Hyrum is 6!!

A quick recap for those who don't know my life before my wonderful husband Jake and I married this past June,...here it goes.

I was married before for just over 7 years from '03-'10. During those 7 years we had two beautiful little boys. Caden is my oldest. He was 3 the last that I saw his beautiful smile and held his sweet body in my arms. Little Hyrum was just over 1 and as I recall was distracted with playing more then wanting to say goodbye to mom and dad that day. He of course had no understanding of the change that was occurring that day in all of our lives. My angels would be taken care of by my best friend all growing up, my little sis Lindsey and her hardworking country boy husband Josh. They are some of the most courageous, loving, selfless people that I know. When I had become too sick to care for my little ones and my ex was unable to parent them in a way that we both felt that C and H deserved. We made the most difficult decision of our lives, but because of the shaky future ahead we decided it would be best to give them a more secure situation where they would still be unconditionally loved and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. My wonderful sister and her good husband decided to take on that huge responsibility and challenge. I am and will always be eternally grateful for the love and care that they give my little boys!

I miss my sweet boys everyday but I miss them so much more during this time of year. Hyrum turned 6 years a couple days ago and like every year since I had Hyrum I wonder about all the little details that happens around his birthday. I picture in my head what it might be like. I wondered this year if he got to celebrate it in kindergarten with cupcakes or something. Maybe he got to wear one of those paper hats all day to help him feel special and loved. I wonder if he's like his grandpa R and eats chocolate cake without any frosting on it. I wonder what he wishes for when he blows out the candles or if he's so excited that he just ends up blowing them out without making a wish at all. I wonder if he knows if I give him a gift, if he even likes what I get him. Have you ever tried to give someone a thoughtful, loving, fun gift when you haven't seen them, or spoke to them for 5 years?...it's a little challenging for me, but I'm grateful that Lins and Josh are willing to let me send H and C something each year. I enjoy every little small detail I get to learn about how C and H are doing. I am so grateful that all of my family still gets to be a part of their lives.

This year I was able to receive a gift a little bit of a memory, not much, but it's more than I've had before and I wanted to write it down so I would never forget it again. (Because of treatments that I have had I have forgotten almost all of Hyrum's first year of life, and well much more of my life but I ache to remember the good times I had when I was with my boys more than any other memory I have lost because of these treatments.) My memories are a little scattered so bear with me please.

I had a dream when I was pregnant with Hyrum which is the reason why I chose Hyrum to be my sons name. He is named after Hyrum Smith Joseph's brother because I knew from this dream that like Hyrum was to Joseph my H would have a huge impact and be a great support to his older brother and his others siblings. He would be calm and strong and be able to bring everyone together and keep the sibling bond strong. I of course thought this was regarding C and any other children that I would have in the future, but it makes perfect sense now that H is now living in the Chambers family. Where they now have added two little boys of their own to the mix and maybe add a few more in the future.

I remember that I started contractions late in the morning of the 11th. I had my mother take me to the hospital later that afternoon because my ex was working and would be working late into the night. She took C for his first of many sleepovers and grandma and grandpa R.'s house. I was anxious that day. I didn't want you to be born on the 11th because of the awful attacks that happened to America 5 years previous, but mostly I was anxious for his father to make it there in time for the birth.

H came after a lot of pushing and hard work at 1:14am Tuesday Sept. 12 with his dad by my side. He even cut the cord. I was beyond exhausted. I was shaking, not from being cold but being so weak and tired.

I remember when they placed H in my arms. I cried. He was soooo beautiful. I was so grateful he was here and safe. I remember feeling that peace that you can only feel when holding a new born in your arms. He had just been near our Maker. It was so peaceful and incredible. It was amazing and way too short!!! The nurse took H away because though he'd gave a small cry when they first put him in my arms that was it, they became concerned. H was fine. Oh, how I wish they would have let me hold him longer. It was a perfect moment of love and peace that I felt for my new sweet son.

My sister Crystal brought C to meet his new brother. C loved H and was trying to share his cars with him. :) C was a little nervous with me being in the hospital bed I believe. He didn't really want to come near me. Though when C left he finally gave me a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

H's dad went back to work later that day. Came back to get us the following morning to take us home.

C & H Sept. 12 2006

So Handsome!!

Wide awake. :)

Cheez'n it!

Thanks Crystal for these wonderful pictures! 

It's Fall Already,...NNNNnnnnnooooo!!!

Early Fall: taken by our friend Ashley Lake

Normally I'm a fall person.
 I love the fall, the cooler nights for evening walks, camp fires, hoodies, hot chocolate, and especially the the color changes of nature.
 The warm yellow, deep red, and burnt orange warm my soul, but this year I am dreading...well actually not dreading fall just the rains that come after this beautiful season.

 I have felt this year that I have been jipped of my summer.
 My back has kept me from doing almost everything that I love to do in the summer time. Camping, hiking, adventures, rock climbing, biking, I would even go for a good run outside, but no every time that I have tried to push myself and do these things I'm in bed for at least a couple of days afterwards hating the very thing that I once loved.
 Since I am feeling deprived of the summer I wanted I am not ready for the leaves to change color, the air to become more crisp. I only want more time to enjoy the summer breeze and not be cooped up in our apartment because of the never seeming to end rains that come during the winters here.

Regardless of my desire for things not to change, change it will.

And while I am cooped I will work on healing my back so that next summer I may feel more fulfilled and rejuvenated.

Black Heads be Gone....NOT!

I decided to try this recipe I found on Pinterest, because well the ingredient seemed safe and I already had what I needed. All it asked for was a lemon and some honey. I didn't have a lemon but used lemon juice instead. Just mix together. Wash your face and put it on. 

Using just the juice made it a little runnier than I imagine putting honey on the lemon and then rubbing on your face, but it worked. Waited about 20 minutes and then rinsed it off with cold water.

Can you tell how red my face is....should have got a before picture,..but didn't think about it tell it was too late. PS: Are my eyebrows off and no one told me?!

Another Pinterest idea....funny thing is that this pin no longer works...apparently someone else tried it too. Thankfully no bad reaction happened to me except for a red face, but that went away within a day or so. :) After the redness went away I didn't notice any change, just had a sticky and a little stinky experience is all.

Favorite Product: The Amazing Cheese Slicer!!

I was raised having one of these beauties and it's been years since I've used one. When Jake and I were doing our wedding registry I looked desperately to find one of these to put it on...but Walmart doesn't have this kind of cheese slicer. I was not going to go without, any one who's everyone knows that me and a knife aren't the best of friends. So this is a safe and effective way for me to get yummy cheese without having lopsided sandwiches, grilled cheese is now even and yummy thanks to this fabulous tool. 

I searched in every store that we were given a gift card for...Target (nothing), JCPenneys (nadda), Kohl's (so disappointed), even Sears (lame). Thankfully a store that I knew very little about had my treasure. This cheese slicer is found in Bed, Bath, and Beyond. If I recall correctly it was around $14, and worth every penny!! Happy slicing everyone!!

Easiest Pillow Makeover Ever!

Another Pinterest find. I love how it turned out. I needed to get me some pillows to give me some better back support while sitting in our chairs and since I don't have a sewing machine and don't know how to do much more than sew a button on a shirt this was the perfect little find.

Got those pillows at a great find at Goodwill for $2 each and there Feather . Booyah!  Also the cute fabric I got at an amazing price at JoAnn's 3 yards for $3.50. Oh yeah!

I had JoAnn's cut the 3 yards into 2 1 1/2 yards. Since that's what I needed to cover each pillow. Then laid out the fabric and put the pillow in the middle.

Fold each half towards the pillow. Making sure that it folds in the middle.

Fold both edges like you would a present.

Next bring both ends towards the pillow.

Tie a not.

Tuck the ends around the not hiding the edges. I was a little worried that the not would easily come undone, and maybe it would need to be sewn if I had kids throwing them around but for Jake and I it stays put.

Wish you could see the details better. I love how the fabric  looks. :)

So simple, and what a difference for $5.50. Makes me happy!

Temple Dates

Jake and I decided we both would like to take advantage of living so close to the temple. For me it is an again but this is definitely the closest Jake has ever lived to a temple. So when we were engaged and planning for our future we made it a goal to go to the temple once a week. Now we haven't been perfect. The temple was cleaned for a couple of weeks soon after we were married and there has been one or two weeks were things just didn't seem to work out. Thankfully though we have done well. I enjoy these dates just as much as I do our 'other' weekly dates. Last week, we ended up taking too much time sitting in the Celestrial room and so Jake ended up being late for work. Oopsy! So that very day I got out my beads and made me a watch so that we wouldn't let that happen again. Don't want there to be a reason that we miss out on giving a little service each week. :)

Simple, but I like it. 

On our way out the door to go to the temple. :)