I GET to have TODAY

I have had too many friends in the not so distant past that have gone through unimaginable trials relating to their kids. In the blog world you can read about them and then you read about their friends that can relate and so on. It's hard to see how much sadness and unexplained death and grief is out there and in my very close friends lives. I feel so helpless! I want to say comforting words but have nothing that will dull their pain. Some of the feelings I have heard mentioned is "Why do bad Moms and teenage Moms and Moms that don't even want their children get to keep their kids and I have to lose mine?" I feel so badly for these Moms that have to ask these questions! I have no answers to these questions. The only One that knows is our Heavenly Father. In my daily prayers I often get stuck in vain repetition "nourish and strengthen our bodies" or thank thee for "today". Really? Today? What am I saying? What am i really thankful for? I want everyone that reads this to know that I have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that I know our Father in Heaven has a plan for us. Today, I am thankful for TODAY! I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for TODAY! I complain about my trails that are legitimate sometimes...But I have 3 beautiful, healthy, smart and loving children that I GET to raise. I GET to be a Mom and I love that calling. I hesitate when I say this because I feel like it may come across as insensitive to those that have lost children but I think they would rather hear me saying how incredibly blessed I feel to have my kids rather than what a pain it was fighting with Sydney today. I don't know why some get called home sooner than others but I do know that I am thankful for TODAY and the fact that tomorrow I will be tired when my alarm goes off because I GET to wake up and listen to Sydney whine about me getting the tangles out of her hair. I get to clean up the toys after Joseph destroys my house. And when Parker pukes on my carpet and poops in her pants, I GET to be the one to clean it up. I am thankful for TODAY.

Brace Face!

We look like such NERDS!

Sure? or Unsure?

Christmas Decor

I do realize I was the ONLY one to not post my decorations and I honestly feel awful about it! Instead I thought I'd post some "Winter" pictures. We went back to Traci's cabin and had so much fun as just our family of 5. We played in the snow, hiked down to the natural bridge, played games and went "exploring" in the back yard. Our little family needed a quiet vacation like this! I love you all and, again, I'm sorry about the lack of decor pictures.
Love, Amanda






ps. Is 3 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches what you would call excessive for one day? I had them for pre-breakfast, pre-lunch and post dinner/pre-bed. My hips seem to be fine so I'm thinking...a moment as a taste, forever on my waist? Unless you're Mom because in that case my waist is right below my under-wire. :) I Love you ALL! Goodnight!

Commandeered

The family couch blog has officially been taken over. I thought since it was a failed attempt at a family blog that Cody and I would use it for ours! It's only fair since he set it up. I will try and update it as much as I can. Love you!

Pray for Hormones

Well I guess no woman wants this except me- more hormones?? I got some blood work done and my hormones, both pregnancy and progesterone, are a little on the low end. Cody and I feel strongly about this pregnancy but we ask for faith and prayers that the hormones will rise quickly to what they need to be. Thanks! We love you! And TJ, how did you get that baby tracker thing on here last time? Can you do it again for us? My LMP was Dec 3 and my due date is technically Sept 11 but because of the grim thought of that day, I am going to say it is the 9th....I want to have it be 09-09-09 :) Anyway, we had a spiritual experience with Elder Worthland's last conference message. It is on the principle of compensation. He says that the Lord compensates us for our losses and the trials that we have to endure that are outside of our will or control. We know this to be true more than ever now- the month we lost our first baby is the very month that we will be having this one, almost to the very day. We love our Heavenly Father and are so thankful for the tender mercys He gives us. Love you all!

Christmas with Blaine's family

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas fun. 

Ben opening a lego bionicle. He is a whiz at putting them together. 

Roxy had the biggest present under the tree. It was a really big stuffed pony from Ben. He was such a good sport about getting her something so big when he knew she only got him slippers so without Ben knowing, Blaine snuck a pony for him in with Roxy's. (Plus they were 50 % off)
Blaine surprised me for the first time in nine years, he got me an ipod. I seriously had no idea. It was actually pretty fun being surprised. 
Some Christmas love:



Santa brought Roxy a new shirt that was perfect for her, it says less is more and has a recycle symbol on it. 
Every year Santa brings Blaine hobnobs from England, then he shovels them into his mouth.
On Christmas evening we chatted with the Arizona crew via Internet. How very James Bond/Agent Smart of us. 
The day after Christmas we went to Ben and Diannia's house and had dinner with Aunt Deanne and their fam. Here is Roxy and Finn laying on the love sac together.
Deanne and Chad
We had a great Christmas this year, everything was perfect. The kids really remembered Christ well even with all the Santa stuff. We hope you all had a great time too.