Visiting Grandpa Murray

Let's do some catching up, shall we? Our stop in UT on the way to TX was a whirlwind visit. We tried to pack in as much fun as we could and see as many people as possible. It's pretty much a 24 hour drive from TX to see our families, so that won't be happening often.

We wanted for sure to see Grandpa Murray. I had been waiting for this visit ever since Noah was born, because Noah's middle name Macks is for this grandpa. We didn't go out to UT the summer he was a new baby, so this was the first time we had opportunity for a photo of the two of them together. Also, we lost Grandma Murray not too long before this visit, and we were really looking forward to checking in on Grandpa. 

This right here is my favorite photo ever of Grandpa. I know it's nothing flashy, but this is how I always want to remember him, and highlights my favorite things about him. Grandpa had heard that Parker was reading the Book of Mormon, and wanted to chat with him about it. He asked Parker how it was going, commended him for working so hard at it, and then started talking about the scriptures telling Parker about the 12 tribes of Israel. Grandpa loves the scriptures and makes an effort to study them every day. When he started losing his sight to macular degeneration, even that didn't stop him and he now listens to them on tape every afternoon. I don't know the particulars of Grandpa's story, but I know that Brandon remembers lighting cigarettes for Grandma and Grandpa as a boy. He says that when Grandpa decided it was time to follow the gospel, it has been with exactness ever since. He wouldn't even drive one mile an hour over the speed limit because the gospel teaches that we should obey the law of the land. He served as a faithful temple worker until his health no longer allowed it, and even now attends as often as he can get a ride. This man shows the light of Christ more than anyone I know. His countenance glows, and he overflows with Charity. I never feel as uplifted, loved and encouraged as I do in his presence. I am so proud to carry on his name and memory in our Noah Macks.

Again, not a great picture, but one I wanted to have for memory's sake. Grandma always loved having a porch swing for the kids to sit on and I think it would have made her so happy to see these girls swinging out in the sunshine.

This is Brandon's dear Aunt NaDean. She and her sister Aunt Sandra have always made an effort to be part of Brandon's life and to be supportive of him, and just as I always felt so loved by Grandma and Grandpa for being Brandon's choice, I feel the same outpouring of love and acceptance into the family from them. They are always so happy to see us. When Aunt NaDean heard we were coming for a visit, she opened her home to us and allowed us to stay the night and fed us delicious food. I wish I had a picture of Sandra as well, because she also came to see us at Grandpa's but I didn't get one. Also, I must say that I think that Brandon's aunts are stunningly beautiful and I hope that our girls inherit a bit of that.

It made us so happy to see our dear Grandpa Murray again!

Grandpa lives about 30 miles away from the home we left in Vernal, so while we were there we also made a quick trip out to attend church at the ward we lived in. We got to see many of the faces that we love so much there and it was almost odd how little had changed while we were gone! It still felt like home. It was a visit that was too short but one that we are so glad that we had opportunity to make.

Parker's Baptism

Yesterday my biggest boy was baptized. I am so proud of this boy. Brandon and I really made an effort to help him take this important step seriously. To know what he was doing, and why. He rose to our expectations and even exceeded them. I think this boy is what I like to call an "old soul." I feel that he was sent to our family to help me along far more than the other way around. He understands so much for his young age, and seems to know when I don't quite know what I'm doing. But he is patient with me.

Brandon and I challenged Parker to read the entire Book of Mormon before his eighth birthday to help him prepare. At times we wondered if we would have to help him along, but all on his own, he reached a point where he was determined to accomplish his goal. In the midst of our crazy move he had gotten off track of the schedule we had given him to follow by quite a bit. Rather than give up, or wait for our prodding he started reading two days worth, then three, then four. At the end of it all he finished four days ahead of schedule. All along the way I'd ask him questions about what he had read. There were a few times when it was hard for him to comprehend, but I was amazed at what he did understand and learn, and we had some really enjoyable talks about it. Now that he has built this great habit, I hope he keeps it up and really learns to love the scriptures.

The big day was so special. He was somber and a bit shy, typical of his personality, but he was also extra affectionate, which I hope was his way of showing that he was feeling something special.

I of course was an emotional mess. I am loving these wonderful people that our kids are growing into, but I also think it is happening way too fast. I tried to keep it together to give a talk on baptism, but I'll really just have to know that hopefully we taught Parker everything he needed to know before that moment.  

 Brandon gave a talk on the Holy Ghost before the confirmation and did a great job of relating the topic to Parker individually. I think Parker really understood what was taught there. Brandon is a great Dad, and a wonderful example of a priesthood holder for our kids.

This is the first time we've had a picture taken with all eight of us in it. After two days of lots of fun with family, they were tired and missing naps. But I still love this picture. It shows our real life. Our crazy busy imperfect, wonderful, always entertaining full of love life. I love these people with all of my heart just the way they are.

Utah Visit Part 2

After spending time with my parents it was time for a family reunion with Brandon's Speirs family.  Crazy cousin time.  I'm not even sure how many little ones were there, but I'm pretty sure we had all of Brandon's aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids there and there was never a dull moment.  Parker and Andrew were always running off with one cousin or another, (there is no shortage of little boys in the family to play with!) and it was fun to see them be at that age where they could just run and play without having to be watched the entire time.  They also got to do lots of big boys things like rock climbing and shooting with Dad and Grandpa.

These pictures of Paige reading Fancy Nancy Tea Party to Grandpa Speirs just melt my heart!!

Grandma made cute little hats for all of the girl cousins and my girls still love to wear them!

 One of my favorite memories from this reunion not pictured is the talent show.  Andrew did his famous "Funky Yunky Chicken Dance."  He had planned ahead for weeks and was so excited.  He patiently waited his turn, clapping his little heart out for every act before him.  When it was almost his turn he looked at me and whispered, "This is gonna be good!"  He got up there and danced with all of the gusto he had.  When it was over and Brandon took him to bed, Brandon made sure to tell him that he was proud of him and that he had done a good job.  Andrew responded with, "Yeah, everyone always appreciates that."  I just love how unabashed that boy is!!

Utah Visit Part 1

Whoa.  Way, way, way behind.  And it's been killing me because I HAVE A NEW BABY TO BLOG ABOUT.  The poor kid is over two months old and doesn't have his own blog post yet.  But I keep feeling like I have to catch up first and then get overwhelmed at the thought so nothing gets done.  No more excuses!  Here we go!

Back in September we made a trip to Utah to see our extended family.  Sixteen long hours in the car.  Yikes.  But we had some good times while there.  The kids loved the chickens at Grandma and Poppy's house.  They picked poor Grandma's garden clean in an effort to keep them fed and for months after the visit kept asking me when we were going to get a garden and some chickens.  The poor ladies were probably scared to death trying to lay eggs.  The boys would run out first thing each morning with an egg carton and sit in front of the coop.  The first day they didn't lay until afternoon.

 We also spent some time with cousins!  It's never enough time and we didn't get to see all of them, but we had a good time anyway.

 We also took some family time out to take the kids to Thanksgiving point.  We poked around the petting farm and took a tractor ride.

I also never take enough pictures, but with so many little ones to run after this was the best I got this time!

A Kansas Visit

Waayyyy back in August, we were lucky enough to have some visitors!  My parents and grandparents were able to come for a quick weekend trip.  Aren't my kids so lucky to know their GREAT grandparents?!  And even better, they have 8 more great grandparents than this that we still get to see from time to time.

We took them for a trip to one of our favorite places in Wichita.....Botanica.

The butterfly house at Botanica is always a big hit.

Pardon the awful color in this shot.....but I still thought it was cute.  ;)

We also took them to enjoy one of our favorite new hobbies.  RC cars!  There's even a fun track here just for RC car racing.

Nearby the track is a park, and Parker had to show Poppy how strong he is by doing not 1, but 4 pull-ups.  Yeah, Mom can't even do one anymore.  ;)

Then Claire had to try too.

Quick as it was, it was so much fun.  WE LOVE TO HAVE VISITORS!  {Wink wink!}