Tales of a Mormon Woman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4LWJ1l6onU&feature=player_embedded

2012-01-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

I LOVE RON PAUL!

Articles of Faith

2012-01-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

I'm in a little bit of a slump.
So my new year resolution is to study the Articles of Faith (along with the Primary) and blog about them.
Where are the Articles of Faith found? I always forget. They are after Joseph Smith History in the Pearl of Great Price.
The first Article of Faith: We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
So today I want to talk about my belief in God, the Eternal Father-or as I like to call Him, Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father is the Father of my Spirit.
I lived with Him a long time ago, so did youuuu! (Don't you love that song) We lived with God in the pre-existance. He had a plan to help us grow and be like Him. I chose that plan and so did you! That is why we are here on this earth-living the plan. It is a 'plan of happiness'. And I truely believe that.
We are created in His Image. God has a body that looks like ours-but it is perfect.
Heavenly Father is perfect. "He is a God of love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgement. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness."-Gospel Principles. No wonder I wanted to be like Him.
Heavenly Father loves me as He loves you too. He loves me with a perfect love. I have felt this love so strong at different times in my life. Feeling His love is indescribable. It is unforgettable. And it is greater than any love I have felt from anybody else. (And I feel a lot of love) I think it is this sole feeling of love I have felt from Him that is my greatest motivator in following Christ. I want to please my Father in Heaven.
Everything good comes from Heavenly Father: the beauty of this earth, all living creations, man's great ideas, daily blessings, etc. He blesses us constantly. He watches over us, protects us, helps us, guides us, sends wonderful people into our lives, roots for us, cries with us, gives us great experiences, teaches us, etc.
I worship Him and pray to Him. He hears my prayers-especially my sincere ones:) In my darkest hours and my happiest moments I have prayed to Him and have felt His presence with me-comforting me and rejoicing with me.
He gives us laws to teach us and help us be happy.
I belief in God and His plan of happiness. I have strived to live His laws throughout my life and I have seen the true joy that comes from it. I can say that the greater effort I have put into living His laws, the greater joy I have felt. And so I continue to believe in God and live according to His laws.

P.S. We are doing this in the Watanabe Home. Be praying for us-because I really don't know if we will make it out alive.

BRAGGING

2012-01-12T13:16:00.000-08:00

I know bragging can be annoying. She just makes me beam with pride and I have to share. Annie brought this grocery list to me. I asked her how she knew how to spell everything. She said she sounded them out. I think the words she spelled right she has seen so often that she knows them by memory. But I sure loved her attempt on 'avocados, cottage cheese, and spinach'.

Annie's Art

2012-01-09T16:48:00.000-08:00

Annie is always impressing me. Yesterday she drew this picture of Rapunzel. We asked her why she colored Rapunzel's hair the way she did. She replied that she used two different colors of yellow because Rapunzel's hair really isn't really just one color. She then grabbed her Rapunzel doll and showed us how her hair color has two different shades of blonde. Deron was beaming! She has a true artist's eye. Just about every day she brings me a drawing that is really amazing to me.

Recent pictures I love

2012-01-05T13:59:00.000-08:00

Great kids

Deron de-stresses each day by coming home and holding Nancy.

Deron bought the kids camo thermals

Christmas Eve last minute Nativity re-enactment.

Christmas Morning

Bath Time

Nancy's baby blessing day.

Nancy Larraine with Grandma Lois Larraine

Orton kids with the Watanabe kids

bed buds

Things that make my New Year happy!

2012-01-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Clean windows! I don't know what it is about a completely clean window, screen, and blind that gets me high.
New shelves for our food storage!
Week long visit from my Mom and Dad and Grandma (hence the clean windows and shelves)!
Leftover feast food!
Seth and Melyssa, Ortons, Jon and Lachelle, Oma and Opa, Mom and Dad and Great Grandma all in town for Nancy's baby blessing. So fun! I love our family.
Baby blessings. I love the sweet priesthood blessings pronounced on the infants in the church.
New treadmill for Christmas!!
Carson the guinea-pig. My mom got Annie a guinea-pig for Christmas and the kids have LOVED it...and I am starting to like it.
Playing catch outside with Deron and then watching him teach our kids how to hit the ball.
Our cozy home.
Kids. My kids especially make me happy. But children in general make life so much more happy! And we have had a household these past couple of days.
Having my mom teach me how to cook a turkey. It brought back memories of my mom teaching me how to cook/bake near her side in the kitchen. Happy memories!
Christmas. I know my belief and testimony of Christ brings happiness and joy in my day to day life. I love the Christmas holiday. I love the Spirit that occupies my home as I have constant Christmas music playing in the background. I love that a huge population of the world is celebrating Christ's birth and life with me. I love the feeling of happiness I feel after having the Spirit confirm to me that Christ is the Saviour promised to the world from the beginning.

The Latest Addition

2011-11-16T13:41:00.000-08:00

Nancy Larraine
7lbs 1oz
21inches
2 days late and induced
She looks like a Luke!
Another good baby

checking off the list

2011-11-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

We had a fun visit from Oma and Opa in September: four wheeling, swimming, bubbles, yummy meals, and Deron even got to go shooting with Opa!

Annie had her birthday: pancakes, cupcakes with her class, ramen for dinner, castle cake and homemade ice cream with friends, lots of clothes and craft supplies for presents!

Nellie had her birthday: cake decorating, ring-around-the-rosies, duck-duck-goose, balloon games, dress-ups and dolls for presents!

Uncle Seth got married: fun reception in Utah, fabulous wedding in CA-Dana Point. Delicious food, fun times on the beach with family, beautiful bride and temple ceremony, and 1st time trip to Disneyland for the Watanabes!!!

Halloween: Annie was a witch again for the 4th time in a row, Luke was batman, Nellie was a lion. All the candy in the house is driving me nuts. I wish I didn't have the mentality to eat it all as fast as possible so that it is gone.

10 more days until baby Nancy is due to get here: blinds are cleaned, light fixtures cleaned, crib set up, baby clothes washed and put away, diapers and wipes bought, rooms all deep cleaned, no signs of mice for over a month, Nellie is potty trained, Luke stays in his bed all night. We are just about ready. Now what do we do with our kids if she comes in the middle of the night?!

Annie's 1st Day of School

2011-08-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Annie poses for her fisrt day of Kindergarden. I don't know where she comes up with these poses.

We decided to hike up to Lamoille Lake. I was pretty proud of my kids for making the hike. 2 miles up and 2 back down. They were most excited about the snow they were able to play in on the way up. It sure was pretty

Here was how things looked going down the mountain: Annie picking wildflowers and making a really pretty bouquet. Luke running down. Nellie sleeping.

Watanabe Resort

2011-08-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

Great views of the sagebrush

Welcoming home

Great view of the Ruby Mountain Range

Jacuzzi

Natural Nevada landscape

Sand volleyball court

Comfortable beds

Free popsicles. And free meals!

Cute happy kids!

You can run around in your undies if you feel so inclined

The Watanabe Resort is part of a wildlife preserve. Daily sitings of deer, bunnies, hawks, grazing cows, gofers, badgers on occasion, lizards, skunks, coyotes, plethora of spiders, flies, and stink bugs.

Please come as soon as you can!

Choice

2011-07-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to feel it with the fourth. I'm over six months along and I look like how I did with the others at 9 months. I've been sicker, less patient, and more tired this pregnancy. But the main thing that I am noticing that is down right annoying is all the looks and comments I get from people. I took the car in for it's ritual oil change about a week ago. The girl I loved helped me like usual-Nikki. She right away noticed I was pregnant and we had this conversation:
Nikki- 'you're pregnant again!'
Me- 'Yep!"
Nikki-Wow! Were you planning it?! (At this point she is smiling but has that look of disapproval)
Me-Yes we were.
Nikki-Well, they'll be close in age. (still smiling and disproving)
I walk away and feel real lousy. And a little angry. That was in Utah. Now I am in NV and I feel like I get every one's stares. And they are not the kind stares I used to get when I was pregnant with my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
I just want to say this to all those strangers and to the people who judge us. It is our choice how many children we want. We are bringing children into a loving and good stable home where they will be taken care of. If you don't enjoy children as much as we do, I'm truly sorry, and that is your choice. But there is a lot of joy and love that come with children. So when you see someone who is pregnant, simply say with a smile on your face "congratulations", or "you sure have beautiful children", or just attempt to pass some love onto the little children.
I'm really grateful for the many woman in my life who chose and choose to bare children and do it with grace and joy. I'm grateful for the men and women in my life who show love to my children and support me in our decision to have children.
I hope this post isn't too negative.
Oh-by the way, we found out we are having a little girl!

Week 1-Living in the Middle of Nowhere

2011-07-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

While swimming at the hotel for the last time, Luke splits his chin open and needs 8 stitches.
I go walking down the street and get chased by a badger.
5 different mouse citings in the house.
I get pulled over for speeding 20 over and get away with a warning.
Lights go out for over 5 hours in the night.
The kids are constantly excited and telling me about the different critters they have seen: rabbits, moles, deer, spiders, strange flying bugs, bugs, monster ants.
My dad has been here so we have gotten a lot done-lawn/weeds mowed and wacked, screens made and placed in windows, garage cleaned and organized, lots of weeding and cleaning up of the yard, pictures hung, mouse holes filled in, bench fixed, broken pipe under the house fixed. I can't keep up with everything my dad does for me.
Internet is up, carpet is in, boxes are emptied, house is clean. It is starting to really feel like home.

2011-05-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

I know we are probably the only ones who obsess over this, but I get so excited to know what our next child is going to look like. Here are the options:

Blonde little girl-won't that be cute and funny!
Another dark little girl=FUNNY!
Dark little boy-so cute!
Another little white boy=FUNNY! Two whitey boys with two dark girls.
Complete mix-dark hair with light eyes, or light hair with dark eyes.

Anyway, however this baby looks I think I am going to be laughing. Having children with Deron is very entertaining to me:)

Our camera is missing so here's an older picture.

Things I am loving

2011-05-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing Annie throughout the day singing songs from The Sound of Music. She knows all the lyrics and it is adorable. I LOVE that she loves this movie.

Thursday night basketball. I enjoy this so much. It is probably the main reason I am not looking forward to moving to Elko.

Salty things. I was loving tuna-until I threw it up yesterday. I have a sweet tooth..but not these days.

Luke talking to himself in the mirror and arguing with himself.

Nellie glaring at just about every 'stranger' who tries to win her smiles. It's so unusual when compared to my other two. She is a grouch and it makes me laugh...and worry.

My ward. I feel a lot of love and support from them.

Green everywhere. I heard a man on the radio today say that we should not be praying for rain in Utah right now. I thought that was so crazy. But I guess flooding is on the brink. I do love how green everything looks.

Friends who lift. Even when I am having a bad day, I love a friend who won't sit and complain with me...but will help me see the better way.

Naps. I think I mention this in every post.

NEWS

2011-04-29T09:45:00.000-07:00

Why did I get emotional and come to tears as I watched the royal wedding today? I have no connection with those people. But holy cow isn't she a beauty! And I LOVED her dress.
I think I am in the clear to announce that I am pregnant! I'm 12 weeks along! Yippee!
And it is official that we are moving to the exciting town of Elko. Spring Creek to be exact. Deron will start work there in July.
I just found out today that Annie would have made the kindergarden deadline in NV. She could have been in school this whole year. Oh well.
Anyways, our life is going to be full of sagebrush in our new home/life. And deer. And coyotes. And mice.
The good news is that Deron is moving up in a great company. So we ARE grateful for this relocation.

Something I crave for a lot

2011-04-20T07:57:00.000-07:00

Sheez this 30-day challenge is turning more into a 90-day challenge. Sorry about that.
Something I crave for a lot is SLEEP. I strictly adhere to the advice that 'when your baby is napping-you take a nap'. Well I started doing that with my first and I still do it...even though my babies now sleep through the night. And then in the evening, I usually go to bed right after I put the kiddos to bed. I just can't get enough sleep. I HATE being tired. And even if I get a good night's rest I am always tired in the afternoon and ready for a little snooze.
I know I inherited this craving from my mother. She was a consistent napper. This picture is of Annie...although to me it looks just like Nellie.

Other things I have been craving lately: Salt and Vinegar potato chips, eggs benedict, and tuna fish sandwiches with pickles and a glass of milk.

What Makes Me Unique

2011-03-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

I really haven't wanted to do this one. But here is what I have come up with:
I have freckles.
I love to jog in the morning and I NEVER miss a day. Except Sundays.
I love hard labor.
I'm confident.
I really enjoy my children.
I love coffee flavored things..and if it weren't for my husband I wouldn't consider it breaking the Word of Wisdom.
I've given 'natural' birth-not by choice.
I've hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim.
I've lived in four different countries.
I am completely conservative but love to listen to liberal radio.

21- A picture of something that makes you happy

2011-03-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Deron brought some of this home a few days ago while I was out of town. I don't see how people eat it on toast. I eat it by the spoonfulls. It takes away all my worries for a few moments.

My kids enjoying life makes me happy. And they always love the beach/pool. It was a little cold this day...but it didn't stop them.

A Red Mango always makes me happy. They are so good and good for you. It has been too long since I have had one of these.

Just about anything Aveeno makes me happy. Especially Sunday morning when I get to take a long relaxing shower for once with my Aveeno body wash.

Our Sacrament Meeting yesterday made me really happy. We had such good talks and the kids were pretty well behaved so I could really feel the Spirit and was completely edified. The main message I got was that we'll have trials in this life, but there is joy to be found during and after if we are faithful to Christ. A couple of the speakers were women who actually had faced trials in their life that make mine look pueny. I loved hearing them bear testimony that Heavenly Father is not only aware of us, but is anxiously helping us be happy- no matter what the situation of our life- if we turn to Him. There is no reason to fear. He will always be there for us.
I always feel so lucky/happy to have this knowledge. Well, to have it and to hear it frequently.

Day 20-Someone you see yourself marrying and spending your future with

2011-03-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well that's easy:

I always wanted to marry someone like my brothers and dad: athletic, funny (or at least thought I was funny), handsome, spritual, smart and interesting, hard working. I sure got a lot more than I expected. He continues to exceed many of my expectations. I definitely see this man in my future.

day 19-nicknames you've had and why

2011-03-15T11:48:00.000-07:00

My dad and grandpa call me Nellie Bell and sometimes Lou. I think they both like to add 'bell' to names that it will rhyme with because I remember my dad calling one of his trucks Jezebell.
In Round Valley my closest friends called me Leroy. I can't remember why.
My friend Leah used to call me Lor.
And Deron calls me 'princepessa' because I love the movie "Life is Beautiful"
And on occassion my children call me 'witch'.
I don't let that hurt my feelings.

Plans/Dreams/Goals

2011-03-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

Plans:
Care for my kids + one extra. Take a nap. Clean guest room for slumber party with Lachelle. Clean for Doris. Mountain West tourny this weekend!
Deron and I plan on visiting every country of our origin. We've got one down and a gazillion to go.

Dreams:
Live on and run a ranch. Raise cattle, horses, pigs and chickens. Be completely self sufficient. Have a home with every kind of fruit tree possible. I dream of this lifestyle...but why? It would be so hard.

Goals:
Have more children. Teach our children well. Read with them, love with them, FHE with them, pray with them, make them safe, keep them happy, enjoy them. Have the Spirit in our home. Magnify callings. Serve. Be healthy. Raise a righteous family.

I saw this on a friend's blog just now. I've seen it before. I LOVE this.

20-Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day.

2011-03-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

Okay I've thought about it and I don't think I would ever want to switch lives with anybody. Okay wait. I thought that but then remembered this desire I have had many times. I want to be able to completely belt out a great emotional song at the top of my lungs and have it sound really good. Can you imagine how therapeutic that would be? It would be for me. So maybe I could be Beyonce for a day and that would be just great. I'd go on a major shopping spree while I could. I'd buy all my family's sizes and ship it all off to my house. And then I would buy a month long trip to Europe for my family too!
I have thought about how great it would be to be a child again. But only for a day.
It would be cool to be my sister Lachelle for a day. She nannies in NYC. I think I would really enjoy seeing life the way she sees it.
Oooh. I would love to be a professional volleyball player...say Logan Tom. And jump as high as she does and then pound the ball wherever it needs to go at my disposal.
When it comes down to it though, I am really happy where I am. I like my life. I have struggles. But my blessings are so great. I love my family and they bring me a lot of joy daily. So why give that up for even a day?

another picture of myself

2011-03-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of me in Hawaii. Deron and I spent the summer after we married there. This would be considered our back yard. Our life was really hard back then:)

What is on My Ipod

2011-03-01T11:56:00.000-08:00

Well I don't own one. And I probably never will. I have listened to Deron's before as I worked out. The ear peices really hurt my ears. And the other night he wanted me to listen to what he has on it to 'motivate' him and I had the same problem. I think my ears are too small. Which is something I am proud of.
So I am going to replace the ipod post with the latest and best books I have read. Isn't that more interesting anyways?

Half-Broken Horses by Jenette Wells- This was really entertaining. It reminded me of my all time favorite book:
These Is My Words. (I'm horible at remembering authors and too lazy to find out, but she IS the BEST)
The Help-I really loved this book. I think it would be a really good movie.
Falling Leaves-This was a tender memoir of a little Chinese girl.
In college I really loved the books Cry, The Beloved Country and The Power of One.
Persuasion is probably my favorite Jane Austin book...but I've really loved them all.
Jane Eyre is one of the greatest..and now it is a movie!!!! Well a newly done movie.

So what is your all time favorite book?

A picture of my family

2011-02-28T11:10:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest favorite. I would title it
"An Affectionate Family".

13-A Letter To Someone Who Has Hurt Me Recently

2011-02-24T07:55:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sensitive. But, usually when a person hurts me, I try to give them the benefit of the doubt in their intentions. In fact I do that just about all the time, except with a couple of people. I'm not completely sure why but when they offend me it feels real and I am in the bad habit of letting it really take over my thoughts and emotions. It sometimes feels like in a way when I am slighted by them I first expect it, then get some kind of sick pleasure out of it. Weird I know. But I am working on some advice my husband gave me once. Have mercy on those certain individuals. And just that simple word of 'mercy' makes me reflect on Christ and the 'mercy' He has for me. And that is a pretty good motivator to change and try to just move on with my life and not get so upset about it all. But then it happens again. And the process starts over, and over, and over. But one day I will master my weaknesses.
Since this post is supposed to be a letter to someone who has recently hurt me here you are:

Dear Tuesday Night Stake Basketball,

You are the highlight of my week. The games are so exhilarating and competitive and never hostile. But you do cause me a lot of hurt days after. I feel like I am on the verge of a fever for a couple of days because my entire body aching. I keep thinking my body is going to get in 'basketball shape'. It has been over a month and it still has not happened. I won't let this affect our relationship. I'll still come and exert myself completely.

Faithfully,
Lori

Day 12-How you found out about blogger and why you have one

2011-02-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

We found out about blogger when we were living in Japan. Our friends the Franklins had been doing one. They encouraged us to set one up and in the end did it for us. We never posted anything. Then a few years later Nicki encouraged us to do a blog. While visiting her in Kanab she set one up for us. I actually took to it that time. I guess my main reason for blogging is to keep Nicki and the rest of my family in the loop. I do like how it motivates me to journal as well. I don't like how some days I get sucked into blog surfing. It can be a good time waster. And I really don't have time to waste.

More Pictures of Friends

2011-02-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of my mission companions. Although I don't have much contact with them anymore, I consider them some of my greatest friends.

Sister de Oliveira was my first companion. She was a perfect example of a good missionary and friend.

Sister Castro was awesome too. She was bold and fearless. She was a red head.

Sister Jarvis was my first American companion. We had a lot of fun together. She was the best cook and made me the most wonderful things. She gave me my missionary haircut and was giggling the whole time. We loved to get up early and go study on the beach (which wasn't against any rules).

Sister Allison was my last companion. She made me happy after having a very hard six weeks. I remember being short on time and encouraging us to cut through a certain field during a rain storm. We ended up treading through knee deep water and filth just to have to turn around and go the long way. Sister Allison handled my stupidity well.

Sister Zanetti, and Sister Moreira were some of my favorites as well. We worked hard and laughed hard. They are the two on my left (your right). I was really blessed with great friends on my misison.

Day 10-Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, hyped

2011-02-16T15:32:00.000-08:00

It's not like I don't like music. I love it, especially on Sundays. But a lot of time it's just too much noise for me. When I am in the car I usually always am listening to NPR. They have some really funny shows, interesting news, and really bad news too. Doug Fabrizio really bugs me, but I listen to him still. When Deron is in the car with me I am listening to whatever he wants, which is just plain noise if you ask me. So I guess what I am saying is that when I am bored, happy, sad, mad, or hyped, I don't think to listen to music. However, just about every day around 5pm, when my kids and I are about to go crazy, I turn on music and we have a dance party for a bit. The music we use is usually from one of your all's blogs. Or I go to Pandora and we dance to the kid folk music station. I do love Alicia Key's voice. I like this style of music by Mumford & Sons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KkUeRPjc-Y&feature=player_embedded. What kind of music genre is this? I've heard it many times and I'd have to say it is my favorite.

Day-8 Something I'm Proud of In the Past Few Days

2011-02-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

I took Annie skiing on Friday. That made me proud. She was a natural, just as she is in everything. This girl is always amazing me with her gazillion talents. I really look forward to watching her grow into a woman. I think she is going to do great things. So she lasted two hours skiing. Her hands got cold, which was my fault for not equipping her with a better pair of gloves. And that is why she wanted to stop. She got frustrated a few times with me as I was constantly reminding her to 'make a pizza' and she once yelled out as she fell, "Mom you are distracting me!"

8-Short term goals for this month and when I will accomplish them

2011-02-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

I'm not an over-acheiver. But there are some things that I need to get done this month.

File our taxes. Deron will do this, but it is my duty to remind him.
Catch up on delivering the Relief Society birthday gifts. (today!)
Get the visiting teaching assignments all perfect. (hopefully today)
Make valentine cupcakes with the kiddos. (February 14th)
Buy material to start making a guilt for Annie.
Do my visiting teaching! (next Tuesday)
Have a fun birthday for Luke. Cake, icecream, swimming at the Legacy Center. (Feb 18th)
Take Annie skiing! (this week or next)

7- A Picture of Someone That Has A Big Impact onYou

2011-02-07T06:56:00.000-08:00

My parents have had the biggest impact on who I am today. They are pretty remarkable people and I can contribute just about everything that I do good to them. They have been diligent in living the Gospel of Christ and they were ever diligent in teaching me and my siblings how to live it. My parents are the type of parents that strive to live all the commandments and councels from our latter-day Prophets. So when it was counceled to have Family Home Evening, they did it. Same goes with family scripture study and prayer. Going to church, mutual, and other ward activites was standard, unless you wanted to stay home and clean the house:) My parents bore testimony of Christ, Joseph Smith, and The Book of Mormon frequently in and out of our home. My parents did all the other things as well like: taught us how to be hard workers, get an education, be active in your community, love your neighbors, get out of your comfort zone, exercise, eat healthy, spend time with your family, love your siblings, etc. This list could get really long. But what I am most grateful for is that they taught us about the Christ's gospel, lived it, and then helped nurture me into receiving my own testimony of His gospel. This has had the biggest impact on my life.
I found a wonderful man to marry who's parents had the same goals as mine. Their main goal in life was to raise a family in the gospel of Jesus Christ as well. And so now I have a husband who carries that same goal with me!

Feeling Down?

2011-02-04T11:43:00.001-08:00

This made me smile.
http://www.metacafe.com/w/sy-1667925582/

6-Favorite Super Hero and Why

2011-02-02T09:17:00.000-08:00

I never have been into super heroes all that much. We didn't have any television channels to watch growing up. I do somehow remember watching Sher-ah though. It must have been at a friends house or one of the weeks we got free cable. I remember liking that show more than He-man. But if this post is to be about 'heroes' than I should talk about my numero uno Mom. There is not another lady that compares. What a life she has lived. And what an example she is to me. She continually amazes me. She married a good man and raised 8 children. She was a mom who loved to play with her kids. We would all come home from school and she would play baseball and pickle with us...for hours. If I was ever working on my pitching or setting she would come out and help me. I wonder how many hours of her life she spent playing boardgames and cards with us. And then the piano lessons and practicing and recitals she put on. This could go on forever. I remember distinctly my mother teaching me how to seek the Spirit when preparing a talk. She bore her testimony of the gospel and of Christ openly and frequently. She never hesitating in teaching her children truth and right. She home taught me for a year when I wasn't happy at school. Think of the service she did in the church. Plays, productions, trainings, various callings, activities...always going the extra mile and LOVING to serve. Think of all the service she did in the community with PTA, various fundraisers. Then think of the amazing athlete she is. Remember when she slid into home base and came home with this horrible bruise all over her thigh. That would never stop her. Think of the rides she gave us kids on her back as she swam laps. How many hours she spent supporting all of us children in our various activities. She never missed one of my games. Think of all the parties she threw for us all. Now this all just barely touches the amazing things Anna Gillespie does. Now think of the Grandma she is. All the energy she has to take ALL the grandchildren at once and entertain them in her home. She loves to care for them. Tea-parties, circuses, swimming, tennis, pick-up sticks, dress-ups, snow mans, Disney on Ice, plays, story telling, feeding, bathing, putting to bed. And doing all of this while getting a second degree in teaching, substitute teaching, and later being a full-time teacher.
So I went through and found some of my favorite pictures of my mom.

And it just so happens to be my mom's birthday today. And if you happen to know this great lady, she has probably influenced your life for the good. So if you are blessed enough to know her, leave a comment on one of your favorite things about her.

Day 5-A picture of a place you have been to

2011-02-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the ruins in Copan, Honduras. My friends and I took a week long vacation from teaching English in Guatemala, traveled through some of the most dangerous places in Central America, to get to some great islands off the coast of Honduras. We stayed there for a week. I was majorly low on funds. So I allowed myself to buy one meal a day which was dinner. The ghetto hotel we all shared luckly had an all-you-can-eat mango tree. I survived on that. By the middle of the week the mangos were going in AND out within minutes. I still can't eat a mango without thinking of that and getting slightly sick. The best part of this trip was spending the days on the beach with the most beautiful water. I've been to MANY beaches all throughout the world and this was the cleanest, nicest, beach I've seen. We got to take scuba-diving lessons from some weirdo who swore at me the whole time. But he was really cheap. It was awesome to go scuba-diving. I don't remember seeing anything too amazing but it felt amazing.

4) A Habit I Wish I Didn't Have

2011-01-31T08:49:00.000-08:00

I wish I didn't eat so much sugar. I feel the desire to eat sugar after every meal. And I always do. Lately it has been cinnamon disks. Which I think is a much better alternative to cinnamon rolls. Last year I would eat a cup of chocolate chips after dinner as I did the dishes and the kids took a bath. It's a bad habit that I almost always am in.
I have other bad habits that I like to call mistakes I make over and over. Like when I am tired and stressed I have the habit of blaming Deron for all of my problems. I go to sleep and then wake up a new person and realize how wrong I was and apologize (usually). I make that mistake over and over and over. Its a huge blessing to me that I married such a good man because even I wouldn't put up with myself.
This challege was annoying....that is why it took me so long to post it.

Day 3-Picture of friends

2011-01-26T06:44:00.000-08:00

I have had really good friends in my life. Here are a few pictures I gathered yesterday. It was a hoot going through my pictures. And these aren't all the good friends I have had. There is a whole other box I didn't have time to go through. I guess the main one missing is my friend Wendy and Fiona.
Here is me and my friend Leah. We were good friends when we were little little. Then we happened to go to the same college and became best friends for many years.

These are some other friends from college

This is my friend Meagan. We lived in NH together for a summer and then went to college together.

These are some of my high school friends. Above are my best friends from AZ and then below are my Provo High friends.

Growing up I was always closest to my sister Nicki. I just couldn't resist putting in these dorky pictures. My family has always been my greatest friends.

My family has always enjoyed each others' company.

We even danced together:)

Hotness.

This man is my current bestest friend. I'm counting on him for the rest of forever. He definitely has seen me at my worst and loves me still. I'm really lucky to have him.

I found this picture of Dave and couldn't resist posting it.

Day 2-The Meaning Behind the Title of this Blog

2011-01-25T07:15:00.000-08:00

I recently changed the title of my blog to what it is now. I wanted the title to be more of a motivator for me to write and share meaningful posts. I am a Mormon which means I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Being a member of this church means that, among many other things, I believe in the following: We are all children of a Heavenly Father and are created in His image. Jesus Christ is our Savior. Heavenly Father calls prophets during all ages of time to reveal His truths to His children. Joseph Smith was one of those prophets. Joseph Smith translated ancient scripture which we call the Book of Mormon. The Bible is the word of God written by ancient prophets who lived near Jerusalem respectively. The Book of Mormon was written by ancient prophets who lived in the Americas. Mormon was one of those prophets who helped compile all the various prophet's writings. That is why it is called the Book of Mormon. And 'Mormons' is a nickname given to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Anyways, I love being a 'Mormon'. It brings me joy every day. And my world revolves around the teachings of Jesus Christ. I wanted my blog to do the same.

30 Day Challenge-I'm gonna try it!

2011-01-23T21:30:00.000-08:00

Day 1-Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 2-The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 3-A picture of you and your friends
Day 4-A habit that you wish you didn't have
Day 5-A picture of somewhere you've been to
Day 6-Favorite super hero and why
Day 7-A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 8-Short term goals for this month and when you'll accomplish them
Day 9-Something you're proud of in the past few days
Day 10-Songs you listen to when you're bored, happy, sad, mad, hyped
Day 11-Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12-How you found out about blogger and why you have one
Day 13-A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14-'A picture of you and your family
Day 15-Put your ipod or shuffle on-first 10 songs that play
Day 16-Another picture of yourself
Day 17-Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18-Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19-Nicknames you have and why you have them
Day 20-Someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
Day 21-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22-What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23-Something you crave for a lot
Day 24-A letter to your parents
Day 25-What I would find in your bag
Day 26-What do you think about your friends
Day 27-Why you are doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28-A picture of you from last year and now-how have you changed?
Day 29-In this past month, what have you learned?
Day 30-Your favorite song

Day 1 Challenge:

15 VERY interesting facts

1) This is a picture we took a few months ago because we were sending in pics of each member of the family to the church. We wanted to be in the next LDS movie and my kids and husband qualified as looking like 'middle eastern dissent'. Am I the only one who looks at one's own profile and thinks it looks strange?

2) I am 1/16 Creek Indian

3) I am the only person in my family that has freckles. I mean more than a few.

4) I have three kids. None of them look like me. Even my blonde haired boy looks just like my husband.

5) I have to fall asleep a certain way each night. On my stomach. Left arm up, right arm down, and my head only partially on the pillow. I do this because it is comfortable and to avoid getting more wrinkles on one side of the face more than another. Silliness.

6) I love to chase my kids around the house and pinch their bums. They love it too. Weird.

7) I am one grouch if woken up in the middle of the night. But not if you are a nursing baby. Then I am sweet as ever.

8) Deron wakes me up a lot in the night. So do my children that aren't nursing.

9) I love earrings! All sorts!

10) I like to wear make-up. Eye-liner, eye-shadow, mascara, and blush. My husband doesn't like it.

11) I loved living in Japan. I love their culture. I could live there again forsure.

12) I discovered earplugs a few months ago and it seriously has saved our marriage.

13) I love it when people say I am like my mom. I love it when my grandma tells me I look just like her grandma. And then I catch her staring at me like she is thinking fondly of her grandma.

14) I eat really healthy. I have major veggies with meals. And then I don't feel bad about having multiple servings of desserts throughout the day.

15) I really want to live on a farm. I want to wake up early and milk the cow and gather the eggs. I want horses and pigs. But I have NO idea how to care for farm animals.

Now wasn't that SO interesting!

DO IT!

Make Your Life Easier

2011-01-17T10:03:00.000-08:00

Here are a few tricks I use to make my life easier:
1) Go to sleep when your kids sleep. I know some like to have their 'own time'. But sleep is more important, at least to me. It will keep you happier, more patient, healthier, and beautiful. Nap time included.
2) Don't get your kids dressed unless you are going outside. Why? Well, why would you? Let them run around in their pj's and underwear. I bet by doing this you would save hours a week from a) the laundry you wouldn't have to do and b) the taking off and putting on process during potty times.
3) Clean your house weekly. I mean dust, vacuum, bathrooms, mop, etc. The whole thing. Do it weekly and you won't be stressed about a super dirty house. And it will take only a few hours instead of many.
4) Having said that, let your kids make messes with their toys. And then after they go to sleep, spend up to 30 minutes doing a speed picking up of it all. There is no sense in picking up toys when your kids are going to want to get them out again in a few. Tidy your house up right before going to bed and your house will stay clean for almost 10 hours!
5) Life is easier dealt with when you are spiritually secure. So make sure you are having your personal prayers, scripture studies, and temple dates with your husband. I've noticed real help when I pray that the Spirit will be in our home to guide me and teach my children. Then I have to keep the crap out of the home. No stupid media.

Here is what our cutie was up to last week

Deron's Top Ten

2011-01-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

10) His laugh
9) He is so good looking. Brown body, strong, great smile, light brown eyes with long lashes, great bone structure...there is a lot to his good looks.
8) Deron has good genes, which makes for smart and good looking offspring:)
7) Deron likes a good chic flic. He'll sit and watch and enjoy the best with me: Jane Eyre, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice, Life is Beautiful, Sound of Music, etc.
6) Deron is a great artist. He is currently working on our family portrait. Not only does he draw well, he writes well. I have read many a poem he has written and they are amazing. He could probably get paid good money for his artistic abilities. And I bet if he reads this he will end up spending a day or so daydreaming about going to some art institute and doing just that.
5) He doesn't play video/computer games. He reads books.
4) Deron is such a great provider and protector. He works harder than any man I have ever seen to get an education, skills, and jobs to provide for us. Deron never lets me walk on the street-side of a sidewalk. He is always doing little and big things to make sure we are safe and healthy. I have been annoyed before with all the things he worries about for our safety. But I truly am grateful for him and all he does to protect and provide.

3) Deron is a great Dad. He adores our children. I love his willingness to be a father and enjoy it.
2) Deron puts so much effort into everything he does. I was amazed with his list of New Year's goals. And he will accomplish them because he works so hard in every area of his life.
1) Deron is a spiritual leader in our home and in the church. I am so grateful that he puts God first in his life. He is a worthy priesthood leader. He blesses our family in so many ways. He blesses our ward family by being a diligent home teacher and an advisor to impressionable young men. He always goes the extra mile in his callings. He has a sincere desire to help others. He teaches our children so effectively. He wants to be good and he is good. He embraces any effort or suggestion for our family to do better. I have been so blessed to have him. And so have you! So happy birthday to one of the best men we know!

I asked Annie what she loves about her dad and she said, "I love when he laughs with me and I love when he tells me scripture stories."
I asked Luke what he loves about daddy and he said "Um pey das". (I think that is 'Um, play and dance')
I asked Nellie and she said "Da gas" (No interpretation available)

2010

2011-01-05T12:23:00.000-08:00

So by the end of the year I had the thought many times that 2010 was the hardest year of my life thus far. I think the main things that made it difficult were 1) Deron's late hours at work and late hours studying=lack of sleep for him and me and all that comes with that. And when I say late I am meaning 6am to 11pm days or all-nighters. 2)My family's struggles-mainly finding out my Dad has cancer and Parkinson's disease 3) My impatience and my failure to improve how I want to in this area.
However looking back at the year we had so many wonderful things happen. Here are a few: Deron passed the ISACA test (I know I didn't spell that right) and two of the four CPA tests. He performs well at work. They gave him a good raise and bonus! We got to go to Lake Tahoe for our 6 year anniversary! We got to go to TX to see Iosepa, Dave, and Lavenia. We accomplished our goal of going to the temple at least once a month. We always get to spend a lot of time with our families. And we have wonderful children who are very happy and healthy and we absolutely adore them.
Sometimes when I think I am having a hard time it makes me think of years past. Like when we lived in Japan and I often thought it was a difficult thing we were doing. But when Deron and I look back on that year we often say that was the 'best' year. So I guess it is a reminder to me to be grateful for the moment I am currently in.
One of my favorite scriptures is Jacob 4:3. It is Jacob speaking to his people and explaining why he does what he does: Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.
I guess what I want to say in this post is that right now I have a thankful heart. I'm thankful for Christ and His gospel and the blessings that come from living it. No matter what the trial we are facing, if we strive to live the gospel to the fullest our load is lighter. So to 2010 I am grateful for you. Because even if you were the hardest year yet, I know Heavenly Father was generous in His blessings to the Watanabe family through and through.

What A Week

2010-11-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

Where do I start...we had our good friend Mio come stay with us for the week. It was a lot of fun. We got to meet her friend Ayaka who stayed a few days as well. Can I just say, I love the people from Japan. Having them here with us reminded Deron and I of all the many things we adore about Japan and its culture. Here are a few: "ALWAYS" polite. Did I put enough emphasis on always. In every situation. I've never seen a person from Japan misbehave. Even with all of the excuses in the world (sleepy, mistreated, others' rudeness, PMS, bored, annoying children, etc.) they are calm and sweet. Having said that, I guess I have to say that the Yakuza can be quite grumpy. Here's another: It is so pleasant to speak with people who don't have an agenda or a point they HAVE to make. I consider them perfect people to have a nice conversation with. And then I will bundle a bunch of reasons all together: tidy, clean, grateful, quiet, considerate, unexpecting, easy to entertain, interesting, helpful, so cute...and there is a lot more.
Okay I am a Gillespie and so I innately dislike cats. But we had the cutest little kitten hanging around our house. Fortunately, about three months ago we lost our previously adopted full-grown cat Sleeping Beauty. So when the kids saw this cute kittten they immediately wanted to keep her. 'Absolutely Not' was my response. One late night I asked Deron to take the meowing kitty to our neighbors and see if they would want her. He did, and about thirty minutes later he finally came back home empty-handed. The neighbors declined the cat and so Deron took it upon himself get rid of the cat. He took it across the park to an old deserted field and left the poor kitty to be fit and survive. A few days later, the cat found its way back to our porch. For the next three days we watched as this cat slowly died. It was the saddest thing ever. We tried to nurture it back to healthy life but it got worse and worse. Our relationship ended when I took the cat to the animal shelter. The people there took one look at her, said she looked really bad, and then put her down. I felt really good about it. I think she must have gotten into poison or something.
Next I got a really bad haircut. Well, I'm sure the cut itself was a good one but it was nothing like I wanted and requested. Totally chopped short! So many layers when I asked for just one! I practically have bangs! Ahhh...I want to cry. I know I am vain. And the worse part is I have to go clean the woman who cut its house tonight because it was a trade. I am now really wanting to go super short since it is once again in the awkward stage of length that I had to have so much patience getting out of in the first place. I like run-on sentences.

On a completely positive note...we had our family pictures taken and we absolutely LOVE them. Thanks Karina!

Things I Love and have a hard time living without

2010-11-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Freshly cleaned carpets
Two hour long naps (don't judge, I get up early)
Daily runs without pushing the stroller with crying kids
Something sweet after every meal
A clean house at least once a week
Conversations with my sister about her new boyfriend
P90X at night. I actually could live easily without it...but shees what a workout to relieve stress.
Blueberries. It's been awhile since they are so expensive right now.
Sundays. Of course going to church is the best thing, but I just like having the reason to actually get ready and look my best once a week.
Freshly bathed children, story time, bed time.
Luke growling at me, wrestling with me, then turning around and kissing me.
Snotty Nellie kisses

Okay I am listening to Annie say to our Japanese friend right now:
Mio do you smoke?
Yeah.
When you smoke all of the inside of your body turns black and you'll DIE.
Yeah.
Do you want to die?

Oh I love that girl. She is going to do great things in this world.

Continue In Patience

2010-10-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

In Relief Society today our lesson was on Elder Uchtdorf's talk: Continue In Patience. I don't think I have ever heard a talk given by this man that I did not LOVE. It might just be his German accent. Or his good looks. He started this talk out by relating a study that was done on children years ago. A man gathered a group of four-year-old children and placed a marshmallow in front of them. He told the children they could eat the marshmallow now or they could wait 15 minutes and they would then get two marshmallows. Only 30 percent of the children waited for the two marshmallows. The man followed up on this group of children years later and found that the 30 percent that waited were more successful adults.
This story made me think of our Annie and these rings she wanted so badly one day while perusing Walmart. The next day was her birthday and she got 5 dollars. She wanted to go buy candy until I reminded her that those rings she saw at the store were 5 dollars and she could now buy them. She of course was excited. The next day we went to Target. I assumed Target would have the same rings but they didn't. So we looked at some other rings. And although the other rings appealed to Annie she decided to wait until we went to Walmart to get the original rings she loved. I was impressed with her patience.
I struggle with patience. I think Deron gets the total brunt of my impatience. Poor man. I have to remind him that it is better he get my bad behavior than the kids getting it. I try to work on this often, but fall short most of the time. I pray all the time for patience. And I know part of being patient is being patient for answers to prayers. And also being patient is trying and retrying many times while you strive to be better. Did that make sense?
But what I really was thinking about as I read and listened to this talk was my kids. I want them so badly to choose good, have testimonies and live the gospel of Christ. I really yearn for that in my prayers. And the main message I got from this talk is to persevere in patience and the Lord will bless you and your family. That means Deron and I HAVE to ALWAYS have our family prayer at night. We HAVE to do our family and personal scripture study. We HAVE to do FHE weekly. And we HAVE to attend the temple regularly. Even if doing all these things are hard and sometimes seems pointless, THAT is having patience.
And I really want the blessings that come from being patient.

Horses

2010-10-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

Annie turned five a few weeks ago. She had been asking for a horse for her birthday. We went to Uncle Mike's house and rode his horses and it was really fun for the two little ones. It reminded me of when I asked my parents for a horse and I received a lamb instead. I didn't like the lamb. So I named her Bratina. Clever I know. I had to take her on 30 minute walks every day and that was too much for me.

Our Annie is such an amazing little girl. I get excited to think about what kind of woman she will be. I feel very blessed to have been sent this special child.

Temples

2010-10-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

Last week was our Stake Temple Week and we got to go to a special meeting with the Temple President prior to doing a session. He talked about ordinances and how as members of the Church of Jesus Christ we can appear to be ritualistic in our ordinances. Baptism is an ordinance that is more common than the ordinances we do in the temple, and so it is accepted by the world and members of the church as being more normal. But it made me think of one of the things I love about being a member of the church. We are 'ritualistic'. And so were the ancient believers in Christ. They performed ordinances that looked forward to the coming of Christ. And when Christ was on the earth He performed ordinances as well. That brings my mind to the Article of Faith that says "We believe in the same organzation that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth". And I think that 'and so forth' can include the fact that we perform ordinances in sacred temples just like they did in times of old.
Isn't that another proof the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day is truely Christ's church?
I think so.
And I love going to the temples and being part of ancient yet unique-to-the-modern-world ordinances and 'rituals'.

This is the Cardston Alberta LDS Temple. Isn't it awesome looking? To me it looks like what Solomon's temple would have looked like.

Deron and I got married in this one: Jordan River Temple

My parents got married in this one and most of my siblings: Provo Temple

This is the temple we currently attend: Mt. Timpanogas

I had one brother get married here, and it is the oldest temple I have been in: Salt Lake Temple

Actually, I think this one might be older than the Salt Lake Temple. This is the Manti Temple.
I heart temples.

blog hater

2010-09-30T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking of quitting the whole blogging thing. It sometimes really bugs me and I am very unmotivated to ever do posts anymore. But last night I had a really hard time falling asleep. I couldn't stop thinking. And it wasn't because I was having really good thoughts. I was having constant scatterbrainness and couldn't settle my mind down. Then I woke up this morning and went jogging and thought I came up with the best idea ever. It made me run a lttle faster even. I have been thinking about the idea all day and have been excited to sit down and start it. And now it is almost 10:30pm and I have a minute to do it and I am back to my unmotivated blogger self. I am thinking now that ANY thought after a night of scatterbrainness is a brilliant thought. But I am going to go forward with it and if I like it I will continue. If I don't I will rid my blog from the blogging world.
I am a Mormon (member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) mom. And I think I am pretty typical when it comes to being a Mormon mom. I don't do anything extraordinary but I am not a bad mom either. I'm your average Mormon mom. I want to write about my normal average life as a Mormon mom and so instead of always just posting pictures and lists of what we do in our house day to day...I'm going to put my Mormon input into each blog.
Okay, so last night I watched this movie from Netflix which I have been excited about for 2 or 3 months: Babies. There is no talking or anything. You basically watch the first year of four different babies from four different countries. It was really fun to see the different cultures and how each mother mothered her baby. I loved the similarities. Like when the mothers hold their babies and have that same look of pure love in their eyes. So sweet. There were lots of similarities. And then there were some really funny differences. One that made me laugh out loud was when the African mother crouches over as she is walking in the dusty area and lets her walking baby nurse on demand. She didn't sit down, hold the baby, or get comfortable at all. Or when her baby poos and she wipes her baby by wiping his bum crack on her knee and then takes an old corn husk to clean her knee with dirt. No wonder there were flies everywhere.
The movie really warmed my heart though...to see other women in such different circumstances doing what mothers do: loving and sacrificing for their babies. And to see all those different babies being the same loveable babies. Somehow it made me so grateful for babies and motherhood. And for me it was another proof that Heavenly Father loves all of his children because he sends us these loveable babies to adore...until they turn 3. Just kidding. But Luke has entered the terrible threes for sure.

When is life going to slow down?!!

2010-08-17T14:41:00.000-07:00

Gardening and everything that comes with it-planting, weeding, watering, gathering, jamming/canning, juicing, etc.
Swimming as much as possible (at least once a week)
Aquarium
Camping (3 different trips)
Family reunions
Yard work-laying pavers, building mini shed, starting a Japanese garden, routine weeding/mowing, building plant boxes....(thanks Dad and Seth for all your help).
Busy church callings
Deron working CRAZY long hours! 7am-10pm sometimes, 7-7pm is a good day.
And then the weekly norm of cleaning own house, cleaning others' homes, and trying to be a good mom and everything that goes with that. Is it really possible that life does get busier with children getting older? Yikes.

Conversation with our 4 year old

2010-07-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Today I had the following conversation with Annie....which I actually have pretty much on a daily basis, except for the last part:
Annie: I know!!! Lets have a makeover party! We'll put makeup on, and your jewelry, and we'll get in your dress-ups!! It will be so FUN!
Mom: Annie, I don't want to get into my makeup, it is too expensive to play with.
Annie: Mom, if you don't have a makeover party with me..then....I'm gonna give a poisonous apple to somebody.

I'm starting to wonder about what messages she is taking from all those Disney princess movies.

munchkin didleyumpchkin

2010-06-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is what we deal with these days.

Anniversary at Lake Tahoe

2010-06-15T06:45:00.001-07:00

So I had never been there, but growing up Deron went all the time to spend time with his grandparents at Lake Tahoe. So we decided to get away for our special date. It was so nice to have a little break from our busy lives.
Lake Tahoe is beautiful! And freezing the end of May.

Through the Years...

2010-05-19T12:37:00.001-07:00

Can you believe we don't have a picture together for 2010! But this weekend we will be taking plenty and I can't wait!

picture overload

2010-05-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

BBE-best baby ever

2010-04-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

This cutie is so fun. Is it weird that I am wanting to get pregnant right now just so I can have another one of these right away?! Yes, it is weird. Because even I know that all babies aren't this good. But I seriously have that want just about every day. Another weird thing...you would think I would be taking more pictures of her. She is being so neglected on the picture taking thing. So here is Nellie at 6 months.

PS. She still gets up at least 2 times in the night! Stinker! But how can I complain when she is so perfect in every other way.

FHE at our house

2010-04-13T07:47:00.000-07:00

song: twinkle, twinkle
prayer: Annie (prayed that we would sleep well...but not fall asleep)
lesson: Deron (using drawings as finger puppets to teach The First Vision)
song: Oh, How Lovely Was The Morning (duet by mom and dad)
prayer: oh shoot O can't remember
kiss chain

Sounds good right?
Here are pictures of what happened in between all that good stuff...and after.

2010-03-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

wish I had some cute pictures to post. Not too much going on in the Watanabe home. I guess here are some highlights of the last month or so:
Luke is potty trained...at least he knows that he should go potty on the toilet.
Deron visiting Toronto for ~2 weeks working.
Went to Abby's baptism in Kanab. We got to enjoy all the family and such a sweet sweet baptism.
Painted our kitchen and put up new door frames and baseboards.
Finished reading 'The Secret Garden'. Super cute...Annie and I are going to the play in a week!
Nellie is almost 6 months! She still is perfect as ever.
Busy, Busy, Busy. I can't imagine my life getting busier...but I somehow know it will.

What's Been Happening in Our House

2010-02-19T09:04:00.001-08:00

2010-01-21T16:54:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to wonder how often this happens and I don't even realize it. Today I was getting some things done on the computer and Annie and Luke were playing with my hair. A while later I was getting stuff done in the kitchen and I noticed Luke was looking at me kinda differently. I ran my fingers through my hair and realized Annie had ripped tiny pieces of paper up and put them all over in my hair. I had her take a picture of the art. But it reminded me of a similar experience I had a few weeks ago. I walked into Cafe Rio to get some take out for the family. And the thought entered my head "I must look really good right now 'cause people are totally staring and smiling'. I came to realize a few hours later that Annie had put a hair claw in my hair right on top of my head. I in fact looked ridiculous. I think this type of thing happens often to me and I don't realize it. I basically let Luke and Annie play with my hair whenever they want to. I love the way it feels and...it keeps them entertained for a very long time. So I hope I can make this make sense: I often feel a sense of pride when I notice people looking at me in public. It kinda boasts my confidence. Not the case anymore. I think now when I notice 'looks', it will be associated with the fact that there might be something crazy in my hair or boogers on my shirt. I am a mother. And in a different way...that kinda boast my confidence.

Things To Love

2010-01-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

2009-11-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naqX9iYE0V0

Baby Blessings

2009-11-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

We had such a great weekend with all of the family. My brother Jon returned home from his mission so we had a yummy Thanksgiving dinner while the whole family was in town. It was so great to be with everyone again. I am so grateful for my good family. We had Nellie's blessing on Sunday. Deron always has given the most beautiful blessings to our children. I am so grateful for the love he shows our children. Then after the blessing we had everyone over for a brunch and then we were off to Jon's homecoming. Jon served diligently and he loved the people of Minnesota. Listening to his talk and feeling the Spirit sure brought back some wonderful memories of my mission. And I don't know if it is just that I haven 't been to church in over a month or what, but I sure felt the Spirit often yesterday. I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. I have felt His love often. I am grateful for that. I know Jesus Christ is our Savior. I have felt the power of His Atonement in my life. I know Joseph Smith saw our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in answer to His prayer about truth and He was called to be a Prophet in our day. The Book of Mormon is true and we have had precious truths restored in our day. I am just so thankful for the countless times I have felt the Spirit testifying of these things to me. And I am thankful for the mission I served where I testified of these truths....and I definitely should be testifying more often...so there you go. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and the many blessings that come from trying to live it!

baby pics

2009-10-30T18:44:00.001-07:00

We may have another thumb sucker...I know I should discourage it...but it is so stinkin cute!

Nellie Noelle

2009-10-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

birth rundown

2009-10-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

October 7
4am-contractions start, six minutes apart for two hours
6am-5pm-contractions continue but aren't consistent, sometimes 10 or 20 minutes apart. I call labor and delivery and they tell me to wait until contractions are consistently 5 minutes apart for two hours or wait for my water to break.
4pm-we go for a drive up the canyon thinking that will make my water break. Start the drive but decide to turn around because the canyon has lots of stopped traffic.
4:30-stop by Lehi Block to see if they have any good cheap pavers for sale.
5pm-have a major breakdown. Yell at the kids and start crying uncontrollably either out of frustration, pain, or crazy. Contractions get very painful and start to be shorter in-between. Call many people to see who can watch our kids...have a hard time finding someone. We end up leaving the kids with our angelic neighbor while my mom and dad make their way through rush hour traffic. Also call labor and delivery and they say go ahead and come in since I have been in labor all day. Thank you so much labor and delivery.
5:30-Deron and I get in the car and head for the U hospital. Contractions are now 5 minutes apart and VERY painful...have to breath crazy pregnant women breath to make it through contractions.
6pm-contractions are now 3-4 minutes apart. Still on the road. I call Labor and Delivery and ask them if there is a closer place to park (other than the garage) because I don't want to walk. L&D say no...just park in the garage.
6:30-some major gush of fluid comes out
6:33-we park illegally, get a wheelchair and Deron runs me up to L&D. Major pain!!!!!
6:33-LD take time checking my cervix and check to see if water has broke. There are now no breaks in-between my contractions. I am dilated at a 6. I beg for the epidural person to come right away and relieve me of pain. I think the L&D personnel think I am exaggerating the pain or something. I then feel the desire to push...and then they quickly put me in a wheelchair and take me to delivery room. Deron in the meantime is checking me in.
6:40ish-6:44-I am put on a bed and Deron is with me. I again say I want to push. Rush of doctors, nurses, interns, come in room. Doctor checks me and I am crowning. She says I can push. Nurse to the side of me is trying to put an IV in as I am pushing. I push. Then push again. Have the most painful experience I will work hard to never let myself go through again and baby is born!!!
6:45-Pure exhaustion! Can barely hold baby up. Somewhat in shock that I just had that very unexpected painful experience. Baby is beautiful! Immediately she reminds me of our little Annie.
She weighed 5lbs 110z and is 20 inches long!
We are enjoying our precious little girl and our two other kids who are in love with her.

Update

2009-10-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

I figured since the baby is probably coming this week I should get one more post in before life really changes around here. We have had a fun month. Annie turned four and she had been talking about her tea party for over a month. I think she really enjoyed it. I think the greatest part of the tea party was my mom who came dressed as Glenda the witch and played the role the entire time and was our story teller and entertainer. I sure love that woman. Here is Annie in a nutshell:
A-active. She loves life and will basically do anything and will love doing it. The phrase she says just about every day to me lately is "I am so exciting!"-meaning I am so excited! But she really is an exciting girl.
N-nice to her brother Luke. She is a great sister who loves to play with Luke and comfort him. My favorite is waking up and seeing Luke up in Annie's bed. When he cries at night she often helps him up in her bed and they will cuddle through the night. So cute!
N-okay I just asked Deron what N word I could use to describe Annie and he said naughty. Which is true. She definitely does what she shouldn't on occasion like step on the cat, or get into my makeup, or bonk Luke on the head when he is bugging her, or eat all the cookies when I am resting (and she is supposed to be too). But overall this little girl is a good girl who tries hard to obey her mom and dad.
I-imagination. She loves to pretend and is very easily self entertained. Lately her favorite thing is to role play where I am Annie all day and she is the mom all day. Or I am momma bear, Deron is daddy bear, Luke is baby bear, and Annie is sister bear. If we ever mess up and accidently use actual names instead of pretend names Annie gets irritated.
E-easy to love. I don't know if it is her perfect features, curly gold hair, or her love to communicate with other people, Annie has friends and people her love her everywhere. I love being her mom. She has always brought so much life, laughter, and joy to Deron and I.

We went to the Wee Witch Festival and had a lot of fun there. The pony ride and petting zoo were the kids favorite. The yummy fudge they have was mine and was the main motivation for me to get out being so big with baby.

For the most part the month has been getting ready for the baby. Deep cleaning, yard work, moving furniture, organizing, and insulating the house have taken a lot of our spare time.

One Thing I Said I Would NEVER Do

2009-08-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know how it happened really. First it was just a suggestion by our sweet neighbor, then it was out of pity for the starving creature, then all of a sudden we actually started liking it.
Deron and I are not cat people...but Luke and Annie sure have enjoyed this little kitten.
I asked Annie what she wanted to name her and she said 'Belle'. The next day though, I heard her calling the cat 'Ariel'. And about a week later she was calling the cat 'Sleeping Beauty' which has stuck.
We have found Luke holding the cat in a choke hold and throwing her off the porch. The other day Annie was basically stomping on the cat. My mom keeps reminding me that the cat has 'nine lives', and if she wanted she could get away. For the most part the kids have treated her with kindness.

Summer Catch Up

2009-08-07T15:35:00.001-07:00

We have really enjoyed our summer...and it has been busy. We have been on the go since June with all sorts of events so I am trying to catch up on a few of them.
Lehi has their Round-Up week in June and we tried to go to all the festivities. Here are Luke and Annie with their cousin Maylee at the horse parade.

We really enjoyed Lehi's rodeo! If it hadn't down poured on us for the first half hour it would have been perfect.

Then for the 4th we (me and the kids cause Deron had school) we headed for Kanab where my sister Nicki and her cute family live. This was a lot of fun. It felt a lot like Round Valley's 4th of July celebration. Luke and Annie loved collecting candy at the parade.

And then we headed to Sedona, AZ for the Gillespie and Thompson family reunions. We were there for over a week soaking in the hot AZ sun. Luckily there was a pool nearby in which we swam every day. We enjoyed Slide Rock State Park. They have these areas where the rock has been smoothed out by the water and has formed a natural slide. Well, my mom, Dave, and Annie went to check it out and as they saw the many people going down with grimaces on their faces Annie, without fear or warning, just jumped in for the ride. She is so fun. Always willing to try new things. For the Thompson reunion we went camping along the creek. I can't believe how dirty kids can get if you just let them go.

Things I love about being pregnant:

2009-06-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

Feeling the baby kick and move around inside.
Having people cater to your needs and not letting you clean up or do anything strenuous.
Taking 1-2 hour naps every day
Having people demand that you eat more because your baby needs it...even though it is chocolate or something that your baby doesn't really need.
Having the goal of when everything in your house should be organized and cleaned...and then for some reason having the motivation to do it.
Ice cream and cheese in excess because your body needs the calcium.
Replacing saggyness with plumpness where it was lost after nursing for an entire year.

Princess Party

2009-06-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

Lehi had a little princess party last Saturday so we dressed up Annie and Deron took her while I went and cleaned houses. Of course she loved it. She wanted to be Cinderella again and it was perfect because she found her Cinderella twin there. I just love Annie. She has so much enthusiasm for life. She is SO fun! Thanks to Deron for taking her and putting up with little princesses for a couple of hours.......

So Annie fit in right with the princesses and Luke fit in with the drawfs.