Such a long time

It's been a long time since we've written on the blog. Life gives us many adventures and many changes but we're very thankful that the Lord is taking care of us are times of need. The last year has brought a lot of growing, a lot of happiness, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of joy and many adventures. Our children have continued to grow and bring joy to our lives.

Michael is now nine years old and loves Cub Scouts he is in the Bear den. He loves being a scout and I have to admit that I am enjoying the program also. I get to be the cubmaster over our pack. this year for our pinewood derby he came in first place! No one was surprised more than Steve and i. we are grateful that he wants to be a good citizen and that he wants to make a difference in this world he is a wonderful example and we love him so much.

Our Katie girl is still miss feisty pants. she was able to do gymnastics this year and loved it! there were a couple of months there where I didn't know if it was worth it but she finally pulled through and she enjoyed herself so much, she loved being able to perform in front of everybody and show off what she could do. I am so proud of her! she also did preschool this year and enjoyed it a lot. She will be 4 this year and is one of the best big sisters. she loves Lea so much, loves to sing with her, loves to play with her when they're supposed be sleeping, loves to help, loves to tease. She is a wonderful stubborn spunky blessing in our family

Little Lea lou will be two years old in August. she is a cuddler, sweet and smart, loves to do everything that Michael and Katie can do. she loves being outside, loves to play with Michael, loves to play with Katie, loves to sit and just beheld. One of her and Katie's favorite things to do together is sit and sing as loud as they can in the car for a while there falling asleep or in the middle of the store. she is my sweetheart. 

This year we reached a five-year milestone of Josh's passing. we still have some days that are hard, but more than that we have days that are easy, days that we almost forget what it was like to have him here. we miss him terribly sometimes but we know the Lord has our best interest at heart. we're grateful for the knowledge that our family can be together forever grateful for the knowledge that things will be made right in the end were grateful for Heavenly Father's plan that brings us much joy and happiness. We are grateful for our Saviors role in this plan that has made it possible for us to be together again as a family and also as eternal family with our extended family.

Other things of happened in the past year 

my grandpa Marion Ellsworth Pence was 94 years old, he passed away on Christmas Day 2013 as we were gathering together for our Christmas lunch. he had had a stroke five days earlier on December 20 and had been in the hospital since.  I was very blessed to spend a little time with him at the hospital holding his hand.  I miss him terribly, but only realize it when I think about being able to go and visit because he's not there anymore. I'm thankful he is back with my grandma and that he's not struggling with his health anymore, but I miss seeing him when I go to Ashton and I miss holding his hand and hearing his stories. 

My grandpa Boyd L Woolstenhulme also passed away on March 2 he also was 94 years old. I didn't have a great relationship with him but felt like he and I made peace together at his birthday party the weekend after Christmas. He had had a stroke earlier last year had been in the hospital and an extended care facility since, it was a blessing he was able to finally pass.  

We now own a rental house in Idaho Falls and feel very blessed to have that opportunity.

Steve and I both serve in a scouting calling. I miss primary but not so much anymore :)

Michael enjoyed his third grade year with ms call and finish the year with almost complete straight A's. He, along with other students, was given a special award for the amount of books he read at the end of the year.

Following are just some random pictures from the last 12 months

Bugged

Today I came across a woman on the internet who was asking for advice on how to help her son with an autism spectrum disorder understand and deal with death. Feeling like I have a little insight on this I went to comment on the post and as I did was frustrated and disappointed in what I found. Several others had already given advice, but no one had yet to advised this woman to think of religion. I posted my thoughts and advice and hopefully it will help, but I was still left annoyed with it.

Annoyed that there are so many who do not know or maybe just do not have the faith they need to realize they have a Loving Heavenly Father and a Savior Jesus Christ. Annoyed that so many trusted some weird thought of sitting on a cloud or just sleeping in a closed casket under 6 ft of dirt.

But mostly I'm annoyed and my heart is a little torn for these people becuase they have a tough job. They have a tough and beautiful opportunity to help some of our Father's choicest children on this earth and they may not know all the wonderful comfort, peace, direction, love, etc etc etc. they can have while on this journey.

While Josh was here and my boys were together, it was sometimes a daily battle of anger, sadness, depression, joy, thankfulness, and many other feelings because I didn't understand everyday that i needed the Atonement in my life to help me deal with it. Every once in awhile I would be able to get my act together and remember, but it was hard! We are given these wonderful, precious little spirits and quite a few times we may not know how to facilitate them.

Baptism

This year is a special one for us, it's the year we have an 8yr old! On April 13 2013 Michael Dean Hansen was baptized and confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was so excited and a bit nervous. Steven was able to baptize him and confirm him with loving members of our families and friends around. We did a couple of practices at home and a couple of fhes on why we need to be baptized and what we promise. We also had family members and friends write their testimonies down for him. It was awesome to see him all in white, just a precursor for latter on. It was wonderful! The Spirit was strong and we were blessed to have a little piece of Heaven. I was a bit emotional because i am so proud of my boy. He loves primary, he loves reading the scriptures, he loves being a cubscout, he is a great joy and blessing in our life! Mike is a very special member of our family, he is the eldest, the smiliest, and the best brother to his siblings. We are grateful that he is a part of our family!!!

tender mercies

I am so blessed to be a mother. I've been able to take time lately and reflect on all the tender mercies I've received from my Heavenly Father. I'm far from perfect, far from deserving, but yet I've been given some wonderful wonderful things!

1. My sweetheart. how he has put up with me, i don't know. he's my comfort, strength, my best friend
2. Wonderful Michael. He is such a joy to have, so full of silliness, compassion, love, full of life! He is so patient with me as his mother. He teaches me a lot about how to be more Christ like, more willing to share how wonderful the truths of the gospel are. I believe he was sent here to do a great amount of good on this earth! oh how i love my boy!
3. Josh. his passing taught me a lot about myself, my marriage and my dependance on my Savior and my Father in Heaven. Being able to feel him near at special times is such a beautiful thing. Knowing he is helping prepare that world for the coming of Christ is such a special feeling and that he got to help his sisters prepare to come to our family is such a comfort that the bonds of family are eternal.
4. KatieBug! What a sweetie. Having Katie helped heal my heart and kept me going knowing I would have another little one to hold and love on. Katie will move mountains! Katie has a zest for life, a craving to get on with what she needs to do. sometimes I think she can't wait to grow up so she can get on with her purpose. She has such an abundance of love for those around her. she can be so gentle and soft with others and at other times so wild, it's like she's ready for her big body not this child's one. she is a helpful caring soul and i'm afraid takes after me in temperment somedays.
5. LeaLou... I don't know if she will actually know her name until she's older. Lea Marie, but I always call her Lou. She's been a good blessing, she's calm and soft, she wants to be cuddled a lot more than my other kids have... and I love that! she has bright shiny eyes that express a lot. She has a look like Josh every once-in-awhile that is just what i need.

I am so thankful for my blessing, my family, my parents. So grateful for a Savior who suffered for my sins, for my pains and sorrows, and who died that I and my family might live again. What a glorious blessing this life is!!!

My little thanks and my little loves

Being thankful for the things in our lives instead of complaining can spur hopefullness in the midst of trials, happiness to a bad day,  and smiles and laughter to any normal day.

I Am Thankful For:
1. a warm home
2. cuddles with my little Lea Lou
3. lubes from Katie... she's developed a list
4. Michael's kindness to his sisters
5. the infectious laughs of my kids
6. my husband's beautiful eyes... they are so clear and expressive... i don't know where he got them
7. a tax refund... woohoo!
8. Beauty in nature
9. technology
10. healing
11. peace of mind
12. my awesome parents... i don't know if i can tell them "thank you" and "i love you" enough!
13. primary! i love being in primary!!!! those kids are just awesome
14. forgiveness... heaven knows I'm not perfect, i need this everday!
15. a quirky companion... couldn't have had some of the adventures without him!

I could keep going and going and going.

*Michael turned 8! He turned 8! i can't believe he's that old. Mike is a great brother, he loves his family and we are so proud of him... he is such a wonderful boy! He loves school and no matter where he goes he leaves an impression on the people around him. his teacher told me that during a class exercise he was suppose to tell something he special about the person next to him. he had a hard time, but then turned to the girl next and told her that she is a child of God. my michael has such a special spirit and i know he has something awesome waiting for him in the future! oh how we love that boy!
*Katie is such a character, she tries to copy everything, everything Mike does... kind rubs you the wrong way, but she is just wonderful. Katie knows quite a few sight words, can count to 10 most of the time, loves to say prayers and sing I am a Child of God. She knows where she wants to go and is very determined.  We love her so much! Katie is kind and polite and i couldn't ask for a better a better little blondie.
*Lea is now 7 months old, she crawls, pulls herself up on furniture, smiles, laughs, loves her brother and sister, she is such a joy! love that little girl! Lea has been the baby i could just hold and hold.... she'll let me!

I have such wonderful children, i am so thankful that our family can be eternal, i am thankful that we want that, that we love each other! What a beautiful life!!!

Sometimes I'm not sure how to get my feelings, my tender feelings across. Today, my heart feels full and humbled. I have been given beautiful children, a good man for a companion, and I was born into a family that has always loved me, accepted me and who has helped me grow. I am especially grateful today for the Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Thankful that it not only erases my mistakes, but that it also calms my troubles, heals my heart, and always allows me the assurity that someone does know how I feel and how to help. I am grateful that I get to serve and learn from some wonderful small ones in primary. Thankful that the Lord trusts me to follow what He needs done. I am grateful that my husband took me to the Temple that our marriage is not just for the time on earth, but that it can endure past this short little life. I am thankful that our 4 beautiful children our sealed to us, that they are ours and we are theirs for eternity, that someday, in the Lord's time, Josh will be with us again. I am grateful to live in the fulness of times where we have the blessing and opportunity to witness great and marvelous things being brought to the world, grateful to witness the power of the priesthood and thankful that my companion is worthy to hold that gift.
As of late, I have been discouraged, down trodden by situations we face. I have been less than gracious in bearing my "burdens" and have not trusted in the Lord as I should. Today, a day that I'm ok, I stumbled upon words from the apostles that i needed to hear weeks ago. I guess while in the mist of that problem I would not have been blessed with the tenderness that my heart felt after listening today.
I know that our Savior loves us, I know that when all else fails, He is there to carry us through our burdens no matter what they may be. I know that He lives, He loves us, and He patiently waits for us to call on His mercy to help us through any heartache, any trial, any love lost.

what a beautiful life

We now have a bright and intelligent 2nd grader, a missionary in Heaven, a spicy enchilada 2 yr old, and a new little bambina that joined our family on August 21 2012.

Steven and I have been so blessed amist some "wonderful" adventures.
Lately I've been maybe less than thankful for the simple little things that we have been given.
I have the love of a sweet little husband, that i'm not sure i deserve, especially with how feisty I can get. I have four beautiful children who i just adore and love! although it's not easy at times Steve and I have been given the opportunity to grow, learn, and somehow keep our marriage intact.

Life is a beautiful thing... love all the things that are sure to be ahead.

Lately I’ve been thoughtful. Events that have taken place have been reminiscent of the past and my heart has grown a little more. 

On April 13 2012 my sister Jennie gave birth to a still born little girl. I can only imagine the heart ache and disappointment that was brought to her, her husband and four children. On April 18 2012 they laid their little baby girl to rest until it is time to be together again. The service was sweet and innocent and it was a tremendous blessing to be there. The Spirit was strong and tender to the heart, it was beautiful!

During the five days before the memorial service my own heart ached and was my heart strings were plucked. But not for the passing of a child, it was for the loss of time they didn’t get to spend with her on this earth. My heart aches for their sorrow and grief, it aches that they have this to experience, and it aches that they must have this to bear.

But as with everything we experience in this life, I was reminded of all the joy and love that we found along the way in Josh’s passing, that they surely will also. A Savior who has overcome the world, a loving, kind, and merciful Heavenly Father, the tender thoughtful acts of others, and sweet prayers given.  An increase in faith and desire to follow the will of our Father, and small little mercies eyes are open to once again.

I testify that this is not the end, mortality is just a moment in our progression. I know that we all will live again, we all will have the opportunities to share love with those who have already passed from this life. I know that I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves me, who atoned to pay for my sins and who experienced all so that I may look to Him for comfort and strength. I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and has a desire to bless me. I am so grateful for the comfort and care that comes when we choose to trust in Him who knows all.

School Days

Well Mike has been in school for a little longer than a month and this friday he starts harvest break for 2 weeks, so I thought I better get something posted of him! :) This year Michael has Mrs. Shumway and he loves loves loves her! It's been a lot of joy seeing him so excited about school! Katie definetely misses him during the day and hopefully this 2 week break will help with that. She just lights up when Mike gets home. Michael is doing so well with controlling his sensory sensitivities and doing much better with focusing on his work. He loves to read and is 1 of the top 3 in his class right now in reading. So proud of him! Without further delay here are some pictures of the last little while... tada!

First Day of School and rearing to go!

And Katie Turned 1! When did that happen?!