Brothers don't shake hands... Brothers gotta hug!!

The other day at church, something really cute happened...

Since we have entered the "no-sitting-still" stage of toddler-hood, I was out in the hall with Spencer during Relief Society. He was crawling around on the floor with another little boy who is the same age. They were laughing and playing around, but never wandered more than a few

feet from me and the other mom. Until... Eathan walked by. He was headed to the bathroom

down the hall and didn't see us at first. But Spencer saw him and immediately crawled as fast as he could in his direction. Well, it wasn't very many seconds before Eathan dissapeared into the bathroom. Spencer stopped dead in his tracks and starting whining/crying. I headed over to comfort him, but he didn't want me. In just a minute or two Eathan exited the bathroom and again came into Spencer's view. This time, Eathan saw him and headed our way. Spencer again crawled as fast as he could to Eathan until they met. Eathan picked him up and hugged him and Spencer laid on his shoulder for a few seconds (he is very cuddly). He laughed and was so excited to see his big bro. I had to break the news to Eathan gently that he couldn't take Spencer to class with him so he put him down and I distracted Spencer so Eathan could return to class. Several times over the next 20 minutes, Spencer crawled all the way down the hall trying to find Eathan. It was so hilarious!! He LOVES his big brother!!

A BIG change!!

It has been a while and I have been wanting to post some more updates about our holiday season this year, but I haven't gotten to it yet. So, this afternoon, I sat down at the computer, but decided to read some of my friends blogs first. As I was 'blog surfing' , Chansey came over and started looking at the computer with me. (She really likes seeing some of her friends and their families on the computer) As I continued she watched and then asked me a funny question. She said "Mom, what is our website's name?" I told her "the amazing six". She then proceeded to say "Pretty soon we are going to have to change it to the amazing SEVEN!" This comment prompted me to spread the news. And yes... you heard right... I am expecting!! In or around August we will welcome a new baby (the 7th member of our family). Are you shocked? Yea, tell me about it!! :)

We are really excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. We know Heavenly Father has a plan for our family and we are anxious to do our best as we follow his plan. With this technically being my 6th pregnancy, my body has been put through the ringer and I hope to get through this one with less drama than the others. (cross your fingers ;)

Needless to say, though, I haven't been blogging much because just getting through life's normal duties has been a challenge for the last few weeks. I am trying to be strong and keep up, but I will be glad when I am big and fat and farther along. Then I will feel better. :)

BTW- If you know anyone who needs advice on how to get through severe cases of morning sickness/hyperemesis... send them my way.

Savory Houses?!

Last night Todd and I went to a Christmas Party at the home of some good friends of ours. The treats were yummy and the company was good. But I had a nagging question on my mind until we were well into the party. When we were invited, we were asked to bring a treat and a can of Easy Cheese. (Squeezable, sticky cheese in a can used as a condiment on snacks) So, the nagging question was... What in the world are we going to use the Easy Cheese for?! Well, the answer finally came... the processed cheese in a can was going to be used for a contest. A contest of unusual likeness... We were making 'savory houses'! Instead of gingerbread houses with candy and royal icing, we made 'savory houses' with saltine crackers and other salty treats such as goldfish crackers, cheeze-its, and pretzels. The Easy Cheese was, of course, the substitute for icing and held our creations together. I really wish I had my camera to take pictures of some of the structures that were made. The best ones were a manger scene and a Cape Cod bungalow.
This is a really fun idea for someone who wants a new, fun activity that doesn't involve sweets. And, it's not really too Christmas-esque so it can be done anytime of the year. Try it with your family and see what you come up with!!

" ... Seek ye out of the best books..."

The older I get, the more I realize that I still have a lot to learn. I often find myself relating well to a quote that my sister used to have on her wall. It goes something like this... "If I was sent to the earth to accomplish a certain number of things, at the rate I am going I will never die!" I constantly feel like there is more to do and more to learn and I wonder when I will find the time to get it all done.
One of the things I wish I had more time to do is study the scriptures. Besides the fact that reading in general is not a hobby of mine, I often let other tasks get in the way of the time I could be spending reading the scriptures. I often feel regretful about this and for that reason, I have never been one to read popular books for enjoyment. If I do find spare time, and feel like reading something, I choose the Ensign or the scriptures or maybe even the occasional self-help, educational book. A few of my favorites are "Seven Habits for Highly Effective People", "The Five Love Languages", and "Standing for Something". But, just recently I read a book that I would like to place at the top of my list of favorites. It is called "The Peacegiver". I was so deeply enlightened and touched by this book that I can't easily put it into words. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we believe that our salvation comes only through true repentance... made possible by Christ and the Atonement that he made for us so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. This book explains these core beliefs of ours in such profound detail, that I couldn't help but want to be a better person after reading it. If we could all follow the counsel in this book, we would find a depth of happiness that we have never known before.
With all of the demands that life brings us on a daily basis, it is so easy to become overwhelmed and feel inadequate. But I believe the counsel that the Lord gave Joseph Smith in The Doctrine & Covenants can be a big help to us if we follow it "...seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith." Inspired books of scripture, words from our church leaders, and other books that testify of Christ and his teachings are really tools that we have been given to make it through the difficulties that we face. "The Peacegiver" is no exception to this rule. For anyone who loves to "escape" into a book, I highly recommend this one! I hope you love it as much as I did.

Christmas with Grandma Day

My mom (AKA Grandma Mac) started a new tradition a few years ago. Every year, on a Saturday in December, she invites all of her grandkids over… that’s right, all 32 of them… and they spend time with just her. They always do a couple of Christmas crafts, decorate Christmas cookies, and then eat lunch. This year, once again, they all had a ton of fun! They made snowmen out of fun foam and made Christmas bracelets and bookmarks. Some of the older kids also helped Grandma set up her Christmas tree this year! That was an especially wonderful project!! We are so thankful to have such wonderful grandparents for our children. They love spending time over there and playing with all of their cousins… especially on “Christmas with Grandma Day”!!

Decorating the tree (and observing for some :)

Fun foam snowman

We love our cousins!!!

Catch Up Time!!

A lot has happened in our family in the last month. And I am behind on my journaling of it all, so bear with me as I try to catch up! We might have blog overload in the next few days! :)

One Year... And One More Toddler!!

Spencer officially (as of 15 days ago) has one year under his belt and at the same time has doubled the toddler population in our house! This time last year, my Christmas shopping was done, my Christmas cards were out, and I was enjoying many hours of relaxing with my newborn son. Whether it was feeding, cuddling, or just admiring, those peaceful times have not been forgotten. They have, however, been replaced. Now my hours are filled with other activities that are no less enjoyable, just more exhausting!! My days now consist of replacing all of the contents of my lower cupboards over and over, cleaning up the bomb that goes off around the highchair three times a day, and keeping toilet lids and bathroom doors closed. I shouldn't forget to mention kissing boo-boos as Spencer, in his attempt to walk, falls constantly.

I would also like to take the time to say (as cliche' as it is) "Time Flies When You're Having Fun"!! Spencer is really a fun, happy boy who is very nice to me. :) And, as soon as he gets rid of his pacifier and bottle, I think he'll be able to keep up with Bella! If she thinks she can boss him around forever, I think she has another thing coming!! :)

Here are some pictures of the birthday festivities at our favorite, cheap, party venue...

P.... P.... Pizza.

Here is the traditional "I can eat my own cake at one year old!" ritual.

Who invented this mess anyway?

Above and below Spencer is enthralled with his presents and ripping the paper.

Now (with Big Sis)

Then. ... Awwww!