Wilcox Family

What we did.....

2010-09-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun!!!

So our summer didn't go as we had planned, but it was still great fun! We did go camping a lot the last three weeks before school started. We spent a lot of time together and playing outside. Brayson and Kenadi spent more time outside than Mommy and Edri.

We were blessed to spend time with great friends and wonderful family as well! Lots of time with them! We went out on boats, rode 4-wheelers, swam and just hung out!

We had a safe summer this year, no major injuries!!! YAY for our family! Just the minor cuts and bruises, bumps and scrapes.

Well, since being called as the scout master, Jonathan has been going camping once a month with the boys, and taking Brayson with him. Brayson has really enjoyed that! And Kenadi, Edri and I have had our girls night out, which has consisted of watching the Princess and the Frog twice!

No luck with cakes, but I still haven't built my website for it. I hope to get more business when that happens. I have also taken a likeing in sewing and have done some nursing shields and will be working on some clothes here soon! I am so excited! I am now the proud owner of a brother Project Runway!!!!

Since school started, we have been running like crazy! Brayson loves his school, teachers, and friends! Kenadi loves hers too! It was so cute, the first day of class, she asked if I could leave like all the other mommies!

Edri is growing, slowly, but growing. Now eating baby food, she loves loves loves yams and bananas. She finally ate some peaches, and I'm hoping to get her to eat more the rest of the week, as well as some pears! Army crawling is the choice of movement at the moment. However, she doesn't really enjoy it. She would rather try to walk. She seems to smile much bigger when you let her stand and walk! Then she won't let you sit her on her bottom!! Silly, sweet baby of mine!

Brayson and Kenadi still fight like brother and sister, but I have found joy in those tender moments when they aren't fighting! I love to listen to them play together! And when they work together it's even better!

Well, more details are coming, but for now, this momma must turn off and join the sleeping beauties I have in my home!

On the GOOO!

2010-05-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

On the go and on the gooo too! Just in the last two or three weeks Edriannah has started to coo! She even giggled at Jon Saturday or Sunday! He's been trying to get her to laugh for at least a week now! Finally on Mother's Day, she did! What a wonderful gift that was!

This Mother's Day was especially wonderful! I was able to sleep in, which made us late for church, but the greatest part was spending the whole day surrounded by the people I love the most! Jon and the kids got me new scriptures and a case, since I got the bigger scriptures. And Brayson surprised me with a scrapbook page with both his and my hand on it. It said things like "my mommy is prettiest when she does her hair, and my mommy likes to cook mac and cheese" It was really sweet! I was so excited to try another new cupcake recipe from the AWESOME book my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas. The first recipe we tried was a key lime cupcake. Then I did a strawberry cheesecake for relief society last month. For Mother's Day, I did the churro, and it was really good too! There are so many yummy recipes, I'm going to need a special occasion every month to try them all out! Or maybe I'll just try them and take them to a neighbor too! That's a great excuse!

So tomorrow is the annual Ogden Marathon; half marathon; and Kimberly Clarke 5k. Jon and I have been running 5k's for the last 3 years and we really enjoy it! Whether we improve our time or not, it's something we really love to do together, even if we aren't running side by side! I am nervous because Edriannah is only 3 months old and when I did it three years ago kenadi was 6 months old. It scares me to push myself because I don't want to loose my milk and have to start formula! So, I'm going to enjoy the run and take it at a steady pace... not really pushing myself too hard to make a certain time! We really love this race! And this year we are going to go to the expo together as a family! Then tomorrow we're actually going to stay and participate in some of the events after the finish. We're excited!

Not only has Edriannah been doing new things, but Brayson and Kenadi are too! Brayson will graduate this coming Thursday from preschool! We are so proud of him! And he's so excited to go to kindergarten! He said something really funny and cute a few months ago. We were driving home from preschool and I honked at Grami and Grampi's house to say a little hello. He asked who I was honking at and why, so I told him. Then he asked me if I knew why we call Grami "Great Grami" ? I told him I did, but asked why he thought we did. He responded "We call her Great Grami because she is so Great!" It was so cute and sweet! I just keep forgetting to tell Grami!

Kenadi is super excited to be going to preschool this coming fall! She also says some really funny things! She is so animated and surely my drama QUEEN! Around the same time Brayson commented about Grami, Kenadi said "I just love him so much!" about my dad! It was great, since she doesn't really know him or see him that often! I thought how wonderful and great the love of a child!

I learn so much from my children! Not just in their words and actions, but in mine as well! When I do something I've taught them not to do or to do they recognize it immediately! I'm told often when I say "hate or stupid" that I said a potty word! And sure enough I apologize and serve my time out! I love my sweeties! They are my angels! Watching them learn and grow is a difficult and wonderful experience!

Growing like a weed!

2010-04-27T23:52:00.000-07:00

This weekend Edriannah will be 3 months old! I can't believe how fast the time has passed with my sweet little Edriannah! I thought that it was fast with Brayson and then Kenadi, but it's been like a whole 3 months has gone in just one day! I am excited to be that much closer to finishing school, but I feel like I have missed out on some very important time with my baby girl!
Well, the count down is not just for my graduation, but Brayson will be graduating from pre-school too! I am so proud of him! He has learned so much and is so excited to be moving up to elementary school! The most exciting part for him is that he will be attending the same school I did! I still don't know exactly how I feel about that, but at least he'll be learning Spanish and English... we hope! He's also so super excited that his friend Camden isn't moving to Arizona! He's been in tears for the last two weeks just heart broken about the move! Asking me if he can still play with him he'd say, "mom it's only one day away, can't we still play?" I would reply with a chuckle and tell him that he could email him or call him on the phone. But, when I told him last night that they weren't moving, his little eyes filled with tears and he literally took a double take and, with big eyes, said, "What! Really?!" Then his little chin began to quiver. It was so precious! He's such a tender little guy!
Kenadi is growing and I think her mood swings that are supposed to be in puberty have hit already! She's so totally a girl! She's been wearing skirts, which I like. She has some really cute skirts and skorts that she's never liked to wear until recently. She started trying to get away with hitting when she's mad though. This she learned from Brayson...hmmmm. Not good! But maybe it won't take so long to teach her it's not OK! Her little mommy instincts have become more controlled or at least she isn't trying to pick up Edriannah as much anymore! She still does, but it's not as often. I'm just glad she is not sick anymore! But we did find out that she does have asthma, and has a zillion meds she'll have to take in different situations! Wow, that bill was HUGE! But, she's got to have them to get control of allergies and the asthma, so we do what we need! And she's doing so much better!
I've discovered ZUMBA! And LOVE IT!!!! I'm preparing for my 4th 5k too! But the biggest thrill will come when I no longer have to study!! I love to learn, but this year has been torture! Since marrying and birthing/raising kids, they have become my focus. My family I mean. And my time with them has been limited, interrupted, or very tense from school! We're almost there though! All that I've learned has been and will be very beneficial now and in the future! So it will work out! I'm just blessed to have such a wonderful, loving, supportive, helpful and encouraging hubby! He's truly the best EVER!

A Year has passed and I am back!

2010-04-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Wow!
I didn't know time could fly by so quickly! I decided to check my blog today and found that it has been a year exactly since I posted! This was so surprising, but not at the same time.

This last year has been super packed with excitement, surprises, and lots of different emotions! Let me elaborate on that a little... I started school again last year, online school. So far that has gone very well, and I'm almost finished! Happily I will graduate June 1st.
In May of last year, I accomplished a goal that I've had since I graduated High School... I ran and completed the Ogden Marathon 5K. It was awesome! June brought a flood of emotions! I found out that I was pregnant in the middle of the month, and at the end my dear grandmother passed away. I ran another 5K in July, and Kenadi broke her arm. In September, Brayson started pre-school... his last year! I helped in his class and the 3-year-old class before his every day until our little baby arrived. October again brought a flood of emotions with the death of Jon's grandfather, and`his call to the young men organization at church. December, what a grand time! Snow, school, and Christmas!! Jon and I also celebrated our anniversary at the end of the month. We went to Las Vegas!!! We've never gone out of Utah for our anniversary, so it was a wonderful treat! February 1st our sweet baby was born.... It's a GIRL! Now the girls outnumber the boys!!!! We named her Edriannah Nichole Wilcox, and she was blessed March 28th. We're now collecting ourselves from the Easter holiday, and a visit to Rexburg to see our beautiful Sam sing in her senior recital.
We are looking forward to this year. Hoping for sun at the moment, and counting down the days until Brayson and I graduate!
I have learned how very blessed I am to be at home with my children, to have an opportunity to go back to school, and to have such wonderful family and friends so near by! I have also learned how precious time really is! Going to school has taken so much time away from my dear hubby and kids, not to mention my hobbies! I just look forward to the great memories we will make this year, and am so thankful that I won't miss out on Edriannah's 1st year too much!!

On another note, I started baking and decorating cakes and things for all occassions last year too, and will soon be creating a web site for my little biz.

2009-04-12T20:08:00.001-07:00

Hello and Good Easter to ALL!

Well, Easter found us this year on Saturday afternoon. We have decided that we are going to celebrate the last week of Jesus' life by reading the scriptural accounts and doing other various activities found in this AMAZING book "A Christ Centered Easter" by Janet and Joe Hales. It is so awesome! We started it this year, and really loved it. A few of the things we did are :

We made a "LOVE ONE ANOTHER" Poster, where we wrote things we love about each other or wrote nice, positive things to one another.

We talked about the story of the 10 virgins and how it's important to be prepared for when Christ comes again.

We talked about parables and made up our own parable about the boy and the bicycle.

On Saturday we ate a "Jerusalem dinner"; greens (lettuce), flat bread (which is super good heated in the oven), raisins, olive oil, and fish. We even ate it all with our fingers! We would have eaten on the floor but the kids are still too young I think. but regardless, it was a BLAST!

And today we wrapped it up by watching the movie "He is Risen" and watching Music and The Spoken Word. It was AWESOME!! I know there are lots more things we could do, but we'll do what we can. We will continue to have Easter bunny early and celebrate the life, service and death and resurrection of Christ all that week, so we all remember why we really celebrate Easter!

Anyway, we also had a lovely excursion to Idaho this weekend. We went on a trip "Temple hopping". It wasn't the kind of Temple hopping where we go perform ordinances at different Temples, but we had our family picture taken at each Temple. It was so much fun!! It all started when I began doing my Personal Progress and made a goal to do a project of family pictures in front of different Temples. So we did it! I am so excited! We stayed in a hotel the first night, then we were obliged to stay at Sam and Derek's the second night! Kenadi and Brayson LOVED it! They were so kind to watch the kids while Jon and I went to the Rexburg Temple Friday Night. It was a great trip and we are planning MANY more!

Anyway, so Spring has FINALLY sprung and I am so happy to see the SUN! I look forward to getting to know my neighbors again! And doing lots of planting and outdoor play!!

Here are some highlights of this last week. Enjoy! And HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Good Spring? Is it?

Well, the calendar said that spring started a couple of weeks ago almost! What happened? Well, I guess it depends on your view doesn't it? Jacklyn is happy that it is snowing so we have lots of water for the summer, however, this stay at home mom is LONGING for the sweet smells of spring and soft green grass between my toes! I am dreaming constantly of long walks in the sun, to the park, where we play in the sand and slide down the big red slides! I want to plant gardens and run and play out side! I know that the water is great for the environment, but I am SUPER ready for the warm temps! And I am POSITIVE the kids are too!!!

So we have entered a NEW realm in life! Kenadi is terribly TWO! The Pediatrician told me today that for most girls the terrible twos are WORSE at the beginning and a little easier near the end. I SURE hope so! She is very independent! She LOVE to hear her voice LOUD all the time! She IS in charge of everything! And she holds the keys to getting EVERYTHING she wants. That is really not true, but she thinks so! However, she is potty trained! And we're working on night time too. She's doing REALLY well so far.

Brayson is Mr. "I know everything and don't need to be told what to do because I already know. But it's OK if I don't do what you tell me, because I know!" He has a really hard time keeping his temper sometimes. The pediatrician said that if he could sit for 4 minutes at a time, then he is doing GREAT! So for as old as the child is that's how long you should expect them to sit still for any activity! It was great to hear that, just so I know that my children aren't the most unruly and out of control! A couple of weeks ago we had a birthday party with his friends and he loved it! There were friends from the ward and neighborhood, old friends and friends from preschool. It was a lot of fun!!

Jon is working at Out of The Woods still. He enjoys it very much. And maybe some day we will renovate our kitchen! He is 27 now! He has really been working hard to help me out around the house lately! Ever since I started back to school!

We are no longer doing our "Business", but I am doing "Cakes on The Side". That's just a name I threw out. I don't have a name, but I do all kinds of cakes and I am starting some business cards. I would like to make this a small business, so If anyone is interested, please find me on facebook.
Other than everyone growing and learning and dieing to have warm whether, I am going to school now. I started in February, and am 6 weeks into the trimester. It has been a challenge, but it has been fun at the same time! I am enjoying learning more about children, teaching and myself!

Upcoming or current events:

We are planning a family road trip! YAY YAY!!
Jon and I FINALLY went on a date an played racket ball!!!! It was SOOOO much FUN!!!
We are fixing our walls in Brayson's closet and the downstairs bathroom!!! Yippee!!!
I have a new design for a cake to practice... Flower Pot! I am excited!
Jon is installing cabinets at the new barn!
Jon is almost done with the wood at mom and dad Wilcox's house!
CONFERENCE is this weekend!
I am three months pregnant!!
We are planning on moving to Texas this fall.
And..... APRIL FOOLS!!! I am NOT pregnant! And we are NOT moving to Texas, though we had thought about it a few times!! HE HE HE! The rest are true though!

Anyway, so Brayson was talking to Derek the other day... on their birthday, and he said in a conversation about Jesus dieing on the cross (in the mountains is what he said) that "it's hard to loose them so young!" It was Hilarious!!!! And Kenadi has been grabbing faces and saying "Let me tell you something!!!" You should see her face when she does it! She is the littlest class clown!!!

More fabulously funny quotes to come!

2009-02-03T18:37:00.000-08:00

Well, it's time to get back in to the swing of things a little, if at all possible! So how many of you are as ready for spring as I am?!!! I am so ready to see green grass, the beautiful flowers and warm sun!!!! And especially the walks outside!!!

Brayson is almost through his first year of preschool! And he is learning so much! He loves his teacher and all his new friends!!! He is now almost four years old and is very much into the things all little four year old boys are!!!! He is also new to primary!! There are days that he wants to go back to nursery, but aren't there those kind of days for all of us!!??!! Brayson loves his friends and has recently developed an imaginary friend... they are robots and they aren't around all the time, just a couple of times so far. He also keeps telling us that he has a baby brother who is named Jonathan. So he is full of surprises! He is working really hard to be more kind and loving to Kenadi and speak more softly. We are working on the hitting and the anger. And we are having some success. He loves his little sister so much!!! And he loves life! He is just so big, and smart!

Kenadi is now two years old. We had a Tinker Bell party for her, since she is really into Tinker Bell! She has a million babies it seems! And she is full of spunk! She really runs the show, but is slowly learning that she isn't in charge! She has the sweetest smile! She is growing so fast that all the clothes we have gotten from our dear friends and neighbors have run out! Recently on a trip to a local children's museum she experienced an injury. We both went down the slide, and her leg became stuck and evidently broke. She will be in a cast for three weeks. And we're already down one week! She actually tried to put some pressure on it all by her self today! She's been really bummed not being able to play and all, but she has learned to get herself around and pull herself up and she is a trooper!!!

As for Jon, we were talking about moving to Texas, and that has died down a little. We really LOVE being around family and friends! And it would be a great adventure, but I don't think we will be doing that anytime soon! He is well though. I think he is a little relieved with some important decisions behind us, and looking forward to a new year and a better year too! Things got a little slow at work for a while, and they are picking up a little now, which is nice! He was sort of offered a different job, but only in hopes that it would be better for our family, but it wouldn't help. And the job was actually offered to someone else first. So we're not too disappointed! Anyway, he's been busy helping his mom and dad with their house for quite some time, and he's just putting the finishing touches on now! I'm so proud of him! He's always such a great example of a loving, caring, service oriented person!

I am going back to school this year!!! FINALLY! I am actually going to start this month, I hope! and I'll finish in about two years. I have been looking for a job, and I have tried a couple of things, on has been really fun and good for some extra cash. I have started my own business baking, decorating and selling cakes! I will soon have some pictures to advertise! I am loving my children so much. And we are looking forward to the sun, going to the park and having lots of fun this year! Making new memories and growing in love and unity!!!! I am doing well with overcoming my eating disorder. Things aren't easy, but I am determined to get through this, or at least manage better my thoughts and actions! All in all, we are well! Excited for the future and new experiences!

One week closer!!!

2008-08-18T13:14:00.000-07:00

We are one week closer to the first day of pre school! Brayson is SUPER EXCITED! And I am sure Kenadi is too! She doesn't understand, but I know she will have a TON of fun! We have been really working on the importance of taking the supplies to school and leaving them. It has become a special pre school pack that has become an exciting start. I am not quite sure how well Brayson will do with both Kenadi and I there. I don't know if he will feel like we are taking over his time and his special place, or if he will embrace it and enjoy it as if we weren't even there! I can only do my best to prepare him and myself and let it play out as it will.

Jon is still working and enjoying it at OOTW. He does find himself in different situations often, ones that he can't seem to do anything right. However, he plows through them with hope and faith that things will turn out as they should. He is working at his mom and dads helping with some remodeling and the addition to the south and east sides. He taught me how to wire a plug on Saturday!

Speaking of Saturday, we attended the Davis Co fair with my mom and pat. It was small and simple. We had fun and didn't feel like we were missing out on anything really. After we went to Kathy's and Brayson rode ginger, her pony. He did a wonderful job and had great balance she said. It was fun.

I am going through a rough period again! Last week was horrible!!! I couldn't do anything to change the way I felt about my weight! I tried daily to do things to help or to take my mind off of it, but it seemed to get worse each day. Finally I talked to Jon about it on Sunday, yesterday. He listened and I decided to make this week better. I would focus my time on my kids and the preparations for prescool. And focus my energy on Jon and my callings. I am feeling a little better today, and still trying to just live in this amazing life God has given me! I can see the powers and influences of the adversary as I think about the feelings I had for myself last week and as I see the impact it had on the way I acted to my family and others! I know that he and his power are real and he is actively striving to bring us down in any and every way possible!!! He uses our weaknesses and that is a HUGE one for me!! But in all that, I also know that I have a loving Heavenly Father and a Savior, Jesus Christ who loves me and has given his life and felt that pain and anguish. He knows my fears, feelings and thoughts. He has suffered for this time and still does and I struggle! I have moments and days when I think about just giving up and letting the thought and feelings be my life and me, then I see my family and know that I must fight! I am fighting and praying constantly!!!

Well, Jon and I have been using 'smiley pills' as a way to get Brayson to behave these last two or three weeks. It has been great. And I think it has reached its plateau! He is beginning to ignore me again and doing things he isn't supposed to do, even when he is given ONE warning. He only has ONE warning and then the punishment is given! It is that he looses so many smiley pills, or skittles, or he sits on the 'naughty step', time out for three minutes. Anyway, I am sticking in and really working at becoming a better, more loving and compassionate mommy. And using love, persuasion, and firmness. I pray a lot for help and guidance, and have been blessed immensely! I so love my children, as does Jon. We try to follow the spirit as it guides us in our life and we feel so blessed to have all that we do! We have been given so much and seen so much love and mercy from our Father in Heaven!!!

Now we have Kenadi who thinks it is okay to hit and yell and be disobedient! And the trials begin again! We are trying time out on my lap with her as we did with brayson, until she is two, then naughty step begins! She is learning to go poop and pee on the potty too! Things are flying by so fast! And life is filling with more beautiful colors each day, as we learn and try!

Nearing a new Chapter

2008-08-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well, it is now August and we are preparing to close our summer vacationing season! We have been planning vacations for this month and due to finances this month, they will have to be held off until next month. However, we did go to the WCF (Weber County Fair) yesterday and we will go tomorrow. And that could be considered a vacation! I'm kidding! Anyway, I don't really think things will ever slow down to what they were pre-toddler stage with Kenadi, and pre pre-school stage with Brayson! So that is where we are!

Brayson is preparing for pre school!!! WOW, a new beginning, a new chapter in our life, his life and our world!!! We have about 28 days until he starts and we are just super excited!!! I think is will be a GREAT transition! He will have so much fun with the other kids and learning, and playing! It will be HIS time!! And there will be something to talk about and be excited about! Isn't pre-school AWESOME!!???

I am now a part of facebook too! I don't have as much time as I did before with blogging and not many people really view bloggs. So I think facebook will be wonderful! However, I won't stop writing about us here! It makes it fun to remember! I just wish I could add music and a little attitude to the page! I am so clumsy when it comes to technology!

Jon and I have actually gone on one date and are planning another this Saturday... that's two in three weeks!!! That is AMAZING!!! Plus, there will be plenty more! I am hoping on dating my sweet honey ( I just typed hiney before!!) weekly!! It is amazing what dating your spouse really does! And flirting too! It does make it a little harder when you have totally different social experiences daily!

The pool is closed for a couple of weeks for cleaning, so aerobics will be canceled for that time. I will miss it and all my ladies too!

I am making two cakes in the next two-three months. Both birthday, and both sheet cakes. But it is another step to a cake business!

Last night for Young Women we did some scrapbook pages and it made me really want to do some of my own again. I SOOO love to scrap book, it just takes time, just like reading and writing and drawing! I love SO many things, I just need to live to be 300 so I can do it all!!! Anyway, we are spectacular! I am slowly making progress toward a healthy me. And I am, while in the process, teaching my children how to be healthy too! Jon and I are so blessed and can't imagine being this blessed. But we are!!!

Well, we missed story time today, AGAIN! And brayson and kenadi both want some cheese and grapes! These growing sweet children are constantly hungry! I remember being that way!

Summer Time Blues.....

2008-07-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Well, things haven't gotten any slower around here. I did start teaching Swim Aerobics a week ago. I really LOVE it! The women are wonderful and the water is so lovely and relaxing. I feel wonderful!!! Brayson and Kenadi are growing so much! I am amazed at how ready Brayson is for pre-school!!! I am so proud of him and all he has and continues to accomplish each and every day! And Kenadi is just leaping forward too!! She is speaking more daily! She tries to do all that Brayson does and she does it!! She is a sweet DIVA! She has recently accomplished pulling off her own diaper and going potty in the toilet! And Brayson is waking up with dry pull ups in the morning! Soon enough, I hope, he will not be wearing pull ups at all!!! We have been reading every day for the last two weeks and it is making a HUGE difference in how Brayson acts. I think with all the busy family and church and vacation stuff he has felt a little neglected! We have also been watching more closely his and Kenadi's interacting. Just to see who is the real culprit of the bickering! And we have noticed that stating the "blame" differently and on the true guilty party has been a huge help! I know it seems like I am excited about everything and I AM!!! I can't tell you what an awesome two weeks I have had! I am having more fun with my family then I have for a long time! I am letting go of the things that aren't important and letting the house work wait a little! I am spending more time reading to and playing with Brayson and Kenadi and life seems SOOOOO much more enjoyable! Mom and Pat are in New York. Some day we will visit there. And Dad has finally been accepted to have season tickets to the Broncos. He is ecstatic about that! I am happy for him. I think he could do other things with the money, but it's not mine and it's not my place to tell him what to do. So I hope he has a wonderful time and makes the most of what he has been given! I feel so blessed! We have tried to wait out this hour decrease at work for Jon, and we have finally reached the light! They have gone back to 10 hr. days! And though it's awesome, we are planning a better budget plan, in order to save money and pay off debts. We are still trying to sell the car, and are still having no luck. So, with the gas prices, we are going to use it as much as we can... not run it into the ground, but use it instead of the truck. Anyway, things are going well, not the absolute best, but great anyway. We are planning more vacation time as a family and more family fun!! We hope you all are planning on having some time together. We look forward to pre-school beginning and learning more and playing more and reading more!!! We think of you all often and love you all so much!

A new Summer.... memories in the making

2008-06-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well, it's officially Summer and we have finally planned what we are doing! We are so excited to go camping with Brayson and Kenadi this year! The past three years of camping have been loads of fun! We are planning on going on just a few camping trips. With gas prices and a shortage in hours at work, we can't quite afford an abundance of trips. But really, we don't need a lot, just some down time with family is more than we could ask for. And all the time we can have, we will be eternally grateful for!!!

Well, I actually began this post the day after I arrived home from girl's camp. I had a blast with the young women. And having Jon come up for a day was an added bonus. It was hard to know what we were allowed to do, or if we were allowed to spend time with each other or if we were supposed to just stay at our "posts". However, things worked out well, and we were able to spend some time together and enjoyed what time we had.

Though girl's camp was a riot, the rest of the weekend and following week was a bit of a hardship. With the Topsy turvy election and preparations for it. And there was an enormous tragedy in the family. Jon's uncle died the Wednesday of the week of girls camp. He found out when he arrived home from work on Thursday. It was and still is quite a shock. I am still in shock and wait for a family outing to see him. So with all the emotions and so much to catch up on in and out of the house. And I am also beginning to teach swim aerobics tonight! I will be teaching two evenings and week and one morning. I am nervous and excited all at the same time. I am so full of emotions and feel like I'm not sure what I am feeling most of the time.

Anyway, I will make this post short and end with.... I am proud to be an American and 25 and a wife and mother! I am proud of my heritage and how my children are learning and growing! I am proud of Jon and all he does and his continuing strength and love and support to me in all I do. I look forward to forming amazing memories this summer with my family and friends! HAPPY 4Th!!!!!

WOW time flies!!

2008-06-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

WOW!! I can't believe how fast the time flies when you are busy! I mean I do know, but it just amazes me when I look back and see that the last blog I posted was on mother's day! Anyway, things are going well. I have just begun swim aerobics again and am totally LOVING it! I have really missed it and was given a year swim pass for mother's day! I can't say it is my most favorite, but right now, it is what I wanted and needed.
Well, Jonathan has been doing some odd end jobs at his mom and dad's for the last two weeks. It has been nice to be able to spend time with him. Whether or not he is working, it's nice to be around him. And even nicer when I have an opportunity to help him work. He is also doing some finish work at work to prepare for their open house next week. He will be working long hours there next week to help prepare the shop for that, and we are excited. Not just for the hours that will bring, but hopefully the business the open house will bring! Because of the economy, the housing market has gotten really slow!!! And so many people have suffered the consequences! I know we have felt the blow enough to tighten our budget a ton! We are pressing forward though. And thanks to a lot of help, love and support from our parents, we have so much more added to our yard and life than we would have otherwise. THANK YOU!!!
Brayson has begun to talk back to me. I'm not sure how to handle that! I thought that wasn't supposed to start until they were at least five years old! And due to a friends example, he thinks it's okay go potty out side! He has now pooped twice out side, and we're at a loss of what to do!!! We have been given many suggestions, and we just don't feel comfortable using some of them, but maybe it will be those that help him learn!!! On learning, he is forming sentences better every day! And he is very open for help on saying words and forming sentences. He loves to learn. He also loves to play with friends! He makes friends so easily and quickly!!! He has many friends of all ages!! And he remembers each one of you! Billy Dawn, Gerri, Spencer, Kim, Darla, Megan, Heather and I'm sure there are more! He just loves you all! And every now and then he will say something about you or sing a song about you! I love it! He is a very musical boy! He loves to dance and sing and play! He also loves to watch Super Why and Dragon Tales, and Word World. They are pretty good shows! He learns so much when he watches them, and that helps me feel okay with it! Though I know I need to interact with him and Kenadi more!
Kenadi has begun to say 'NO!' and 'MINE!'. She also loves to sing and dance! I love to hear them both singing so much! I even turn the radio down in the car just to hear them sing! Kenadi is so creative when she is dancing! She really gets into it! She has been cutting six teeth for the last couple of months and has just recently gotten a bit of a temperature. She has also been really whiny and clingy! She is doing much better when I am gone to young women or anywhere else! I have just started swim aerobics this week and am gone for an hour and about 15 minutes Monday Wednesday and Friday mornings. She has done really well! She gets really excited when I come home! That is really awesome for me! Jon is the one gone most of the time and gets the warm homecomings. So to have them super excited for me is really special!!! She and Brayson will be getting their shots next month. Oh! I need to remember the super cute thing Kenadi says! She calls birdies "wiwi's". I think it is because I say "tweet tweet" when I am signing it to her. And speaking of signing, that is also another thing I need to be better at! She is learning sign, but I am not as good at watching it daily with her like I was with Brayson!
As I have mentioned, I started swim aerobics this week. I have really enjoyed having that time in the morning for myself, by myself and other women. I am a firm believer that women NEED other women! And a firm believer that we NEED time for ourselves!! I love to go walking and running and don't mind having the kids with me. I LOVE being home with them and I love watching them learn and grow each day. But just as elder Ballard said this last conference, " You can not draw water from an empty well". I am also going to take voice and piano lessons this summer from my sweet, talented mother-in-law. I am so excited and a little scared at the same time. It's hard to learn new things, for me, as a perfectionist, especially when it's your mother-in-law and she is an amazing pianist and an outstanding singer!!!! (She sings with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) However, I am still excited. I am also going to start walking in the mornings, by myself or with others if they are willing. I am determined to go walking EVERY morning! And I hope to train for a marathon. As for the eating disorder, I am in a fairly good place right now. I am eating a shake or yogurt with rice flakes for breakfast and not feeling HORRIBLE. And I am telling myself daily that I love the body God gave me. I know that I really need to love myself for who I am, and accept the "flaws" I have. At least those that I can not change! There are some parts of our shapes and features that we really can't change. They are just part of our genetics and can only be changed through surgery. And in my opinion, surgery is showing and telling God that we don't appreciate what he has blessed us with!! Now, to be totally honest, I had planned on having an induction in the future, when we were done having children. However, I talked with my sister-in-law, who had a different view about what God gave us. And showed me that it is vanity that draws us to change our physical appearance to please others and to "feel" better about ourselves! I have decided to accept my "hopeless chest" and love me for me. And though I do have to consciously tell myself that every day right now, I know that some day I won't have to!! I will feel it and see a different me! I am sure Jon can't wait for me to see myself as he sees me. I still struggle sometimes, but I am trying!
We are preparing for girls camp in our stake! I am so excited to be able to go and stay the whole week! We are preparing secret sister gifts and skits and tents and it's so much fun! We are also trying to unite our young women group! They are quite divided! And with varying backgrounds and households, they really pose a trial. They are all good girls, when they aren't all together! I just hope we don't get snowed on! With this crazy weather lately, I wonder if it is going to snow! And I wonder exactly how warm it's going to be, if it will be warm at all! Jon is going to be coming up on Wednesday to be our priesthood. I am excited for that! We will have some time together without the kids! And we will be going on the hike that day! Wow! I just love girls camp! I have so many wonderful memories about camp! It is a special place for me! It is much like how special the Temple is to me. Though the Temple is MUCH MORE SPECIAL, it is also special! And speaking of the Temple, I am going this weekend! Jon is going to watch the kids so I can go! And I am so excited!!! It's been too long since I have been and the last time I tried to go, my reccomend was expired! So this will be such a great escape!
Derek comes home today! We have been waiting and anticipating this day for a while now. And more especially this last two weeks as we have been helping prepare for his homecoming. We are so excited to have him home! And to have him here for as long as we will have him. He has always been such a great example to all of us in growing in knowledge in the gospel!!! He studied and prepared better than anyone I have ever heard of! And through that preparation, he taught us all the importance of doing our part! And he will meet four new neices and nephews toight! How would that be!!! Four additions to the family in two years!! WOW! TIME FLIES!

Mother's Day

2008-05-12T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hello and good evening! Jon was a little irritated or confused as to why I published my last post. He didn't think it was right for me to tell everyone about what goes on in my mind. Well, I know some of you don't really think a whole lot about it, and others worry. Well, I can't tell you why I posted it or why I even wrote it! I don't know why it was on my mind so much Saturday. It could be because I have been having a really difficult time lately. Or it could be that I just had to talk and that's what I hadn't said yet. I don't know, but I did it and I can't and won't take it back now. I don't know if anyone has even read it so who's to know! Anyway, Kenadi did the funniest thing yesterday! As we were finishing lunch and cleaning up, Brayson sat in the chair she wanted to sit in. She was really irritated by this and started getting mad at him and yelling at him, in her baby talk. She says some words like 'NO!' and others. And she did tell him no no. But then she stuck out her pointer finger and said..." Two... Tee" over and over as she tried to push and or pull him off the chair! It was so funny I couldn't help but laugh until I cried!!!! She also showed how much she likes chocolate! We were given chocolate kiss roses for mother's day at church and she began chewing on one until she tasted chocolate. Then she wanted the wrapper off. I decided to give her the piece that wasn't all gushy and slobbery. She then ate one more rose (two pieces of chocolate). Later she and Brayson shared the last rose, but she wanted more. She saw Jon carrying one to the car and ran to him, or the chocolate, as fast as her little legs would carry her! I wish I could have seen her, but I can imagine what it looked like! She also said Uncle Matt, plain and clear!!!! Matt and I were the only two that heard her, but we both heard her say it!!! Mom Sheehan and Mom Wilcox loved their pictures, but I can't take credit for Mom Wilcox's. It was actually a gift to her from our photographer, and we gave it to her for mom's day. I feel badly because we bought my mom one and didn't really buy her anything but a card! It was so nice to see family yesterday though! My mom and brothers. And Jon's family! I love having family gettogethers!
Well, Jon met his newest nephew yesterday. He is becoming baby hungry and if it weren't for the economy and the fact that his hours at work have been cut and at Don Julio he will be giving up some, he would probably want to get pregnant now. However, we decided when Kenadi was born that we would wait until she was at least two to talk about it! So, we have eight months until we talk and at least 10 until we get serious.
On our way home from Grama and Grampa Wilcox's last night Brayson was singing a song. I love to listen to him sing, especially when he makes up the song on his own. He began the song... from what I first heard... My mom wears underwear. Then he started singing about daddy and it turned into a serenade to Spencer, Jon's cousin. Spencer played with Brayson at Grama and Grampa's and Brayson just clung to him! So on the way home he sang all about Spencer and swinging and playing at grama and grampas and him going home and not wanting him to go home. It was just so cute and funny at times!
Well, I got perfume from the kids and a swim pass from Jon for mother's day!! I love the perfume and am more than excited to start back to swim aerobics! I only wish it could be this week!!! And right now, I wish it wasn't so chilly outside so I could go for a walk and run/jog! But it is and I can just do some exercise inside. Things are well here in the Wilcox home! We love the sun and the spring and hope to plant some sort of flowers this year, but we may and may not. Bonnie, if you read this please email me or comment with your email address!

The mind of Eating disorder

2008-05-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I have spoken about my struggle with eating disorder before. I had begun the Weight Watchers program in a round about way to help me learn proper portions, but it hasn't helped! I have limited myself to fewer foods now, due to points. I don't want anyone to think that this program is terrible. They tell you not to join if you have eating disorders and I didn't really join. I just heard and learned the points system from close associates. Anyway, it has made some things worse and it did help in others. As for the mind game of what to eat, how much to eat and when it's okay to eat, it's getting harder and easier too. I had a really bad week two weeks ago and I had a hard time shaking it! But I am doing better now. Here is what goes on in my mind... I feel much better when I don't eat breakfast and that usually ends up not eating lunch either. And I have to exercise every day. I do try to give myself two days off of exercising. I do for sure take one... Sunday. But I seem to feel like I need to exercise every other day. When I don't, I feel fat, and don't want to do anything but not eat and exercise and soon enough I am depressed and in a rotten mood and everything seems to be going wrong. If I eat anything sweet... or dessert type foods, I not only feel fat but I can see myself fatter too. I do not see myself as others do. I see and feel the fat hanging over my pants and filling out the legs in them. And flapping as I wave hello or goodbye. I see a face that is round and a me that I don't like and don't want to be. I don't always feel this way, but on bad days and weeks that is what I see. What happens is I have a period when I lose and feel amazing, then a period when I gain a little back and I feel awefull! Like at Christmas time and the beginning of the year when my family got sick and I did. I lost weight and felt amazing! I had also been doing swim aerobics with my mom and was super busy with holidays. I have an image of what I want to look like and parts of me have gotten there, but I have never gotten there completely. I have had times when I feel good about how I look and feel great too. This is how it works in my mind... I loose, feel great, and it's not enough. I want to loose more. And it's not always about the number. It's about how the pants fit, how I feel and being long lean, tone. It's all a mind game. And though I know it is, it's super hard to get past, to work through. It's an aweful rollercoaster that my dear sweet Jonathan deals with and tries to help me work through each day! And having my children helps me to never get so bad that I am hospitalized. Though it is a fear for both Jon and I, I have never gotten that bad, and don't plan on it. As of now, I try to tell myself that I can eat, and that it's okay and that I'm not fat. Some days I can convince myself and other's it's a joke. Well, so far, that's all that I can remember has gone through my mind. Welcome to the mind of eating disorder.

Back On Blogg!!!

2008-05-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Well, we had some technical difficulties with our computer the last three weeks. And so, I apologize to those of you who hopped on our blogg and found the same blogg you read before.

Okay, so news: I conquered my biggest fear.... aka, babysitting more than three or four children. I babysat four and it made six including mine. It was really fun and not too hard, considering I had no more than five at once. Anyway, we all made it through the day happy and alive and in one piece each! I am amazed and a little proud at the same time! Let's see, what else.... Well, Kenadi is becoming quite interested in going potty. I remember Brayson doing this, but at a much older age. She actually went '#2' a few weeks ago! And she always has to try to go after anyone else does. She is so feisty! And so very sweet at the same time! She is much like her daddy in affection! She loves to give kisses. Where Brayson and I like hugs. Brayson is having a really hard time right now with wanting to play with friends. He is super sensitive, we don't really know why. He may just inherit that from his daddy! Anyway, he is in really need of friends and he had a GREAT time with all of his cousins yesterday! It was so nice for him to have someone to play with for most of the day both days. He is also becoming a much more belligerent person. He is changing so much! I am having a hard time knowing how to react to the changes! And I know that Jon is too. He just doesn't have a long period with him. Well, we keep trying and praying for help and that's all we can do! Kenadi has learned how to say NO! She knew how to say it, she just started using it more now! She is also convinced that she can do anything Brayson does and tries everything! She and Brayson are really wonderful children! And having all of the other children yesterday helped me to love them individually that much more I think!

Jon is finally going to give up part of his route for Don Julio! He will be giving part of it to Derek when he comes home! We are so excited! Both for Derek and mostly for Jon having more time at home with us! He is just being wore out and it's causing some suffering on all of us! But we have been blessed through it to be as positive and we can. Even if it isn't super positive sometimes. We have pulled through! We are still trying to sell the car, but we made the decision that if we didn't sell it by a certain time it wasn't right. Even if it meant that it would be really hard. Well, for father's day, we bought Jon a bicycle! He has wanted one for about three years now and he found one that was in a decent price range for a decent bike. So he has father's day a month early! But now we can go on family bike rides and take them on vacations and all sorts of things!

Tomorrow is Mother's day and I wish all the mothers in my life HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! I have many mothers, weather they are mine or neighbors, colleagues or friends who are mothers, I hope you all feel special! I do today! I know that I have been blessed with these precious children and entrusted with their care by a loving Heavenly Father! I love, enjoy, am blessed and honored to be a mother! I want my mother(s) to know that I love them! You are an amazing example to me and I cherish our relationship, friendship and time together. I have learned many things in my life through your example. And I still learn each day. Thank you and I love you with all my heart!

Happy Spring!!!

2008-04-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

WOW! Yesterday was so beautiful and just energizing! I always feel more energized when the weather is good! And especially when it is as warm and sunny as it was yesterday! We all spent most of the day outside and we all got a little sun burned too! Jon was jealous of that!

Well, Sunday morning as Kenadi was preparing to get into the tub, she ran to the toilet, opened it and pooped in the toilet!!! I put her on there just in time! It was just so awesome that she knew she needed to go and ran to the potty!! It was amazing and exciting! She is such an energetic baby. She is a diva and a sweetheart at the same time! She is signing and talking more and more every day. She started jabbering sentences on Friday or Saturday. And she has her first scraped knee! She fell Saturday and scraped it, then scraped the same knee in the same place twice yesterday! She loves to sit up on the table! Whenever I take her off, she throws a fit! And she is getting two more teeth. I am so excited for the sun and warmer weather! So is Kenadi! She just can't spend enough time out side!!

Brayson loves his friend Camdon! From the minute he wakes up to the minute he falls asleep, he is talking about Camdon! He doesn't want to do anything but play with him and just be with him. Even though he hates to share ANY toys! He rode Camdon's bicycle yesterday and really loved it! And since we haven't gotten him a birthday present yet, we are going to get him a bike! I am excited to see him riding! He is so grown up and so not at the same time! His speech is so clear and I am so proud of how smart he is! He really wants to learn how to write his name and go to school! I am sure he will someday be playing piano and singing just like Grama Wilcox! That is a great joy for him! Whenever he has an opportunity to sing, play piano or any instrument, he just shines with joy!

We are beginning to plan for a couple of big projects or goals for this year! I am going to be going back to school this year, I hope! And we are planning and carrying out the steps of planting a garden, or many gardens! Two in the front, a vegetable/fruit garden at my dad's and more plants around the back fence! I am so excited! I really enjoy planting, and planning what and where to plant and planting! Just being out side and creating something beautiful to look at! It just gets me so excited! We are also changing our old TV room into an office/art room! That is exciting too! And hoping to go on a nice vacation and a nice anniversary too! Jon wants to go to Florida, but I don't think we'll make it! And both of us just want to go somewhere outside of Utah! Anyway, we are holding up okay. It has been really hard having Jon work so much these last couple of months! He will be for a while longer, until we sell the car probably! I don't know how people do it with spouses in the army, military or navy! Or even spouses who work far away, travel or who work for trucking companies! I am having a really hard time with him just working two jobs and being gone for 15 hours almost every day! Anyway, today is windy and we are here in the house! It's like 20 degrees difference than yesterday! But we're still having a great day!

Life is a Beautiful Gift!

2008-04-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

Today we were blessed with moisture.... in the form of rain. At least it was rain by the time we woke up today. Anyway, I love rain! I always have and always will. It's not quite so cold and it doesn't stick around to keep it cold. It just leaves its mark and returns another time. It also makes it smell so nice. I guess that depends on where you live ,your surroundings, and your likes and dislikes in smells! I don't really like the smell of the farm, after a rain, in the autumn nor the spring so much. But it smells wonderful after it rains in mountains! Anyway, I don't want to alarm anyone or make anyone uncomfortable with the things on our blog page! I appreciate the advice I have received and the comments as well. I have recognized this "addiction" for over four years now. And I have wanted to change and at the same time have had a struggle within myself that I don't want to change either. And that has been my position for the last four years. I thank you all for your concern, your love, support and prayers. I appreciate all of you! I won't do anything drastic or follow any advice unless I feel comfortable with it, and if my family feels comfortable with it too. I understand about personal information, but sometimes, not always, I will need to talk about it.

So enough of that!!!! Today is a great day. No matter the mind set I am in, today is a great day. Yesterday was awesome! I pulled two pranks on Jon. I put cotton in his shoes and Vaseline on the back door handle! I made yesterday begin in a very fun way and it just set the mood!

My mom received a promotion at work, which begins in May! I am so excited for her!!! We have been waiting for this for YEARS! So CONGRATS mom!!!!

Kenadi is signing "More, please" now and actually says please! I can't believe how quickly things progress when children see their potential. And when they get a reaction from you!!! I just love my babies so much! They really are the light of my life! And they bring so much joy to my heart and each day they help me love more! Brayson is so smart! He is such a great helper! And he loves his sister! Actually, they both love each other very much! I wish I could get a picture of them hugging each other and kissing! They just melt my heart. Of course, there are the times when either of them is throwing a fit or not playing nicely! But they are still such a joy!

Jon and I have finally put signs in the car to sell it. I won't give specific info., so if you want to know specifics or someone you know does, just call me. Those who know my number anyway! Others that night view my page and want to know, I am sorry, but that is personal info that I am not willing to give out!

Well, we are really blessed and super happy! Even in the depths of trial, I see joy all around. There may be times when I am frustrated and worry, but I have so much more to be happy and thankful about! And at least for today, I see it and feel it! Now, if I can just figure out how to make pictures smaller to fit my page!

On a side note, Those in the Ogden Area, I do wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and others. I am a beginner, but have worked with fondant, icing and frosting. If you know anyone who needs a cake please spread the word. I will also be starting my own home business with US BORNE books in the next month. I will be holding a party to introduce myself, the books and book some parties. These books are wonderful! They range from newborn books to teenage level, and kits and phonics and much more! They have sets, guarantees and outstanding reviews! I am so excited about these books and everyone knows that books are a staple! We need books! And they make great gifts for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and much more! They are great books and as a mother, education is important.

In Preparation for the Sabboth

2008-03-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

Today is cold and a little dreary day. Though this may be the case, it is still a beautiful day. Jonathan is working again today. He worked from about 6:30 last night until 12:30 this morning. We are still trying to go with the flow with him being gone so much, and we are doing pretty well. I do have a hard time not having time with him and I though. But we seem to be doing well.

Last night my second oldest brother, Chris was married to Mindee. It was a very beautiful wedding and all who participated looked fantastic! I can't believe it's finally done! I am so very happy and excited for them and Jesse, Trevor and Colton! They are all so very happy and they all deserve it! I love to see Chris so happy!!!! I love them all so much! And I look forward to sharing many happy memories for many years to come! It was a great reception, with a short line, dancing, and lots of it! Brayson was asleep for most of the reception and Kenadi slept for some of it. But we were able to dance a little. And we were all able to dance one slow dance together. Although it could have been more fun with Jon, we still had a blast!

Kenadi is joining the world of talking slowly but surely! She now says, Momma, Dad, Ought oh, Grampa and Grama, bye bye, love you, yes, ugh uh, ball and I think that's pretty much it. She also is signing a little. She is more into talking though. But she will sign water, milk, bird, eat, all done, more (only a little) and dog. She is growing so fast and learns so much from Brayson. He is such a great help most of the time! He loves to hold and hug Kenadi, even when she doesn't want to. Brayson is still stoked about Pre-School! And he is speaking more clearly every day. He loves to play with kids of all ages and do so many different things. He will do pretty much whatever the other kids tell him to do, which can be good and bad. He loves to be with family and is learning how to share more. As he is officially three, he has begun to talk back to me a lot.

I am struggling within myself, and find that it is when I am slacking on scripture study and prayers, and family study and prayers that it becomes worse. I also find that I either have a hard time with Brayson or with my eating disorder. As I work to find a midpoint, I pray night and day to see myself as Christ sees me. I read a bit of Sister Becks talk from last years Young Women meeting. She talked about her granddaughter who knew she was special. She related this to how girls lose this as they grow. Women forget their divine qualities and divine nature. I know I have! I don't see in the mirror who everyone else sees on the outside and it affects every part of me! It affects my children and my whole life. I know this will be a struggle that I will battle my whole life, and there will be times when I am winning and times when I am on the other side, but I hope I will never be lost! I don't see that happening, with so many friends and family members watching out for me and doing their best to help me overcome this weakness. I know that God loves me and has a great plan for me. I trust him and know that he hasn't and won't give me anything I can not handle! I have faith that through my obedience and whole hearted dedication to our Savior and his work, I will return to live with him and our Father in Heaven with my sweet husband and many other loved ones some day.

Today I re-dedicate myself to his work and to giving myself to my family and my friends. I dedicate my time in my callings and first to my family! I will share my testimony with others and live worthy of the strength, love, support, and guidance of the Holy Spirit! Today I will strive to win each battle, overcome each obstacle, and strive to stand firm and steadfast in the gospel and living it each moment. I won't let the little things get me down. I won't let the precious moments pass by, for children aren't children for long! Today I will GO TO WORK!

Today is a Beautiful Day!

2008-03-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Well, lets try this again! I thought I started this earlier this morning, but obviously it didn't work so, here we go again! I want to thank Charlotte Varble and Kristina Wilcox for getting me started and some what going on a blog page. Having it introduced and knowing someone close who does it makes all the difference.

Jonathan is working two jobs right now. His hours were cut at work so he has been working all for Don Julio after Out of The Woods these last two weeks. He is doing well and enjoying the memories of "the old days". I won't call them good because they weren't necessarily good. We are selling our Dodge, when it's home long enough to clean it and put a sign in it. And hopefully fixing the Honda as soon as possible. So down to one car we go. I decided that since it's summer/spring walking wouldn't be horrible, but rather nice.

I am staying busy taking care of my daily tasks in the house and taking care of my mom. And of course the kids! They are quite a pair! Both very mischievous and full of energy. I am also going to be starting my own business with US BORNE books, as soon as we can. I am so excited about it!

Brayson is excited to start pre-school this coming fall. He thinks he should be in school now, but takes it well when I tell him he can't. He is so smart and continues to dazzle everyone he meets! He is going to be three on Easter Sunday and says that he's "BIGGER and STRONGER"!

Kenadi is climbing, running and jumping all over the place. Anything Brayson can do "she can do better"! She is definitely a DIVA and a true girly girl through and through! She is very happy most of the time and loves to smile! She would rather play outside and with Brayson then stay in or play alone. She loves to sing and dance. Recently she has begun to sing the tune for ABC's. She loves it when Brayson sings so she can dance, and during the songs in sacrament, you will find her leading the music!

I have been blessed with such a beautiful family and a wonderful bunch of extended family members! I thank my heavenly father that I know I can be with my family forever! And I thank him for the tender mercies and sweet gifts and blessing I enjoy daily! Today is a beautiful day no matter what! There may be ups and downs, or even a rain cloud in the sky, but it is beautiful! It is amazing! It is Fabulous!!! We are all well, we are together, we are happy and that's all we need!