Honor Roll

This is a "Banner Day" for my sweet girl! Nicole is good at a lot of things...she's a great tumbler, a good dancer, a great friend and the world's best helper to me!

School however, doesn't come as easy- Although she did not want to, she left our neighborhood school in fourth grade and attended a private school with only 10 children in her class until the middle of 5th grade. She didn't necessarily enjoy it there but she worked hard to get up to speed so she could go back to Nathan Hale. She continued to work hard and it has FINALLY paid off!!

She received an award along with a bumper sticker acknowledging she had made the honor roll at Stapley Junior High. I always knew she could do it- she had to figured that out for herself. I am so proud of her and happy to see the feeling of accomplishment in her smiling face and eyes. I love her so much and appreciate all she does to help me!!

Congratulations Nicole...you deserve it!!

Undefeated!!!

Gunner played on a fall baseball team that was quite good for a bunch of 10 year old boys! He came home Tuesday night from his last game smiling from ear to ear holding up "#1" and sporting a new shirt that probably displayed their 12 and 0 record! Gunner hasn't always been on the winning team- he informed me he likes it better! I can't say I blame him. Go Grinders!!!!

Blessing Day

We blessed baby Brody on Sunday and it was a great day! My sweet husband gave him a beautiful blessing surrounded by tons of family. I feel so blessed to have a worthy Priesthood member in my home who loves and cares for us. This sweet baby has graced our family with his tender personality and we love him so much. It's like having a little piece of heaven in our very own home. The kids all love him and are so willing to help with what ever he needs. Bridget is the official "binki" getter- seeing how she is in love with hers, she knows how important his must be to him. When he starts to fuss she's say "I get him a binki". The day could not have been more perfect!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was Great!! Todd's family came on Friday morning and celebrated this silly holiday with the kids-they really came for Brody's blessing it just happened to be on Halloween weekend which was a bonus. Eric and his wife Jen were June Carter and Johny Cash, Nicole was a pumpkin, Alex a pirate, Courtney a cute little fairy, Gunner some creepy zombie punk and Bridget a lady bug who was to scared of Gunner to get in the picture.




Carving Pumpkins....


This is my good friend Shaunna Krieg...I met Shaunna about 11 years ago when I moved into my first house. We hadn't moved in yet because we were tearing down wall paper and painting- I was there working when the door bell rang and standing at my door was SHAUNNA!! She's been my dear friend ever since. Gunner was born When Nicole was just 2 and he cried A LOT. Todd was working crazy hours at that time in our life. Shaunna would call and Gunner would be crying and Nicole would be hanging on my leg to read books or lay with her...it would only be seconds before the line was dead and Shaunna was at my door to read bedtime stories to my baby girl and rock her to sleep. That explains why Nicole once wrote a paper about Shaunna when asked to write about her hero. She is dear to our hearts and comes to see us every Halloween- expect for last- but she made up for it this year!! You're the best Shabwan

Orchestra

In the fourth grade you become eligible to play in the school orchestra...so Gunner decided to give it a try this year and so far it's been great! He had originally thought he wanted to play the bass until we got to the music store and saw how HUGE the bass really is. He has to take it to school with him 2 times a week and on the bus none the less...so after a quick family counsel in Millano's Music Store...it was decided he would play the Cello. This is what Gunner looks like as he rides his scooter to the bus stop...I think we made the right decision- the cello's big enough wouldn't you say?!?!?

Fall Break

Thursday and Friday of last week the kids were out of school for fall break. Nicole left bright and early Thursday morning for the Temple to participate in baptism's for the dead - which she thought was the coolest thing ever - so I tried to keep the other 3 occupied so they won't fight. They decided to paint which turned out to be a great activity and look at their awesome paintings!! Overall we had a great weekend and Bridget is having withdrawals today since all the kids are back in school and she only has mom to play with.


Bridget is terrible at posing for the camera...we're working on it!!

Baby Brody

Here are a few random pictures of baby...oh how we love this baby!!

Soaking him up

I know this is my last baby and it feels good...our family feels complete. But I must say I will miss not having a new born in my home again. Sure I will have nieces and nephews to hold and someday grand babies but it's just not the same as holding your own little bundle of joy. It's like having an angel straight from heaven bless your home. And that's exactly what babies are - little angels that bless our homes.

I love to sit and hold him after he finishes eating and to watch his eyes roll to the back of his head in complete satisfaction. Or to hear him chuckle out loud spontaneously while in a peaceful slumber. I love to feel his soft breath on my neck at 2 in the morning or the sound of his rapid breathing in my ear as I burp him. I love to watch him suck vigorously on his binky as if he will get something out of it if he sucks harder.

If I had nothing else to do I would lay in bed and hold him all day (which I do most of the time anyways) and spoil him rotten- as I have all my kids. I don't want to miss a thing!! Some of his newness is wearing off, his umbilical cord has fallen off and his "circ" has healed but he still smells like a new baby - what a wonderful smell that is. I love to bury my nose in his neck and hear him grunt in dismay that I am interrupting his slumber.

The new born stage passes so quickly but I am trying to "soak it up" while it lasts and be grateful I had the opportunity to do this 5 times. My life is truly blessed by these sweet spirits that I have been entrusted to love and raise.


Every time I take baby's picture Miss Bridget wants her picture with him - which totally works for me! She loves her baby...the first thing she says after walking in the door from school is "where my baby is...he so cute"
My sister Jenet and her husband Greg were in New York the day Brody was born- so they brought him back this little "I love NY outfit"...he's so long he only got to wear it once and it was stretched to the max!!

I'm a big girl now!!

Friday Bridget was getting dressed and ready to go play and she came out of the bathroom and said "look mom I did my hair" I would've let her go like that if it weren't for the fact that her hair gets in her mouth and in her food and then it's just a mess.
So we compromised...piggy tails with the headband. She was pleased as punch and wore the headband all day.

14 years of Marital Bliss

Today is mine and Todd's anniversary...14 years and 5 kids later I love him more than I did the day I married him. I didn't think that was possible - to love him more than I already did but as the years go by I find myself falling more and more in love with him. Don't get me wrong...we've had our ups and downs and life isn't always "blissful" but we make it through those times and I think that's what makes our relationship better.

He is my "calm" when the storms are raging around me. I need him in so many ways and find such peace when he is near. He's kind, compassionate, witty, charming, handsome and my very own "Knight in Shining Armor"!! He possess strengths that I lack and vise versa which balances us out and makes us a great team!!

My children don't fully understand at this point in their lives, but someday they'll realize how blessed they were to have him for a dad. They love him so much and the primary song "I'm so glad when daddy comes home" says it best for our family!! Sometimes it feels like we are competing for his attention as soon as he walks in the door!

I look forward to many more years with him by side and I am grateful to know he's mine for eternity!! Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you!

Brody Todd Williams
September 19, 2008 5:14 am
8 lbs 3 oz. 23 inches long

We are so happy our new baby is here safe and sound. Our home has been blessed a 5th time with a heathly baby!! Welcome baby...we've been waiting for you- what a lucky family we are!






Ok, this is how the day played out...I was suppose to go to the hospital Thursday September 18th at 5 am unless the hospital called to say they were full. I had a restless night waiting for the phone to ring - and in my dreams it rang every other second!! I slept pretty well until Bridget came to get me at 2 am and from there I could no longer sleep. So I got up wrote a few emails, started another load of laundry and tried to keep busy until 4 o'clock rolled around. At that point I figured it was safe to assume I was going in so I jumped in the shower. Then at 4:10the dreaded call came through, "Mrs. Williams, this is Banner Gateway calling to let you know we are full at this point and hope to get you in with in a few hours." Todd got up with me and we talked for hour and then decided we should lay down before having to get up and get the three older kids ready for school. Todd and I spent the day running make believe errands just to keep my mind occupied. Finally the phone rang at 3:30 letting me know I should come down. We got the kids squared away and off we went. By the time they started my antibiotic (positive for strep b) it was 4:45 and I knew we were in for a long night. I got my epidural around 9:30pm hoping to catch some Zs. Around 4am I asked that my epidural be turned down because my right leg was soooo numb it fell off the bed and I couldn't lift it back on. That was a bad decision because by 4:40 I was felling everything and close to pushing. They came back in and tried to get it going again but not in time. I started to push at 5 and he was here by 5:14 am. I know I had some blocker but I defiantly felt that baby enter the world. As always, bringing a baby into the world is an amazing experience and I am grateful to have had that experience. I love each of my kids so much and thank my Heavenly Father for each one of their sweet spirits.

8 hours to go

Well, the time has come!! I'm due to check into the hospital 8 hours from now...unless of course they call and tell me that they are full with women who actually go into labor on their own! Which I am trying to be prepared for but let's be honest, if that happens I will be a head case.

Sunday night we sitting in the family room together talking about how we would soon have a new member of our family and how excited we all were. Nicole's words were "I can't wait to hold that baby in my arms" and we all echoed her feelings. I went around and asked each person 6 questions like how much do you think he's weigh, how long will he be, will he have hair, what color eyes do you think he'll have, what time will he be born, and WHAT should we name him. Here is every one's response!!

Dad
8lbs 1oz
20 1/2 inches long
blond hair
green eyes
7 pm
Paxon Todd Williams

Mom
8lbs 3oz
21 inches long
blond hair
blue eyes
2 pm
Brody Todd Williams

Nicole
8lbs 5oz
20 inches long
brown hair
brown eyes
1:30 pm
Paxon

Gunner
7lbs 5oz
21 inches long
bald
brown eyes
midnight
Brody

Courtney
20lbs (he feels like he weighs that much & I think in her eyes he looks like it too)
brown hair
brown eyes
6 pm
Coby

Bridget
baby brother was all she said on each question...she has no idea how her world is about to change!!!

It will be fun to see who's predictions were closest!! Our home has been blessed 4 times by healthy happy children and we look forward to welcoming another baby to our family. I know many of you will be thinking of us and praying for us tomorrow and for that I thank you. It is a time filled with so many emotions and I need your prayers at this time. My sweet husband gave me the nicest blessing tonight surrounded by the three oldest kids and the spirit that filled the room caused me to cry...SHOCKER

I better get back to my laundry...I've only done nine loads today but there is still more to do. I had to wash every one's sheets and make the beds because who knows when that will happen again!! Wish me luck

9-11 May we never forget!!

Boy what a day I had!! It all started when the granite guys showed up almost 2 hours late to install my new bathroom counter tops - which had me so flustered that I forgot to take Gunner's lunch money to the school!! Sorry Gunner...I know how you love PB&J's!! Then I hurried off to McDonald's drive through @10:25 (I had to be to the OB my 11) to grab Bridget a happy meal to take to Grandma's before school only to be told they didn't serve lunch until 10:30!! Are you kidding me was my response... that's five minutes you can't just throw her nuggets in the hot oil a few minutes early. "NO" was the answer I got...so I pulled through and waited in the parking lot until 10:30!! Quickly dropped Bridget off at my mom's and raced to my Dr's appt.

I arrived right on time only to hear...he just left for a delivery but if you'd like you can wait you're welcomed to. Yes, I think I'll wait!!!! 2 minutes later the nurse Nicole says, "Julie your appt. is tomorrow"...NO was my answer this time!!!!! No worries she says we'll work you in before he leaves for lunch. Thanks Nicole...I took back Krispy Kreme Donuts for that one!! Found out I'm dilated to a 1 1/2 (not great but I'll take it) and on the induction list for September 18th at 5am!!

So far...not off to a great start, and then it dawned on me what the date was September 11, 2008 seven years since that tragic day. Suddenly my simple woe's no longer seemed that bad. My thoughts turned to that dreadful day and my heart ached for all those people who tragically lost loved ones in an evil act of hate. I can still recall that awful morning...I was laying in bed sick as a dog...pregnant with Courtney...when the phone rang at 6:30am. I thought "who the heck is calling at this hour?" Todd was headed out of town for business and had left early that morning, but he knew better than to wake his sick pregnant wife!! I dragged myself out of bed to answer the phone only to hear Todd's worried voice on the other line. "Julie, I just wanted you to know I never got on the plane I'm still in Arizona something terrible has happened". What are you talking about was my response! "Turn on the TV you have to see this." Still dazed I turned the TV on just as the second plane flew into the 2nd twin tower...something I will never forget! The horror of the scene made my morning sickness almost unbearable.

I stayed glued to the TV for days, especially since I was spending most of my time in bed. I listened and watched as people held pictures of their loved ones begging to know if anyone had seen them. Searching hospitals praying they were in one!! It started to consume me until Todd forced me to turn it off. I couldn't imagine why someone would do such a thing. What would make someone "HATE" us so badly that they were willing to die alongside so many INNOCENT people.

To this day I still don't understand the meaning behind such a vicious act, and never will but what I do know is that day changed our Country forever! I came to the realization that"Freedom" is not free - something I guess I always took for granted. Men and women have been dying for this great country for centuries and for that I am forever grateful. I am proud to be an American and pray that God will continue to bless this great Country in which we live. May we always remember that day and show honor to those who have died and those who will die to give us Freedom.

Vote McCain/Palin!!!! I'm afraid to think what might happen if Obama wins!!