Paxton's 6th Birthday

Paxton is growing up.  He is really turning in to such a fun little boy.  He has a great little personality and I just wish that I knew what was going on in that little brain of his.  He definitely keeps me on my toes.

Happy 6th Birthday to my little man!

He is getting really good at saying No! But we are still struggling to get any other sounds out of him.  But No is progress!

Conner's Special Day

 I cannot believe that this day has come and that I am old enough to have a child this old.  Conner was baptized on January 7th.  I am so proud on my little boy.  He is so sweet and has such a kind and caring spirit.

Grandma Olsen

Once again, I never thought this day would come but on January 16th, my amazing Grandma Olsen passed away.  She had been sick and was transferred up to the hospital here in Provo.  She spent several days in the hospital and was just not able to recover.

My grandma was an amazing lady.  I look up to her in every way and she was such a wonderful example to me.

One of my most memorable moments of my grandma was right after Paxton was born and Conner was just barely 2 years old.  I was having a really hard time because Paxton had just been released from the hospital and Conner decided that he didn't need to take naps anymore.  It was in the afternoon and I was really tired and struggling with Conner trying to get him to take a nap and Paxton was fussing and crying in the other room.  I honestly didn't know what I was going to do with myself and I didn't think that I could make it through the day when my grandma just showed up at my door.  I had no idea that she was coming but it was the perfect moment.  She sat down and read books to Conner for a long time and gave me the time that I needed to take care of Paxton.  She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren so much and I am so grateful that Conner was able to really get to know her and spend time with her.

This is just one of the many wonderful memories I have of my grandma.  I wish miss her so much and am sad that my children won't have the memories that I have of her.  I hope that they will be able to remember how wonderful she was.  

Right after Ryder was born

This is at our families cabin.  Often when we were up there on a Sunday we would have a little devotional. 

Good & Bad

We had quite a major change in our family in January.  Mark was unfortunately laid off from his job.  We had no idea that this was going to happen and quite a shock for us.  In the end, even though it was extremely hard, we both knew that it was for the best.  He really enjoyed the work but it was time for a change.  Mark is such a great worker and has so many talents that we knew that he would be able to find something and after just a couple weeks he was able to get a job with a good company that he really looks forward to working with for a long time.

I was also able to get the most perfect job for me.  I started working as a customer support person for a online tax preparation company.  I get to work from home and it couldn't have come at a better time.  It is just for the tax season but it works out perfectly for me.  I am so grateful that I stumbled on this job and that it worked out so well for me.

Needless to say, January was very stressful but I have really felt so blessed during this time.  We are so grateful for wonderful family and friends that care so much about us and really show their love for us in so many ways.  We are truly blessed!

January 2012

January got off to a great start for us.  Paxton came down with some sort of Pox virus.  It didn't seem to bother him but he just looked awful.  He's a trooper though.  I can't believe how well he handles all of the things that he goes through.  He is one amazing little boy.

I decided to join a few friends in a Photography challenge for the month of January.  I did pretty good for the first week or so but then life got pretty crazy and I didn't finish it out.  I'm sad that I didn't but I did have fun with what I did do and learned a little more about how to use my camera.  Here are a few of the pictures I took.