Zoo Fun

 Last Saturday, we had an all-day family date.  SO MUCH FUN! (and lots of pictures!)

It started at 6am when we all woke up to head to Columbus, Ohio to visit the temple. We made it to the temple with no car sickness-- yay!  (Every time we've gone before, Naomi has gotten sick on the way there and we've had to pul over on the side of the road to clean her up.  But this time-- we were extra blessed!)

Columbus, Ohio Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

As soon as we could see the temple (shortly before 9am), Naomi pointed excited to the temple and said, "Jesus house!"  I was so excited to know that she recognized the building for what it was.  We had never called it Jesus' house, we'd only referred to it as the temple, but she knew!  (Really, I think she confused Angle Moroni on the top of the temple with Jesus, and decided that if Jesus was on top of the house, it must be His.  We tried to explain that it was Angle Moroni, but she continued to point and say, "Jesus."   Either way, she knew it was the House of the Lord; and Brad and I are very proud of our smart munchkin!)

Brad caught a perfect profile shot of munchkin looking at the flowers

I went in first while Brad stayed outside with Naomi to explore the temple grounds.  Afterwards, I came out and switched with Brad so he could do some work while munchkin and I had lunch and walked around the temple.

Around 12:30pm we headed to the Columbus Zoo-- the rated #1 zoo in the country, mind you. We wanted to show munchkin lots of animals (and i was secretly hoping all the walking would help move me closer to getting Baby Ruthe Maedean here sooner-- it didn't work).  Munchkin fell asleep in the car on the drive from the temple to the zoo, so we let her keep sleeping after we got there for about 30 minutes.  It was hardly a nap at all for her since she normally naps for about 2 hours, but Brad and I were excited to show her the zoo and knew she could sleep after visiting the zoo.  So a 30-minute mini-nap it was...
and then a super exciting and exhausting trip around the zoo... (We were planning on staying til the zoo closed at 5pm, but we would end up leaving around 4pm because munchkin got too tired and cranky. Yeah, aren't we awesome parents?!)  :-(

she loved petting the goats

she had to pet a goat of every color...

this sweet goat, when munchkin started to "brush" her by sawing back and forth, just turned to look at her as though thinking, "you've never done this before have you?  ok, make it quick!"

it's a "BYU Kitty"!  

up close with a polar bear!

one of munchkin's favorites-- a snake!

taking a break from all the walking...

trying out a bench... she's upset that mommy and daddy won't sit down with her.

But it was totally worth it!  Munchkin had a blast seeing all the animals. And Brad and I had a blast watching her meet the animals.  We decided pretty early that we'd let her set the pace-- after all, we were there to let HER see the animals and wanted her to have fun.  We didn't want to be those parents dragging their whining kids around the zoo telling them to hurry up-- nobody has fun when that happens.  Well, munchkin pace is really REALLY slow... we only got to see about 1/4 of the zoo.  Luckily, we got a membership, so we can go back as much as we want for the next year and not pay anything extra!

resting her tired feet :-)

sometimes, we wondered if we actually came to the zoo to
try out everything she could sit on...

Relay for Life

Last weekend, our little family helped participate in Relay for Life!  It was such a fun experience, and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year.

A few months ago, a friend from church asked me to join her team for Relay for Life.  I said, sure... not really knowing what i was getting into.  So I went home and did some google-ing and found the website, http://www.relayforlife.org/index.  I browsed around, and eventually found my self crying.  Remembering so many loved ones who's lives have been touched my cancer.

So Friday evening on May 3, I find myself driving in the pouring rain to do Relay.  Brad's co-worker dropped him off after work, so I met up with Brad and the Relay team when I arrived.  We sat for about 15-20 minutes in the car waiting for the rain to let up, and it did.  It turned out to have lovely weather the rest of the weekend!  We talked with the team, mostly made up of family members of my friend Jessie.  I got to help with a cake walk fundraiser while there.  After the sun set, there was a Luminaria Ceremony-- a time to remember those who have been touched my cancer, light candles for those who have passed away, and walk a lap in their memory.  It was difficult to hear the speaker, so I missed a lot of it, but I was touched deeply by the memories of my loved ones.  It was an emotional time, but I was glad to have it.

Since I'm 8 months pregnant, we decided to go home for the night and sleep in my own bed... i mean, it's hard enough to get comfortable in my own bed.  Forget sleeping in a tent on the wet ground with a toddler.  NOT gonna happen!

The next morning was beautiful.  I didn't walk any laps the night before because my feet were super swollen, but I did walk about 5-6 on Saturday morning since the swelling went down a lot during the night.  It was great to talk to friends and spend time with family and friends.  Also, while walking, I noticed I was having about 2 mild contractions per lap... They were mild enough that I could keep walking at a good pace and talk without difficulty though most of them.  Continuing to walk made it feel more intense, but the second I stopped moving, everything relaxed. Darn, Braxton-Hicks contractions!

There was a closing "Duck Drop" raffle. We bought 4 duckies, but didn't win.  We did get to keep the duckies though, and that makes Naomi super happy!  She loves duckies.  Over all, it was lots of fun, and we look forward to participating again next year.  Hopefully, I won't be so huge and pregnant, and we can stay over-night for more fun events!

In Memory of

Great-Grandma and me when I was little.

My great-grandma, Francis Maedean Harkins passed away almost 8 years ago from cancer.  She's been on my mind extra lately since our little Ruthe Maedean will be named after her. I was very fortunate to spend the summer with her shortly before she passed away.  She was an incredible woman!  Strong, stubborn, kind, loving.  She had high expectations of us, and always made sure we knew that, and at the same time helped us realize we could meet those expectations. A year after she passed away, I was also able to go to the Chicago temple and do her baptism/confirmation work for her.  It was a very special experience. I love and miss Grandma Harkins very much!

Left to Right: my mom, me, great-grandma, and my great-aunt Tina
This was taken the summer shortly before she passed away.

Two weeks after my great-grandma Harkins died from cancer, my step-grandfather Bob Brown, passed away from cancer.  That was a seriously tough summer!  Most of my memories are of him telling me that I was a "perfectly good Georgia peach" that was "ruined by the d*** yankees."  He was a southern man, through and through.

Two years ago, Brad lost 2 of his uncles to different types of cancers.  His uncle Mike (from his mom's side), and his uncle Bruce (on his dad's side).  I only met them briefly once or twice, but they were incredible men.  I felt like I knew uncle Mike through Aunt Jeanne's faithful email updates and getting to know Brad's cousins (uncle Mike's children) who lived near us in Utah at the time.

Uncle Mike is in the center.  He was diagnosed with leukemia after getting home from their trip out to be at Brad and I's wedding.  A great man!

Survivors!

My dad's mom, my Grandma Mary-Ann, has had numerous types of cancers, but is still winning the fight.  I don't get updates often, but I do know she has had at least breast cancer and skin cancer.  She's such a strong woman!  I love her!

And most recently, my mom had a type of skin cancer.  She's recovering now-- the growth was surgically removed and her nose had to be reconstructed, but her dr says she's healing great and has been impressed with her recovery so far.  Way to go, Mummsie!!!

My Mummsie is a grandma! (that's her with munchkin as a newborn)
 I don't know why I don't have a more recent picture of her!  I'm sure i do, but can't find one.

I've also had friends who've been battling cancer.  Brother Teemant of one of our former Provo Family Wards is still fighting melanoma, though in remission.  And the very young son of another friend from another Provo Family Ward is in remission for childhood leukemia.

Daddy-Daughter Date

Who takes their daughter to Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon for a Daddy-Daughter Date?

This Daddy!

And who thought it was the most fun ever?!

This awesome, laid-back Daddy-Daughter Duo!

Munchkin and Daddy both recently had birthdays! And with Baby Ruthe coming soon, Mommy and Daddy both thought it would be good for Munchkin and Daddy to go on a date.  But when the Daddy-Daughter Date Day came, the weather was horrible-- cold, rain, snow, ick-- and munchkin had a mild stomach flu!  And it pretty much ruined all of Daddy's plans.  :-(

Well, Mommy still had some "spring cleaning" she wanted to do with Daddy and Munchkin out of the house, so she sent them out to the store to get a few things.  And Daddy decided to make this shopping trip the funnest experience ever for Munchkin.  And thus-- the Daddy-Daughter Wal-Mart Date!

Lining up the dinosaurs

trying on some sun glasses

ready for the beach, anyone?

checking herself out in the shades!

hiding in the men's shorts :-)

i know i did this as a kid

hehehe, i see you!

helping daddy push the cart

Munchkin and Daddy had so much fun at Wal-Mart doing whatever Munchkin wanted.  And Daddy got lots of whispered, "Oh my!  That is just too cute!  What an awesome Dad!" comments as he walked by.

Yeah, Daddy is awesome!

Munchkin's First Testimony

I'm so blessed to have this little girl as my daughter!!!  I must count this morning as one of the most precious experiences of my life-- hearing my daughter's first testimony.

She asked me this morning to read her stories about Jesus; and of course, I jumped at the chance!  We read our "picture scriptures" (it's a summarized version of the Book of Mormon with pictures, great for little kids and available through store.lds.org). We read about Jesus coming to teach the Nephites and when Jesus blessed the children.  She pointed at pictures and would identify Jesus.  Then she pointed at a picture of Jesus and said, "Son.  Jesus son."  I told her, "Yes, Jesus is Heavenly Father's Son."  I beamed with a little bit of pride that she was so smart!

Then she asked if we could watch Jesus on the t.v.  I agreed since we've got some church videos (but to be perfectly honest, we hardly ever watch them...I was surprised she knew to ask!); I put in "The Testaments."  She sat quietly and cuddled with me through most of the movie (she's been feeling sick since last night, so I was loving the cuddle time!).  Closer to the end, there are depictions of Christ being beaten, suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, and being crucified.  My sweet munchkin started crying and saying, "Hurt Jesus!"  She was obviously very upset by this and I was about to tell her, "It's ok. Jesus is fine."  But...

Something stopped me.  I felt a distinct impression that I shouldn't relieve this sorrow she felt at seeing Jesus hurt.  So, I just hugged her and said, "Yes, Jesus is hurt. Jesus died."  And she continued to cry as we watched the scene of destruction among the Nephites... and I teared up, too.

The next scene opened, and showed Jesus appearing to Mary outside the empty tomb.  Munchkin stopped and watched quietly, then pointed and asked, "Jesus... Jesus alive?"  I said, "Yes, Jesus is alive again.  He was resurrected."  And she looked up at me, with the biggest smile and said, "Jesus alive!"  She kept saying it for the rest of the film as we watched Christ minister unto and heal the Nephites.  After it was over, she got up and started shouting, "Jesus alive! Jesus alive!" throughout the house.

I am so touched by her enormous faith and joy in our Savior's resurrection.  She hasn't stopped telling me, "Jesus alive!" all day.  When we webcam'd Brad at work during his lunch break, she continued to share with him her testimony, "Jesus alive!"  It brought tears to our eyes to hear our little girl's conviction of faith.  And I wanted to share her testimony with you today...

And I'd like to add my testimony, though I'm sure it isn't as precious as munchkin's.  I know Christ lives!  He  suffered and died for me, for my sweet daughter, for each of my beloved family and friends, and all others.  And He was resurrected, and He lives today!

To learn more about Christ and our faith, feel free to visit http://mormon.org/jesus-christ/.

Happy Birthday, Munchkin!!!

Our Munchkin is 2 years old now!  Wow! Has time flown by, or what?!

Two years ago, I was holding my munchkin for the first time.  It was one of the best days of my life!

Here's some pictures from her birthday celebrations!

helping mommy make homemade mozzarella sticks!

Wrapping the cheese sticks in won-ton wrappers.

Playing hockey with Daddy!

Daddy showing munchkin how to hold the hockey stick.

Munchkin won the face off!

On a break-away!

Blowing out the candles on her awesome Elmo cake!

She got a headband and apron from Corrine (our neighbor).  What a cutie!

Drawing at her new art desk from Grammsie and Papa Bear.

Our little artist concentrating.

Sunday, Nana and Grandpa Neeley came to visit for dinner and brought LOTS of presents!

Piggy flashlight-- and it OINKS!!!

clothes from Nana and Great Aunt Vicky, Play-Doh from Great-Grandma Neeley

Beep! Beep!

who knew driving would be... delicious?

kisses for Baby Ruthe!

Mommy, Birthday Munchkin, and Aunt Sam

Happy Easter!

We spent most of Easter weekend with Brad's family.  Saturday morning, we went to a town Egg Hunt.  Naomi found 3 eggs!  Parents were told before that they are not allowed on the field, unless their kid can't walk.  Well, that went out the window almost immediately... one parent even picked up their child (who looked about 18 months, give or take a month or two) and ran to the middle of the field to start picking up eggs.  We just walked behind Naomi and pointed to an egg and told her to pick it up.  She was happy with her haul of 2 rolls of smarties, a mini 3 Musketeers, and a mini Kit-Kat.

Saturday afternoon, we drove over to Brad's parent's and stayed there for the weekend.  Munchkin enjoyed blowing bubbles with Mommy while Daddy, Grandpa, and Nana, helped Aunt Sam to paint a giant canvas that's going to be the backdrop for a nearby high school in the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Sunday we enjoyed going to church in the morning.  It was nice to have time set aside to focus on the gift of the Atonement and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I'm so grateful to my Savior for this gift!  The music was beautiful, and I cried when the ward choir sang "Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" (the link is to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing) and "There is a Hill." (to listen to a part of it, go to the link, there is a "listen" option, even though it's a site that sells sheet music.)

We enjoyed dinner with Brad's grandma, Aunt Linda, mom, dad, Sam, and cousins Art and Kristen.  And afterwards we held a "egg hunt" for munchkin.  She has so much fun collecting eggs, and even more fun discovering all the sugary goodies inside the eggs!

We're still attempting a sugar detox...