Temple Square Lights

On a pretty warm Sunday before Christmas, we bundled up and we met Grandma & Grandpa Cutright, Grandma & Grandpa Hall and Grandma Gotberg and walked around temple square.  It was very pretty as normal and fun to see all the lights.  We made some hot cooca at home and brought it in the car, so afterwards we had some hot cocoa to warm up a bit.  The kids just love all their Grandmas and Grandpas and were so excited to be there with all of them.

 

The kids with Grandma Cutright

 

 Marshall and Kambria

 Grandma Gotberg, My mom and me.

 Daddy and Kam

 Our family

Marshall's Baptism

Marshall chose to be baptized.  We are so proud of him.  He is such a good kid.  He was so excited to get baptized.  We had lots of FHE about it, Jake and him practiced going under the water and he counted down the days.  He thought it was pretty  neat he was able to be interviewed by himself with the bishop.  Jake baptized and confirmed him on Saturday, January 5th at our Stake Center.  We had lots of family and friends their to support us and then after we had taco soup and treats.

Crazy World

This last month has been such a month of emotions.  I have realized more then ever lately that God is in control.  It is so important to live our lives as we should each and every day.  We should love all those around us and forgive and foget.  We truly never know when it will be our turn to return to our Heavenly Father.  I can't even imagine my life without Jake or my kids.  I don't like to imagine that.  That is honestly my worst fear.  Each day Jake leaves for work I pray that he will return home.  When the kids and I go to bed at night and say family prayer, we pray that Dad will be safe and return home.  Unless you know someone that works in law enforcement or know what that person does daily, you may not realize how much they put their lives on the line each day.  With the line of work Jake is in, and his specific duties at this moment, I worry more then I have in a long time.  These criminals truly don't care about anyone.  They really have nothing to lose. 

A girl I went to highschool with has recently been diagnosed with brain cancer.  As I have read her Blog and followed her journey, my heart just breaks for her and her family.  They have no idea how much longer she will be here with them.  She has 5 young children and a husband.  Everytime I read her blog I cry.

This week a friend that I went to college with and worked with was in HI with his sweet wife.  She was killed in a motorcycle accident while they were sight seeing.  Her poor 4 children will never see their mother again during this life.  My friend took his wife on a wonderful vacation, not knowing it would be their last moments together. I can't even imagine how he is feeling.  I haven't seen him in 13 years, well I actually ran into him a month ago and talked for a few minutes, but my heart is so sad for him right now. Last night I hugged my kids tighter then normal and was thankful that I was here to be able to hug them and hear them be crazy.

Then Border agent Ivie, he is out serving and protecting our country when a sad, sad incident occurs and he is killed.  I am 100% sure his wife worried about him.  Working the border is a very scary job, those crossing the border have nothing to lose, they will kill you, they don't care.  But deep in her heart, I am sure she knew he would be okay.  She is now left without her husband and has her two kiddos to support.  Watching the news coverage of his funeral in AZ and how many people showed up to pay their respects to him.  Watching the plane land at the airport last night and how many officers, that don't even know him, showed up to escort his body to Utah County, it was amazing.  I bawled. 

My calling, Compassionate Service, has really made me realize how blessed I really am.  I am so thankful for my health and my families health.  I am thankful that I have an amazing husband who has the spirit in his life and listens to it and follows the promptings he is given.  I am also so thankful that we have the gospel in our lives and that we know of our plan.  We know that families are eternal.  I can honestly say that in the moment, I don't know that it would help, but eventually I know it would help me find some kind of peace.  We have been married for 12 years, which is nothing compared to eternity!

Anyway, I just felt so much emotion this week that I figured writing down would help me.  Now if this day can go by fast, Jake has some crazy stuff going on and I would like it to be all over with!!

Fairveiw

We were invited to go up to a friends cabin in Fairview over the weekend, we wanted to go soooo bad, but Jake had Harvest Days and I had a funeral luncheon I was in charge of helping with so it just didn't work out.  Well on Saturday night Jake's parents called and they and the Winnetts were up at Fairview lakes and wanted us to come up for just the day on Sunday, so we figured we would do that.  Jake's family has some property at Fairview lakes and we try and go up every year.  It is soooo beautiful up there.  It was a great Sunday venture. 

Kambria and Cadence have a great time together.  Although they didn't love sharing my umbrella.

Jake getting ready to fish, although he didn't catch any fish :(  But he did a good job attempting.

Marshall has changed so much.  He picked up several worms, broke them in half, caught frogs and held them forever and just isn't the pansy he used to be ;)

Marshall gave fishing a try, but he just isn't patient enough.

He got worn out and took a rest in some shade.

Kambria wanted a turn.  She didn't last too long either.

My 3 loves, looking at the pond.

Grandma, Kim, Kambria and Cadence.

 Jake fishing

 Kambria and her sucker.

 Marshall on our venture to the stream.

 My all time favorite picture of Jake and Marshall.

 The moss and flowers.

Kambria PreSchool

Kambria has been so excited to start school "LIKE MARSHALL" she says.  I was sad because her first day I actually had a training at ZAGG Corp that I had to be at early.  So Jake took the morning off and brought Kambria to school and then picked her up.  She was a little hesitant at first but no crying and when he picked her up she loved it and wanted to go back.  She has loved it each time since.  She goes on Tue/Thur for 2.5 hours.  Her teacher is Mrs. Marlo and Kambria loves her.  She loves singing the songs and doing the crafty stuff each day.  She also loves the snack.  It is very weird being home for a few hours by myself, I really don't like it.  I miss my kids, which is weird, I thought I would love that small amount of quiet.  But Kambria loves it and that is what matters!!!

Marshall 2nd Grade

I cannot believe that Marshall has started 2nd grade.  We didn't get our 1st choice of D track, we got C track, but I am thankful because Marshall loves his teacher and is making great friends.  Marshall loves school.  He is very smart.  He loves to read.  He tested at a 4th grade reading level.  He is a fast reader and understands what he is reading.  He will read a chapter book in one day and can tell me the entire plot.  I am proud of him.  His teacher is Mrs. Cox.  Marshall loves sports right now.  He will play basketball in the fall.  He is into the attire you see above, he informed me he does not like levi shorts.  He is taking after his Dad!!

Silly Kambria.

I just wanted to write a few things before they left my memory.  Kambria is such a funny animated girl.  Lately she is really into cleaning.  It would be great, but her idea of cleaning is just having a clean floor.  So her closet will be chuck full of toys/clothes and other stuff. If we leave anything on our floor it gets thrown in our closet.  The other day my room was so clean, I said thanks so much and was so proud of her.  Later that day I went into my closet and it was a mess.  My scriptures, some of her toys, blankets and misc stuff all over the floor.  We have all learned if you can't find an item, check a closet.

Last night Kambria peed her bed.  This hasn't happened for quit some  time.  She came in at 5am and was crying, she told me, "Mom the bed peed all over me!"  She was serious and so upset.  So I changed her bedding, wiped her down and then laughed so hard that she would even think I was going to believe her that her bed peed.  Today when I told her how funny she is, she said it did mom, it sound like this psssssssss.  Oh she keeps me laughing.

Right now I am struggling with my children having to grow up and figure things out for themselves. All I want is for my kids to be happy.  I was talking with Marshall the other day about school and asked him what he likes the most.  When I asked him about recess he just got sad.  Come to find out, he tries to play soccer or basketball but they already have teams from last year and wont let him play, they tell him that the teams are already even.  So I asked about some neighborhood kids and said go play with them, but he said they play army and other shooting games and they aren't supposed to do that so he doesn't want to join in.  So I asked what do you do?  He said he just sits by himself on the curb until recess is over.  How horrible.  I don't care if teams are even or not.  They should include everyone.  I asked him if he wanted me to send an email or talk to his teacher and let her know that they need to make sure people aren't being left out, but he didn't want me to, he said he would figure it out.  I think about it though and it just makes me so sad.  Who knows what to do.  I'll wait till he goes off track and back on and see if things are any better.  Several of his friends got D track, so hopefully that will make recess better for him.

Thats all for now.  Time to clean the house and entertain a 3yr old