Building our dreams!

This is the reason I haven't been blogging and doing many other hobbies I enjoy. All my spare time and energy goes to this project. Rob and I are sooooo excited to have our own house again, especially one that we get to build just the way we want it. 2 1/2 more months and it should be done . . . yeah! If it wasn't so cold we would probably sleep there now! We go to check the progress of the house at least once, usually twice a day. We're slightly obsessed with it right now.

"I love to see the temple"

"I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day"

Kelsie had a great baptism with all her family and friends around her. She had the special opportunity to be baptized on her actual birthday! I'm certain that she will never forget her baptism day!

Dan and Mica's baby blessing

It was a beautiful day in St. George! Mica and Dan blessed their baby with her sister at Mica's parents house. Lea just found out they're probably having a little girl too! All these little girls are going to have fun growing up together!

February 1st - Bella's Blessing Day

Everything was perfect for Bella's blessing! Rob really put a lot of thought into her blessing and it was beautiful! I tend to stress out about cleaning the house and shopping for food and fixing lunch for over 50 people! I wish I could just chill-out about these kinds of things and just enjoy them. I know my family loves me no matter what, but I still have this anxiety that things won't be the way I want them. I guess my payoff comes when all the work is done and it turns out to be a wonderful and memorable day with family! Thank you all for coming. . . it makes it all worth it!

Bella's Blessing Day!

Rob gave the sweetest blessing! Kathy was nice enough to record it, so we'll have it always! We had so much family there. Thanks everyone for sharing this special day with us! I'm so greatful for these sweet blessings in my life! Bella, we love you!

Party time after Bella's blessing

Lea worked her magic and put Bella to sleep!

Grandpa Church and Great Grandma Church. Bella was named after her Great-Grandma Church. I hope Bella inherits some of her admirable qualities!

Bella is lucky to have a Grandma with such a fun and zany personality! Mom is always willing to make time for her grandkids!

Cute Things Kids Say

Hunter wanted to play with his little friend Courtney Baker today. So I called her mom, Lisa, and invited Courtney over. Courtney preferred that Hunter come to her house and when I said this to Hunter, he wanted to know why. I explained that it was because Courtney was shy. He said, "Courtney is shy?" I said, "yes." He thought about that for a second and said, "Shi is a dog. . . Is Courtney a dog?" (Shi is the name of Craig and Kathy's dog) I said, "no, not Shi the dog, shy is the way she feels." He responded, "Oh, Courtney is a dog?" I laughed and said, "just forget it, Courtney is not shy, she just wants you to come and play at her house." He was a little confused, but hopefully they have fun playing today and doesn't start calling Courtney a dog!

The day I came home from the hospital with Bella, Hunter said, "Mom, let me see your belly." I smoothed down my shirt and showed him how my stomach had shrunk. He then said, "Hmm . . . it's still a tiny bit big." (Honest little sucker!)

Last week Hunter excitedly announced, "Mom, I'm going to make my bed and clean my room all by myself!!!! . . . Mom . . . will you help me?"

None of the kids like it when Bella cries, they feel bad for her. Especially tender-hearted-Hunter. It was funny a while back, he said, "Mom, baby Bella is cwying . . . I think Bella wants to eat your chest."

Today I was getting some Benadryl out for Hunter because I think he's having an allergic reaction to some rasberry yogurt. As I was opening the package he said, "what's that?" I said, "This is for you." He responded, "Oh, did I got it for Christmas?"

Hunter makes me chuckle every day!

Santa Baby!

We had fun dressing Bella up for the Ward party and Rob's work party at the Olive Garden. She was a hit! Who can resist a baby in a Santa suit?

Sweet, Sweet, Bella

Bella is starting to require more attention these days. She's growing fast! So she wants to eat a lot! I weighed her on the 12th, the day she was due, and she was 8 pounds 8 oz. I can't imagine if I carried her full term!

She would have been a big baby!

Our New Family!

Introducing the newest member of our family . . . Isabella Muriel Barrick. We're so happy that everything went well and she's here and healthy.

First Breath, November 5, 2008 11:00 pm

Isabella Muriel Barrick is here! We named her after my Grandma Church and Rob's Great, Great, Grandma Watson. Bella wanted nothing to do with a Christmas birthday like her Mom. She surprised us five weeks before she was due. We expected her to have breathing and eating issues, but she must have been ready, because she was perfect! She is 6 pounds and 18 inches. The doctor said that if she was term she'd be a 10 pound baby. . . thank you Bella, for having mercy on your mom!

She's PERFECT!

You can't imagine my relief when I could see for myself that Bella was strong and healthy and perfect! I feel more blessed than I can express!
This poem was given to me by my friend Louise Leavitt about 11 years ago. It's one of my favorites.

Day-Old Child

My day-old child lay in my arms.

With my lips against her ear

I whispered strongly, "How I wish-

I wish that you could hear;

"I've a hundred wonderful things to say

(A tiny cough and a nod),

Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow

So I can tell you about God."

My day-old baby's mouth was still

And my words only tickled her ear.

But a kind of light passed through her eyes,

And I saw this thought appear:

"How I wish I had a voice and words;

I've a hundred things to say.

Before I forget I'd tell you of God-

I left him yesterday."

-Carol Lynn Pearson

Rob loves his girls!

Rob stopped by to see me and the baby before he had to go to work. He was so supportive and loving. I know he would do anything for his family. He takes such good care of us!

Kelsie holding Bella

Kelsie has been waiting to hold her baby sister for a long time! All of the kids were so excited to meet and hold her.

Brycen holding Bella

Grandma Barrick holding Bella

Hunter holding Bella for the first time

Hunter thinks that Bella and all of her little clothes are really cute. He, like the rest of the children, are very insistant the Bella be happy at all times. They are quick to inform me if she is crying or seems to be unhappy.