Abby is 2 years old

Abigail turned two.  She picked out her balloons and we had a yummy strawberry/cream cake. It was a great day.  If you can't tell from this picture Abi is afraid of fire.  Last night at the fireworks she cried the entire time.  It wasn't the loud noises it was the explosions of light.  She buried herself in between Devin and I's legs.

Grandma's 80th Birthday

We had a fun open house for Grandma T this weekend. Lots of family and friends came to celebrate this special day with grandma. Their was a neat program where special talents were shared for Grandma. Dave presented Grandma with a book he made with her poems in it. She is such a great poet. Here is two of my favorites:
DAD—TO MINE- a teenage view

(1948)

Tis said that we neglect our Dad.  If this was true “twould indeed be sad.

But Dad has the favorite spot in heart and home and garden spot.

It’s Dad that gets the cozy chair.  At table – best glass and silverware.

The largest piece of pie he claims. A second helping is his aim

We pick the rosebuds just for Dad.  Of course we smile when he is glad.

His bed is best, his bath comes first.  But he thinks he is treated worst.

Oh yes, it’s Dad who pays the bills.  He calls the doctor and buys the pills.

He worries over this and that and still our Dad is getting fat.

The meal is served, when he can eat.  We suit his taste with fish or meat.

So though he claims to be the goat, He mans the ship and guides our boat.

FREEDOM

(DEC. 1970)

In one more year I’ll be free.  It seems almost impossible.  Oh, to be able to do what I want – sleep till noon – have the house stay clean for longer that it takes “two” to follow right behind undoing it all.  I might even begin my teaching career again, in another year, or at least start class to recertify again.

It seemed at every turn my thoughts were of the future when the last little one would be in school

How free I’d be.

The “now” seemed to drag along.  I guessed when a body reaches real mid-life, things begin to pull at the life strings.  There seemed to be one hard, impossible things to do after another.  With five children, how could I expect to have a clean house any of the time.  The future would really be an enlightenment.

Suddenly all was not going as I had planned in my mind.  My expectations seemed lost and vague.  I was plagued with flashes seen from two seemingly different worlds:  One of promised freedom – The other, uncertainty and chaos.

I don’t really remember what was said that day in that very special gathering.  I’ll never ever be able to deny the burning feeling that enveloped me as I sat and listened.  I was so completely overcome that my emotions escaped into the strains of the closing hymn, in quiet sobs.

My life made an abrupt turn at that moment.  There was no need to wait for dreamed future freedom, it had arrived into “now” on wings of song.  I was suddenly free to begin really living once more:  to put aside unimportant, petty wishes, and to surely begin my way back to more unselfish service to those around me.

How much happier I feel each day and how much more spiritually sure footed I feel in the small knowledge that once more We have been chosen to ready ourselves to become, co-creators with God.

            GST

 Love you Grandma!

Conrad's Birthday

The girls at the B-day party

Eating peach cobbler

Baby Lily (she is so small and cute)-Danny and Melissa's new baby girl

Homemade Corn dogs-way to thick I'll have to keep working on that recipe!

Birthday Boy-7 years old!

The Boy's cake for the fellers bake off-celebrating 100 years of scouting. They did this all by scratch-blueberry cake.

We went to my parents this weekend for family night so Conrad had a little birthday celebration with the Titensors and then tonight we invited over Deonne and Greg's family for peach cobbler.

We put up Conrad's height up on the wall and he is as tall as Traeden was at 5 years old. Crazy how much shorter he is, it will be interesting to see if Conrad shoots up later and get his height when he is older like Devin did.

Conrad 7th birthday poem

Can do anything he puts his mind to

Obedient

Not a procrastinator-(he likes to get his homework and jobs done quickly so he can play)

Really smart

Awesome violinist

Dedicated to friends and family

Today I was called as the ward organist and ward music coordinator. So I not only play the music but I will get to pick out the hymns and musical numbers. So I'm excited to have some new opportunities learn. I've always wanted to play the organ. At one time in my life I said that someday I would like to play in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. I don't know if that will ever happen but now I at least the opportunity to develop that talent.

Happy Birthday Traeden!

Today is Traeden's 8th Birthday.  We had a fun birthday party with his friends on Thursday Night. He chose to go to Chuckie Cheese.  Devin and I have decided to only have friend party's on the year our kids turn 5, 8, 12, and 16.  We of course will make all the other birthdays special at home with extended family.  We took 8 boys, and two vans to Layton.  They polished off two pizzas, unless soft drinks, and 200 tokens.  We had a great cake I made but didn't even have time to dig in so we are saving it for tonight with cousins and Grandma and Grandpa.  

When Traeden's Uncle Danny called to wish him happy birthday he asked him what time he was born and Traeden didn't know (I didn't either) so I thought I would look it up and write a little bit about his birth so I can share it with him.  

Journal Entry:  April 24, 2001

Mom suggested I write in my journal-Great idea.  Last week today the doctors visit was an unexpected shock.  My weight had gone up ab out 7 lbs in a week, my feet were way swollen and I had high blood pressure.  The doctor was very concerned and told me to lay down on my left side and come in again on Friday.  I said so lay down on Friday all day before I come in?  No- he said, from now until you have the baby I want you to lay down.  I was in shock but didn't understand the big deal until he got really serious and said if your blood pressure stays way up you could ultimately have a seizure and lose your baby.  So I decided to follow!  The first few days I kept myself busy reading.  I finished reading three books!  When Friday came the doctor was in delivering a baby so the nurse still had me come in and get my blood pressure taken.  It was higher then before!  but my feet were down and I lost five pounds.  The nurse said if the doctor comes back we will have you come back in.  Sure enough we went back in and had everything checked out.  My blood pressure was way down, I didn't have protein in my urine, I was dilated to a 1, 70% effaced, and baby's position was -2.  Doctor said he still wanted me to stay in bed until I had the baby.  I asked him if I could go to church and he said no.  

My labor Started at 4:00 am when I woke up wet.  I wasn't contracting on my own so once I got to the hospital the doctor started me on pitocin to move things along. 

Date:  April 26, 2001  Time:  8:10 pm  Weight 9 lbs 4 oz  Length:  21 in.   Traeden is a danish last name.  He is named after my Bishop growing up, Uffe Traeden who is just the nicest man. Traeden means thankful.  Devin and I picked out that name before I was even pregnant.  

We blessed Traeden on May 6th when he was only a week and a half old.  We wanted to bless him in before we moved.  

Traeden is a sweet boy.  Around the dinner table we all said things we love about Traeden and here is what was shared-

Traeden shares his toys with me-Conrad

Traeden plays with me-Samantha

He loves to share with others, even his candy-Mom

He is an excellent piano player and works hard at practicing-Grandpa O

He shares conversation with me-Grandma O

He is kind hearted-Devin

For his birthday dinner Traeden chose quesadillas and yogurt parfaits.