Feeling blessed

Lately, I have been feeling very blessed. I have a wonderful husband that loves me and takes care of our family. I have a son who lights up my world everyday. He is the most precious gift from my Heavenly Father and I am so grateful that he has been placed in my care here on earth. It's very hard to put into words the feelings a mother has for her child. He teaches me to be patient and kind. He teaches me how to love unconditionally. He helps me realize how important the Plan of Salvation is. He makes me want to be a better mother, sister, wife, friend and church member. I have so much to be thankful for.

 Asleep in his car seat

With the tragedy that happened last week, I cannot help but cry every time I think about those poor innocent children taken too quickly from this earth.  I know there is a special purpose for these children in heaven but it is hard for me to see and understand WHY. So many cruel things are happening today...it makes me want to protect my little baby and stop him from growing up! My heart aches for those parents who lost their children. A friend posted this poem on Facebook and I really appreciated reading this as gives a little perspective and comfort for this awful event:

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."
written by Cameo Smith of Mt. Wolf, PA.

I don't usually post religious things on my blog but I want to share how grateful I am to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have a testimony of Christ and his Atonement. I know that he has a plan for each of us. It may not be what we want or like but it is a plan that will strengthen us, help us grown and learn about what our purpose is here on earth. I am so grateful for this time of year that we have to reflect on the birth of the Savior. What an amazing story it is. What faith Mary and Joseph had to bring Jesus into the world. I cannot imagine what Mary went through but how grateful I am for her example as a mother. I know that through the Atonement, we are able to be healed, forgive and be forgiven, and return to live with Him someday. May God be with those who have lost much this last week. 

Gingerbread houses, randoms and Happy Caroling

One of Heath's family traditions is to make home make gingerbread and make gingerbread houses. So, we made 4 batches of gingerbread and invited the Allens and Smiths over to make them. It took us a day and a half to make all the gingerbread for everyone but it was worth it! So fun!

Weston and Peyton watching a movie in the movie room

I think I could take pictures of Jax all day long! He makes the cutest faces and is overall a very smiley and happy baby, despite his resistance to naps! He is getting more "talkative" which is fun for me to have that interaction with him. He is such a good boy! I really cannot get enough of him.

Hanging out with all of his cousins after having a swim. Jax is always the center of attention whenever we go to family functions. And we definitely have no problem getting babysitters!

These are all photos I found on my camera from the first few weeks of Jax's life and while my parents were visiting...a bit random but worth sharing :)

This is Leo and Jax on Leo's blessing day (I think they were only 2 weeks old here). Jax looks so skinny!!

 Meeting Gamma Hart for the first time. She was in Thailand on her second honeymoon when he was born.

 Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Whetton for the first time!

First bath with Grandma

 Jacaranda Festival. For all the Americans, the jacaranda is a tree and it blooms purple flowers in spring. It's beautiful!

 Folding his hands haha

 Ben, Hope and their two girls Ava and Audrey

 Chad, Irene and Kellan. Irene is 7 months pregnant in this photo. We just found out she is getting induced this Friday! We are so excited to have another little boy in the family!!

 Dad trying to win a prize for my mom

 Beach time! Every time we went out with my parents, he was such a good boy, despite being dragged around everywhere!

 Fast asleep in his little tent

 My dad was such a good sport and let Heath bury him

 Now for the most recent photos...

Matt and Jade invited us to a caroling event in the Botanical Gardens in the city. It was really fun and helped us get into the Christmas spirit and remember what Christmas is really about. They also performed some Australian Christmas songs, which was fun for me to listen to. They talked about how hot Christmas day is, cricket (Australia's favorite pass time in summer), the beach, kangaroos, etc.

 Baby Leo! Man, do I love this little guy! He is so cute, chubby and loveable. He is a sweet baby.

 Jax's first bus ride! He was so tired at this point

We are really enjoying the Christmas season this year, especially sharing it with Jaxy boy. The only thing that would make this season better is seeing my family!

Summer is here

After living here for almost 4 years, I still cannot get used to the opposite seasons! The weather outside feels like it's May and I should be planning a trip to California for the summer...definitely does not feel like Christmas is around the corner.

Anyway, since Thanksgiving snuck up on us and we didn't plan anything, we decided to go have ribs, wings and Dr. Pepper at an American restaurant called Carolina's. Soooo good! They even had pumpkin pie there for dessert! (Left to right: Courtney, Cody, Ben, Ava, Hope, Audrey, Heath & me). I'm excited for Thanksgiving next year with my family! And Jax will be able to enjoy all the yummy food!

Heath's sister Jade has put in a new pool at her house and it has only started to heat up in the last couple weeks. So....Heath decided it's time to take Jax in! I was a little bit hesitant because the water wasn't cold but wasn't really warm either but Heath took him in anyway. He actually seemed to enjoy it! He loves bath time and the water so he was totally relaxed in the pool. So cute!

And after swimming, he passed out in between his twin cousins (Micah and Abram) on Grandma's bed

I had to post this photo of Jax sleeping. He had been kinda fussy during the day and didn't sleep much but he was fed that night, he was OUT! Usually when I put him down like this, he wakes up but he was so out of it, I think he could of slept like that all night! Another reason why I love this photo is because he looks like a little old man who fell asleep in the recliner watching TV. Courtney calls him 'Benjamin Button' because he doesn't look like a baby; he looks like a little old man! We are so in love with our little Jaxy boy!

Jaxy Boy

I really thought that once I was a stay at home mom that I would have all this time to blog...why to I feel like the day goes by so fast?? I think if I'm not feeding Jax, I'm trying to put him asleep, and then once he's asleep, I either have a shower, sleep or catch up on laundry (for a little baby, I feel like I'm doing laundry all the time!) But I am thoroughly enjoying being at home with my sweet boy. Although he hates naps during the day and rarely goes down for them, he is a great sleeper at night! Our favorite time together is in the morning because he's had a good night's sleep and just wants to wake up and smile at me. We also enjoy going to the shops together. In fact, I think he is better behaved outside of the house than at home! He loves sitting in his car seat and stroller - probably because he always falls asleep in them!

Here are a few photos from my iPhone from the last few weeks.

We had the pleasure of hosting my parents at our house for three weeks. Those were the fastest three weeks of my life! We took them to the Gold Coast, had surfing lessons, played mini golf and real golf, ate out, played Monopoly cards, passed around Jax (trying to get him to sleep) and just enjoyed each other's company. I didn't realize how much I miss my family until we dropped them off at the airport. I guess I just try not to think about my family and home so I don't miss them. Thanks Mom and Dad for a great time in Brisbane! For more photos see my mom's blog.

We put up our Christmas tree last Sunday (Heath added the American flag on the top). I love this time of year! I feel cheated though because we are not celebrating Thanksgiving this year...I usually organize dinner with our American friends but have been really slack and haven't done anything! And no one else has organized anything so we are just going out to dinner to an American restaurant that has hot dogs, root beer, ribs and wings. Even though we are not celebrating Thanksgiving traditionally, I still enjoying reflecting on all the blessings in my life - a loving husband, a healthy baby, the Gospel, family, friends, good health, jobs and technology to keep in touch with my family and friends across the world. We are truly blessed.