Fall Update

I know I'm not a true blogger but I will try to update quarterly. I am at peace with life right now, I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that families can be together forever. I am so proud and happy for my husband Bat, who will be getting the Melchizedek priesthood on the 2nd of November. We are going to start the temple preparation class this month so hopefully by the end of this year we will be able to become an eternal family. I can envision kneeling at the alter across from my husband and my children dressed in white with us. I have a special bond with my kids but to know that we are also bound in heaven will be so comforting to me.

I love fall, the leaves turning colors and the cool evenings I think it is my favorite season. We usually go to pick a pumpkin at Carver farms but they haven't looked that nice the last couple years, you know the ones that are odd shaped with wart like things, so we will just buy one at the store where we can get a bright orange nice and round pumpkin. I did find some small ones at the farmers market that were nice and round but not big enough to carve a cute jack-o-lantern. Anyway...

My Thea started preschool in September. She loves it! Each week they learn a new skill or idea about life. They've learned how to behave on the bus, hand washing and about different kinds of apples where they made applesauce and next week they'll learn about pumpkins. They really encourage parent involvement. On the 9th of October was Thea's 4th birthday so I went to school with her and we had gogurts for the treat, thy are her favorite snack. We had a big "Hello Kitty" party for her at home that night, games included a pinata, yes it was a little crazy but no one was injured and they all had a great time. We decided every other year will be a big party, Thea gets the even and Ben will get the odd which really means a big party every year.

My Ben Ben, is just growing and doing all the baby things he should, he crawls all over the place and is even standing independently he actually took a step and a half last night. I always have to squeeze him!

Summer update

My not so little Ben Ben has reached several mile stones in his sixth month. He got his two front bottom teeth and has been sitting up without support for about a month and he is really moving around, his version of crawling is so cute. He kind of pushes up on all fours and then scoots his legs forward, he is especially good at spinning himself around on his belly when he hears my voice, its like hes high centered. he he

My Thea girl loves to be in the pool, she can tippy toe touch the bottom of our four foot deep pool now and does pretty good without her life jaket. Our neighbor Bekah Nalder who is 10 yrs old is her best friend and likes to come over to swim and play with her. I have to remind myself that she is only three. Sometimes I expect too much and treat her like an older child. But I love it when she whispers "I love you mommy." She is starting pre-school this September at Otis Elementary, four days a week in the afternoons. It should be really good for her, she needs more attention than it seems I can give her.

Bat and I are doing so much better than we were a year ago, we go to church almost every Sunday and try to attend ward activities and he is working with the bishop to get his melkezdic priesthood, then we can go to the temple to be sealed. We did go to the temple a while ago to do baptisms and that was a good experience for us both. I was just so happy that we could be in the temple together in any capacity. We are working on setting goals to buy a home, hopefully in about a year and a half we will start shopping for financing and then a home.

My kids and my mom and I took a trip down to Utah over the 4th of July it was so good to see all my cousins. We spent the 4th down in St. George, it was so hot but we went swimming to cool off at this georgous pool. Ben was so tired of traveling in the car by the time we were ready to go home, for my own sanity and all involved I just flew home with him. Even in a crowded flight he did much better than in the car. I just nursed him during take off and landing and he did great.

Just this last Monday we went to Higgins Point at Lake Couer dAlene for a family home evening with my friends and hometeacher the VanCleaves. Thea and Bat had a great time swimming adn Ben discovered the dirt and decided he loves it. At first I didn't want to let him touch it but then I realized I need to let go and let him get dirty.

My brother Kyle got home from serving a mission in the Tulsa, Oklahoma mission on the 2nd of August. He looks so good and I am so happy to have him home and to get know my kids, Thea just loves him. After spending a month or so with us he plans to back to Utah to go to school. I dont have any pictures of him to post yet but I will get on that and post them. Then you can show him to any worthy young ladies that might be interested in a handsome RM.

Beautiful Day

Today made me feel so happy, the sun was shinning all day. Bat called off from work and we went to a BBQ for the Elders Quorum at the Daines' lake house. Oh my gosh what an amazing place to spend the afternoon, Thea played in the water making mud pies and sand castles while Bat attempted his first ever game of volleyball while I caught up on visiting with friends from the ward. I dont want to imagine the kind of life I would have without the church, not only does it provide my spiritual well being but also an excellent social outlet. hehe
I will post some pictures from the weekend at the first of the week. To any fathers that may be reading this Happy Fathers day!

Almost...

Bat will be home on Tuesday, I am so excited to have him back and to have full discusions with him about everything thats going on in the Philippines and with Nathalia and what the future holds for our little family. While I will be so happy and grateful to have him home I admit that I have sort of settled into a routine without him. oh Im so excited...almost.

am I doing this right?

Bare with me while I figure this whole bloging thing. I am excited to get started but a little technically challenged so things may not look that great but I will do my best. Plus right now its 4am I cant sleep but anybody with little children knows I should be so I cannot be held responsible for any errors.

Our Family -1

I love these new family photos, we just went out in the back yard and my mom took a few shots. I say -1 because we are missing Bats daughter Nathalia who is still in the Philippines. We look forward to having her come to live with us one day. Bat is in PI now and is opening communication with the Philippine consulate to get that process started. Last year we had her last name officially changed to Ballao so that really was the first step to the process.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

I would like to welcome myself to the blogging world. I will beging my introducing my super hero daughter.

THEA the SLAYA