Andies Special Day!

Andie was baptised this morning by her father and it was a beautiful experience. Both Johnathan and Andie did a wonderful job and it was so sweet to see them together in the font. He also confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost, along with a beautiful blessing. It was need to have the boys watch her and she did a wonderful job even though she was worried about her ears. After that we came home and the family stayed for a yummy lunch and the we let the kids play for a while. Overall it was a nice day and we are so proud of Andie's decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Congratulations Andie!

The Duncan Family

This is her portrait. The Plaque says
"I will keep my Baptismal Covenants"
Andie V. Duncan
March 2009

2 MILES!!!

Today I ran an entire 2 miles. For the past week I have ran 1 mile and then walked and speraticly ran the next mile doing 2 miles in 35 min. Today I kept talking myself into going just a little farther and I ran the entire 2 miles in 32 min. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I am now in better shape than I have been after having any of my children. My goal is still to see the number of my dreams on the scale on my 30th birthday and I am headed that direction, it is really exciting for me. Anyway just wanted to share.

NO MORE SNOW!!!

We woke up to a thin carpet of snow this morning and hopes of an early summer drifted away. Now don't get me wrong, we live in Rexburg ID and if I thought we would see any sign of summer before August first I would be joking myself, but it was nice to dream! I really enjoy winter around Christmas and when the holiday spirit is in abundance but I also really enjoy the sun and everything that comes along with it.

Spring is a time a re-birth. It makes you feel a bit like a flower peaking its head out of the moist spring earth just searching for the tiny ray of warm sunlight. Then when you feel it you want to spring open and brighten the world with your own uniqueness. I always feel like I want to clean, and de-junk. Put away the winter clothes and the boots, gloves, hats and scarves. Buy new sandals for the kids and most of all plan summer play!

We would like to go out camping and visit Yellowstone Park. Fishing and hiking with the kids is also on the list, and planting a garden. What I think I love most about summer is being out of the house. In Rexburg you can spend as many as 7 months stuck in the house because of bad weather, so the few precious months of sunshine are a beautiful thing to me.

But is seems that I need to reign in my anxiousness for summer and stick it out for a few more weeks. Johnathan likes to remind me that mid August I will be wishing it would cool off for just a few days. Will we ever be happy?

Inspired!

I have been inspired by my sister-in-law to get back in shape. We are the same age so it wasn't like I was comparing myself with a 19 year old so I felt it reasonable to want to be like her. Over the past 9 weeks she has lost 14lbs by simply eating right and working out. She is also a mommy and has a taxing Church calling so if she can do it so can I. It has been one week of working out and my body is killing me, but I am seeing some result and it sure does feel good.

All around me I see people who are getting into shape. It is time to get on the wagon and try again to live a healthy life. I just thought about how I will feel ten years from now when I can't do all the things I wanted to do at that age. Johnathan and I will still be relatively young when all the kids are out of the house and we wish to travel and serve missions so NOW is the time to make that happen.

Thank you Jenn for being my inspiration and I really think that I can do it. Now it is time to get on the treadmill!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Well the corn beef is bubbling away in the crock pot, the cabbage and red potatoes are awaiting their turn and the whole family is dressed in green to avoid the terrible pinch. Happy St Pat ricks Day!!! As a child we would always have dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We would set the table up in the living room and add a card table to the end. My cousin and I would always sit at the very end by the back patio door on the piano bench. Of course there would be far more food than was ever eaten but it was the holiday. My grandfathers father came directly over from Ireland and so tradition was fresh and strong. One year I remember traveling to Utah to celebrate with family, but it was years ago and all I can remember was lots of food and a really big house. Other than that my memories are distinct and set into memory.

Johnathan's family celebrated by making everything green, from the eggs at breakfast to the milk. Their family is also Irish so they had their own set of Traditions past down to their family. Now that Andie is in school she is really pushing the green thing and she was sure to ware a green shirt and hair bows to school today so that she would be safe. Hopefully as the children grow up we can find some strong Patties day traditions that the children will remember for the rest of their lives. Today we will start with the famous corned beef, and man am I looking forward to it!!!

Love, Hate!

Casey is going through a faze that he hates pretty much anything or anyone that doesn't agree with him, including, mom and dad, brother and sisters, and more recently the front door, the car seat and of course chocolate pudding. It is hard to explain to a three year old that hate is a really strong word and that he doesn't really hate anything. But one of my favorite things is when he says that he loves things because it sounds like I huve...two nights ago it was carrots, and onions and celery that was in the chicken stew, yesterday it was cake, and today he huved almost everything, except Jenna, whom he almost always hates.

It amazes me how simple kids think and how adults are always trying to complicate thing. We can't just love chocolate and hate peas, we have to enjoy chocolate but if we love it then we are an out of control chocoholic. If we hate peas then we are devoid of any ability to try and accept new things. So I decided to state some things that I know I love or hate unconcerned with the possible rebuke I may receive.

I Hate tomatoes, tried them lots, hate them lots
I Hate mushrooms, think they taste like rubbery dirt
I Hate crab cakes, they taste like the ocean
I Hate snow, it is cold and sometimes dangerous
I Hate being alone, I need someone to talk to

I Love Chocolate, it is good and that is all that matters
I Love ice cream, so many flavors, so little time
I Love the sun, it is warm and brings life
I Love romantic comedies, they make me feel good and happy
I Love being around other people, it is nice to have other people to talk to

So there, just a few things that I refuse to complicate. What are some of yours?

Big Girl!

Tonight we let Jenna feed herself for the first time. We put the food in a plastic bowl and gave her a spoon and let her go at it. As you can see she had a blast and she really went to town on the food. I think most of it got in her mouth but what she did ware she wore well. I couldn't resist taking a picture and the cheesy smile she gave me was priceless. This will defiantly go into the Jenna Hall of Fame!

Miracles!

My good friend Janalyn had her baby on Wednesday! They have struggled with infertility for nearly four years and so needless to say there little one is the result of much fasting and prayer on the part of their friends and family. It is hard to believe that after being roommates ten years ago at college we are now full time mommies, but I wanted her and everyone to know that I truly believe in miracles. Congratulations Jake and Janalyn on your beautiful baby girl and I hope that mother and baby are doing great!

Happy Birthday Jenna!

Yesterday was Jenna's first Birthday! We celebrated on Saturday at Grandma's house, but we did give her lots of loves and birthday wishes yesterday. It is hard to believe she is one already. We also got some video of her first timid steps and I don't think it will be to long before she is running around the house with the other kids. We are so glad that we can have her in our home and we Love her very much. Happy Birthday Jenna!

Happy Birthday Andie!

Andie is eight years old today!!! We just want to wish her a very happy birthday on this very special day. At the end of the month Andie will be baptized and become a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. She is super excited about entering into this covenant with our Heavenly Father and is looking forward to the 28th for her Daddy to baptize her. Happy Birthday princess and we love you SOOOO much!