Sydnie - 1 Month

 We all love this sweet Sydnie Kate!! She has always only woken up at night once or twice to eat and goes right back to sleep - Mommy is grateful. Sometime between 6-10 p.m. she gets so gassy and just toots & toots and cries & cries for an hour or two. Many have noticed, even from birth, how strong her neck is. I think she's just trying to see all the commotion going on around her. She has very long fingers, cute little chicken legs, and dark brown hair.  She is a loved baby. Her siblings take such great care of her!   One of our friends is trying to build her photography portfolio and wanted to do a little photo shoot with Syndie.  Cutie!

 Weight: 8 lbs. 2 oz. Height: 21 inches.  

Rabbit pies

Recently, Dave was able to attend a church meeting for bishops/branch presidents and elders quorum presidents.  Elder Cook, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Bishop Waddell from the Presiding Bishopric and a few other general authorities attended this training.  When Dave got home, he was filled with the spirit and so excited to share with me what he was taught.  I could feel the spirit so strong as well and know that these apostles are men of God!

It was a wonderful evening having him share what he learned (he had been gone 10 hours in the car and about 3 hours there...I missed him!) and discussing the topics.  I was especially touched by this story Elder Cook shared and how he related it to us now.  

"Elder LeGrand Richards used to tell the story of a man who sold rabbit pies. He had a significant business and produced a large number of pies.  At some point people became suspicious that the pies included horse meat. A false advertising charge was made.  He initially denied that the pies contained horse meat, but upon questioning admitted that "yes, there was a little horse meat."  Upon further interrogation he finally acknowledged that the pies were half horse and half rabbit. When asked what he meant by half horse and half rabbit, he said one horse and one rabbit. He related this to how some of us want faith to be at the center of our lives, but it does not get our full attention. It is the rabbit portion of the pie."

 It made me think - does my faith in Jesus Christ get the horse portion or the rabbit portion in my life?  Am I spending more time in the Book of Mormon or on Facebook?  Do I pour out my soul in prayer to God, or is my communication with him superficial and bouncing off the ceiling?  Do my family members get the best side of me or is their wife and mother a grump? Am I truly living the life God expects me to or am I putting on a facade for man?  Do I spend my time in service or self-centered activities?  Some good questions to ponder over and room for improvement for me!  

Rabbit pie - offthespork.com

Here are some of Dave's other notes I loved. 

 We need to work on strengthening individual conversion through faith: we don't devote the whole faith that we need to, we need more time in building Faith. Have we ever devoted the time to get to know Christ?  Elder Cook gave an assignment to get on knees, how do i have the HG bear witness of Christ and Heavenly Father?  We need to stress the resurrection more.

Elder Soares said keeping the Sabbath day will do more for members then any church program. How can every member live to keep the Sabbath day? How do we make sacrament a remembrance? How can families make it a delight for them? Raise our families in faith.  

Elder Parela (who is a new member of the 70) said work on temple work and getting families to go. Teach families to do family history. 

Bishop Wadel taught how should we act. Caring for the poor and needy, if we truly love god then we will love other people. Living the law of the fast.  Generous offering is between you and the lord. We need to teach the law of fast and prayer and offering. 

Rulon Stacey: keys to gather Israel is with stake Presidents. This gathering of Israel weighs  night and day on the bretheren. Pray for missionary experience. 

Elder Cook said to build Zion in our hearts and homes. We need more love and kindness in our homes. More decision together, less criticisms of children.  Be an example in your communities and don't be in camafloge.  Children should participate in the community do this as a family counsel, honor the sacrament and Sabbath day and have fun on the Sabbath as a family not everything has to be serious.  Focus on the temple and make it a part of life. Tell your wives you love them and give them hugs per Elder Cook. This is so powerful - he said "I have heard his voice and i have seen his face, the holy ghost is the testifier. Christ guides His church."

Life with my little "collection"

Well, things are getting back to normal around here for the most part!

When we got home from the hospital, we were welcomed by all the kids and Mom & Dad.  Cal, Cov and Lucy came running out and Emma was waiting at the door.  They were all so excited and couldn't wait to hold her again.  Emma made a little sign that said "Welcome to the world, Sydnie!" that was so sweet.  Lucy checked in the night before to make sure we were going to bring the baby home with us.  We had a little baby shower that evening for Sydnie, which was Emma's idea.  She came up with the games and it was so fun.  First, we went on a scavenger hunt for different baby items.  Dave hid a bunch of things babies use in the backyard.  It was fun watching them and they were delighted to see where Daddy hid everything.  Then we did some baby relay races.  The kids had to race across the room and roll over and crawl.  It was pretty funny!  Next, we did a cupcake decorating contest. All the kids enjoyed making them and eating them.  Then it was time for our diaper changing contest, where the kids had to be timed changing a diaper on a doll.  The best was Cal's, he had the legs and all inside the diaper.  We were all rolling! Then we helped Sydnie open up a few gifts.  We gave her the onesie dress and headband I sewed.  My mom made a beautiful hand stitched blanket for Sydnie.  It is good this survived because when my parents stopped over in Billings the night before they got here, someone broke in their car and stole so many things - presents and games and activities they brought for the kids, their camera, GPS, moms craft stuff, books and other things.  So I felt really bad.  But I was grateful this was salvaged!  It was a great night though and a perfect way to welcome baby Sydnie to our home!

The night we came home, Lucy said "Mom, it's like you collect children now or something.  We're you're collection!"  I told her that they were the best thing I could collect - I love them all and cherish them each!  And now, my collection is complete!

We had a great week and a half with Grandma and Grandpa!  We were so blessed they were here!  Mom and Dad would start the day early, Mom doing some laundry and Dad finding a project outside or in the garage or cleaning, then making breakfast.  Then my mom would help the kids with practicing, chores, workbooks, reading, etc.  They had fun playing with the kids.  They took them all over to give me some time to rest and take naps.  They went swimming, to the park, went to the bowling alley, had a sports day, and went to tour Pioneer Town.  At home, they read to the kids, had movie parties, talked to them and encouraged them and taught them, helped with scouting requirements, made meals, and helped hold the baby.  Lucy told Grandma she has magic fingers which always help Sydnie burp or calm down or feel happy.  The kids told Grandma and Grandpa they should move in with us they enjoyed them so much!  They really helped me heal quick and get rested and everything worked out so well.  We are so grateful they were able to come spend time with us.  The night before they left and the morning of, I broke down!  I was so filled with gratitude for all they did for us and the sacrifices they make and really am going to miss them again!  We didn't take very many pictures while they were here, so I took some of the kids with them right before they left.

We have been so blessed with help and love - friends taking the kids, the branch family members bringing in 7 meals, treats and gifts and cards from family, friends & neighbors.  As our kids said,"Everyone is so nice!"  Its true!  People are so good and we are blessed to be surrounded by amazing people!

Now we're back to regular schedules and a couple more weeks left of summer.  The kids are still enchanted by the baby.  They are all so good to her and love to help out!  We have lots of great help and they're all old enough to do something to pitch in and take care of her.  She's a loved little girl!  I was a little worried about Cov, since he's pretty aggressive, but he's been very gentle and careful and loving with her.  He's digging this new big brother gig.  One of their favorite things to do is to give her sponge baths.  They're so smitten with her, and I am smitten with my "collection", too.