January Photo Dump

Here are a couple more photos from January I want to get posted. 

 

Josh and Bear hanging, or more probably, Bear tolerating Josh’s “love”.

 

Most nights around 11 pm, Josh comes stumbling out of bed and onto the couch for one last snuggle.  Can’t say that I mind it.

Sledding day at Josh’s preschool

Poor Josh was sick this day and could not get comfy, til he climbed in the dirty laundry where he slept cozily for about an hour.

Nate has had his first indoor soccer season, and played some pretty impressive girls.

 

Our trip to the Ice Castle, so cool!

 

 

And last but not least, is this little trick of Ben’s.

Strength

Last Friday, I had the chance (thanks to Brennan) to go to the Temple.  It had been way too long since I had been, especially to an Endowment session.  I raced there and made it up to the Chapel at 10:29 hoping to make the 10:30 session, but no such luck.  The next one wasn’t til 11:15.  I’ll admit to having a small panic attack for a minute at the thought of sitting in the chapel, phone-less and book-less for 45 minutes.  I’d already read my scriptures that morning and just didn’t know if I had it in me to read the scriptures for 45 more minutes. 
I took a deep breath, calmed myself down and closed my eyes to pray.  It was the perfect opportunity to express the concerns I brought with me to the Temple.  The things I really need guidance on.  I prayed silently for a long time and poured my heart out.  Then I opened the Book of Mormon to the index.  I thought for a minute what one word might sum up what I needed.  It came to me, “strength”.  It was perfect, it’s exactly what I need in my life this year.
In years past I’ve tried to pick one word as my mantra for the year.  I knew right then in the Temple chapel that my word for 2014 is “Strength”.  I started looking up some of the references listed in the index with my word.  I only had time to look up a few, but one of them was, “…yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my god shall be my strength.”  1 Nephi 21:5.   I love that one.   The next one was “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion…” 2 Nephi 8:24.  I wondered what that meant, how do does one put on one’s strength?  The footnote had my answer, in D&C 113: 8 it says, “…and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood…”.  I was so excited, not only did I have my new word, I now had a way to access the strength I need, the priesthood. 
Those 45 minutes flew by.  I went into the session and it was beautiful.  It was a new film and I was completely absorbed and touched by it.   I went home and had a nice mellow afternoon and evening running kids around. 
Saturday was a busy, productive day topped off with a great date with Brennan.  We ate at Dickey’s and had great conversation then went home and watched a movie.  Sunday morning was Fast Sunday.  I knew just what to fast for.  Anna has had some challenges lately so both of us requested a priesthood blessing from Brennan.  He gave each of us a beautiful blessing filled with promises, encouragement and reminders of a tender Father in Heaven’s love for us.  Promises and encouragement regarding specific things that have been on my mind.  Some of which Brennan knew some he didn’t.   I’ll never get over the amazing gift blessings are.  To sit at the hands of someone I love so much and have him then open the door to an all-knowing, perfect Father is just plain miraculous.  I know there are some women who feel sad to miss out on the opportunity of holding the priesthood, but one of my favorite parts of participating in priesthood ordinances is the process of  humbly turning to my husband and asking him to administer his gift in my behalf  and the responsibility he humbly accepts in doing so.  It’s binding in way I can’t describe.
I feel so blessed and so excited and renewed.   I am known and loved and strengthened by Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Birthday, Abigail–Big 13!

January 16, 2014 Abby turned 13!  We officially have two teenagers now.  So weird.  The poor girl woke up very sick on her big day.  It was also one of the last days of the semester and she had all kinds of finals that day.  She was so stressed out about her school work and that she was missing out on the things her friends had planned for her.  Evidently, they all met at her bus stop to sing to her but she wasn’t there .  They also decorated her locker.  I went to her school to talk to her teachers and took pictures of her friends’ darling work.  They decorated the outside too, but it got ruined before I could get to it.  Seeing this picture, brightened her day considerably!

She wasn’t too sick to open presents, so we did that in the morning.  She got mostly clothes and shoes, and curtains. 

It was her year for a friend party, and fortunately we scheduled it the next weekend because of Human Right’s Day weekend.   She was nice and healthy by her party this last Friday night.  We struggled to come up with a theme and something to do, it gets so much harder when they’re older especially in the dead of Winter.  She has such a darling age group and has so many fun, sweet friends her age, most of whom are in our ward.   She ended up inviting 16 girls and all but one came, so we had a LOT of giggly girls here.  It was kind of too many people to try and manage, but I think they all had fun in spite of the chaos.

We finally settled on a game night theme, so I kind of used an Uno card as my inspiration.

 

I also went with the Uno card for the cake:

We had pizza and soda and then Abby opened gifts.  After that cake and ice cream and then happily for me, she took over from there.  They all went downstairs and played spoons, mafia, and murder in the dark.

 

It was a fun night for a great girl!  We love Abby!

Joshyisms

 

Josh has had some good ones lately that I have got to write down before they’re gone forever.  

• A few weeks ago I gave him a haircut.  A day or two later he looked up at me and asked, “Am I still weawing my haiwcut?”

 

• Anna was teasing him and then finally gave him the treat or drink he was trying to get from her.   Once he had it, he said, “You’we a good soul.”

 

• Today he asked, “Mom, is today tomorrow?”

One of my favorite things to watch is when he has our two little neighbor girls, Daisy (4) and Liza (3), and how protective he gets of them.  When it’s time for them to go, he’ll help Liza put her her shoes and coat on and then he’ll tell me he’s going to walk them home.   I love it! 

The other day, when Daisy was over, we caught this:

Oh, and they kept saying, “Yeah, babe.”  Oh dear, who knows where they got that!

We love Josh!

Christmas 2013

I’ve decided that Christmas is a lot like right after having a new baby.  Especially the 3rd or 4th or 5th baby when life no longer stops, when the all the busy-ness and noise and needing marches brutally on.  When I had those babies, everything was heightened.   I listened for and marveled at the tiny breathes and noises the baby made.  Loud noises and especially loud angry noises assaulted my ears and physically pained me.   I loved running my finger down the baby’s soft tiny little face and all it’s adorable features, and kissing his tiny fingers while he so contentedly ate snuggled up to me.   When the 3 year old body-slammed me or draped him or herself around my leg and the 5 or 6 year old pulled my shirt or tapped my shoulder to get my attention it was like having an anvil shoved into my side or tied to my leg, and a hammer driving a nail into my shoulder.  Yes, I’m being a tad bit dramatic, but my point is my sensory system was in overdrive and I could go from celestial bliss to a complete mental breakdown within seconds of each other.   That is to be expected after childbirth.  Hormones are surging, you’re physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. 

What on earth does that have to do with Christmas, you ask?  I feel much the same way at Christmas time.  I love it, I love the juxtaposition of wet, cold, dark outside against, the cozy warmth with soft lights and sparkly objects everywhere you look inside.  I love the softened, open hearts, the giving, the gathering and the music.  I love hanging the cards and letters and remembering how many people I love.   My senses seem magnified.  I can hear the whisperings of the Spirit a little better.  I can see the good in people and see past the worst part of ourselves.  I can feel my heart open up and appreciate the hugs and touch of those I love.   Tears fall easily in gratitude and joy as well as in empathy for others’ heartbreak.   However, I guess that quite honestly, those things don’t come very naturally to me because I find it just plain exhausts me.  There were so many times this holiday season that literally one minute after drinking in a beautiful moment or thought or interaction, I would swing right on over to allowing myself to be super irritated, strung out or even a little bit shut down over the next thought or interaction.   My moods and feelings and actions were just all a bit over the top.  Perhaps, I’m not the only one who does that?  Maybe that’s why January seems to be nationally recognized as the blahest month ever, cause we’re still trying to find our own equilibrium.  We’re still trying to find a balance of taking the good things that made us better and softer from December without bringing the overwhelmed, crazy-eyed, mood-swinging along for the ride for the new year.   I guess the best way to really explain both the new baby and Christmas rollercoaster for me is, those are the times I’m closest to Heaven, to whom I should be, but trying to fit those bits of Celestial-ness into my very Telestial-ness wears me right out.  I really hope I can up my Telestial-ness into some Terrestrial-ness soon and just keep inching closer and closer to Celestial-ness, cause I would love to get to the point where it was a much more natural fit for me.

Now, with all of that out of the way, here are some pictures to show some of those remember those heavenly Christmas moments by:

The hours the kids spent sledding and playing in the snow, and the aftermath

 

Winning over $200 of merchandise from Kohls as Dream Receipt Winner!!!!

A beautiful dinner and singing around Janis’ piano in her beautiful home with my Barker aunts and cousins and picturing my Grandparents’ joy:

Bea’s baby blessing, watching Davis (an all-star uncle) become a Dad to this angelic baby girl and Melissa be such a sweet Mom has made me so so happy.

 

Photo evidence I’m not the only one this season exhausts

Watching Josh’s first preschool program.  Watching him have a very Barker response as he burst into fits of nervous laughter because he was self-conscious.

Some stunning snow storms and driving down my beautiful Main Street.

Christmas tree slumber party (minus Anna this year, she wasn’t feeling well)  Josh’s first.

A sweet Christmas Eve with all us who live here

 

A magical Christmas morning

 

We love Christmas!

Christmas Card 2013

Dear Friends and Families, December 2013

Merry Christmas! We have loved getting all your cards and pictures and letters, keep 'em coming!

Josh is 4 and ½. He started preschool this year and a music class. It's the first time I've had all the kids gone for a few hours a week, and while in theory that makes me a little sad, I have to say in reality I'm quite enjoying those hours! I am, however, happy to still have so many hours with our quirky, sweet boy. He's an affectionate, good natured little companion, but he does have some strong opinions and doesn't appreciate his authority being questioned. Recently, we locked horns on something and when it became apparent I wasn't going to back down, he got desperate and said, “Well,... you'we not even pwetty!” We love Josh.

Ben is in second grade and 7, but counting down the months til April when he turns 8 and can be baptized! He loves sports of all kinds, but especially soccer. He and his siblings and neighbors have spent countless hours in the backyard playing “World Cup” soccer. Earlier this year I was helping in his class reading to the kids in small groups. When his group came around it was Ben and a gaggle of 4 giggly girls. Immediately they started telling me of Katlynn's love for Ben. I looked at Katlynn worried that she might be upset with her friends for outing her, but she looked at me and smiled saying, “It's true, I even wrote in my journal, 'I love Ben.'” Ben just grinned and shrugged his shoulders. Needless to say, we think Katlynn has excellent taste. We love Ben.

Nate is 10 ½ and in 5^th grade. He wants to be with a friend every second of his life and does not understand why I want him home by 6:00ish every night. He too loves soccer and was able to get on a team with most of his favorite friends coached by my cousin. She is an incredible coach, and he has loved every minute of that team. He can't wait to start their indoor season in a few weeks. He loves to watch Soccer, Football and Basketball with Brennan. He is also obsessed with penny boards and told me he literally can't sleep at night because he can't stop thinking and hoping he's getting one for Christmas. I think that Nate and Josh are competing for the world's loudest child. He'll be thrilled to know that he is the definitive leader in that contest. Fortunately, most of what he says so loudly is charming and funny and sweet. We love Nate.

Abigail is almost 13 and a 7^th grader. She has adjusted well to the rigors and adventures of junior high. She even joined the band and plays the trombone. I can't say for sure, but I think the boy-girl ratio (13-2) in the trombone section had something to do with her choice. She actually loves it and even though some afternoons with the dog barking, the trombone blasting, and Josh and Nate being loud is a bit much, it makes me so happy that she loves it so much. FJH has an incredible band program, and she has learned so much from her talented directors. She also still takes Ballet and really enjoys it. In her free time she loves babysitting/earning money so she can go to Station Park (a beautiful big new shopping center nearby) with her friends and shop, shop, shop. We love Abby.

Anna is 15 and a sophomore at Viewmont High School. Getting places on time has never been her strong suit, but she's actually done quite well with her new early departure. I love hearing the mad dash up the stairs and out the door each morning ;). She still loves and plays soccer and is also taking voice lessons. She has a beautiful voice, and somehow doesn't seem to get very nervous when she performs. I told my kids they had to wait til high school to read the Hunger Games series, over the Thanksgiving break she realized she was the legal age and devoured all three of them. Now she thinks she's Katniss Everdeen and carries a pocket knife in her boot, everywhere she can, hoping she'll have to defend herself or other innocents from evil. We love Anna.

We love you all so much and hope you are well! We are also so grateful our Savior and for His grace and love in our lives!

Ward Christmas Program

Last year our ward decided to do something different from cramming our huge numbers into the gym for a sub-par dinner and kids running wild anticipating a long line with a fake Santa and a candy cane.  Our Bishop envisioned something special and set about recruiting many talented people to make it happen.  It was stunning.  It was both elaborate and simple.  It was beautiful.  It was in that same gym, but instead of gaudy décor, there were just chairs and a little platform with microphones.  There were two boys dressed as missionaries talking about being away from home for Christmas and how they could focus on feeling the significance of the season in order to stop dwelling on what they were missing out on.  We were led in some sacred Christmas music.  Then Nephi, the prophet from the American continent at the time of Christ’s birth, appeared and spoke to us about the wicked threatening his people if the sign of the birth didn’t come soon.  Then, he heard that voice, The Voice of the Savior, promising His arrival on the morrow.   Then we had Shepherds testify of their heavenly visitors and joy.  The inn keeper and his wife then came and handed out burlap bags with cheese and grapes as they talked about how sorry they were to only have their stable to offer that poor man and his very expectant wife.  Then we saw the wise men and heard from them about following the star and realizing Herod’s evil intention.  Then the curtains to the stage opened revealing a beautifully made stable and Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus.  As Sarah Asplund sang a beautiful lullaby.  The shepherds and wise men and gigantic wooden camel reverently came in to adore their king.  It was breathtaking.   The costumes were amazing, down to every tiny detail. 

This year, the Bishop wanted to do something along those same lines, but decided the setting should be in the Ferrin/Prince barn.  People worked for hours clearing it out, bringing in bales of hay for seating, bringing in heaters, generators, microphones, lighting, etc.  It was last night and it snowed all day.  It was a beautiful night, the snow plows hadn’t even made it to the neighborhood streets so we decided to walk down the hill to the barn.  The kids jumped on a sled and snowboard.  We trudged down the hill in one of those magically wintry scenes with freshly fallen powder everywhere you looked.  There were people on little 4 wheelers clearing a path to walk to the barn.  We found our bench of hay and settled in as close as we could to help stay warm.  It was so fun to watch neighbors and friends pile into the barn all of us dressed as warmly as possible, with big coats and hats and gloves and rosy cheeks. 

 

The Bishop welcomed us, and after the prayer, two teenage boys talked about trying to find the joy of Christmas.  We sang some songs and then again had Nephi, and then a children’s chorus about the Sign.  Then came the shepherds and a sheep.

Then Anna, and 3 others (Eve and Emily Asplund and Jeremy Wilcox) sang a beautiful rendition of “Angels We Have Heard on High”)

 

Then the children’s chorus again, and the Inn keepers.

Then the Wise Men who also had a real camel!  He was a little shy and stayed in the background, but I got a shot of him later:

Love the cell phone?

Finally, Joseph, Mary and a very real (not very happy) baby. 

It was so neat!  After the program, they had a tent with hot chocolate and cookies.  It was a perfect, beautiful night!