lord knows you and is aware of you and mindful of you".  Elder Bednar then said a prayer - a long prayer. Blessing our family. As they were leaving I could not let the moment go by and asked Elder Bednar if I could take a picture of him with the kids. He said definitely. But then Elder Allen said let me do it so you and John can be in the picture. He even knew how to use my iphone :) We shook hands and said good bye and that half an hour went by way too fast.

After they left the kids went to go change (well Elder Bednar actually told them they could) and John and I sat on the couch. I did not want to lose that moment. The Spirit was still so strong, we sat there in awe and peace and feeling so so so blessed and had never felt so close to the Lord.

Last night I went to our adult session of Stake Conference. Elder Bednar was saying that Elder Holland was in Africa this weekend creating the 3000th Stake. He said with the current membership of the church and the amount of Stakes we have, that we might have an Apostle in our Stake every 27-30 years. But with the growth of the church it will most likely never happen again in our lives in this Stake. And he came to my home!

I think Abby knows what that meant but I don't know if the other kids really really know who Elder Bednar is. They know he is an Apostle and that he speaks in General Conference, but I am not sure if they really understand what an Apostle is. I am so glad I grabbed that picture and some day the kids will understand the greatness of that moment. We have been so blessed and once again experienced a miracle.

A visit from the Crans family

We LOVE the Crans and miss them SO much. I wish we could see them more often. Usually a few times a year we see each other. They have not been out here in 2 years - other than Linzi who flew out to help us move a year ago.  And I have gone out to CA a few times. When they were placed with their youngest baby and for his finalization and Linzi's birthday. Two years ago we all met at Disneyland and rented a vacation house together. That was SO much fun. 

They came out here this year for Thanksgiving. They spent a few days with Linzi's sister and then came here for a few days. The kids all get along so well and we had a blast. Well, we played while Erick worked on my list of house projects. Thank you thank you to Erick.

 The weather was pretty nice. One day we took the kids out (except Abby who had homework) and took a walk on the park way. It was fun despite coming home with one kids with a twisted ankle, one kids with a gash in his hand and one kid covered in mud.

 I had to take Linzi to my favorite dessert cafe - "The Chocolate". We shared a cazookie - it is oh so yummy.

The night before they left we realized we did not have any pictures of all of us. Abby took this for us so there was one of the 4 of us. 

We miss you Crans and can't wait to see you again.

Setting up Christmas

I LOVE that my kids love Christmas. They were so excited to set everything up this year. John was not feeling well and so he kind of watched and put the start on the tree. Abby and Michael helped me lug our huge heavy tree up from the basement - we almost did not make it, that thing is heavy. I really did not have to do too much. I could not believe how much help the kids were. I just unwrapped ornaments and kids decorated tree and Abby did most of the other stuff.  

We do not have a fireplace and I was so happy the stockings fit here on our stairs. I am so happy this year because on Nov. 30 I was able to say, "Christmas is set up, Christmas shopping is done and christmas cards are out and it is not even December". Now - shopping is done because I started months ago and kids are only getting a few presents each this year. We told them Santa is coming, but that John and I are not getting them presents this year. I am glad they understand. And cards are only done because my sister in law Emily offered to make and mail them for me this year. I am so grateful for her. And yesterday Jeff came and put our lights up on our house - we are ready for Christmas.

Holiday Traditions

 We have some traditions and we have started a few new traditions and I wanted to make a list. Mostly so I have them down somewhere and don't forget :) Not that the kids would forget though. They remind me of everything :)

 Going to see lights at Temple Square is always a highlight of our holidays. I am so glad we live close enough to go every year. I remember going as a kid and LOVE it. This year we got to go with the Crans who were visiting. John couldn't go and I was taking this picture.

The Elf on a Shelf is a tradition we started a few years ago. His name is "NotMe". He is very creative and the kids love him. He comes out on Thanksgiving and hides in a different spot every day. Every night he flies home to Santa to report on the kids.

 A new tradition this year. I wrap all of Christmas books, stories, poems. Each night starting December 1 the kids take turns picking one and we read it. We just started last night and they really like it. Nothing is new, but you never know what book you are choosing :)

*Thankful Turkey is drawn and goes on a wall first week of November. All month long we write things on there we are thankful for.
*Pumpkin roll for dessert on Thanksgiving and any other time
*Thanksgiving Day - set up Christmas, watch Elf and play charades.
*Temple Square Lights take trax and get cookies after
*The Elf on a Shelf - NotMe
*The Forgotten Carols - usually start right after Thanksgiving
*Wrap Christmas books and start reading December 1
*Buy a plain ornament bulb and write the highlights of our year on it (this is a new one I am excited to do each year)
*Go Christmas Caroling
*Starting December 1 "give" something every day to someone (Thank you to Brook and Dave for this idea). We are starting it this year.
*December 23 - birthday party for Joseph Smith and Jesus
*Christmas Eve movie and chinese food living room picnic
*Christmas Eve we are get new jammies!
*Christmas Eve make sugar cookies for Santa.
*Christmas Eve reindeer food
*Christmas Eve nativity play
*Kids get a new ornament every year - to be given when we set up the tree

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was a little more quiet than usual. It was just us and Dave and Carter and Jude. Brook was in CA with family. It was a good day, but kind of busy. The kids helped me set up Christmas that morning (they were so excited and so helpful). Then kids watched "Elf" - a new tradition to watch that every Thanksgiving. We ate about 3 so we could have dessert around 6 :)

Yep, even used paper plates :) 

And our Thanksgiving is not complete with out a game of charades. My sisters and I started this at some point and now my kids love doing it :) And the big kids love it too :)

A Surprise short visit

Miss Becky stopped by :) Becky is from our old Stake in Sacramento. We LOVE her. I got to know her when I was YW President and she was Stake Camp Director. We went to Girls Camp several years together. And she taught preschool from her home and that is where Jenna and Isaiah went before we moved. She was out in Utah Thanksgiving week and was literally passing through. She said my address was in her phone and she had no idea why because she does not have any bodies addresses in her phone. She just felt like she should stop by and say HI. So, she did. I was so so glad. It was great to see her for a few minutes. I miss her.

SNOW!!!!

I LOVE the SNOW!!! I really really do. I love watching it snow, I love playing in it, I don't mind driving in it, I love watching the kids play in it, I don't even mind shoveling it, and I love the peace it brings and the beauty of the white.

This past weekend it really snowed. We got more in 2 days than we had all last winter. I was in heaven.   Saturday the kids really wanted to go sledding. So we went back to our old neighborhood to the sledding hill in a friends backyard. I even talked Brook and Carter into coming too :) It was super fun. And it stopped snowing for a while too while we were out - which made it more fun for the kids and better for pictures. 

 Michael and cousin Carter.

 Abigail after spinning out.

 Jenna coming down the hill.

 Brook and I.

 Isaiah coming down.

 (Emma was doing homework and couldn't go sledding)

 Here is our house after most of the storm.

Michael, Jenna, Abigail and Emma playing in our  backyard yesterday.

Just Stuff

Sometimes I sit down to blog and have to look at any pictures I have taken so I know what we have been doing :) SO, this is it:

 Isaiah and cousin Lucas. We have LOVED our hammocks this Fall and I know we live in the right house when I can hang both of our hammocks up on trees :) 

 Abby and I had a date this week. We went to my favorite dessert place 'The Chocolate". It was nice to escape and spend some time with her. She is growing up so fast and proudly tells you she is almost 13 (in 5 months). 

 Rachelle and Ethan and I went on a morning hike yesterday. We have had great weather it was a beautiful day.  (although it is supposed to snow tomorrow). It was a real easy hike we have done before, earlier in the summer. But now it was pretty and Fall like. Except the water fall was pretty much non existent. 

Last night Abby had YW in Excellence. It was fun to go with her. She loves YW's and is learning so much. I am so grateful for that program.

Halloween 2012

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Life has been so crazy and halloween really snuck up on us. Gratefully I had a sister in law helping with costumes. And the Friday before halloween family took all the kids to a trunk or treat party. 

Here is Abigail as Hermione from Harry Potter.

Michael is Wesley from the Princess Bride, Jenna was a cat, Emma a witch and Isaiah a Ninja :) Until this picture I had no idea how much black all the kids had.

We had our new tradition of "table of terror" dinner (kids have a halloween menu and have no idea what they are ordering). And Brook and Dave came and we went trick or treating around our block. It was a fun night and we were happy John was feeling good enough to go trick or treating with us.

Another birthday

Actually we had 2 more birthdays :) Mine was Oct. 28 and Michael's was Oct. 30. We have 3 birthdays in 2 weeks in October and this year it was extra extra busy with John being sick and Jenna's baptism and family in town. I have NO pictures of my birthday and just a few of Michael's :( 

 Michael had a great day and took donuts to school. John was getting some tests done at the hospital and getting a PICC line in and we picked him up right after school.

Michael asked for peppermint brownies for his birthday - one of my favorites :) It makes so so much though. Michael got star wars bedding and was SO excited for it. Luckily for me I had done all the birthday shopping over a month ago. 

He had fun opening presents from family and friends and celebrating with family.

My birthday was on the Sunday before Michael's. It was also the kids primary program at church. I left with the kids to church and my mother in law and 2 sisters in law snuck in and decorated the house and set up birthday for me! I was so so surprised when we came home after sacrament meeting :) It was so fun. We were having a family brunch in between our primary program and Brook and Dave's primary program. It was a busy day and fun to have family over. We almost ended up at the hospital again (John had a fever). But luckily the PA said he could ride it out at home if it was getting better :) That was my favorite present. Thank you to every one for helping to make my day special.

Jenna was baptized

WOW - what a day? We have been planning this day for so long. We had no idea when we picked this day what would be going on in our lives :) Or that John would go into the hospital with pneumonia 2 days before. With lots of prayers and faith John was released from the hospital 4 hours before the baptism :) We were so so so glad and blessed that John was able to baptize his daughter.

 John and Jenna before the baptism.

Jenna and Papa.

With the craziness of the day this was all the pictures I have :( I was pretty much a single mom and had to get myself and all the kids ready, get treats ready for the baptism, go pick up John from the hospital, help him get ready, get Jenna ready, feed kids lunch, got to the church early, and set up. I am grateful for those that helped that morning - it was crazy. But, down side is pictures were not a priority. We were just so so glad John was there. He was able to baptize and confirm her, sing 2 songs and he was exhausted. He came home and rested the rest of the day.

I can't believe 4 of our 5 kids have been baptized - only one more to go.

Michael is a BOY SCOUT

Last Thursday night Michael got his Arrow of Light. The highest award you can get as a cub scout. He was so so so proud and it was a good night. 

 This is Bro. Roper from our Bishopric who welcomed him as he went across the bridge.

One of his fabulous leaders (Sis. Tindall) made this shadow box for him. We are so grateful to her.

The hardest thing about this night is that John was supposed to be there :( He went into the hospital that morning with pneumonia and they admitted him for a few days. John is the 11 year old scout leader and should have welcomed Michael on the other side of the bridge. It was a hard night for me. But I am so proud of Michael, he worked hard for his. AND I am super super grateful for a friend who filmed the whole thing for John :) One of those super nice things people just do.

Jenna is 8!!!!!

I can't believe my Jenna is 8! She was 3 1/2 when we were placed with her and was so little. Now she is a 8. She is a joy to have and is my biggest helper. I am so glad she is mine.

Thanks for family and friends Jenna had a great day. Her birthday was crazy and was the day we found out what John's cancer diagnosis really is. And we found out he would be going into the hospital the next day. It was so fun to focus on Jenna and let her have her special day.

Thank you so much to Aunty Brook for making her cake!

 From Aunty Emily.

 Her donut breakfast - thanks to Uncle Dave for picking them up.

And a robe from our great friends and neighbors the Andrus!

Now, to get ready for her baptism which is on Saturday :)

WE LOVE YOU JENNA MARISSA MICHELLE PHILPOTT!