Welcome Caleb T Porter

Wow! What a week it was...An exhausting week of roller coaster contractions, two trips to Rexburg (to be close just in case) and back and third times was the charm. Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:10, Caleb decided to join our family. He came fast and I cannot explain in words how relieved I was when I got my epidural and when it was all over.

Caleb is so sweet and we love him to pieces. I just love holding sweet him and he LOVES to be held. He is so cuddly. He's had jaundice but just got off of the Bili blanket. So it has been really fun to hold him without having to worry about keeping that blanket on and in the right spot. The kids just love him. It's so cute to watch them react to him.

A big thank you to my parents who watched the kids while we spent the weekend in the hospital. It was nice to have some alone time with Caleb before we came home to our busy little life. 

Here is a picture OVERLOAD!

I just love baby feet!

aaaaawww

YAY, going home...

Here are some pics of visitors.  My parents managed to leave without a pic of them with Caleb. But they surprised us by bringing my grandpa who doesn't go out much and I never would have expected to be there.

Grandpa Shelton

Very excited siblings!

Just as we were ready to check out Bo's Mom, sister and sis-in-law made a huge detour to Rexburg on their way back to Boise from Provo.

Caleb, we are so grateful to have your sweet little spirit join our family. We can't wait to watch you grow and see what your life will bring.

Christmas 2012

I didn't get my pictures this year for Christmas.  I'm totally bummed.  But, here's a pic from the kids putting a gingerbread house together that our neighbors gave us.

Caution Very Political Post Don't Read if you're Not into That

I'm writing this post with hopes that I will feel better about the election situation. 

Last night was the Presidential election and I had high hopes for Mitt Romney as the new leader of our great country.  It looks like just about half of the nation did too.  But, not quite half.  Of course we know Obama won.  I am so disappointed!!! 

I can't understand why people are happy with the sub par leadership we've had the past 4 years and even the past 6 weeks (while Obama should have been on his best behavior) with Benghazi.  He split the country by putting everyone in to the rich or poor class and told us not to like the rich.  His morals and values are nothing I agree with and I'm actually sick this morning because he is going to be running our country for four more years.

Romney ran a great campaign working tirelessly for our country.  Because HE loves our country and wants to serve and make it better.  He had brilliant ideas about balancing the budget, saving social security and medicare.  Also, reevaluating programs that are already implemented.  Now we will never know how great we really could have gotten in these next four years. 

Judging on the last four yours (yes, as proven through thousands of years, history does repeat itself) we're in for more economy issues, more debt, and more problems around the world. (I truly hope I'm wrong.)

But, on a higher note I am so grateful to be a member of the true church of Jesus Christ.  We know that times will be tough and that's why we are counseled to have our houses in order.  This is all we can do.  We must pray and prepare.  We must have faith in the Lord.  He will guide us in this unsettling time. 

I am so thankful that I can pray for President Obama and all of the leaders of this great nation.   It is under God's direction.  We need to trust in him and that he will do what's best, although it may not be easy.  We need give thanks for our freedoms and everything we are blessed with.  We need to pray that we will come together as a people and nation and fight for the liberties that were established by our Constitution. Our Heavenly Father loves us, we are his children, He wants what's best for ALL of his children.   

Now that I have that off my chest, I am feeling much better. I am going to move forward and look for the positive in America.  And have faith that everything will work out for our family if my house is in order.   No more criticism.  Just a lot of prayers.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Hailey's Baptism

Yesterday was a very special day for Hailey and our family.  A big thank you to everyone who took the time to come celebrate with us.  I know everyone was busy.  And everyone but my parents had to travel to get here.  She was happy to see everyone.

The day started off at 6:10 in the morning with Brayden bouncing off the walls.  I'm not quite sure what that was all about.  We were at the stake center by 8:15 and the baptism started at 9.  We were the last of six wards to go so everyone was a bit wiggly by the time she was baptized.  But, they all enjoyed seeing it.

Hailey said that her favorite part was being baptized because she felt warm inside when it was over.  The confirmation had some great blessings in it.  She was blessed that she would be able to have a clear mind to see the difference between right or wrong.  And have the desire to Choose the right.  And that her family loves her very much.  Hailey remembered that she was blessed to have faith in God.

Then we went and had lunch at the house with family.  There's a bunch of pictures from her special day:

Halloween 2012

Well, Halloween was filled with a great deal of excitement this year.  The adventures started off the Friday before with the Jefferson Elementary Halloween Carnival.  The kids got to dress up and we went to their school.  They got to go to teachers rooms and play games.  They had a blast.

The most memorable thing for them and me was the spook alley.  Everyone but Brayden went through.  Hailey liked it but told me later that "it really was scary".  The boys were freaked out and I wasn't sure they weren't going to have a nervous break down before we got out.  It was funny after the fact.

Tuesday our ward did a Halloween party with dinner, games, and a trunk or treat.  The kids loved it!

The kids all had a party at school and then that night of course they went trick or treating.  I have to be honest, I was so burnt out from getting the kids ready and buying Halloween candy over and over that on Halloween I was super grumpy by trick or treat time.  Bo took the kids and Brayden (he wouldn't put on his costume) and I handed out candy.  They had a blast and I had a much needed break.  Brayden enjoyed opening the door and greeting the visitors.  It was a win win for everyone.

Hailey was an angel:

Conrad and Jackson were both ninja's:

Here they are all together (I'm no so sure what's on Hailey's mind):

I thought these pictures of the boys were so sweet.  I had to add them.

Anyone else think that Halloween is a bit overdone these day? ;)