The Johnson Journal

Shawnna Lazo

2009-08-19T21:01:00.001-07:00

My fun roomie from my college days. She entered a competition with a LDS singer / composer here in Utah. This is the song she sang. She did a fab job and I love the words of this song.

Cooling off

2009-07-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

So it's been pretty hot here in Utah the past week, hitting double digits on a few days. Sprinklers are totally foreign to me, but they seem to be a lot of fun for kids to play in........who needs a pool? Samantha has loved running through the spray but Sophie isn't quite so convinced that this is fun yet.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

2009-07-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here are the current residents of "Hotel Frame." We decided it would be lovely to attend the Open House for this Temple together. The kids were exceptionally reverent the entire time. I really liked the extensive use of stone tile on the floors of the Temple and the "see through" rooms, as I called them - lots of indoor glass windows so you can see into the rooms from the corridors. I just loved that my children where able to walk through a House built for the Lord.

Hotel Frames

2009-07-08T10:28:00.001-07:00

This is Jean-Marie with Sophie. She is starting BYU in the Fall and arrived about a week ago with her mom called Anna. They are staying with Mick and Donna until Anna can find work and get an apartment in the area. They want to move their whole family to Utah from Connecticut soon. The girls and Bryce have a great time with them, and I've enjoyed the 3rd person on the cooking rota. There has been TONS of visitors staying with us in this house over the summer. It has been a little crazy a times, but mostly fun with playmates for the girls and adult conversation for me during the day :)

We had a fun 4th of July, but of course I forgot my camera. We spent it with Deldon's brother's family and their neighbours at a BBQ with fireworks in Eagle Mountain. The kids had a fun time getting pony cart rides, playing with goats, and learning not to be afraid of dogs (that bit - not so fun!)

Snack time

2009-07-08T10:25:00.001-07:00

I love these wee contraptions. I'd never seen these in Northern Ireland. You can put fruit and veggies in there and they can suck and bite away at them without the worry of choking :)

Our new home (hopefully)

2009-06-29T13:18:00.001-07:00

A little dry bar in the theatre room - but I think we'll use this room as a fifth bedroom to put bunk beds in to when family comes to visit. There are 3 bedrooms upstairs that we'll use and then a fourth downstairs.

Basement family room

Front of the house, it look really small, but it's on a hill so most of the house it at the back, with about 3600 sq ft, so plenty of room for family and friends to come and visit hint hint.

The view is fab from the garden and even better from the deck off the family room. It was the view that sold it to me.

Another view of the theatre room

The kitchen area

VIew of kitchen dining from the family room area

We hope to have the keys on Wednesday. These are a few photos we've taken whilst in there. It's a foreclosure, so although the photos do not show it, the house is filthy with animal feces and urine and has been sooooooo beat up. Will some TLC we hope it be living in it within the month and will continue the diy whilst in there. I said we were not getting involved in any "project" houses this time with Deldon going back to school and working fulltime, but here we are again. We can't seem to get away from them, it must be in our blood. Oh and for anyone wondering it, we are moving to Traverse Mountain in Lehi, Utah.

First swing

2009-06-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

Bryce's first time on a swing a few weeks ago down in Price, Utah. I was visiting a friend from home who lives there whilst Deldon worked on an investment property in the area. My camera battery died so I only have cell phone pictures and I need to work out how to get them off my phone. It got a little chilly all of a sudden (hence Sophie's jacket on his head) so we had to make a run for the cars shortly after this photo. But, he just LOVED swinging.

Metro Builders Lagoon day

2009-06-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here goes the underlining again and I am clueless as to how this happens or how to remove it. I am convinced it's a MAC thing becuase I used a PC before moving to the USA and this never ever happened? Anyways, this is just some of the family that spent the day in Lagoon. The construction firm Deldon works for is a family based business. The girls had a blast on all the rides and so did we.

Can I just say it's small world. The girl on the left of the picture with her wee daughter is Claire. She was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland and is married to Deldon's cousin. I guess when they got married she asked where I was from and his Aunt and Uncle assumed it was Dublin so she thought no more about it. But when Deldon stopped by their house a while ago she discovered I was from the North meaning and would indeed know her Aunt, Uncle and cousins the Bleakleys. Who would have thought I'd be connected to them via a marriage half way across the world? We had a great time chatting about Northern Ireland, her family, and some of the other people she and I know from there whilst leaving the kids with their dads and taking off to go on some crazy rides.

What's for dessert Mummy?

2009-06-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

Samantha has become way too accustomed to treats. I keep trying to tell her that if she has a treat everyday, then it's just not a treat anymore. They have been having a great time staying with their Great Aunt Donna and Uncle Mick. They adore them both. Donna is so good at baking cakes and cookies with them. She has a patience of a saint and I love and appreciate the little Gospel based conversations that she initiates with them.

Our wee golfer

2009-06-29T12:23:00.001-07:00

I am just so in love our wee boy, he is just the cutest ever and has given out family so much to smile about. At the family reunion they had a family golf tournament. We left the girls with the babysitters and just took Bryce. That's one of our nephews, Jaden in the cart with me. Deldon was getting a little inpatient out at our beginner golfing skills. But I am proud to report that by the end of the 4 hours it took us to get around 9 holes (I know we're SLOW.) Jaden and I could at least hit the ball lol and Deldon was feeling a lot less stressed out!

10 year reunion

2009-06-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

This is Melissa aka Sister Myers - my MTC Companion. It was this month 10 years ago that we finished out 18 month missions for our Church and parted ways at the Duesseldorf Airport to fly back to our respective homelands. We kept touch for a while, but lost contact shortly after Melissa married. She found me on facebook a few months ago, so when I found out we'd be in the Boise area for Deldon's family reunion, we arranged to call by so we could meet each other's spouses and kids. So fun!!!!!!!!! I just hope it's not another 10 years before we hang out again.

Elder Crump is home!

2009-06-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we actually made it to this missionaries' home coming. We kinda half joked when he and his companion Elder Meyerhoffer were in our ward, that we'd be back in the States for their homecomings and how they could come and work on our "house projects" there. Guess it was no joke! It was lovely to meet his family and to see other missionaries that have served us and blessed our lives in Lisburn. Elder Meyerhoffer gets home in just under a month, we are excited to watch him return home too. I already miss having the Elder's over for dinner every week. Nothing can replace the great feeling they leave in your home.

Back to where this whole adventure began

2009-06-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

We've visited Campus a couple of times now and also showed the kids where we used to live and where we met. It was fun to return to Provo. I can remember vividly the morning Deldon and I drove away from Provo, looking at the Mountains wondering when I'd see them again. I didn't know it would be as long as 7 years later. I have often day dreamed about setting foot back on BYU Campus. I have many wonderful memories of my college life there and can honestly say I absolutely LOVED my college experience and have nothing but wonderful memories of the experiences and people I met there.

Sophie's latest place to chill (and eat) - the pantry!

2009-06-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ants

2009-06-05T12:55:00.001-07:00

There are ants everywhere around here. It seems everyday they pop up in a different spot and they just pile on top of each other, so gross!!!!

Good times

2009-06-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday evening Rock band with Brian (Deldon's older brother) and our Sister-in-law Trish. They have cows they milk and eat and their neighbours have baby goats. The girls have gotten a real kick out of seeing the animals around. We just need to work on getting them used to their dogs. The girls freak out any time a dog comes within 10 feet of them.

Our first trip to see a Temple here

2009-06-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why there is a underline in this post and I cannot fix it for the life of me. One of the great things about living in Utah is the close proximity to Temples. This is the Mount Timpanogos Temple and we will be living in this Temple district. We've been playing spot the Temple on our drives on the freeway to visit friends. I love that we can easily pass 3 or 4 on our trips. Problem is, now Sophie thinks every Church is a Temple and with a Church on nearly every block, her shouting "Mummy! Temple!" every few minutes is beginning to take it's toll on my nerves :)

My first weekend in Utah

2009-06-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

I was so glad that these ladies planned a girly night the Friday after I arrived in Utah. It was a rough day and I was nearly on a plane home. They kindly listened to my crazy state of mind and helped me laugh through my tears. They are all from my Church Stake back home. It was, and is good to know that I have friends here who understand what I am experiencing. It was a night of great craic (Irish term for fun banter) at a time when I needed it the most.

California Pedicure

2009-06-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

The cutest little ladies run a beauty salon in the wee town of Loomis. Barbara, my mother-in-law very kindly treats the girls in the family to pedicures when you live there or are visiting. I hadn't been there in nearly 4 years with Deldon's parents being on a mission so it was fun to see them all again and catch up. These pedicures are the best, the paint never chips. This was done 5 weeks ago and my toes still look fab!

Fun with the California Cousins

2009-06-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

Tuckered out Samantha and Tanner after a long day of fun.

They are only about 2 weeks apart in age.

Then below is the cousins playing school. We hardly saw Samantha the whole time we were there, she had so much fun being around everyone.

Six Flags Marine World

2009-06-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am going to start updating this blog finally! A lot of these photos and posts are really for family back home, so sorry if they get a little boring for the rest of you that view this. I have no idea what is up with the underlining????

The blinding sun - we were so not used to

Spot the difference between the carefree niece and nephews and the freaked out Aunt?

So yes we are still alive and kicking

2009-05-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

I feel so overwhelmed at the thought of updating this blog, as there has been so much to blog about and now it's just so much that I don't know where to start! Suffice to say we are here and have been spending our days in American Fork. We are hoping to have a place to call our own soon, but are enjoying the company and kindness of Deldon's aunt and uncle - Donna and Mick. The best part of the past month has been catching up in person with old college friends and friends from back home. It's been great to meet their kids, especially because so many of them have kids of similar ages to ours. It has given me and the kids something to keep us busy. Deldon LOVES working with his Uncle Ken, and is enjoying what he's doing. The kids seem to be adjusting well, it was rough going for a wee while with a lot of crying, but they appear more settled now. I am doing better than I expected, I haven't had to many meltdowns, although there have definitely been a few moments when I have worked out the cost of getting me and the kids back home on a flight; but my friends who have made this big move assure me this is normal and it will pass lol. I'll post some photos soon.

We should be pulling up here in about 24 hours

2009-04-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to see Deldon's family home in sight after a LONG LONG plane journey. I found these aerial shots of the home whilst packing up. I understand it started as a tiny house (the part with the air conditioning unit on top) and has grown periodically from there. I love the wide open space around it. Deldon literally grew up worlds apart from me! Valley Quail Drive here we come for a much need few days rest and fun before real life kicks in again.

Crazy Days

2009-04-21T16:35:00.000-07:00

cannot began to describe the past few days - maybe this photo might gave you an idea! Deldon forgot his coat and you don't want to go outside in Ireland in the morning without your coat - come to think about it, anytime really. So here he is with this tv shawl I found in the bedroom at my mum's house. It belonged to my late Auntie Kitty. Desperate times call for desperate measures!!! I'm typing this at 12:45 at night and we are due to leave for the airport in about 4 1/2 hours. Our entire life is packed into 7 (heavy) suitcases. I have no idea what kind of emotions I will experience in the coming days and weeks, even months. Just hope there is more happy times than sad and lonely ones, and I do know that time will heal the pain of leaving those nearest and dearest to us and the kids. Just hope that time passes quick.

Bye Bye Saturday Morning Football

2009-04-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

Deldon loves his Saturday morning football even though is has been the only regular married guy with kids there. Maybe hanging out with all the YSA fellas makes him feel youthful :) He hasn't been there for a month now with all the car boot sales, but they were playing today as everyone is off work and school for Easter Monday. I took the kids down to feed the ducks and have a chinwag with the girlies. We will really miss our friendships with the youth and YSA, they are a breath of fresh air to be around.

Our feasting weekend

2009-04-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

This is what arrives when Feds cooks for 4 (I LOVE IT)!!! I have to stuff my face really really fast, so I can eat a few plate loads before my body's "I'm full" feeling kicks in. (The photo doesn't even include the multiple desserts on offer too). We are going to miss our feasting with Feds and Alistair.

It's been a good weekend - Friday was an Abbathon for our ward activity. We sang Waterloo with my extended family. OUr ward sang a cute goodbye song to us at the end to the tune of "Thank you for the Music." I was really proud of myself keeping my emotions very much in check and totally under control, even though inside I wanted to fall apart. I need to see if anyone took any pics. I had someone take a video, but it didn't actually record - bummer! Here's a photo of the "Lowry Clan" in our ward for any of you reading this blog that knows them. I thought they looked fab in all their gear. (Excuse the uncropped photo with the back of my daughter's nogging in it.)

This morning Deldon and I got up at 6:30 a.m. and headed off to our 3rd car boot sale (OK my 1st, his 3rd). By lunchtime we'd pretty much sold all we could. It's a strange, but kinda cool feeling to think that this time next week, we'll own nothing but the clothes on our back, photos, a few ornaments, and toys. Samantha was in tears again yesterday as we started taking the toy box and her wooden toy organiser out of her room to sell. I was explaining to her that they are only "things" and what is most important is that we stay together as a family, we can always replace "things," but never our wee family. She agreed, and the tears gave way to smiles.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. It's been great to be able to explain to Samantha a little bit more this year about the meaning of Easter beyond her chocolate eggs. Her little mind continues to expand and absorb so much everyday, I love it. Grateful to have the blessing of accessing the Atonement in my own life as I struggle to make good choices, and live as I know I should. Tomorrow will be another feasting day as a turkey dinner is on the menu, but more importantly I hope it will be a spiritual feast as we worship at Church and attend a Stake Easter Musical Evening. My Sister and I have been asked to sing. I've been thinking that it will most likely the last time we'll ever sing together in any formal setting again :). But once again - Happy Easter

Easter chocolate has made an appearance already

2009-04-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

Well at least I held off until Good Friday. I needed a chocolate fix after our really healthy lunch of batter sausages and chips, smothered in a southern fried chicken gravy sauce. So I decided the girls could eat "Molly the Cow" and "Lucy Lamb" ( I swear there will be no chocolate eggs until Sunday.) Deldon and I have been "helping" them to eat their chocolate. Since taking this picture about 10 mins ago, Sophie's entire face is smeared in chocolate from top to bottom, with Daddy sitting obliviously beside her.

All cropped off

2009-04-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

Don't know what processed me, but I decided the hair was going before we moved. I think it's going to take a little getting used to. Deldon is "missing" my hair and Samantha told me I look funny and like a lion - not such positive responses. I'm not so keen on it myself, but it was a good exercise in bravery, and it will grow back eventually.

Comfort food

2009-04-08T12:54:00.001-07:00

I (We) have a terrible bad habit of eating "2 dinners". If I don't enjoy what I cook for dinner on any given night, I feel like I have the right to get a "takeout" after the kids go to bed. It's so weird, it's like I've been cheated if I don't enjoy my dinner. Tonight was one of those nights, and with the stress of moving I just feel like I have the additional right to eat as much Chinese (my favourite takeout here) and as much chocolate as I can stomach. There is nothing like a 1/2 and 1/2 fried rice and chips smothered in curry sauce followed by Cadbury's chocolate to soothe my soul. (Okay folks, I know of way better things I could do - especially on a spiritual level to TRUELY soothe my soul) but right now all I have the energy to do is eat, eat, and eat some more. Deldon doesn't cry about joining in on the action haha. His latest craving is Singapore noodles - they would burn the mouth off ya, but I have to say they are delicious to the taste, just not "comforting" like my curry.

Manna to my soul

My empty chocolate wrappings (Deldon had a snickers bar and a new peanut butter kitkat) I know, it's awful, one chocolate bar isn't enough now we have to have 2 each!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder what my comfort foods will be when we live in America? I know before almost every test I took at the BYU testing center I would order Nacho's Bel Grande (can't remember the exact name) from Taco bell at the Cougareat, maybe I'll be resorting to those again, time will tell.

Love is in the air

2009-04-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

What a bitter sweet day today. Trish has lived around the corner from us for the past 2 1/2 years and I have enjoyed having her kids over to entertain my wee rascals many times. I say bitter because I said my first real "goodbye" - next time I set eyes on Trish again she will hopefully have the pitter patter of tiny feet inside her, on running around her, who knows! Sweet, because this beautiful girl found a great man, worthy enough to take her to the Temple to be sealed for Time and all Eternity. Her and the kids deserve nothing less! Her dad told us how she had told him she'd offered a million prayers that she would find a man like Dave. I'm so happy Heavenly Father answered those prayers. I have been so impressed with how Trish lives her life, and how well she has taught her kids. It can not have been easy doing it on her own. Her deepest, darkest hours of divorce and sadness are a thing of the past and now a bright and beautiful eternity awaits. So glad I was able to see her married before we left.

Trying to get any photos at any wedding is near impossible with 3 kids, this is no not the best photo of Dave, but it's the only one I was able to scramble this morning.

Beautiful Bride

It might have been a beautiful sunny day, but the wind still knows how to keep us cool here

Goodbyes already

2009-04-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

I went out for dinner this week with some friends as we figured it was now or never. Trish got married today and will be on her honeymoon in the Holy Land when I leave. Brenda is very prego so hopefully will either be in labour or have just popped as we depart, and Kylie will have just arrived back from a lovely holiday to Orlando, Florida. I will definitely miss our "girly nights" hope this will not be the last one, and that we'll have many more to come over the years when I return home to visit.

Our adorable 3 month old

2009-04-03T10:22:00.001-07:00

Oh yes he is tooooooooooo good for words. Thank goodness for little boys like Bryce. He'll be 15 weeks this Monday, and has blessed us with a full nights of sleep since he was about 7 weeks old. He has brought a much needed balance to our wee family. We couldn't be happier to have him with us. He is starting to really enjoy toys and is so alert and aware of everything around him now.

Bryce's Great Uncle Derek came to visit us fron London recently and gave us a really good laugh. My mum's siblings are hilerous, I love listening and chatting to them all.

Big eyes

Watching some T.V. at Auntie Rachaels

Isn't that a stern look

This him just yesterday, he's getting so grown up looking already

Space Fairy

2009-04-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

We are so not in to dressing up in this country. So for the primary fun day when they said it was a space theme and the kids could dress up if they wanted, I just took Samantha's tinkerbell outfit and turned her in to a space fairy - so not creative, I know, but hey only one other kid was dressed up. I told you, we don't do costumes!!! (btw thanks Grandma for the tinkerbell outfit, it sure came in handy.)

Sophie's latest place to take a sneeky nap

2009-04-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

I think she's done this at least 3 times this week. She could lie there for hours too, I don't understand how or why, as it can't be that comfortable on a hard floor?

You've gotta love the Spring

2009-04-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

This is our favourite song in this household right now. Spring is in the air and we LOVE it!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/presenters/music/spring.shtml

WAY TO GO SOPHIE!

2009-04-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

I couldn't decide whether I should wait to potty train her once in the USA or do it now before we left. So about 3 weeks ago I randomly decided to give it a go and we haven't looked back since! She has only had one accident from the day after we started - amazing!!!! (Having said that she does not quite believe in doing #2's in the potty yet, but we'll get there soon, at least I hope). It's so nice to not have to buy soooooo many nappies and wipes. The best was when she used her potty then stood up, took a bow, and said "Thank you" - priceless! It feels great to be back to having just one child in nappies.

Especially for you Kerri

2009-04-03T06:47:00.000-07:00

My cousin Kerri came down to Lisburn have lunch with us the other day and she was reminding me I hadn't written on my blog for a while. I am so all consumed with this move, I just have had no time, desire, or energy to update this...but I have some photos to post, so I promise to try and do that soon. We are on the count down now, with under 3 weeks to go. We have a renter for our house which is great, but it is no joke trying to "finish" our life here - so many phonecalls and paperwork to take care of, never mind selling, packing and clearing out a house. Once I have that done then we have the enormous task of setting up a new life and all the phonecalls and paperwork that entails. I've done this once before, but somehow it seemed much more simple - I guess we didn't have 3 kids and a house then.

Happy Mother's Day (U.K.)

2009-03-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

Last year I joked on this blog that I thought I should get 2 Mother's days, the one here and the one in May in the U.S. Well this is the one year I will actually get to experience that with moving back. I spoke in Church today on "The righteous infulence of the Mother in the home." Here's a little poem I found last year that I used towards the end of my talk.

Promise for a Homemaker

So you're just a house wife, what a shame,

What fulfilment does that allow you;

For without a business suit we're told,

You're not of any value.

For all you do throughout the day

Is help to shape a life,

And stand in the gap to pray for your home,

And be a Godly wife.

You teach your children about the Lord

And His word as meditation;

So a heritage will follow their lives

From generation to generation.

And when on that final judgement day

The saints gather around His throne;

I wonder how many shall surely say

"I'm here, cause Mom stayed home!"

This little poem gives me hope on the days when I really just want to give up on this 24/7 Motherhood thing and go back to work. It helps me remember why I have chosen a fulltime career in Motherhood - to focus all my energy on leading my kiddies back home to their Saviour and Father in Heaven where they belong.

I also loved this quote by Neal A Maxwell that was shared at our Sacrament Mtg at Church today to:

"God's extraordinary work is most often done by ordinary people in the seeming obscurity of a home and family."

Just Grateful today for a great Mum who has sacrificed a lot of her time and energy to be a devoted Mother to me and my siblings. I know if I am blessed to be worthy to stand before the Throne of God one day it will indeed be in no small measure due to my mum. She has embraced her role as Mother in it's entirety and still continues today to Mother, teach and nuture, not only me but her Grandchildren, how blessed we are! Love you Mum, Happy Mothers day!

(excuse the squished up appearance of this post, it won't seem to space properly)

Happy St Patricks day

2009-03-17T15:39:00.001-07:00

Ireland's best export (in my opinion) has to be it's dancing. Just like I love American patriotic songs, I love Irish dancing. It gives me the chills to watch and makes me proud to be from this very wet, green Isle. The shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance show case it so well.

I wonder if I'll get invited to a Bunco night when I live in Utah?

2009-03-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

So I've noticed "Bunco" mentioned on friends' blogs and facebook updates for a while. I have had no clue what is was until about 5 mins ago. I decided to look up the defination on the good old faithful Wikipedia. I read through the defination, but it was the last line that made me realise why I see so many of my friends commenting about it, enough to make me wonder what it is. It's so funny that "Mormon women" would be mentioned in the defination of any game at all!

Bunco (also Bunko and Bonko) is a parlour game played in teams with three dice. A winning throw in Bunco is to throw three of a kind of a specified number.
According to the World Bunco Association[1], Bunco began as a progressive dice game in England, later being imported to the American West as a gambling activity. It was not until after the Civil War that it evolved to a popular parlor game. The Association states that during Prohibition, Bunco as a gambling game was re-popularized and the term "Bunco-Squad" was born, referring to law-enforcement groups that busted up Bunco Gaming. Bunco as a family game saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1980s. Although re-released in 2005 with a tagline reading "The game that's sweeping the nation," sales were initially low though senior citizens and young adults alike have found interest in the game[citation needed].
In recent years, the game has seen a resurgence in popularity in America, particularly among suburban women. As it is played today, Bunco is a social dice game involving 100% luck and no skill (there are no decisions to be made)[2], scoring and a simple set of rules. Women who are part of a Bunco club take turns as the Bunco hostess, providing snacks, refreshments and the tables to set up the games. The hostess may also provide a door prize. Small amounts of money can be involved as well. The object of the game is to accumulate points and to roll certain combinations. The winners get prizes (provided by the hostess or pooled from the club resources) for accomplishments such as the highest score, the lowest score, or the most buncos. Prizes frequently center on themes associated with the game such as fancy dice, dice embedded in soap, t-shirts featuring illustrations of dice, etc.
Bunco fundraisers have become increasingly popular over the years, earning large sums for a wide variety of charities. Large groups of bunco players have come together to support their favorite charities by paying an entry fee into the game, holding silent auctions, and by selling raffle tickets; with all proceeds from the event donated to the cause.

It is especially popular among Mormon women, presumably because it is complete chance and therefore less insidious as a form of gambling

Busy week

2009-03-09T14:25:00.001-07:00

Deldon's parents came to visit us 10 days ago. We had a busy, but fun 8 days. The smileboxes below are some of the photos of their time with us. They came for Bryce's baby blessing. It was lovely to have both Grandfathers in the circle. We took a quick trip down to Galway in the Republic of Ireland - it was a cold windy experience, but that is to be expected in Ireland at any time of year, never mind winter lol. The first day they arrived we had to go the the US consulate to register Bryce as an American. Just as we were arriving home I saw Samantha walking in between her 2 Grandmothers, hand in hand down the street. Don't think they walked too far before she decided they should turn around and come home haha. But I remarked to Deldon, what a rare, but sweet sight it was to she her have both our mothers at her side.

Well today I booked our flights to the USA, leaving April 22nd from Dublin to San Francisco. We will spend a few days with Deldon's family in Sacramento, before driving to Utah. Things started to feel somewhat real when I sent 3 suitcases of our belongings back with Van and Barbara. I called the estate agent to advertise our house for rent, and when I booked the flights tonight I could hardly hit the purchase button, Deldon offered to come do it for me lol. Can't believe we are going to be leaving our safe, secure little life and all that is comfortable to us in just over 6 weeks - are we crazy?

2009-03-09T14:23:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox postcard

2009-03-09T14:16:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Everything's amazing, nobody's happy

2009-02-28T03:43:00.001-08:00

I received this in an email forward a few days ago, and the more I listen to this guy, the more he cracks me up, and I realise just how blessed we are to be living during this time. After watching this I am going to "try" not to complain about having to "fly" half way across the world with kids again.

Grandma and Papa Van have come to visit us on the "big plane"

2009-02-28T03:12:00.001-08:00

We are LOVIN' having them here!

The life of a stay-at-home-mum

2009-02-23T07:21:00.000-08:00

I have so many phone calls and things that I need to do with moving half way across the world. Deldon often asks these days did you get a chance to do abcd...........?

This article explained to me why I often feel so drained of energy and can't ever seem to find the time to get the phone calls or research done. I'm always too scared to start phoning people to ask for quotes etc because at any second the kids may need my immediate attention, and by the time you've sat on hold for 10 minutes just waiting to get the info you can guarantee they'll have needed me for something. At least sitting here writing this blog I can walk away at any second with out the need to explain myself, or have to start from scratch again when the kids demand my undivided attention - like right now, Samantha is recording me with her camera, shouting louder and louder "What are you doing" until I answer her :)

Ice Skating

2009-02-22T09:19:00.000-08:00

Samantha has been watching "Dancing on Ice" so decided she really needed to try it out. We took the girls on Saturday, it was interesting to say the least. Sophie just wanted to be held the whole time, but Samantha really enjoyed being dragged around the ice by her mum and dad. She did not believe in actually putting any weight on her skates, so it was quiet the workout for us. I think next time well leave Sophie with Bryce at Granny's, then the 2 of us can share her deadweight as we drag her around.

2 months old and sleeping through the night....Way to go Bryce!

2009-02-22T09:12:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Just love these kiddies

2009-02-12T04:28:00.000-08:00

Ouch!

2009-02-12T04:10:00.001-08:00

After trying to reassure Samantha that her 2 pre-school boosters would only be little ouchies, would be gone the next day,and would stop her getting the "big sick" ..........this is what we woke up to this morning, along with nausea and a temperature, GREAT! Yesterday it was just the inner circle and really red, but it's gone to a whole new level. After a trip to the doctors we're back home with a anithistimine for the swelling and antibiotics as a precaution.

Relocating to Utah

2009-02-05T12:55:00.000-08:00

Deldon and I moved here in the spring of 04. Four months later in the Autumn of 04 as we were driving from San Francisco to Sacramento to visit for Deldon's Dad's birthday we decided to be on a " five year plan". I guess we meant it literally. We figured we would make the decision as to where to settle before Samantha started full-time school and that would be this coming September. We started seriously thinking of moving about 18 months ago and have talked and talked and talked about it. The time has come and it's basically now or never. We have tried to sell our home, but that hasn't happened with the horrible market crash here. We're looking at it as a long term investment at this stage and hope to rent it out by the time we leave. Deldon has really disliked his job choice for a while now, so with that he has decided to go back to school to do a construction management degree, construction is his passion, not financial services. He'll attend UVU as that is the easiest, quickest route to graduation and will only have to do 2 yrs if he goes full time. We want to be there a year before spring semester dates in 2010 to be able to get residency. Having said that, we may yet just decide to have him start in the Fall and pay the crazy out-of-state tuition just get on with the schooling instead of putting it off. He luckily has a job to go out to working for his Uncle's construction firm based in Provo.
How do I feel about it? Absolutely devastated to be honest. I have been bottling up and hiding my feelings even from Deldon. But now it is getting closer it has started to feel really real and I need to start dealing and facing my feelings more openly. I love the United States, and know long term this will be best for our family. I know I can be happy there, whereas Deldon has never been 100% happy living here (darn that Irish weather lol.) It's just going to be the initial leaving my tight family / friend /Church support network, oh and the 50% income reduction that we'll be experiencing that is panicking me. I wonder how we'll even feed our mouths at this stage lol and more seriously, if and when we'll ever have the money for me to set eyes on this green Isle again. I haven't mentioned it on this blog before now because we haven't talked about it much outside the family circle, we figured we'd wait until after the baby was born, and I didn't want to drag the whole moving thing out. In the past I have talked about moving and my sister has told me I have offended people. My way to deal with it has been to focus on the positives of the USA and the negatives of here. Stressful days lie ahead. I just hope I can get through them in one piece emotionally and mentally....maybe I should be reconsidering removing chocolate from my diet, I might be needing it.

I'd give up chocolate but I'm no quitter

2009-02-05T12:09:00.001-08:00

When my sister saw this magnet a few weeks ago, she thought of me so bought it, with some chocolate to go with it of course. I am struggling so bad with giving up the massive volumes of chocolate I have been consuming since becoming pregnant. I know once I cut it out I'll get over the cravings, but it's just having the self control to get through the withdrawal that is killing me. I was six weeks postpartum at the beginning of this week and had great intentions to start Power 90 again as my exercise to lose the extra prego pounds, but it's Thursday and I still haven't started. I prefer to get up early and exercise, but it's just not going to happen when I've been up feeding Bryce in the wee hours. I am resigned to the fact that it has to happen in the evenings, but I'm so wrecked by the time the kids go to bed, I clear up, and keep Bryce happy, that's it's going to be tough to actually follow through. Example: I had decided today that was it, I was exercising tonight, but here I am at 8:15 typing this post and I sent Deldon out to the corner shop 1/2 an hour ago to get me, yes you've guessed it, more chocolate accompanied by not just one set, but 2 sets of tray bakes (the 2nd set was not my idea lol). I am also a creature of habit and I thrive on routine, so it's all or nothing. If don't exercise every day then I just give up, I'm not one of these people that can just do it now and again. If I missed a night for some reason in the early stages before it's truly become routine, chances are I'd just give up completely - I'm weird I know, but that's just how I'm wired. So now I'm procrastinating again, telling myself I'll start on Monday, when I have my exercise mat, my weights, and DVD all pulled out of their hiding places in the closet. Wish me Luck!

What happens when you sit down to write a facebook tag of 25 random things about you

2009-02-05T05:06:00.000-08:00

First we have chocolate pudding all over our face, I clean that up and continue on at the computer

This is the "I got caught" face

Some of the damage up close

What I find when I enter the kitchen

Samantha sees me taking pictures of Sophie's hands, so logically thinks this is a cool thing and proceeds to copy her...aaahhhh!!!!

Meanwhile Deldon and Bryce sleep through it all

The worse of it was they had just had the bath that afternoon, and as I am typing this post, Sophie has again come in to me with ink on her hands, do I ever learn?

Here's the tag I was writing last night whilst Sophie was having a field day with the pens. I tag anyone that wants to do it either on their blog or on facebook.

At age 6 I was awarded a bronze medal in Latin American dancing.
I am great at procrastinating. I saw a flier for a procrastination class whilst attending BYU. I picked it up with the intention to attend, but guess what I didn’t. Any true procrastinator wouldn’t!
I want skiing to be our family hobby, hopefully that can happen when we move to Utah and kids get up a bit.
I shop for my groceries online, and have them delivered to my door every Monday morning.
I must have my house in perfect order, all or nothing i.e. it has to be sitting perfect or it ends up a complete disaster zone.
I announce to my husband at least twice a week just how grateful I am for a dishwasher, I worship it.
I am a resident Alien of the USA and plan on taking out citizenship once I’ve been back in the country for the required 3 years.
Whilst on the subject of America, I love their patriotic songs, including ones about their military service like “American solider” and “Hey Mr. President”…..I know how weird am I? I’m not even an American.
I am a fan of Power 90 and really need to start it again now I’m 6 weeks post-partum.
I have 2 veneers on my front teeth.
I love the feel of anything satin on my lips or on my nails.
I always feel the need to explain or justify why the heck I have 3 kids under the age of 4 and why I am a stay-at-home mum.
When not in Ireland my asthma symptoms disappear, but when living here I have take a steroid inhaler every day.
When the kids are driving me crazy I walk into the kitchen, open the cupboard, eat something, then return to deal with the problem ( I’m not a comfort eater right?)
I have a really a low pain threshold and would have made a really bad pioneer as I don’t do well with physical discomfort. I’m much stronger mentally.
I enjoy cooking, and love to have the missionaries over for dinner.
I am a number cruncher and get a real kick out of filling in my monthly budget.
I love getting mail through the letterbox, even if it’s bills.
I am not a fan of planes and become very obessive wanting to know all the details if a commercial airplane crashes.
Sadly I’m never 100% content with the here and now. I always say to myself “I'll be happy when……”
I am married to one of the most patient, loving, charitable guys you could ever hope to meet.
At one stage (before I had kids) I thought I might have up to 6 kids. We hope to have least one more, but I think to go beyond 4 at this stage God would have to bat me over the head to make me go there.
I wish I could stay in my mid 20’s forever. I loved being that age.
For those of you reading this that are Mormon, I think I could well be considered a “Nazi” Mormon. I probably am a bit too intense of the letter of the law (no coke, 24 hr fast, no r rated movies etc.)
Can’t wait to have grandkids so I can dote on them, but not have any of the hard work that comes with looking after kids 24/7.

Snow has finally arrived!

2009-02-05T04:52:00.000-08:00

You have no idea how long Samantha has been waiting for snow. Winter is supposed to bring snow according to all her books and television, yet we haven't had any. She came bouncing in to our room all too early to let us know it was here. You'll probably laugh at our wee skiff of a snowfall, but hey we'll take what we can get, it's such a novelty here. This was Sophie's first time out in snow, she was still crawling this time last year.

My Dad

2009-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

Dad celebrated his 70th Birthday last week by having a lovely lunch with some of his closest friends, then joined us later in the afternoon to have dinner and cake. We bought him a digital photo frame and put loads of family pictures on it for him. Now I just need to help him get their mission photos on their too and he'll be all set! To finish of his birthday, my dad went out home teaching and last Sunday the wife of one of his families got up to bear her testimony and talked of the struggles she had faced through the week and how the visit of her home teachers (to cut a long story short) was basically an answer to her prayers. I looked at Dad sitting in the row in church with us and was so thankful for such an example of selflessness that he would take time on his special day to serve and show love to others.
Dad has received another special calling that will be of great worth to him and to those whom he will bless. He was sustained tonight at as the Patriarch of our Stake. For those of you not of my faith reading this, Patriarchal blessings are given to worthy members of the Church by ordained patriarchs. Patriarchal blessings include a declaration of a person's lineage in the house of Israel and contain personal counsel from the Lord. As a person studies his or her Patriarchal blessing and follows the counsel it contains, it will provide guidance, comfort, and protection.
Rachael and I have felt for years that Dad would be the next Patriarch and were always teasing him about it, so when we heard we weren't too surprised at his new calling. The Lord has blessed my Dad over the years with the ability to be very close to the things of the spirit with his gentle way, and I know from personal experience of being the recipient of blessings and hearing others be blessed through him, that he will be able to be a mouthpiece for the Lord to give those who will come to him seeking a Patriarchal blessing from Heavenly Father. Well it's also no surprise that Dad is feeling the enormous weight of the calling. My Mum was saying to me this morning "There is no hiding behind this calling." She is right, ones life must always be in order and close to the spirit in order to fulfill such a calling. But as I said to my Mum, that's why the Lord has chosen Dad, he leads his life in such a way that he'll always be ready to act in the office as Patriarch. It's my hope he lives long enough so that at least some, if not all of our children will receive their Patriarchal blessings through him.

Looks like we're coming (moving) to America in April 2009

2009-02-03T05:08:00.001-08:00

More details to follow.........

My little helper

2009-01-26T05:28:00.000-08:00

I had to come downstairs this morning as my online shopping had arrived. I heard Bryce start to cry so sent Samantha back up the stairs with instructions to get the doddie (binky) which she calls a "doodle," and give it to him. I came back up about 10 mins later to a sleeping babe. She went the extra mile, and threw a blanket and Prince into the comfort package. What a great big sister!

Samantha's latest obesession

2009-01-23T06:11:00.000-08:00

She wants to have "soft hair" with her fake blond braids she got as part of a birthday gift. Everyday I am going through the ritual of explaining that "cooking" her hair with straightners to make it "soft" isn't good for her hair, and that braids don't "match" curly hair.

Sophie's latest place to chill and have some story time

2009-01-23T05:58:00.001-08:00

And as you can see we haven't had much success in correcting her smile for the camera

Our babe is growing soooooooo fast!!!

2009-01-22T10:58:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

America's Song - Happy Inauguration day

2009-01-20T05:49:00.001-08:00

Today is a big day for Americans around the world whether they voted for Barack Obama or not. I Just love American patriotic songs, I could listen to songs like this over and over again.

Happy Birthday to Samantha

2009-01-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it was 4 years ago today that I was freaking out in a delivery room, demanding an ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital because they wouldn't give me an epidural. I love that Samantha is getting older and able to have more and more interesting conversations with me. She has so much love to give, and is the best big sister ever to her baby Bryce. We started the day by opening some presents, then at Noon I went with her to nursery school to attend her "Birthday Circle". She had her cousin over to play this afternoon, and then all the family over for pizza and cake that Lucy and Samantha decorated. I had toyed with the idea of doing a full on birthday party at a local leisure center before the baby arrived. So glad I came to my senses and didn't do that. I would have been way too stressed out to cope with up to 20 little 3-4 yr olds running around.

Thank Heavens for online shopping or we'd starve

2009-01-12T05:42:00.001-08:00

I've been doing this for a while now, as Samantha and Sophie together in a grocery store for more than 10 minutes is pushing the limit. So as you could imagine taking 3 kids to go for a full weeks grocery shopping would, and will never happen here! Don't know if you can do this is the States? but it's fantastic for young mums, sick, or older people. You simply shop for your groceries at the store website, pay an extra £3.30-£5 to get it delivered (cost depends on time of day, and day itself), and it arrives in a 2 hour slot that you pick. I get mine delivered every Monday between 9-11 am, and they bring it right into your kitchen for you. I never really end up paying the delivery fee as I look for online coupons to get £5 of a £50 spend etc. The site records all your favourite foods, and recent shops so your not constantly looking for your weekly staples. You can right notes to your "shopper" and suggest alternatives if the thing you order is not avaliable. They will also choose alternatives if they can't get something for you, and you are free to accept or reject them when the shopping arrives. It saves me money as I don't impulse buy as much as I would if I was in the store shopping and was passing by all the offers. Having said that, I do look at the offers online and sometimes get sucked in. All my friends buy their groceries online, and all our major grocery stores offer it. I still pop in to the store maybe once a week if I forget something or need something fresh that day. Just thought I'd mention it on my blog as it's my Monday morning ritual to wait for my shopping and I am really appreciating it's benefits with a newborn around.

You can choose to have it come in plastic bags or without. The girls are a great help lifting it all out on to the countertops for me.

Happy Birthday to Moi!!

2009-01-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Deldon took Samantha and Sophie to pick out a birthday cake for me. This is what they came home with. Samantha could hardly contain herself when she came back, wanting to tell me all about the cake she'd bought.

We had to keep reminding her it was a surprise. Deldon let her pick a present for me to, what was it you might ask? Answer: Pink Nail Polish. Deldon got me a digital photo frame, and I'll be going to get myself some clothes that actually fit me, once I feel strong enough to walk around the shops.

Two helpers to blow out the candles, and one drunk on milk

We had plans to go out, but I decided mid-week I just want to wait until I feel 100% so I can really enjoy getting out, so it's been a nice quiet B-day at home with a few visits from family, friends, and a pot of yummy stew for dinner, courtesy of a sister in our ward. As for chocolate, it's being banned from the house (except for chocolate buttons) so I gave Deldon strict orders not to buy me any chocolate. But of course my sister bought me yummy lunch and a big bar of cabury's dairy milk with her gift, so I ploughed my way through it all afternoon, such torture it was lol.

Oh how cute is he?

2009-01-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

Deldon and I are just so taken with the fact that we have a son. Every night we just sit and look at him, and marvel at how perfect he is. We love our girls, but there is just something so new and exciting about having a wee boy around. He looks like a real wee man already. Last night during FHE I was just imagining him when he's older running around the house. (I know I should really have been concentrating on the lesson more hehe). Can't wait to see more of his personality come through as he gets older.

All snuggled up to go to Granny's for New Year's Day

Proud Mummy, oh and surprise, there's chocolate in the background

Johnsons

What he seems to do best - sleep

and sleep............

Positives of the Week

2009-01-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks to being ill constantly I can squeeze my body into my pre pregnancy jeans, which I've never been able to do with the other births after 2 weeks. (But squeeze is the operative word there).

Deldon and Bryce are healthy.

I survived my first day alone with the 3 kids as Deldon started back at work today.

I have fab parents who tend to my every need.

We have a week full of yummy dinners coming our way, courtesy of Relief Society, as we did last week.

My sister-in-law, Staci is finally getting her dream come true. After 3 boys her scan says she's carrying a baby girl, yeah for Staci!!!!

Deldon's parents just booked their flights to come visit and be here for Bryce's baby blessing at the start of March

Bryce is the cutest, most adorable little baby boy I've ever come across, I just love him to death. Samantha asked me this morning if we would be giving him back or keeping him. He's a keeper for sure!!!

Beyond a joke

2009-01-05T12:28:00.000-08:00

Me since 5 pm the day of our anniversary:

A Rash (only since today) is a change of the skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, dry, cracked or blistered, swell and may be painful. The causes, and therefore treatments for rashes, vary widely. Diagnosis must take into account such things as the appearance of the rash, other symptoms, what the patient may have been exposed to, occupation, and occurrence in family members. The diagnosis may confirm any number of conditions.

Chills may occur at the beginning of an infection and are usually associated with a fever. Chills are caused by rapid muscle contraction and relaxation, and are the body's way of generating heat when it feels that it is cold. Chills often predict the coming of a fever, or an increase in the body's core temperature.

Fever (also known as pyrexia, from the Greek pyretos meaning fire, or a febrile response, from the Latin word febris, meaning fever, and archaically known as ague) is a frequent medical sign that describes an increase in internal body temperature to levels above normal. Fever is most accurately characterized as a temporary elevation in the body's thermoregulatory set-point, usually by about 1–2 °C

A headache (cephalalgia in medical terminology) is a condition of pain in the head; sometimes neck or upper back pain may also be interpreted as a headache. It ranks amongst the most common local pain complaints and may be frequent for many people

Pharyngitis (IPA: [ˌfarɪnˈdʒʌɪtɪs]) is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx.[1] In most cases it is painful, and thus is often referred to as a sore throat. Inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) and/or larynx (laryngitis) may occur simultaneously, which can make eating difficult or painful

Sophie since Thursday:

Conjunctivitis (commonly called "Pink Eye" in North America, and "Madras eye" in India[1]) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually bacterial, but sometimes viral).

Samantha since yesterday:

Conjunctivitis (commonly called "Pink Eye" in North America, and "Madras eye" in India[1]) is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids), most commonly due to an allergic reaction or an infection (usually bacterial, but sometimes viral).

Rhinorrhea, commonly known as a runny nose, consists of an unusually significant amount of nasal discharge. It is a symptom of the common cold and of allergies (hay fever). The term comes from the Greek words "rhinos" meaning "of the nose" and "rhoia" meaning "a flowing." Rhinorrhea can also be a sign of withdrawal, such as from opioids (especially methadone).[1] Symptoms display circadian rhythms.[2

Fever (also known as pyrexia, from the Greek pyretos meaning fire, or a febrile response, from the Latin word febris, meaning fever, and archaically known as ague) is a frequent medical sign that describes an increase in internal body temperature to levels above normal. Fever is most accurately characterized as a temporary elevation in the body's thermoregulatory set-point, usually by about 1–2 °C.

Happy Anniversary

2009-01-02T03:29:00.001-08:00

Today is January 2nd, the day Deldon and I married here in Lisburn. What a cold, but Happy day it was. We had loads of snow a few days before, so it was like a winter wonderland, very unusual for Northern Ireland. We were sealed the next day at the London, England Temple. I could not even begin to express in words what Deldon and our marriage means to me, I could never do it justice. Suffice to say I love him to pieces and could never imagine life without him. Here are some photos that I scanned in to the computer last night. The fact that I had to scan them in really dates us. I think digital photography was just starting to be used back then. We both can't believe how much we have aged, especially Deldon. He looks sooooo very young, but I guess he has always been my toy boy. We wished each other Happy Anniversary in the wee hours of the morning, as for the first time since leaving the hospital, Bryce decided he wasn't going to sleep after his 3 am feed, what a thoughtful gift from him lol.

Oh and Samantha's embarassing comment of the year

2008-12-30T07:37:00.000-08:00

I forgot about this amidst all the craziness towards the end of term. One of the last days of Nursery School before Christmas I was standing beside a rather larger girl waiting for the doors to open, when Samantha tells me very loudly for all to hear (not just the larger girl)......"She's got a big bum-bum mummy." How do you respond to that? I didn't, I just wanted to die, and luckily the doors opened right then for the kids to go in.

Deldon's Prayer of the year

2008-12-30T03:13:00.000-08:00

We are saying our evening prayer last night, during which Deldon asked "Please help Karen's body to regain it's form" - nice huh lol? I burst out laughing, not very reverent I know, but come on! He quickly defended himself by saying he meant my "insides" just didn't quite know how to put it. He'll kill me for putting that on here, but I found it all too amusing. And yes, for those that are wondering I am doing a 100 times better. Life is good again, my health is returning, and I am enjoying my lovely baby boy. He's such a pleasant, content little soul. We love his eyes, we don't see them open too often so it's so fun when he does wake up for a while. Even better, he's quiet when awake, unlike our girls when they were babies. But I know he's only a week old, so that could all quickly change.

2008-12-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Belated Merry Christmas to all

2008-12-27T05:27:00.000-08:00

About Midnight on Christmas Eve we happened to turn to RTE (Irish Channel) and were able to watch the tail end of a Catholic Mass. As the choir was singing and I commented to Deldon that it was good to be reminded for that brief moment what Christmas is really all about amist all that was happening around us. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day filled with good time spent with family and friends. I'm afraid to say our photos of Christmas are few and far between. I was put in charge of taking the photos of opening the pressies, but they had their backs to me and there was no way I was pulling my lifeless body off the chair, so we have a lot of "behind" shots. Here's ones Deldon took later when we arranged their pressies on the couches for them.

Sickness still main headline to dominate in this Johnson household

2008-12-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

I wonder if I'll ever have anything positive to write on this blog again? I got home Tuesday, thought I was on the mend but by Wednesday it was quickly down hill again. Either I've had a relapse or have caught another virus. Baby had to go on to a bottle after 48 hours and has been in Deldon's care ever since. I feel soooooo bad. Christmas completely passed us by. I managed to slide myself down the stairs to watch the girls open their presents and then spent the rest of the day upstairs, whilst they all went to my sisters. One blessing is that Bryce has been a very good baby so far and hasn't caused too much trouble. Sophie on the other hand is a complete nightmare, crying constantly, and driving us all crazy. Don't think she's too keen on a mum that just sits here like a space cadet and a baby getting all of Daddies attention. Samantha has had high temperatures since yesterday, and is now vomiting. I'm starting to consider hiring a company to disinfect and fumigate our home, I mean really, what is going on, this is crazy???? Thank goodness for a domesticated husband like Deldon, he has been trying so hard to keep on top of everything and has taken really good care of all of us, especially Bryce. He has been my life line. Last night he slept downstairs with Bryce so I could get a full nights sleep with no interruptions (one advantage of the bottle situation), it was heaven! He's now upstairs trying to catch up on some much needed sleep himself. I think I'm finally starting to recover today so I can start making some much needed contributions to this household again. Here's some recent shots of our baby, I think he's adorable, so cute, we love him to death already. I must thank Bryce for a relatively easy birth, although I had to struggle through contractions for 48 hours before he decided to come, when he did, it was great. I had no epidural (Mon-Fri 9-5 is the only time you can get one without it being an emergency lol) so arriving in the early hours of Monday morning kissed that luxury goodbye. But I was only in the delivery room not even 2 hours, high as a kite, and out he came. Yeah for gas and air!!! I thought I'd give Deldon some to let him see what it was like, it took a lot more sucking for him to get the effect, but when it kicked in he wasn't too keen on it haha. Apparently it's akin to being drunk, I hate the sensation at first, but then you just have to embrace it and go to lala land as it's sure better than facing reality at that stage. I had to do the same with Sophie. Although she conveniently came during the "working day" it took them 40 minutes to get the anesthetist up to me, and as she walked in the room and I began singing her praises for coming to my aid, Sophie decided that was the time to make her grand appearance and not a moment later. So no sooner had she arrived in my room, she left! I am now determined to be in the Land of the 24 hour Epidurals next time (if I ever muster up the courage to go again) to have a pain free birth, I'm done with my share of labour pains. Well enough of pain and sickness. here's some recent photos of Bryce. I can't wait to really start enjoying him in the next few days as my health returns.

Fast Asleep in his new rocker chair that his Granny got him, we think he looks like his Uncle Daron in this photo

Don't know why, but this photo is being flipped around sideways by blogger...strange?

One of the rare moments that Bryce has given a good cry, poor Dad looks wrecked. I think this picture sums up the state of our household right now. Deldon has managed to drop a good 15-20 pounds in the last 10 dayswith having the flu himself and all this stress to deal with.

link to photos on facebook

2008-12-23T13:59:00.001-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52583&l=a9e38&id=763183830

Bryce is Born

2008-12-22T10:24:00.000-08:00

Bryce was born today the 22 of December 2008 at 5:51 am. He is 8Ib 5oz. His full name is Bryce Richard Johnson,

My hospital visit with no baby to show for it!!!

2008-12-21T10:09:00.000-08:00

So life has been a bit rough to put it mildy. Early hours of Friday morning I came down with the lovely flu that Deldon had. After a miserable day in bed, my worst nightmare occured - contractions started. Not what one wants when you can't move your head off the pillow. Oh and then to add to the joy Sophie vomited in her sleep (she is now down with this). Six hours later, about 2 am we headed into the hospital as they were 5 mins apart, and I felt so ill I just was not coping. Get to the hospital, and of course they ease off, and then appear to stop. My keotones were off the chart and baby was very non responsive so they admited me to get me rehydrated. Baby perked up after a bag of fluid which was good, and I have spent the last 2 days in hospital getted rehydrated enough to be able to come home and continue recovering. I have been having miserable contractions for 48 hours now, but because they have no pattern, I'm not considered to be in labour. My consultant wouldn't even examine me to see what they've been doing as they don't want to do anything to encourage labour whilst I'm feeling so ill. Anyways because I am eating and drinking again they let me home to try and get well again. As we were walking out of the maternity unit today and turned to Deldon and said "I can't believe I'm leaving here without a baby." Listening to the cries of the little babies was just devastating me, although I do know I'm in no fit state to give birth and take care of this little boy just yet. So looks like I could well be spending Christmas day in hospital.

My little nurse came to visit me, she is well confused about our boy baby not being here yet. I'd talked her through Granny coming to look after her and mummy going to the hospital. Well Granny came to stay and mummy went to the hospital, but no boy baby to show for it. She told me today when I came home that the doctor couldn't pull the baby out, it was too hard for him.

Across the miles

2008-12-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Like my bright pink slippers? You should see the polka dot dressing gown (house coat) that they match with. My sister's gift for me going in to hospital, you won't miss me coming down the corridor!!

I was just lying on the couch resting and the door knocked, Deldon answered and signed for a package from my wonderful BYU roommate Mandy. You just made my day. Thank you for much for the cutest little boy outfit ever! I think of you often Mandy too. We have shared some great memories, and I am ever thankful for all you taught me by your example over the 4 years we were roomies. I still consider you one of my dearest friends even though we are miles apart.

Well to update our situation, Deldon caught the "real" flu, don't think I've ever seen him this sick, it was panicking me. So grateful for Priesthood blessings and the reminder of the blessing of being able to take my cares to Heavenly Father in prayer. I was so bogged down with selfish thoughs it was the last think on my mind sadly. That was until my daddy reminded me of that gift in the blessing he gave me. I was having a major meltdown internally on my due date, so torn with wanting this baby out and the fear of facing labour without Deldon. But he is actually out of bed today, and things are on the up for him. I have had the flu shot, so although I am expressing symptoms of it, it is very mild (so far), fingers crossed it stays that way. The girls are coughing and have runny noses but are happy and up and about. My poor sister is at home with kids with fevers, sore throats, and vomiting, so we have been consoling each other via the phone. I go again to see the midwives tomorrow for another membrane sweep, but I decided to make an appointment to see a reflexologist tomorrow afternoon in a last ditch attempt to induce labour naturally. It's never guaranteed, but one can but try. She'll do her reflexology and give me some aromatherapy oils to try to help me along too. If it wasn't for wanting to be home Christmas morning with my girls and Deldon to watch their wee faces I wouldn't care when this baby comes (okay well maybe I want to eat Christmas dinner too and not hospital food). Fingers crossed!

Sophie is wrecked

2008-12-14T11:49:00.000-08:00

Shock, horror, we have a house of sickly people again. It's been a day of coughing and puking for Deldon and the girls. I need Deldon back to full health asap or I have visions of my poor mother in the labour ward with me. Little Sophie gave up by 5 pm and fell asleep on the couch. She has a funny way of soothing herself. She rubs her lips on her toes, and if she can't get to her toes she'll use her arm instead. I really need to get these kids to bed, I have a feeling it's going to be a LONG LONG night!

Here she is fast asleep with her helium Christmas balloon still attached to her.

For Time and all Eternity

2008-12-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well I made to the day I really wanted to be at - Daniel and Kim's Wedding. I used to babysit Kimberly as a babe and worshiped her mum as one of my Primary leaders and Young Women program leaders. When I came back from my 9 year adventure to the States I was called as ward YW President. Kimberly was the 15 bak then. I remember the excitment of her turning sixteen and having her "first kiss", but never in my wildest imagination did I think I'd be sitting at her wedding a week shy of age 19, that is so not common here, even among LDS. But it was a lovely day, and having been one of her leaders in the YW program, there was nothing more wonderful than watching her marry a great faithful returned missionary and to know that her marriage was sealed yesterday in the Preston Temple. I could not, and can not hope for more than that in this life for all the girls I have had the privilage of getting to know through my time in the ward and Stake YW program. Grateful for Daniel and Kim's example of living good worthy lives to be able to seal their marriage for eternity, and thankful for my own eternal companion and the great blessing he has been in my life and the lives of my children in the nearly 7 years we have been married.

Me in all my "blooming" glory, can get much more pregnant than this.

X Factor 2008 - Leona Lewis 'Run' Live

2008-12-09T12:45:00.001-08:00

I liked this song by Snow Patrol, but now I LOVE it. This is her singing it live a few weeks ago on the X-factor (like Pop Idol) which she won 2 years ago. Her record company decided not to release it as a single but bowed to pressure from fans at the weekend to release it. She has just broke the record for the number of digital downloads of a song ever, go Leona!!

Super Saturday

2008-12-07T07:46:00.000-08:00

Well it didn't take much to make yesterday a "Super Saturday" for us, given our house bound status. We got out of the house and had ourselves some fun. We met Daddy after his Saturday football for lunch at an American Diner in Oddessey, Belfast. Samantha was so desperate to get my attention when we arrived, because after the most important thing - Santa Claus decorations she noticed "Daddy's flag" was everywhere too!! We then took a trip in to Lisburn to see Santa . This was no "Mall" Santa that's for sure. Actually it was a Santa's workshop for the McMillan Cancer society here in Northern Ireland. The girls enjoyed meeting him, getting a chocolate lolly and having their photo taken, and it was nice to donate to a worthy charity. I must scan the photo, Deldon and I were chuckling when we left, as it was a Polaroid shot and looks like it was taken about 25 years ago. Whilst in town the funniest thing happened. We were crossing at lights and by the time we got to the other side of the road Sophie's nappy (diaper) and jeans were round here ankles. I couldn't stop laughing, everyone around was was trying not to laugh too. I have never had that happen with either of them before. I'm cracking up now just thinking about it. I so would have taken a photo, only it was freezing outside and didn't want to look like a bad mother taking advantage of my daughter's misfortune hee hee. A few yards down the road and it was happening again, so she had to sit in the pram until we got to some changing facilities. Anyways, it was so nice to get out and about as a family again. Fingers crossed tomorrow night Deldon and I are getting out for dinner on our own as we had to cancel that last Saturday due to sickness. Today we are spending on our own, my sister decided to stay home from Church and not to do dinner together to see if we can kill this cycle of illness between our 2 families, I hope it works!

Waiting patiently for Daddy to come meet us to eat after football with the boys

Eating ice-cream, it must still have been on her mind as that is what she told Santa she wanted for Christmas?????????????

Sophie was so excited to see a cardboard cut of of one of her favourite TV shows - Lola

Toby Curran was in town with his dad and stopped to say hi whilst we were waiting to see Santa Claus

Samantha, our poser

That's how a Poloraid shows up when you try to scan it!!

Tis the Season

2008-12-05T14:05:00.000-08:00

For sickness in our household, yes it's been a record breaking 6 weeks for us (and my sister's household too). Sophie is still getting over a cough, nose, throat thing and I have spent the last 6 days getting worse and worse and worse with a cold, a really nasty sore throat, and now I have pink eye or conjunctivitis as we call it here in the UK. Samantha has red eyes and is periodically is asking for her sick bowl......will it ever end? It's spoiling all my fun. I had planned 3 evenings out this week for carol singing, visiting teaching, and going to a hen night and I've had miss them all aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrhhhhhhhh!

Thanksgiving was lovely and I'm glad to say Samantha is still a meat eater. I was a bit concerned after I invited her to come watch me clean and stuff the turkey. She was in tears and mad at me for killing the animal, I blamed it on the farmer and she let me know in no uncertain terms there was no way she was eating the turkey.......I think I got up from the table about 3 times to get more turkey for her, she devoured it lol.

We have had fun getting the tree up, we started on Saturday letting the girls put the bobbles on. We were then too lazy to actually rearrange them correctly until Monday. Finally thursday I got the beads on, so it's officially done!

We had some friends over for dinner on Monday night, sadly I couldn't taste the food, but I know it was as excellent as it always is. Feds is an amazing cook, she so kindly wanted to feed me one last meal before Bambino arrives. They brought their cute 5 month old Talia with them and the girls were in their element trying to entertain her and just playing beside her, it was very cute. It made me excited to watch their reaction when they meet our "boy baby."

I know I need to do better with the blogging, I've really let it slip with all the sickness I feel so unmotivated, plus I feel like there has been nothing to blog about as we've been so house bound. I feel like I'm just in survival mode trying to just get through each day. I even started this blog a few days ago and am still working on it today.

Deldon is out at the Stake Youth Christmas Social, they are doing an Abba-thon, how fun? I stood and cooked sloppy joe mixture for 80 people last night, hope it tastes okay. I had to trust Deldon's tast buds on that one. I had him bring me home a burger and chips in the hope of tasting something tonight, but alas I still can't taste a thing....maybe tomorrow will be better? Can't believe my due date in creeping up. I saw my midwives yesterday, they offered me a "sweep" to encourage labour. I declined as I have a wedding I really want to attend on the 12th, but after that anything I can do to get this baby out I will do. Any suggestions other than the usual advice such as foot rubs, walking and sex? (Can't believe I just used the "S" word on my blog lol). Below I decided to try the smile box thing, so it's our week in pictures.

2008-12-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Nursery School Photos

2008-12-04T13:07:00.000-08:00

Here's some scanned photos of a wee photo session taken at Samantha's nursery school in November. They had one prop when we arrived, a RED vintage car and I had the girls in black and PINK!! I thought the photographer was nuts when he made me put them in it as they clashed so bad. I was prepared for horrific photos but obviously he was at least smart enough to crop the car out of the final pictures, or I'm now thinking the car was just a ploy he was using to get the kids to sit for him, don't know?

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T05:07:00.001-08:00

I have loved participating in this holiday for over 13 years now. Any excuse for a big old turkey dinner. Monday night for Family Home Evening I decided to teach the girls the history of Thanksgiving (I'm thinking it should have been Deldon to do this, but it was a good learning curve for me). I've heard the basics before so just looked it up to refresh my memory. Whilst doing so I came across this proclaimation from President Abraham Lincoln and it really touched me so I thought I'd share it.

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,Secretary of State

So being out and about only lasted a day

2008-11-23T05:06:00.000-08:00

I give up, we've been indoors for the most part of 3 weeks now. I don't know what is going on, but we are just going in circles. Samantha is the lastest victim again with her asthmatic coughing, cold, sore throat thing. This really makes us house bound as it is so severe she vomits with it, so you can't be safe to go anywhere unless she has a sick bowl in her lap, poor girl. Thought I'd post these pictures from yesterday, they had a fixation all day with baseball caps. I thought they looked so cute. At least they are easily amused, whilst I am going stir crazy. Deldon was out most of the day running a Stake Deacons Activity, so by the time he got home I was too exhausted to take myself out of the house for a while and today he's travelling to a ward conference with his calling. So here I'm sitting at home, missing church, and listening to Samantha cough approx every 4-5 seconds, waiting to catch vomit aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I guess we would never appreciate what it means to be healthy if we didn't have to experience illness, and I am at least grateful that they are usually strong, healthy little girls. We had a little scare 2 weeks ago when the midwives heard an irregular heartbeat in the baby, but the next day after some monitoring and a scan, everything looked just fine. It did make me stop and think how much I do take for granted the good health of my family and some of the potentially life threatening illnesses and diseases children and their parents have to face every day. With Thanksgiving coming up this week, the usual health of myself, Deldon, and the girls is one thing to be very thankful for.

My favourite thing to do......

2008-11-22T01:05:00.000-08:00

Somethings will NEVER change!! Got out twice this week to eat. Monday was just a wee girly night before I pop and can't get out as easily anymore, and then last night was our Relief Society Christmas dinner......yum, yum, yum! Now Deldon and I need to try to get out together for our "last supper" before our peaceful nights of kids stucked up in bed by 7:30 grind to a halt, and we find ourselves walking the floors at night to keep the new bambino quiet and happy. Well lets rephrase that, Deldon does most of the walking the floors, whilst I sit there in a daze stuffing chocolate in my mouth, as I try to come to terms with it all.

We're finally out and about again

2008-11-19T08:25:00.000-08:00

It has been a long two weeks of sickness in the Johnson Household, but fingers crossed we are on the mend. We were all driving each other crazy last week. Samantha kept asking "where are we going today mummy" and my response "nowhere". We finally got back to Saltos, a place we visit every Wednesday with my sister and Lukey boy. Alas my sister is sick again (I think we just keep infecting each others households, so she wasn't with us today). It's a gymnastic's club, but a few times a week they put out a bunch of toddler friendly equipment and the kids have a great time running around. It's lovely and safe as everything and everywhere is padded. The funny thing is our kids spent a good part of their time standing in front of the radio dancing instead of playing like the rest of the kids, and today was no exception. No-one elses kids seem to do this, just ours???? I have video footage of the dancing, but never seem to have any luck uploading videos?????? I've tried on a number of different occasions but it just wigs out, so I guess it's just photos again.

Music Tag

2008-11-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Shelly to do this music tag. So I tried soooo hard to get every song to match a letter of the Alphabet from music on my computer. I think I managed every letter except three, even if I did have to put down some songs that are from Deldon's old cd's he put on here that had as a teenager lol.

A- A beautiful Mess, Diamond Rio

B- Big girl, Mika

C- Chasing cars, Snow Patrol

D- Dirt road, Sawyer Brown

E- Every little thing she does, Lonestar

F- Fix you, Cold play

G- Godly Sorrow, Book of Mormon Soundtrack

H-Hero, Mariah Carey

I- I'm already there, Lonestar

J- Jesus take the Wheel, Carrie Underwood

K- Killing me softly, The Fugees

L-Love remains, Colin Raye

M- Maneater, Nelly Furtado

N-Not that different, Colin Raye

O- One more heartache, Blackhawk

P- Praise to the man, Janice Kapp Perry

Q- Queen of my double wide trailer, Sammy Kershaw

R- Rainbow Ride, The Charles Daniel Band

S- She's my kinda Rain, Tim McGraw

T- The reason, Hoobastank

U- Umbrella, Rihanna

V- (I am, Sara Bethany Ham)

W-What colour is the wind, Charlie Landsbrough

X-(Angels, Robbie Williams)

Y-You're beautiful, James Blunt

Z-(To where you are, Josh Groban)

Happy Birthday Feds

2008-11-08T01:47:00.000-08:00

A few of us went out to a Japanese restaurant in Belfast last night to celebrate a friend's "first birthday after she nearly died." Those are her words, not mine (she is a nurse and knew things were not good). She had a traumatic birthing experience, which ended with her being rushed into surgery immediately after she gave birth to her first baby. It was a fun night, with good company and great food. Unfortunately Deldon wasn't able to come with us as he had a youth activity to run. We have loved Feds being in our ward, she is from the Philippines and makes the best food ever. She is always encouraging us to get to together as girls for all sorts of occasions with mountains of food. She is my ward missionary companion, and is so good at phoning me every week to try to get out and do our calling. I've been so used to always doing the pushing to get things done, so it has been a breath of fresh air to have someone on my tail making sure I'm on the ball...... thank you Feds and hope you had a great night.

Church Responds to Same-Sex marriage votes

2008-11-06T10:40:00.000-08:00

Since Proposition 8 was placed on the ballot in June of this year, the citizens of California have considered the arguments for and against same-sex marriage. After extensive debate between those of different persuasions, voters have chosen to amend the California State Constitution to state that marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Voters in Arizona and Florida took the same course and amended their constitutions to establish that marriage will continue to be between a man and a woman.
Such an emotionally charged issue concerning the most personal and cherished aspects of life — family, identity, intimacy and equality — stirs fervent and deep feelings.
Most likely, the election results for these constitutional amendments will not mean an end to the debate over same-sex marriage in this country.
We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue will be well informed and act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different position. No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information.
It is important to understand that this issue for the Church has always been about the sacred and divine institution of marriage — a union between a man and a woman.
Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.
Some, however, have mistakenly asserted that churches should not ever be involved in politics when moral issues are involved. In fact, churches and religious organizations are well within their constitutional rights to speak out and be engaged in the many moral and ethical problems facing society. While the Church does not endorse candidates or platforms, it does reserve the right to speak out on important issues.
Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.
Even though the democratic process can be demanding and difficult, Latter-day Saints are profoundly grateful for and respect the ideals of a true democracy.
The Church expresses deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the many Latter-day Saints and others who supported the coalitions in efforts regarding these amendments.

LDS Church responds to "Home Invasion" ad

2008-11-04T01:02:00.001-08:00

Today is the day!!

2008-11-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

This is part of an email I recieved from my Sister-in-law this morning:

Please PRAY for California voters to vote YES on Prop 8! It is very heated here and tensions are high. The Prop 8 race is so close.

I just saw the most horrible commercial on YouTube that is scheduled to air on TV tomorrow unless efforts to stop it are successful. It shows mormon missionaries committing a home invasion on a lesbian couple to confiscate their wedding rings and marriage license. Talk about lies and intolerance!! They accuse Yes on 8 of being intolerant, yet they are the one demonstrating flat out lies and intolerance left and right.

This was written by my sister-in-law on a blog she started, thought I'd share since today is the day this hotly contested issue will be voted on. To me tolerance is about still having love and respect towards the people who have same gender attraction, but it does not involve condoning or accepting the sin of homosexuality by way of marriage.

Marriage is Between a Man and a Woman -- NOT Party A and Party B, Whatever Gender They May Be - Vote YES on Prop 8
Written by Staci J. Johnson October 2008

What is the definition of marriage? According to the Webster’s New World dictionary (1975) that I’ve had in my home since childhood, marriage is “1. the state of being married; relation between husband and wife.” According to the Merriam - Webster Online dictionary (2008), marriage is “1. The state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law,” but there is a new definition too: “2. The state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage .”

Why the additional definition? In the State of CA the change in definition came when our CA Supreme Court voted 4-3 and overturned Prop.22, passed by a majority of CA voters in 2000 which states, “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The people spoke, the courts ignored them. In Connecticut, gay marriage just became legal this month as the Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage, despite their civil union laws, and the fact that their state legislature voted against same sex marriage. Both state courts cited equal protection under their state constitutions. Somehow I don’t think same sex marriage is what the founding fathers of either of these two states had in mind when their state constitutions were written. In Massachusetts, the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage despite their marriage laws that specifically forbid it. I find it disturbing that the judicial branch is legislating from the bench.

What about the rights of gay couples, you may ask. Under a Domestic Partnership, same-sex couples are granted all the rights and responsibilities that the state of California extends to married couples (see California Family Code section 297.5). The only difference is the name. Marriage and domestic partnerships both involve committed couples, but the nature of the relationship is inherently different. Marriage, by traditional, long-standing definition, has couples of opposite sexes, domestic partnerships have couples of the same sex. Even since the Supreme Court granted gays the right to wed, we hear the terms traditional marriage and same-sex marriage to differentiate between the two. Why? Because they are different, plain and simple. As a comparison, diesel and gasoline are both fuels to run engines, but you certainly can’t interchange them.

Is it only a dictionary entry that will change with the changing definition of marriage? No. Many things will change. For starters, the education of our children will change and parents rights will
be trampled. In the state of Massachusetts, under the guise of “diversity” education, an illustrated story book titled “King and King” is shared with second graders. It is a book about a prince who married another prince and it includes an illustrated scene of the two men kissing. Regarding this issue, the ACLU has stated, “Specifically, the parents in this case do not have a constitutional right to override the professional pedagogical judgment of the school with respect to the inclusion within the curriculum of the age-appropriate children’s book … King and King.” In Massachusetts parents do not have the option to opt their children out of such lessons. They have tried, and failed.

The California Education Code requires that health education classes instruct children about marriage (section 51890). Thus, with a changed definition of marriage, young children will be taught about same-sex marriage. It won’t only be taught formally during “sex education,” which parent’s currently have the right to opt their children out of, but I believe it will be quietly slipped into the everyday curriculum as “diversity” education. “Diversity” education does not require parental notification or consent. So when parents who object to such teaching ask for their children to opt out, the request will be denied.

You might be thinking, we are not Massachusetts, it will be different here. Not so. Many of the major donors to the No on 8 campaign are those groups that are fighting so hard to teach gay marriage in the Massachusetts schools and to stop attempts of parents to opt their children out of it. In addition, the California Teachers Association has contributed at least $1 million to the No on 8 campaign. Further evidence that our children’s education will be affected if Prop. 8 fails.

Obviously same-gender relationships exist in our world, but it is a parent’s responsibility, not the school’s responsibility, to teach our children about such relationships when the children are ready. What about the teachers who object to teaching such material based on their religious or moral beliefs? Will they be fired if they refuse to teach such material? Based on the history of many other lawsuits, I would dare to say it could and, most likely, will happen.

Another change is that we will see increased lawsuits in our courts, such as the Roseville couple that filed suit to be acknowledged as bride and groom, rather than Party A and Party B on their marriage license. Their license was deemed invalid by the State because they wrote Bride and Groom next to Party A and Party B. They were notified by the state, after their wedding, that alterations on forms are not allowed, and that their marriage was not valid. Due to their suit, they have been acknowledged as a married couple, and the forms have now been changed to give the option to check Bride and Groom, or gender can be left off entirely. Seems ironic to me that gender be optional on a Marriage License and that a man and a woman had to sue to be acknowledged as bride and groom.

Religious Freedoms are at jeopardy if Prop 8 fails. Religions could be accused of discrimination or hate speech if they teach that same sex relations are immoral. They could be forced to perform same sex marriages or lose their tax exempt status. Religious adoption agencies could be forced to place children with same sex couples. This country was founded on the basis of religious freedom, yet we are seeing our government slowly creep in and override our religious freedoms. For examples of lawsuits that have already hit the courts and are limiting people‘s religious freedoms, please see “When Gay Rights and Religious Liberties Clash” by Barbara Bradley Hagerty at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91486191.

Marriage has been between a man and a woman since the world began. Once we start re-defining it, where does it end? How will it be re-defined next? The possibilities are endless. Let’s STOP re-defining words. Marriage is between a man and a woman, NOT Party A and Party B, whatever gender they may be. Vote YES on PROP 8.

"I'm blooming" as they say

2008-11-02T08:12:00.001-08:00

So I've hit the average recommended weight gain in pregnancy and I still have 6 weeks to go .....oops!! The photos are to show you just what excessive chocolate mixed with pregnancy does to ones body. I was at little Isaac Lowry's baby blessing lunch after church today, where veryone was reminding me it was okay to eat for 2. Problem is I eat for two when I'm not pregnant, when I'm in this state I eat for about 4!! I sat in one room to eat my first plate load and then moved to another room to eat the 2nd big plate load, so people didn't see just how much I was actually packing away, how sad am I? Then when it came to the desserts I just talked about getting stuff for my kids, when really it was all for me. At least I can just blame it on pregnancy for now, it's in 6 weeks when baby arrive and oopps I still look the same size after giving birth. Did I mention last week my nephew asked me if my tummy was getting big from eating too much junk food? Before I had a chance to respond, my neice quickly reminded him that "duhh it's the baby." Samantha has been telling me that when the baby comes out my tummy is going to get smaller, and smaller, and smaller. I can just see the look on her face when I arrive home still looking fairly pregnant for a while, she'll be thinking they've left another baby in there!!!

Getting in touch with my American side

2008-10-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

I really don't like Pumpkin pie BUT it is one of Deldon's favourite desserts. I make it at Thanksgiving and July 4th, now I'm adding Halloween to the list. Only this time I'm going one better, I found edible pumpkins and cooked a pumpkin pie from scratch (minus bought pastry dough). The big pie in Ireland and the UK at Halloween is Apple, and you bake them with money in them. Pumpkin pies don't exist here at any time of the year. I am so impressed with myself, I just hope it tastes okay. Guess we'll find out when Deldon gets home. Woke up to a beautiful, dry day so Mum and Dad called to see if I wanted to take the kids to the park, so we did, here's some photos from that too.

Notice the chocolate appearing in all the pie making photos, I just can't overcome the urge to eat it. I get panicky if I don't have any in the house.

Tagged - LUCKY 8

2008-10-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

8 TV shows I love to watch
Lost
Smallville
Loose Women
CSI and Miami and NY
24
Fox News

8 Favourite Restuarants
Villa Italia
Chevys
Chilis
Red Robin
Olive Garden
On the Border
Tucanos
Macaroni Grill

8 things that happened yesterday
I bathed the girls
Dad came and got Samantha and took her to my sister's to play
I tied string to 40 donuts
I dance to the 12 dancing princesses movie with Sophie
I napped
I blogged
Mum came to visit me and the girls
I went to a halloween party

8 things I love about this Fall / Autumn
Getting Christmas spirit already by having to shop for gifts early due to baby coming
Christmas isn't far away
Samantha settling great in to Nursery school
The girls are a year older
Down time in the afternoon whilst Samantha is in nursery and Sophie naps
Mum and dad being home from their mission
Visiting a mother toddler gymn session on Wednesday mornings with my sister and the kids
Buying baby boy clothes

Things on my wish list
The pound would strenghten against the dollar
More space i.e. bigger house
I won't keep growing bigger and bigger
My SPD will stay at the level of discomfort it's at and not get any worse
I'll have my baby a week early
I could be less selfish
I could do my church calling better
I could be perfectly patient

8 things I am looking forward to
My children attending the Temple for the 1st time
Being settled in one country for good
Serving a mission with Deldon
Not being pregnant
Take out food
Sophie being potty trained
Being able to fly and chill out eating, resting, and watching movies, not trying to keep kids quiet for 10 hours
Deldon coming home from work

I tag Shelly (Irish), Lyndsey, Mandy, Jen (Texan), and whoever else reads this and wants to have a go.

Happy Halloween cont.......

2008-10-31T01:20:00.000-07:00

Sophie LOVES any kind of ball pit

Samantha with her older cousins and Feds with baby Talia, oops where's her head gone in that pumpkin costume?

Samantha with a mouth full of chocolate!

Sophie is really starting to enjoy colouring and drawing

Apparently Sophie didn't have much luck with this game, the donut just kept banging her on her forehead, poor child!

What little posers are these cousins, they must get it from their daddies even though those are not the same genes they share, but it's really not me and Rachael we don't do cameras.

Luke and Sophie doing some shopping

Happy Halloween

2008-10-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

We had our ward party tonight. I planned the evening, then past it on to the missionaries to actually run it, whilst I stayed in the kitchen to prepare all the food. Sadly the leadership in our ward does not believe in activites, this is the first one we've had all year (yes it is nearly November, and the only other one is Christmas). We seem to have an nonfunctioning activites commitee to add to the problem, so the missionaries got assigned to run the party. I was then concerned that it was a less effective use of their time, so basically planned it myself, since I'm a ward missionary and asked them to just show up and help on the night. Deldon took some pictures of the girls, I'm thinking from the photos he took, that they spent a lot of time in the toddler area we set up to keep the little kids occupied whilst the games went on. Just glad it's all over, I would not recommend the cooking, set-up, and cleanup of a ward party when one is 34 weeks prego, my back is aching. No lets rephrase that, everywhere is aching!!! Having said that, I think my mother was more traumitised by me being left incharge than I was lol. But I must say a big thank you to all who brought food and kindly offered to help on the night, it was much appreciated. Will post photos tomorrow as blogger is having issues uploading.

Saftey in Counsel by President Eyring, Member of the First Presidency of the LDS Church

2008-10-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

(See prior post below this one). I can't help but think of this article in the June Ensign with regards to Voting to Protect the institution of Marriage, especially the parts I highlighted.

The Savior has always been the protector of those who would accept His protection. He has said more than once, “How oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not” (3 Nephi 10:5; see also, for example, Matthew 23:37; D&C 29:2).
The Lord expressed the same lament in our own dispensation after describing the many ways in which He calls us to safety: “How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!” (D&C 43:25).
There seems to be no end to the Savior’s desire to lead us to safety, and there is constancy in the way He shows us the path. He calls by more than one means so that it will reach those willing to accept it. Those means always include sending the message by the mouths of His prophets whenever people have qualified to have the prophets of God among them. Those authorized servants are always charged with warning the people, telling them the way to safety.
A Prophet’s Warning
When tensions ran high in northern Missouri in the fall of 1838, the Prophet Joseph Smith called for all the Latter-day Saints to gather to Far West for protection. Many were on isolated farms or in scattered settlements. He specifically counseled Jacob Haun, founder of a small settlement called Haun’s Mill. A record of that time includes this: “Brother Joseph had sent word by Haun, who owned the mill, to inform the brethren who were living there to leave and come to Far West, but Mr. Haun did not deliver the message.”1 Later, the Prophet Joseph recorded in his history: “Up to this day God had given me wisdom to save the people who took counsel. None had ever been killed who abode by my counsel.”2 Then the Prophet recorded the sad truth that innocent lives could have been saved at Haun’s Mill had his counsel been received and followed.
In our own time we have been warned with counsel on where to find safety from sin and from sorrow. One of the keys to recognizing those warnings is that they are repeated. For instance, more than once in general conferences, you have heard our prophet say that he would quote a preceding prophet and would therefore be a second witness and sometimes even a third. Each of us old enough to listen heard President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) give counsel on the importance of a mother in the home and then heard President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) quote him, and we have heard President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) quote them both.3
The Apostle Paul wrote, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1). One of the ways we may know that the warning is from the Lord is that the law of witnesses, authorized witnesses, has been invoked. When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention and fill our hearts with gratitude to live in such a blessed time.
Looking for the path to safety in the counsel of prophets makes sense to those with strong faith. When a prophet speaks, those with little faith may think that they hear only a wise man giving good advice. Then if his counsel seems comfortable and reasonable, squaring with what they want to do, they take it. If it does not, they either consider it faulty advice or they see their circumstances as justifying their being an exception to the counsel. Those without faith may think that they hear only men seeking to exert influence for some selfish motive. They may mock and deride, as did a man named Korihor, with these words recorded in the Book of Mormon: “And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and privileges” (Alma 30:27).
Korihor was arguing, as men and women have falsely argued from the beginning of time, that to take counsel from the servants of God is to surrender God-given rights of independence. But the argument is false because it misrepresents reality. When we reject the counsel that comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. We have moral agency as a gift of God. Rather than the right to choose to be free of influence, it is the inalienable right to submit ourselves to whichever of those powers we choose.
Standing on Safe Ground
Another fallacy is to believe that the choice to accept or not accept the counsel of prophets is no more than deciding whether to accept good advice and gain its benefits or to stay where we are. But the choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. That ground becomes more dangerous. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future. The best time to have decided to help Noah build the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the Spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late.
Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. Along the path, I have found that the way had been prepared for me and the rough places made smooth. God led me to safety along a path that was prepared with loving care, sometimes prepared long before.
The account at the beginning of the Book of Mormon is of a prophet of God, Lehi. He was also the leader of a family. He was warned by God to take those he loved to safety. Lehi’s experience is a type of what happens as God gives counsel through His servants. Of Lehi’s family, only those who had faith and who themselves received confirming revelation saw both the danger and the way to safety. For those without faith, the move into the wilderness seemed not only foolish but dangerous. Like all prophets, Lehi, to his dying day, tried to show his family where safety would lie for them.
He knew that the Savior holds responsible those to whom He delegates priesthood keys. With those keys comes the power to give counsel that will show us the way to safety. Those with keys are responsible to warn even when their counsel might not be followed.
Keys are delegated down a line that passes from the prophet through those responsible for ever-smaller groups of members, closer and closer to families and to individuals. That is one of the ways by which the Lord makes a stake a place of safety. For instance, I have sat with my wife in a meeting of parents called by our bishop so that he could warn us of spiritual dangers faced by our children. I heard more than the voice of my wise friend. I heard a servant of Jesus Christ, with keys, meeting his responsibility to warn and passing to us, the parents, the responsibility to act. When we honor the keys of that priesthood channel by listening and giving heed, we tie ourselves to a lifeline that will not fail us in any storm.
Our Heavenly Father loves us. He sent His Only Begotten Son to be our Savior. He knew that in mortality we would be in grave danger, the worst of it from the temptations of a terrible adversary. That is one of the reasons the Savior has provided priesthood keys, so that those with ears to hear and faith to obey could go to places of safety.
Having Listening Ears
Having listening ears requires humility. You remember the Lord’s warning to Thomas B. Marsh. He was then the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The Lord knew that President Marsh and his Brethren of the Twelve would be tested. He gave counsel about taking counsel. The Lord said, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10).
The Lord added a warning that is applicable to any who follow a living prophet: “Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him, and my hand shall be over him; and the keys which I have given unto him, and also to youward, shall not be taken from him till I come” (D&C 112:15).
God offers us counsel not just for our own safety but for the safety of His other children, whom we should love. There are few comforts so sweet as to know that we have been an instrument in the hands of God in leading someone else to safety. That blessing generally requires the faith to follow counsel when it is hard to do.
An example from Church history is that of Reddick Newton Allred. He was one of the rescue party sent out by President Brigham Young (1801–77) to bring in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. At the Sweetwater River near South Pass, Captain George Grant asked Reddick Allred to remain there with a few men and wagons and be ready to help when the rescuers returned with the handcart pioneers.
The rescuers found the Willie company mired in the snow, freezing, starving, and dying. Some of the rescuers continued to search for the Martin company, while the others helped the Willie company make that heartrending pull up and over Rocky Ridge. Soon after they made camp, Reddick Allred and his men came to deliver essential assistance and supplies.
Allred then waited for Captain Grant to return with the Martin company. Week after week passed with no sign of them. As blizzards howled and the weather became life threatening, two of the men decided it was foolish to stay. They thought the Martin company had either wintered over somewhere or perished. They decided to return to the Salt Lake Valley and tried to persuade everyone else to do the same. Allred refused to budge. President Young had sent them out, and Captain Grant, Reddick Allred’s priesthood leader, had told him to wait there.
Those who returned took several wagons, filled with needed supplies, and started back to the Salt Lake Valley. Even more tragic, they turned back 77 wagons that were coming from the valley to help. Some of these wagons returned all the way to Big Mountain before messengers sent by President Young met them and turned them back around.
Finally, more than three weeks after Reddick Allred had assisted the Willie company, Captain Grant arrived with the Martin company. These pioneers were even more destitute and had suffered dozens of deaths. Captain Grant’s rescue team was small and low on provisions—and still more than 200 miles (320 km) from the Salt Lake Valley. Once again, because Reddick Allred had stayed true to his assignment, even in the most trying circumstances, he was able to provide life-sustaining assistance and supplies.4
Reaching Out to Others
You will hear and read inspired counsel from prophets of God to reach out to new members of the Church. Those with the faith of Reddick Newton Allred will keep offering friendship even when it seems not to be needed or to have no effect. They will persist. When some new member reaches the point of spiritual exhaustion, members of faith will be there offering kind words and fellowship. They will then feel the same divine approval Brother Allred felt when he saw those handcart pioneers struggling toward him, knowing he could offer them safety because he had followed counsel when it was hard to do.
While the record does not prove it, I am confident that Brother Allred prayed while he waited. I am confident that his prayers were answered. He then knew that the counsel to stand fast was from God. We must pray to know that. I promise you such prayers of faith will be answered.
Sometimes we will receive counsel that we cannot understand or that seems not to apply to us, even after careful prayer and thought. Don’t discard the counsel, but hold it close. If someone you trusted handed you what appeared to be nothing more than sand with the promise that it contained gold, you might wisely hold it in your hand awhile, shaking it gently. Every time I have done that with counsel from a prophet, after a time the gold flakes have begun to appear, and I have been grateful.
We are blessed to live in a time when the priesthood keys are on the earth. We are blessed to know where to look and how to listen for the voice that will fulfill the promise of the Lord that He will gather us to safety. I pray that we will have humble hearts, that we will listen, that we will pray, and that we will wait for the deliverance of the Lord that is sure to come as we are faithful

Follow the Prophet

2008-10-30T08:04:00.000-07:00

The following letter was sent from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Church leaders in California to be read to all congregations on 29 June 2008:

Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families
In March 2000 California voters overwhelmingly approved a state law providing that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” The California Supreme Court recently reversed this vote of the people. On November 4, 2 008, Californians will vote on a proposed amendment to the California state constitution that will now restore the March 2000 definition of marriage approved by the voters.
The Church’s teachings and position on this moral issue are unequivocal. Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God, and the formation of families is central to the Creator’s plan for His children. Children are entitled to be born within this bond of marriage.
A broad-based coalition of churches and other organizations placed the proposed amendment on the ballot. The Church will participate with this coalition in seeking its passage. Local Church leaders will provide information about how you may become involved in this important cause.
We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage.

I just had to post a copy of this letter on my blog, as I become more and more disturbed by the amount of people who claim to believe in the same restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, yet feel to voice their opposition to this particular law in California that is to be voted on next week. I worry because I know that day will come when we will face the same issues here in the British Isles. I have no issue with same sex couples being entitled to the same tax or legal situations and wanting some kind of union, but just don't call it marriage, because it's not, and never will be!!!!! I can't help but think of Matthew 24:23 "even the very elect will be deceived." Satan is using rational arguments and making us feel as members of the Church that we are not being tolerant and respectful of others by standing up for marriage and it's scary to say he is succeeding. To me there is nothing to question. This does not mean I don't make my own decisions. What it means is I have a testimony of this Gospel, the Church, and I know that our Prophet leads and directs the Lord's work. I trust and want to be obedient to the Lord, therefore when he gives counsel through a living Prophet I don't have to question it every time, I already know what to do....follow that counsel. The First Presidency has spoken, they are the Lord's mouthpiece here on earth, it's a no brainer.....YES to prop if you live in California and can vote, and if you don't live there like myself, you still support it anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!