Happy 8th birthday Jacob William

Eight years ago, I had no idea how busy boys were and now I have two. There are days when I think my last nerve is being tested and other days that my boy is such a little charmer. I am blessed to call Will my son. He is very rambutious and is working hard on learning to listen but I wouldn't trade it. We are also working on not being stinky...he is really all boy. Yesterday, we attempted to talk to him about the importance of personal hygiene and wiping his bottom good. We don't want to have the smelly kid and right now we do. He gets so dirty. Yesterday, he pooped in our toilet that doesn't work (because if new tile and hasn't been reset yet), didn't wipe, did not wash his hands, and while we are talking to him about it, he scratches his butt and rubs his hands through his hair. I'm certain that years from now, we will all laugh about it. But today, we celebrate him and the smiles he brings into our lives. Some of his favorites are as follows: baseball, pizza, candy, soda, Legos, and playing games. He is very, very good at Legos and building things. He helped his dad surprise Ginny with shelves for her closet last week and build shelves in the media room. He's all boy but he's our boy and we will keep him. Happy 8th birthday son, I love you beyond measure! 

Merry Christmas 2015

The weather has been unusually warm for this time of the year, in the mid 70's, so it has been more challenging to make it feel like Christmas. There have been other contributions to that as well, such as the house under construction with the flooring and Jake and I both under the weather. However, yesterday was perfect.  We had Mexican for lunch (we do that almost every year), saw a movie, baked cookies, caroled to two families, danced in the kitchen to Christmas music, had our own special Christmas concert, and watched Home Alone. The Christmas concert was perfect: Ginny played "oh come all ye faithful" on the flute, Chris sang jingle bells accompanied by Aubree on the piano, Will sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" accompanied by Aubree, Aubree sang "Hark the Herald Angels sang" accompanied by Jake, and then we all sang silent night around the piano. Loved it! We told the kids that if they could get to the tree to open gifts, they could open them as soon as they wanted no matter the time. Little did we know, 3am they would be successful. Jake and I had prepared boobie traps to delay but they worked together and out smarted us. We had put wrapping paper on the door and blocked off all entrances to the living room. They had scissors in the room and cut through the paper, then lifted Christopher over the barricade. Next year, we will do better but they enjoyed it. The kids seem to have a pleasant Christmas and enjoyed their gifts. 

Jake and I went back to bed about 4:40 and encouraged the children to do the same. We awoke about 10 and went to jackson. Mom had a delicious meal prepared and we all chatted with Sandra and Michael over the iPads. Papaw very much enjoyed visiting with everyone. The best part for me was dancing with Jake in the kitchen yesterday, I felt so close to him again and in love. I am beyond blessed in my life. 

1987 letter to Santa

My parents found these two gems and sent them to me. 

"Dear Santa, 

     I know I've been bad not believing in you but tonight everyone told me you were real now that I think about it I believe them. I know you aren't going to have nothing but you can open one of my presents. Well,  I've got to go to bed so good night. Merry Christmas.  I love you.           Signed: Renee' Eaton"

Talk about a big run on sentence but it gives you a glimpse into me as a ten year old. Now for letter 2....

"Dear Mom, 

       I wanted you to know that j cleaned the house tonight. I put a diaper on Rebekah, and tucked everyone in and made sure they were warm. I told das to give Sandra her medicine but he said you would do it." 

A little catch up..

 Let's start with Halloween..my kids were super excited that Michael and his family came down for the weekend. Sandra and her family also came up for trick or treating. 

Now to November...I realized that I was struggling to be happy in my life and with my marriage in November. I felt as if Jake and I were stepping apart instead of towards one another. I mentioned to him how I felt and he thought I was being ridiculous. So after thanksgiving (which was wonderful because all my siblings and I were together at my parents in almost two years...I LOVED it), in early December I brought it back up and we talked for hours about it one night. I told him that there were times I regretted coming to work in same district and grade level as him because I felt it was in ways dividing us. I felt he didn't look at me the same, we didn't talk as much, and actions (such as my forehead kisses or dancing in the kitchen) were dissipating. He said there were times too that he regretted the job choice and we both thought we wanted to work together. He felt that he couldn't support his team or help others in fear I'd become a mad woman (this stems from in August), etc. It wa hard for me to want to continue to try but yet I knew I loved him and do love him. A few weeks later, I feel it is a better and will continue to work at it. He makes me better and I want to help him become better too. This past week, we both left work an hour early on Monday and took the day off Tuesday and headed to Nashville to watch the Forgotten Carols but had to be back in time Tuesday (12/15) for Ginny's band concert. She did a great job! The week before was Aubree's choir concert and she rocked that too! Each night we have tried to piece our home together after they finish a room of flooring. It looks beautiful and we feel like we are making it out home. 

Happy birthday Renee'

Yesterday was my birthday and what an unexpected birthday it was. I have been loosing my voice for a couple of days and decided to go to the doctor. The ward christmas breakfast also happened to be the same day, so we went a few minutes and then to the doctor. Jake and I were both diagnosed with strep throat and given meds. Jake has also had a headache for about two consecutive weeks now and believes it is sinus related. Later that evening, I realized as I was putting a spare key away that all of my rings had been stolen (I do not want to accuse people but we just finished the attic and got new flooring throughout the house, so I'm guessing it was one of them). Realizing they were gone made my heart a little sad, especially the promise ring Jake had bought me and his university of Utah class ring.  However, his wedding band, mamaw's wedding  band, my moms original wedding rings, and the star ring from parents are still tucked away nice and safe.  Last night as Jake and I were running to Lowes I mentioned my birthday had sucked- not that I wanted gifts (I just asked for the house to be cleaned) because of the events that unfolded. But a few minutes later, I realized I had a bad attitude and if had highlights from the day- people at the church breakfast had remembered my birthday, my family all (except James) wished me a happy birthday, my mother in law sent me a text to remember my birthday on my birthday during the day, and I was with the people I care most about. So although I am sick and been robbed, I still am blessed beyond measure. 

 

Stake conference

Today was the sunday session of stake conference. There are times where I do not want to attend church and more so stake conference because it's a struggle with my sweet babies, yet, my Sunday auto pilot kicks in and I go anyway. Today, I am especially grateful that we went, not for the talks but for the music. As the choir sang "All creatures of our God and king", precious memories from the mission surfaced. However, the most powerful was the closing number by the choir "I believe in Christ", I felt the words pierced my heart and spoke directly to me, especially the verse about tribulations and that He is always there and we shall triumphantly overcome. A few tears rolled down my cheek and I know that he was and is there to wipe them away. The Spirit confirmed that again for me today. I know my Savior lives and knows me. The conference had an emphasis on sabbath day observance. I also took away to invite others to be in and a part of our lives. Invite people for dinner,  a drink, service, or anything really. Edifying one another (members and non members). 

A little Sunday shot

Here happens to be 4 of my absolute favorite people.....they are my motivation for so many things in life and make me better. 

Note from my boy

From Will

To mom

I love you now (no) matter what, even when you think it's me that made Chris cry. I will still love you even when you hurt me

Ginny's 1st cross country race

Ginny ran her first cross country race on 9/5. She was so nervous for it all day, worried she would place last. I felt like a broken record telling her repeatedly that just being able to finish would be a huge accomplishment. She was not first but she wasn't last either (towards the end part of the middle crew). Her time was 12:42 for 1.25 miles. Waiting on her to round the finish corner, my heart was bursting at the seams wanting her to feel accomplished and not discouraged. She was chipper at the end. We stayed to encourage the boys team and watched until the last one crossed the finish line. My heart was warned as I'd watch those exhausted young men approach so exhausted but somehow muster the energy to keep going when they heard others chant for them. Right then I decided that in life, we all need supporters and chanters....to some, that's what gives the extra ump to go one. 

Happy 11th Ms. Aubree!

Eleven years ago our lives became a little more enriched when a beautiful young lady joined out family. Aubree is our child who would rather give to others than receive. She's a gem. Aubree made the volleyball team this year at school and is enjoying Elmore Park. She's very excited to be in her dads STEM class and found out today she now qualifies for the gifted program. Her favorite places to eat right now are Chick-Fil-A and CiCi's pizza. She had a swim party and enjoyed herself. It warms my heart to see my babies happy. 

Feelings of insecurities

Today was the first day for teachers to go back for school. It was not as pleasant as I would've hoped and I felt very insecure. This year I will be teaching 8th grade science and social studies. You would think I'd be completely confident being married to Jake with science because he's the expert and everyone in the district loves him.  Multiple times when I was introduced, it was my name and he was my hubby. The challenge ahead of me is to aspire to be as good as he is in science. He is very well respected. I became a little annoyed today that he freely gave everyone all his work and information. (I was hoping that would be an advantage I had) He said it was obvious that I became annoyed and he's certain everyone knew it and his colleagues may think we have a bad relationship. Yet, that's not true...we have a great relationship in my book and anyone whoever hears me speak of him would know that. I was hoping that together we would be a duo an collaborate but right now at this moment, I feel that I am a hinderence to him. So, I guess here's to praying for improvement on my part and a better tomorrow than I've had this far. I am home thirty minutes before I'm off to PTA and to a little real estate after that. 

Texas trip

We made a quick trip to Texas to visit family over the 4th. I feel beyond blessed to live in this great nation.  I LOVE America.  Sometimes trips to Texas are a little over whelming for me but I love seeing my husband enjoy his family.

 

Virtuous women

There is never any doubt in my mind that my husband loves me. He makes me happy and often I feel better than I am around him, even like a princess. However, there are moments or rare actions that make me feel, although he loves me, that he may not always want me. I am confident there is no other person that he'd prefer to spend time with but I want him to "desire" me all the time. The world can have a way of making us feel less or not as pretty if we do not meet what society deems as beautiful. There are days when I feel not cute because I do not fit the mold. However, I am trying to fit the mold that my Heavenly Father finds beautiful. I strive to be virtuous, patient, and find the good in situations. I want to make lives better by being in them. I want to have a gentle heart and show my children through example that even women whom the world may glance at and call average to the Lord, those very women may be the most beautiful at that time. 

Fathers Day 2015

21 years ago, Father's Day fell on Sunday, June 19.  It is a day that forever will be engraved in my mind because it is the day my Mamaw (grandmother) passed away. I think about every Father's Day Sunday and still remember the songs sang that day at church. This Sunday was no different as I sat in sacrament but as I glanced at Jake and my boys, I felt a sense of peace and gratitude. After church, we went to my parents for dinner and to see Papaw. It was a nice visit. I miss my girls more and more each day now. They went back to Michigan last week with Michael's family. I'm certain they are having a great time but I plan to get back this week. 

Dear Ginny....

Dear Ginny, I wanted to write this letter for you on your birthday. You have grown up so fast. I guess being the oldest kinda does that. I remember wanting to see you when you got to the next milestone; to see you walk, to hear you talk, to hold your hand going to school. Now you are 13. The next steps are your first dance, first date, drivers license, and graduation. We only have five years left. When I use to wish for the days to pass quickly till the next break, now I pray for them to slow down. But time keeps marching on. So here are my hopes for the next five years...to see you smile every day, see you find God and become His friend, to cherish the everyday moments as a family, to hear you giggle with your sister and friends, and for you to know that I love you forever. I hope I can make these the best five years of your life yet. I love you. Love, Dad This was a note left to Ginny after the night Ginny was a girls camp. Jake is such a great dad and talented writer. I am lucky he is mine and that Ginny is ours. We have been blessed with great children. He is right, I, too, want time to slow down and to cherish these moments with our littles.

Back together after camps

I am happy to say that my little family is back in tact after camps (girls camp for Jake and Ginny and scout camp for Jake) this week. Yesterday, we had a party for the boys. We celebrated Chris's 5th birthday and Will's 1/2 birthday (first time ever I've done that). I didn't want anyone to bring two gifts so families received an invite for one or the other. We reserved the pool and invited families to stay to swim too. The boys chose a pirate theme with grilled hot dogs. I believe it was a fun night for all. Jake had been writing the middle school science curriculum for Bartlett City Schools, so tonight the kids and I made paper airplanes and played games. It was nice to be able to lay on the floor and enjoy them. 

Busy week

It's a busy week for our family. Ginny is at girls and Jake is priesthood there for a couple days and then he heads to scout camp. Meanwhile, Will got his first hit this season in baseball. He was so proud and I was so proud for him. Amy is down with the kids to visit for 10 days and the kids are so excited to see cousins. We are enjoying the pool. 

Happy 5th birthday Christopher!

Today our youngest turns 5 years old. It's hard to believe that our baby is 5.  Christopher is such a little character. This morning, we picked up kolaches and donut holes for him, before we went swimming for about an hour. He chose Chick Fil A for lunch and played with his cousins visiting most of the day. Some of his favorite things are:

Characters:  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Captain America, and The Hulk, 

Food: pizza, Super Golden Crisp cereal, Lenny's philly sandwiches, cheeze its. 

Activities: playing with his train table, riding his stuffed tiger, playing ball outside with his dad, swimming, and doing whatever his big brother does. 

He is the cutest thing ever! His personality over compensates for his lack of speech and he makes everyone smile. One of my favorite things that he does right now is pick a flower (usually a weed), comes and bows on one knee with his head down, and holds the flower above his head with one hand to give to me. When I take it, he kisses my hand. He is totally beyond sweet! 

Tim left to right: Chloe, Claire, Riley, Christopher, and Elijah.