The Kids : Us

Once, a long time ago - I did a post titled "He, She, We" where I talked about Austin, Lydia, then David & I. I thought that maybe I'd do a quick post like that about each of us, except I'd have to call it She, He, He, She, We.

My, how our little family has grown.

Lucy Holland
Often called, Lucy-lou, Lucy-love, or Lucy-goosey. She's starting to sit up like a champ and is just the sweetest girl you could ever imagine. She has a particular attachment to her Uncle Bruce who has been spending a lot of time with her (every Tuesday when we go and visit Cal and Sue and also many Saturdays working on our basement). She loves her siblings. She babbles while Lydia sings to her and sounds like she's singing right along with her. Austin can make her laugh more than anyone or anything else. She tolerates Caleb, which is so good because he adores her and is constantly in her face about something or other.



Caleb Samuel
My favorite thing to ask him is "How old are you?" because he usually thinks about it for just a second or so, then manages to hold his fingers up and says "I'm two!" He's just so pleased about being two. He also fully embraces his two-ness. He explores, makes messes, and appreciates the simple things of life. He has the biggest cheesiest grin and I love it and him, so much.

Austin Scott
He's been working on Upstart, a computer preschool, since August and he's really been enjoying it. His very favorite part is in the science section where he has tracked a chicken from an egg, through hatching, until it's full grown. He told his speech teacher all about it and made sure to give her reports (including pictures) of his chicken's progress. He is such a great little helper. The other day I asked for his help to bring the groceries inside from the car. He was so helpful in carrying things inside. I took Lucy upstairs to put her down for a nap before putting everything away and when I came down he and Caleb had put ALL the bags of things away. There were only a few things in the wrong spots (like Pillsbury biscuits in the pantry instead of the fridge). It was so kind of him and I was so grateful.  He loves the simplest things. He saw this airplane fabric at the fabric store when we were shopping for fabric for a Christmas present and decided that he loved it. He talked about it every time we went back, but it's about $20 a yard. It was so sweet. (update: He ended up getting a yard of fabric from Grandma Peaden for Christmas. Not a blanket or anything, just fabric. It was one of his most prized gifts.) He's always creating and "inventing" things and talks about wanting to be a builder or a machine maker when he grows up and he's well on his way. Okay, last thing: The other day he asked David to make macaroni and cheese with him (He's a great chef). They cooked it up together then ate it together. Austin chatted to David the whole time and I looked over to see them, Austin explaining (in detail) a plot twist in a recent Wild Kratts tv episode. It was just so sweet to watch them. Austin is wonderful at this age. Big emotions, but immense love, and incredible learning and growing. 

Lydia Elise
Her favorite color is brown because she loves dogs and a lot of dogs are brown. That's only the tiniest indication of how much she loves dogs. She fearlessly approaches dog owners while we are out and about and asks them what breed their dog is (first guessing herself what breed it is - usually she's right.) She's the best older sister, constantly taking care of Lucy, reading books to Caleb, and playing with Austin. Man, we are just so lucky to have her in our family. She sleeps all spread out, and frequently falls out of her bed. In the picture below, she is half out of her bed and still totally asleep.  She is stubborn.stubborn.stubborn. But David's Grandma McAllister always said, "I'm not stubborn I'm just persistent." So she gets it from David, for sure. (Ha.) And I try to remember that she's smart and growing SO much and that her persistence will be a positive thing for her in her life. And for as stubborn as she can be, she is equal parts sweet. She made this sweet wall hanging for us for Christmas "Love in your home". The last picture wraps her up perfectly. "I am so happy. {dog picture}."



Us:
The "we" in this adventure. It's sometimes hard to believe that together we've created this family of four kids. In some ways our lives are completely different than they were ten years ago, but in other ways, things feel exactly the same. We still just love to be together more than anything else. Some things that we like to do together right now: -watching hallmark movies after our kids go to bed. -reading books and cuddling on the couch. -working together (working on our basement took ALL of our extra time through the fall and I'm SO glad that we took a break for the holidays, but even that is enjoyable when we are doing it together. David brings me home donuts from work, makes me laugh, rubs my back as I fall asleep every night while he reads his book or watches sports, (he rarely watches sports during the day because he wants to spend time with his family and saves it for after we are all asleep) encourages me to do my best, and makes me feel like a million bucks for doing the smallest things. As I was writing this, I realized that I could think of a hundred things that David does for me and barely any that are noteworthy that I do for him. I mentioned that to him and he said "You leave me treats on my shelf, you write nice notes to me, you make special dinners that you know I will like, you let me watch special sports games while you put the kids to bed, you laugh at my jokes." We have such a happy life together, and I think the key is that we are always trying to serve and love the other one (combined with ample amounts of thinking the best of them and being quick to apologize and quick to forgive). It's easy to give 100% to the other person when you know they are giving 100% right back to you. I'm just really glad that we are in this together. There's no one I'd rather be "US" with.

Provo City Center Temple

Today was the dedication of the Provo City Center temple and it was beautiful. We were able to attend the open house earlier this month as a family and the whole experience was just really neat. Lydia was so excited to be able to go into the temple and look at everything. I loved the way the designers/building planners had utilized all of the space and how they had carried the pioneer details throughout the building. It was incredible. The way they combined the historical beauty with the sheer magnitude of the modern architectural feats. (Hello, gutting the entire building, putting it on stilts, adding a massive amount of underground building and parking, and turning a pioneer tabernacle into a temple of the Lord complete with all necessary ordinance rooms and office/other rooms.) 

I think that all temples are beautiful and wonderful. But this temple is such a symbol of the atonement to me. Something that was so beloved, a tabernacle built by a group of people by hand as a place to worship their God, used for generations and loved by all. Then burned, ruined, by a terrible fire. I remember reading about the fire and feeling heartbroken. I never attended church there, but the loss of such a beautiful building so full of history is devastating. But the announcement that the Provo Tabernacle would be turned into a second temple in Provo brought so much joy and jubilation. I can scarcely believe it's true - even today. What a wonderful, kind, intelligent, loving, being our Lord is to create this opportunity. 

I feel that there is so much symbolism between us and our eternal potential. There is a poem that was written about the Tabernacle being rebuilt as a temple. I've included it at the end of this post because I love it. The last line reads: "If from the ashes God repurposed this building I see, How much more will He heal and re-purpose me?" 

-------------

When I was born in 1987. There were 41 temples in operation, the most recent being the Frankfurt Germany Temple dedicated in August of 1987. (When David was born, there were only 29 temples, the most recent being the Manilla Philippines Temple dedicated in September of 1984, with the number reaching to 30 with the dedication of the Dallas Texas Temple just a week and a half after David was born.) With the Provo City Center Temple dedication today there are now 150 temples in operation. What a miracle and a blessing that is. What an amazing time to be a follower of Christ and to belong to His church. When I think about how long and hard the saints worked for those first temples in the latter days it makes the number of temples built during my life seem almost unreal. 109 temples in my lifetime. (121 in David's lifetime.)  What a miracle. The work of the Lord is rolling forth and it's blessing lives all over the world.

The dedication was performed by Elder Oaks. We were able to attend the live streaming of the 9 o'clock session. I wish I had brought a pencil and paper, but I had thought that because it was a temple dedication that would be frowned upon. However, there were some beautiful truths shared about the connection between the temple and the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

I'm so grateful to have been able to attend this dedication with David. I feel especially blessed today as I reflect on the numerous dedications I've been able to be a part of via technology/broadcast. It's easy to take for granted because it's so much a part of life - but today, I feel a deep appreciation for temples and this time in history where temples are dotting the earth. I love the temple and am incredibly grateful for the temple blessings that bind me to my family and bring me closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Because of the Fire

By Ryan M. Hawks

At the center of the busy, bustling town, 

The tabernacle sat silent with a solemn frown. 

Where poignant thoughts were once daily spoken, 

Had been ravaged by flames and left black and broken. 

As snowflakes fell on her chipped, charred facade, 

The edifice raised it's voice up to God. 

"How could you do this? Where did you go?
Why did you leave me damaged like so? 

"Through my doors came sinners who yearned to be whole, 

And here, troubled hearts found balm to their souls, 

"Once I echoed with music from the floor to each spire, 

But the echoes have faded because of the fire."

God gently replied, "Someday you'll see 

That I have a holier purpose for thee." 

Soon there came craftsman of every kind, 

Bearing the best that this world could find, 

To replace what was lost, and make them brand new, 

A transformation of which God only can do. 

A new foundation was poured, and they strengthened each wall, 

They rebuild the spire in the center tall. 

Sooted bricks were cleansed - each one deflawed

And repurposed to raise a temple of God. 

Where sinners turned saints still seek to be whole, 

And burdened hearts rest and find peace to their souls. 

The tabernacle-turned-temple now stands with a smile, 

Seeing the heartache was worth all the while. 

These words fill her rafters: "Now do you see?

Not once did I forsake or forget about thee. 

"In your darkest of hours, or blackest despair, 

I never left you - I was always still there. 

"I knew what you needed to reach even higher,
But I needed to first purify you with fire. 

"I give now to you this sweet, solemn task: 

Stir the hearts who come near with this question to ask: 

"If from the ashes God repurposed this building I see, 

How much more will He heal and re-purpose me?" 

Thanksgiving 2014

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving this year. I can't express enough how grateful I am for the blessings that we have, especially for the family that we have. 

We started our Thanksgiving in Morgan. We celebrated on Saturday so that everyone could spend a good amount of quality time together. We made and ate delicious food and the boys even were able to squeeze in a couple of games of foozball. Unfortunately, Lydia was feeling a little under the weather so she spent most of the time in the corner laying on her blanket. 

It was Mom's birthday the following day, so we had a little celebration for her. I hope that she knows just how much she is loved, because it's a lot. 

After we had finished digesting, someone suggested playing Mario Cart - which then evolved into having a massive bracket competition involving all of the Wii games. We started with racing, moved on to Dance-Dance, then hit up Wii Sport Bowling. It was SO fun, and even though we only made it through a few games, it was a blast. David and I miraculously ended up winning, mostly because I love Dance-Dance and David is an incredible Wii Bowler. We took last place in racing.  

It was fabulous, and we are already excited to continue the competition at Christmas. 

The following day we did a little Christmas decorating and (after Lydia started feeling a bit better), Lydia and Camille had loads of fun playing together.  #cousinsmakethebestfriends #matchingshirts #dontletthegrumpyfacefoolyou

Thanksgiving was continued a few days later at the Peaden Home where we ate more delicious food and spend time with more wonderful family, although we weren't as good at taking pictures. We were especially glad to be able to spend some time with these guys who flew in from Indiana just in time for Thanksgiving Dinner. 

We also met our newest little niece Jaycee. She and Austin are only 5 weeks apart. I'm so happy to have a little cousin so close in age. I just know that these guys are going to be great friends.
#asisaid #cousinsmakethebestfriends

All the cousins, minus Zachary who couldn't make it. 

It was a wonderful holiday for our little family. We feel so blessed to be surrounded with so many people we love and to have so much bounty in our life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Walker Pumpkin Carving 2014

This year our annual pumpkin carving was held at our house and it was wonderful. I really love that Melissa and Matthew are both down here so close (and only wish that Jenna was a bit closer). We missed our Oliver Family, but they were all in Wisconsin for Mikelle's mission farewell. (We wish we could have been there, but wish her the very best! She's going to be a wonderful missionary.) It was nice to be at home, considering our brand new baby - and we had a wonderful time together, eating Cheesy Potato Soup and carving pumpkins. 

Before we got started, I asked David to go outside and take pictures of our pumpkins. We grew these beauties in our "garden" this year and I am SO proud. The pumpkin plants basically took over the entire upper left side of our yard, but it was worth it to have the satisfaction of carving a pumpkin that we grew ourselves! Lydia is obviously very proud as well. (She especially loved the tiny ones.)

Then it was pumpkin carving time. We found this pretty awesome power-tool attachment at Cornbellys and had to buy it for our extravaganza. It looks like a giant beater and once attached to a drill, guts a pumpkin in seconds. It was awesome! 

 

 

 

  

We carved one pumpkin between the four of us. I remember when I was little, my parents would carve pumpkins for themselves, and then carve pumpkins for me and Jenna. They were awesome. We are a little weaksauce. However, we do our best. And bless David for being so wonderful to put up with me. I just really really wanted a good picture of the four of us and our pumpkin. The first picture we took had Lydia with her finger in her nose, so I asked to take another, and another and another. None of them were living up to my "perfect" picture expectation and I was really disappointed. However, when looking back at them, even though none of them are perfect- I actually really like them anyway. 

  

 And here are all of the pumpkins and all of our wonderful family (save Jacob, who is serving in the Edmonton, Canada Mission - note the missionary pumpkin and CEM/Maple Leaf pumpkin). We sure love these guys. 

We also had a little birthday party for David. We all love him.   

And, the first round of "cousin pictures" with all three cousins!  

 

I don't know that any of us really love carving pumpkins more than the average person. But we certainly do love getting together, and this is one of my very favorite traditions. There are so many memories from carving pumpkins through all the years of my childhood - I hope that Lydia and Austin are able to grow up with those same wonderful memories carving pumpkins with their cousins. 

Happy Pumpkin Carving!