A Mom to a Teenager?

I am officially the mom to a teenager! Lexie turned 13 today and man I feel old.....

This little angel

has grown into the most beautiful young women ever.  

I love her so much.  She is super sweet and sensitive to the needs of others.  She is literally my right hand and I don't know what I would do without her.  She is most definitely not your average teenager!  Happy birthday sweet girl!  

This is a birthday party year for the kids and she was going to have one last Saturday but an impromptu trip to Texas has postponed it a little.  We had a family celebration for her today.

13 candles on dairy free cupcakes! 

this is what Ashton, Abbie and Myles got for her....

I want to take a picture of you with your present.... hold it up by your face!

gift card to Joann's-- some girls favorite store ever!

We also got her the latest Ipod nano but it didn't get here in time for her birthday.

You Don't Know What You Have Until It's Gone...

I know that it is cliche, but it is SO true.  Jake's older brother, Nathan, suffered a massive stroke last Sunday morning.  He is 39.  He has a wife, Sara, three rambunctious boys and an adorable little girl. When Jake and Lexie left for Texas Sunday he was not expected to live.  He defied that, but he will never be the same.  He will never hold his sweet kids again, or kiss his wife, or sit up in bed, or talk.  At least that is the prognosis for now.   The back half of his brain is completely gone, and the swelling is still spreading.  He is a fighter so he may be able to defy the doctors and science eventually but for now he answers yes and no questions by blinking his eyes.  He has to use a ventilator to regulate his breathing.  For all intensive purposes the Nathan that every one knew is gone, he will never be the same.  My heart aches for Sara and the kids, for Jake and the rest of his siblings.

Nathan and Jake (taken when Jake was working in Texas about 2 years ago)

Nathan and Sara's family 

Spinning Circles

While this post could be all about me and how some days I feel like I am just spinning circles not really get that much accomplished even though I am putting forth a lot of effort, but its not.
It's about cute Myles and how much he is learning and growing.  I can't believe how fast time is flying. Myles was hanging out on his tummy, which he really quite likes (a lot more than any of my other kids) and I was taking some pictures of him, when he started trying to crawl towards me and ended up going around in a circle.  I never moved from where I was while I was taking these pictures.  It was so cute to watch him.

Oh, and he has found his feet.  I call it ruining socks.  

can't wait until the weather gets warmer so he can go barefoot and stop stretching out his socks.

Easter Eggs

During Spring Break we dyed Easter Eggs.  It is a Christiansen tradition that each kids gets a dozen eggs to dye, then they eat some of them and roll some of them.  So I always get each kid a dozen eggs, well each of the three older kids, I decided that Myles really didn't need 12 of his own eggs this year.  We didn't have anywhere to roll the eggs this year anyway because of how much snow we still have so it was probably for the best.  After the few broken ones and one egg donated to Myles, the other kids had 11 each.  Plenty.
I love how much the kids love dyeing the eggs.

Turing this....

into this.

It's like a little bit of magic

and I love how it brings our family together in a fun afternoon activity. 

Spring Break

Man am I ever behind on here, I guess that is what happens when you have a cat napping baby.  Myles rarely sleeps for more than 30 minutes at a time no matter what I try (unless I am holding him) so that leaves very little time to do such things as catch up on my blog.  But thats okay I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I'm relishing every single second with this little guy.
Anyway back to spring break.... it was the week before Easter here, and the weather was very un-spring like.  We had snow and cold so we tried to be creative with things indoors.  We played a lot of games, went roller skating with some friends and got ready for Easter.  Here are a few pictures from skating.

This place is kinda old, but still pretty fun.  They have scooter and bikes, skates and blades, and even like bikes for toddlers to ride on.

Here is Ashton trying roller blades for the first time, he did great!

Even Abbie did skates

After a while the kids gave up on skating and just starting climbing everything.

How We Watched Conference

The kids made a King Benjamin-like tent out of the pool table. 

 (really the only thing that giant beast is ever used for is making tents, it's not ours it's our landlords and it just gets in the way and takes up a massive amount of space)

Myles was really good and I got to listen A LOT even though I had to entertain the baby.

Kissy Face!

There were so many wonderful talks, I really don't think I could pick a favorite, but my favorite quote from conference was this....

We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time.

I bear testimony that living an obedient life, firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, provides the greatest assurance for peace and refuge in our homes. There will still be plenty of challenges or heartaches, but even in the midst of turmoil, we can enjoy inner peace and profound happiness. I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the source of that abundant peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 Elder RIchard G Scott