Jamie Hamblin

Happy Birthday Nora

2011-11-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

Although my heart is full today... I feel my saviors love.

Love you Nora... Happy Birthday

1st week of November sucks

2011-11-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling guilty lately. Like I'm not honoring Nora in the way I should. I wish we had a bigger party for her on her birthday. I wish I could see her again, even if for a moment. Even if it was in a dream or something... anything. I miss her.
I was brave enough to watch her ultrasound video today. Yeah. I lasted about 2 minutes before I broke down with tears streaming down my face... wondering to myself why I had put that darn DVD in the player. I guess I just wanted to see her ALIVE. I still question my strength. Why Heavenly Father thought that I was strong enough to handle this. I think back at all of the infertility we went through and how many times I got a needle with hormones injected in my butt... just to have it all taken away. I don’t get it. How could I be strong enough to handle that.
No, I know what you are thinking... I have Crue so everything should be better. Not at all. I have three children though you wouldn't know it to look at me. . 3 wonderful children who I love. I think it’s funny how people think Crue can just replace Nora... no one can ever replace a loss of a child. Or even better, I hear... “At least you were prepared for her loss. Other parents loose their baby without warning” Oh so the fact that I got to walk around pregnant with my baby knowing that she would die no matter what we did makes it all better. I would have taken those 2 months of happiness over anything.
As you might tell, I’m dealing with anger this week. I’m angry that she isn’t here, angry that I still get to have phantom kicks, angry that Beckham wasn’t allowed in the hospital to meet her.
When I was pregnant with Nora things were really good...I mean for me personally, I felt like I was doing really well in most aspects of my life. Things that I had struggled with before were not really a problem. I was in a really good place emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Heck I went through months of trying to get a baby and I was finally going to have a baby girl. Then my baby died and that latter that I'd been climbing so hard just knocked me all the way to the ground. Heck below the ground. Try 6 feet under. I started struggling mentally and emotionally again, and I didn’t have the strength to fight it this time...I was dealing with my daughter's death.
And so I sit here now feeling like I'm still trying to work my way up that ladder again. In some ways I still feel beaten down, like I'm barely getting off the ground again. Its really frustrating. Of course we are stronger in some areas because of it. There are some wonderful things that have come and still come from this experience, people I've met, opportunities I've had...but right now I'm just feeling sad. Angry. Hurt.

I miss you Nora.

Blogs

2011-02-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

I have a love hate thing with blogs... I find myself surfing crafting/DIY blogs for like 30 mintues a day and for what?

To do a craft that I'll never finish? Or to get mad about all of the great gifts the hosts get.

recently Silhouette company gave away 64 machines... oh and 32 only went to readers.. the other half went to the hosts who already get paid for their blogs. Ugh just having one of those love hate days!

Digital Scrapbooking retreat!

2011-01-04T09:17:00.001-08:00

GO here to learn more.

SANTA

2010-12-15T07:57:00.000-08:00

Well still no pictures.. but we did meet santa!

Boys

2010-12-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

So you think that having a photography business would mean that you get tons of pictures of your newborn, but it totally doesn't. I find myself everynight thinking "man, I needed to try and get a few shots" But everynight comes and goes and we still don't have very many pictures... I did however get at least 2 yesterday before Crue started crying and telling us he's had enough!

Wish me luck today!

GG Digital Designs- A deal a day

2010-12-01T15:05:00.001-08:00

Just a heads up on gg digital designs current offer! Be sure to check everyday for some crazy deals!

Also check out the newest kit Christmas time. Perfect for those holiday pictures!

Here is the page I did with the kit.

Crue Justin Hamblin

2010-11-24T15:27:00.000-08:00

The birth story of our son Crue Justin Hamblin.

I still can’t believe that our son is finally here... I have no idea what my rush was because I’m so tired with my lack of sleep lol. Thankfully I’ve found enough energy to write his birth story.
Monday the 15th of November I had a doctor appointment that I was not looking forward to. I for sure thought that our doctor would say that I’d have to have a c-section but thankfully I dilated enough to have my water broke.
I was so excited you have no idea... I went straight home and started nesting like crazy! I vacuumed, dusted, moped, did laundry and packed the hospital bags. I don’t know if it was the cleaning or the fact that my brain knew that he was coming tomorrow no matter what but I started having contractions. All through the night I was having contractions and by 5 am I told Justin to get up because I think that we needed to head to the hospital. He talked me into staying and eating breakfast so while he got over at Justin’s horrified eyes thinking that I was going to die of pain lol. Because there were 4 the last hour of sleep I walked the house in pain... it wasn’t shortly after that I lost my plug... and let’s just say how disgusting! We were scheduled for 7 am. I know that’s so early for us but we were able to make it to the hospital and on time.
We got there and butterflies were starting to turn in my stomach. I knew that this was it. For some reason I kept telling myself that something would happen and that we’d have another stillborn. I know, my brain does that sometimes. We were quickly moved into our birthing room and hooked up and ready to go. The doctor came in at around 9 and broke my water.... and when she checked me I was already a 3+ as apposed to yesterdays 1and a half. As soon as she broke my water she said to get the epidural and I thought that man, these aren’t too bad, I can handle this. So I opted not to have the epidural right away. I always thought that you didn’t progress fast when you got the epidural. But that was an old wives tale because I went pretty fast. By 12 I was ready for that epidural. I still remember looking of us being induced I had to wait my turn for the epidural. Now I know why my doctor said to get it now and not to wait. Finally the anesthesiologist came in around one and I was so happy to see her. With the epidural in I was feeling better but I still could feel the contractions. Time felt like it went by so much faster... next thing you know it was 2:45 and I was ready to start pushing. I was pushing with the nurse for 15 minutes and by the time the doctor came in I was almost done... I was so wrong about pushing, I thought that you only pushed like 5 time and the baby came out.... I didn’t realize that it was like 5 rounds of pushing 4 times for 15 seconds each.
At 3:13 our beautiful son was half way out but the cord was wrapped around his neck so I had to stop pushing. Finally everything was great again and I gave the final push. He was born at 3:15 and was completely perfect. I was worried when He didn’t start crying.... because a baby's cry is the most beautiful thing in the world at that moment. When the doctor was cleaning his air ways he just looked around really content.
She then placed him on my stomach and I was able to hold him and marvel at him until he started peeing on the doctor, then I was laughing.

Finally he was all cleaned up and I was able to really cuddle him.

I swear I was holding Beckham too. It was surreal to look at him those first few moments. He looked exactly like Beckham. Justin and I took a few minutes to thank our heavenly father before we had Beckham come in. Also we were thinking of a name still. We finally decided on Crue. We chose Crue because we wanted to name one of our kids after Clair, Justin’s dad. His middle name is Rue and so we took his first letter and middle name and combined them. Which gave us Crue.
When Beck did come in it was the most sweetest thing ever. He came in with this big smile just waving at the baby. He couldn’t wait to give him hugs and kisses, just look at him here...

All in all it was great and life couldn’t be better, well maybe more sleep could be better but it’s so worth it. Every yawn and every ache in my body doesn’t matter because we have Crue.

It’s amazing how he’s healed my heart in ways I didn’t think possible.

Crue Justin Hamblin
Tuesday, November 16th
3:15pm
8 lbs 3oz
22 inches long

Always me... or NOT!!! UPDATED!

2010-11-15T08:55:00.001-08:00

Do you ever feel like everything always happens to you and don't know why?

Well this pregnancy has made me think that.... let me re-phrase that. Because all I wanted was a VBAC and it's looking like I’m not getting my one wish I feel like it's always me! I've been patient. I've been prayerful. I've been calm. I just feel like I can't take another trial right now... I thought "Hey maybe I'll get a break for a bit"

Why in the world do I think I should get a break? If I got a break that means that Heavenly Father didn't care about me and so I know that He does care and He's constantly pushing me for the good. I just wanted this one thing to go my way and I'm being a baby about it.

I need to start not comparing myself to others... I do that way too much and this is what always happens. I get down and depressed. Church didn't help yesterday either...

No joke everyone I saw said "you're still pregnant?!" The first few people who said it to me was fine but after everyone it got really old and I just wanted to say "It's not that hard to look at my belly and see that" I know that people don't want to make you depressed it's just when you are so emotional as it is and you go to church to try and focus on the Lord rather than a silly delivery and instead you get reminded of the thing you would like to keep on the back burner for a few hours it's hard. I couldn't even face relief society... I almost walked in, I peeked my head in and saw that there were no seats and said "Ha! it's a sign to just wait in the hall" Good thing I had a few friends to keep my mind busy.

I cried so long yesterday after church poor Justin thought "What happened to my wife... After church you should come home feeling good" I did feel grateful that I went... the primary program touched my heart and I'm glad that I got to see Beckham up on stage for awhile. I'm also glad that I went because that was officially my last Sunday for a few weeks. Taking the sacrament was a good reminder for me. The real reason we go to church. It was just after sacrament meeting that I didn't enjoy too much lol.

I so am not looking forward to the doctor today. I know what she is going to tell me, "Sorry Jamie, you're still a 1... it's time for the c-section" I was teasing yesterday and said “Hey, I could pull out the tears and see if that would help” but I think she'll get them either way and she's that type of doctor that I think it wouldn’t phase her one bit

Ugh I'm sad today too because of Harry Potter.... Yes, harry potter, wipe the confused looks off your face because you read that right. I've ALWAYS gone to the mid-night showing of Harry Potter... my sister and I are kinda obsessed and this year I just had to tell my mom to sell my tickets. We have the best seats ever too! I keep saying if I have the baby today I could make it... but I’d be just getting out of the hospital and that wouldn't be fun at all... so I’m having to sell them. Knowing Justin he'll take me to it another time and it will be more special because it will be with him. :) Again it's just my mind thinking that... ugh it always happens to me.

Darn mind. Stop making me sad!
Well most likely this will be my last post until I have news to share... Hopefully news that I got to have my VBAC and that he's healthy and has a name LOL. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that I'll still get my VBAC. I still have faith believe it or not.

I am going to miss being pregnant though... and this is one of the reasons....

I've had this for 9 months too... wait 10 months LOL

Well now I’m so embarrassed....

I went to the doctor an emotional wreck today and boy what an experience. I said a quick prayer before the doctor came in to let me accept Heavenly Father's will and that I will be happy that I'm even getting a baby! It came out good news.... I've progressed and so I get to be started tomorrow morning at 7! I'm still in shock and I am just so excited. (Not about the 7 though... ouch that’s early for the Hamblin’s)

Yesterday in our Sunday school class... the Bishop gave good council. Do what you should now before you get tempted by Satan. I've been on my knees asking for forgiveness that Heavenly Father will forgive me. I shouldn't have doubted Him... I need to remember to put Him first no matter what... to always trust Him because He always does what's best for us. I could have saved a lot of tears, stress, and grief if I would have done that first.

So everyone.... learn from my mistake! Be an optimist and trust the LORD!

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Alma 37:33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Not a worry in the world!

2010-11-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

So still no baby....

After my appointment yesterday I feel more calm and relieved. Our doctor was nice enough to let us go another week of hoping and praying that I go into labor on my own.

A lot of people have asked a lot of questions so I'll answer the top 5.

1. Why can't they start you? It's too dangerous to start me apparently.. I've already begged her, but I'd rather be safe then sorry.

2. Why were you able to be started with Nora then? She had already passed so the danger was really low.

3. When is the day if you have a c-section? Sometime late next week. Not sure yet...

4. Do you have a name? Nope... we can't decide/agree

5. Where are you delivering? Davis if it's a regular delivery and Ogden Regional if it's a c-section.

I actually woke up this morning with the worst cold ever so not having the baby quite yet is fine by me. I can barely keep my head up let alone the duties of a new baby. This week I've been really calm and okay with whatever happens (I know Justin's blessing has helped in my feelings towards that too) and I only feel peace.

I've been thinking a lot about Nora, a year ago today I was in the hospital right now preparing for one of the most emotional experiences of my life. I've been so worried all along with this pregnancy that I would go into labor either today or tomorrow and that was my worst fear... would I be able to handle it? Would I freak out over every little thing? Will I wish that I was holding Nora instead of this little baby? But after the blessing I received yesterday I know that I am strong enough to do this. I know that Heavenly Father will be there to look out after me. Just hopefully it's not the 24 hour labor that I had! Yikes wouldn't that be awful? I can't believe that it's been a year! It went by so fast... maybe it just feels that way because I miss and think about her everyday. We have pink balloons and pink mini cupcakes to send up to heaven tomorrow for her birthday and Beckham is so excited. He can't wait to go to the grave and "see my baby Nora" as he puts it. Let's just hope the balloons can carry the cupcake. ;)

Anyway so today I haven't a worry in the world. I have the faith that the Lord will be there for us and that He's going to be looking out after us. I just wish I would have thought about this last week... I think that I took 10 years off my life with me worrying.

Lame

2010-10-28T09:34:00.001-07:00

So for sure I would have thought that the baby would be here by now....

But nope.. nothing.. notta thing!

So our doctor won't let us have a regular delivery unless I continue to dialate... Okay i've been a freaking 1 for months now. MONTHS! You would think with all of my running around, lawn moving, house cleaning, walking, running, jumping, craziness and nesting that I would have budged a little but nope.

I so don't want another c-section.... I mean come on. Let me just do this the way women have been doing it for years!

If anyone has advice please let me know!

Oh yeah and I only have until Monday... otherwise it's a c-section. :(

Not enough time

2010-10-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

Did anyone see these beauties over at Tatertots and Jello?

If not have you picked your chin off the floor yet? I seriously want to make some so bad... but there isn't enough time in the day for me :( Just thought that I'd share some pumpkin envy!

General Conference Oct 2010

2010-09-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

We all know what a struggle it is to keep young ones busy while we listen to conference. Well this conference I've been determined to have enough things for Beckham to do to stay quiet and hopefully listening.

First I really enjoyed the packets over at sugardoodle because they are age specific. I actually printed out the entire nursery age packet and then a few pages here and there in the junior primary packet.

also a little tipsy has a cute pumpkin page here.

lds.org has a few pages too... but I think that they are a little too hard for beck, although he loves coloring activities like the missionary one they have.

One more from the idea door just because!

I think with that and a few non-church related coloring books we'll be set.

One of the other things you need during conference is snacks! Here are a few things I'll be making to keep Justin and Beckham happy... okay me too! LOL

My Awesome Aunt's Caramel Popcorn

2 large bowls of popped corn (best if done with oil in a pan over the stove)

1 cup butter
1/2 cup light Karo syrup
2 cups brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Combine Karo, milk, and butter in medium sauce pan. On medium heat, bring to boil. Boil until "soft ball" stage.

Poor over popcorn and mix.

Also because I don't wanna be standing in front of the stove all day I always do something in the crock pot and Wendy's chili sounds really good right now!

Another thing that we are going to do is on Saturday right after the last session we go to jamba juice to get a "You were so good" treat! On Sunday grandma has treats for the kiddo's after conference so I'm good not to worry about that!

Any who! I hope that these links helps someone!

Loves and Hugs

Jamie

Baby Room

2010-09-27T10:48:00.000-07:00

So do you all remember how I was going to stencil the room? Well Justin the sweet hubby that he is, talked me out of it! Instead, I just painted it cream and did some board and batten that is really trendy right now. I'm going to have a lot of blue, red and green accents so hopefully I can mask the affect of beige walls. Justin did have a good point, if I stenciled it blue I would want to change it in a couple of years... this way I can change this room into the bedroom for the boys when they start sharing the same room and it won't be "baby nursery"... it will be more grown up!

I had progress pictures that somehow got misplaced so I'm starting from here.

Last week we painted the crib blue and the dresser blue! So watch for the photos!

I need to get off my blue itch or else the entire room will look like cookie monster barfed in it!

Any who happy home updating! Did I mention that we're slowly changing the living room? Yeah.... I'm doing as much as I can before the baby comes because we all know what happens when kids arrive... plus not to mention the holidays coming up!

Ugh moment

2010-09-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

I was making muffins the other day for Megan’s bridal shower and my mind was wandering thinking about things. I don't know why or how but I got thinking about Nora and somehow she just popped into my mind. I miss her so much.

Will someone please tell me “How in the WORLD am I still alive after that, how did I live through that without becoming completely messed up?!" Wait, maybe I am. During the shower I saw a lot of people in our old ward and they brought up Nora. It was so hard to talk about her without wanting to cry. I don’t know why either.... usually I’m SO happy when people remember our daughter. Then it happened the thing that I HATE most!!!! People start saying man those Hamblin’s just have all boys! I just want to seriously scream at the top of my lungs and say “Are you really that dumb” There is a girl in our family, just because she isn’t with us in human form doesn’t mean that she doesn’t exist or that we never had her. It drives me crazy that people just disregard her. Especially when my own family does it. Justin and I look at each other when people do it and he knows that it just breaks my heart. He’s mentioned how that really hurts me to his family and they must have forgot because they do it all the time when people ask about my pregnancy. I shouldn’t let it bother me so bad but it really does. It really makes me want to curl up in a ball and cry. We still miss Nora and we still have our struggles everyday. I just don’t get it when people think that I should be over it and that it’s okay to say hurtful things.

When you're pregnant everyone asks if this is your first and I ALWAYS say 3rd no matter who it is. I wish that my family wouldn’t say “oh this is her second” because then people ask "are you having a boy or girl?" and I say "boy" then they proceed to say.... "don’t worry, you’ll get a girl someday"...I ALREADY have one people! Then the family goes into the “Well at least we get to pick the girls in our family, because we don’t have any that are born into the family” Then the curling up into the ball comes over my body because they just disregarded Nora again which is like a stab in the heart!

Ugh I wish that she was here. Beckham misses her too. Every night when he says his prayers, he’ll pray that he can play with her and that she is having fun with tonto and his 2 lizards and that she’s safe. It’s so sweet to see him remember her. Every time a balloon is released or accidentally let go he’ll say “mommy, mommy look Nora get’s another balloon” He’s asked about her birthday coming up and asked if we are going to do something for her birthday. I love how children just get it and how they have the sweetest thoughts. Thank heavens for my 2 amazing boys that look after me and take care of my emotional mess. Love you Babe and I love you Beck!

I just wish I could hold her again, just for moment, so I could remember how very real she is. I miss her.

Soccer

2010-09-08T08:41:00.001-07:00

Beckham had his first ever soccer game last night and was it cute or what!? After 40 minutes of play, about 10 kids running off the field crying because the other kid took the ball away (beckham included but he was crying because he needed a drink LOL) and 3 scored goals later it was over.

Here is the conversation we had after the game..

ME: Beck did you have fun?
BECK: Yeah, it was fun.

ME: Why were you crying?
BECK: I was hot and thirsty.

ME: Why didn't you run over and get a drink?
BECK: Cause I was playing mom

JUSTIN: What was your favorite part?
BECK: Um, I donno...

ME: What do you mean you don't know?
BECK: I liked it all

JUSTIN: That's good.
BECK: Yeah... Can I open my treats?

LOL I seriously think that the treats are his favorite part. He's not sure about kicking the ball away from other kids yet.

It's so funny I think.... all growing up we teach kids to share and play nice, to take turns and be friends. But in soccer we are telling them to take the ball away and to do this and do that. It was funny to see all of the kids react in a way that is somewhat the behavior of them thinking... "Okay, if I take the ball away I am going to get in trouble so I'll wait until he kicks it far"

Here are a few pics of the game!

Click to enlarge

We had a birthday Shout Hooray!

2010-08-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

I can’t believe that my baby is 4! It seems that only yesterday we were bringing him home... but enough with the sad mommy stuff and let’s get on with the ever massive picture post!

So when I asked Beckham what kind of party he wanted he was quick to answer and said Dinosaur!

Here is the dinosaur that greeted the guests along with his invitation that we framed up!

What would a party be without decorations? We had dinosaur tracks everywhere!

We had dinosaur noise makers!

A few non-related decorations

After the peeps arrived we played a few games!

For this game we made our own fossils! (stamped our hands in cement)

We whacked at a dinosaur!

Then we had a fossil to excavate!
(these little babies we found at the dollar store! Score!)

We opened a few gifts!

Had some delicious mud cake and cupcakes

(this was wrapped around my glass bowl! There was no way I was going to attempt to pipe his name in frosting!

Snaped a few pictures

And gave away some favors!

attached to the favors were a Rex juice box, 3-D dinosaur book, extra cupcakes and their party hat! There was also a dinosaur gummies and fruit roll-up but I wasn't fast enough to snap a picture! LOL

All in all it was a great party!

All of the decorations that I made up were made from the kit prehistoric by gg digital designs.

Move into the county Gonna eat a lot of peaches!

2010-08-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

So my grandpa has apricots and sweet peaches coming out of the wa-zoo! Literally. Two days ago we picked over 150lbs of apricots and you can't even tell. Anyone want apricots? Here is the huge lug we brought home to share with Justin's family.

So what to do with all of these apricots? We usually make apricot jam, juice (my favorite), dried apricots that are de-lish and we do some canning. Seriously though, after peeling that many apricots I get bored really quick. Good thing I have help on the canning today!

As for peaches, well that's a different story! I have tons of recipes that call for fresh peaches. I made not one, but 2 fresh peach pies today! Look at my Becky homemaker skills!

After making the pies I still had a ton of peaches left over so I decided to make a peach smoothie. Then I realized that I had a ton of raspberries in the garden so I made me a raspberry-peach smoothie for me and Beckham! He was very happy!

Can you believe that still, after all of that, I have a ton of peaches left over!? I'm going to have to freeze them and save them for future smoothies~ I get more peaches today too! I bet I bring home another 40lbs! No joke...

With sweet peaches or "cling" peaches you can't really put them up (can them) because they cling to the peach nut and peeling them can be very difficult. So we use them for the baking, eating, freezing, jam, and late night snacks. The canning peaches hopefully won't be ready for another month or so... because I'm kinda tired of peeling peaches to be honest.

Happy Birthday Babe!

2010-08-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else call their hubby babe? I know that my sister Michelle calls her husband baby. Beckham actually started calling me Babe there for awhile. Maybe it's just a family thing.

Any ways... I wanted to share some of the photos we have of Justin's birthday retreat. His uncle Doug was generous enough to let us stay in his cabin up Logan canyon for the weekend and boy did we have fun! I think that the best part of the cabin is that we are so close to Bear Lake, Franklin Basin, red banks and tons of cool fishing locations.

We decided to take beckham to the usual "guaranteed to catch a fish" spot and it was successful yet again! Beckham was able to catch 2 fish with the help of casting from daddy and grandpa.

After fishing we headed back to the cabin for some Oreo Ice Cream cake! It was Delicious!

Wall Design

2010-08-04T15:14:00.000-07:00

So I finally settled on a design for the baby's room! After looking for days and days, visiting many wallpaper stores, and convincing Justin that it was cool for a boys room here she is!

I'll be posting on how to make your own stencil soon... so stay tuned. It'll be sometime in 2 weeks because the family and I are going to st. George for the week~

As for the color... maybe we'll be able to decide on that one faster.

Updating the House

2010-07-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

So slowly but surly Justin and I are finally starting to re-do each room in the house... room by room. When we first moved into the house... (ahem over 2 years ago) that was our plan but you know how those plans go... they never go according to plan. I just finished re-upholstering the couch finally and now I feel I can move on. The first room that we are tackling is the babies room! I've been inspired by so many pictures on the web and I thought that I'd share them. The problem is just settling on my favorite.

So I for sure want to have a design on the walls but I can't decide yet. Hopefully I can figure out what I want soon because we've already got the paint! Look at this cool wall though. I like the idea the only problem is that it's so dark!

Anyone ever say never paint the ceiling? (mom) Well when I was in the design school forever ago it was either you did it and it was awesome or didn't. I personally like ceilings painted. It can seriously make a room so much more interesting! Like for example this room. No baby mobile needed for this room, I'm loving the black and yellow!

When I saw this on the crafting chicks blog I thought you creative little thing~ I love decor that is on the cheap! Because let's be honest in 4 years I'm going to want to change it. I think something like this would be so cool over the crib.

Or something like this with the name spelled out.

Do I really have to comment on this one? I LOVE IT~

Bountiful Parade Scare

2010-07-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

So we had quite the excitement on Friday night! Here is the article.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

BOUNTIFUL — Spectators had a scare at Bountiful's Handcart Days parade Friday when two motorcycles collided, sending one bike into a crowd of onlookers.

Eight Utah Highway Patrol officers were riding motorcycles in the parade when two of the bikes collided as they performed a maneuver, said UHP Lt. Bob Anderson.

About 5:45 p.m., the two motorcycles sideswiped each other near the intersection of 900 South and Main, causing the bikes to fall over.

Bountiful resident Brad West saw the accident and said the officers had just started to weave in and out when the two collided.

"It happened pretty quick," West said. "The two hit, and the momentum just carried the motorcycle and the driver into the crowd."

One young girl was slightly burned by a motorcycle's exhaust pipe when the vehicle slid into the crowd of people watching the parade, Anderson said. The girl's injuries were minor, and her parents took her to be treated, he said.

One of the troopers was later taken to a Murray hospital for treatment of minor cuts and scrapes.

The two motorcycles were pulled from the street and did not continue in the parade.

Anderson said Bountiful police are investigating the incident.

— Josh Smith
Deseret News

A 5-year-old girl was injured when two Utah Highway Patrol motorcycles collided during the Bountiful Handcart Days parade Friday night, sending one motorcycle skidding into the crowd.

The troopers were doing a maneuver near 600 N. Main St. as part of the Highway Patrol’s entry in the parade when one motorcycle clipped the other about 6:30 p.m., said Bountiful police Cpl. Kerry Bell. The girl suffered a burn on her thigh. Her parents took her to Lakeview Hospital, where she was treated and released.

The crash did not halt the festivities, Bell said. Neither trooper was hurt.
-SLT

Just to let you know my cousin's daughter is doing good. She had the cutest little wrap on her leg yesterday and was doing well. I was telling her that not many people can say they've been ran over by a highway patrol man. Something for the journals for sure!

Food! Enough said

2010-07-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

So being out of the nausea stage has made me CRAVE food! Also it has helped me actually go through and retype some recipes that had nasty food stains on them. (anyone have the same problem? Or am I just a messy cook) any who here are a few I thought that I'd share. A couple of them are from my chef friend Deanne who was nice enough to share them with me.

Speaking of food and sharing... anyone interested in a recipe swap? When my other dear friend Amy lived a few houses down we would get together with a few other gals from our ward (Deanne included) and have lunch and sometimes swap recipes. Oh how I miss that! That’s how I have the banana bread and beer rocks recipe. I’m telling you... good stuff is shared.

If not I understand... just don't blame me if somehow your recipe book is missing! Ahem.... Deanne, Alexis, Jill, Heather, Amber, Tiffany... yes Arbuckle you too I still have dreams about those chicken enchiladas you fed me! There are so many good cooks around me I feel left out of the fun... Justin claims I make good food, I think he’s being nice to his wife! Another good cook is Crystal N. But she’s not in the blogging world (I don’t think) and she’ll never see this! See we so need to start doing mothers lunches again!

Wondering how to print these recipes...

Click on image to get larger size > right click save to desktop > upload them to walmart/Sams/Costco or who ever you use as a 4x6 and wow you did it!

GG Digital Designs Challenges

2010-07-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hey friends and family can you believe that I'm posting again so soon? Crazy huh. Well I just wanted you all to know that I'm in charge of the color challenge over at gg digital designs blog. The challenges are pretty easy all you have to do is scrap! If you win you get a 5 buck gift card towards the shop and if you complete ALL THREE challenges you could win a $10 gift card.

I thought that some of ya'll might be interested so go on over here to check it out!

oh here is the page I did...

Fourth of July!

2010-07-13T09:53:00.001-07:00

We had a great 4th!

Because Clearfield and Layton celebrated on different days... we had an extra long Holiday. First we hit up Clearfields festivities and had a blast! Then on Sunday we went to one of Layton City's free concerts in the park with my grandpa which was pretty cool because they were honoring World War 2 vets. BTW some of the upcoming concerts look pretty neat. They used to have free movies in the park once a week also that was pretty fun for kids! Any who on Monday it was Layton celebratin' and all I have to say is one of the BEST firework shows I've ever seen from them!

Here is a page I did about the Clearfield parade... I haven't had time to do anymore.

Credits: GG digital Designs Lil Firecracker Kit

Now I'm looking forward to our traditional 24th celebrations... the Bountiful Parade and Bee's Game. Hope everyone is having a great summer like us!

Doctors

2010-06-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

Ugh so my "female" Doctor that I've had since... heck junior High is moving! I'm so so so sad! I mean I have her personal cell phone number, how many doctors get that close to patients?

So now here I am 5 months pregnant and I have to go doctor shopping! I have to trust someone I just met with delivering my baby safely! I've been kinda stressed can you tell? Any who here are a few names that I have and I wanted to see if anyone has them... if they like them... and so on.

Julia Johansson- Circle of Life
Jed Naisbitt- Circle of Life (he delivered me ha ha I was his 2 ever delivery)
Karen Boheen- Layton tanner clinic I think?

Any who there they are, if you know them, have them, please let me know~

So funny story for the gals that read this. So do you know when you go to the "female" doctor and you have to pee in the cup? Well Justin couldn't come to the last appointment so Beckham came with me and he was in the restroom when I had to pee in the cup then he saw me send it through the wall and he kept looking at me funny. We proceeded with the appointment and after I was done he told me he had to go potty. So I opened the door and waited outside in the hall. Well he was taking forever so I walked in and he was naked, I thought that he was going to go number 2 (yes he has to be naked to go! SO annoying... he doesn't want to get poo on his clothes he says. We were at a friends house having dinner and next thing you know beckham is running to the potty naked. Anyone have pointers?) So anyways I told him that he couldn't go poop here naked and that he had to keep his clothes on but he looked at me with the most focused face and said "no mom, I have to send my pee through the wall, you can't put it in the potty here" I started laughing and did everything I could to stop him but all in all he sent his pee through the wall. The ladies on the other side were laughing so hard and told me not to worry about it. Justin is so going next appointment!

New Sidebar

2010-06-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Did anyone notice the new sidebar?

Now that you've scrolled down and screamed. I'll tell you the whole story!

March was really hard for me. Constantly getting calls from the Hospital making sure that I had everything in order for the coming birth of Nora. (Ya you’d think that they knew I had a stillborn, but apparently the maternity ward had miss placed my papers) So with the calling and constant reminders it was really hard. But we also got to see one of the Lords Tender Mercies. He knew how hard March would be and so He has blessed us with a pregnancy. Can you believe it? I still can’t. We weren’t even “trying” and weren’t going to for a few more months so we could give our broken hearts a rest. But the Lord knew something we needed and blessed us. He doesn’t stop there either, I’m due November 10 and our doctor says she wants to take us a week early which means I’m due on Nora’s birthday. It still gives me chills to think about that. I know how hard November is going to be and so does the Lord, so He gave us a gift.

That still doesn’t take away that this a nerve-wracking experience. I have faith, but having faith still doesn't take away all the uncertainty. For me its like, yes I have faith, faith in God's will, but I don't know what that will is, what if His will is to take this one too? That would be so hard, but at the same time I know that if that’s His will that is what is best in the eternal scheme of things. I know that Heavenly Father understands it all and that gives me comfort. He knows how I feel and I’m always in His best interest. I’m trying not to worry TOO MUCH but I have my moms genes so that doesn’t help... LOL. (Yes mom you are a worry wart) I’m currently 20 weeks. We have had a many doctors appointments and there is a heartbeat and a “Strong baby” according to all of our doctors. We are so excited and I pray that everything will go well with this one!!

When Justin was away on business last week the baby’s kicks stared to get stronger and on Saturday Justin felt the baby for the first time. I was so happy. He never could feel Nora and to this day I still feel guilty about that. I feel sad because I was the only one who could feel her when she was alive.

Only a close few knew that I'm pregnant. I bet I could still go a few more weeks at church before people start getting wandering eyes towards my belly. Justin thinks that I'm pushing it. What do you think?

Not big eh? What if I show you the progress though...

Now you can tell! Besides I think that I can start telling people... we're past the so called "Safe stage".

We had another appointment today and it was our "big" ultrasound. Everything looked great. No concerns for the doctors. It was so surreal getting good news for once. The sad thing though was that when we walked out of the ultrasound room... the “scary room” was occupied. The room where bad news is given. I could see the couple there sitting on those dreadful seats crying. I wanted to just tell them that I knew how they felt and although it’s so difficult it gets a little better with time. I pray that they find some comfort. I was really nervous for this appointment. This was the appointment when we found out that Nora had passed. This is the week that I lost her so I've been so nervous. But all is well and I can try to be happy and not worry again!

Here are a few shots of the little bean....

Trying to tell if it was a boy or girl was really hard. The baby was in a weird position not to mention its arm over its face...

But the verdict is in and....

We are so excited! To be honest I'm relieved that it's a boy. If I were to have a baby girl on Nora's birthday I think that would have been too much for me. Again the Lord knew exactly what we needed. The only bad thing about a boy is that Justin and I are going to have to compromise on a name. We had a girl name.. of course. But for the boy we both have our favorites, well he does. We are both thrilled that we having everything too. Wow I don't have to buy anything... I don't think. Maybe a few onsies but that's it!

Any who I love you all and I'll keep you posted about this baby! Still can't believe it! :)

Scrapbooking

2010-06-17T13:15:00.001-07:00

So I've been apart of the challenges at gg digital designs and this challenge going on right now is so fun! I love color challenges... it makes me be creative and it also helps me move along with my pages faster. Here is the page that I did.

Also her latest kit is pretty cute if I might say so...

Go here to check it out.

What a Week

2010-06-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Seriously this week has been so Blah... it's like the re-enactment of the week Justin's grandma died.

It started out so frantic and crazy. My Sisters wedding was the biggest headache. The night before her wedding we were frantically getting things ready that she should have done MONTHS before... (That's right Jen MONTHS! LOL) Then on the day of her wedding, we couldn't find the music for her reception, couldn't get the slide show to work, and people who said they would didn't show up to help decorate. So half of her decorations weren't even seen because they weren’t put out. Did I mention that her new husband didn’t show up to the reception until 7:10 and it started at 6:30, so we didn’t get any pictures. (Note to people planning a wedding... Go to a reception hall. Seriously I don't think Jenny and Shaun realized how much stress it put on everyone)
Our wedding was so nice... we all just showed up at 5 for pictures, ate a little then after the reception was over we all just left and the people who decorated it cleaned it all up. No stress no mess.
After her wedding, 1 day in fact, My mom, sister and I came down with the worst food poising EVER. Bad enough that I had to go to the doctor. I don't think that I've ever been that sick in my life. Seriously. Thank Heavens for my good friends in the ward who came and brought me Jell-O, crackers and sprite. Also for my mother in law who took Beckham for the day and night. After 2 days of that mumbo jumbo junk, I still don't feel all that well. Now I have the worst case of acid indigestion...
Beckham had the worst day yesterday too. He pretty much got kicked out of swimming lessons for the day for punching Ryker (his cousin) in the face and for being rude to his teacher. Talk about the walk of shame for me. Beckham has never EVER been that way. I don't know what was wrong, he wouldn't mind, eat, sleep. He was saying the meanest things to me too which has never happened before. Just a really bad day for the little guy. I think I called my Mom 4 times crying telling her that I didn't know what to do.
Then last night my cat died... so awful, so hard. The feelings of Nora's death replayed in my head while I was at the animal ER at 12:30am with a crying son and mom. Saying my last good byes to a cat that I've had for 14 years was difficult. Like Nora, I knew that he was going to go soon I just was not ready for it. You think that you are and you talk yourself into thinking that the sooner it’s over the better, then all you think about is having one more minute with your loved one when you can’t. It's amazing how animals become apart of your family. I'll miss Tonto so much. The last days of his life were so hard for me. He was in so much pain and struggling for his life, I know that he's in a better place but it still sucks.
Did I mention that Justin is gone on business? Yeah... I've had to do all of this without my main support, my little shoulder to cry on, my sane hubby who tells me exactly what I need to hear when I’m going through tough things. I miss him. :(
The only good news this week is that I’ve lost 6 pounds, because of being sick, and that Beckham has been really happy with potatoes and gravy, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cereal, frozen chicken nuggets (that I bought for the first time and about died when I saw the health and ingredient lists) frozen pizza where I also died again and mac and cheese for all meals. I think I know why he had a bad day now... his little body isn’t used to all of this so so food. He’s used to a well balanced diet. Heck if he had a choice he’d eat cucumbers over ice cream. (He didn’t get that from me either!) I really need to go shopping but again being a little sick and being sad over a death of a cat and a bad week, wipes you out good.

I found my old Love

2010-06-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

Okay so I haven't cooked in the crock pot for awhile... due to the fact that we are grilling all the time with this nice weather.

But I was cleaning under the sink today and I found these!

It seriously makes me want to pull out the crock pot! I love dinners where there is no cleanup! I need to make a deal with Justin that if I cook, he cleans! (he always helps me clean up dinner so don't get the wrong impression) But maybe I can talk him into doing it himself. With these babies I'm sure he'll jump all over it, heck all he'll have to do is wipe out the crock pot with a paper towel and put it away!

So in honor of my found friends! Here are a couple of recipes that we cook in the crock pot!

This one is from sistersstuff, it's the same recipe as mine but they have a picture. It's Italian Chicken. (I don't know about you, but I love recipes with pictures. I need to get in the habit of taking a picture of my dishes so I can put them on the recipe cards. But we are way too impatient to wait for a picture to be taken, we just jump right into dinner)

Here are a couple from me, my Mother-in-law, and one from my friend Brooke that we enjoy.

(these are 4x6 cards and I just print them out at Walmart so if you like any of them feel free to snag them)

I have tons more recipes that we cook in the crock pot, actually ones that are our absolute favs... but I still need to make into cards. One day I'll get them done and I'll post more!

Have a Crock pot day!

Thoughts of the day

2010-05-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

What a realization I had today! We had a Relief Society get together tonight and it was really good. I had totally forgotten about it until 10 minutes before it started. Beckham was acting cranky so I wasn’t going to go but then I thought hey what the heck. After wrestling with his small shoes that I keep forgetting to throw out, we made it to the Church. The activity was about overcoming and recognizing depression. I was laughing inside when our speaker was going over the symptoms. I seriously was like “I have that, that too. Okay maybe I have a problem” But it’s not to the extent that he was talking about. Mine are more of bad spurts in my day. Some of the causes are Shock, trauma, stress, overwhelmed feelings and low self esteem. Over the last 3 years I’ve had all of those things. Especially in the last year. Some of the things he said that you can do to help was not helpful go figure. The main thing that I was thinking about was how does someone expect me to overcome the death of a child without a little depression?

It’s been months since our little girl was stillborn, but the events of that day still run through my mind. The specifics get hazy, but I will never forget the heartache and sorrow of that time. I was so excited for our little girl. Justin wanted a boy because he wanted brother for Beckham and because he grew up with all boys. But as we acquired pink everything, the idea of a little girl overcame Justin’s feelings. I was so excited. I loved to just sit and feel her kick. I could just lay there and feel her kick for hours. She was such an active little baby and very predictable. At our last appointment I remember walking into an ultrasound room and feeling hesitant to get on the table. The doctor that scanned us was very nervous and then the scanning began and it only took a matter of seconds to know that our daughter had passed. The doctors’ face was very somber and I knew the worst was yet to come. I then remember being moved into another room next door to the ultrasound room and listened to our options. I could hear through the walls and Justin and I could hear other couples getting good news and soon to be parents laughing and being joyfully happy…while we just sat in tears.
Then next time we were at the doctors it was to deliver our baby, or daughter. While I was in the restroom changing into my gown. I remember coming out and looking around the labor and delivery room and just thinking this didn’t feel real. I think I was in denial that my daughter was dead. We were supposed to be in that room there to deliver our living, healthy, active baby girl. I was supposed to be happy to be here, not terrified. After I got settled in the bed, the nurses came in and introduced themselves. Another doctor came in with an ultrasound machine and verified that there wasn’t a heartbeat… my heart broke again, but I think part of me was still holding onto a miracle. That somehow, someway our baby would be alright. The nurses gave me a pill to start labor, but it would take a while to take effect, so we had to wait. The nurses had mentioned doing molds of the baby’s hands and having a photographer come take pictures after she was delivered. I remember wanting that, but mainly I just wanted the nightmare of our daughter dying to be over so we could move on with our lives.
The waiting game for my labor to start continued. We turned on the TV and bored quickly of daytime TV. Justin made frequent trips to get flavored ice for me to chew on. Other than that, we just kind of hung out while we waited. Eventually it got pretty late and people started to leave. It was after everyone left and the distraction was gone that I began to realize again what was going on; that we were there for a completely different reason than we had anticipated. Nothing happened that night and I was so pissed. I wanted out of that hospital, I didn’t want to be there. Finally 24 hours of labor later it was getting close. I remember the nurse checking me and I was in an extreme amount of pain. A combo of heart ache and physical ache. She checked me and said “sweetie you’re only a 2 and you have awhile try to relax” I knew she was smoking something because I could feel our daughter coming out. Justin was calling for the epidural when the nurse came back with frustrating eyes like she had better things to do. I asked if she could please check again and in a matter of 5 minutes I went from a 2 to a 10. No wonder I was pain. She informed Justin that it was too late for an epidural and that I was going to have to do this natural. I’ve never seen Justin so mad at someone. I remember him saying that she was things that I won’t repeat. ;) She then looked at me and said don’t push and that she was going to get the doctor.
Okay let me just say this now. Not pushing was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. Seriously. After not pushing for 25 minutes the doctor was finally there with nurses to help. I remember her telling me to push and thinking why? Why push? There isn’t a point. If someone could die of heart ache I would have in that moment. After 2 minutes of pushing she was out. With a normal birth, you hold your breath until you hear the baby cry, that sound of sweet relief that lets you know your baby made it. There was no baby crying when Nora was born… just the chill of silence. The room fell completely silent as the four of us in the room were left to contemplate the birth of a life that never would be. The nurse took Nora and her little body and cleaned her off and wrapped her in a receiving blanket. She was the most beautiful baby I’d ever seen. She had a head full of hair and she fit in my hand. As she laid there in my arms, I sobbed.
Our doctor and the nurse left us alone at that point. I don’t remember exchanging many words, if any. Mostly we just held each other with Nora’ little body in our hands and cried. I remember telling Justin how much I loved him and that I knew we would all be together again someday. I don’t know how many times I told Nora I loved her. I knew it was little consolation, and hoped they didn’t seem like empty words.
The veil was very thin in those moments and I could feel that Nora’ spirit was there with us, trying to comfort her inconsolable parents. There is little doctrine on the eternal nature of stillbirth children. It makes it hard to know what to believe. In that moment, I knew… she had no need of the Earthly trial. She just needed a body and parents… and those she now had. She would be in heaven waiting for us and preparing a place for us. I also felt the presence of others spirits, who were there to support us through that very sad moment.
Grief is an interesting thing. We would later meet with a hospital grief counselor who would explain this to us in greater length. It seemed that holding Nora made me sadder, But I will never forget the precious angel I held in my arms that day and my arms ache to hold her again.
Justin and I took the opportunity to implore Heavenly Father’s comforting spirit to help our family get through that most difficult time. I don’t recall everything that I said in that special little prayer, but I remember the peace I felt after. For the first time since the whole experience began, I felt like I was thinking clearly.
We both wanted to leave the hospital as soon as we could. That hospital was forever a reminder of the death of my daughter. But then again we weren’t so eager to leave because leaving meant we were going home without the baby we had so anticipated… Another difference in grief, I suppose.
Going home that night was one of the hardest things I had to do, although I didn’t realize it would be when I went. I came into the house and just looked around, getting that surreal feeling again. I went upstairs and saw the bedroom she was going to have... and I froze for a few seconds. Tears came to my eyes as I realized we wouldn’t be bringing our baby girl home. She would never lay in the nursery we would prepare so carefully for her. For a moment, I forgot to breathe until I remembered that I had a mission to complete. I shook the grief from my mind, I gathered a few items of Beckham’s and we all piled in the queen bed for a family prayer and some well deserved sleep. Justin didn’t mind that I wanted Beckham in our bed I think that he knew I needed a child to hold that night.
I still don’t know and I’m beginning to think I won’t understand in this life. Sometimes we don’t know all the answers. That’s were faith comes in. Faith is belief in things we can’t see or understand. I don’t understand why we didn’t get to keep our daughter, but I have faith that because we didn’t, we will be comforted, we will understand one day and that Heavenly Father will keep our daughter safe until we can see her again. Our love for each other, Beckham and for Nora will carry us and help us to live worthy to be reunited and raise our daughter in heavenly courts above. But every day is a trial without her. Our lives are forever changed. I honestly feel different… more somber, more reverent… and every day I miss her, our darling little girl, Nora Emeline.
So the moral of this huge story, I’m glad I have a little depression. If I didn’t have any, then someone should be worried. The things that I’ve been through in my life are insane and hard. Sometimes I think “really Heavenly Father... are you sure I can handle this?” But He knows everything and He knew that Nora will always make me a little sad and that’s okay because I never ever want to forget her. I don’t want to just push her aside and replace her with other kids. As some people say I should do. (I know people can be really infuriating) I’m not saying that all depression is good. Don’t get me wrong. What I’m trying to say is that my depression has helped me become the person I am today, the mother I am to Beckham and the way I look at life.

I better get to bed I didn’t realize the time

-Jamie

Scrapbooking

2010-05-17T21:18:00.001-07:00

I've been so blah lately. Being sick really stinks. But on the other hand I did read my scriptures more and I was able to scrap a few pages... So I guess you can call it even.

Here are my 2 latest...

This LO was created using the kit I {heart} mommy by gg digital desings.

This LO was created using the kit boys and their toys by gg digital desings.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-04-22T11:44:00.001-07:00

With me being in Activity Days I see a lot of Mother and daughter relationships. It is so neat to watch because the daughter looks to her mother as a role model of what a woman is and the daughter acts like her Mother. I know first hand that as some of these girls grow up and see other woman who live their lives differently, will choose between imitating her mother or other significant influences in her life. As an adolescent I sometimes looked down on my mother and I thought that other woman were much better. Of course I wasn't a fully grown woman so I didn't understand the challenges and choices that my mother faced. It was only when I myself become a woman and a mother that I fully appreciated my mother. I pray that these girls will stick to their mothers and choose to be influenced by them and not what the world is telling them.

I love my Mom so much. I look up to her more than she knows. I still can't imagine that she raised 4 kids on her own without child support, had a baby die and have her own mother die at a young age. She's amazing and I hope that I have the strength that she has one day. I need to write her a letter and tell her this because she never looks on my blog. I still am going to talk about her though. I found this poem and it reminded me of my mom. Feel free to snag it for your own moms because mothers day is right around the corner! (Speaking of mothers day any ideas for the activity day girls? Ugh the stress! LOL)

Super Mom

Mom, you're a wonderful mother,
So gentle, yet so strong.
The many ways you show you care
Always make me feel I belong.

You're patient when I'm foolish;
You give guidance when I ask;
It seems you can do most anything;
You're the master of every task.

You're a dependable source of comfort;
You're my cushion when I fall.
You help in times of trouble;
You support me whenever I call.

I love you more than you know;
You have my total respect.
If I had my choice of mothers,
You'd be the one I'd select!

By Joanna Fuchs

On the other hand how could my mom leave me home today? Both of my sisters and my mom are in Disneyland today! :( I'm so jealous.... I keep getting picture messages and that is so mean. I can't be mad because what a fun day for my mom to celebrate her birthday at the happiest place on earth! Besides I can't go on any rides anyway. So I'm happy for them, still bitter LOL, but happy!

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom... I call this picture minni me! It's crazy that her face never changed! She looks exactly the same as she did at age 2 just a full grown body now.

Here she is with Beck on Easter.

Activity Days

2010-04-15T08:22:00.001-07:00

I have no idea what they were thinking but I have a new calling. I've been trying for the last year or so to connect with the older gals that I teach in Relief Society (yeah I'm pretty much the youngest why they think I had life experiences I don't know?) now I have to try and connect with 8 year olds! No offense relief society friends but the 8 year olds are so fun! Although I need to start watching Hannah Montana and iCarly to have something to talk about LOL. So I hope that you all can bare with me because I'm going to be posting my ideas and thoughts here, that way if you have 8 year old girls or if you're just a good friend you can help me! ;)

Last night was our first activity without the old leaders holding my hand and it went okay i guess. I'm always harder on myself but aren't we all? I ended up having to come up with a few other games to play to buy time. It's really hard when half of the girls leave 25 minutes in to go to soccer or dance. ah ha idea #1 send a sheet around with what days work best for the girls (but keep in mind my schedule and also Sis Martin).

So on with last night....

This is what I took around to the girls with a brown Lunch bag...
I made it with the the kit ain't she sweet by gg digital designs.

I was so happy when the girls showed up with their bags. It was really cool to see what they were interested in. Most of the girls had stuffed animals. Which I can remember having a collection of and a lot of them had books. That one surprised me because I didn't enjoy reading until I got older. Like say 4 years ago. They all liked to do crafts too so I need to keep that in my brain on file! After everyone took a turn we played one of my childhood favorites ...........

Don't eat Pete of course!

This was also made using the kit ain't she sweet by gg digital designs.

With this activity Fae and I really needed to learn about the girls, get their names down and the get to know you bag really helped I think. They loved don't eat pete and I think that they left on a gummy bear rush. Hopefully they could all still eat dinner. (ooops). After most of the girls left I asked them what games they liked to play but all they wanted to do was play tag so I talked them into another game due to the fact tag isn't appropriate in the church. So we hid their stuffed animals and had them try and find them. Which again they loved. I love these girls we can do anything and they enjoy it!

Also just a side note, my brain was really going yesterday. I made a don't eat Pete for Boys! Some days Beckham decides that dinner is going to kill him if he eats it so I turned this into a game on those nights where he won't eat. It worked like a charm last night. We just put his dinner food on the squares and played don't eat Pete, he ate almost all of it and then we played it with a few skittles for his treat. Today I think we might play it with his lunch and have a go at it again today. You could also do this with fruit call it "don't eat fruit" or even veggies although we all like veggies in our family. (besides me I don't like cooked spinach or asparagus) Also on the days where the kids want to play it with candy put cheese or any healthy snack! Any who enough of my rambling here is the boy version........

I made this one using the kit backyard boys from gg digital designs.

(Note I laminated the don't eat Pete games so I can clean them really well so they can be food safe!)

Also if I get enough requests I'll make the game into a template so you all can enjoy it with your families! ;)

Free Template!

2010-04-08T17:12:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know that GG Digital Designs is having a super fun challenge going on right now. For this weeks challenge they have a FREE Template that they are giving away... Go here to grab it!

Here is my LO using the template...

Projects!

2010-04-04T20:01:00.001-07:00

Life has been good. Conference always gives me a boost in the right direction spiritually. I found myself listening and thanking my Father in heaven for the words that I needed to hear.

A lot was said on faith and that is EXACTLY what I've been needing to work on lately, my faith.

This quote by James E. Faust is a good one and I need to print this out and hang it on my bathroom mirror. “Hope is the anchor of our souls. I know of no one who is not in need of hope--young or old, strong or weak, rich or poor... Everybody in this life has challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope.” I hope that you all enjoyed conference as much as I did.

As for the projects, we were able to get quite a few things done this past week. First, we were able to get away for the afternoon and snap a few quick shots.

Here is Beck giving us his "Good" smile...

And here he is cheesin' it...

then here is the fam (minus Nora, it wasn’t the best weather and I didn’t want her bear dirty)....

So this next one is a proud moment. So my friend who is oober talented has made so many things in her home. One of the things she has done is make a skinny shelf. I had to steal the idea and make one for our messy office. We're slowly re-doing it.

Next, this one is for Nora. I was really excited to get pink in the house in honor of her. This is just a rose wreath that I made out of crepe paper. It’s super cute for spring.

I love ceiling fans, not how they make the room look, but how they make you feel, especially at night in mid july. I've never had one in my room until we stayed with Justin's parents and I immediatly fell in love. I'll let you know if I save any money this summer. We got these for a steal too. They were on sale at Lowes for 16.99 regularly 65.99. Woot!

Last but surley not least... our plants for the garden. I went to an activity this year and we planted seeds in cups. I thought that I'd be lucky to get 1 or 2 plants but all of them have came up. I'm excited about how much money we're going to save too. We usually spend a good 40-50 on plants and we only spent 10 this year on everything and we have enough seeds to last us the next 4 years! SWEET!

You've Been Egged!

2010-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting until I possibly can't wait anymore. I made this cute litte thing

using 2 kits (The Hunt is on) and (Spring has Sprung) from gg digital designs. I had to wait until the last minute because then everyone in the ward is going to know who started the egging in our neighborhood. LOL. I can't help it though, I grew up with traditions like this so it's only natural to do it. Plus everyone likes to know that they have people and families thinking about them. I just love Easter and how it reminds us of our Saviors deeds. We need to be constantly serving others and lifting them up, even if it's a cheesy thing like this. "Let us remember that acts of kindness with pure motives and righteous purposes can be and are encouraged to be done in quietness, gentle voices, and in privacy" -Marvin J. Ashton. I love how this quote fits this.

You'll never know if you'll be egged tomorrow. LOL

Hard Week

2010-03-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

So last Friday... the 19th, Nora was due and I couldn't help but walk around the house and wish that she was here. I tried and tried to be happy and to keep busy (now I have too many unfinished projects) and nothing worked really. The thing that maybe worked best was writing in my journal, looking at her pictures and knowing that I'll see her again. (I love Easter season it reminds us that we can be together forever someday)

So in honor of her "Due Date" here is a page that I did a few months ago honoring her.

People always ask to see photos but they are personal and people need to remember that she fit in the palm of my hand...from head to toe and that means she is special... if you know what I mean. Here is the ones I feel comfortable showing. :)

Anyways I wanted to thank GG digital designs for the FREE kit that I used.

I'll post the projects that I did while having her in my mind soon... I just need to finish them first. LOL

Job Chart

2010-03-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

So I've had a few family members and friends ask me about Beckham's job chart...

I am in love with this thing! Beck is more willing to help me with his chores because of this chart. When he does his chores everyday he gets 25 cents... I know cheap but he has no idea and he loves to go to the dollar store once a week for a prize.

I actually got it from my dear friend Brooke and she has it available for download on her blog here. I just adapted it to fit my needs~

I hope that you enjoy.

XOXOXOXO

Jamie

GG Digital Designs

2010-03-10T09:13:00.001-08:00

Most of you know that I am apart of the CT for GG Digital designs. Being a member of the creative team at GG Digital Designs is so awesome. I absolutely LOVE their designs. They are so fresh and unique. I want to share some of my LO and designs so several Wednesdays a month I'll be sharing the newly released kits and the layouts/projects I create with them.

Here is my latest LO with her latest Kit called...

The Hunt Is On:

They're having a crazy deal right now so I thought that I'd share the love

And for more exciting news they're having a CT call! So Apply, you know you want to!

Tucson Here we Come

2010-02-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to be going to see my sister, but I'm so not excited about leaving Justin. I HATE leaving him. It's bitter sweet.

He is kinda jealous though because we get to go to....

Tombstone...

If you haven't heard of it just go and ask the men in your lives about it and I'm sure they'll say something about the movie...

It's actually a good movie... maybe I'll watch it on the way.

I just can't wait to be in 80 degree weather!

Funny Image

2010-02-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

So I saw this

image today at cakespy and I thought that it was really funny! Hope you enjoy and have a little laugh today!

Turkey Madness!

2010-02-22T10:06:00.001-08:00

So this morning I have this turkey breast that has to be cooked today and for Christmas I got a roaster. I was so excited to try out my new roaster and I unwrapped it from the box very carefully (treating it like a baby) I read all of the instructions, cleaned it well and plugged it in... Well it started smoking! I thought that maybe I didn't rinse off all of the soap from cleaning it, but then I noticed a dent in my brand new roaster! Sure enough the smoke was coming from that dent, so with my heart broken I couldn't use that roaster, I have to take it back and I'm just relieved that I got it from Walmart and not Target because I know that Walmart will take it back!

So now I was thinking how am I going to cook this turkey? It has to start cooking now and I don't have a roaster and I don't have a roasting pan for my oven. So I got online and found Crockpot turkey!? So with high hopes I started to unwrap my turkey and I'm looking at this bird and I’m so mad! The store sold me a rotten turkey then I'm thinking... wait I know that smell. The Turkey gravy packet is broken, so no gravy tonight... then I get even more mad!

So tonight I'm having crockpot turkey with no gravy and yeah maybe a waste of 20 bucks!

Ugh the things we go through just to cook dinner!

Todays Tidbits + My Mood Swings

2010-02-16T11:45:00.000-08:00

Wow what a mood swing I had yesterday huh?

I usually don't get mood swings like that, but my 2 infertility buddies got their babies last year so I really don't have anyone to vent to... and yesterday I vented to my readers. Sorry.

It did feel good though. LOL

My mood swings about our trials are hit and miss. I'm usually okay with what has happened to us because you can't believe the blessings we have gotten from it. I stand all amazed at the Love Jesus offers me is an appropriate song for our family. We are so blessed. We have Beckham and there are thousands of couples who would die for that.

It's just those days when I think "Do you really have to teach me with my children?" But He does, if I had never lost a baby I wouldn't be the person I am today. I wouldn't be the mom I am today. I'm grateful, grateful for my trials and blessings, grateful to be a mom.

So yeah, sorry about yesterday... I'll vent to my journal from now on~ ;)

******************************************

Today has been exciting... As some of you know my sister has moved to Tucson AZ and I get to go see her in a couple of weeks! I'm so excited for the 75 degree weather. I'm also so excited to see my nephew and niece. Sorry Michelle, I'm excited to see you too, but they are just so darn cute.

******************************************

I'm kinda bummed out that Valentines is over... I just love pink, hearts, and most importantly remember those whom we love. Justin was a sweet husband and got me a ipod dock for valentines day. I got him a dorky phone cover.

Beckham got a new big boy bike and here is a page that I did with it.

Nora's Bear

2010-02-15T14:49:00.000-08:00

So I got quite a few private emails asking me about Nora’s Blanket. So here are my mixed emotions of today and the story of her bear.

When I knew that she wasn’t going to survive past birth I was trying to find ways that our family wouldn’t forget her. I mean I carried her for 5 1/2 months and she is important to me. She is important to Beckham too! He was so excited to be a big brother and it still breaks my heart when he asks why she isn’t here and why can’t he play with her. Someday’s I have perfect happy answers and other days I break down and cry with him.

It hurts when my mom and mother-in-law buy stuff for their grand-babies and there isn’t anything for Nora. Every time I think... there should be one more. I know how awkward it must be for them and how they don’t know what to do. I don’t expect them to get anything either, it just hurts.

After my lesson yesterday I kept thinking about the pre-mortal life. I wonder if we knew what trials we would go through... I wonder what I thought about this trial. If I thought that I could do it then, then I can do it now. Have you ever wondered about that? I have. Some days that’s the only thing that gets me through it.

Lately I’ve been INCREDIBLY jealous of other families that get babies. They get the miracle I want with all my heart! They get children that live! I don't understand God's ways and why other families get children that live and mine don't. (Minus Beckham) I try to have faith and I do believe that God's will is best. But my WHOLE SOUL aches that all of my babies beyond Beckham have to be the ones that die. Of course I don't want any babies to die, but especially mine! I have so many friends who have had babies this past year, or are having babies this year... (I think that there are 10 women pregnant in my ward) and I am happy for them, but then again I always think why can’t that be me?

All I know about pregnancy lately is death, and though I have great hope, there is no guarantee for me, there is no guarantee that I will even get pregnant again. I HOPE and PRAY that I will and that we will get our happy ending, but do I have enough faith? Do other people that have infertility problems get babies because they have enough faith and do all of mine die because I don't have enough faith? I do believe God is a God of miracles, it is obvious in so many things around me, but I do struggle heavily with the belief He will perform a miracle for ME personally. I feel very weak and very fragile. As immense as the pregnancy joys of my friends, my sorrow is just as immense as I struggle with my own insecurities and my own losses.

Nora’s bear is something so special to me. It’s my way of remembering her. It’s my way to think she isn’t forgotten. It’s my way to know that I have a baby “girl” waiting for me. I wonder what the other genders of our kids are?

Here is Nora wrapped in her blanket with daddy!

and here is the Bear we turned it into.

Look at the cute little name patch on the back!

I know that many of you are thinking “You cut her blanket up? Are you crazy?” But this is seriously the best thing! I would never go back in time and change it! I rather have her displayed in my house then have her stuffed in a box that is shoved away.

Here is a song that I LOVE and that I have been listening to a lot lately. I thought that you might all enjoy it, make sure you read the words.

Love one Another

2010-02-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day or Nerves Day?

For the first time Beckham has to give a talk in Primary and I'm more nervus than he is! Because he's only 3 he can't really prepare his talk, so Mommy was given the challenge. I've been teaching in Relief Society for the past year so my brain has been on adult content only, not sunbeams. Plus his topic was really broad, which made it all the more difficult... I'll let you know how it goes. (Keep your fingers crossed!)

And the day doesn't end there, I get the privilege of teaching today too! My topic is on Jesus and the war in heaven. Hopefully it goes well.
(double cross your fingers!)

So happy Heart Day, I love all my friends and family... but most of all I love my Savior and Redeemer who died for me.

This is the newest Mormon Message Movie and I thought that it fit today well.

If that wasn't enough love for you, here is Beckham and Nora!

For those that are going to ask. We made the blanket that Nora was wrapped in into a bear so we could have her in our family photos, and so I can hug her when I'm having a hard day.

So Love one Another and enjoy a day filled with love!

I so forgot!

2010-02-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

So I've been thinking.. I missed something from my birthday. I've been walking around all day doing dishes, laundry and I've been going insane! I've been thinking okay Jamie your birthday was on the 4th not even a week ago and you can't remember... Then I decided to get a drink and I started laughing so hard how can you miss this?

Yeah... I'm getting old! But this might just be the coolest faucet ever! I'm in love~ That's another indicator that your getting old too.... when you fall in love with appliances and kitchen gadgets!

Happy Birthday to me

2010-02-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

So my birthday was crazy! My family went overboard, but who doesn't like that?

here is a picture of SOME of the things I got...

Yes that is a ton I know... anywho I wanted to thank my family for an awesome day! Love you!

Oh yeah my brother just got me an Itunes gift card to go with my ipod... Thanks Mike, that was a nice surprise in the mail today!

New Page and A New Kit

2010-01-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited and grateful. My first kit has been up for sale for a week now and the creative part of my body has been itching to do another one... Although it's not all the way finished here is a page that I did with it.

I'm grateful that I'm starting to do something that I love and that I can do it from home.

I'm famous

2010-01-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Hoot Hoot! (in honor of my owls... you'll see what I mean!)

go here to check it out!

Valentine Freebie

2010-01-19T18:21:00.001-08:00

So I did it, I've decided to give it a try, I started up a side gig. My digital scrapbooking designs. To kick it off I thought a freebie would be nice and since Valentines day is creeping up on us I'd thought that I do a freebie that coordinates with heart day. Go to my design blog here to get it!

BTW I'll be giving away a few valentines so keep checking back!

Here is a layout that i did with the kit i made

2010-01-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

Um yeah, sorry about the pda! We just love giving each other cheesy smooches still!

Digital Scrapbooking Designer?

2010-01-14T21:23:00.000-08:00

So I was surfing the net for some ideas on what to do for valentine pages and I didn't fall in love with anything... well a few i did, but i wasn't about to pay 10.00 for it... so i'm working on a little something myself. Justin thinks that I should sell the kit for a few bucks?

What do you think?

Here is my main element...

I have a ton of stuff for it? I'm just not sure about the whole starting up another blog with payment options. Ugh Decisions decisions.

Holidays with the Hamblins

2010-01-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

So this might be the latest Christmas post ever, but oh-well at least I’m doing it now!

Our festivities start out at Justin's parents. We usually go wheeling sledding (pull a sled behind a four wheeler in the pasture)

Then it's decorating cookies for santa. Nothing like a good old sugar rush to get you through the night!

Then ah... the non wanted pajamas! LOL we told Beckham that he can open a present and he wasn't too happy about the pajamas from grandma.

Grandma had to make up for the unwanted pajamas by giving Beckham the worst possible toy! A recorder! I was tempted to accidently snap it in half.

Then we take a picture of the gang and head home to await the arrival of Santa!

After we were are all fast asleep Santa Came!

Beckham was still half asleep before he realized that it was Christmas!

Santa had a present that he wanted in the stocking! A green chick!

Then, you know us, family pictures

Do you like our pajamas? I made them! (minus the shirts, I'm not that crafty)

We then tempted to eat what appeared to be a gross casserole, but it was actually good. Really good in fact.

We had the traditional Monkey bread which was good eats.

Then off to the most dreadful present! Creepy crawlers. I seriously wish Justin didn't get it. We have to grow bugs everyday! I'm not kidding either... everyday!

Justin got a wii and a shotgun from santa!

I got a Kitchen aid stand mixer, food processor, a new ring, and a new picture of me and Justin! ahhh

After our Christmas morning dies down the parents (aka grandmas and grandpa) come over to see the loot! Justin also got a childhood favorite... Rockem' sockem' Him and his dad had a little tournament!

Then a few days later it's Christmas with my side of the family!

Beckham was really funny. After Christmas morning he came up to me and said "Mommy, I got all my presents but one, Santa forgot max and ruby" I then told him "Maybe santa told someone else to get it for you?" So here is his excited face that Santa didn't forget!

My mom got in trouble this year because she as always did too much. She got us a really nice set of pans, a grill, and a few wii games... just to name a few!

We always ride the trax to see temple square

It was so beautiful as always!

One scary thing though, Just was holding Beckham and our very expensive camera and fell flat on his back! I seriously thought that he was unconscious, Beckham was screaming his head off and I thought he broke his arm! But all in all just a good scare.

We always go to Hardware ranch too!

Just look at these beauties!

We also go sledding, to a movie, Christmas with my Dad, but i thought that I'd stop here because that's too many pictures! You get the idea though... lots of memories and good times!

Twilight "years"

2010-01-12T13:58:00.001-08:00

All my loved ones know how much I enjoy twilight. I got an email from my cousin today attached with this video... so funny!

Twilight Years from Tom on Vimeo.

FHE... aka Family Home Evening

2010-01-06T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have a really hard time trying to come up with a FHE for our family every week, I'm getting tired of making cookies and treats.

Today I found the perfect gift for our family... An entire year of FHE activities already planned out for me to do and it's free... Can I get a Woot Woot?

Each lesson includes a suggested opening song, scripture, lesson content and activity idea. It's geared for Junior Primary age children (using strictly Behold Your Little Ones, Primary Manuals 1, 2 and 3 and the Friend Magazine as resources). There are 48 lessons and they correspond to the weekly themes of the 2010 Outline for Sharing Time and the CSMP.

Go here to get your copy~

2010 Goals~

2010-01-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

So I usually always make new goals for the year and I always get disappointed when I don't make them so... this year it's going to be real and simple.

Here are my 10 goals for 2010:

1- Create a scrapbook page for each month of the year.
2- Every day, write something positive about my day. (Thanks for the idea April)
3- Write something about Beck and Justin each day.
4- Attend the Temple at least once a month.
5- Have a date with Justin each month
6- Lose 10 pounds
7- Design a digital scrapbook kit for Nora
8- Better service to others
9- Run a half Marathon
10-Try to get a baby

Number 9 might be pushing it! LOL

Christmas Card!

2009-12-23T12:34:00.000-08:00

Do you remember how I won those cards from freshly squeezed designs? Well I just got them yesterday so I frantically put them in the mail yesterday so hopefully everyone gets one before Christmas...

If not Here are the 2 cards I did this year...

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas! See you in the new year!

Christmas Pictures 2009

2009-12-16T11:02:00.000-08:00

More pictures... I know can you believe it?

Justin was not happy about my props!

Santa

2009-12-08T12:51:00.001-08:00

Someone saw Santa....

Look how cute the picture is... I made it look like a polaroid.

On his list...

a green Chick
Max and Ruby
Milk (yes the milk you drink)LOL I'm still laughing
Oranges
Dinosaurs

Pretty simple list wouldn't you say?

~Thankful~

2009-11-29T16:02:00.000-08:00

I saw this doodle on the homegrown hosp. blog and thought that it was a nice quote.

I'm filled with a thankful heart. With the passing of thanksgiving, with family surrounding me, it's hard not to be thankful. My family means more to me than anything else in this world and I'd do anything for them. Even though life isn't perfect and we all have challenges and struggles, we are so blessed in so many ways. I am so thankful, for my life, my husband and children. I'm so thankful for Justin's job and how he can provide for our family. I'm so blessed to have everyone that I love healthy and happy, for our home, for the comforts we enjoy. I'm so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for His Atonement, and to a loving Heavenly Father who gives us all these blessings and more, and for the peace and direction it gives us. I love Thanksgiving. Not just because mashed potatoes are my favorite food, but because it gives you the chance to think about what you are thankful for.

I'm also thankful for the black Friday deals... without them, I wouldn't have been able to afford my Christmas present... my Kitchen aid stand mixer!

{Can you tell I'm excited?}

Nora Emeline

2009-11-25T07:51:00.000-08:00

Do to the fact that my email box is full with questions I decided to do a post about our daughter. The reason that I haven't done a post is because even though this is sad, it's happy too and I want people to focus more on the happy things.

I've decided to just post the email(s) I sent to my family to make it a little easier on me.

Email (1)
We've realized many of you would like to know "the latest" but don't want to bug us, so I'm writing this letter to keep you updated. Please know you can ask us how we are doing without offending us and we'll share as much information as we are comfortable with.

Most of you know we are expecting a baby in March. A week ago we found out that our baby ended up with an extra chromosome (Trisomy or turner syndrome), which has wrecked havoc on His/Her tiny body. This extra chromosome means that every cell in His/Her body has extra information encoded into it. The extra information causes confusion in the way that the cells were formed and results in the potential malformation of all of the body systems. Just like with any Trisomy, there is a wide range of how this condition will play out. Unfortunately, because the heart rate is only at 50 beats per minute instead of the 140-160 range, the severity of this condition is greater. Less 5% of babies with both these conditions will survive past birth.

We have a less than 10% chance of carrying him/her to term and if born alive, we may have 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days.

In The Church Handbook of Instructions it states that abortion may be performed in the following circumstances: pregnancy resulting from rape or incest; a competent physician says the life or health of the mother is in serious jeopardy; or a competent physician says that the "fetus" has severe defects that will not allow the "baby" to survive beyond birth. In any case, the persons responsible must first consult with their church leader and receive God’s approval in prayer. We have met with our Bishop and we will meet with him again in a few days. We were really struggling with what our answer was from the Lord. Some days we would feel one thing and the next day it was different. Justin and I feel that we know what our answer is, but will not make a decision until we have met with our Bishop and see what his council is. You will all find out our answer as soon as we confirm it with our Bishop. So please be patient with us on that subject.

We love you and are so grateful for your love, support, family fasts and prayers! We truly have felt them.

Email (2)
We wanted to thank you all so much for your words of support and prayers, we have truly felt them.
After our meeting with the Bishop I am glad to say he got the answer we did... not to terminate. Life is a gift, and if God doesn't see fit to grant this pregnancy long term, that's his prerogative. We can't interfere with a little helpless life. It is not our decision to make. We feel like we should do everything we can to get her here, and what ever happens after we try our best, happens. As the Mother and wife, I can't live with myself and wonder if our little baby would have made it to childbirth alive, had we not terminated the pregnancy. That's a sobering concept to live with for
the rest of your life. We've decided to give our little baby every chance to live.
We have learned a lot by reading other people's blogs. They are filled with excellent advice and it also has given us a preview of what we can expect. There is no way to prepare for what lies ahead, but we know we have to do our best. I love carrying this little baby and try to treasure all her movements. Each time she kicks I think, "Kick harder!" We have felt a deep sense of peace and at times are sad and cry, but we are okay. We believe the hardest time will come later. Right now we're preparing to say our hello’s and goodbyes.
I have been wondering about how to pray throughout this experience. Do I pray for her to be okay? Do I just pray to be able to accept God's will? Is praying for her to live and be okay selfish of me? After I thought about that my answer came when I realized that even the Savior asked for the cup to be removed before he accepted and carried out the final act of the atonement. I know that I can pray for my desire, and it IS okay to let Heavenly Father know what I want. I also have the faith to accept His will, and I pray for the courage to be able to endure whatever may come. I feel the peace that I know has only come through the Holy Ghost and I know I will feel the sustaining help of this peace throughout the remainder of this pregnancy. I know this is Heavenly Fathers will, and I have a firm testimony of the power of the Comforter. Because sometimes that's all we get is comfort. Sometimes the trials don't get better, sometimes the ending is horribly difficult, but with the Comforter, I know we CAN do it.

Email(3)
Even though this is hard, Heavenly Father is with us and we feel his comfort. (Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9)

Justin has been the most amazing husband throughout this entire process. Even when I am uncontrollably sad, he continues to get up each day to love me and Beckham. Without this brave man at my side I would not be able to walk this journey. He loves me so well and I can only hope I am loving him well too. We are so thankful for the gift of time we had with our precious baby and look back on this with no regrets. Hopefully someday we will be able to help someone else as they walk the painful journey of saying goodbye to their child….much too soon. In the past year our lives have been filled with such a wide range of emotions. Grief is a process that never really comes to a close….but with the power of the Comforter I know we can do it. I need to just be patient and one day we won’t have this pain. (Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. D&C 24:8)
We have given our daughter the name Nora Emeline after her great grandmothers Elnora Jean Johnsen and Margie Emeline Pierce. We know that they together, along with Heavenly Father, will watch after our baby until we are with her again. The funny thing is that both grandmothers hated their names Elnora and Emeline. Maybe they’ll like them now. Nora’s name means a lot to us, our families mean a lot to us. Ever since I was little I’ve carried around a blanket that Elnora made. I like to think that she made it for me, but I was still in Heaven when she made it. All my life when I’ve needed comfort, I’d turn to my blanket. I always think that it’s her comforting me. She has been there for me always and I know that she’ll be there for me now when I need her the most, to look out after Nora while we’re apart. I had the privilege to know Margie “Emeline” while she was on this earth. She was someone who could brighten your day just by being in the same room as her. She always put her family first and always had a hug to give you. I’ll never forget the last time we saw her during this life. She was so weak and frail; and I remember thinking that if I hugged her she’d collapse. But when I hugged her for the last time she whispered... “I love you, see you soon” When I had to say goodbye to Nora, I whispered.. “I love you, see you soon” God has a plan for all of us, and even though I don’t fully understand this now, some day I will.

Nora, like a shooting star, you’ve passed through our lives pausing briefly to illuminate our lives. Although you were here but a moment, you have placed a mark upon our hearts that will last forever. Thank you for your courage Nora, the example your short life gave. For the Savior called and you were found ready. Let your example be a reminder to us all.

I know what you are doing... stop crying! Okay, you can do what I do and allow yourself to cry for a few minutes but then you have to stop! You see, we've prayed and prayed over the last 2 years for another baby. With all of our losses I knew that there was another spirit waiting. Nora is an answer to our prayers. Even though we don't get to raise her in this life... we will someday. Even though sometimes I think why me? I'm not strong enough, I will know someday.

We have been blessed with (2) children and I know that we will have more... just need to have faith and patience. Remember that Heavenly Father knows and wants what's best for us. He won't put us through something we can't handle. Even though this is really hard some days.

So on that note... here is the announcement we sent to a few people.

Freshly squeezed Designs

2009-11-13T13:29:00.000-08:00

So I entered in a contest not thinking that I'd win and guess what I did! I won 50 free holiday cards! From a company called Freshly Squeezed Designs

Their pricing is pretty good and the cards are adorable so you must check 'em out!

Deals of the Day...

2009-11-12T16:25:00.000-08:00

So I've been trying to catch up on some work, but instead, I was blog surfing all this morning and found 2 great deals~

I'll start with UP! So we've never seen the movie until last night and Beckham LOVED this movie... the first 5 minutes were kinda sad but after that it was laughs and giggles.

So today I went to good old Target and they have the UP Blu-ray & DVD combo pack on sale for $19.99 (My store wasn't marked at this price, it was marked at $34.99, so definitely have it price checked... the worker there said that they hadn't gotten around to posting up the sales yet). Plus, some of the combo packs actually have a FREE UP Adventure Journal attached to them!

Then when you use the $10/1 off coupon from here you score the UP Blu-ray combo pack and journal for just $9.99!

If you're not a Blu-ray family like us, the regular DVD price was $15.00 (I think) so you get the DVD and Journal for $5.00! How can you pass that UP?

Next is BATH & BODY WORKS

Thru November 15th, Bath & Body Works has all their Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap (8 oz) on sale 4 for $10. They've got some great new holiday scents available too. Plus, you can combine this great sale with the $10 off $30 coupon available to really come out ahead!

So I got all my soaps for next year and this is what it cost me
12 Anti-Bacterial Soaps for $30
Use the $10 off $30 coupon
Final cost 12 soaps for $20--just $1.67 each!

But that's not all, when I went to the store today they had another sale going on...

So I bought 2 body lotions and 1 shower gel and got 2 other items of my choice free. Plus, you can again combine this great sale with the $10 off $30 coupon available to really come out ahead!

Then on top of that, if you buy anything in their new scent Twilight Woods (which I did, I bought 3) they have a Buy one get one free attached to each bottle. So I got another 3 free items.

As I'm thinkin about it now, I should have bought 3 Twilight Woods and got 2 more free (with their sale going on)... then I could have gotten 5 free items using the coupons attached to the bottles.

So I got some great lotions and body wash and this is what it cost me
1 Body wash for $10.50
2 Body Lotions $21.00
Use the $10 off $30 coupon
Final cost for total of 8 signature collection items (regularly $10.50 ea.) just $22 That's $2.75 each! rather than $10.50! Can I getta Whoot Whoot?

Just be sure and do 2 seperate transactions if you're wanting both deals. ;)

Home Tips

2009-10-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

I saw these on a website and I've been searching for hours to find the site and I can't, so yeah I'm sorry. But here are some great tips that I thought would be helpful to some of my gals out there.

A sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.(hmmmmmm...)============================================

Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

============================================

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures:get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)============================================

To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down The wax will fall out.=========================================

Crayon marks on walls?This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

===========================================

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receiptBLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.========================================

Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the s cissors get 'sharpened'' this way!=========================================

Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! (Now, where to put the body?) LOL==================================

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry t oo quickly an d will probably streak.============================================

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.============================================

Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.=============================================

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the free zerfor at least 3hours prior to burning.=============================================

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!=============================================

To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.==============================================

Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spraybefore pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.=============================================

Wrap celery in aluminum foilwhen putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.=============================================

When boiling corn on the cob,add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.=============================================

Cure for headaches:Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on yourforehead. The throbbing will go away.=============================================

To get rid of itch from mosquito bites,try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.=============================================

Ants, ants, ants everywhere ...Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.============================================

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.============================================

When you get a splinter,reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.=====================================

Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer.......Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China ..============================================

Clean a vase.To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.==================

Polish jewelry.Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse thejewelry for two minutes.=============================================

Clean a thermos bottle.Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak or an hour (or longer, if necessary). ================================== ===========

Unclog a drain.Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down thedrain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.=============================================

Yep, Pictures again!

2009-10-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

So people ask me how I get Beckham to smile, it's simple... Practice, Practice, Practice! Whenever we go and take pictures we usually are backwards from everyone else and let the kids play around for a few minutes to get them loose! As you can see with this picture Beck was just being him and having fun! A lot of my favorite pictures are candid ones!

After a few minutes of playing we start asking him to look at us! Then when that dies down we start telling him to smile. This is what has worked for us so hopefully you can find something that works for you. Just remember to try and always make taking pictures fun! Because if it's not fun, you're in for a long frustrating experience.

What a cute shot huh? Just my boys being how they always are... cute!

This spot we went to is a gem! I seriously loved it!

Special thanks to Aunt Jenny, our photographer when we want pictures of us, she's amazing. Justin and I might have to hire her!

Jennifer...

2009-10-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about my little sister a lot and how she has been there for me lately so I did a page about the first time I got to see her. Something that I will always remember and cherish.

The kit I used to create this page is from gg digital designs. http://ggdigitaldesigns.com/cart/

Hope

2009-09-25T09:58:00.001-07:00

SO so so SO Mad!

2009-09-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

So we all know that I like The twilight series... well I'm a big movie junkie too. So I always sign up for the email they send out the day before they put tickets on sale. But this time I didn't get it! Yeah, so today I was just thinking that Justin and I haven't been to a movie so I thought we could go. Then BAM... guess what I saw...

"Breaking news: New Moon Tickets on sale now"

So I'm freaking out going through all of the movie times and EVERYTHING is SOLD OUT. The only thing they had open was the Junction at 3:00 am. Lame! or I can spend 2 days at the Layton theater waiting in line and hope I get a good seat. So instead... for the first time ever... I'm going the next day at 7:00pm!

But there is good news... Justin said, "Babe I'll go with you and be your date" So that made me feel better. Love you sweetie...

I'm still way mad about my email though! GGGGggggrrrrr!!!

Also if you haven't seen the new trailer, check it out!

Back to school!

2009-08-21T09:05:00.001-07:00

My son isn't old enough for school yet, but I still love the season!

Is it just me or does anyone else have a fetish with the smell of new crayons and freshly sharpened pencils? I get giddy when I see the big box of crayons on sale and all the new stylish folders. I think I am this way because of my mom. She would always get us a new outfit for everyday of the first week of school. She always made sure we had new shoes, socks, underwear, etc. It was my little "pre-Christmas" I always said. Don't even get me started on lunch boxes either... when I was in school this is what they had and now look at these cool ones with all of the different sides that are separated.
So any who, thanks mom for getting me to love school so much when I was younger. It has seriously made an important impact on my life. I miss it and can't wait to do the same thing for Beckham.

For all of the women in my life!

2009-08-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Lately a few of the women in my life have been down and depressed. This will make you feel better! I love you and appreciate all that you do for me! And I'm not just talking about my mothers or grandmothers, I'm also talking about my dear friends!

Harry Potter!

2009-07-15T16:59:00.001-07:00

Yes... it was last night, I mean early this morning! lol. You can tell how excited Justin is in these pictures to be wearing glasses which I made him wear. So I read to see how much money it made just for the midnight show and it made an astounding $20 million again just for the midnight show last night/I mean this morning! Can you believe it? WOW

To be honest though, being a real HP fan I was so disappointed in this movie. It was nothing like the book and it definitely missed a lot of information that is almost vital in understanding the 7th book. There were so many things left out: the huge fight at Hogwarts at the end of the book, it wasn't even shown or let alone mentioned: the loved and hated characters getting killed: Fawks singing at the funeral: the movie also left out the life of Voldemort and how he became dark: the scene with Harry and Ginny was not correct and I liked the books version better: Also the death of Dumbledore was poorly betrayed because he didn't act like he was dying from the poison he drank from the cave, and also Harry wasn't forzen under the invisibility cloak. Instead he hid under the stair well. Which in my opinion he'd never just stand there and watch him die like that. This was definitely the only HP movie that was not as good or better than the book. The loss of so many loved characters that was not even put in this movie was a huge mistake. Hopefully the movies stick more to the books and are as dark and creepy as the books are.

Yellowstone!

2009-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the forever long post about Yellowstone...
(the pictures are backwards in order but I didn't want to change them all so sorry)

Whenever we go to Yellowstone we always do old time pictures and thie is Beck's mean face lol.

And the one of us..

We saw a grizzly bear! So cool!

We went to the Bar-J Wranglers, if you haven't been you MUST go.. this is one of the favorite things I love about going to Yellowstone!

I also enjoy Jackson Hole and the boardwalk shops.

Antler Arch is always cool

I enjoy the Grand Tetons more than Yellowstone... just look at this view...

IF the other view didn't get ya look at this!

SO cute~

Our little ranger

This picture is so funny cause we look 17!

It took us an hour to pass this Bison

This shot was so cool, it was dark coulds in the sky but everything else looked like it was a sunny day!

This is also one of my favortie things to see in yellowstone cause you can drive right up next to it... no walking or hiking! lol

See the little black dot left of my ear... that's a baby black bear!

I think this one is the mom

and the other baby bear

Yellowstone waterfall

This tree was so cool it's hard to tell but it fell over and ws still alive and growing... you could see and touch all of the roots!

Yellowstone water fall again! look at my hair... ha ha ha ha

What a cool pic huh?

we also saw elk close up that was cool.. We also saw an elk give birth but I didn't take any pictures cause it was really National Geographic. and I wouldn't want people to take pictures of me down there if I was delivering a baby.

HaPpY fOuRtH oF JuLy

2009-07-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

This little title I made is from a new digi kit called old glory... LOVE IT. it's from ggdigitaldesigns.com You should check it out! Super cute!

What a fun fourth we had! Even though we just got back from Yellowstone and were dead tired! (I'll post pics soon)

SNAPS! What more to say, I wish I had these all year round... it seriously kept him busy for 2 hours while we waited for the parade!

AH, you know me... needed a pic of us!

If you went to the Clearfield parade you probably got as much candy as we did!... too much! This is the candy stuck in beckham's teeth!

We also went swimming that day! We hadn't been in FOREVER and we'll be going again soon! Beckham LOVED it.

ha ha ha look at his goggles!

After the swimming we had a BBQ as did everyone else but we had all of my favorite summer things... this flag fruit pizza.

The best peach dessert ever... no joke! so good.

My favorite pasta salad that has 5 ingredients!

Ah hamburgers and hot dogs, enough said!

After the BBQ we went to the Layton fireworks with my mom. This is her favorite Holiday so it was nice to see them with her. Beckham was so cute he kept trying to guess the colors of the fireworks.

Ah sparklers. this should be another thing I should have all year round.

We didn't get to even set off our little fireworks so when we do I'll post those pictures!

Happy July!

GG Digital Designs

2009-07-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to tell everyone that I made the CT (creative Team) call for gg digital designs! This is seriously so exciting to me because all of her kits fit my style and I can't wait to get scrappin'

Go here and scroll down!

Baby gifts and a fun firecracker

2009-06-26T09:32:00.001-07:00

So the ward I'm in is a baby producing ward! I think that we invented the Baby BOOM! No joke. I'm not saying I don't like it, I love it! I can get my baby fix every Sunday! So I've seriously been a slacker/crazy busy and haven't had time to give them all their baby gifts even though most of them are 1 month old. whoops oh well. Any who, I made these Binky clips and hopefully they like em. I tried them out on Beckham's old Binky's and they worked so hopefully they fit the Binky's they use. this one is the girl...

And here is the boys! This one is funny, I sent Justin out to get a baby boy ribbon and this is what he comes back with...camo. Not baby blue or some little cute design... camo. So hopefully all you moms that had boys in my ward like camo! lol.

If heather and the girls we visit teach read my blog, sorry to ruin the fun but you are getting these for July. I saw them on another blog and decided hey, they're cute and easy. I used a package of roll-Os. and wrapped it in cute paper with a bow and wha-la... you have a firecracker.

Fabric Albums

2009-06-24T08:01:00.001-07:00

I saw these and fell in love with the idea. I love it when people give instructions so you don't have to try and figure it out on your own~

Materials: Book cloth tape, patterned paper, chipboard, Super Tacky Tape and a glue stick.

Go to Ali Edwards blog to get the instructions!

Harry Potter Tickets on sale TODAY

2009-06-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

So I signed up for the email update to tell me when they went on sale and Bam it happened today. Tickets were going fast! But there are still a lot left~

Go here to get yours!

Did i mention that I'm super excited? YAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOO

My mini projects

2009-06-04T15:41:00.001-07:00

Are you ready fo the projects?

First up we have some shirts! Beckham Loves pirates so I made him a pirate shirt... (he calls the skull and cross bones pirates it's so funny)

Next is the Prophet Tile... It's pretty on my end table.

THen we have a scrapbook page mounted on foam core... (simple way to decorate)

Ah, Beckham's favorite, the crayon jar. I did a jar because the crayon boxes would be smashed and ripped in a few seconds!

The quite book! What else is there to say? It's just a felt picture album that beckham flips through on sundays.

Magnets! If you are in my ward, you recieved one of these in relief society when I taught on easter.

Magnet board for Beckhams room. I hate having the abc magnets on my fridge so I made a board just for him!

Glass pan etching! So you never loose a pan again at a get together!

My recent favorite, my tile necklace of beckham! I have one of Justin and Beck together too!

Have you guys seen the hammered rings? Well I figured out how to make 'em...

Here is the necklace that I put together for them.

And finally Easter baskets! I was sick of the lame ones at the store so I made us each one! :) Beckham is orange, Justin is Blue and I'm Pink.

Digital Scrapbook Memories SALE

2009-06-04T10:25:00.001-07:00

Okay my digital buddies... The company that I work for is having a huge sale this week! A lot of their Cd's are only 5 dollars instead of 25! I recommend getting some, This is a fantastic deal!

go here to get 'em

Sonic

2009-05-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, June 3, Sonic is thanking its customers with Free Float Night, giving away free 10 oz. Root Beer Floats from 8 p.m. until midnight at participating Sonic Drive-In locations.

For some extra fun, anyone who comes out is invited to upload their favorite photos or videos from Free Float Night. You can upload photos at http://www.sonicdrivein.com/

Pictures Pictures

2009-05-27T13:15:00.001-07:00

I'm a bad blogger, I was meaning to post these awhile ago, but life's been really crazy now...

Any who here are the Spring 2009 Hamblin Family Photos...
(These are definitely so so not my favs at all!)

This is the only good one that I was able to get!

Little Gift for ya'll

2009-05-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends and family,
I thought that I would share something that I found out today... Do you all know Fat Cats in Ogden? Well they are doing a promotion for kids where they can bowl 2 free games everyday all summer long! The age limit is 6-15 which in my opinion is kinda lame, but some of you have kids that age so be sure and sign them up! Go here to register. I'd like to know if any of you like it when I post things like this so leave me a message if I should keep doing it! ;)

Also I've been working on some fun-tabulous projects that I'll be sharing soon!

Oh and one more important thing! My Good friends the Long Family had their baby today... Mom and baby boy are doing great and I can't wait to see the little man! ;)

Mothers Day

2009-05-11T09:46:00.000-07:00

What a mothers day!!! Justin and Beckham got me flowers and my favorite candy "gummy bears". It was really sweet. They also got me a hook thing for my necklaces that are always in a tangled mess so now they won't be. :) We had a couple of sad bumps in the morning that was hard on us one of them being that our dryer gave it's last breath. I know what you're thinking... doing laundry on Sunday... well I normally don't but when your child wets the bed you gotta clean it. So I'm taking this as a good reason to get a super nice dryer... this is the one I want, I dream of this dryer.

It's only 2000 for just the dryer... Justin just looked at me and laughed. If only if only. I'm really wanting a nice one like this style, so when our washer mysteriously goes out too I can get the matching one. I'm looking into GE. If any of you out there love your washer and dryer please leave me a comment telling me what you have.

Happy Birthday Aunt Jenny

2009-05-05T09:01:00.000-07:00

So first off Happy Birthday Jenny "Jennifer" (I think that I'm the last person who calls her Jennifer) I can't believe that you're 20 today, yikes. She has been my Best Friend for years and I'm so glad that we are still close and we can talk about anything. IF you know my sister, you know that she is super funny and people love to be around her...

This is her and Beckham being silly....

We both love pizza and we were so happy when the pizza factory came up north from St. George... We were fighting over the breadstick...

And here she is on a more serious note... Love you!

Next up on the topic of today is Burglar attempts around the neighborhood. So I was outside a lot yesterday mowing and doing yard work when I noticed my neighbor putting up a security light... Later that night being the friendly neighbor that I am, I walked over and was complimenting him on the new light well after talking it just so happens that there has been multiple breakins around our little cult-a-sack... so my immediate thinking is that my wallet really did get stolen and I'm not a forgetful mommy. It's my fault for leaving it in the car though. So note to all my neighbors... lock up your house!

Oh and I almost forgot...

Oprah has teamed up with KFC to give us a free meal! go here http://www.unthinkfc.com/ to get you free two pieces of grilled chicken, two sides and a biscuit. Yummy!

Geez!

2009-04-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

We finally start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and gues what... I lost my wallet! :( I swear that someone broke into my car and took it! If anyone see's a silver wallet on their morning walks... open it and see if it's mine! :) It has my very first temple recommend in it... I don't care about the money... If the thief would just return the recommend I'd be so happy. :) Heck I'd even give them money for it!

Beckhams Hospital Stay

2009-04-29T13:09:00.000-07:00

What a cutie huh? So when we arrived at the Hospital they were running a few hours behind so Beckham didn't get into Surgery until about 11:45 instead of 9:30-10:00. But he didn't mind because when we went to his prep room, they had a TON of toys! Just look at this picture... He thought that was the coolest thing ever. Little did he know what was going to happen in a few minutes.

This is me and Beck buying time until he goes in.... we were playing with play-dough from his box of goodies.

This is his Doctor who performed the surgery. Beckham was so brave, the doctor came in and talked with us for a minute then said "Beck are you ready to go?" Then he just carried him back. Beckham didn't even cry for me or Justin. I'm bummed I didn't get to hug him... They said it's better to act like nothing is wrong so we didn't even hug him.

Then came the aftermath... What a sad thought. The nurse said that I would be able to go into recovery with him but they didn't let me. They just wheeled me into the hall in between the surgical room and the recovery room and all you could hear was Beckham screaming for me... That is one of the hardest things... when you want to comfort him but you can't. Finally they brought him to me and when we got to the room Justin wanted to hold him... This is them with Becks 3 favorite things in his words... "Lellow" (the blanket) "Giraffie" (his stuffed animal) and dad.

I kinda had a feeling that Beckham would be like me in recovery... in all of the surgeries I've had I'm almost always the first to go in and the last to leave. He wasn't doing too good the first day, he wouldn't drink or eat anything. This is him sleeping..

The next day He still wasn't eating and we were starting to get nervous.. The doctor said take out The IV and finally he started to drink a little. He really wanted fries to eat so I ordered some and he ate a few. Not wanting to stay in the Hospital another night I pleaded with The Nurse to let us go home... but she wouldn't budge... finally late that evening they let us go home on one condition... that if he wouldn't drink at home to bring him straight back. So we gladly took him home and The second we walked in The door he was eating and drinking as if he'd never got The surgery. We ate Pizza for Heavens sake.

Margie Emeline Pierce

2009-04-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

Margie Emeline Pierce 1924 ~ 2009 Margie Emeline Pierce passed away April 17, 2009 in Bountiful. She was born November 6, 1924 to Joseph Wells Sweat and Elsie May Mecham. In 1946 she married Dan Pierce and together they raised four children. Dan passed away on August 1, 1998. Margie was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served many years as a primary teacher and served a mission to the Ogden Cannery. She worked as a seamstress and inspector at Days enterprises in Clearfield and later as a preschool teacher at College for Tots. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and camping. She is survived by her children Ronald Pierce (West Bountiful), Diane (Gary) Purington (Pocatello, ID) Karen (Clair) Hamblin (West Point), Shauna (Randy) Nye (Clinton); 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Dan Pierce, one infant child, daughter in law Betty, two granddaughters, seven brothers, two sisters and two infant siblings. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday April 21, 2009 at Lindquist's Bountiful Mortuary 727 N. 400 E. where friends may call from 12:45-1:45 p.m. prior to the services. Interment Lakeview Memorial Park. The family would like to thank North Canyon Care for the special care and attention they provided. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com

Boy I feel like the song by Brittany Spears... "Hit me baby one more time" Seriously, we just keep getting hit and hit! This is Justin's Grandma and he's doing better. She was the only one left on his moms side so it's bitter sweet. His Grandpa died over 10 years ago so they both have been waiting a long time to see each other again. But still our heart aches that we don't get to see her for awhile. I feel bad because I should have aked her about her favorite memories when she was a kid and her favorite recipie; now we'll never know.

I'm kinda stressed cause the funeral is tomorrow and that was the day I was going to take my mom out for her Birthday cause her b-day is on wed (beckhams surgery day). I know that we can do it this weekend, but I wanted Beckham to be well and happy for her day. Also I'm worried that Beckham isn't going to make it though the funeral. We have to be there from like 11:45-6:00! Pray that he'll be the best 2yr. old ever! :)

Here is one of may favorite pictures of "gama margie" and Beckham together

Wow I'm a baby!

2009-04-16T22:30:00.001-07:00

Yesterdays post was really an over-reaction on my emotions. I tend to always look on the downfall of EVERYTHING. Our life really isn't as bad as I put it, we've done so many fun things this past month so I want to make a happy post about that. And even though we're going through times of trial I can honestly say that we are being blessed by the Savior in so many ways! We just have to be patient and learn from all of this. I know that God won’t put us through something you can’t handle. He knows we have the capability to get through it. But I've learned we can’t do it all by ourselves, we have had to know and use our resources, like the Ensign, B.O.M and conference talks. We can’t give in to the Devil, even just a little bit, or everything will go down. Not just our faith that everything will be okay, but our abilities to count on the Lord and our potential to help others.

(CLICK ON PICS FOR A BIGGER VIEW)

As you all know we LOVE taking pictures and these next 2 are some recent favs...

Oh, the brick wall. We've gone here many times!

We took this one using a ghetto studio setup in the house but I love the pic.

Did you notice my new music pod on my sidebar? (I've been listening to those songs a lot lately) Well anyway this is my I-pod boy. Beckham has a love for music, He usually listens to "Life is a Highway" by Rascall Flatts or Primary songs with "popcorn popping" being his favorite

LOL. I love this picture... we went bowling with Beckham and I couldn't stop laughing! Look at his face! He was like this the entire time. Everytime he wouldn't get a strike he would say ah man and he would look like this.

I was able to go to Las Vegas for work/play and my mom was able to come with me. My sister went as well and she modeled for me at circus circus. We took some PUNK pics of her. This one was my favorite. Also we went to the Valley of Fire Ntl. park and were able to see indian ruins. The view was AMAZING, these pictures do it no justice!!!

And finally we were able to go to baby animal days last week! Oh how I love it. I was seriously not wanting to leave. Beckham held every animal on a farm from chickens, cows, pigs, goats and bunnies. He even held a ball python. Yikes! He also tried BBQ larva. (dried bug rolled in BBQ flavoring) He sure doesn't take after me on that one. YUCK! Justin enjoyed eating them though, he'll eat anything but beets. I'll eat beets over bugs anyday!

Sad Sad and More Sad!!!

2009-04-15T11:40:00.001-07:00

So I feel like these pictures today...

We seriously can't catch a break. Today we found out that Beckham needs his tonsils out, adenoids out, and tubes in his ears. He has his surgery next wed (my moms birthday). Plus he has to stay overnight. The doctor said he hasn't seen tonsils this big for years. Poor thing, he takes after me. I was the same way; I got mine out when I was his age too.

Then on top of that, I have to go in for my tube appointment in a few weeks. Where they say it's crazy painful so i have to get anesthesia and Valium and stay with someone for a day.

Then on top of that, I was supposed to get my new tooth tomorrow, but we'll have to wait now because we can't afford all of this.

Then oh yes, on top of that; our doctor told us we are 99.9% most likely going to have to do in-vitro if we want another baby. Unless a miracle happens.

Then another add on of all of that, I have to start beckham on antibiotics and he HATES medicine. He usually spits it out or freaks out for hours! UGH!

I just need some good news.

But on the bright side I did a few scrapbook pages in honor of my grandpa...

and I got Beckham's Easter bunny pics back today...

Happy Birthday Grandpa

2009-04-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

I love my grandpa, he's been one of my only father figures all my life and today was his 88th birthday. Although I'm happy that he had a birthday, I can't help but to get sad, because I know I won't have him as long as I would like too. He's not sick or anything, I just wish that he would live forever! :)

Any who in honor of his birthday here are some interesting things that happened in 1921, the year he was born.

-Adolf Hitler becomes Chairman of the Nazi Party in his rise to power and prominence in Germany

-The Irish Free State is Created ( as Southern Ireland )

-Franklin D. Roosevelt at 39 years old contracts Polio

-Ellis Island under quarantine on May 18th due to Typhus Outbreak

-Sleeping Sickness claims nearly 1,000 lives in the US

-The Emergency Quota Act limits the number of immigrants admitted into the US.

-Coco Chanel introduces "Chanel No. 5"

-The Communist Party of China is formed with Mao Tse-tung as a founding member

-Chicago White Sox Baseball team accused of throwing the World Series

-Tomb of the Unknowns is dedicated in Arlington National Cemetery

-Iowa becomes the first state to impose a cigarette tax on April 11th

-Flash Floods Strike Pueblo County in Colorado

-Ku Klux Clan Activities become violent Throughout Southern US

-One of the worst famines in modern times killings 10's of thousands grips Russia due to the failure of crops

-Irving Berlin song "All By Myself" becomes popular

-Albert Einstein receives the Nobel Prize in Physics

and most importantly my grandpa was born!

I LOVE YOU GRANDPA, more than words can say.

2009-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

For all my friends and family members that are moms, especially the ones who adopt! :)

WICKED!!!

2009-03-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

So I'm super bummed out that I can't go to Wicked in a few weeks, I had bought 3 tickets, but I found out that I bought them for Easter Sunday (not knowing) So today I just put them up on KSL.com I'm so sad... But I know I will be blessed for keeping Easter Sunday Holy. ;)

Got My Work Done

2009-03-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

So I didn't go to the movie store last night. Good thing I didn't because I forgot I was helping cut down my grandpas tree today! So I would have never got my work done!

Anywho here was what I was working on.

Hope you like it!

Jamers

Twilight!

2009-03-20T21:41:00.000-07:00

So I'm still working on my computer and I realized that I only have an hour till this...

So the question is, do I take a break and go buy it? Or should I get my work done... lol. THe problem is that I will want to watch it then I really won't make my deadline for tomorrow. Maybe I'll just have to wait till the friend twilight party!

Treehouse Museum

2009-03-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

Okay so I went to the park today with some firends and we started talking about this place, the treehouse museum. Beck loves it and so I thought that I would dedicate a post to it. We went there back in february and here are some of the pictures...

Gotta Love Grandma! This was taken inside the "tree"

Did I ever tell you Beckham met President Obama, even though we didn't vote for him. Anywho this was taken inside the "Oval office"

Okay one of the kids favorites, but not mine was the music room.

We stopped at the art garden and started to paint... which led to face painting

Then the face painting led to finger painting

Which then led to coloring with markers

We were at the animal station for awhile and that was fun.

Also by the animals are puzzles and Beckham LOVES puzzles.

Another fav is the boat to go fishing.

And also the big map of Utah. He was so excited to find Angel Mo-moni (Moroni)

Here is their website
http://www.treehousemuseum.org/home.html

Design Star Challenge at ScrapMatters.com

2009-03-09T11:43:00.001-07:00

So I decided to enter this contest at scrapmatters.com and today they had the first cut! Well I made it... I was freaking out. More than 100 people entered and only 24 made it to round 2! Go here and scroll down to find out what # I am, then go here to see my kit and download it.

(note you have to register to see the kits... it's free to become a member/register)

If you do register make sure you tell them I sent you! :)

Desert Star

2009-03-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

So on Monday night Justin and I went with my family to this play at Desert Star! HILARIOUS!!! I laughed the entire performance. If you go and see it, make sure you bring tissues to dry your laugh tears.

Go here to get tickets

More pictures, can it be?

2009-02-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

Poor Justin and Beckham, they have to put up with my photo sessions... I try to get a current family picture for every season (every 3 months). I know that sounds unreal to many of you, but it's something that I know I will cherish when i'm older... anywho here is our winter "2009" picture.

Photoshop shortcut keys for windows

2009-02-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

I just had a digital scrapbooking party with some of my friends in my ward and we talked about using shortcuts... I thought that I would post some that I use a lot.

m Marquee Tool
v Move Tool
l Lasso Tool
w Magic Wand Tool
j Airbrush Tool
b Paintbrush Tool
s Rubber Stamp Tool
y History Brush Tool
e Eraser Tool
n Pencil Tool
r Blur Tool
o Dodge Tool
p Pen Tool
t Type Tool
u Measure Tool
g Linear Gradient Tool
k Paint Bucket Tool
i Eyedropper Tool
h Hand Tool
z Zoom Tool
d Default foreground and background colors.
x Switches between foreground and background colors.
q Switches between standard mode or quick mask mode.
f Switches between screen modes.
TAB Hides/Unhides open tools.

to zoom in and out 'Ctrl' & '+' to zoom in and 'Ctrl & '-' to zoom out.
'Ctrl' & 'g' Group with previous

Also here is a website that I thought was really helpful!

Remember gals to call me if you have any trouble!