Trick or Treat!

It was a fun night taking the girls trick or treating!  Well, Blakeley trick or treated while Skylar chilled in the stroller.  Blakeley insisted on walking the entire time & we walked a lot.

Why do little kids always smile as if they have an under bite?

Hurry up, Dad!  Keep up!

High Five!

Awww...sisters and best friends

I'll take the whole platter please!

Staring at a scary skeleton that was making noise

All loaded up!

Can you tell what Blakeley's favorite candy is?

I think Halloween might be my new favorite holiday.  I had a lot of fun now that Blakeley is old enough to walk on her own and say trick or treat.  Can't wait for next year!

P.S. I'm excited to eat Blakeley's candy!

Goodbye Iversons

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.-- Anonymous

When I think of my friend, Joscelyn, who recently moved, the quote above comes to mind.


Joscelyn,

When I think about the timing of when you got here and the fact that you're gone now, I truly believe one of the reasons you were here in San Antonio during this time for me.  I am so grateful for your friendship and your example.  You were always so willing to help me any time that I needed, and specifically during Skylar's ordeal when she was in the hospital.  You are truly such a sweetheart and I will be forever grateful for your service.  You are a testament to me that Heavenly Father places people in our paths to help us through trials and that He is very aware of our needs.  You are beautiful inside and out and I will never forget you.  I love you.

xoxo

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Halloween Play Date

On Friday we went to a Halloween play date.  My favorite thing was playing with my friends and eating the mummy hot dogs. I had so much fun running around!  Here are some pictures of me with my cute friends.

(Pic above, from left to right: Jackson Vassilaros, Christian Munson, Rylan Jorgensen, Blakeley, Lanie Embleton, Kai Iverson, Gavin Edmondson, Bronson Jeffs)

Check out my boots in the pic above.  Aren't they so super cute?

I don't know why we're all frowning in the picture below.  You would think someone popped our balloons or something. 

I'm tired from playing so much in the picture below.  But I sure love my Mama and sister!

I love Halloween!  And I especially love eating Halloween candy!

Temple Blessings

Today I did a session at the temple & I love when a member of the temple presidency comes in & greets us & welcomes us to the temple right before the session starts.  They always share a thought from a prophet regarding the temple & the blessings it brings when we attend the temple & I always feel the spirit from their words.  Today he said that President Hinckley once said that when we attend the temple, we are promised that we will have a shield of protection, not only for us but for the ones we love the most.  I’ve never heard that before & when he said it, I immediately thought of Skylar & her stomach issue because sometimes I worry that the adhesions will come back & that she’ll need surgery again.  I try not to think about it but the other night I even had a dream that it happened again & she needed surgery again. 

It’s just always sort of in the back of my mind although I try to stay positive about it & the chances are pretty slim that it will happen again.  Today I was sort of worried because Skylar had not pooped all day & I realized recently that’s the first sign that there’s a problem- even before the throwing up begins.  If she doesn’t poop for a day or two, chances are, something is wrong.   Anyway, so I immediately thought of her when he said that & I felt like she would be ok.  I love moments like that when I feel the spirit & I feel like I receive personal revelation. 

I've finally been taking advantage of living only 3 miles from the temple & I've been going weekly.  Although the temple was closed the last two weeks so I couldn't go.  But I went the three weeks before that & I went today.  I have noticed a difference from going.  I'm able to deal with stress and the trials we have been facing in a more positive way.  They don't feel as overwhelming and I've had the motivation to do things lately that I normally would not have the motivation or energy to do.  It's really cool. 

This is the celestial room.  This picture doesn't do the stained glass justice but it's beautiful and the afternoon sun shines on it perfectly so it looks like heaven's light is shining down from the clouds.  It's a tree with clouds and sunlight rays at the top.

I'm grateful to have the temple so close.  Today I remembered how grateful I was to drive by it every time I drove to the hospital while Skylar was admitted nearby.  What a sweet gift that was to me...to have that symbol of faith & hope & peace during that time!

Have I Mentioned How Much I Love This Little Girl?!

Blakeley is the most amazing little gem & she has been the sweetest thing lately. I don't know what changed but she's been so loving & more cuddly. She has such a fun personality. <3

This is part of Skylar's Halloween costume.  Blakeley put it on & then I had to bribe her with candy to leave it on long enough so I could take some pictures!

My Sweetheart Fairy & My Little Lamb...So Glad They're Mine!

My Sweetheart Fairy and my Cute Little Lamb take on Halloween...

I had to say "my" instead of "the" above because just looking at these pictures makes me so happy that these two amazing, beautiful, darling girls are mine.  They are so special.  In the last month/month and a half or so, Blakeley's behavior has changed so much for the better.  She has seriously been such a sweetheart.  She has been listening and obeying better, she's been more cuddly and loving, she loves to help me, and she's just been such a good girl.  Funny thing is that just typing that made me realize that's about the time I started going to the temple weekly so maybe I've been nicer and more patient and loving too?  

Skylar has been a doll too (well she always has been.)  She's really smiley and a friend just commented today that she's a social butterfly & that she had never seen a baby her age just smile at anyone who looked at her.  (Blakeley has always been super friendly like that too.)  Skylar has also started going to bed a lot easier.  Now when she's tired, I just put her in her crib while she's still awake and she goes to sleep without fussing much.

Blakeley really does love her little sister too.  They are so sweet.  I really hope they will be good friends as they grow up.  I really feel like things have been easier in the last month or so with them.  Maybe we've all finally adjusted to Skylar being home and to having two kids?  All I know is that I love them so much & they are seriously special.  I'm sure every parent feels that way about their children but they really are.  Such fun personalities...can't wait to watch them grow up together.  Anyways, on with the pictures...

The girls' faces in this picture seriously crack me up...

Apparently Blakeley actually wanted to be a lion for Halloween...

I love this little lamb...

And I love this sweetheart...

I'm so glad they're MINE!

P.S. Tyson & I were white trash (with cute kids.)  Grrrrr!  (I look pretty hideous!)

I'm a Mormon!

I love the new mormon.org campaign that the church is doing.  Every time I see the commercials on TV (which they just started running here in San Antonio), I feel the spirit so strong.

Here is my profile on mormon.org:

Hi, I'm Kendra

A wife & mother. A "Ring Around the Rosie" expert. I love color. I require chocolate. And I'm a mormon.

About Me

I'm a wife to a wonderful man and a mother to two beautiful girls. They are my world. I gave up a successful career so I could be home to raise my children. I wanted to be the one to teach them and watch them grow and see all their magical firsts.

I'm becoming an expert at "Ring around the Rosie" and I almost have the movie, Tangled memorized. My favorite moments in the day are kissing my baby's cheeks, hearing my daughter's laugh, and seeing the squeals of delight when Daddy gets home. I wish I could bottle the feelings these moments bring and relive them at any time of my choosing. They are moments of pure JOY. The fleeting moments of happiness that we all yearn for.
My family is my number one priority but I also love interior design and fashion...I need color in my life! I also enjoy writing, running, chocolate, and sunshine.

Why  I am a Mormon

I have a deep rooted knowledge & a love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. His love is pure & unconditional. It doesn't matter what mistakes you've made. He is always there & will never leave you.

I've learned that it's OK to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. Far more importantly, I've learned that it's NEVER too late, no matter how far you've strayed. The Lord loves you. I've felt the arms of an angel wrap around me when I felt utterly & completely alone. The Lord wants to help us. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness. And when you do, the wave of pure joy and bliss that flows into your life is indescribable. It transforms you & helps you become the person you are supposed to be. It allows you to see the everyday miracles that happen all around you. You can then use the experiences & knowledge that you've learned to help others.

I've learned that the only way to be happy is to make good choices. Your life is made up of individual choices you've made in the past & your future life depends on the choices you're going to make. We must choose wisely.

I've learned that without pain & sorrow, we wouldn't know joy. This life is for us to learn & grow. I've had a lot of heartache in my life & each time my heart has mended, it's reaffirmed to me that you can overcome any trial in this life by leaning on our Savior, Jesus Christ. No trial or test in life can overwhelm you as long as He is your partner.

I've learned that we each have a purpose & a path created specifically for us. There are things only you can do. And with your individual experiences, talents, and abilities, there are people that only YOU can assist in the way that they need. We are each of infinite worth.

I've learned that God hears & answers prayers. I've seen miracles in my life which have opened my heart & mind & allowed me to see glimpses of heaven. It's these sweet moments that strengthen my faith & help me endure.

This knowledge brings me peace and happiness. This is why I'm a Mormon.

How I Live my Faith

This gospel is such a big part of my life and it's not only a Sunday engagement. First, I try to be a loving and supportive wife and mother. I also try to live by Christ's example which means striving to be a good role model to others around me all the time. I love helping people so I try to serve those around me as often as possible. Not only does it bring feelings of joy, but it helps me forget about my own problems and reminds me that I have a purpose.

I've learned that we all have the power to bring joy to other's lives and to help lift someone's burden. If I think of someone that I know and feel like there's something I should do for them, there's normally a reason for it. I know from experience that it's important to act on any feelings or promptings that I receive. Time and time again, I've seen the hand of the Lord in my life and in other people's lives when promptings are acted upon. Its very apparent to me that God places people in our lives to help us through the journey.

I've held many positions in the church and my favorites have been teaching the 7-8 year old children and being a mentor and working with the young women, ages 12-18. I have also loved teaching and learning from the adult women. Responsibilities given to me at church have taught me to be a leader and a teacher. I've learned public speaking skills and it has enabled me to be more outgoing in settings where I wouldn't have been, had I not learned these skill sets at church.

It's a privilege to meet and work with such special people where we all share the same beliefs and have the same standards. They are great examples to me and make me want to strive to be a better person. We are an extended family and it's such a blessing to have the gospel in my life. We know of the happiness it brings and that's why we want to share it with others.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Go to mormon.org to see the awesome videos and profiles!

Blakeley & Phoebe

Blakeley's new favorite thing to do is walk Phoebe.  She's really good at it too.  It's super cute to watch!

LOVE

MY FAMILY!