4th of July trip to Idaho

Natalie playing with her cousins at the cabin on the big King bed. She had tons of fun with Madison, Kiersten, and Dillon.

Joe and I love this picture of Natalie with Grandpa Landon. Joe asked if she wanted to go to grandpa and she said, "uh-huh", shaking her head yes, then went right to him. She and Grandpa got to be pretty good friends on the trip. When you ask Natalie what Grandpa says, she swings her arms from side to side and says, "mmm, mmm, mmm." Grandpa always says this to her when she is eating.

Grandpa Landon even let Natalie wear his hat. Now that shows she must be pretty special:)

This is a picture of Natalie and I in Grandpa's truck on the way to the Landon reunion in Big Springs. We were going to go swimming, so I put her swimming top on and let her hold her bottoms. Of course, as with everything else, they ended up on top of her head:)

Trip to the Zoo

Natalie and I went to the zoo a couple of weeks ago with my friend Heather and her little boy Hunter. He is 4 months older than Natalie, but she is a lot taller than he is. (I think she is going to be a very tall girl.) We had a good time. The kids got tired, but had fun. One of Natalie's favorite things were the elephants. She loves the movie "Horton Hears a Who" and making elephant noises.

Here she is looking at the elephant eating a tree branch for breakfast. This elephant is pregnant.

One of Natalie's funny faces.

Natalie and I with penguins in the background.

What a fun adventure we had!!

New Calling

My First Youth Conference as a Leader

I know it has been awhile since I last "blogged". A big part of that has been our family all being very sick with colds for more than two weeks now. I don't know why, but it seems when the seasons change, we always get sick. I will have to "de-program" that from our thinking:). But, I am working on a really cute blog post of Natalie that is taking me some time because I am not always "picture-savvy" when it comes to entering them. I can't wait to get it posted.

In the meantime, I thought I would put the most recent update of church callings. I WAS teaching the 5-6 year olds and loving it. But, on Sunday, I got called back into Young Women's as the secretary. The president is new to our area (moved here in September) and had no idea I was YW president a year ago (almost to the day). So, I know this calling is coming from the Lord because she took a ward directory, pen and paper, and went to the Lord. At first I was very shocked because I was president for 2 1/2 years. I was sad to get released, but somewhat relieved at the time having a new 5 month old and feeling very overwhelmed. Plus, I was honestly getting a bit burned out at all the meetings and activity planning. So, I was ready.

"My Awesome 1st Presidency"

When I first received this calling, my heart wasn't in it. I just wasn't sure if I was willing to jump back into so much work and responsibility and being away from Natalie so much. Joe kept reminding me "You're not president" which was helpful. I accepted, and have been praying ever since to gain a testimony of the calling. Well, today we had our first presidency meeting, and I am beginning to see the Lord's purpose and feel His strength. I can see how I will learn and grow with this new presidency and how to continue helping the wonderful girls of our ward. I can also see somewhat how it will bless Natalie. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that always knows better than us and is willing to lead us to better things when we allow Him to. I now am looking forward to the calling and working with "my girls" again.:)

Happy Easter!!!!

 

Happy Easter!!!  Natalie found her basket with her chocolate Easter Bunny from Bedstemor & Bedstefar (Danish for Grandpa & Grandma) as well as her Pooh tablet and crayons. She recently started coloring with Mommy's scripture pencil and Mommy's tablet, so I guess the Easter Bunny thought it would be a good idea for her to have her OWN drawing tools:) She also found all 12 of her Easter eggs.  They were mostly filled with fruit snacks, but 3 had mini Cadbury eggs in them.  MMMM, Mmmm, mmmmmm!  She and her parents love Cadbury eggs!!  Natalie especially drools (lots and lots of it) over them-(hence only 3).

 

Here is our ADORABLE little girl in her Easter dress and hat (She does better at keeping hats on her head than bows in her hair). Her WONDERFUL Bedstemor made this cute, cute dress for her.  I am truly amazed at Joe's mom.  She has such a talent for so many things including sewing.  She made matching Easter dresses for all 5 of her granddaughters.  Not only are they well-made, they are modest too! We are so grateful to her for her love and caring for each child.  We love and appreciate her so very much for all she does for us and our children.

 

Natalie and Joe had an especially new adventure as well for Easter Sunday.  It was the first day in the nursery for BOTH of them!!  Yes, ironically, retired Bishop Joe was called to be in the nursery.  I am very grateful because I am teaching the 5-6 year old children and it was becoming more difficult to have Natalie with me.  She had two more months until nursery, but now she gets to join daddy.  Joe had 11 kids in his class.  His partner didn't show up, and he had no idea what was supposed to happen.  Needless to say, he wasn't too happy about that. But thankfully, he received help from another couple in the ward.  Natalie, however, loved it.  When song time came, she stood up, danced, and sang.  She likes to stick her tongue out and go "La, la,la, la." It is very cute.  She also enjoyed snack time.  We will see how long she and daddy both continue enjoying nursery:)  I think Daddy will do great in there once he figures out what the routine is. He has such a loving heart that I know the kids are going to love him.  I am especially grateful that he gets to be with Natalie in nursery.  It does my heart good knowing her daddy is in there with her:)

I am so grateful for Easter that represents the resurrection of our Savior.  I am forever in debt and thankful for the huge infinite sacrifice He made for us so that we could all be resurrected.  I am also grateful that He overcame spiritual death so that I too can be forgiven of my sins and imperfections through repentance.  What a wonderful holiday to remember what is most dear and precious to me.  I love my Savior and the blessing he has given to me of my family.

St. George Trip

This past weekend we took a trip with Grandpa & Grandma Landon and Uncle Kelly and his family to St. George. We stayed in a trailer park (yep we was trailer trash for a weekend). We were lucky enough to get to stay in grandpa & grandma's trailer. We had a great time. On Saturday, it was 70 degrees. That was much better compared to the 45 degree weather and snow we left in Eagle Mountain. We went to the "Daughters of Utah Pioneers" museum. It was fascinating, and we think we even found a picture of one of the Landon relatives. Natalie had a blast with her cousins Madison and Kiersten. They helped all weekend with walking around with her and keeping her safe. We even did what Joe was dying to do---go to "In-N-Out"! It was the Landon's and Natalie's first time going. They all enjoyed it-including Natalie. She ate an entire cheese sandwich!! Joe and I were shocked! She enjoyed her chocolate shake too:) I guess we have another Christensen "In-N-Out" fan:) We got to eat on the tailgate of Grandpa's truck because the restaurant was too crowded and there was no place to eat. It actually made it all that more adventurous and we REALLY enjoyed the sun!! Natalie also had her first escapade to a park! She got to try the swing, stairs, and slide. She loved going up and down the stairs and down the slide. It became really windy, so we didn't get to stay long, but she loved it. On the way back to the trailer, we ended up seeing a horse up close and personal. Natalie loved that too. All in all, we had a great time with family and really enjoyed getting away for a weekend. Our dog Porter had a great time too:)

Busy Bee Natalie

Last night we got home from a weekend at St. George. We had a great time which I will add as soon as I download pictures. In the meantime, I thought I would write about our first morning back.

Little Natalie decided first of all to wake up at 4:00 AM. It took about an hour to get her back down, and for the next half hour, she was restless. So, mommy had just crawled back in bed when daddy had to get up for work. Because mommy was so tired when Natalie woke up at 7:00 AM, she decided to let her play for a few minutes in her crib. Big mistake!! Natalie was able to reach her brand new package of wipees and pull them out. By the time mommy got to her 10 minutes later, she had pulled out at least 30 in her crib.

That was our first escapade. After breakfast, Natalie found her favorite "Super Grover" (it's actually mine) shirt. (I should have clued into it being quiet.) Next thing I heard was the toilet seat. I ran into the bathroom to find that she had dunked the "Super Grover" shirt into the toilet and was sucking on the wet shirt (something she likes to do with wet washcloths). Needless to say, mom was "grossed out"!! So, the bathroom floor got an extra washing today-as well as Natalie.

For being awake for only 2 1/2 hours, she certainly is a busy little bee...:) I'm ready for a nap.

P.S. Forgot to mention the 5 poopies she had from 4 AM to 1:00 PM too. She saved it all up from the trip:)

Retired Bishop

Well, he did it!!! My hubby Joe was released Sunday as bishop after 5 years and 2 months! It has been quite the journey. He endured to the end, but I could sure tell he was getting tired. It was fun seeing him on Sunday. He was giddy, smiling, took a nap, and even made ribs for dinner! He loves to cook and hasn't for quite awhile. They were yummy.

I am so proud of Joe. He served the Lord well. We have gone through a lot over the past 5 years. When he was called, he was working Sundays at KSL radio, so we never really have known Sundays together. That is probably why last Sunday was so weird to me to have him home and not at meetings. Natalie enjoyed it too. We are looking forward to having him sit beside us again. Bishops are so amazing with all that they have to do.

Joe and I were reminiscing about all the special moments we have experienced. We love our ward and the members in it. We are also grateful to the Lord for his protection. We realize all the many times we were protected from the adversary and blessed with so many blessings during this calling.

We now look forward to whatever adventures the Lord has in store. Maybe Joe will get to now be in the nursery??:)

Natalie's First Licorice Adventure

Here she is trying her very first licorice. I was hesitant to see what would happen, but I thought, hey, what will it hurt??

She was actually enjoying it!

Cutie Patootie. No, she is not a vampire. None of that in our house!

She enjoyed it sooooo much, she was laughing hysterically!! Hmmmm.....too much?? I love this photo!

Me a Blogger??!!

My first blog entry. Honestly, I NEVER thought I would blog. It never really interested me. Then, my husband mentioned his sister Jen starting one and the biggest reason being to keep a family history and journal. I pondered it for a few days and then felt I needed to do the same. I love to journal, and this is an even funner way to do it. It is even better since I am not a scrapbooker. Honestly, it overwhelms me. So, this is a way to simplify and hopefully put the two together.

It is funny to see how life turns out sometimes. I never thought I would get married as late as I did and then start having children even later. The Lord's timetable is truly not our own. I am grateful though, because He does know what is in our eternal best interest-even when we don't. I have worked as a social worker for thirteen years after getting both a Bachelors and Masters degree in it. A year ago, after finally being blessed with our little Natalie, I made the scariest leap of faith in a long time. I quit working full-time to be a stay-at-home mommy. It wouldn't have been as scary had my husband had a full-time job, but he only had very part-time work. But, in my heart, I knew it was the right thing to do and the Lord kept telling me to do it. I am so grateful I did. It has truly been the best thing ever. Yes, I have had to make some major adjustments and re-discover myself at times, but have never had so much joy. The Lord also blessed my husband a little while later with a full-time job. I am grateful for his love and support throughout the entire experience and for his sacrifice to keep Natalie and I home. It is still tight, but the blessings FAR outweigh everything else. I am so grateful to such a wonderful Heavenly Father that knows better than us. When we put our complete trust in Him, he truly leads and guides us. I am so thankful for His son, the atonement, their love, and eternal families.