Alyx the Music Man

Alyx has a deep love for music already. :)

AND I'M SOOOO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

Can you tell?! :)

For a long time, he has had an interest in both the piano and the trumpet, and occasionally he will sing all on his own with us in church, or ask me to sing in the car, or if he's watching a movie that has a song, he will do his best to sing along.

For over a year now, he will ask to play 'Daddy's trumpet' and play around with it, making actual sound come out! As an adult, it is difficult to play the trumpet, as a little kid, not even 5 yet, he is doing better than most adults and has an incredible gift!!! He has made the comment sometimes that he wants to play the trumpet like Daddy and Quincy (from the show 'Little Einsteins').

At times when we go to my Mom's house, he will want to play the piano, he will play around and very softly play the keys. A few times he will play the keys and sing "I Am a Child of God". It is very touching to watch him sing that song alone, with the piano, it is so sweet and tender as well. One time, there was a music book on the piano and he would play the piano and start singing that Primary hymn, and then after a little bit he would stop, turn a page and then start singing and playing the piano again, then stopping, turning the page and repeating the whole process. He is such a smart and sweet little boy! :) Jason bought a keyboard for our family and we are going to have Alyx start piano lessons after his 5th birthday.

Also if Alyx still has an interest in the trumpet when he's a little older, we will gladly give him trumpet lessons. :)

Music means so much to Jason and I, we kind of had a long standing (playful/serious) argument who loves music more. Neither of us I'm sure will ever give in. lol. :) But that is ok with me, I'm so happy to be married to a man who thinks he loves music more than I do. :) Music is incredibly important to me and I'm happy to have my little family started down the road of a musical life.

Wonder what musical instruments William and Vincent will love playing . . . . :)

He knows best

Heavenly Father knows who we are and what we will do. He also knows what will make us happy and then TRULY happy. Over and over I have believed I learned this and remember this. Which in a way I have and I even say it over and over. But that doesn't mean the words always connect with the rest of me, which is one reason why we are likely taught the same things over and over again in church. We learn new things, sometimes we aren't listening for one reason or another, or maybe the way it's being taught could be more helpful from one person than others.

I've had my eyes, mind and heart opened more this past week on trusting Him.

Jason has been searching and applying everywhere for the job that meets his criteria for a full time job. We are more than ready to move, settle down, buy a house, grow roots and watch our children grow and make friends.

Through-out our entire marriage, we have had the thought that we will be leaving and living out the larger portion of our lives outside of Utah . . . .

Sunday I was telling Jason that we just need to keep applying to places that are opening up and hiring and doing our best to CTR( Choose The Right ), pray and have faith.

On Monday, we saw another new job had opened up, full time, and when I saw the location I kind of had my jaw drop . . . it was in Utah and not far from where we live. It was then that I realized something, we were open to all the possibilities all over the U.S. except Utah. We had our minds and hearts closed off of living in Utah, never dreaming we would live here. So when we saw that, we were shocked. But I told Jason that he should apply for it and if that's where we end up needing to be then we should go for it. Jason sent in his resume and application for it the next day.

We will continue to apply to other schools as they pop up, wait to see if any call back wanting interviews with Jason and pray for the guidance to know where we need to be. This time being more open and trusting him. Who knows where we might end up? Whether it's Utah, or somewhere else, we are excited for wherever we need to be, because we will be with our family and basing the decision off of where Heavenly Father wants us to go.

Happy New Year!

I am amazed at how much time has passed, from being a child, teenager, adult, from my single to my married life. From being a wife to becoming a wife and mother. This year will bring so many fantastic celebrations and new adventures some of which I'm hoping to include a GIANT move to a new state because of Jason getting a full time job. Here's to hoping! :)

This year I've already made some changes, nothing huge, or new, but still wanting to make a difference.

I've joined an institute choir that I've been in the past already. I miss singing in a choir and learning new things to help me improve and feeling the Holy Ghost as I sing beautiful music with lyrics that touch my heart and soul.

I was already working out last year, but I'm determined now to actually have goals on what I want within working out. Trimming, toning and losing inches and pounds. I've been walking and running with a goal of 12,000 steps a day thanks to my fitbit zip. Totally LOVE it!!! Also in a pretty big team competition with the # of steps we do each day to try to eliminate others. I'm doing my best to not let my team down. Eating healthier too is helping me a bunch. Going to the store for groceries, I thought about buying some delicious ice cream that I've been wanting for a while and was able to not buy any junk food whatsoever! Instead, buying vegetables I will actually eat (because what's the point of buying certain healthy foods when you know you won't eat them?), fruits, and protein for meals.

Jason and I are also working on devoting more quality time to each other by going on more dates. It always amazes me how much I love that man and how that love just continues to get stronger and bigger. Each day/week/month/year, I feel like our love for each other is so GIGANTIC and powerful, but than it just grows more and I'm so incredibly happy. Sorry if this part is sappy, but hey, that's who I am. :) A big romantic, sappy, loves love person. :) So you just have to deal with it now and then from me. :)

With my boys growing older, Alyx soon to be in Kindergarten, William - preschool and Vincent getting more one on one time . . . I want to help them be ready to soak up all the knowledge they will soon be getting and to help them not get frustrated with the next new learning steps. Vincent has a new discovered love of books and is so interested in what Jason and I read to him. William . . . I'm struggling with things to challenge him with since he's such a quick learner. Alyx, I'm trying to help him with his letters and starting to teach him read simple words. He also has a huge love for drawing, coloring, music and basketball.

I'm also trying to improve my knowledge of Spanish and feel more comfortable and at ease while talking in Spanish. With Jason's help, hopefully by the end of this year, I will be able to pass the grade. Thank goodness I know a fantastic Spanish professor. :)

Super excited for this year! I know it will be one of my favorites yet. But it can't be helped when I'm just watching my children play together, learn and grow, and that I have an amazing, handsome, hardworking and supportive husband. With my growing little family, life is wonderful. :)

Christmas gifts

Now I know it's not quite Christmas yet, but that doesn't mean I haven't been on the receiving end already.

This past week my little family has been plagued with all kinds of coughs. Good news is that they are all getting better but because we've been dealing with sickness while with family this Holiday, Jason and I haven't slept well. We finally decided to go home early so that we can rest easy and get some good sleep. Roads were thankfully clear and no accidents happened. 1st gift, safety! :) Our boys are returning to their normal selves before they were sick so just a few more days and hopefully everything will be cleared up. My sweet husband has let me take naps to catch up on missed sleep while he takes care of the little ones. 2nd gift, caring husband (although that hasn't changed since I met him, he's wonderful to me)! 3rd, sleep!

I was holding my baby boy, although not much of a baby anymore, he's crawling and jabbers quite a bit when he's super happy. I was remembering how last year I learned I was to be a mother of 3 darling boys. I am so happy for having my children with Jason and I as we progress in our life together. 4th, my family!

But there is a Christmas gift that I don't want to go into a lot of detail about receiving because it super special to me. It is an incredible, wondrous experience that I will get to have with Jason in a few months. I found out last night and I was so happy that I was shaking.

Last night my little family and I ate dinner, enjoyed hot chocolate and watched "The Santa Clause", tonight we will bake cookies, have the children unwrap their first gifts, sing carols, and read of the reason we celebrate Christmas. The story of Christ's birth.

I hope everyone stays safe, and has a very Merry Christmas!!! :)

Life's curveballs

There are some things in life that are unexpected, and it can be coming from anything, anywhere, anytime, and anyone, whether it's thrown from family, friends, neighbors or stangers, and if you watch carefully, sometimes you can see them coming. But there are times you're not prepared for the speed from whence they came. It can be pretty slow at first but than ZOOM!! It is right in front of you and you're in shock at it being there already.

A few things have been happening the past year and all I could do was swing and pray I could hit that difficult ball. There are a few times I have striked out and broken down, a few foul balls, and once in a while I can hit that ball and run a base or two. I'm not powerful enough and haven't found the timing yet to hit a homerun, but I'm just doing the best that I can.

I have tried multiple times and varieties of ways of handling and dealing with the curveballs life throws at me. But there isn't just one way to deal with them. You have to approach each situation a little differently, but always with care. You can't just charge and swing the bat as hard and fast as you can or you might completely miss the ball and be hitting nothing but the air and feel like a fool. Patience, placement, timing, a bit of force, and lots of prayers can help a lot.

Motherhood

Sometimes I get down on myself as I look around me and see all my sisters and girlfriends pass me as they get more and more education and develop their jobs and careers. They're super smart and intelligent and able to help others using their knowledge that they've gained.  I feel quite low on the importance chain and feel like I don't help my husband enough. Looking forward to when my kids go to school so I can go back to school and work and start helping my husband and the world in some way.  . . .

A few weeks ago, I felt like this and Jason let me know what he thought, telling me that if I got paid to do everything I did, I would earn way more than what he was making. That I am an amazing mother and an incredible wife. Hearing him say that helped a bit and made me feel more of worth. 

This funk I get into happens now and then as I forget what has been said about the role of motherhood and the work I actually do every day for my boys. 

A little over a week ago, my mom sent me a quote in an email.

"No woman should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heaven’s plan."

- Strong and Faithful by Quentin L. Cook

That day I wasn't necessarily pounding myself into the ground but after reading that, my day seemed to get better as I remembered I am doing exactly what I should. That Heavenly Father wants me to be a mother of my children and that I am doing a great and marvelous work.

Being a mom is far from easy and can't be called a relaxing job. We are constantly cleaning, feeding, playing with and teaching our kids. There's so much to be done, that sometimes my house becomes a disaster while I am taking care of my kids. But I am fine with my house being dirty now and then because I am helping my kids and creating memories with them. I am doing what I am supposed to do and need to remember that I shouldn't feel bad about that. :)

RS Christmas Party

Last Thursday, we had our ward's RS (Relief Society) Christmas Party. It was beautiful!! Yummy food, awesome friends and company, and a wonderful message of Christ's birth. There was also some musical numbers. . . . I happened to participate in one of them. Let me tell you, I love love LOVE to SING!!!

But in front of others? Not in a big group? It does become more difficult for me. My nervousness increases and I'm bound to make more mistakes. Lots more than when I'm singing in a group of 5 or more. I rarely ever do solos. Duets I can handle a little more because there is another voice besides my own. But depending on the song, sometimes it is just my own voice for a little bit. A lady in my ward who I don't know very well got paired up with me, we decided to sing a beautiful arrangement of "Still, Still, Still", if you have never heard it before, I urge you to listen to it. This song wasn't so difficult with the words and a bit of the tune as I have sung it before when I was in the Institute Choir at SLCC called Sounding Joy. But with it being only a 2 part, SA, it was different. I had to work hard to get the notes and rhythms right.

The night of the Christmas party I was a bundle of nerves and was terrified of messing up. The sweet lady who was singing with me, told me I would be fine and told me she had prayed for me!! I was amazed that she had done that for me!! I felt horrible to realize I had not prayed for help either on me singing my part, or to help me calm down, or I didn't think about praying for her or our accompanist.  She and another friend helped me run through my trouble spot in the song and calmed me down. We ended up doing fantastic, I still made mistakes, but continued on anyway without sounding too bad. The end of the night, I thought about what we had just done. Sharing our talents with others. Even though it scares the crap out of me to do something like that, I had been given this gift for a reason and not sharing it wouldn't be a kind thing to do for my Heavenly Father who had given it to me.

Wanted to share this video with you that I watched that night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg