White Christmas

My favorite part of being in Utah for Christmas is we get to enjoy all of the snow...and then drive back to our 55 degree weather in Vegas.

XOXO Melanie

Christmas in Utah

We were able to spend almost 2 weeks in Utah over the holidays. We enjoyed our time with family and friends. The highlight of my family's Christmas was being able to speak with my brother Evan on Christmas Eve who is serving a mission in Fiji. We were able to speak to him for about an hour and a half. He sounded great!! We asked him to bare his testimony in Fijian and he sounded awesome!! He also said he received the most Christmas cards out of any missionary in his district. He was definitely spoiled. He is growing so much and we are so very proud of him.

Kyson loves spending time in E-town.

The very first meeting with Santa Clause for both Kyson and Brox. Kyson was the only small child that didn't start crying when he was picked up by Santa. :)

Brox is starting to grab on to everything!! His favorite thing to do is pull out his binki immediately after Mommy puts it in his mouth. Silly boy!!

XOXO Melanie

Oh Christmas Tree

I made Shad promise me we would always get a real Christmas tree since that was my family's tradition. Of course we have had some very scary Christmas trees but that is all part of the experience...the tree's "character". Here are a few pictures of the adventure.

Before we could go and cut one down up Ephraim canyon, Kyson had to go on his motorcycle ride with Pa Pa (He really was excited to go but wasn't excited for the picture...can you tell?).

Christmas tree hunting... (notice Shad & Brox's matching overalls, Shad thinks he's funny)

The final product...we think it's our best Christmas tree ever!!

MEMORIES:

Our first Christmas tree... see what I mean about "character".

XOXO Melanie

The cutest letter ever!

This is a letter that Kyson got from my babysitter's daughter, Brooke. Kyson and Brooke have a very special relationship because he has been watched by Lindsay since he was around 7 months old. They are like brother and sister. I had to share her cute letter she wrote for him during a primary activity. I wish I had a color scanner so you could see the cute crayons she used. Thanks Brooke for always loving Ky!!

XOXO Melanie

My Thoughts

I know it has been awhile since I've updated my blog but I wanted to share some thoughts with you all. As most of you know Shad is a police officer in Las Vegas. Of course after people find that out the first question follows..."does that make you nervous"...which I always respond "not really". I saw the training Shad received and I know all of the safety precautions the police officers take to protect the community and each other. I also truly believe that yes everyone has their free agency and terrible things happen in this world but I also believe that there is a reason for everything in this life and if it is your time to go then the one's left behind can rely on Heavenly Father's love to keep us going through the hard times. This belief has helped me not worry and agonize over Shad's profession.

The day before Thanksgiving I sat at my office after we had closed at noon and watched a police officer's funeral live on the Internet. I started to understand what the scriptures mean when it says we need to "mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort". I have never been affected by what Shad does for a living as much as I did that day. The officer who died graduated with Shad in his academy, he is Shad's age, and his two children are almost the exact ages as our two. Although I was completely devastated by watching the funeral and trying to understand what that wife and mother was going through I was also amazed at the honor, respect, and love that poured out to this family. Our prayers are continually with this family.

If you want to read more about this police officer click on these two links.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11536030

http://photos.lasvegasnow.com/thumbnails.php?album=266&page=1

A quick thank you to my very close friend who has a husband that works for the FBI (you know who you are) who let me cry my eyes out to her and walked me through the emotions of that day. I LOVE YOU!!

XOXO Melanie

Brox's Stats

Brox had a check up (a couple of weeks ago) and he was 10 weeks old. These are his stats in case anyone is interested...

Weight: 13 lbs 5 oz

Length: 23 in

Yes we have a very HEALTHY baby! Kyson heard us call him chubby so now he walks up to the baby and says "Hi Chubby Bock". Crack me up!!

The picture was taken from Shad's cell right after he got weighed.

XOXO Melanie

Just when you think you want to give up...

Today is what I like to call "one of those days" and it goes like this. Yesterday my babysitter had an emergency so I stayed home with the boys and by 9 a.m. I was starting to feel sick and so by the end of the day I could barely keep my eyes open...which takes us into today. Ky wakes up earlier then normal and wants "shocolate milk" then Brox wakes up and needs to be fed and is fussier than normal. No big deal right? I proceed the morning like usual and Ky even walks into the bathroom, gets on the stool, pulls down his pants and pees all by himself. YEAH! My day starts to get better. Then he decides to pee all over the carpet. Then he goes to the bathroom again all by himself. Then he decides to pee all over the couch (that Shad & I just cleaned the night before). Ky goes to sleep but wakes up crying and fussy. I look at the clock ...it is only 3 p.m. ... I have 3 1/2 more hours to go before Shad gets home. Will I survive? My friend unexpectedly shows up to my house with cookie dough ... what!... I get my favorite snack and I didn't even have to make it (or clean it up). My day is getting better. Then Ky decides to pee on the stairs (while he is sitting in time out for hitting Brox).

Shad gets home at 6:30...

Melanie: "I have to get out of the house!"
Shad: "Ok"
Melanie: "Let's go out to eat."
Shad: "With both kids?"
Melanie: "No we can leave Ky home... Obi can babysit."

We ended up eating at a sit down restaurant (yes we did take both kids...was I asking for more trouble). We sit down and Brox immediately woke up from a deep sleep and started screaming...Mom can't find the binki...water is cold to make a bottle...baby won't take the cold bottle...strangers starring. Why didn't I just stay at home?

On literally the 4th trip to the potty with Ky, Shad was coming back and an older couple stopped Shad and said that they had been watching our table and wanted to let us know that they were "impressed with our children" she said they wouldn't have even known we had two small children because they were so quiet and well behaved... WHAT!!!! Shad & I think they couldn't hear us because the music was so loud but still ...they made my day!

It goes to show how a simple comment can help a struggling Mom want to keep going and stay positive. I hope I will notice that person that needs a little encouragement the next time I'm out and I can "Pay It Forward".

XOXO Melanie