Family Photos 2008

Thank you, Jeana, for taking such wonderful photos of our family! They are gorgeous.

I Am Thankful For...

Gratitude was the theme of our Family Home Evening lesson this week, for obvious reasons: Thanksgiving is this week. We had a nice discussion about being thankful and expressing our appreciation to others around us, especially family members.

During our discussion, I had Scott and Emma start naming off things they were grateful for, which started off being big things, but then gradually became more and more detailed as they thought about more and more things they were thankful for. The first thing Emma screamed out was "FAMILY!" Scott immediately pointed out, "Rats!" Then they began to name various objects around the house: "Refrigerators, couches, computers, electricity..." After our discussion, we all got crayons and pencils and began drawing what we were most thankful for. I think the theme of our artwork was definitely "family."

Aren't we amazing artisits? Here are our family drawings:

Birthday Girl

Emma has turned 8 years old!

Here is what Emma likes as an eight-year-old:

Favorite Foods: Spaghetti, beef stew, mushrooms, pizza, corn-on-the-cob, chicken, ice cream sundaes, cheese burgers, bacon, pumpkin pie

Favorite colors: purple, pink, and black

Favorite activities: playing with cousins, making up games, drawing, board games, snuggling, spending one-on-one time with others, playing with friends

Favorite subjects in school: art and math
Favorite movies: The Little Mermaid, Kiki's Delivery Service, Garfield, Batman (cartoon)

Favorite animals: cats and kittens, rats

Emma is a beautiful, outgoing 8-year-old girl. She has an energetic personality and a positive outlook on life. Emma loves befriending people and making them laugh. She is not the type of child who enjoys spending alone time with herself. Emma loves receiving positive attention from others. She is definitely a social extrovert.


Emma is a very unique individual. She has her own quirks and habits, and she's different than many girls her own age. For example, Emma has taken quite a fancy to Batman lately. Every night during story-time, Emma asks her daddy to read Batman comic books to her. She also asks her daddy to sing the Batman song to her. Emma also surprises me by what foods she likes and doesn't like. For example, how many girls say they like corn and mushrooms when you ask them what their favorite foods are? Or how many girls say they want pumpkin pie instead of a birthday cake on their birthday? Emma definitely marches to the beat of her own drum.


Emma is not afraid to conceal her emotions. If she's happy or sad she'll let you know straight off the bat. She always tries to make good choices, not only because she wants to please others around her, but also because she wants to be happy with herself. If she makes a mistake, she wants to fix it right away. She is not afraid to say she's sorry.

Emma is the most positive and joyful member of our family. We all love her very much, and we are grateful to have her with us.

Happy Birthday, Emma-Roo!

First Prenatal Exam

I am pregnant with one healthy baby! I scared my mom today and told her over the phone that I was pregnant with three babies, and she really believed me at first. She was silent for about 10 seconds before I bursted out laughing and told her there was really only one baby. I could tell she was instantly relieved!

Today was my first ultrasound. I was able to see my baby for the first time, and hear the little fluttering heartbeat. The doctor says my baby (aka Chili Pepper) is a perfectly normal size for 9 1/2 weeks. I was thrilled! It made everything seem more real and exciting. All day long I've been going over the same words in my head: "I'm really a mother! I have a real baby in my tummy! My baby is really there! I heard the heartbeat. I saw the figure on the screen. This baby is really mine!"

Chili Pepper

Being pregnant is WEIRD! I don't think I'll ever be fully adjusted to the mood swings, upset stomach, fatigue, sensitivity, and all the other symptoms that seem to come and go every single day. Nothing ever stays the same, so each day brings new challenges. Tricks that I learn today may not work again tomorrow. Some days start out good and end bad, and some days start out bad and then end good. Nothing stays consistant---nothing stays the same--- nothing is predictable--- everyday there's something new to learn from. Me and my body are officially strangers now.

But things have been fun and exciting, as well. I didn't expect Scott and Emma to be so excited about my pregnancy, for instance. They surprise me by asking me how I feel every single day, and they both pray for me and the baby all the time. They also want to know how their new little brother or sister is getting along every day (as if I really knew). Emma even gave my baby a nickname that she picked on her own. Apparently, my baby's name is "Chili Pepper." I think she named the baby that because I craved lots of spicey foods and sauces a couple of weeks ago (not any more). I thought the name was so cute that it kind of stuck. Both Scott and Emma, and even sometimes Brad, call my baby Chili Pepper.

Well, as far as I know, Chili Pepper is alive and growing fine. He or she keeps me sick every single day, so I know my hormones and body are working normally. I'll see my OBGYN next week, so maybe I'll find out more details about Chili Pepper then. My main concern is knowing whether or not I have only one Chili Pepper, and not two or three of them. One Pepper is enough for me!

Halloween Fun

We had a wonderful Halloween this year! We went to our ward Halloween party on Thursday night, Emma's and Scott's school Halloween parade on Friday morning, then we had a large family party on Saturday night.

Scott decided long ago that he wanted to be Indiana Jones, so we got him tan pants and a cool leather jacket from the DI, and I bought him a whip, hat, and Indiana Jones bag on the Internet. He looked incredibly good.

Emma wanted to be a leopard for Halloween at first, but then she changed her mind when she saw a cute black cat costume at the Halloween store. We bought the costume- complete with ears and tail- and I named her Gigi~ the french feline. She really got into character, and kept meowing and hissing all the time.


Brad and I didn't know what we wanted to be for Halloween until Tuesday morning. I told him he should be a "cat burglar" and I would be a cat. He thought that was a great idea. Emma, of course, was thrilled when I told her I would be a cat, too.

A group shot of all 12 grandchildren, Brad, me, and Grandma North.

Scott's bat pumpkin.

Emma and I made this Jack-O-Lantern together. Emma wanted her pumpkin to have a cat.

The Highlight of my Day: October 2008

Something good happens each day. Here's what happened in October:

October 1, 2008: Finished my monthly newsletter today. It helps me keep in touch with family.

October 2, 2008: Love notes. I love exchanging love notes with Brad. :)

October 3, 2008: Watched "The Theif Lord" with Bradley. It was a very unique family movie.

October 4, 2008: Enjoyed the lovely Utah rain. I drank hot cocoa with Scott and Emma. Our first hot cocoa of the season!

October 5, 2008: General Conference was wonderful! My favorite speakers were President Monson, Jeffery R. Holland (he spoke yesterday), and Joseph B. Wirthlin.

October 6, 2008: I started off my morning in high spirits. My pregnancy test was positive!

October 7, 2008: My highlight of the day was watching Emma being brave at the dentist. She was wonderful.

October 8, 2008: Bradley was my highlight. :) He's a wonderful husband. Gosh, I love him!

October 9, 2008: Ice cream sandwiches! Tonight was the first night I had one in months!

October 10, 2008: It was nice spending time with Bruce and Loralee.

October 11, 2008: Brad and I went shopping today. :) We got him a coat for a very good deal, and we bought Scott his Halloween costume.

October 12, 2008: It was nice visiting with Marilyn and James tonight.

October 13, 2008: I babysat my neice, Jessica, today. My favorite part of the day was going on a walk with her and Rosie.

October 14, 2008: Emma is the Star Student in her class this week, and I made a poster for her to share with the class. She was excited to tell them about herself and her family.

October 15, 2008: Flew home to Long Beach to spend time with my family before Rachel's wedding. I love being with my sisters!

October 16, 2008: Susie and I took my mother to get her ears pierced for Rachel's wedding. My dad didn't even notice!

October 17, 2008: Susie and I went with Sheri to get our nails done for Rachel's wedding. My first manicure!

October 18, 2008: My beautiful little sister, Rachel, got sealed in the LA Temple today. She was GORGEOUS! I'm so happy for her.

October 19, 2008: I took a nice long nap to recover from my busy weekend. It's nice being home again.

October 20, 2008: Today I had morning sickness all day long. Although it was entirely uncomfortable, I loved being reminded that I'm pregnant.

October 21, 2008: I drove Scott and Emma to the library tonight. I got a whole bunch of pregnancy books and fun DVDs to watch. So much to learn!

October 22, 2008: I'm so happy! My mom and sister will be coming to Utah to visit me in December.

October 23, 2008: I talked to my sister, Rachel on the phone today. She's such a happy little newlywed! I loved talking to her.

October 24, 2008: I got to relax and watch Gilmore Girls for a few hours today.

October 25, 2008: Spent the day at home relaxing, trying to get over a cold. Watched a lot of Animal Planet.

October 26, 2008: I went to Sacrament Meeting to watch Scott and Emma participate in the primary program. Scott and Emma did a wonderful job with their parts.

October 27, 2008: Brad fixed our poor, sickly car today. He worked on it until 11:00 at night. We were so happy it worked again!

October 28, 2008: Scott got his braces off today! HOORAY!!! Plus, we had a fun family game night of Clue and popcorn!

October 29, 2008: I felt less sick tonight! YEAH!!! And we got a bunch of shopping done for Halloween.

October 30, 2008: We had our ward Halloween Party tonight. Scott and Emma looked so cute in their costumes.

October 31, 2008: Brad and I went to a Bed and Breakfast Inn in Northern Utah tonight. It was my reward for getting pregnant. We had a wonderful time!

Scott Got His Braces Off

We woke up bright and early this morning to drive to the orthodontist to get Scott's braces removed before school. Scott was anxious and nervous, but everything turned out fine. Brad and I came along to keep him company and hold his hand. Scott likes to hold my hand during appointments.

Scott has a gorgeous smile now! He looks wonderful with his braces off and his teeth straight. He will keep the braces off until he's a little older and all of his permanent teeth come in. Until then, we'll enjoy his beautiful (and goofy), metal-free smile for the next couple of years.

Congratulations, Scott!

You get to eat popcorn tonight!

Week 6: Adjusting to the Newness

These last few weeks have been an eye opener for me.

All of a sudden things smell differently and taste differently. I eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom differently. I cry easily, and I get moody easily. All of a sudden crackers and toilets have a completely new meaning in my life. My body has become a stranger to me.

I love the changes. Despite the crappiness and nausea, I love being reminded that I'm pregnant. Inside me, a small little life is forming and developing (at least I hope it's just one). I think it's amazing how my body is going through all these changes to ensure my baby develops.

Here is supposedly what my baby will look like by the end of next week:


A little alienish, I suppose. At least he's starting to resemble a human. He could have been anything last week.

*I tend to say "he" rather than "she," even though I have no clue what my baby's sex is yet. It just seems easier to say "he." It drives Emma crazy, though, since she insists on having a sister.

Photo Tag

I have been tagged again. For this one, the rules are simple: go to your 6th folder in your picture files, and choose the 6th photograph and upload it. Then tag five other people.

I had to modify the rules slightly, because I have too many folders in my picture collection. I choose the 6th folder of my pictures, then the 6th folder inside that folder, and then the 6th photograph from the folder-- gets kind of confusing. Here's what I got:

This photo was taken on June 11, 2006, exactly 6 days before my wedding. We were getting last minute preparations done on my in-law's house, since we were planning on having the reception there. Doesn't Emma look cute? She's only 5 years old in this picture.

We did finish the preparations on time. We had new carpet the day after this photograph was taken. The house looked gorgeous.

Thanks, Allison, for tagging me!

I now tag: Emily, Jocelyn, Lindsay, Jennifer, and Loralee.