Bye Ottawa...

Last week we packed the kiddies in the car a drove the 5+ hours to Ottawa. The last time we were there was before Joseph was born, so we thought we would stop by for a quick fall visit. April lives in Ottawa as do some of our cousins so we had a lot to do. The drive there went pretty well. The kids napped most of the time, and when they were awake, we played Disney music to keep them entertained. Thank goodness Disney music is well written, otherwise I'd go CRAZY!

In Ottawa we stayed with April and Colin in their new apartment, which was pretty cool because it had 2 levels with the bedrooms upstairs. The kids slept great which was quite the surprise because last time we attempted an overnight stay (the cottage) they woke up crying several times and woke up half the family.

The first night there we just stayed in a had dinner with April and Colin. The second day we went to the mall and then joined Colin and his family for dinner at an Italian restaurant. It was a really nice evening.

On Friday night we went to a place called Cosmic Adventures. It reminded me of Chucky Cheese but much bigger and with less arcade games. It was fun, but WAY overpriced if you ask me. Luckily we had coupons and saved 50% because usually it was cost $14 for Rosie, $13 for Joseph, and $6 each for Dave and I!!! Holy expensive! I think its lame the adults had to pay to get it. Oh and you can not bring in any food because they want to keep the place nut free (more like they want to sell you their CRAZY overpriced food). I got a personal sized plate of nachos for $7 (well not really because we had coupons - I only paid $2) the nachos were old and stale tasting, with pizza sauce instead of salsa, and burnt cheese. At least the kids had fun.

One of Rosie's newest things is making sure that people have what belongs to them. She's always giving Joseph HIS sippy cup, and giving Dave and I our shoes. In Ottawa she insisted in giving April her cell phone and her work ID card. She also found Colin's cell phone, went up to him and said "here Ottawa, your phone." Haa haa she thought Colin's name was Ottawa! Too cute!

On the way home we stopped at Nana Eleanor's house and spent the day. We went to the park and visited a huge yard sale of a woman who had passed away. The woman was really into sewing and had tables and tables of fabric and other supplies. I took home 3 large bags of fabric, and 5 spools of quality thread for only $5!!! Nana took the kiddies to the Toy store and bought Rosie a Snow White and Cinderella figure (which she carries with her everywhere, even bed) and a red fire truck for Joseph. Rosie insists that Joseph take his fire truck with him everywhere. She thinks if he has his "red pire tuck" that he'll leave her princess toys alone. As we were leaving Nana's house Rosie said "bye Nana Alligator". Again, another name mix up, but a cute one! We taught her to say Eleanor, but she still slips up now and then and calls her Nana Alligator.

Some other things that the kids have been up to...
- Joseph finally learned to walk a week ago. He's too cute waddling around.
- Even since Joseph has weaned (at 13 months) he likes to suck his thumb and touch my belly button. It's pretty cute except for the time he pinched my belly button and made it bleed :(
- Rosie is in love with anything princess. She loves watching Max and Ruby because Ruby is always dressing up and doing girlie things. Her favorite movies are Snow White, Cinderella, and Mulan. Right now she won't watch Beauty and the Beast because "the Beast is scary!"
- Joseph likes to watch Elmo's World, Dora, and Max and Ruby.
- Rosie, my once excellent eater has become very picky. I'm going to have to find ways to sneak veggies in her diet. Joseph, on the other hand, is a bottomless pit and will eat almost anything.
- Rosie likes it when I sing "round and round the garden". She'll stick out her hand and say "do my garden"

New Baby in the Family!

Don't start spreading rumors now, it's not MY baby, it's my brother in law's baby. Mike and his wife had a little boy last Friday and named him David. He's very cute and looks a lot like Mike. They're one of those lucky people to have the baby early, instead of going past the due date like I usually do. The little guy had a hard time breathing at first and the nurses were pretty worried. After a few hours in intensive care, he was healthy as can be and breathing like a champion. My kids don't quite understand that they have a new cousin but they really enjoyed looking at his newborn pictures. Unfortunately for us, baby David and his parents live in Utah, so we won't be able to meet the little guy until they come for a visit this summer :( For now, we'll just have to enjoy pictures and home videos.

Welcome to the world baby David!! Can't wait to meet you :)

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

Baby David Henry 7 pounds 10 ounces

No Longer a Single Mom

A few weeks ago Dave left on a 2 week trip to Ukraine. He used to live there for 2 years as a missionary and hadn't been back in about7-8 years. They were finally dedicating the new temple in Ukraine and Dave and Al decided it was a good time to head on back to the old mission. Their trip was a total of 2 weeks.... 2 weeks without phones and very limited internet access.

I stayed home with the kids because A) we couldn't afford to go as a family B) it's not really a family vacation spot. So there I was crying as he walked out the door, not because I didn't want him to go, crying because I was going to miss him so much.

It was three days before I heard from him (due to lack of internet) and I was so happy/relieved to finally get his email and hear that he arrived safely and that all was well. I was so emotional about him leaving on the trip that I was crying when I finally read his email. Even though it was in writing, it was so nice hearing that he loved me and missed me. We emailed each other back and forth while he was away and a few times I caught him on gmail chat, which was the highlight of my day. I thought about Dave every single day, wondering how he was doing and wishing I could be with him.

While Dave was gone, life at home was simple. I tried to keep things to a minimum to avoid stressing myself out too much. Dinners were simple, like pesto, spinach pizza, mac and cheese... and limited driving. I didn't want to drive very much because I was afraid of getting in an accident. I couldn't imagine dealing with scared children, injuries, insurance, and car troubles all by myself, with Dave helplessly in another continent. I did however make a quilt while Dave was gone, and I painted Rosie's bedroom and bought a few decorations for the living room. Dave also happened to be gone for his cousin's wedding, which I attended by myself, and he was also gone for our anniversary. I think that day was the hardest for me. We've never been apart for this long before, and to be away on our anniversary was very difficult. I went to visit my inlaws that day and they treated me and the kids to dinner at Ikea, which was lovely, but I still missed Dave terribly. The 2 weeks went by rather quickly and I managed to get a lot done while he was away. The house stayed clean, the kids stayed happy, and I even managed to make it out to church both weeks. I did better than I thought as a single mom, but I missed having Dave by my side through it all.

Dave had a wonderful time in Ukraine. He was able to catch up with families that he hadn't heard from in years. They were all doing better than he expected. He also (by some amazing luck) was able to meet up with his relatives and spend a few days with them. He said that the temple was absolutely gorgeous with one of the nicest celestial rooms he'd ever seen. The entire trip Dave felt so strongly that families can be together forever... obviously he has a testimony of this, but he felt the magnitude of it all while he was away. He loved running into families he taught on his mission and to hear that they had been sealed in the temple to their spouses and children and he loved knowing that with the new temple, more families would have this privilege. He thought about us at home and how grateful he was to be sealed to us and how much he loved us. Dave also enjoyed meeting new people like the very first member of the church in Ukraine, the first mission president, and some of the very first missionaries ever to serve there. He was able to enjoy a few celebrations while there and he attended a wonderful concert put on by the members in he temple district (President Monson, Uchtdorf, and Nelson were also in attendance).

It was so nice to finally have him home after his adventures. His flight home, including layovers was more that 30 hours, and he didn't get much sleep. I think he's never been happier to be home. Rosie was so excited when he walked in the door that she was shaking with joy. I couldn't contain my excitement either. In the moments before he returned home I was nervously pacing around the kitchen. I was excited to see what he thought of Rosie's bedroom. Kissing him when he came back was so great! The last couple weeks of having him home has been great. Despite the fact that the both of us came down with a tiny cold, it was great being able to hear all his stories, cuddle with him, and spend so much time with him. We have yet to celebrate our anniversary, and we're going to go to the restaurant that catered our wedding (I can't wait).

So happy to have him back!

Me Ka Aloha
-Elisabeth

Dave in front of the Ukraine Temple

President Monson, Uchtdorf, and Nelson enjoying the concert

Dave and Al with one of Dave's relatives Yulia

Rosie in her souvenir dress, holding her beautiful Ukrainian doll.

Celebrating 4 Wonderful Years!

It was on this day, back in 2006 that I married my wonderful husband Dave. It's been a great 4 years that's for sure. We had 2 beautiful children, bought 2 cars, bought a house, Dave graduated, we moved to a new city, went to Hawaii, started 2 businesses and more and more. I'm so grateful to be married to the greatest person I know. I love you Dave!! xoxox

I had to Speak in Church Last Sunday...

A friend who couldn't be at church on Sunday asked if I could send a copy of my talk. Here it is...

Good morning brothers and sisters. I’m sure you noticed that a few minutes ago I was sustained to serve in the primary organization. I’m so excited for this calling. I really love working with the primary children and watching their little testimonies grow. I’ve served in primary before as a primary teacher and often times I would ask questions like “how can we strengthen our testimonies?” Or “how can we feel the holy ghost more often?” Or, “how do we resist temptations?” They always give the same answer, “Read scriptures, go to church, say prayers.” Although it sounds boring, and kind of like the classic answer, our lives will change for the better, and our testimonies will grow if we: read scriptures, go to church, and say our prayers. Today I want to focus on prayer.

The scriptures teach us to to “pray always.” (D&C 93:49.) and “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” (Matt. 26:41.) In General Conference in 2007, Richard G. Scott said: It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer.

Spencer W. Kimball said about prayer: “I am sure that if we pray fervently and righteously, individually and as a family, when we retire at night and when we arise in the morning, and around our tables at mealtime, we will not only knit together as loved ones but we will grow spiritually through communion with our Heavenly Father.

Like I mentioned earlier, I was called to serve in the primary organization as the musical director. I love so many of the Primary Songs especially the Primary Song “A Child’s Prayer”. The first verse is a child asking Heavenly Father if he is really there, and if he hears and answers every child’s prayer. Then my favourite part is the second verse which says “pray he is there, speak he is listening. You are his child, his love now surrounds you. He hears your prayers. He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of Heaven.” I think that is such a true and powerful statement, that he loves each and every one of us and that he hears AND answers our prayers. I whole heartily believe that God answers prayers no matter how small our problems may seem.

I have a personal example in my life when Heavenly Father answered my prayers. It not a huge life altering experience, but it just proves that He is always listening.

A few years ago, I was chosen to be an EFY counsellor. For those of you that don’t know what EFY stands for it’s Especially for Youth and it’s a 5 day conference with amazing speakers, and events and dances and it’s really fun and spiritual. So I was going as a counsellor and my younger brother was going as a youth participant. The conference was in Alberta and my brother and I had the bright idea that we would save money, if we took the greyhound bus all the way there. It’s about 56 hours straight with only a few stops for meals here and there. Now since my brother and I had never really traveled much in Canada we had this agreement with each other that if one of us fell asleep and we were passing something cool, that we’d wake up the other person so that they wouldn’t miss it. Ok so, because of the timing of the conference and the lengthy bus ride, it turned out that I would be missing church that Sunday. I was feeling really sad that I would be missing the spiritual boost that I usually got on Sundays. I felt like I really needed that right before EFY and so that morning I prayed that I would have a spiritual calm day while on the bus. I knew that it would be hard to feel the spirit on the bus because I was uncomfortable and sometimes they would show inappropriate movies or the people sitting near me would be swearing. I just prayed that my day would be free from all that stuff and that nothing would chase the spirit away. I put my headphones on and listed to Mormon Tabernacle Choir and then I fell asleep. A few minutes later I awoke from a nudge from my brother. He pointed out the window. We were somewhere along the part where Ontario and Manitoba meet and I looked out the window. The sun was just rising and the light was hitting this gorgeous lake that had these little waterfalls going into it and there was a light mist on the lake. It was picture perfect, honestly like something you would see in a movie like Rivendale in Lord of the Rings, seriously one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen in my life. What made it even more amazing is that, playing on my headphones was Mormon Tabernacle Choir, “For the Beauty of the Earth” That happens to be one of my favourite hymns, and the perfect song for this occasion. I was so grateful that Heavenly Father heard my prayer and knew exactly what I needed that Sunday. Instead of just making my day tolerable and a little more peaceful, like I had asked in my prayer, he gave me more. He gave me a huge spiritual boost that I needed before going to be an EFY counsellor and a wonderful experience that I will never forget.

Richard G. Scott said “I wonder if we can ever really fathom the immense power of prayer until we encounter an overpowering, urgent problem and realize that we are powerless to resolve it. Then we will turn to our Father in humble recognition of our total dependence on Him.”

I’ve had an experience where I felt powerless and needed to rely on the Lord. I had an experience that happened about 2 and a half years ago. My daughter Rosie was a tiny newborn baby, only 5 weeks old and had caught a terrible virus. We had been at a family event and all the kids, on that side of the family were all wiped out by this virus that went around. I was a new mother and very sleep deprived and emotional already and Rosie had a fever and was making funny sounds while breathing, so I took her to the Emergency room. When we saw the doctor said that she was going to have to do a test on Rosie to find out what was wrong. I had had this test done on myself as an adult and I knew that it can be slightly painful and uncomfortable. I worried that it would be very painful on my newborn baby. They told me to step out of the room for 5 minutes while they performed the test. I left my baby, who just happened to be looking at me so cute and I went and stood just outside the door. A few seconds later I heard her let out a whimper, then another whimper, followed by very loud crying. This wasn’t her usual cry, it was more intense than I’d ever heard her or any baby cry before. The nurse walked out the door and I asked “are you done?” She said “no” and walked back in the room with more supplies. Suddenly I realized that they didn’t do the test right and had to try again, putting Rosie through more pain and making me wait longer. I stood outside the door crying my eyes out, wishing so much that I could comfort Rosie, or trade places with her. After more than 5 minutes of hearing Rosie cry, they told me they were done and I was allowed back in the room. I picked her up and she put her head on my shoulder and held on to me. I could tell she was traumatized from the experience and exhausted from crying so hard. The Dr. told me there was nothing wrong with her and sent me home. I couldn’t believe it. I knew that something was wrong and after another long night at home with Rosie throwing up and coughing and a high fever, I decided to take her to the Children’s hospital that very next day. At the Children’s, the Dr. told me that they had to do the same test as the day before, AND take a blood sample, AND give her an IV, AND a number of other procedures. My heart sank. How could I put my 5 week old baby through so much anguish AGAIN?! I was also afraid because my friend told me that when her baby was in the hospital, they had to put his IV in his head because it was the only vain large enough. I was absolutely terrified and worried for Rosie, but I knew that the Dr. needed to do the tests. The nurse told me that either Dave or I could stay in the room, but there was only room for one of us so the other would have to wait outside. I was so emotional so I stayed outside. As I was standing outside, with tears streaming down my face, and feeling completely powerless over the situation, I remembered to “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart.” (Moro. 7:48.) I said a silent prayer. I asked Heavenly Father to be with Rosie and to give her comfort since I couldn’t. The nurse walked into Rosie’s room and I waited anxiously. A few quick minutes later she walked out. I thought, “she must have forgotten something” but then she said, “ok you can go in now.” I was floored! How come I didn’t hear Rosie cry? I heard nothing! And how can she be done so fast? I walked into the room expecting to see Rosie with an IV in her head and to see her crying, but there she was, sitting with Dave as happy as can be, with an IV in her arm. Dave told me that the tests took only a few seconds, that the nurses were great, and Rosie just sat there staring at him the entire time. The nurses couldn’t believe how calm and still she was and that she didn’t even cry at all. This reminded me of 3 Nephi when “[Jesus] took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.” Heavenly Father lovingly answered my prayer in the most perfect way possible. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for being with Rosie that night.

As I was preparing this talk I thought of so many examples in my life where my prayers had been answered. It was difficult for me to decide which examples to include. I have a strong testimony that God not only hears, but also answers our prayers. Through prayer, Heavenly Father has directed my life and helped me in so many ways. I know that he lives and that he loves us. I know that this church is true and that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet. I know that Heavenly Father answered Joseph Smith’s prayer that spring morning in the sacred grove and that he will answer our prayers if we have faith in him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Quick Post

Did I mention that Joseph is fully weaned now? He's doing great, but insists on sucking his thumb while falling asleep. I guess it's comforting for him. It actually looks really cute, despite the fact that it might mess up his teeth.

Today I found Rosie sitting on the rocking chair by herself singing "I am a Child of God". Isn't that just the sweetest thing... ok.... wait..... no..... this is the sweetest thing. Today before bed Rosie told my husband that she wanted to go to the temple and get married!!!

Awwww they are growing up so fast!

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth

I must say "come on" a lot...

When Rosie was a little over 1 year old, she'd wake up in the morning and I'd bring her into my bed to cuddle for a while. She'd always do the sign language for "eat" and say "com'on" (with a New York accent haa haa). She would also say it when she wanted to go to the park "come oooon!"

Now that Joseph is talking a bit, he also says "come on" but without the New York accent. I actually don't know what he wants when he says it, but I have heard him say it a lot when he's playing.

In other news, Rosie and Joseph are sharing a room now (hurray I have my own room back!) They're doing great! I thought they would wake each other up a million times a night but they've been sleeping like little angels! I single handedly moved all the furniture in my bedroom around once the playpen was gone and made my room look beautiful! Now all I need is something to hang on the walls and maybe a homemade quilt... yes... a quilt for sure!

Today Joseph woke up around 8am and I grabbed him before he woke his sister. I brought him into bed with me and he actually cuddled for 1 whole hour!! When Rosie woke, she came into bed a cuddled too! It's so lovely to have my babies all cuddly and affectionate. I know they won't be this way forever.

Me Ka Aloha
- Elisabeth