Cousins

Lorelle, Ryan's sister, came to visit in Cranbrook. That is where we were for the long weekend and also this last weekend too. Liam had fun playing with his cousins. There were 5 of them there including Jaiden, his cousin who lives in cranbrook. It was nice weather most of the time and so we all went down to Tina's house and the kids had fun playing on all the little kids quads and there was a dirt bike and a motor cycle, mini ones. but only Kenzie, Kian, Ryan and Horst drove them. The other kids just got a ride. Liam loved it and didnt want to get off. Here is a video:



I love that Liam is smiling having fun, but Horst has an even bigger smile. LOL!I am going to put up some pictures too, I dont know how many will fit, so i may have to put another post with the others on. Hope you enjoy!

my little boy!!

My little ray of sunshine!
pic 1: he was eating a chocolate bar and bit his tongue and then was crying and rubbed his chocolaty hands all in his eye. I know it was mean to take a picture, but i had to!
pic 2: Sleeping while playing with his belly button. His favorite!
pic 3: Being silly and cute. He was laughing at his own "joke"
pic 4: quietly reading a book on the floor. so sweet. I love it when i can just sit back and watch him. He is growing up so fast!

I had to post some pictures. Life has been a little crazy, but really, when is it not crazy??? I feel like my blog is boring to every body because i just make everyone read my long whiny posts!!

i am so thankful.

I have been thinking lately about how blessed we are. People have been so generous and good to our family. Heavenly Father has taken care of us in many ways since we have been married. I was looking around our house, and i realized that almost everything that we own has been given to us. Our couch, china cabinet, fish tank, kitchen table, our bed, Liam's bed, our dressers, toys, blankets, our dishes, our TV, and much much more. What would we have or do if all of our family and friends would not be so receptive to the spirit.

My Son. He is so cute and just wont stop growing and learning. He makes me laugh, and he makes me worry about him. He takes care of me in ways that only he can. He is my first Baby. The first one to call me mommy. I love him more than i can explain. I am so blessed to have him. I love when he is acting silly and trying to impress me. He is so cuddly and lets me know when he needs my love. He is very independent like me. He eats like a teenager most of the time. He helps me think good of the future. I love to remember that he is my future.

I am also blessed to have such a caring and hard working husband. My handy man. He is such a good father . He has the energy to come home at the end of a long day and play and run around with Liam. He takes all my whining about being pregnant, and even tries to help me see the hilarity in some of the things that i do. He gives me my space when i need it. He is my someone who i can joke around with, ensured that he will joke with me right back! He is that guy that i can be myself around, whether im crabby or super excited and annoy the heck out of him. He is my eternal companion, here with me even after i go crazy, even though he says i already have.

Honestly, I am so thankful for everything in my life. I have 25 days left till my due date. Then i will have another little boy to bring me so much happiness and realize how blessed i am. I am so thankful for all my trials that make me stronger, and for the gospel to help me realize that they are just a moment in my life. A speck of dust in time. I have been trying really hard lately to see the positive things in life and to get out there and try and make a difference. I want to share my happiness with everyone. But im not willing to give up my family and friends. I will let people know about my other bringer of life...My church. I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Honestly this church helped me change my life, from what could have ended it. I know that there is someone out there helping me and controlling my destiny. I know that i have a Heavenly Father and that i will Live with him again. I know that this is the true church upon the earth and I know that he loves us all. I am a child of God.I know that it is my job to tell people about this. Please ask me about my beliefs if you know me. If you don't, please please,please, go to LDS.org and look around, or look up your local LDS church and ask to talk to the missionaries. Even if you just have a question I promise that you will be helped and all your questions will be answered.
Thats it for now. Athena.

oh how i missed you bloggy!

Honestly, i haven't written since the day before Mothers day. How awful is that! I found in that time that this blog is helping me keep my sanity! That probably makes me sound crazy, but really, It is nice to put my thoughts and ideas and feelings out there. This last week I felt crazy busy. I went to go see my sister for her birthday. it was fun to see my family again and have some time off, away from home. I brought Liam with me though, but that was good. Liam had fun playing in my parents back yard,(a fenced, grass covered yard. yay!) He got some scrapes and bruises, but it was all good. Oh and Liam had a tantrum while we were there too. Not so fun, but we got through it. Your probably thinking, ooh la la, but really tantrums are a new found thing for Liam. And he is really good at them! No surprise! We got home from Lethbridge and had one night together with Ryan. He went to work that day and then got home we had an uber quick supper and then he was gone for a night to youth conference for our church. He got back Saturday night, we had supper and he went for a bike ride with a couple friends. It was kind of scary for him to get back and tell me that trees were falling down on their trails because it was so windy. I am glad that he was safe though. Then that takes us to today. We went to church today and it was great! I don't know what it was but i was just feeling so energetic. I usually LOVE Sundays. And today was no exception. It was my first day not in primary, so i got to go to Relief society. It was wonderful, but i do have to admit that i felt empty handed and like i was forgetting something. I wasn't, but im sure that feeling will go away soon when i will be carting around a little baby. (soooo excited!)After church Ryan's parents came for supper. we went for a walk and then came home to eat. Liam got a few slivers that were pretty bad on Saturday while we played outside. Ryan's dad brought his really sharp tweezers and they held him down to get the slivers out while i avoided watching my son go through pain. I was there for the comfort though! They really needed to come out, i didn't want them to get infected, and after being in there for only one day they looked pretty nasty. They went home and Liam had a bath to help clean out the sores. Then-the highlight of my night-Ryan has been trying to teach Liam to put his goggles on and stick his face in the water. Ryan will put his goggles on too and then stick his head in the tub. Its hilarious in the first place watching them blow bubbles.Well getting on with my story, today Liam wanted his dad to stick his head in and see the tub. Nothing out of the ordinary.So, Ryan got his goggles on and stuck his head in the tub to look at what Liam was showing him. Guess what he saw? A pooplet floating on the bottom of the tub. HAHAHAHA! Ryan was groaning and laughing and draining the tub and i decided to go see what happened. I had to give Liam a high five because it was so hilarious. Anyways, i hope you find that as funny as i do. Nothing else to report yet. Just relaxing with Ryan watching a movie. Its a guys movie, hence me writing in my blog. But I will write again soon. Love you all

love the weather!

Sunshine! Oh how I LOVE sunshine! Sitting in front of the window soaking it up folding laundry! What a wonderful day. Its my last day today to "relax" this week. I get to finish the laundry and pack to go to Lethbridge tomorrow. It is My sisters Birthday tomorrow and I am excited to go and see her! I am going to be there tomorrow and thursday, then come home by supper time so that I can prepare it and entertain our good friend and Institute teacher L.A. It is the last Institute lesson and we decided to have her over for supper to thank her for teaching us. We are the only people who go to institute here. Then on Friday I have to take the car into Fernie to get some things checked out on it. Then The rest of the weekend Ryan has a youth conferance to go to so Liam and I will be able to have the car and do the shopping etc while he is gone! Sunday we got to church. Monday Ryan drives in his carpool and then when he gets home Liam and I head out for Lethbridge again because I have an early doctors appointment tuesday. I am excited to see the doctor because she is the one who will be delivering me. I have had a hard time getting my doctors to mix and finally the referral worked from my doctor here. (5th times a charm!) Anyways I hope you all have a great week. We will see if I can do another post !

mothers day bliss

Mothers Day was yesterday. It was lots of fun spending time with my boys. Ryan got me some roses and a sweet and very accurate card, it said " i may not be the smartest guy ever..but i got you to marry me, so im not a total doofus either!" It made me laugh! Mothers day always lands on a sunday, so We got up and got ready for church. It was fast and testimony meeting , so we got to hear lots of wonderful inspiring and humbling testimonies. All the mothers received a plant or flower plant for mothers day. I subbed a primary class which was...energetic. Before we knew it, church was over. We then went home and Ryan made a lunch for us all. It was nice not having to do it myself. We then all went down for a nap. Oh, it was nice and refreshing! We all got up and it was about supper time then so we started on it. We made one of my favorite meals, chicken with herbs, garlic and tomato slices on top. soo good, we had it with rice and fried vegetables (cabbage, carrots, cellery onions and garlic!) Its a nice healthy meal that tastes great too! Even Liam ate a whole bunch, but he usually eats lots anyways. We then went on a nice walk and Liam pushed his car the whole time. It was nice to get out,and the weather was just right. After our walk we cuddled and watched some TV, got Liam and ourselves ready for bed and then went. a mostly ordinary day, but a blessing all together!

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints p.7

We Can Live with God Again

We come to this life to grow and learn and be tested. That all sounds pretty taxing, but it’s not hard to see how much joy we can find here on earth as well. One great part of Heavenly Father’s plan is that all the happiness and satisfaction we get from learning new things and all the love we develop within our families will go with us to the next life.

Just like our family bonds, we can carry the knowledge we gain in this life with us after we die. Contrary to some representations of heaven, we will not be sitting on clouds, gazing at the face of God for eternity. We’ll have more opportunities to grow and challenge ourselves. All these wonderful blessings depend on our faithfulness, here and now, as we work to keep God’s commandments throughout our lives.

Our Spirits Are Eternal

It’s comforting to know that God has a plan for us. We lived with Him before we were born and we will continue to live with Him into eternity if we choose. Our life on earth is fundamental to His plan, as is death. It’s always sad when God calls our loved ones home, but we can be certain that their spirits live on.

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints p.6

We Can Find Happiness

We often fall into the trap of thinking a new car, job promotion, beauty makeover, or fame will make us happy. And often they do—for a time. But it never lasts because wealth, power, beauty, and fame simply don’t bring lasting happiness, as much as we wish they would.

True Happiness

True happiness comes from following Christ’s example and developing Christlike attributes such as obedience, goodness, honesty, gratitude, humility, love, charity, and forgiveness. It comes from serving others and helping them to follow Jesus Christ. It comes from controlling the appetites of our human bodies and following the promptings of the Spirit. It comes from working hard and having a healthy lifestyle, friends, family, and personal achievements.

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints p.5

Jesus Christ Is the Way

More than anything else, God wants to help us through this life and bless us with eternal life in the next. He sends His Spirit to offer us this help. But the scriptures say that His Spirit cannot be with us if we are sinful. As hard as we try to live good lives, we all commit sins that separate us from God.

Being separated from God by sin is called spiritual death. We feel a profound loneliness when we separate ourselves from God, our Heavenly Father.

How can we overcome spiritual death and always have God’s Spirit with us if we are imperfect?

God Provided a Savior

Heavenly Father chose His Son, Jesus Christ, in our pre-earth life and sent Him to earth to be our Savior.

If we believe in Jesus Christ, follow His teachings, and repent when we commit sins, His Atonement, or sacrifice, can wash us clean of our sins and make us worthy to return to God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection also allow us to overcome physical death. Every one of us will be resurrected just like Christ was and live forever in perfected bodies after we leave this life.

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints p.4

Earth Life Is Part of God’s Plan

Everyone you see around you is a son or daughter of God, our Heavenly Father. He is the Father of our spirits. Coming to earth is part of His plan of happiness for us, which allows us to receive a physical body in His image and continue to increase in wisdom and faith.

God Promised That His Spirit Would Help Guide Us

When we were born, we forgot our pre-earth life, which means we have to live by faith rather than our memory of God. To help us through life, God promised that His Spirit would guide and strengthen us. Each time we feel the quiet comfort of His Spirit, we know that God loves us and cares about us.

During our time on earth we make choices and distinguish right from wrong. We gain happiness and become more like our Heavenly Father when we make good choices.

Because God loves us and wants us to receive the blessings that come from following His plan, He has provided ways for us to stay connected to Him. Prayer is an important way we stay connected with our Heavenly Father. When we speak sincerely to Him, He will answer us through His Spirit and help us through our problems, no matter how large or small.

Other ways we can stay in touch include reading the scriptures and listening to the prophets who have been chosen by God to teach His plan.

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints p.3

We Lived with God

Wouldn’t it be great if life came with a map, showing us where we’ve been and where to go?

Thankfully, life does have a map. Our Father in Heaven has a plan for us and wants us to know where we came from and where He wants us to go.

Before we were born, we lived with God in heaven as spirits. All of our spirit brothers and sisters were there, too—everyone who has lived or will live on earth including Jesus Christ. In this “pre-earth life,” each of us was an individual with a divine nature and destiny. God gave all of us the gift of agency, or the right to choose for ourselves. Because He is the Father of our spirits, we call Him our Heavenly Father.

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints p.2

God Is Our Father

There Is a God

We can look up at the sky at night and see a never-ending universe. There are millions of stars and planets, all in perfect order. They did not get there by chance. We can see the work of God in the heavens and on the earth. The beautiful plants, the variety of animals, the mountains, the rivers, the clouds that bring us rain and snow—all these testify to us that there is a God. An ancient prophet wrote, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.”

A modern prophet said: “If there is a design in this world in which we live, there must be a Designer. Who can behold the many wonders of the universe without believing that there is a design for all mankind? Who can doubt that there is a Designer?”

God Is the Ruler of the Universe

God is the Almighty Ruler of the universe. He made the moon, the stars, and the sun. He organized this world and gave it form, motion, and life. He filled the air and the water with living things. He covered the hills and plains with all kinds of animal life. He gave us day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest.

God is the Supreme Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is all-powerful and all-knowing, and He is full of love, mercy, charity, and compassion. He is the Author of the plan for our happiness

(taken from LDS.ORG)

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Our Eternal Life

Many of us spend our lives looking for something to hold on to, something that will last. We look for ways to avoid aging or to become famous or rich. But we eventually realize that mortal life is temporary. Friends and family members grow old and die, the famous are soon forgotten, and wealth is lost as quickly as it is won.

Our hope and happiness lie in knowing who we are, where we came from, and where we can go. We are eternal beings, spirit children of an eternal God. Our lives can be compared to a three-act play: premortal life (before we came to earth), mortal life (our time here on earth), and postmortal life (where we go after we die). God has had a plan for our lives since the beginning of the first act—a plan that, if followed, provides comfort and guidance now, as well as salvation and eternal happiness in our postmortal life.

Understanding the following can help us live a happier life now and in eternity.

(taken from LDS.ORG)

The Much Loved Egmont

This is Egmont. Our view, all the time. Pretty nice eh? We love it. Especially Ryan. He has been going since he was a kid and thats all you hear him talk about all year. We go to canadian tire (or other stores like it..) and all you hear is "we should get this for Egmont", or "I plan to do this in Egmont this year". We get flyers in the mail and Ryan is always looking for things for Egmont. I have to admit, when im there i do have some issues, im not really much of a camper, but i am learning to love that part too. Also whenever we go Ryan is no where to be found (usually helping his dad with one of his projects or trying to fish)...So i have lots of time to myself to take pictures like these ones. Ryan and i went to Egmont for a few days at the end of our honey moon. Since then I have gone 3 summers in a row, this year to be my fourth. Liam has gone twice now, the first time he was 2 weeks old, and the second time he was just over a year. It was nuts having a baby in Egmont..very hard especially for a non-camper like me. I am not too comfy with babies, dirt, and bugs mixed together. This year I will have Liam and the new little guy to look after. Its gonna be a new experience...that's the most i can say about it. Even though i have some challenging times when im there i do somewhat miss the nice weather and Pretty scenery throughout the year. Plus it is getting more me friendly. We have a shower, an indoor toilet and last year we got power so we have a fridge now. I wasnt too impressed with the coolers that we store our stuff in forever. Food went bad fast!! And no more generators to wake up my sleeping kids while they are taking their naps. Our plans are to eventually build separate little cabins around so we have more privacy, but so far we all just have tents put together on a clear space of land that we will use for putting up activities and letting the kids play on. Anyways, Ryan was talking about Egmont again today, and i was thinking about how close it is till we go there, and how much closer it is till the baby comes (44 days left!). But tomorrow is mothers day so i will blab more about my babies tomorrow! Love you all!

complaining!

Broccoli: I'm not happy with my looks...I look like a tree! =[
Walnut: and i look like a brain!
Mushroom: that's not too bad...i look like an Umbrella!
Banana: can we please change the topic!?! X___X"

ha ha! just had to post it! I have noticed that everybody is complaining about their looks lately. I know that its never really stopped but i just feel like my close circle is getting worse! Quit complaining people and love yourself! I love you all!

blah! spewy update!

Sorry the posts have been short , I will get to write a longer one soon!...till then i will continue to let my "nesting" take over and get things done, and very clean! I have 47 days left till my due date! ahh so exciting. Theres all kinds of lists that im making :baby names, to do's, people to call when the baby comes, what to pack for when the baby comes, etc etc. Also if any of you have been wondering, i am having the baby in Lethbridge. BUT...I am having issues with my doctors. My obgyn in sparwood has referred me to the obgyn in lethbridge 3 times now , starting 2.5 months ago. The Lethbridge obgyn is not getting the referral even tho my sparwood one has the right fax etc. It is making me go nuts. I feel so behind...maybe thats why my nesting is kicking in so badly! lol anywhoo thats it for now. im gonna go take a tums for heartburn and then go to bed!

Loves to play!

At the park doing his favorite things- swinging, going down the slides, enjoying the sun, playing with daddy! Also a pic from at Auntie Tina's where him and his cousin Jaiden were driving the tractor and the jeep. He is pretty good at it too! I have so many cute pictures and i wish that i could post them all!

Big Boy Liam

He is growing up so fast! Liam has even got a big boy bed that he LOVES! and, like many other people, he is ready for summer! (picked out the outfit by himself!). He cracks me up! doing cute and crazy stuff all the time. Cant wait to have two of these little guys to occupy my time<3

what more could i ask for?

I love my cuddly little boy. He makes me smile. I love our little family<3. What more could a momma/wife ask for!