Am I the Breast mom ever?

No. but I do have great kids and I do love being a mom.

A very good friend of mine, one of my best I'd say, posted something very sweet about her "breast friends" and I'm one of them. Thanks Joce!

Here is a link to her "crunchy" blog.

While we're on this subject; I changed Caleb's diaper this morning before I went out for some good ol' VT, and as I was wiping the poo off his bum I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that all of that poop was a direct result from something I gave to him. Gross huh? Oh thinks I can think. ;0) Seriously though, I am so grateful for this opportunity to nurse him, it has been a hard road but I am so grateful for it. I appreciate the little things God has taught me through this experience. It has changed my life in many different aspects, it has opened my eyes to many different things, not just pertaining to breast feeding. In each step of our lives there is something we are supposed to learn and can honestly say that I am grateful for this trial.

The little things I love about breast feeding: when my breasts hurt in the morning because I have so much milk, I love hearing my little baby gulp and sometimes choke, knowing that he is getting all the nourishment he needs to survive, and that it is all coming from me. I love looking down at his sweet face as he looks up at me a grins with milk dripping out of the corner of his mouth. Seeing his chunky rolls and knowing he is perfectly healthy and happy. It is an amazing feeling.

I know there are a lot of moms out there, for several different reasons, who do not have the privilege to breast feed, and I do consider it a privilege. So to all you Mommy's out there having a hard time with breastfeeding, know that you are not alone, and that it is SO worth it, there are so many blessings for everyone involved. Don't give up, ask for help and drink lots of water. For all those Mommy's who are bottle feeding, you are a GREAT Mommy too, your baby loves you just as much. Sit and enjoy those feedings, no more propping that bottle up. ;0)

It may have been a hard time for me and my family, but it is a great challenge that we conquer everyday.

Thank you Joce for putting it into a different light, and reminding me of all the blessings I have.

I think I may have had an idea of what was to come....
Just coming home from the hospital...almost 6 months ago. ;0)
I just thought this pic was funny....no I am NOT ashamed, it looks even better without the baby in it. ;0)

-Keara

Playing catch up

Kids playing before bed.

The following pictures are from Thanksgiving. We drove to Wisconsin to be with our cousins at it was a blast. We had so much fun just hanging out and going to some stores and cooking. My camera died so I don't have a lot of pics, but we just hung out and had a blast. Calvy and Ellie still talk about their cousins in Wisconsin.

It was a very blizzardy weekend, so the kids went out to enjoy it...it was COLD.

These are just some fun Christmas decor I wanted to share. I want to make an orniment for each of the kids....I want to...

One of my friends bought these sconces for me at a garage sale, She said she thought of mew hen she saw them. I do love them...a lot.

It was Alan's 30th Birthday last week, so to celebrate we did 30 nice things for him, amongst them were 30 Happy Birthday posters throughout the house, little treats left on his car, and a list of 30 things we love about him. We also took the kids out to see Rapunsel to celebrate.

"Is that a turtle shell, or Ellie's hair?" -Calvy

"Mommy, do you love Daddy?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you love me?"

"I do love you."

"I love you more Mommy"

"I love you too."

"No, I love you more."

"Oh, I love you most."

"Love competition. I win!"

-Calvy

"I hungry Mommy."

"We're going to have dinner soon."

"No! We're gonna have peanuts!"

-Ellie

We tried star fruit this last week, it is very yummy and an awesome texture, kinda like a raspberry with a very juicy, crunchy grape texture.

Just one day in the life of Caleb...

and Ellie...

and Calvy.

I know I say this a lot, but life is quite the roller coaster. Leaving town for Christmas can be pretty stressful. I would like to say that I would just rather stay home and enjoy our last Christmas in this house(which I would), but I do not want to be ungrateful for the huge blessing it is for us to be able to go to AZ and see all our family and enjoy Christmas together. We are also very excited to share in the sealing of Johny and Christa in the AZ temple while we are there.

I often think of things I could post on my blog, things that have caught my eye or attention or captured my thoughts. There are only a "few" things that come to mind, how much I love chiropractic, more specifically the NUCCA technique. The First Presidency Christmas Devotional. My amazing children and how to raise them and love them. Homeschool! Last but not least the movie I just saw "Babies". IT makes me cry every time, I just love those babies and it makes me love my babies even more, I just want to be with all the time and love them to pieces by kissing their cheeks repeatedly.

My biggest goal for right now is to just be a great mother, I pray for it fervently. I want my children to know how special they are, and how loved they are. I want them to love each other and be able to rely on one another. I want them to be able to reach their potential and be great people. How do I do this? I have no idea. ;0) I just pray a lot and ask for a lot of help and endurance, and sometimes patience...but not very often, I usually can't handle those days. ;0)

I am so thankful for modern day revelation, for the knowledge that our Father in Heaven is giving us direction yet again, that He loves us and wants us to return to Him, and to be extremely happy in this life. I love the Christmas Devotional, all of the talks were s good, and I am so thankful for the Spirit I feel when I listen to those wonderful men speak and give us direction which comes from God. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk, I am sometimes a Grinch and I am grateful for him pointing that out. I want to make this season magical for my children and full of wonder and love for my husband and I. Tis the Season and I am SO grateful for that special little baby who grew into a wonderful boy and amazing man who lived a perfect life and gave it all for me. I hope I can remember the true spirit of Christmas or the Spirit of Christ. the music was amazing, my favorite is this song by the Tabernacle Choir.

I am most grateful for my children and my amazing husband this Christmas season. What are you grateful for?

-Keara

Old pics/Mothering/"What Shall We Give?"

Caleb

Eleanor

Calvin

I have decided that Mothering is HARD work, and it is most definitely work. I couldn't figure out why I would have one good day and the next day be...well crappy. While writing in my journal last night I came to the conclusion that it is just hard work, and you are never guaranteed a good day, but you can guarantee a good attitude. I haven't had such a good attitude lately. I have been hit with a doozy, my milk is not producing as much any more....it seems to be drying up, I am hoping and praying that it isn't, so we'll leave it at that. I worked hard to nurse him for as long as I did and I am SO grateful. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much, I am so so thankful, and it is His plan so I will go along with it. In the meantime I am drinking lots of water and "Mother's Milk" and nursing...a LOT.

I have had sweet little moments like this...I was watching this video and busted into the ugly cry, you know which one I'm talking about, I was so touched by the message and the feelings that rushed through me, the feelings of the Spirit which I really needed this morning. I saw the pictures of Christ as a baby and I thought of my own little baby, and how much I want to just make him happy and do everything I can to nurture and love him. Then I referred those feelings to my Savior and everything He has done for me, and that I want to give Him something back, I want this Christmas season to not just be the Spirit of Christmas, but the spirit of Christ. I am SO thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and a Prophet who tells us what He wants us to hear and DO.

I do have the sweetest most rambunctious kids EVER and I love what they say and do. Calvy walked in while I was watching the said video, and he said "Mommy, we don't have church on Birthdays." Last night while I was trying to get up off the couch to go out for a girls night, which I desperately needed. I siting in a pit of despair while talking with my Mommy as she gave me some good advice on how to feel better, when I looked over and saw my two sweet children(who had spent the WHOLE day fighting) as they helped eachother. Calvy helped Ellie with her jacket and boots, and ellie picked up Calvy's boots and put them away for him. I appreciate sweet moments like those. The good advice my Mom gave me: "keep your head up", "bundle up and go for a walk all by yourself, breathe in the fresh air and clear your head." "I love you baby."

I am thankful for a great mother.

Choir Boys

I just had to pop in for a moment and share my favorite song right now. I love the worse and these boys vices are so amazing. Just love it.

"Walking in the Air"

Ellie

Ellie: Get up Calvy!!!!

Me: No Ellie. Ellie, his body is sick so he needs to sleep so his body will get better.

Ellie: He need battery?

Me: No his body is sick.

Ellie: He need battery. Sick.

Me: ......

Sign for "T" is the sign for LOVE

I wanted to post something about one of the most influential women in my life, minus my mother, and it is my Grandma Passey, my Mother's Mother. She is no longer with us, she has passed onto the other side where I am sure she is hard at work. She left us in such a way that it made and still makes it hard to believe she is gone. We found out she had cancer and 6 VERY short months later she was gone. I don't know that it left my brain enough time to compute because I still have a hard time with it, though it is getting better, I do sometimes expect to see her. It is sad that I don't get to see her any more, but I do however feel her near. I remember a few years before she passed, her and my Grandpa talking and my Grandpa was teasing her for the way she would hold her hands while she slept or watched T.V. She would hold her thumbs between her index and middle fingers, kind of like the sign for the letter "T". She said it was just comfortable, I remember trying it out myself, it is pretty comfy. ;0)For some reason I always remembered this.

It took us a while to get pregnant with Calvy and my Grandmother was the first family member I told when we finally got pregnant. I remember going to her house for Mother's Day, and by this time she had been asleep for several days and we didn't expect her to awaken. I knelt at her bedside and whispered in her ear that all the time we had waited for our little baby was now at an end. I do remember being very sad that I couldn't see her smile and have her give me a hug and say, "See. I told you it would be ok".

As I said before I feel her near a lot, when Calvin was born I noticed that sometimes he would hold his hand with his thumb nestled in between his index and middle fingers. I always felt her near. As Calvin got older he stopped doing it as often, till he stopped all together. Then when I had Ellie she did the same thing, and just last night I looked down at my little Caleb and saw that familiar thumb position and felt warm. Every time I have seen it, with all my children, I have felt her near, almost a little sign to let me know she is around. I know my Grandma still loves me and when she gets a chance she pops in to see how we are doing. I am grateful for little signs from Heaven reminding us of our loved ones, even those who have passed.

I love you Grandma Passey, I will never forget your amazing example of service and family. You said it would be ok, and now look at my 3 beautiful children.

Love you forever and ever.

Love, Keara

P.S. I chose that specific picture because the woman's fingernails are done, and if you knew Grandma Passey you know she always had her nails done.

P.P.S. I have not forgotten about my surprise for all you followers, I promise it is coming. If you are not yet a follower, go ahead and become one and you'll have a chance to partake in this surprise.

Free Canvas!

Canvas for FREE!

I found this on another blog and had to share it. I just ordered mine, and I am SO excited. The S&H is a little pricey $17.95, but you still can't beat this deal. I ordered the 11"x 17" for $9.99. I have been wanting one of these FOREVER! Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday and Anniversary to me. ;0) We'll see how Alan feels when he hears I bought myself another Christmas gift. ;0)