Back to the Books

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to "Get Back to the Books!" I graduated from BYU with a BA degree in English. All I did was read and write, read and write, read and write. I LOVED it! After I graduated I was so excited to read books of my own choice! But did I? Nope! I got lazy with my reading. I have really missed reading great books, and I am so excited about this resolution. It is simply adding something back into my life that I already love. And what a GREAT start?! My goal was to read one book per month, but this month I actually had enough time for 2! It's my intent to rotate genres: Contemporary/Political or Current Events/Spiritual/Classical/Educational. I've got Contemporary and Political under my belt--on to the next! I've decided to include one or two of my favorite quotes from each book I read this year.

"I often told the kids to ask themselves: What gets you excited to wake up in the morning? Is it science? Art? Children, animals, sports, mechanics? What is the desire of your heart? God put those in you not to tease or frustrate you--He created them in you to give you direction! To put you on the right path--He bridles your passion! So stop and think about what you love to do, then look for signposts along the way that confirm you're on the right path to doing that--doors opening, people with your best interests at heart supporting what you're doing. As I rocked my daughter all those dark nights, I knew that what still stirred passion in me was the desire to make a positive difference for others, not just in my family and community but in the wider world as well. "

"And finally, thanks to Todd, Track, Bristol, Willow, Piper, Trig, and Tripp. You are my reason for living. I breathe you. If everything else were to all go away, as long as I have you, then life is good. I look at you and see miracles in all your lives and know there is a God. And I do know there is a God. My life is in His hands. I encourage readers to do what I did many years ago, invite Him in to take over...then see what He will do and how He will get you through. Test Him on this. You'll see there's no such thing as a coincidence. I'm thankful for His majestic creation called Alaska, which has given me my home, and for His touch on America, which has given us all so many opportunities. By His grace, an American life is an exraordinary life."

"I join you in standing up for what is right. Remember that as your voice is heard and your spine is stiffened, the spines of others are stiffened too."

I don't have any quotes to copy, but I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and very entertaining. I'll probably read the next book in this series when I come back around to this genre again. I recommend it!

Seeing the World in Color

Recently Annabelle has been associating kids with the colors they're wearing. After nursery last Sunday, I asked her who she played with. She replied that she didn't play with "the pink one," and that "the purple one was sitting down by the kitchen." Today on the way home from the gym, where she had played in the child care center, she told me "Mom, the orange one was crying."

Adorable!

Memory Monday

I realize it's Tuesday, but I want to start a new aspect of my blog titled "Memory Monday." Each Monday I'm going to write about a memory I have, whether it be special, touching, funny, etc. During the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I oftentimes find myself thinking back to times past. Sometimes I am taken WAY back, and at other times I am simply thinking about the most recent week and its good and hard times, wishing I would've done or said something different, or even wishing I could re-live moments that truly make life worth living. Memory Monday is designed for the recording of those random thoughts and feelings, at least some of them. And even though today is not Monday, I didn't want to wait a whole week to begin.

My initial entry is a memory that has been passing through my mind daily, I should say nightly. The above picture is my Grandma Smith, who passed away a few months ago. This picture is of her and Annabelle the week before Josh left for Afghanistan. This picture makes me cry. I really miss my grandma--I miss seeing her, talking with her, eating with her, and having Annabelle know her. I also miss my baby. Annabelle is growing up so fast, and I swear she was this small for 2 seconds...or less. I simply miss having my grandma here as part of my life and my daughter's life.

The memory that keeps coming to my mind is of her funeral, and the song the grandkids sang together: "Because I Have Been Given Much." That song has taken on a whole new meaning to me since that experience. I can't listen to it without crying, but more importantly the words seem written for her. I hadn't realized that until I was up on the stage singing, reading the words as if I had never heard the song before. It was an emotional moment and one I'll never forget. At night when I sing to Annabelle I try to sing this song to her when we're rocking. Of course I always choke up, but the words always remind me of how I can make her proud and honor her legacy. Because that song fit her so well, I feel I can sing it and feel her close to me, that she is revealing the ways I can make her happy. The song is a comfort, a reminder, and something that will continue to bring her spirit into my life whether I'm singing it or hearing it on the radio, on Temple Square, or at church.

The first verse reminds me how blessed I was to have this AMAZING woman for a grandma: "Because I have been given much I too must give. Because of thy great bounty Lord each day I live, I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see, who has the need of help from me." During the second verse, I feel I am singing to her: "Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care, I cannot see another's lack and I not share. My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof-safe shelter overhead. That he too may be comforted." The third verse is a comforting reminder of what I can do to see and be with her again, what she did during her life to warrant such praise: "Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord, I'll share that love again according to thy word. I shall give love to those in need, I'll show that love by word and deed. Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."

I love her. I miss her. I can't wait to see her again, and I hope through this song I can always remember how to ensure that wonderful greeting!

Dear Diary: I Love "Up!"

Dear Diary:

"I love the movie 'Up!' Little Russell has found a special place in my heart, and this is the very first movie that has EVER made me cry--not because it's scary (between you and me I LOVE the scary parts of movies, and feel more like laughing than crying--wink wink). You see, Russell is different. I feel what he feels, and I worry when he leaves the picture, wondering where he is and if he's ok. I want him to be happy--not sad. I guess that's why I cry when I can't see him or when he seems sad. I'm always so happy at the end, when everything works out for him and he is smiling! I think I like 'Up' as much as 'Tinkerbell' and 'Ice Age!'

Love Always;
Annabelle Alyse

Be Quiet!

The other day I put Annabelle down for a nap. After about 15 minutes of silence, I heard her yelling "Be Quiet!" Over and over again she yelled...at the barking dog outside her window! :)

Best Friends Forever

"He is my Best Friend"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! We had the BEST New Year's Eve! We decided to have a big sleepover at my parents' house. Food, fun and games were in abundance, but not as abundant as the laughter! It is somewhat rare for my family to play games together--not sure why, but it probably has something to do with babies and limited time with just the adults. However when we break out the occasional game, there is never a shortage of laughs and fun! Between my mom and dad's cheating, sneaky tricks, different couples getting upset with each other for various reasons, and most of all...watching challenges and dares enacted by very unwilling participants, it is SO funny and memorable!

On New Year's Eve we decided to start the party off with a round of "Would you Rather?" I thought it'd be boring, but little did I know the fun that awaited us. I was forbidden from taking any pictures, but hilarious memories of Brady shaking his money-maker on all 4's while making disgruntled and angry comments, Angie doing her best belly dance possible, and Brad holding a pickle on his nose for a full round of play are just as permanent as the real digital photographs! :) Too bad I can't pass them onto posterity! After one round of that game, no one would agree to a second :)

We moved on to the 24 DVD game--who wouldn't want to help Jack Bauer solve a case?! Well, for whatever reason, the game was slow to respond to our commands, and everything from the character to the remote to the game itself was labeled as broken, stupid, lame, and incompatible. This also provided lots of laughs, as each person took their turn unsuccessfully trying to get their character to respond to commands via the remote, and each person expressed their frustration using one of the aforementioned labels...as if the rest of the group didn't already know it was the remote that was causing their unexplained failure :) The end result of this game was also major laughter...and an early stop time :)

We stayed up a little while longer, waiting for the ball to drop. By "We," I mean most of us. At the stroke of midnight I had to nudge Josh awake, just so he'd kiss me before he went back to sleep :) Happy New Year!

Christmas Day

It has become a tradition to sleepover at my parents' house on Christmas Eve. It's fun, of course, but it's also very logical! We spend Christmas Eve with the Bos family, and usually end up staying pretty late--we just can't help ourselves because it's so fun, so yummy and so exciting! This means that we roll into my parents' house around 10pm (last year when Josh was deployed I actually took Annabelle to my parents' house at 7:30 to put her down for bed, then went back to the Bos house and hung out til 11:30)! Luckily--and conveniently--our parents live only 8 minutes apart. When we arrive at my parents' house, we set out our presents and get all giddy and excited when we see everyone's gifts under the tree. Because there are 3 families, plus my parents, it's always a wonderful sight. It reminds me of the Christmas mornings I spent at my Grandma's house in Pocatello, ID with all my cousins. There were always so many presents under the tree on Christmas morning! With 12+ grandkids it was never lacking in excitement, awe, and fun. The real fun part was packing everything up to come home, and reminding everyone which presents belonged to whom. Ha ha :)

Once Josh and I got Annabelle settled in her bed, we crawled into bed and exchanged stockings. I always get too excited to wait until Christmas morning for everything, so exchanging stockings on Christmas Eve was something we could both agree to. Then off to sleep in the wonderful bed with the wonderful mattress pad that I can't find at any store, or any website in the entire world, no matter how hard I try--It's Heavenly, and quite a treat to stay in, even makes illness seem a little more bearable. Christmas morning came early, but it was fun. Daisy (my youngest niece) wasn't really thrilled to be up that early, but Paige and Annabelle were very excited! Paige enjoyed pointing out Annabelle's presents to her, almost as much as she enjoyed opening her own. "Annabelle look what you got!" "Santa brought that for you!" "Look! Santa brought me Princesses and you Tinkerbell!" "Oh that's so cute!" Annabelle got a play kitchen and apron, as well as a stuffed Sid (Ice Age) and a stuffed Blaze (Tinkerbell). She was set! Happy as can be! She LOVES Sid and Blaze, just another example of how funny and unique this little girl can be :) The rest of the day was spent playing, napping, playing, eating, playing, talking, reading...ya know, those wonderful things we never have enough time for?! It was fantastic, and so much more fun being surrounded by family.

When I was young I used to dread the day I would be a parent on Christmas morning, but holy smokes! Being a parent on Christmas morning is the BEST! I LOVE it more than anything. I have so much joy in Annabelle's excitement and happiness that it makes the entire season more special and meaningful. This season felt so busy, and I'm sure it won't slow down as the babies keep coming. But it's my hope that I can slow down more next year, and enjoy each moment before it's gone. These kids grow up too fast! I love Christmas. I love the spiritual feelings and emotions that are the root and reason for everything being so special during this time. I love my Nielsen, Simpson family, Josh and Annabelle. I look at these pictures an get emotional because I know there will be a day when I look back on these as just the beginning of us, our family, our life together, our Christmas history and story :) Next Christmas there will be another Bos baby, as well as a brand-new Nielsen baby (my brother and sister-in-law are also expecting). It won't be long before it's Christmas morning at Grandma's with 12+ grandkids! It makes me excited for the future and so thankful for the present--for it's simplicity, coziness, and intimacy. I absolutely adored my Christmas season with our little family of three, and it is my hope to enjoy every single last moment before we expand. Holidays with family are such a great opportunity to revel in these feelings and in the closeness. Merry Christmas 2009!

Wow! Where's a 4-yr old to begin?!
Who's idea was it to get up at 7:30?


Sid--The 1st thing Annabelle grabbed

I got Sid!

I love Sid and Blaze so much!

Fawn and Terrance--my favorite Tinkerbell friends

Annabelle got some new Tinkerbell panties, and needed them on right away :)

Josh joked that "All of our pictures are going to be of Annabelle showing Grandma her presents!" I had to include one, in order to tell a true story of the day. As soon as a gift was unwrapped, off she went to show Grandma!

Testing out the new apron and licking a sucker--she loves these little bottle suckers

Our Christmas Eve

I can't believe I'm just getting around to posting this, but better late than never! We had such a wonderful Christmas Eve this year...as we always do. We arrived at the Bos home around 3:30, and visited with Scott, Jen, Maddie for a few hours before they had to leave :( I should mention all the non-stop snacking that was going on during these visiting hours--I couldn't help myself and I don't have a very strong-willed food filter with this pregnancy: "Sure I'll have one of those! And pass me some of that! And can I get another drink? Can't believe I'm not full yet!" Needless to say, there were many great and marvelous sweet and salty treats for the taste buds, and why shouldn't there be? It's Christmas Eve! My doctor warned me about all the Christmas sweets: "Be careful over the holidays. Don't go too crazy with the sweet stuff." Uhhh-huhhh...of course...remember how healthy I was in my last pregnancy Doc? Preaching to the choir my friend! Right...well, I just rationalize by saying he's never had Christmas Eve with the Bos family, so he couldn't possibly have known what he was asking of me--the impossible! And I might add that eating healthy during a spring/summer pregnancy presents fewer challenges than during the holidays!

The night continued on with good conversation, laughs and excitement from Annabelle, and a prime rib feast when Aaron and Kristy arrived. Then we all filtered into the front room where we received our monogrammed stockings (so cute) and a few awesome gifts. Annabelle enjoyed opening her presents, and definitely had a few favorites!

Peek-A-Boo! I LOVE playing in my Princess Play Hut

A stocking just for me?!

Wow! That's a lot of stuff in there!

I especially love the band-aids and need to wear them right now!

The cute monogrammed stocking with suspenders

Josh has been wanting this jacket for months! He was so surprised!

This is wonderful!

"Open that right now!" Stir, stir, stir

The night was a relaxing success. We sure missed having Nikki, Eric and Liv there this year, but look forward to them joining us again next year! Josh, Annabelle and I capped off the night with a family sleepover at my parents' house. We were exhausted, but such is life when you're a parent of a toddler at Christmastime! And really...there's not many things in life that are sweeter!

Blessed

Yesterdaywas an AMAZING day! I am grateful beyond expression for my Savior Jesus Christ, for His Atonement, and for a loving and mindful Heavenly Father who is always watching and listening. I have a strong testimony of the power of prayer and the miracles that result from consistent communication with the Lord. It has changed my life and brought me peace, calmness and love. I know He wants to bless us--He wants us to be happy in this life, and to achieve that happiness in an everlasting way, the way He planned from the beginning of time. I know and can testify that His promises are real, His vision eternal. We have a limited perspective on life--on our lives--and only He knows what is truly the best for us, for our growth, for our strength, for our testimonies, for our families, for our progression. I have been taught humility, patience, unconditional love, and trust, while questioning why I was going through what seemed like a confusing, emotionally draining trial. It is not confusing anymore; it is as clear as day. Why was I so blind in the beginning to what the Lord was teaching me? He was asking me to grow spiritually, to wait, to swallow my pride, to trust in Him, to have faith in my patriarchal blessing when I felt it didn't relate or apply to me anymore, to love without knowing the future or having the answers. He was asking me to go to a place inside myself I hadn't yet been challenged to discover. I have a newfound, deeper testimony of faith in Him, in His timing, and in His purposes for us. Don't question why you are going through the challenges placed in your path; simply have faith that it is for the best, that though your vision may be dark right now, it will be brighter than ever before at the right time down the road. He is always there. I love Him very much, and I am incredibly thankful for answers, for an overwhelming knowledge that He is watching over me and my family. I pray that I will NEVER forget yesterday, the feelings I had, the peace, the love, and the spirit.

Baby Oh Baby!

We are SO excited for another cute little baby to join our little family!

Baby Bos #2: Due June 29th, 2010

Annabelle is so excited to be a big sister, and we are BEYOND excited to be new parents again!

It seems like yesterday that we were getting the above picture taken of Annabelle (2 weeks old). Can't wait for the next newborn picture--can he/she possibly be as cute as her?! :)