Another year has passed! Another birthday video to commemorate it has been completed.
So much of what is in my heart is expressed perfectly by the song and pictures in this video. I feel like the Lord and I have wrestled a lot this year as I've learned (and re-learned) lessons about Hunter and his life and my role as his parent. I know Hunter enjoys having a body and being part of a family. He isn't just languishing in his disability like I think some people believe.
I can't (and don't want to try to) imagine our life without Hunter. I'm amazed at how well the Lord knows us and the challenges that will help us become more like Him and the Savior. I'm grateful for the sanctifying influence Hunter has had on my marriage. The things Bryson and I have endured as Hunter's parents have knitted our hearts together in sacred, eternal ways. I'm thankful I've been present to witness Eleyna hurrying to comfort Hunter when he coughs or trying to share food and toys with him. I can't imagine anything worth missing those moments for. Eleyna is unaware that her brother is disabled and it is beautiful to me.
I'm grateful for the Lord's patience with me when momentary bitterness, pettiness, envy, or discourgement catch me in a moment of weakness. It seems like those times when I'm hurting and unreasonable (and probably don't deserve much more than a spanking), He finds a way to let me know He's there and He loves me.
I love my son with all my heart. Happy birthday Hunter bug!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter fun
On Easter Sunday, in between sessions, we made a quick trip over to Grandma Janeen's for some lunch and Easter baskets. Since Hunter was still feeling yucky just Eleyna and I went while the boys stayed home. Eleyna loves spending time at Janeen's! She plays with Grandma's dollies and out in the sandbox and thinks she's in heaven.
Janeen's parents were in town for conference so Eleyna got to spend some time with her great-grandparents. Her and Grandpa Rassmussen had lots of fun playing puzzles.
For Easter we got Eleyna and Hunter some baby ducks.
They live in our garage right now in a cardboard box. I can't believe how quickly they are growing! New living arrangements may be required in the near future. We named them Blackie and Maddy.
Eleyna's interest level has been pretty consistent. She is still too nervous to hold them. I love the way she refers to them cause it comes out sounding like "gucks" instead of ducks.
She really likes watching them swim. She has to be in the tub with them since watching from the other side of the tub just doesn't give her a close enough view. :)
Janeen's parents were in town for conference so Eleyna got to spend some time with her great-grandparents. Her and Grandpa Rassmussen had lots of fun playing puzzles.
For Easter we got Eleyna and Hunter some baby ducks.
They live in our garage right now in a cardboard box. I can't believe how quickly they are growing! New living arrangements may be required in the near future. We named them Blackie and Maddy.
Eleyna's interest level has been pretty consistent. She is still too nervous to hold them. I love the way she refers to them cause it comes out sounding like "gucks" instead of ducks.
She really likes watching them swim. She has to be in the tub with them since watching from the other side of the tub just doesn't give her a close enough view. :)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Las Vegas vacation
Last week, Bryson had a conference for work in Las Vegas and at the last minute we decided to tag along. My dad was going to the conference too, so my parents scheduled their Marriot time share for that week so my mom and sibs could go down and play. Only Ryan and Deanna were able to go so there was plenty of room for me and the kids at the hotel. It worked out great. The ride down was fairly painless. While the boys were at the conference during the day, me, mom, Dede, Ry and the kids got to hang out. It was okay weather. Not really warm enough to spend a lot of time poolside, but we did have one day in the mid-sixties that felt like heaven after a long winter.
The girls in the hotel shuttle on our way to the grocery store.
Whenever we're in Vegas we get to visit Grandpa Brad's house.
On our way to the pool. I love how happy Eleyna's face is.
On the drive home we stopped at the Pirate Island in St. George for lunch.
My little pirate princess.
The girls in the hotel shuttle on our way to the grocery store.
Whenever we're in Vegas we get to visit Grandpa Brad's house.
On our way to the pool. I love how happy Eleyna's face is.
On the drive home we stopped at the Pirate Island in St. George for lunch.
My little pirate princess.Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Guess what!
I bet you're all wondering what excuse I'm going to give for my hiatus from blogging these past few months. I know, I know, I never even posted pictures from Christmas...
What kind of a mother am I?!!
Well, I actually have a fairly solid alibi.
~I'm pregnant~
Baby number three is due in September. Bryson is really excited, and I will be too when I stop feeling like the living dead. :)
What kind of a mother am I?!!
Well, I actually have a fairly solid alibi.
~I'm pregnant~
Baby number three is due in September. Bryson is really excited, and I will be too when I stop feeling like the living dead. :)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Becky and April
Almost a year ago I made two new friends, April and Becky. April has a five year old named Caleb. Caleb's brain didn't form completely before he was born and he has hydrocephalus. Becky's son is named Ben. He is seven and was born with microcephaly. Obviously, both of these sweet boys are SO much more than their diagnoses-just like Hunter, but it was our special calling as caregivers that brought us together originally. After Thanksgiving, Becky came to Utah to visit for a week (she lives in New Hampshire). The three of us got to spend some quality time together while Becky was here and it was SO fun. It was more than that too, though; like a balm for my soul. Spending time with these lovely ladies convinced me that not only will we enjoy the same "sociality" (D&C 130:2) in heaven as we did here, but also that we probably developed relationships before this life. And while our minds may not remember, our spirits definitely do.
BYU v. Utah football game - go Cougars! April, Becky and me
Becky snuggling with Hunter.
GNO to Farr's Fresh. Yummy!
Me and Becky
Hanging out at April's, holding Caleb. Thanks for hosting the whole crew at your place that week April!
BYU v. Utah football game - go Cougars! April, Becky and me
Becky snuggling with Hunter.
GNO to Farr's Fresh. Yummy!
Me and Becky
Hanging out at April's, holding Caleb. Thanks for hosting the whole crew at your place that week April!"Real friends share the gospel—the living of it and the loving of it. No stronger bond nor higher compliment can be given from one friend to another." (Elder Holland, New Era 1998)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Excellence
In a book I read recently it said the following:
"...she had piano lessons which she enjoyed, she passed her exams, but she had a need of excellence which she herself could not provide." (The book was The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotsen.)
This really struck me. I can totally relate to what is being described. I have a need of excellence in so many areas-art, music, literature, etc.-that I could never provide myself. I'm so grateful for the talents of others which resultantly produce my favorite books, my favorite works of art, my favorite songs. I love feeling awed and inspired by someone else's capabilities. I only had a handful of truly exceptional teachers in college, but I will never forget any of them. They practiced their craft with excellence and it left an enduring mark on me.
I think that is why I love general conference so much too. I adore basking in the blindingly bright testimonies that the general authorities exude, even through the tv. I feel so inspired by their strength.
I'm so grateful for glimpses now and then of excellence. For a moment, I'm lifted to a higher sphere.
"...she had piano lessons which she enjoyed, she passed her exams, but she had a need of excellence which she herself could not provide." (The book was The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotsen.)
This really struck me. I can totally relate to what is being described. I have a need of excellence in so many areas-art, music, literature, etc.-that I could never provide myself. I'm so grateful for the talents of others which resultantly produce my favorite books, my favorite works of art, my favorite songs. I love feeling awed and inspired by someone else's capabilities. I only had a handful of truly exceptional teachers in college, but I will never forget any of them. They practiced their craft with excellence and it left an enduring mark on me.
I think that is why I love general conference so much too. I adore basking in the blindingly bright testimonies that the general authorities exude, even through the tv. I feel so inspired by their strength.
I'm so grateful for glimpses now and then of excellence. For a moment, I'm lifted to a higher sphere.
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