Lessons from the Captain : The Peg-Legged Pirate

A week ago Captain Jack decided he wanted to walk the plank...and oh was I feeling stressed for several days afterward. Jack and stairs seem to have a magnetic reaction with one another and my fearless Captain refuses to go down on his belly feet first. In fact, he finds it exhilarating to go head first belly or back. Head first off our bed and couch, head first out of our arms or off our lap, and yes head first down the stairs.

We were visiting my brother-in-law, Trevor, who just had a hip replacement. They don't have a gate by their stairs so I was prepared to watch Jack very close. I must not have been used to how fast my little stink bug was able to walk because I took my eye off him just long enough to set my coat down and then I heard the awful thud followed by piercing cries. Heart racing, I rushed down the half-flight of stairs and scooped him up in my arms. I checkout his head and eyes to make sure there were no serious injuries. Within a minute tears had stopped and Jack was ready to get back to playing. As exhausting as he can be, I hope we don't discover what will slow this tough kid down.

It didn't take long before I noticed Jack wouldn't walk. He tried to stand up a couple of times but would fall right back down. He wasn't putting weight on his left leg. Once we were home Heath and I examined his legs. There was no swelling, no bruising, and our Captain showed no signs he was in pain. He would try to walk but collapse after his first step. I felt awful for not watching him closer or placing a something to block him from the consequences of gravity. I worried he broke or fractured something and would be in a cast. We waited a couple of days just to see if it was just a minor tweak, but Monday came and my little pirate was still gimp. We went to his doctor that afternoon for x-rays.

Our witty stink bug must have known because he decided it was time to walk. Showing off for the doctor, he walked five feet! Heath and I looked like over-worried parents. I just had to laugh! The doctor must have seen right through his charade because she still wanted x-rays just to be safe. The x-rays did show swelling in his knee, but thankful no fractures or breaks! Since then we have seen gradual improvement in our pirate's gate.

This was my first experience of having a more serious casualty with Jack. I've been worried for him before, but this was much more intense. It was one of those times when I realized just how much I love my little guy. I was texting my older sister, who I admire immensely, about what happened and her comment really sums what I felt.

"I've decided if I make it through motherhood without stomach ulcers, heart attacks, and chronic insomnia it will be a miracle. Kids are great at causing stress, worry, and driving you crazy. But they can melt your heart in an instance and teach you more about life than any college degree could. You cant help but love the little buggers!" -Mamma Bec Hatch

Thanks Captain for making us worry, causing us stress, and teaching us what's most important in life. We love you!

Becoming A Better Me

I usually don't write about my birthday, but I had such a great experience I wanted to record it. The last couple of years I noticed I had felt a little sorry for myself on my birthday. If we're honest- Heath isn't very creative. He will admit it too! Planning something fun for me or surprising me isn't how he thinks to show his love. Silly to have a pity party over- I know. This year I was busy with Jack's birthday, planning an extended family party, my church calling, doctor appointments, etc so I hadn't even thought about my birthday. When Heath asked me what I wanted to do, I didn't know what to tell him. I had plans to go to lunch with my mom and sister Jamie, so I decided we should go to the temple since a baby sitter was already on hand.

I love how I feel at the temple. I never want to leave the Celestial room. Heath and I had a wonderful time there. I also had the opportunity to help a sister in a wheel chair get dressed after our session. Long story short, this sister was told someone working at the temple could help her, but turns out they have a policy against it for legal issues and no one was there to help her. By offering to help, I was able to spend time with a spiritual giant! This sister, who was probably in her mid 40's, had a stroke last August. This was her first time back to the temple since. She radiated with the spirit. After I strolled her out to meet her husband, I felt so much love for her.

While driving home I was uncontrollably happy. I began thinking about the day I had and the contrast from previous birthdays that were good, but nothing special. This birthday was special. I had a greater connection with my Savior and caught a glimpse of who I can be with his help. I was in tune to the spirit and was more aware of others than myself. I was filled with love. I felt pure happiness. All of that was a million times better than having a day all about me, being spoiled, or surprised. I hope to make it to the temple every year on my birthday. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the day I was born than to focus on serving others, strive to become more like my Savior, and ultimately become a better me. That's why we came here in the first place isn't it?

Captain Jack's Log : It all starts with bubbles

Just the other night Jack did something that really impressed me and gave me hope that I might find him racing in a swimming pool one day! As a precursor to the story, I try to go swimming with Jack once a week, but it had been nearly a month since we had been to the pool. At the pool I usually show Jack how to blow bubbles and he watches and giggles. During bath time a couple of nights ago, I got his wash rag full of baby shampoo and said to Jack "Look at the bubbles Bud!" He instantly leaned forward and put his mouth in the tub water. Then sat up and gave me a big grin. Wondering if it was just coincidence I said, "Can you blow bubbles?" and he did the exact same thing! Pride filled my heart! I may just have a little fish, despite the fact his dad is a rock in the water.

It amazes me how much babies understand. I never would have thought he would have remembered the word 'bubbles' let only what it means. I love watching Jack learn. It makes me so happy. I can only imagine how happy our Father in Heaven feels when we learn a gospel principal and show him we know what it means by living it. The back float is next little bug!

hApPy BiRtHdAy CaPtAiN!!

Captain Jack, Dad's little bear and Mom's cuddle, stink, or silly bug (depending on the circumstance)- just turned 1! We worry the next time we blink he'll be going into kindergarten! The past year has gone by too fast, but we have enjoyed every moment. Jack has brought us an increased amount of love, joy, and laughter. We love you so much little bug!

We've noticed Jack's little personality develop over the last year. He seems to be a happy, easy-going, fun-loving kiddo. He loves to interact with other people- everywhere! Whether we are at the grocery store, church, or at exercise class Jack knows how to get people's attention and make them smile. What a great quality! I think others will always been drawn to him because of this. My cuddle bug knows how to make me feel better on days when I'm stressed and how to make his dad laugh with his many different grunts and growls. The Captain is good at giving hugs and kisses. It makes us so happy to get a slobbery kiss on our cheek or tiny arms wrapped around our neck. 

Its true he is nearly 100% sweet, but lately Jack has got a bit of an attitude and temper. He seems to know what he wants or doesn't want and has figured out how to protest if it doesn't go his way. Jack is smart and witty too- He likes to play by the gate blocking the stairs, but knows its wrong. When we tell him "No Jack" he simply smiles and crawls away really fast trying not to let us catch him. Then looks back at us and laughs! Jack can say Da-Da-Da, Ma-Ma-Ma, Daw (which is dog), Mooo, and his own versions of ball and throw. He knows where people's nose, lips, eyes, and belly buttons are too. He is such a picky eater. Fruit, bread, yogurt, cereal and snacks are just about the only things he will eat. Balls are still his favorite things to play with. Heath taught him how to play pass and he loves it. Jack likes to brush his teeth and tries to brush his hair with my hair brush. He's got a lot of energy that keeps us on our toes!

For Jack's First Birthday we had a little party. Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Bleazard, Grandma and Grandpa Lambert, Aunt Jamie and Uncle Keith, Aunt Heidi, cousins Landon, Kalli, Jake, Tanner, Brie, Easton, Mack, Ky, and Jarom, Great-Grandma and Grandpa Gundersen, and Uncle Zach Silva were all at the party. He was a popular kiddo that night. We opened presents and had cake and ice cream. Jack's cousins Jarom and Mack got more excited opening presents than he did. 

Jack's cake was too big of a project for me. I vowed never to do something that time-consuming again. I even simplified and didn't make the football I planned. But once it was finished I was happy with it. Thank goodness for my husband. There would not have been cake with out his help. 

Jack was confused when we set the cake in front of him. I don't think he realized he could eat it. After we cut open the baseball and gave him a nibble of it he dug right in. Scowls of confusion turned into smiles of a kid on a sugar-high. 

Thanks for being such a great kiddo! We LOVE you!!

hApPy BiRtHdAy!

Holidays with Family

We had a wonderful Christmas spent with our families. This last year I've become more and more grateful for Heavenly Father's wisdom in the purpose of the family. I feel incredibly blessed to have the family I do and to have married into a great family. I'm grateful for the privilege of being a mother. Within families we have opportunities to love, teach, give support, forgive- to become more Christlike. 

We spent Friday night before Christmas looking at the lights on Temple Square. How beautiful! The next day we had a fondu dinner at Heath's parents house. It was fun to see Jack with all his cousins. 14 grankids in all, and 16 by the end of July!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was spent at my parents' house. All my sisters, except Hermana Lambert, were there. Having my nieces and nephew, Jed, Madi and Emily there made the entire holiday much more magical. Jack wasn't too sure what was going on, so we're counting on next year. 

I was eagerly waiting for the phone to ring all Christmas evening. Hearing Kristi's voice and all her experiences was a great present for us. When she comes back she'll have 3 new nieces or nephews! 

I'm so grateful to know families can be together forever. 

Merry Christmas and Good Bye 2012

2012 seemed to be a year of construction for us- physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual construction for our little family. So far all have been successful improvements.

The first construction of the year began on January 12, 2012, when our captain Jack became a new addition to our family. He has filled our life with so much joy! We love watching him grow and learn. Jack has an infectious smile and giggle, a fun-loving personality, and curiosity that keeps the house messy. Jack walks along furniture, loves playing with everything he shouldn’t, says da-da-da and ma-ma, and he knows where his nose is. Heavenly Father has put our hearts and spirits under construction, as Heath and I have learned the challenges and blessing of being parents. I’ve noticed we can better understand God’s divine qualities of love, sacrifice, and humility, as we become parents ourselves. No wonder families are central to His great Plan of Happiness!

Heath survived his first year of teaching Spanish at Hillcrest High School and is about half way through his second. Many people told us the first year of teaching can be rough- what a mental construction project for Heath. I think he learned a great deal of patience because several days of the year he would come home saying he felt like strangling a few of his not-so-mature students. I substituted at Hillcrest frequently before Jack was born and found out Heath is well respected and liked by the other staff and his students. No surprise there. Despite a rough season last spring, He really enjoys coaching the JV Baseball team. We’ll just say the Huskies have been going through some team rebuilding years… I was able to get on board coaching hurdles on the track team. It may be wrong to live vicariously through others, but I loved coaching something I can no longer do. It was an emotional “fix-it-up” project on a sore spot in my heart! It looks like I will be able to help with hurdles at Stansbury HS this spring as well. Go Stallions!

In April of 2012 we began looking into buying a home in Stansbury Park (near Grantsville and Tooele). After deciding building would be a smarter option for us, construction began mid-July. We coordinated with our builder to do some of the work ourselves. With the expertise help of our family and good friends, we successfully completed the roofing, electrical, tiling, hard wood floors, and painting. THANK YOU to everyone who helped us!!! What an exhausting adventure! I’m so glad we were able to be part of constructing the home where we will make great memories and raise our family. We moved in at the end of September and have found the construction projects never end with your own home. We love our neighborhood and ward. Everyone has made us feel so welcomed. I’ve had several experiences that reconfirmed to me this is where Heavenly Father wants us to be. 

We feel so blessed to have a home! It’s just the right size for now, and we have an unfinished basement when we need more room. That may be happening sooner than expected because our family will be expanding! Someone wiser than us wants two more little feet running across the carpet along side Jack. The estimated construction completion date is July 11, 2013. We couldn’t be happier! The week of Christmas I will be 12 weeks along. Because of its due date, Heath gave the baby the nickname Slurpee. We’ll let you know what flavor (boy or girl) when we find out!

We are grateful for the opportunities we’ve had in the last year to grow and change- to put our characters, our hearts, and spirits under construction so that we can become more like our Savior and accept His will. He provides this life with meaning and purpose. How grateful we are for Him and His Atonement. We hope you too can find ways to put yourself under construction to become more like him.

Merry Christmas!

A Sick Moo Cow

 This post is way over due... The Christmas spirit is in full swing, but I had to record Jack's first Halloween, even as uneventful as it was. Jack was a pretty sick with a yucky cold/cough. My little bug wasn't eating and not as giggly as usual. But for being sick he was still a fairly happy kiddo. We decorated our pumpkins following the theme of one of our favorite movies "Zorro". I loved how they turned out!

Of course Jack had to be a cow on his first Halloween. My mom found his cute costume. Heath was a little bothered he was a Holstein (milk cow) and not a Black Angus. (Surprised I know my cow breeds so well? haha). I had to remind Heath they don't make Black Angus cow costumes. At least I've never seen one... Holstein or not, Jack made for one cute moo cow. We made two stops to show off our little cow at Heath grandparents and parents' house. Then it was home to put our sick cow to bed.

Happy Halloween!!

My Big Boy's Birthday

I always get more excited about Heath's birthday than he does, and this year wasn't any different. I love planning something fun that I know he will enjoy (or hope he enjoys at least:) and my sister Bec got me hooked on making fun cakes. Heath's birthday theme was all about his boy-ish loves. Here's a review of our fun day.

At 2:30 when school got out Jack and I showed up at Hillcrest. I tied a happy birthday balloon to the back of Jack's pants and had him crawl into Heath's classroom by himself. I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of it, especially Heath's reaction. He looked so happy to see the Captain. Heath is such a great dad. Jack gets so excited when he comes home from work.

After taking care of some stuff in the classroom, we were off. First we picked up some burgers and fries at one of Heath's favorite places, Hires Big H. I think Heath has loved beef since before he could walk. Anything with beef is a favorite food- hamburgers, meatloaf, steak, ribs, roasts...We took them to Liberty Park and had a picnic. Delicious.

Next, Heath kicked my butt in the golf toss, one of our favorite yard games I brought. Of course I had to let Heath win on his birthday. He grew up playing in the back yard- baseball, pepper, football, croquet, bocci ball. You name it. Since we don't have a yard yet, a park was the next best thing. Jack was on Heath's team and they celebrated after their victory.

It was so fun to relax and play at the park. Jack loved the musical toys they have there. Crawling through tunnels was a big hit and we discovered Jack knows how to go down a slide by himself. He loved it! And Heath loved watching his little boy have so much fun. 

After we were all a bit chilly, we took off to pick up Heath's present. Home Depot provided him endless of options to choose from. Ever since we moved into our house, Heath comments that he needs some "man" tools to put in the garage. I thought I better help him grow up. His $30 shopping spree at Home Depot was like watching a little kid in a candy store. He paced up and down the tool isles several times. I frequently heard, "Oh wife, I need one these." or "This bla bla bla saw would be so nice to have." or "I should get me some of these bla bla blas...". I'm just glad we left with something. He was tempted to wait and think about what to get, which would have meant 2-3 more trips pacing the tools isles. 

I was trying to gently coax him to the check out line, because I knew he had something exciting waiting at home... We got home and usually Heath takes his time getting out of the car and I head into the house. This time I waited patiently and slowly unloaded our things from the car. He walked into the kitchen from the mud room and the noise errupted. "Surprise!!!" Heath's mom, dad, and most of our nieces and nephews on his side were there for the big surprise. We had a great time eating cake and ice cream. 

The inspiration for the Tractor Cake came from Heath's biggest passion in life- ranching. I didn't really want to make a cow, so this was the next best thing I could think of. We recently went into Cal-Ranch and spent about a half hour looking at all the toys. It was adorable how similar Heath and Jack's reactions were to the farm toys. Tractors, trucks, cows, panels, hay bales, horses, and much more got awe-struck "OOOoooo!" from Jack and Heath was close to drooling while saying, "Look little bear, it's a John Deere! We need one of those!" Heath has been a little cowboy ever since he was old enough to go feed the cows with his Grandpa Max. By the way things look Jack is going to be like his pops.

Happy Birthday Heath!

Thanks for being a wonderful father, husband, and friend. TQM.